I love a good makeover story.
I see an old house and see all the potential beauty.
I dream of amazing renovations with beautiful wooden floors revealed or architectural secrets discovered that the house has been keeping for years.
So, imagine my delight when I came across this old, burned, stone house in the country in Illinois.
There was another house on this property that was probably being lived in.
It made me start thinking what I would do if this old burned down house was on my land.
I thought it would be incredible to clean the insides out and plant a beautiful flower garden.
I would want paths and a fountain.
I would want to hang white lights and entertain here.
This is where I would come to think, draw, have my coffee in the morning.
Did you ever dream about a secret garden when you were little?
Hidden spaces were always the most fun!
I think these people have a treasure on their property and they don’t even know it.
What would you do if this old stone house was on your land?
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love this, jeanne. i could see you doing it, too, and it would look beautiful and be such a sweet retreat in the middle of a day. what a surprise it would be for them to know someone else sees such beautiful potential in something that they own!=)
I am still dreaming about a secret garden Jeanne 🙂
This is so beautiful!
There are treasures in hidden places 🙂
Blessings!
Deborah xoxo
Your idea of a special get away garden is beautiful. I know it could be so lovely! Thanks for the inspiration:)
that is so cool. i would use it as a great place for shoots. wow.
I agree! This is right outside of Forreston, Illinois. I bet you have amazing places around your farm too.
Beautiful pictures! Is this just outside Galena?
Nikki,
It is in the country of Forreston. Isn’t it cool??!!
Hello Jeanne,
I love this old brick house. I wonder how old the home is? I am envisioning a brick courtyard with no roof plus spaces to gather together with family and friends surrounded by a beautiful garden.
Smiles, Paula
seventeen years ago, my dad bought a old abandoned house and now it is his art studio.
there is something so special about taking a place like this to make it one’s own.
great post.
If you ever would like to share I would LOVE to see those photos!!!
We have a 17 acre farmette in southern Wi. My husband wants to tear down an old hog house . It’s just the walls. We call it “the ruin”. He doesn’t think it’s safe but it would be the perfect secret garden. Inside the limestone walls I picture cafe tables ,comfy wicker setees, a fountain, tons of wildflowers ,soft music playing and of course me with my tea enjoying a slice of walnut crunch cake reading the best book ever. PERFECT!
Thanks for letting me daydream along with you.
Peace,
Karen
Wouldn’t that be amazing if you could make it structurally sound and make some magic out of it? I always tell my mom that I would make their hog house my art studio:-)
As long as it’s structurally sound, this space would make an incredible secret garden! I could see roses and wildflowers! You could even create a cool dining space for a cozy dinner party! It would also be a gorgeous backdrop for photos. Oh, so many ideas…..
A place for dinner parties would be a MUST!
Oh! Love your idea of making it an outdoor hideaway garden! A place to entertain! YES! I remember reading Under the Tuscan Sun and just almost crying when she started washing the walls and uncovering the frescos!!! DREAM LIFE… Ok, wake up, back to work… have a happy day!!
Your post inspired me to share my hidden garden created out of an old foundation left on the farmstead. It is not large, but the mystery of what the building held many years ago keeps me wondering when I look out over the deck with my cup of coffee in the morning! Come see the pics when you have time! Thanks for sharing your musings today.
Hi Jeanne! A beautiful garden yes, with an area to host romantic dinners for friends and an intimate evening with Jason….it would truly be a place of respite!
absolutely gorgeous…..I see it done already
are you purchasing this piece of paradise/history??
HA…yes!
Clean out the trash, clear the ground level, install a makeshift pergola type set of beams to hang chinese lanterns from and lights.Have summer evening dances under the stars. Show movies on one of the walls with an old projector – like a private outdoor theatre for firends, etc. Ohhhh, and have shows/sales….unlimited possibilities…that common phrase “one mans trash” – really applies sometimes. How fabulous would that be?
Your ideas are fantastic!
We don’t have a lot of old structures like that here in Aus but when in europe there were so many that the mind was forever dreaming about the adventure of renovating…Thank you for sharing, a secret garden is in every little girls heart…Take care c xxxx
Just like you I would…. “clean the insides out and plant a beautiful flower garden.
I would want paths and a fountain.
I would want to hang white lights and entertain here.
This is where I would come to think, draw, have my coffee in the morning”
I can totally see it!!!
yes…dining alfresco…maybe even a hammock in the corner…a double wide for me and all my sweeties.
love that you shared this. It’s such a blessed things to have beauty wash the busy-ness out of my eyes once in a while. 🙂