As promised another seldom seen area of our property the barn area. My husband built this little barn when our barn at the base of our property flooded one year. It never flooded again, and we no longer have horses. We have considered doing something else with it, as it is such a cute structure but for now it just houses my husband’s gator. Let’s take a look at my Spanish Revival Barn and Grounds. This is the entrance, welcome!
The grass is Karl Foerster (love it), and it is underplanted with Santa Barbara daisies. They aren’t blooming at the moment as the drip got turned off while we were at the lake! The grates and gate handles were purchased in Mexico years ago, and they are linked at the bottom of the post.
I planned to show you this in our Outdoor Living Post but thought it would be too much. Here is the corner of the barn with a shot of the hills behind. The gravel path is lined with easy-care oleander. We wanted to keep the landscaping to a minimum and water conscious. The driveway is lined with olives. We don’t water the oleander or the olives at all in the summer. They survive on winter rains.
This area has randomly filled in with feather grass and we kind of like it. The horse weathervane on the top we purchased in the Midwest when we were first married.
The barn is prettiest early spring when it is covered with wisteria
My uber-talented friend Roxanne came over and styled a table in this walkway area in front of the barn for our outdoor living post. She did such a beautiful job I thought it deserved it’s own post.
She filled an antique bucket with David Austin Roses and created a spot to grab a glass of wine and some cheese. On a hot day (we have very few) this would be a great spot to do that!
Beau decided to get in on the action,
Thanks, Roxanne for creating such a gorgeous space. Now I think we need to add some chairs to the area! If you would like to see more of Roxanne’s work you might enjoy my post
Last Thursday we had a socially distanced celebration fit for a Contessa. We celebrated Elizabeth’s upcoming 60th birthday. I will be back next week with a dedicated post with the recipes and all the deets!
I hope you enjoyed seeing the barn area. Elizabeth and I will be back on Tuesday for Ageless Style! You are going to love my latest victim. I had to beg and plead with her to do it! Shhhh it’s a secret!
You read a Spanish Revival Barn and Grounds first here on Rough Luxe Lifestyle.
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What a beautiful spot to relax. Roxanne’s beautiful table and the wisteria garnished barn…love it all.
Mary Ann
I LOVE THE TABLECLOTH!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE…………….
THE PARTY WAS LOVELY AND YES WE TOOK OUR MASKS OFF FOR THE PHOTO SHAME ON ME AS IT WAS ME WHO WANTED OUR FACES!NOW LOOKING BACK A PHOTO OF US IN OUR FACE MASKS WOULD HAVE SET A BETTER EXAMPLE BUT THE WARNING ITS BACK CAME THAT DAY SO WE KIND THOUGHT WE WERE OFF THE HOOK!Nor, is CALIFORNIA in the PANIC that TEXAS and ARIZONA are IN…………..I spoke with a girlfriend in ITALY this weekend ITALY is down to 200 cases of COVID COUNTRY WIDE!WE NOW NEED TO DO WHAT THEY DID!!BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO SAYS ITS “THE FLU” AND DOES NOT WEAR A MASK……..well you get those that FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE!!!Recently I saw on INSTAGRAM a FAMILY from 1916 date maybe wrong SPANISH FLU TIME they all had masks on even THE CAT which DAD was HOLDING!!!
THAT PHOTO NEEDS TO CIRCULATE…………….
I HAD A WONDERFUL TIME THURSDAY AND NOW OFF TO WRITE MY THANK YOU NOTES!!
XX
Your outdoor area is absolutely stunning. Oleander is great for periods of drought. It grows very well here.
Oh, this is all so beautiful — and so “foreign” for a Chicagoan! You have done a remarkable job. I especially love the color in your gardens and even in your structures. Those gates are wonderful!
It looks like something out of a storybook, Cindy! Perfect! Every detail is so well thought out and gorgeous. How I wish I’d been there to celebrate Elizabeth’s birthday. Last night we got an Emergency Alert on our phones: STAY IN YOUR HOMES! The number of Covid cases in San Antonio is off the charts and the hospitals are filled to capacity. Very scary here. I can’t imagine standing as close to one another as you and Elizabeth are. That, too, seems like something out of a fairytale. Be safe my friend and stay well. xoxox, Brenda
Buongiorno cara Cindy magnifiche foto e tutto stupendamente curato nei dettagli come sempre. Potrei essere un po’ invidiosa di tutto il contesto, ma per fortuna essendo ora nella nostra casetta al confine con la Toscana aprendo le finestre sono rimasta travolta da un altrettanto bel panorama. Molto carina la foto con Elizabeth, a cui auguro di rimanere sempre così unica e creativa, spero di vederne altre. A presto… 🥂
Hi Dora
It is I who am envious of your small house on the border of Tuscany! Love Italy and hope to be able to travel there again soon. We will be downsizing as all of our children are adults and it is just Steve and me rattling around in this house! Time for a change. Always lovely to hear from you. I am so happy things have improved in Italy. As you know, now we are in a mess.
Cindy,
Your barn and the surroundings are simply stunning…the style, the flowers, the table area, the wisteria. I love it. I was so surprised to hear that you just have a few hot days. I assumed you had a hot summer.
Very best regards, Alice from Minnesota
Hi Alice
Our climate is very moderate here because we are not far from the ocean. We do have more hot days than we used to but the breeze in the afternoon usually keeps the heat away. Thank you for your sweet comment Alice. It is always so nice to hear from you.
That lovely sitting area has Roxanne’s name all over it. You two make a great team.
Roxanne never disappoints does she Pat? We are going to see your darling grandchildren today!
Cindy– a trip to France, Spain, or Italy would be unnecessary while living in your gorgeous paradise, yes? So stunning!
Hi Nan
We have worked hard on this property and enjoyed every minute, but it will soon be time for a change. Thank you for the sweet comment.
Change is the norm at this stage of life and even better when we orchestrate the new path. There is no doubt you will achieve this with great style and grace! Looking forward to your future shares as you forge your new path.
FYI… you are my style muse as I adapt to my newly silvery grey ‘do and transform my wardrobe to accent my green eyes/grey hair. eBay has been a Godsend enabling me to sell some of my Eileen Fisher, Coach, and David Yurman jewelry/wardrobe items in brown tones, many still new with tags! Love my women buyers! Also selling some of my discontinued Vietri Italian pottery patterns on there as I tweak even my decor to embrace my new look. Looking forward to your Tuesday fashion post!
Hooray for you Nan! I need to clean out my closet and get busy on Ebay as well!
I can’t imagine that with your serious research skills you dwould have planted anything that would have endangered anyone! The barn area is lovely. You had a cow? Wow! Pretty amazing all things considered. Every view from your garden is worthy of a painting. But enough of the gardens, I want to see the wine room!!
Hi Patricia
How are things in Kansas? Scary world right now. I will do a post on the wineroom just for you! It is a bit dated however!
Just beautiful! You have given me some good ideas for a large parcel of land on the side of my home. Gazebo? She-Shed? How about a new fountain, or all three? The wheels are turning!
Hi Sharon
Have fun designing! We have enjoyed dreaming and designing over the years.
JUST GORGEOUS!!! I had an iron work company make half window grates for my sunroom similar to yours but mine are curved out at bottom. He also made my Mediterranean cross grate. Your taste is EXPLICIT!!!! I would not want to move from this lovely place!
Hi Nancy
We had a blacksmith do much of the work in our home but supplemented many things from Mexico as well. I guess that should be another post. He has since passed. We have a lot of memories of the times he spent at our home.
This is a beautiful spot, and bard, it would make a wonderful guest house/airbnb or do you already have one? I love your gorgeous property and always learn something new when I visit here. Looking forward to the birthday celebration.
Hi Elizabeth
No we do not have an airbnb. The barn is just a barn on the inside so it would take a lot of work to get it there. I think that will be for the next owner.
What a beautiful barn area. I love the setting of your lovely home. Thank you for sharing.
Karen
Hi Karen
Thank you so much. How are you enjoying the downsized life? We are next!
Oh, Cindy,
Your revival barn and it’s story are extraordinary. Your life long collected items, like the horse weathervane, make the beauty so personal, a real home. Your table setting is welcoming, an expression of warm hospitality.
With gratitude for inspiring you,
Diney on Camano Island
Hi Diney
Thank you for your support and kind comment. I always love hearing from you!
So, so pretty, Cindy. I love the historical richness of it all! Someone has already mentioned the wisteria warning. I believe oleander is quite toxic as well, especially for dogs. I also try to check on any landscaping that might be a danger to my sweet dog. 🙂
Hi Pam
We have had wisteria and oleaner since we built this house over 30 years ago. We have had five labs, numerous cats, cows and horses. None have ever touched either of them. I don’t know if country dogs and cats have more sense or what? But thanks for the reminder! Hope all is well with you!
Cindy,
WOW…more of your amazing property, and I’m sure there’s places we haven’t seen. You’ve certainly created a truly gorgeous sanctuary, don’t think I’d ever want to leave…unless it’s to go to your wonderful lake house! I never get enough of seeing your attention to detail and I love how you incorporate items from your travels.
Another one of your biggest fans,
Gail
Hi Gail
thank you so much for always being so supportive. I so appreciate all your thoughtful comments!
What a truly lovely space! It would be very tempting to repurpose it!
I would like to very gently point out to anyone tempted to plant wisteria near farm animals. It is poisonous. Just wanted to mention that because it is so gorgeous it would be tempting. So well done!
Hi Meg
I know that the seed pods are poisonous when they fall. We try to keep them cleaned up that time of year. Oleander is also poisonous and I have never known a cow or horse to eat it. We have had both for years. We no longer have any animals but a dog and two old cats. We have never had a dog or cat touch either, but there is always a chance of course. Yes it is tempting but we don’t plan to live here much longer that will probably be up to the new owner!! Thanks for commenting!
Love, love, love it all. Do you find that the Santa Barbara Daisy takes over? I wanted to plant it on our hillside. Does it need much care? I love the way your landscape and decorate.I may be your biggest fan!!
Looking forward to your recipes.
Hi Sandra
Yes Santa Barbara Daisies are not good anywhere where they can spread. They work out in front because they are on drip and they can just fill in and be happy. They can be a pain though!