I'm sure you've heard of delightful cook Ina Garten also known as the Barefoot Contessa. Today we are going to visit her new -what she calls- barn, constructed behind her main house. She says there was so much going on in the main house with all the cooking, and filming, and writing cookbooks, that she needed another place to go.
Architect Frank Greenwald was in charge of making Belgian country style barn, and Robert Stilin decorated the interiors.
Come with me?
Ina's barn was built on a shady side street of East Hampton, New York.
On the bluestone terrace, Ina prepares to set the table.
In the entry, there is a 19th-century muslin-covered settee and a 17th-century Venetian mirror.
Rough-hewn salvaged beams lend dimension and warmth to kitchen-dining area. Axel Vervoordt cabinet anchors one wall and a huge Vervoordt basket at the end of the 18-foot-long counter holds all Ina's bakeware. Countertop is Peitit Fossil Belgian Stone; lamps are custom. White armchairs from Robert Stilin. Wall color is Farrow & Ball Light Gray.
The dining room.
.
The kitchen and dining room share a fireplace.
Simple asymmetrical mantel display.
Open shelves are stocked with a collection of cake stands and hotel silver.
In the pantry, simple wire Metro shelving holds plates, props, and supplies.
In the bedroom, a 17th-century French oak table holds eggshaped ceramics.
Morning coffee in the cozy comfort of a bedroom armchair covered in gingham
French doors open to the gardens outside from the bedroom
Ina's office space in an alcove outside the bedroom. Photo of Luxembourg Gardens by Jean-Michel Berts. Walls are Farrow & Ball White Tie.
This bubbles-up-to-your-chin bathtub overlooks a walled garden. Wood blinds.
Looking out from the barn you can see the main house in the distance.
A covered porch leads to the entrance. The caramel-colored cedar will age over time to a silvery gray.
A covered porch becomes an outdoor living room in summer; 1920s rattan chairs.
The stone-topped trestle table and sitting wall on the bluestone terrace.
Ina was interviewed about her barn by Frances Schultz. If you'd like to read it just click
here. At the end of the interview she names 5 things that make her comfortable:
1. Cashmere blankets and Loro Piana slippers everywhere.
2. Great dance music when I'm cooking.
3. Flower arrangements from the garden.
4. Mariage Frères tea with homemade cookies.
5. Surrounding myself with people who make me happy.
Hope you enjoyed Ina's barn!
All images and information from House Beautiful.
