Garden Visit: At Home with a New England Artist

Not one to take herself too seriously, Terri’s laid-back attitude shows through in her New Hampshire garden. She has a greenhouse wall covered in vintage sprinkler heads, a garden shed that doubles as a napping spot, and playful plantings.

Terri is an artist who teaches a woodworking class at Squam Art Workshops, an art retreat in New Hampshire where I also teach and take classes. Terri’s introduction to woodworking class convenes at her home studio. The first time I saw her property, I knew I wanted to come back.

Many outbuildings dot the property, including: a woodworking studio, a garden shed, and a sleeping shed.  Attached to the house is a greenhouse, and on the other side of the greenhouse door is a large art/sewing studio.  Terri’s creativity is evident in every room, and throughout her garden.

On a recent weekend trip through the area, I visited Terri’s garden again and found vintage and thrift finds decorating the grounds. Each flower-lined path led to a discovery:

Photography by Christine Chitnis for Gardenista.

Above: A glimpse through the flowers to a gardening shed that contains a hanging bed for afternoon naps.

Above: New Hampshire has great antique shops, but Terri isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, and has found many gems at the town dump, including scrap wood to use in various woodworking projects.  On the front porch, and old tin tub makes the perfect table for holding a good book and a glass of iced tea.

Above: Succulents dot the garden, which is unusual given the climate. However, Terri pulls them into the greenhouse when the weather turns cold.

Above: Succulents in the greenhouse.

Above: Brightly colored birdhouses are mounted on the exterior of the main house, creating visual interest as visitors walk from the driveway to the backyard gardens.

Above: Gauzy curtains, lending shade to the sleeping shed, billow in the breeze.

Above: Walkways weave through the gardens, connecting the various outbuildings and beds.  Stone work, as well as tree trunk rounds, form the path.

Above: Vintage sprinkler heads brighten a greenhouse wall.