Tour a Sprawling New York Garden Estate
Take it Outside
Come spring, the number of "rooms" at Mario Pollan's country home in Westerlo, New York, jumps from eight to 16 — that is, if you count the breakfast nook underneath the barnside pergola, the sitting room in the cutting garden, and the other napping and dining spots that dot the 69-acre grounds. "On the weekends, I wake up very early," says Pollan, "and walk around with a cup of coffee, thinking about my next garden project." In this photo: English ironstone, Picardie glassware, and an antique pharmacy scale line the kitchen shelves. The pine butcher's block came with the house. Bright idea: A gingham paper tablecloth from West Elm, affixed with magnets, peps up a plain fridge.
Hallway
The property, a former sheep farm, wasn't always such an indoor/outdoor escape; it needed an interior paint job. Pollan picked creams and sage greens, layering Old English over the color. "Ragging oil on top gives the walls this distressed look, almost like stucco," says Pollan, creative director for a children's clothing company. In this photo: The American flag is a circa-1915 find from the Brimfield Antique Show; the Parsons desk, mercury-glass lamp, and hunting trophies are all vintage.
Entryway
A rosewood vase and brown transferware bowl display pokeweed branches and antlers, respectively, on the entryway table. The oversize green bottle hails from an area flea market. The wall is painted Sycamore Green by Restoration Hardware.
Guest Bedroom
Pollan snagged the guest room's painted iron bed frame at a local auction. The bird engravings cost less than $ a pop at a flea market in Italy.
Dresser
The master bedroom's dresser was a junk-shop bargain; the ogee mirror is an auction find.
Library
When Pollan bought the place 12 years ago, there were just two raised flower beds. "I was drawn to all the old things in the house," he says, citing the original pine beams and crystal doorknobs. The rolling hills outside, by contrast, were a totally blank slate. In this photo: In the library, Pollan unified mismatched wingback chairs with floral brocade upholstery and burlap cushions. The walls are painted Spanish Moss by Restoration Hardware.
Porch
Garden rooms have been used in Europe since the Roman Empire, but carving out an intimate space is no easy feat. Pollan's first rule? "An outdoor room should be as comfortable as an indoor one." And he means it: When the weather warms up, he and his husband, Daniel Bueno, bring out wicker benches, daybeds, side tables, and Adirondack chairs. In this photo: Pots of Marguerite daisies, lavender, and alliums brighten the porch off the library. Pollan bought the Adirondack chairs when he moved in.
Birdhouse
Many items in Pollan's house are flea-market and junk-store finds. "I like for each area to have its own personality," he says. And unlike the house, the yard won't fill up anytime soon. "Shopping for this stuff, as the garden grows, is part of the fun!" he adds. In this photo: An antique birdhouse, which Pollan unearthed at Hedstrom & Judd in nearby Hudson, New York, sits atop a Pottery Barn bench on the back porch.
Archway
Since Pollan and Bueno live in Jersey City, New Jersey, during the week, low-maintenance plants are key. "I only use things that want to grow," Pollan says. Each spring, he puts new flowers and herbs in maple syrup buckets to see what thrives through the fall. Success stories include black-eyed Susan, bee balm, Heliopsis, echinacea, and honeysuckle. "We tend to do the opposite of what other gardeners do," he says. "The outdoor rooms are designed so the decor is the main focus. The plants are just icing on the cake." In this photo: An archway covered in porcelain berry vines separates beds of black-eyed Susan, bee balm, and cat mint from Pollan's 19th-century house. The white, ruin-like columns in the distance were salvaged from a local bank.
Foray with Florals
The cutting garden overflows with echinacea, coneflowers, and false sunflowers — all of which do just fine with a once-a-week watering.
All in the Details
A wicker enclosure from Williams-Sonoma protects sage and lavender from rabbits.
Shady Spot
With countless spots to sit and relax, weekends here are as easygoing as the greenery. Dinners, either in the cutting garden or along the side of the barn, are often tapas-style: cheese, olives, cured meats, and wine. "We use the house — and the garden — as a refuge," explains Pollan. "It's definitely a recharge-your-batteries sort of place." In this photo:Pollan arranged an assortment of bistro tables and chairs next to the barn. Each year, he tries new plants in pots (like the Knockout roses in the foreground) to see how they fare.
Hammock
Pollan hung this hammock, a housewarming present, from two maple trees near the front porch. The cement side table is by Wisteria.
By the Lake
"At night, we bring lanterns down to the pond, and the water reflects the lights and the moon," Pollan says.
Out Back
Mario Pollan (right) and Daniel Bueno's porch is flanked by potted ferns and whimsical statues: an owl and a mushroom. More from Country Living:• Arizona Ranch Home Filled With Old Charm • 18 Vintage Decorating Ideas from a 1934 Farmhouse • Tour a Sprawling California Farmhouse and Garden
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From: Country Living US
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