Late last month I had the pleasure of spending some time in the Beautiful Smoky Mountains of North Carolina at the glorious cottage and gardens of my dear friend and interior designer Kathy Greeley. I was on my way to Hickory Chair University (I’ll post on this later in this week) and squeezed in a little extra time to relax and enjoy some quality time with my friend who lives near Asheville!!
I have to say that these were 3 of the most relaxing and lazy days I have spent in a long, long time! In fact, we barely got out of our PJ’s! We just moved from front porch, to side porch, to the garden, and even piled up in Kathy’s comfy bed a couple of times just to read and visit!!! I have made a promise to myself (and Kathy) that I will be back at least twice a year and I am hoping for more!! It was certainly good medicine for the soul!!
Oh and did I mention that Kathy was a FANTASTIC cook?? I arrived to a sit down dinner for 14 in honor of her husband, Wells’, birthday. On the menu…local trout, individual beef wellingtons, scalloped potatoes and fresh veggies followed by her FAMOUS carmel cake!!! I was treated to several of Kathy’s other famous meals on the patios and in the garden over the weekend including two fabulous breakfasts??
There is nothing like being in nature to cure what ails you! The weather was a perfect 79 degrees or so, which I hear is normal for late May in the mountains! I’m thinking I need a summer home there to escape the 95 degree May that we had this year in Arkansas. When you take a look at the gorgeous pics of Kathy’s garden you’ll see why I didn’t want to leave. Southern Living did a feature on her garden in 2007 but I don’t think they captured its true beauty!!
I love this little spot to stop and think! And below is Kathy’s topiary with the mad-hatter shaped teapot on top. Like me, Kathy loves her chamomile and we had our fair share of it over the weekend!!!
The new dawn roses that grow on the house made me want some of my own! I am working on building a trellis as we speak so they will have a place to call home!
The charming ivy-covered arch hints at the side entrance to the cottage!
Another quaint seating area with a dining spot in the background. Kathy sometimes hosts small wine diners in this tree-covered spot with the vintages selected by her wine-collecting hubby! You should see his cellar… but that’s for a future post!
Lovely window boxes grace all the windows!
My final breakfast of the trip included Kathy’s yummy recipe for French Toast Casserole…and yes, I’ll share the recipe!!
Here’s my lovely hostess, her amazing spouse and their baby, Bentley!
As you can see, Bentley loves the garden as much as I do!! And I can’t wait to get back for my next visit!!!
Toby, I loved all the images and comments. It’s been many a moon since I visited Kathy’s home and enjoyed her cooking. I can attest to her excellent skills too.
Can’t wait for the rest of the pictures.
Thanks, Faith
Such a small world. Kathy and Wells have been friends for years. I would love to be in her garden at this very moment!
Best, Judy
Lovely pictures and it looks like you had the greatest fun and relaxing time, well deserved.
So incredibly charming, feeling a bit guilty about my own “gardens” now…or lack thereof;)
Thank you so much for sharing pictures of your weekend. The treat for me were the photo’s of Bentley. I spotted him in the photo lying in the garden path and thought “please have some close ups of him.” Which of course you did. Wow is he handsom! I have a westy and just love him. The Kathy Greeley gardens are so beautiful. Thank you for this post.
Pure paradise: gracious hosts, gardens galore & tranquil.Does this lovely lady have her own blog???
Grattiude for sharing your retreat.
Looks like a blast. Can’t wait to go with you…haha!
Thanks to you all for the amazing comments about my darling friend Kathy and her adorable dog!!! I am nagging Kathy about getting a blog of her own and so glad that I can now say I have had an official request from an outside source!
Judy, it is such a small world! I will tell Kathy that we are all common friends! On my next visit you will have to come over and lay around on the porch with us drinking tea!!!
Love to you all, Tobi
What a gorgeous yardscape! The pictures are beautiful as though they just came out of a magazine. I think your friends will have to open a Bed & Breakfast to share their little bit of Paradise!
Ruth Fein
Thank you for the lovely tour of Kathy’s beautiful gardens. She must care for them with love and devotion to have such wonderful results. I also spotted Bentley right away and was happy to see some close ups. He is a gorgeous Westie and is obviously loved and well cared for.
Tricia – Avolli
Wow, all the comments from old frieds (not literally , of course) makes my heart happy. It seems that thanks to Tobi, I see a blog in my future. Love to all
How nice…a little piece of paradise!
My sister has a Westie puppy…Bailey. Theirs looks like it has a better haircut, and maybe doesn’t roll around in dirt like Bailey!
So cute!
Tobi,
Tx for sharing the beautiful photos. You and I were in NC at the same time, and I too blogged a little about it…noting a lovely dinner at the home of my friend Carol Egg of Red Egg. Had spent time in Greenville SC at ASID conference as well…what a beautiful town!
Again, gorgeous photos and you’ve once again nudged me to remember to being more diligent with taking photos to share with my world via,you got it, my blog!
Wow!! If the number of comments is any indication,I should post about all my friends fabulous retreats more often!!Glad you all liked my post on Kathy’s gorgeous garden!! And thanks for all your thoughts and kind comments! Tobi
Your host & hostess (& Bentley of course) have a gorgeous home. The greenery & lively plantings are so colorful and cheerful. I have yet to visit NC, & it’s looking like a must. What a lovely couple!