Country Living Seasons at Seven Gates Farm

by The Editors Of Country Living

Release Date: 31 December, 2001

Edition: Hardcover

Price:

More Info

Crafts, Plants, and Veggies the Whole Year Round

This book details the creative designs of two artistic guys who purchased the nineteenth century Seven Gates Farm in Keedysville, Maryland. If you like country, Americana, and crafts, you will love this book. Hundreds of full color photographs tour the farm during each season of the year. The reader can see how the farm changes when the landscape is covered with different plants and the house is taken over by a new crop of crafts and collectibles. These artists must have incredible cupboard space to house their thousands of knickknacks and antiques as new ones are brought out for the season or holiday. The vintage flags unveiled for the Fourth of July I found to be some of the more interesting displays. The farm is near Antietam, so the Civil War heritage is very important in these parts. One of the flags displayed was used in a Civil War battle.

The book also gives the reader step-by-step instructions and hints for making crafts or collecting antique/vintage items. Some of the things you can learn to create are myrtle topiaries, cold frames for getting a head start on the growing season (also through the use of bell jars), creative table decorations, miniature gardens, herb-covered eggs, rustic twig scarecrows (very cute), scented water, summer vinegar dressings, and angel shoes for Christmas ornaments. You can also learn a little bit about collecting rag dolls, calicoes, miniature log cabins, and blankets. I liked seeing the changes through the seasons, but I think it would have been more effective if the book pictured each of the main features (the greenhouse, wash-house, smokehouse, vegetable garden, etc.) in order for each season so the changes are more evident and the reader can easily flip pages and compare a different area for each season. As it is, some areas are not even covered for each season. The map on the inside front and back covers is helpful for following the landscape of the property. Anyone interested in crafts will enjoy this book.

Dense with creative content, visual and written

Requires several readings, first to view the images, then read the accompanying text and realize what inventive ideas have been introduced: hooked rug chickens and corn cobs! But the mesemerizing effect of a story unfolding over the course of a year in the lives of two hand crafters of beauty and aesthetic tranquillity draws you into their lives as the farm moves through the seasons. Satisfying visit to a work in progress, a potpourri garden transformed into a white garden. Wooden scarecrows crafted from twigs and discarded garden implements. Stunning visuals