A gracious hillside lot enhances the beauty of this lovely Jeffersonian Colonial home.  Designed in 1954 by the firm of W.S. Arrowsmith and W.T. Tyler, local architects, it was purchased by the current owners, Carolyn and Ed Lewis in 1954, who updated and expanded the floor plan.

Entering the foyer, visitors are drawn to the brightly lit living room anchored by an expansive bay window embracing a grand piano* and boasting a view of the patio beyond. Working with several local designers, Ms. Lewis has created a charming home using antiques and beautiful colors. A blue and white tapestry on the wall of the family room is dated 1848 and was originally used as a bedspread.  The Master bedroom was expanded to create a larger bathroom and add walk-in closets.  There is also an access door to the patio.

The kitchen includes a comfortable seating area highlighted by a hanging quilt, made by the owners’ great-grandmother in 1858.  The Oak and Reel pattern in bright pink adds stunning color, repeated in the rooms ‘décor. An acrylic cover protects the heirloom from damage.

The patio becomes “party central” for Derby and other special occasions.  Ms. Lewis uses climbing Mandevilla in bright red, pink, and white to hang over the wall, and pots of red, pink, and white Geraniums to add to the festive display. In the center of it, the fountain adds charm to the scene.

*Some visitors may be lucky enough to be serenaded during their tour!

On-street parking—one side only

Directions:  Indian Hills Trail to Council Road to Totem Road

In 1997 Mary Fallat and Tom Walker purchased the “Carriage House” at 3601 Woodside Place and began home renovations and garden construction that continue to this day. The home, grounds, and stonework reminded them of the English countryside.

The first year was consumed with clearing wild honeysuckle, runaway ivy, and scrub to expose the stonework and create vistas. 300 cubic yards of soil were brought in to fill holes, create terraces and walkways before the planting began. Early on they had no real sense of where the garden was heading but during their travels, they brought home inspiration that was added one idea at a time.

The west boxwood garden is an English design built around a reproduction of a Frank Lloyd Wright fountain. There are gravel pathways and steps that lead down to a grassy terrace. The south-facing hillside is now a grove of Oak-leaf hydrangea along the back of the house.

In 2017 they finished a multi-year project of clearing and grading along the back road to the east of the house. That opened up a view to the cottage and exposed a 60-foot curved brick wall that was cleaned, repaired, and tuck-pointed, adding a gravel seating area and garden above.

The east-side cutting garden hardscape of stonework and walls was a more recent garden addition that replaced a steep barren hillside with massive stone and boulder retaining walls, steps, and brick pavers. The plantings are new this spring and the garden is beautifully lit in the evening.

The ideas keep coming and the gardens continue to grow. They’ve recently purchased the cottage next door and an additional .7 acre and are developing plans for another garden expansion.

Please look for signs for parking—a shuttle will be provided.

The gardens around the home of Bruce and Nina Maples have been a work in progress for the past 25 years. There were some mature trees when they moved to the house, but the rest of the yard was a blank slate. Each year they have taken on a new project whether it be a new structure, a new garden bed, or planting trees.

The front garden has plenty of sunlight so there are plenty of colorful plants bursting forth all season. The pebble path to the back is lined with hostas and a climbing hydrangea covering their home’s side.

The backyard features a flowing pond where the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and even an occasional heron stop for a drink or bath. There is an English cottage-style potting shed complete with a moss-covered cedar shake roof and window boxes built by the owner.

The backyard also boasts a free-floating covered deck that entices one to sit a spell and watch the birds at the feeders. The backyard is mostly shade so it is usually about 10 degrees cooler than the front yard. There are a variety of shade-loving plants such as assorted hostas, astilbe, hydrangea, hellebores, viburnum, ferns, wild ginger, and Epimedium.

On-street parking—one side only