Bunny Williams has been having an affair with her lovely Connecticut home for 30 years. In her book, she chronicles the time she has spent renovating, decorating and entertaining in this place she calls Manor House. Affair is written like the personal diary of her life with this house, it’s furnishings and the people who have visited over the years.
Reading the book, we find out stories about the wonderfully layered interiors. Bunny talks about how the rooms came together and where she found the beautiful objects that fill them. Quite amusing is Bunny’s recollection of her DIY wallpapering of the dining room.
The home becomes a frequent hub of entertaining on the weekends as Bunny and her friends flee the city for a bit of respite in the country. Imagine the beautiful tablescapes she creates with all of this! Who wouldn’t love to have a storage closet filled with all of this silverware, linens and candles?
Making your way through the book, the places to chat, relax, nap and read seem endless. The entire property has an unbelievable atmosphere of relaxation. Bunny likes reading and sipping iced tea on one of these chaises. I can see why!
It’s quite apparent an avid gardener lives here. Everywhere one looks there are spectacular displays of nature’s beauty. From formal, vegetable, cutting and woodland, it seems Bunny has just about every type of garden spread across twelve beautiful acres.
This has to be the most fabulous pool house I have ever seen! Inspired by a drawing Bunny found in a book about 18th-century garden follies, the Greek-style temple boasts columns made of tree trunks. And that beautiful textural surface on the pediment? Pinecones! The lovely limestone coping surrounding the pool was found in a stonecutter’s lot in the south of France.
An Affair With a House is an absolutely amazing read. Bunny Williams has created her own bit of heaven at Manor House. How lucky her house guests must feel to spend a weekend there!
And don’t forget, I am giving away an autographed copy of An Affair With A House this Friday at noon CST. Simply leave a comment below to be automatically entered into the contest!
I think I could have an affair with this book! How incredibly blessed she is to have a home that she has loved for such a long time. It must be a real pleasure to live in that space!
Tobi, I adore Bunny’s design work and would love to have the book. Fingers are crossed!
Karena
Art by Karena
Her home is just beautiful and does look well loved. I saw Bunny and her gardens on a public television show, her affair story is inspiring.
The pool house is so amazing! What a joy to read about such wonderful people and their talents, thank you.
This looks so GREAT! Fascinating. A story of love. And it reminds me of the book I am reading now a bit; “Onward and Upward in the Garden” by Katharine S White.
Hi
I came across this site from Verdigris vie and what a delight to see a Bunny Williams book post. I heart her style and thanks so much for this offer!
thx
Leena
Ahhh, I hope I win, I hope I win-this book is like a dream!
I am in love with her gardens! What a wonderful book.
I have always flipped through this book, but have never purchased it! I can’t wait to get familiar with Manor House. I know it must be absolutely beautiful!
I have been rereading this book lately. So many words of wisdom!
I have been searching online for a used copy of this book — in the midst of renovating our 1832 Greek Revival, I can’t afford to buy new books!
This is a wonderful story and memoir, in addition to being such a visually rewarding read. How wonderful to own a home over decades, to truly get to know it, and be intimate with all its corners and quirks.
You have a beautiful blog!
Cass
Yes, it is a great book from a greatly talented lady.
This book looks wonderful! And I would love to win a copy! fingers crossed!
Hi,
thanks again for sharing Bunny’s world.
Those pictures are so great, the designs so gorgeous.
Too bad I can’t earn nothing for here (France)
Thanks God you are there.
Love this, would love a copy of this book!! That pantry, the gardens, the pool house, beautiful!!
Love, love, love this book! Just received as a gift and it is wonderful.
A home becomes more beautiful as it is filled with the items you cherish and you share it with friends. Thanks, Bunny {and Tobi}, for sharing your house with all of us.
Bunnys talent goes beyond words. I would treasure a moment on a chaise lounge surrounded by beautiful spaces and unique vignettes!
I appreciate the chance to win one of her books!
I almost wore out my copy of this delightful book before I lent it to a friend a couple of years ago. She has no idea what happened to it and doesn’t even remember me lending it to her. I haven’t been able to talk myself into buying it all over again—–hint,hint!
I would love to win this book. The house is so pretty, I wish I could have one just like it. But a book about it would be nice too. Thanks for the opportunity.
Bunny´s Manor House is a type of house we all want to live in. I believe I can pick up some ideas how to decorate the interior of my place. But the outdoor tips are a bit unreachable for me… Keep my fingers cross for the winner!
As I was inhaling my coffee at 5 a.m last week, Moments of Luxury was on PBS where the episode on Ms.Williams home appeared. Sharing a first name I sleeply focused on her lovely dwelling and grounds, Her hands are everywhere with items she has purchased or changed to make the home and that lovely barn so inviting. Thought the program was very enlightening for a designer who explored directions and stepped outside the box with her own homestead.
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I have been a fan of Bunny Williams for years and have one of her books, but not An Affair With a House, but would love to have it. Please enter me in your contest! I look forward to hearing from you!