Forest Magic: Bunny Williams’ Greek Temple Folly Pool House and Woodland Garden
I stood outside of the home of Bunny Williams, one of America’s premier interior designers pinching myself. Was I really, finally here?
The self-guided tour of her property, part of the Trade Secrets annual plant sale weekend, had been on my list of must-do events for years.
I gazed at the same perspective of her white home from the road that appears on the cover of her book, An Affair with a House. Bunny found this home and property forty years ago, and has worked to develop it into an amazing series of structures and gardens.
Attendants handed out a map (hand drawn and charming, of course), and the gates opened.
We followed up a set of natural steps to the first stop, Bunny’s Greek Temple Folly Pool House.
I could just imagine mystical woodland ancient Greek gods and goddesses coming out of the forest one night to build this temple (in perfect classical proportions, thank you very much.) It was so dreamy and delightful.
How fun it must be to both entertain and be entertained here.
Beyond the magic, Bunny’s sense of function, appropriateness and space definition was on full display.
The space was divided into an area for conversation and another for eating, anchored around a beautiful limestone fireplace.
The rustic detail in the branchy rafters was a great touch.
The mantle scape featured a “buck” at rest under a beautiful round architectural piece and hurricane candles.
The fireplace was flanked by a kitchenette on one side and a changing room/restroom on the other. Bunny kept her aesthetic consistent with the plank entrance doors and interior finishes in both spaces.
The sagey green, transparent-stained kitchen cabinet and wall finishes, the chicken wire, stone countertop, stainless steel sink and appliances felt natural and understated. I loved the grouping of related but unmatching framed botanical prints.
It was the changing room that really stole my heart. Bunny brought a jewel box quality to this space that felt delicious and luxurious.
This was no ordinary loo in the woods.
The wallcovering mural of forest trees was made on old canvas that had a crumpled patina. Mixed together with that faux bois mirror and stone sink; oh my goodness.
There was a charming chair for changing, again in that beautiful, sagey green.
Back outside, guests must enjoy the breezes and a lovely view from this rustic dining table.
The coping around the pool is French 18th century stone. The lovely sky, the orchard and the Berkshire hills complete the guest list for a pool party or provide peaceful companionship when simply coming here for a solo swim. Her pool house serves as both an entertaining venue and a sanctuary space.
A pair of stone garden finials and steps defined the entrance into her woodland garden.
I believe I spotted some blooming sweet woodruff leading down the naturally mulched path into patches of ostrich fern.
I loved this branched stair rail.
There was a spot in her garden where Bunny said it wanted to be a pond, so she made it into a pond.
Bunny has said repeatedly that when it comes to garden design, the land will tell you what it wants you to do. The sound of the waterfall was one of many well-thought-out, peaceful moments within the garden.
There were several paths leading to other resting spots, including this faux bois table and chairs as well as this moss covered bench.
Down, down we ventured, along this amazing staircase with the path meandering through areas of mayapple, fern, baneberry and king solomon’s seal.
As we came closer to her main property, blooming trees and a Greek statue appeared. Quite fitting!
The natural woodland garden transitioned into this raised bed area with some clipped boxwoods and narcissis, gradually giving a more structured feel.
In this bed were stones engraved with names. Bunny is a rescue dog lover, I wondered if this is where her puppies rest in peace after they leave this life.
A beautiful iron arch led to a grassy lawn.
Beyond, one caught a glimpse of her amazing guest barn.
From another part of her property we again gazed upon her Greek Temple from a different perspective. This more direct way to her pool was lined with a curved mowed grass path beside her orchard.
That part of the tour certainly did not disappoint, and there was so much more to see!
Look for my upcoming posts on her guest barn as well as her other gardens, her greenhouse, potting shed, chicken pavilion as well as her amazing new work studio and gym.
A warm thank you to Bunny and her husband, John Rosselli, for their gracious hospitality and allowing us all soak up all this beauty.
In the hunt,
Pattie Jo
