On a bright and sunny summer day (so bright, I look like a ghost here!), I visited a charming old gardener’s house in East Walnut Hills, Ohio (a suburb of Cincinnati). It’s a Cotswold-style cottage built in 1918 that sits behind what used to be the main house. This is where the gardener lived then, and where an artist who has a gift for gardening lives now. The homeowners didn’t allow interior photos, but the grounds were so beautiful I took some shots of it to share with you.
Here’s a view of the cottage as you walk down the hill toward it. It’s covered in ivy and surrounded by gardens:
When you step through the gate, the first thing you see is the garden shed behind the cottage:
A bench on the side of the shed:
Down the path from the shed and through the arbor is the cottage itself:
I thought I may have died and gone to heaven before I even stepped inside the house. I seriously never wanted to leave.
This is actually the back door to the cottage. An artist lives here, and this room is her studio and potting room. It has vaulted, beamed ceilings and a big fireplace. I asked nicely, but they still wouldn’t let me get any closer than this with my camera. (Darn!)
Here’s the front door. I liked it so much, I took about 15 pictures of it from different angles. Don’t worry, I’ll narrow it down to one or two for you:
I’m in serious door love. When you walk inside, there are Scottie-dog statues on either side of it, wearing hats. Made me laugh.
The stone patio in front of the house has a long table:
The rooms inside the cottage were teeny-tiny. So tiny that the master bedroom had what looked like a child’s double bed in it. There was artwork covering just about every square inch of the walls, and the floors were beautifully painted. Despite the small size of the rooms, they filled them with color. It was a really cheery, cozy little cottage.
Isn’t it lovely? I felt like I had stepped back in time. Honestly, the homeowners are lucky I’m not still there. My husband had to eventually drag me away. It was like a little spot of heaven on earth!
I love that gardners cottage and that patio? LOVE it! I can see why you didn’t want to leave…
pk @ room remix
.-= pk´s last blog ..DIY Bookcase =-.
Be still my heart! I think it’s the ivy… You are right! This is one VERY inviting cottage. Your photos feed my soul with its beauty potion today. You were very fortunate to spend time here.
.-= rebecca´s last blog ..In Season and Out of Season =-.
What a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing! I wish you had a picture of the Scottie statues with the hats because I have a Scottie and love to see the funny things like that!
.-= Sarah @ In A Dream´s last blog ..Neighborhood Tour: Second Day in Highland =-.
such a sweet garden! places like that make me excited to dig into our new backyard, which is something of a pit! but i have visions of a little seating area in the back and a nice long table closer to the house for dining outdoors. maybe someday!
thanks for sharing- and for trying to get interior pics. : )
rachel
.-= rachel´s last blog ..big things happening! =-.
And your pics are gorgeous too.
This garden is a great example of following design rules and breaking them.
Especially breaking the rule, One Focal Point/Area.
Oooooh-la-la.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
I adore it, the perfect sized house.
.-= Leeann´s last blog ..Fabulous shoes =-.
Cincinnati? Does that mean you are a fellow Ohioan? Yay! Recently I visited the “ButtonHouse” in Sugarcreek. It’s the back cottage of the “Warther woodworker’s museum”. Loved the cottage. And I love, love, love me some buttons!
Very charming and cozy! I love the ivy trailing over everything and that shed with the robin’s egg blue door! Love it!
.-= Laurie @ My Domicile Style´s last blog ..Fall Favorites @ Crate & Barrel =-.
I am feeling extremely fortunate to have stumbled onto your website! I am so enjoying it and have shared it with my friends on Facebook. Thank you!
Beautiful. Looks like a wonderful day.
Love all the statuary and the long table and chairs. Great pics.
.-= Janet´s last blog ..Orange For Red =-.
Oh you know I love that door too…matches my vintage fan! lol
Susan
.-= Susan´s last blog ..The Castle on Talcott Mountain =-.
Oh what a dream of a cottage. You look adorable in front of it too with your camera tucked discreatly in the palm of your hand. How I wish they would have allowed you to take pictures for us. These exterior shots thou are amazing. Can’t wait to come back and borrow a few ideas.
.-= Sue´s last blog ..Spooky House Tablescape =-.
A real story book cottage. Amazing:)
.-= Becky @ Farmgirl Paints´s last blog ..Lifting my eyes =-.
Amazing, thank you for sharing! I’m amazed at how devoid of color the garden is yet it is absoutely stunning. All the different greens with some white flowers mixed in, it’s so nice.
~Michelle
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Monday, Monday =-.
gee, this place is just adorable! I wish I could visit there too…
.-= Annie@A View on Design´s last blog ..A Hawthorn Classic Home, VIC =-.
The Turquoise Door! What it would be like to have a house where a turquoise door fit right in…oh, and the gardens. Yes, absolutely dream like.
Janell
.-= Janell Beals´s last blog ..Little Details & More Paint Decisions To Make =-.
Julia,
This is an amazing cottage!
Every image is so beautiful!
You gave me inspiration with your last image with this long table!
Thank you for sharing this cottage.
Greet
.-= Greet´s last blog ..Lars Sjöberg and his Swedish manor Ekensberg =-.
Oh my! Oh sigh! Such a treat for this Cottage Lover’s heart.
Even if we couldn’t ‘get’ inside.
Thank you….
The third photo isn’t opening. Is that my problem? Oh, how lovely. Wish I could live there.
Love the landscaping, but the windows and door to the shed are fantastic as well!
Oh to sit at that table and enjoy a meal and some wine. It is truly enchanting!
?, Susan
.-= black eyed susans kitchen´s last blog ..ROMANTIC INSPIRATION COMES FROM PINK ROSES =-.
THE COTTAGE IS A DREAM. UNREAL. I WISH I WERE THERE RIGHT NOW. I GUESS I HAD BETTER START PACKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow – that looks like a magical place to be! Thank you so much for sharing!
.-= Jocelyn Stott´s last blog ..I NEED THIS! =-.
Nita–I uploaded that photo again. Is it working now? Is anyone else having trouble seeing all the photos? -Julia
How beautiful Julia!
If I lived in a greener, leafier part of the country, that’s exactly what I’d want my house to look like. And I’d sit outside all day every day to work and blog!
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..A Banner Day =-.
Ooooooh, it IS beautiful!! Well, as much as we can see of it anyway. What a bummer you weren’t allowed to take pictures inside the cottage. Maybe you could get in touch with the homeowner and ask for a private tour so you can share the inside of the house with your blog buddies
Kelly
Oh my, completely charming!!! Thanks for sharing this.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Monochrome Light Play =-.
Oooooooooohhhhhhh. I went on a house tour this summer with a very similar gardener’s cottage *and* matching pool house! The main house was so huge I told my mom I think I could live in the pool house (especially since it had a bed and a kitchen and all that stuff) without the owners even knowing I was there. Come to think of it…may still give that a try…;-)
.-= Laura @ the shore house´s last blog ..Rockin’. =-.
Fabulous! Just like a Martha-blog post… well done.
.-= The Blushing Hostess´s last blog ..Think pink, give ’til hurts =-.
I am so jealous Julia, it looks like the perfect place to lead an artful life.
.-= Janet´s last blog ..BLUE SHUTTERS =-.
I can understand why you wouldn’t want to leave! Everything about it is lovely. That blue door especially!
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Two easy to make wreaths! =-.
So beautiful. So welcoming. So. . .storybook cottagey! But my favorite of all these beautiful photos is the one of you. Oh! Your hair!! Now THAT’S beautiful.
.-= Richella at Imparting Grace´s last blog ..Autumn inspiration =-.
Looks wonderful!
The photos all seem to be behaving just fine for me.
Hi Julia! It’s such a charming little cottage. I’m bummed that I was out of town and missed this tour. Have you blogged about the rest of the tour yet?
Thanks for featuring my ‘hood!
Even the shed’s prettier than my house!
.-= janice´s last blog ..Berries and Birds =-.
It looks like something out of a fairy tale. What a lovey way to spend a day.
Christi
.-= Christi at A Southern Life´s last blog ..Southern Sweeties =-.
Look at you, cutie patootie!
That house is like something right out of my favorite day dreams. 
Love it!
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Road Trippin’ =-.
Beautiful – just when I think I want a streamlined landscape, I see something like this! It looks like what you might see in the Cotswolds in England. Have you ever been there? Upper and Lower Slaughter have such a scary name, but they are possibly the most picturesque places in England.
.-= Things That Inspire´s last blog ..Favorite Design Element: Framed Intaglios =-.
What an absolutely beautiful and charming garden! I do so need someone to help me with mine!!!
blessings
mary
.-= Mary´s last blog ..A Complete Bedroom Redo – Furniture too- for only $10.00!! =-.
So beautiful love it! great photos
I love it! just want I would love to have.
Well, but a very sweet and inspiring ghost then…Love to see you in one of your posts. My garden is somewhat like here…we have also a peartree, an appletree, a peachtree and a walnuttree. We grow kiwi’s and grapes and yellow roses up high over a wooden passage….I would have loved to visit here with you.
Thank you for your beautiful and inspiring blog.
Godeliva
.-= Godeliva´s last blog ..Forever Friends….De Lachende Graaiers ! =-.
How charming!! What a treasure to find. I especially like the last picture.
By the way, I am having my first giveaway on my blog if you’re interested!
http://www.mooreminutes.com/2009/09/pleated-poppy-giveaway.html
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Color It Pretty =-.
What a totally beautiful and fun place to visit! LOVE this!
I have a split personality when it comes to houses and architecture. On the one hand, I LOVE modern, but on the other, I can’t help but love this kind of magical setting and cottage. Looks straight out of a storybook. Beautiful!
Lovely garden and all the ivy makes it magical !
.-= Charlie´s last blog ..Wholesome Goodness…The Color Orange =-.
this place is so cute I can’t stand it! I would have taken a million pictures too!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..cupcakes =-.
This house so beautiful specially the garden.
Paula M
Hola Julia, I`m completely hooked on this lovely and cozy house!!!
Greetings from Chile,
Maria Cecilia
.-= Maria Cecilia´s last blog ..Buganvilias y cosmos, y algunos frutos de mi jardìn… para Janet y Ana. =-.
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