P Allen Smith by AY Magazine

P. Allen Smith’s

Garden Home Retreat A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF AY MAGAZINE

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P. ALLEN SMITH’S GARD E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

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Welcome, I’m excited to have this opportunity to offer you a tour through the Garden Home Retreat. FOR YEARS I’VE BEEN SHARING WAYS to create a place where the home and garden are blended in a way that makes the most of both realms. I call this concept the Garden Home. It is my belief that a garden home is not just about beautifying our surroundings or extending our living space; it also helps us stay close to the earth and reminds us to be good stewards of our environment. Although I’ve been able to teach the Garden Home ideal through examples of gardens that I have designed for clients and my own urban garden, it has been a longheld dream of mine to have a property where I could create the full expression of my design ideas. The Garden Home Retreat is the realization of this dream. It’s an ornamental farm that truly blurs the lines between indoors and out, with a focus on earth-friendly building materials and energy systems. In creating this project, each stage of the construction was documented, so I could share the journey with others through my television shows, Web site and publications. It is my hope that in doing so, I can offer information about what works and what doesn’t so my experience might be helpful to those who want to do the same. I have been fortunate to have so many great partners who helped me create the Garden Home Retreat. It took a number of different businesses and individuals to put this project together. I was delighted to find so many companies that share the desire to show how their products can play a part in this demonstration of how life can be enjoyed at its natural best. I also want to express my appreciation to my staff and those at AY Magazine who made this special issue possible. This feature is meant to give you a taste of what you might see during the open house of the Garden Home Retreat on Sept. 27 and 28. The home and garden will be on tour those two days with ticket sales benefiting ACCESS Schools. I’ve enjoyed my partnership and involvement with ACCESS Schools’ horticultural classes where students learn how to grow, market and sell plants to develop their skills. I invite you to come out to the Retreat Sept. 27 and 28 to see more of the house and garden and join me in my support of the school and its educational efforts.

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“Creating the Garden Home Retreat has been the greatest learning experience of my life.”

P. ALLEN SMITH’S GARD E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

P. ALLEN SMITH HAS THE GIFT OF SEEING WHAT’S POSSIBLE and the ability to make it real. Stand with him in an outdoor setting and ask him how he’d improve it and without hesitation, he’ll begin to describe what needs to be done. And to help illustrate what he has in mind, he’ll often grab a pen and paper and begin sketching out his plan. Before you know it, you’re nodding in agreement, because you can see it, too. Allen has used this talent to become a consummate view maker, designing everything from sweeping landscapes to intimate settings for his long list of garden design clients. Along the way, he also started a media company to share his enthusiasm for gardening with a wider audience. Now he makes regular appearances on “The Today Show,” has authored a series of best selling books and has two nationally-syndicated television programs. So it seemed inevitable that one day Allen would find a piece of ground large enough to hold all of his best ideas. It took some searching, but Allen finally discovered the perfect spot, now known as the Garden Home Retreat. Located on a high plateau overlooking the Arkansas River Valley, the 30-acre building site has a view that is inspiring and full of distinctive beauty. According to Allen, the idea for this project grew from his love of the countryside and his days as a child on his grandfather’s farm in Tennessee. “The memory of that landscape still fills me with a sense of joy and beauty. In my paintings, I would often recreate those rural scenes filled with rolling hills, grazing livestock, streams and stately trees,” Allen said. Soon, he and project designer Ward Lile began work on a plan to showcase how to artfully mix the character and spirit of a classic American farmstead with all the latest in energy efficient systems and materials. Ward explained, “A key feature of the design was to create a home and garden that reflects the region’s cultural and agrarian past blended with many of the current innovations in earth-friendly living.” As they began their design, Allen followed the advice he often gives to others to “consult the genius of the place” and looked to the existing features in the landscape to guide their choice of where to site the house and garden. A colossal oak sitting on the crest of the hill was so magnificent and perfectly shaped that they decided to use it as an anchoring point and arranged the garden and home on axis with the tree. They also wanted the gardens to fit naturally on the hillside and follow the lines of former farm fields, so they laid out two long terraces just below the crest of the ridge. The layout of the farmstead also draws on the experiences of Allen’s time in England where he studied and toured the country’s grandest gardens. The first sign of this influence appears as you turn off the rural road and pass through the buttery-colored stone gate houses that lead you through a wooded valley, by a swan filled pond and up a hill to the first view of the house and farm. This grand approach reveals a walnut brown board fence that guides the eye along a sinuous drystack rock wall by the farm buildings to the circular drive around the oak and the front of the house. “Since I was a child, I always felt the importance of place, and I think my interest and attraction to settings has been one of the main driving forces in my work as a designer. The cultural and natural history of place has been my greatest teacher,” Allen said. Allen’s purpose in creating this project is to develop a “test kitchen” for activities and projects that are part of his vision of a Garden Home. Here he plans to continue his efforts to experiment and share his ideas for growing food and flowers, entertaining, raising animals, decorating, attracting wildlife and cooking, just to name a few. The design and placement of the buildings, gardens, orchards and pastures have been constructed as a working model to carry on his work and share his ideas and discoveries through his media outlets. According to Allen, “Creating the Garden Home Retreat has been the greatest learning experience of my life. The thrill for me is that we are teaching and inspiring the public from this place — all from right here in Arkansas!” To get a better idea of what Allen has in store, take the tour of his home and garden. AY M A G A Z I N E • P. A L L E N S M I T H ’ S G A R D E N H OME RETREAT 5

8elements of

design

1. 3.

4. 1. VIEWS THAT BLUR THE LINE BETWEEN INDOORS AND OUT 2. “IN-BETWEEN” ROOMS – PORCHES, TERRACES, DECKS 3. GARDENS DESIGNED AS A SERIES OF ROOMS 4. INVITING ENTRANCES 6

P. ALLEN SMITH’S GARD E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

What makes a Garden Home? Here are the 8 key elements found in the design of P. Allen Smith’s signature style. 6.

5. 7.

8. 5. ABUNDANCE — GENEROUS USE OF PLANTS AND MATERIALS 6. ENJOY WHAT YOU GROW 7. ANIMALS — BOTH DOMESTIC AND WILD 8. STEWARDSHIP — WISE USE OF RESOURCES AY M A G A Z I N E • P. A L L E N S M I T H ’ S G A R D E N H OME RETREAT 7

Touring Allen’s THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE AS YOU APPROACH Allen’s home is a wide and welcoming front porch with stately Greek Doric columns. “When people tour the home they often ask when we completed the renovation, which for me is the ultimate compliment. My goal was to build a new home that looks and feels like it’s been here a while,” Allen said.

P. ALLEN SMITH’S GARD E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

Abode

A careful choice of exterior materials helps to give the house its authentic period feel including: a standing seam metal roof; bricks formed from wooden molds and window sills; thresholds; and lentils cut from local limestone. The craftsmanship found in the way the masons from Bennett Brothers Stone laid up the foundation and steps also supports the historic style. The porch is furnished with plenty of brightly-painted chairs, benches and rockers that invite you come and sit a while. “I wanted something that said welcome and also signals that we’re having a little fun here,” Allen said. As you step through the front door and into the side hall, the room sets the stage for the openness and easy flow found in the layout of the home. The hall is a wide corridor that connects the front and back porches. The main feature is a stairway leading to the second

(Opposite page, from top) In its riverfront location, the Garden Home Retreat has a panoramic view of the Arkansas River Valley. Twin stone gate houses that have been limewashed to a buttery yellow, capped with metal roofing and adorned with traditional Walpole Woodworkers gate mark the entry to the Retreat. (Above) The front porch hosts a collection of reproduction Windsor chairs that are painted in a fun, nontraditional Benjamin Moore Salmon Run color.

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(Above) A large color rendering of Black Dog, Chief of the Osage Nation, who lived in the river valley when Europeans arrived is a focal point in the back parlor. (Below) Cool breezes and plenty of comfortable seating fill the screened porch off the back parlor. (Opposite page) The back porch is a great place to enjoy breakfast and take in the view of the gardens and river valley.

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P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

floor. Coming off the hall to the right are entrances to living spaces and a mud/laundry room that is accessible from the left behind the staircase. It is a straightforward floor plan borrowed from designs of early-to mid 1800s Greek Revival homes. According to Ward Lile, project designer, “Allen wanted the home to be an interpretation, not a reproduction of an historic house. The layout of the rooms and many of its features were modeled after several of the fine Greek Revival buildings in this area including the Old State House and Absalom Fowler House in Little Rock, Hunt-Phelan House in Memphis and several homes in Old Washington.” Ward pointed out that one of the benefits of using a historical model is that many design features used then can still help to create a comfortable living environment, including: tall windows for natural lighting; high ceilings to dissipate heat; efficient fireplaces to warm the rooms; an open floor plan for cross ventilation; western porches to shade the house from the hot sun; and screened porches on the cooler side to catch the breezes. Allen’s house combines these features with today’s energy-saving systems to take advantage of both traditional style and modern innovations. From the hallway to the right, twin front and back parlors fill out the main part of the house. A wall between the parlors holds back-to-back Rumford fireplaces and pocket doors that can be opened to combine the spaces, or closed to give each area a greater sense of intimacy. The fireplaces serve to anchor the center of the rooms. “We have been delighted to find companies that have continued to make some of the same features found in historic homes. Rumford fireplaces were endorsed by Benjamin Franklin and were commonly used from the late 1700s to the mid 1800s. They have clean burning and highly-efficient fireboxes and Superior Clay continues to make all the components, so we used the fireplaces in all the buildings,” Allen said. Each room has comfortable seating areas and dining tables that work together visually so when large groups are in the parlors, furnishings can be moved from place to place. The décor is a blend of Allen’s collection of southern antique furniture — some given to him by family members; others that he has acquired through the years — and contemporary pieces. He limited himself to using just one or two bold pieces in each room, to illustrate how you can blend old and new furnishings. According to Allen, “I think a few antiques in a room add texture and soul.” The colors of the fabrics and drapes are autumnal tones — ochre and deep browns with accents of red and apricot. “My color inspiration came straight from the garden — earth brown, cabbage green and habanera pepper red. Many of the Natural Lee upholstered pieces are covered with durable indoor/outdoor Sunbrella fabric because I want guests to feel that they can come in from the garden, flop down and kick their shoes off without worrying about wear and tear,” said Allen. The symmetry of the main floor’s layout gives each parlor its own porch. The front porch is accessible through the main entrance while the back parlor has wide French doors that open onto a generous screened in area along the back of the house. “I was thrilled that Marvin Windows customized their energy-efficient windows and doors to fit the style of the house. This was a big help in allowing us to blur the lines between inside and out … they really got what we were trying to do here,” Allen said. The back porch is furnished with soft, cushioned seating areas and a casual dining spot overlooking the terraced gardens, studio, summer

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kitchen and has a captivating view of the Arkansas River Valley. Large floor-to-ceiling shutters on both ends of the porch can be opened to allow breezes into the area or closed when the weather is less than ideal. Ward worked closely with Timberlane Shutters to make the ends of the porch appear as “see through walls.” A unique feature of the shutters is that along with the louvers, they are also screened on the outer facing to keep out the bugs. To keep the porch furnishings as stylish

and comfortable as the interior pieces, Allen asked the designers at Lee Industries to create furniture with stainless steel nails, screws and springs and water-resistant, soy-based foam cushions covered in outdoor fabric. “I wanted furniture that I could drag out on the lawn and have it still look good,” Allen said. On the east end of the porch near the dining area, a set of French doors allow access back into the parlor and to an area in front of the kitchen. The kitchen is a room attached to the main part of the house; it can be closed off from the back parlor by a set of large pocket doors. More than just a room for preparing meals, this kitchen will also serve as a television studio. Here Allen tapes recipe segments for his television programs. “I wanted the kitchen large enough to have plenty of space for the camera gear as well as have room to work with guest chefs. When the pocket doors are open, furniture can be arranged in the back parlor to seat up to 75 people for a cooking demonstration.” The room has a bright, airy feel(Clockwise from top) An extra deep custom-made soapstone sink in the mudroom holds buckets of fresh ing with five large windows, walls cut flowers, and ample storage space keeps Allen’s containers and flower arranging supplies within reach. and ceilings covered with Arkansas Lucky, who lives at the Retreat, settles into a chair in the play area of the kid’s bunkroom waiting for someone to come and join him. Colorful handmade quilts, children’s artwork and baskets of toys decorate the Southern pine boards that have been sleeping area of the kid’s bunkroom. (Opposite page from top) Before air conditioning, second floor sleeppainted white. ing porches were the best way to catch evening breezes on hot summer nights. At one end of the sleeping “The ceiling looks a bit like Swiss porch a copper tub with a shower offers a fun and refreshing way to rinse off or take a long soaking bath cheese, because we’ve had to put so while enjoying the view. Cloud-filled paintings above the beds in the guest room help set a relaxed mood. many lights and electrical connec-

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P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

tions up there for the studio lighting,” Allen said. Energy Star-rated Viking appliances are used throughout the kitchen. Allen chose a line with a white enamel coating to match the white cabinets and to keep the room in style with the rest of the house. Since the room will be well used, Allen needed a durable surface for the kitchen counters and considered marble. “Terry and Cathy Gheta with Classic Marble saved the day by suggesting a type of Vermont granite that has the beauty of marble with the look of those classic soda fountain counters.” On the west side of the house is a room that Allen calls the “mudroom,” which has the same square footage as the kitchen. “The floor plan of the house resembles a face with ears,” he said. “The entrance hall and parlor make up the face while the kitchen and mudroom are the ears.” A floor-to-ceiling barn door divides the mudroom into two functions. One side is the laundry room, and the other serves as Allen’s floral arranging area and television studio. “The door acts as a ‘false wall’ so when the videographers need more room, they can slide the door open and back into that area.” The walls are painted a North Creek brown so the projects Allen puts together for his shows will pop against the neutral background. An extra deep custom-made soapstone farm sink gives him plenty of room to soak greenery and hold vases. “Since I’m a crazy man in the garden and I’m always dragging in large boughs from shrubs and trees along with armfuls of flowers, I needed something that would hold it all. Terry Gheta made sure the veining of the soapstone sink was book-matched to make it appear as though it were carved from a single block. He’s just brilliant,” Allen said. “It’s such a relief to have a separate room where I can gather and assemble the flowers and vegetables rather than hauling all of that through the house to the kitchen.” Back in the entrance hall, a gracious stairway leads to the second floor. At the top of the stairs is the library; Allen calls this his “museum of natural curiosities.” Since he is an avid reader, the room has two walls of floor-to-ceiling shelves to hold books. Along with the bookshelves, the room displays art as well as all kinds of natural objects Allen has collected through the years. The library also provides passage to the other rooms on that level including the sleeping porch, master bedroom, guest room and the stairway to the attic, where the kids’ room is found. The sleeping porch is set up as a fun getaway furnished with three beds and a copper bathtub. “It’s like a summer camp for adults,” Allen quipped. On this second level, the view is even more sublime with vistas of landmarks such as Pinnacle Mountain and Petit Jean Mountain. The entire 14-by-40 foot porch stays bug free thanks to the copper screening. “We needed a wire that was a good, long lasting material, that wouldn’t obscure the view. This material weathers to a bronze color that is nearly invisible,” Ward said. A robin’s egg blue ceiling along with pale cream limewashed brick walls makes the room light and airy. Bed covers and furnishings in fresh blues and greens made with indoor/outdoor fabrics add to the comfortable feel of the room. The same floor–to-ceiling shutters used on the porch below are found here, helping to modify the light and add to a sense of enclosure. “Even on the hottest days, you can usually catch a cool breeze here. Screened sleeping porches were a good idea in the 1800s, and they still are today. It’s a great way to work with nature instead of AY M A G A Z I N E • P. A L L E N S M I T H ’ S G A R D E N H O ME RETREAT 1 3

against it,” Allen added. A guest bedroom can also be found on this level. The beds, inspired by a classic 1840s acorn post bed, were created by New York designer Thomas O’Brien and produced by Hickory Chair. Above the linen upholstered headboards are paintings from Mississippi artist Jerry Lee Dorrough. “When I visited the Viking Cooking School in Greenwood, I saw some of Jerry’s work, so I tracked him down and asked him if he would do a pair of cloud studies for me. I think they help set the mood of the room,” Allen said. Pale lavender walls help set off the furnishings and the chocolate brown patterned bed coverings. As a fun contrast to all the browns and fabric, a stainless steel and leather trunk from G & J Styles and an early 19th century Kentucky work table, used as a desk, also furnish the room. Plates on the wall are McCarty pottery made in Merigold, Mississippi. The adjoining bathroom is designed with a private shower and toilet area linked by a dressing room so two people can go about their morning rituals without getting in each other’s way. The master bedroom serves as Allen’s private retreat. It is a combination bedroom, sitting area and home office. The centerpiece of the room is the large early 19th century full tester bed sold as William Savin Fulton’s bed. Fulton served as the region’s last territorial governor in 1835, and Arkansas’ first junior senator in 1836. Upholstered chairs create a cozy fireside seating area where Allen can enjoy a quiet moment reading. On the east side of the room is a small study and home office. Since Allen still prefers writing in longhand to computers this area affords him a nook with a view of the pasture and river valley where he can take in the vista while putting pen to paper. “Since I’m prone to get up very early in the morning, having the desk in the alcove is a way to get a jump on things.” The adjoining master bathroom is a large, open space with separate shower and bathtub. Its design was inspired by the great old bath houses in Hot Springs, Ark., with tile floors and nickel-plated faucets. The Edwardian-style tub has masculine lines and is authentic to the period. The 1 4

P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

tile floor is white with a Greek key border in black. “We were excited to learn about ceramic engineer Brian Byrd, from American Restoration Tile in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is the only person in the country who is still making these old mosaic tiles. His work is in demand as he’s supplied tiles for projects in the Little Rock Capital Hotel, as well as the Library of Congress and the U. S. Capitol.” With period subway tiles on the walls and large windows, there’s plenty of natural light in the room. Water-saving toilets are used throughout the house, and all the water from showers and tubs drains into a graywater tank and will be used to irrigate the trees in the orchard. “Because the water is recycled, and all the hot water is warmed by a Dawn Solar System of water-filled tubing installed under the standing seam metal roof, Allen and his guests can enjoy plenty of long, guilt-free showers,” Ward said. On the third floor or attic level of the home, Allen has created a fun getaway for his nieces and nephews. It is big open loft space with a chimney that divides the space into a bunk room and a play area. Four single beds mean there is room for friends to stay over, and a TV area with a sofa and chair give them a place away from the grown-ups to play. “I set up a table where we can make art together and some of their work is framed and hanging on the walls along with student art from Episcopal Collegiate School,” Allen said. The color palette is bright and cheerful. The bed blankets are handmade in soft blues and pinks and the colors are used throughout the room giving it both a masculine and feminine feel. The sloping walls are covered with Georgia Pacific’s Ply-Bead panels. According to Ward, “The wall panels give the room the classic look of expensive beaded-board plank paneling without the cost. It comes in 4-by-8 foot sheets so it goes up fast.” Allen wanted to keep down the cost of heating and cooling. “In hot weather, attic spaces can be a huge heat load on cooling systems. I wanted to do something about that, so I used a radiant barrier roof

sheathing to help reduce my energy consumption. It’s a perforated foillined plywood that reflects heat, but lets air circulate. I can already tell the difference. On top of that, the entire house is sprayed from stem to stern with Bio-Based foam insulation, a sustainable product produced from soybeans.” To keep the air in the house clean and comfortable, Allen installed Lennox high-efficiency heating and cooling systems that help reduce energy consumption and indoor air pollutants. Behind the main house are twin clapboard-sided buildings linked by a lawn. Both structures have Rumford fireplaces and large four-panel, sliding glass doors on their east and west sides. The doors have the appearance of traditional French doors, but they slide sideways, opening up the rooms for maximum viewing and air circulation. “The Marvin sliding doors make the spaces very flexible. When they are open, the rooms take on the feel of a fresh air pavilion, and when they are closed, they are private and intimate,” Ward said. The east building is set up as Allen’s painting studio. “I readily admit that I come from a long line of mediocre painters, but I do enjoy dabbling. I’ve found that if I don’t have a specific place where I can keep my easel set up, I won’t take the time to paint,” he said. The studio solves that problem. Along with an area to paint, it has plenty of cabinets and bookcases to store art supplies and has a cushioned seating area around the fireplace. The sleeper sofa and full bath also help the room function as an extra guest bedroom or a place to take a nap between paintings. “We’ll also use this area for taping a wide range of garden and craft projects for my programs — everything from aging concrete containers to making dried flower arrangements,” Allen said. The west building, or the summer kitchen, is outfitted with stainless steel Viking appliances and the center island is topped in New St. Cecelia granite that has been honed, waxed and sealed for a soft finish. Stainless steel shelving stores a collection of yellow ware ceramic pottery and sponge ware from Allen’s family. “Some of the dishes go back five generations, so they have been used for many meals.” The stainless steel appliances and shelving give a modern edge to

the rustic quality of the building. A dining area is set up in front of the fireplace with reproduction Windsor chairs. The walls in the summer kitchen are charcoal gray and the center island cabinet is bright red. The color is picked up in the bricks of the fireplace and the rag rug under the dining table. The large rectangular lawn between the buildings serves as a gathering area or a place for lawn sports with the studio and summer kitchen as convenient places to serve food and relax. “At parties, it seems like everyone ends up in the kitchen, so bringing the kitchen out into the garden creates a great gathering spot. I think of the buildings as the equivalent of a pool house ... outdoor rooms that keep the party in the garden.” Stone steps lead from each outbuilding down the hill to the lower garden terrace and two more outdoor rooms. “Since the summer kitchen and studio are on a hillside, the fireplace chimneys extend several feet below floor level on the north side of the buildings. We decided to add a flue to each chimney and make use of these areas.” On the studio’s lower level there is an outdoor fireplace furnished with teak cushioned chairs. “It’s a great place to start a fire on a cool autumn evening to watch the stars, especially when it’s just too beautiful to go inside.” On the summer kitchen side, a fully-equipped Viking outdoor kitchen is set up for cooking and dining. A grill, two burners, warming drawer, sink, refrigerator with ice maker and a portable beverage cart are all included in the sleek stainless steel ensemble. The brick chimney features an outdoor pizza oven. A teak dining set with Sunbrella table linens and pillows creates a relaxed seating area. To provide the feeling of an enclosed space the area is hedged with hollies, which frame the view of the river valley. “Because it’s just steps from the garden, it’s the perfect spot to bring an armload of fresh vegetables and cook a meal,” Allen said. AY (Left to right) Housed in a separate building behind the main house, the summer kitchen serves as a set for Allen’s television programs and as a place to gather for parties in the garden. A Rumford fireplace offers an energy-efficient way to warm the room during cool weather. A fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, complete with pizza oven, makes dining outside a breeze.

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2. 3. Greener Choices for Every Home such as bricks and metal roofs, mean long life and less waste. 2. INSULATION with Bio-Based foam seals out air leaks and reduces energy comsumption. 3. WATER WISE FEATURES, such as rain water harvesting, gray water storage and reuse saves water. 1. DURABLE MATERIALS,

4. HIGH PERFORMANCE AIR HANDLER SYSTEMS

mean clean and comfortable interiors. 5. ENERGY STAR-RATED APPLIANCES keep utility costs in check. 6. LOW OR NO VOC PAINTS (Volatile Organic Compounds) improve indoor air quality. 7. NATURAL FIBER FURNITURE, such as Lee Naturals, uses sustainable materials. 8. ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS AND DOORS keep heating and cooling costs down.

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Allen’s

“I think of a

Eden

garden home as a place where the garden and home feel like they are interwoven.”

WHEN ALLEN FIRST COINED THE TERM “GARDEN HOME,” the order of the words seemed particularly fitting as he has always said that he would much rather be in the garden than anywhere else. It also revealed Allen’s deeply-held belief that a garden and home are inextricably linked. “I think of a garden home as a place where the garden and home feel like they are interwoven. To help set up that impression, they should be experienced in the same way, by walking through a series of rooms,” Allen said. So when it came time for him to select a site on his property for this union of interior and exterior design, he took his lead from several key features in the landscape. First, he decided to position the house on center with a stately oak tree near the crest of the ridge. “When creating a site plan, I often look for opportunities to align the house and garden on axis with prominent elements in the landscape so there is a connection to the land and sym1 8

P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

metry in the design.” When he drew a line from the middle of the oak through the center of the footprint of the house and extended it down the hill, he found the place that was to become the hub of the garden. While the location put the garden in close proximity to the house, placing it on the hillside presented some challenges. “By choosing this site, I faced the same problem that Thomas Jefferson pondered when he laid out his gardens at Monticello. His solution some 200 years ago is the same one I used here — when gardening on a slope, build terraces,” Allen said. As he studied the area for the garden, he found vestiges of former fence lines and farm fields. “The farmer who worked this ground knew his livelihood depended on having soil for his crops and grassland so keeping it from washing away was vital to his survival. A good method of soil conservation is to plant in rows parallel to the ridge. It’s a practice worth repeating, so I wanted to do the same.”

With the center and orientation of the garden decided, Allen’s next step was to create the circuit or pathway leading through the garden rooms. “When people ask me to describe the passageway through the garden, I tell them that from a bird’s point of view it looks a lot like a safety pin, with the flat sides of the pin as the garden’s upper and lower terraces and the rounded ends forming paths around two circular features that guide you from one level to the next.” When walking through the garden, Allen begins the tour in the lawn behind the house and descends down wide stone steps into a large central area where a round pool with a bubbling fountain holds center stage. In keeping with his garden home descriptions, Allen refers to this space as the foyer or entrance of the garden. “It’s really much the same as stepping through the front door of a house for the first time; this area is designed to give you an impression of things to come.” To the east and west, wide grass paths serve as long hallways to the “wings” of the garden rooms. “From here, you can look down the east

wing and see that along the edge of the path I’ve planted several combinations of cool color plants in hues of purples, pinks, blues and white. And to the west, there is a mirror layout, but the colors are decidedly warmer, with plants in shades of red, orange and yellow,” Allen said. It’s a mesmerizing effect that leaves the visitor wondering which delightful corridor to take first. Each wing has eight rooms that come off the grass pathway. A stone wall runs against the hill of both wings forming the back wall of the rooms. “Course Doctors did a great job building a retaining wall so we could cut a flat terraced area into the hillside. And the stones in the wall blend in beautifully with all the plants in the garden,” Allen said. Beds framed in western red cedar further divided the rooms; this wood contains a natural preservative so the boards will stay intact for years. “The framed beds serve as a way to organize the bed space and keep track of the plants being trialed here. Each bed is numbered, and

(Opposite) Colorful combinations of flowers, herbs and vegetables fill the lower terrace of Allen’s garden. (Above, clockwise) Stone steps from behind the house lead to a fountain in the center of the lower terrace garden. To the right and left of the fountain, grassy paths serve as corridors to flower filled garden rooms. Straight ahead, the path leads to the orchard with heritage apple trees. Allen retrieves a watering can from one of his Walpole garden sheds.

AY M A G A Z I N E • P. A L L E N S M I T H ’ S G A R D E N H O ME RETREAT 1 9

(Clockwise) Allen checks on his flock of black Jersey Giant chickens from the mobile chicken house he designed from a flat bed trailer. A Victorian style greenhouse is equipped with interior curtains that can be drawn to shade the plants from the hot sun. As the sun sets, Allen checks on the progress of his plants. Allen’s Belgian draft horses, Kit and Atticus enjoy life at the Retreat. A striking view of the back of the house can be seen from the orchard.

we record what is planted in various areas, so we can observe and follow their growth and cultural habits.” As a way of grouping the framed beds and planting them in colorcoordinated combinations, espaliered fruit trees are positioned at right angles to the path to form walls that create the sense of an enclosed room. The trees have a compelling sculptural quality and add to the visual interest of the garden. They have been trained to grow in a flat plane with the branches extending from either side of the central trunk. Only a few plantsmen in this country have the skill and patience to shape trees into such intricate patterns, and it was by luck that Allen found one of the best. “When I was at the Nashville Antique and Garden Show, I saw some fantastic dome-shaped pear trees that were the work of Peter Thevenot with River Road Farms in Decatur, Tennessee. The ‘Gala’ apple and ‘Kiefer’ pear trees I’ve used to divide areas in the garden are some of his works of art. Only in a garden can you have a beautiful wall that also produces food,” Allen said. About midpoint along each hallway, a simple garden shed punctuates the garden border. Wide, double doors allow for easy access to supplies stored inside. Rather than building the sheds from scratch, Allen decided to go with prefabricated kits from Walpole Woodworkers. “I couldn’t believe how easy and quick they were to put up. They were shipped in flat packages, and everything was included to assemble them. They even came pre-painted. Having these buildings is a real step saver in the garden. They are filled with an assortment of garden tools, 2 0

P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

and one of them is used to hold my bee keeping equipment.” Looking around at the exuberant displays of flowers, foliage and vegetables in the beds gives you the idea that Allen’s bees must be very busy. The garden abounds with unexpected and exciting combinations. “I love to plant like a painter paints, with broad strokes of color expressed in blooms and foliage. The garden layout is designed to create a series of canvases where I can trial my plant painting experiments,” he said. The joy of experimenting with plants is clearly the fuel that drives Allen’s garden passion. “I am fortunate to have some great companies as plant partners in my endeavors. We have been trialing Proven Winners plants here since the beginning. It’s great fun each year for me to go and see the roll out of next year’s varieties. For those fashionistas out there, I imagine you could compare it to going to Paris in the spring for the fashion shows. Ferry-Morse Seed Company and Bonnie Plants also have exciting varieties of plants that I’m using. By having the opportunity to grow these plants in my garden, I can demonstrate and speak from my own experience when I share information about their performance.” Near the end of the grassy corridors, the path narrows and enters a tunnel-like arbor. A local welder put together six metal arches connected with crossbars to fashion the design. Allen has met a number of talented local craftsmen who have helped him along the way. “It’s been rewarding to work with tradesmen with such high quality standards. When they come on board and see what we are trying to achieve, they get enthused and really step forward to use their talents with some ex-

ceptional results.” The arbor offers a bit of mystery and intrigue. Visitors enticed to enter the tunnel are rewarded on the other side when they emerge into a large circular area. On the east end, a large Brown Turkey fig appropriately named “Miss Big Fig” is prominently displayed in the center of the roundel. “I found her on the hilltop and decided to move her to this location,” Allen said. “While she’s not inclined to reveal her age, estimates are that she’s close to 85 years old, which is getting up there for a fig tree. I think she looks great for her age.” As the story goes, she wasn’t easily persuaded to move. It took several men, a front end loader on a John Deere tractor and lots of digging to relocate her, but if the number of figs she has produced this year is any indication, she is quite happy in her new accommodations. To give her some company, Allen planted a double row of ‘Sarah Van Fleet’ roses along the outer ring of the roundel filling the entire area with a heavenly perfume when they erupt in bloom. On the opposite end of the garden as a counterweight to the fig, sits a large 19th century cast iron urn from Hudson, N.Y., filled with variegated Agave Americana as a focal point. To accent the planted urn, the circular bed below is filled with ‘El Brighto’ coleus and lantanta ‘Patriot Desert Sunset.’ The outer ring of this roundel is also overflowing with ‘Sarah Van Fleet’ roses along with the stately columnar forms of ‘Emerald Giant’ arborvitaes. Both roundels serve as compelling points of punctuation to the east and west ends of the corridors. From there the paths on both sides follow a gentle rise in elevation to the garden’s upper terrace. This level has a different quality, as its beds are planted with a combination of trees, shrubs and perennials. Gated

arbors from Walpole Woodworkers, painted in a color Allen calls “comfort green,” serve as entrances to this section of the garden. “I like to use passageways like this to indicate points of transition from one planting scheme to the next.” Along this path, Allen’s collection of more than 60 varieties of heritage roses is displayed. “I’m just crazy about roses, particularly the old-fashioned ones. I find their form and fragrance intoxicating. It always surprises me when people say roses are too difficult to grow. It’s all about the ones you select.” Allen also attributes the success of growing his roses, as well as his other plants, to the soil in his garden. When you realize that this is a very young garden, just three years from the time the first seed was planted, the growth of the plants is truly astounding. While many larger trees and shrubs were spaded in, the garden has the quality of a place that has been here for years. “I’m often asked about the vigor of my plants because, as most people realize, the house and garden sit on a rocky ridge and these locations have notoriously poor soil, and believe me, this area is no exception.” Allen concocted his own recipe combining Pro-Mix Ultimate Organic Mix, cow manure, river sand and Hydrocks. “Hydrocks is a product made from pellets of fired clay that can be added to heavy soil to improve drainage. Another secret ingredient is a natural growth enhancer found in Pro-Mix Ultimate Organic Mix called Mycrorise. It helps plant roots take in water and nutrients and has made a real difference in the vitality of my plants.” At the center point, just near the fountain, the upper terrace garden paths converge. From there, you can see a view of the orchard planted with sixteen varieties of heritage apples. “For generations, farm orchards

AY M A G A Z I N E • P. A L L E N S M I T H ’ S G A R D E N H O ME RETREAT 2 1

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in this country produced an amazing variety of fruit. Now, we have fewer choices so I wanted to be part of the network of farmers and gardeners who are keeping those early varieties going,” Allen said. Beneath the trees, the hill is dotted with an assortment of colorful wildflowers. Allen planted a blend from Wild Seed Farms and has found them to be a good alternative to mowed lawns. “With this many acres, I’m always looking for ways to cut back on maintenance and gas. These native blends of wildflowers are hardy and good looking, and once they are established, the plants require little care.” The lawns have also been planted with a variety of Zoysia grass that helps Allen conserve water resources. “Roger Gravis with Quail Valley Grasses recommended Zoysia matrella ‘Cavalier.’ It’s a fine-leafed grass that requires little irrigation and isn’t fussy about the type of water, so I can use gray water from the house without worrying about it affecting the health or look of the lawn.” While two terraced gardens and an orchard would keep most people more than busy, Allen’s gardening pursuits aren’t limited to the area behind his house. Tucked away east of his home, protected on three sides by an evergreen hedge, a Victorian-style greenhouse serves as a place to start seeds and to protect his treasured plants during the winter. “It’s a great place to use as a studio set and to keep my citrus trees. Some of those trees I’ve had so long they are like family pets.”

•

• •

P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

Another striking feature found just south of the house is daffodil hill. Students from Episcopal Collegiate School and Access Schools travel here twice a year to join Allen in his fall ritual of planting daffodil bulbs and then they return the following spring to harvest the rewards of their efforts. “I think we have planted about 100,000 bulbs by now. The Stella Boyle Smith Trust has joined me with their support for this effort. When the daffodils bloom, the students bundle the fresh flowers into small bouquets and take them back to their schools and places in the community to sell with the proceeds going to support educational programs. It’s fun for the kids and a great way for them to experience the many rewards of gardening,” Allen said. To the southeast of the house, there are two farm buildings and fenced pastures rimmed in dark brown board fences. The oldest remaining building on the property is the dairy barn. By the time Allen arrived, the barn had seen better days, but rather than take it down, he decided to rebuild it on its original footprint. According to Allen, “The building was a wreck; this old girl definitely needed a new pair of shoes.” He sided the building with locally-milled cypress lumber and topped it with a standing seam metal roof. “Rather than purchase wood that was grown, harvested, milled and trucked in from another part of the country, the cypress came from a local source. That helps save energy and supports our area’s economy.”

In one of the rooms of the barn, Allen set up his incubators to hatch eggs from his flock of heritage breed chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. “In early spring, the barn is hopping with newly-hatched poultry. I get lots of help from my nieces and nephews.” This is also the building that houses the new spring lambs from Allen’s flock of white Dorper sheep. The sheep have hair rather than wool so they are better suited to life in a warm climate and don’t require shearing. Across the way from the milk barn is the tractor barn. Few could guess its former life as a plain-Jane metal building with a low-pitched roof. While useful for storage, its appearance didn’t blend with the farm’s architectural style. “It was one of those situations where it was too costly to remove and rebuild, and in keeping with my green theme, I couldn’t see all that material hauled to a landfill, so I decided to give it a makeover,” Allen said. Steel columns and wooden roof trusses redefined the roofline and cypress siding and a metal roof completed the building’s transformation. Nearby, grazing in the field, Allen’s Belgian

BEFORE

(Opposite page) Allen chose elements from the landscape as his color palette for the buildings and the fence — a dark brown stain to echo the bark on the nearby trees and a red metal roof to pick up the colors in the rock wall. (Above) A carpet of Blanket flow-

AFTER

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ers brightens the fields surrounding the house. The wildflowers are a low maintenance and drought tolerant ground cover.

Time to Get Your Deck in Shape for Fall! AY M A G A Z I N E • P. A L L E N S M I T H ’ S G A R D E N H O ME RETREAT 2 3

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P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

draft horses, Kit and Atticus, and his donkey, Moose, are the picture of contentment. But word has it that the donkey has a dark side when certain four-footed strangers invade his space. “Moose has been deputized as our No. 1 coyote officer. He’s better than a watchdog at protecting the sheep from predators.” Taking in a wider view of the surrounding area, it’s no surprise that the farm is shared with a host of wildlife — some more welcome than others. To discourage the not-sowelcome wildlife such as deer, armadillo and rabbits from dining on his prized plants and poultry, Allen uses electric fencing and organic repellents. “As you can imagine, some of the animals all but ring the dinner bell when they come across the farm and garden. And since one of the questions I’m always asked is how to keep pests and predators from damaging plants, I’ve been putting various products to the test to see what really works. The Messina Wildlife Management line of Animal Stopper products has done the job keeping out a host of unwelcome critters, especially deer.” Along with keeping wildlife from devouring the landscape, Allen has also found some earth-friendly ways to keep insects and plant diseases at bay. “It’s important to me that the Retreat be an organic model, so I’m constantly trying products and methods that control the inevitable problems that gardeners face — everything from harmful insects to plant diseases and of course, weeds. Garden Safe has a very effective line of products that I can use on

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both my flowers and vegetables and not have to worry about harming people, pets or other beneficial insects. And all the areas around my shrubs and trees as well as the walkways are kept weed-free with DuPont Weed barrier fabric. It lets water through, but not the weeds. What a back-saver!” he said. The desire to protect plants from harm extends to some of the giant oaks on the property. The large tree in front of Allen’s house that plays such a prominent role in the design of his house and garden, has six other “sisters” that he constantly monitors. “When you garden, you realize just how long it takes to grow trees of this size. Mark Chisholm, an arborist with STIHL, estimated the age of these trees to be about 300 years old. I couldn’t bear to see them injured, so I’ve had lightning rods installed on each one,” Allen said. After touring the Garden Home Retreat, it is plain to see that Allen has created his best work yet. It is here that Allen will continue to bring nurture to nature and share it with others. This place is many things — his ornamental farm, studio set, learning center, meeting place and sometimes residence. But more than that, it represents his life’s work, and his heart. He likes to be here as much as possible; it’s where he’s happiest. AY

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Our goal is to provide a pleasant, safe, personable and satisfying experience for all our guests.

Amid a sea of blooming daffodils, Allen interviews Cathy Mayton for a television segment that featured children from Episcopal Collegiate and ACCESS Schools picking flowers to sell as a fund raiser for the schools’ educational programs.

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P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

garden

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bonnieplants.com BRAE WATER

braewater.com CENTRAL GARDEN & PET

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cedar-works.com CIRCA LIGHTING

circalighting.com KAYTEE PRODUCTS INC.

kaytee.com NEW ENGLAND POTTERY

nepottery.com NORCAL POTTERY

norcalpottery.com PENNINGTON SEED, INC.

penningtonseed.com COURSE DOCTORS

coursedoctors.com DUPONT LANDSCAPE SYSTEMS

gardenproducts.dupont.com ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPES EUROPEAN GARDEN

europeangarden.com FERRY MORSE SEED COMPANY

ferry-morse.com GARDEN SAFE

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quickcrete.com RIVERROADS FARMS

espaliertrees.com REED’S OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT

reedsoutdoor.com ST. GABRIEL LABORATORIES

STGL.us STIHL INCORPORATED

stihlusa.com TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

tractorsupply.com WALPOLE WOODWORKERS

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AY M A G A Z I N E • P. A L L E N S M I T H ’ S G A R D E N H O ME RETREAT 2 7

home and garden

Resource Guide

Classic Marble and Granite, marbleexperts.net; Paint, Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com; Windows, Marvin Windows and Doors, marvin.com; Potted plants, Proven Winners, provenwinners.com; Fans, Modern Fan Company, modernfan.com

GARDEN

KID’S BUNKROOM

Wild flowers, Wildseed Farms, wildseedfarms.com;

Baskets, Vagabond Vintage Furnishings, mothology.

Supplies and feed, Tractor Supply Company, tractor-

com; Beds, Lee Industries, Sunbrella, naturallee.com;

supply.com; Garden seeds, Ferry Morse Seed Com-

Lighting — Tommy Task Lamps, Circa Lighting, cir-

pany, ferry-morse.com; Indoor/outdoor furniture

calighting.com; Pillows and duvet covers, Sunbrella &

Laneventure, laneventure.com; Indoor/outdoor fabrics,

Lee Industries, naturallee.com; Area rugs, Dash and

Sunbrella, sunbrella.com; Plants, Proven Winners,

Albert, dashandalbert.com; Paint, Glass Slipper 1632,

provenwinners.com; Landscape power, equipment,

Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com; Fabrics, Sun-

MUDROOM

Ag-Pro Companies/John Deere, agprocompanies.com;

brella, sunbrella.com; Roman shades, Pottery Barn,

Galvanized wall container, Vagabond, mothology.

Building, fences and gates, Walpole Woodworkers, wal-

potterybarn.com

com; Lighting, Circa Lighting SL2975 York Style Bath

polewoodworkers.com; Potting Mix, Pro-Mix, premier-

Sconce, circalighting.com; Sunflowers, Ferry Morse Seed

hort.com; Fertilizer, Garden Safe, gardensafe.com; LED

Company, ferry-morse.com; Fabric, Sunbrella, sunbrella.

Candles, GKIBethlahem Lighting, gkibethlehem.com;

com; Paint/North Creek Brown, Benjamin Moore,

Landscape power equipment, John Deere, johndeere.

benjaminmoore.com; Countertop/sink, Classic Marble

com; Teak folding arm chair and table, Laneventure,

and Granite, marbleexperts.net; Wall shelves, Vagabond,

laneventure.com; Fabrics and throws, Sunbrella, sun-

mothology.com; Baskets, Vagabond, mothology.com;

brella.com; Dinnerware, Dillards, dillards.com; Hand

Plants, Proven Winners, provenwinners.com

power tools, STIHL Inc., stihlusa.com; Stone walls, Course Doctors, coursedoctors.com; Plants, Bonnie

SLEEPING PORCH

Plant Farms, bonnieplants.com; Roses, Antique Rose

Fabrics, bed spreads, pillow shams, chair cushions and

Emporium, antiqueroseemporium.com; Espaliered trees,

shower curtain, Sunbrella, sunbrella.com; Wall light,

River Road Farms, espaliertrees.com; Garden design,

Circa Lighting, circalighting.com; Chairs and ottomans,

Ward Lile and P. Allen Smith and Associates

Laneventure, laneventure.com; Ceiling paint, Crystal Blue 2051-70, Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com; Rugs, Homespice Décor, homespicedecor.com; Potted plant, Proven Winners, provenwinners.com; Shutters, Timberlane Woodcrafters, timberlaneshutters.com; Win-

GUEST BEDROOM

dows, Marvin Windows and Doors, marvin.com; Towels,

Beds, Hickory Chair, hickorychair.com; Lamp, wall

Dillards, dillards.com; Ladder, Laneventure, laneventure.

sconces, Circa Lighting; Trunk, G& J Styles, gjstyles.

com; Shower curtain, Sunbrella, sunbrella.com

com; Area rugs, Michaelian Home, michaelianhome. com; Sisal rug, Merida/Meridian, meridameridian.com; Bedding, Pinecone Hill, pineconehill.com; Curtain

BUILDING MATERIALS

sheer, Sunbrella, sunbrella.com; Paint/Raindrops on

Stone work, Bennett Brothers Stone Company, ben-

Roses/1443, Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com

nettbrosstone.com; Barn lighting, Circa Lighting, circalighting.com; Standing seam metal roof and gutters, Follansbee Steel, follansbeeroofing.com; Cottage bricks, Boral Bricks, boralbricks.com; Shutters, Timberlane Woodcrafters, timberlaneshutters.com; Windows, Marvin Windows, Marvin.com; Awning fabrics, Sunbrella

SUMMER KITCHEN

Awning Fabrics, sunbrella.com; Awning company, Maple

Curtains, Sunbrella, sunbrella.com; Windsor chairs and

Leaf Canvas, awnings@mapleleafcanvas.com; Stone work,

table, Up Country Living, upcountrylivinginc.com;

Bennett Brothers Stone Company, bennettbrosstone.

Stainless steel appliances, Viking, vikingrange.com;

com; Barn lighting, Circa Lighting, circalighting.com;

Lighting - TOB5013 - Eugene Medium Handing Light

BACK PORCH

General contractor, Larry W. Davis Construction Compa-

over bar, Circa Lighting, circalighting.com; Lighting

Table/benches, Laneventure, laneventure.com; Wall

ny; Architect of record, Aaron C. Ruby Architects, INC,

- CL2170 - NOHO Double Yoke Torchiere Sconce,

lighting, Circa Lighting, circalighting.com; Loveseats,

rubyarchitects.com

Circa Lighting, Circalighting.com; Granite countertops,

Lee Industries, Sunbrella, naturallee.com, sunbrella.

2 8

P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

Fall Special

com; Wicker furniture, Laneventure, laneventure.com; Chair cushions and pillows, Sunbrella, sunbrella.com;

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Teak coffee table, Laneventure, laneventure.com; Tall lantern, Vagabond, mothology.com; Rug, Homespice Décor, homespicedecor.com; Vase, sunflowers, Global Views, globalviews.com; Green Lilly Pad Plates, Global Views, globalviews.com; Green chairs and loveseats, Lee Industries, Sunbrella, naturallee.com, sunbrella. com; Wicker, teak coffee table, farmhouse table and benches, Laneventure, laneventure.com; Sunflower vase, Global Views, globalviews.com

At Home in Arkansas A publication of Netwo 2207 Cottondale Ln. • phone 501.666.5510 fax 501.666.7519 • OUTDOOR KITCHEN Appliances, Viking, vikingrange.com; Wall sconces, Circa Lighting, circalighting.com; Fabric, Sunbrella, sunbrella.com; Outdoor furniture, Laneventure, laneventure.com; Herbs, Bonnie Plants, bonnieplants. com; Granite countertop, Classic Marble and Granite,

proof approval request TO: _______________________________________________________ FROM: Laura H. LaRue CO: _______________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: FAX: ______________________________________________________ (501)978.BUZZ (2899) ar@buzzoffmosquito.com

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marbleexperts.net; Dinnerware, Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com

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www.lakewoodgardens.com

Toll Free: 866-327-2969 Toll Free 866-327-2969 1100 McNutt Dr. • Conway, AR 72034

1100 McNutt Dr. • Conway, AR 72034 www.legacyfencing.com

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AY M A G A Z I N E • P. A L L E N S M I T H ’ S G A R D E N H O ME RETREAT 2 9

I’ve been fortunate to travel and meet many people who share in my love of gardening and care for the earth. As a board member of the Royal Oak Foundation, I toured Highgrove House, the country home of Prince Charles in Gloucestershire, England and saw first hand the sustainable farming practices used there. It was truly inspiring to see what he has done. Prince Charles was using his property to set a standard for the future long before it became popular to be green and to be concerned about the health of the planet. I would like to think in many ways we’re doing the same and that the Garden Home Retreat will be a working model for living life at its natural best.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THESE COMPANIES FOR SUPPORTING THE GRAND OPENING WEEKEND OF P. ALLEN SMITH’S GARDEN HOME RETREAT

Deltic Timber Corporation AG - PRO Companies/John Deere AY Magazine First State Bank Viking Range Corporation 3 0

P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

Composting Facts

What is composting?

• By composting, a typical household can reuse more than 500 pounds of waste each year. • Composting can be as simple as making a pile of leaves and letting it sit until it decomposes and occurs best when materials are moist. • You do not need to live in the country to compost. Many people compost at the heart of inner cities, in community gardens or even on the roofs or balconies of schools and apartment buildings.

Compost is simply rich organic soil that is made as micro-organisms decompose yard and kitchen waste. It can make grass greener, tomatoes bigger, and bushes bushier. Compost can replace some fertilizer and reduce the amount of water a yard needs because it adds nutrients and increases the water-holding capacity of soil.

501-340-8787

•

What can I compost? Anything that was a plant can be composted. GREENS: All plant materials contain nitrogen and carbon. Materials high in nitrogen are called “greens,” e.g. grass clippings, manure, and kitchen scraps. BROWNS: Materials high in carbon are called “browns,” e.g. leaves, sawdust, and wood chips. Do not compost charcoal ashes, which may contain toxic compounds, sick or diseased plants, or treated wood and weedy plants, especially the roots.

www.regionalrecycling.org AY M A G A Z I N E • P. A L L E N S M I T H ’ S G A R D E N H O ME RETREAT 3 1

WILS-0881.pdf

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Our People Make the Difference

Our siding and window installers are the best in the business! We are so proud of their craftsmanship, their work ethics and their respect for their co-workers on and off the job. Our sales personnel are knowledgeable about the quality products we use on every job and also about the installation. They are able to walk the homeowner through this remodeling process so they know what to expect from a Wilson job. Some of our crews have been with us for many years. The newer ones tell us it’s our reputation that brought them to Wilson’s—the quality represented in the materials used on every job, dependability of all the employees, and the pride shown with a job well done.

We believe that our people do make a difference. You will, too. Call today for your free estimate.

CMY

Paul and Sandy Paul and Sandy Wilson

TOLL FREE 866.262.9908

Paul & Sandy Wilson

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P. ALLEN SMITH’S GAR D E N H O M E R E T R E AT • AY M A G A Z I N E

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