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A Little Romance
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A pretty gazebo makes the perfect spot to survey a peaceful country garden
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By Nancy Won; Photography by Robin Stubbert; Styling by Ann Marie Favot
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As far as we're concerned, no country home is complete without a country garden at its side. A cozy plot with beds overflowing with romantic blossoms, narrow winding paths, whimsical stone accents and secret hideaways where you can relax and enjoy the surrounding beauty is part of our idea of living the dream. The perfect country garden is one that feels like another world, exudes a relaxed charm and invites lingering.
Interior designer Linda Bridges has managed to create the perfect secret garden to go alongside her 19th-century Victorian home in the picturesque village of Belfountain, Ontario.
"The previous owners were avid gardeners, so we inherited this amazing English garden with paths running through it, but there wasn't anywhere to just sit and look out and take in the prettiness of it all," says Linda.
The first thing she did upon tackling the garden was install a white Victorian-style gazebo right in the centre, where all the paths meet. "It's very charming and romantic," says Linda, "and it really gives a presence to the garden itself." Instead of leaving the sides of the structure open, Linda had the ingenious idea of installing screens to keep bugs out, and vinyl blinds that can be rolled down when it rains to protect her furniture. As a result, the gazebo still feels open and airy, allowing in cool breezes and plenty of sun-light, but Linda can also enjoy the comforts of the indoors while sitting out in the middle of the garden all summer long.
Inside the gazebo Linda has created an ideal setting for a country retreat. Pretty wicker furniture, mismatched printed cushions in muted shades of pink and blue, and an old painted wood bench reinvented as a coffee table set the stage for Sunday brunches, long afternoon tea parties with cakes and crumpets or early mornings with the newspaper and a latte.
Elsewhere in the garden, Linda replaced a rusty metal arbour, which was almost invisible against the bountiful greenery, with a stately white version, helping to define the space and really give the sense
of walking into a private oasis.
A solitary bench by the pond provides a quiet place to reflect or just soak up your surroundings. "Throughout the summer the garden changes every day, so there's something new to discover," says Linda. "It's so nice to have little spots where you can slow down and appreciate it all."
Bright idea
Linda weather-proofed her gazebo by installing vinyl blinds to extend the season and keep out wind and rain.
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