Saturday, June 2, 2012

This Week's Blog Post

Magnolia Necklace Set
I purchased this magnolia pendant on Etsy as an option for the magnolia necklace giveaway. The larger, bolder pendant was chosen for that project. This pendant is sweet and little, made on the backside of a Scrabble game piece.
It called for delicate beads so I used rose quartz and white howlite. I love the pretty, summer-like result! Available at Miss Val’s Creations.
Stevens Coolidge Place
Jim and I stopped at Stevens-Coolidge Place which is located in the town I was raised (North Andover, MA).
This is a historical home I remember visiting during a field trip as a little girl. The inside was open and decorated with period furniture and décor.
Currently the inside is closed. However grounds are open year round.

The architecture is late-Federal period farmhouse circa 1800-1820.
Originally a farm, this yard was transformed into an agricultural estate by Helen Steven Coolidge in the early 1900’s using Colonial Revival aesthetics. Upon her passing she donated the estate to The Trustees of Reservation.
This is the great ash tree which is thought to have brought on the name of the farm, Ashdale Farm.
Some apple trees remain and are guesstimated to be dated back to mid-19th century.
My favorite part of the visit was all the gorgeous blooms.

This is the upper terrace overlooking the gardens. It would be wonderful to spread a blanket here and lay down.
The walled garden has so much charm.






This well is located on a brick terrace which overlooks the gardens.
 

These beauties are in a perennial garden which I am sure changes throughout the seasons.


We will likely go back during the summer months when the roses and other pretties are in bloom! Picnicking is allowed her so it would make a perfect spot for a beautiful summer afternoon!

We also encountered some creepy old trees! This one would be perfect in a horror film.


I hope you enjoyed our trip through this delightful estate! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live amongst such charm? Have a great week! ~Val


32 comments:

  1. Hi Val,

    Love the charm...so pretty with that necklace. Thanks for the tour of this beautiful historic home. I love touring historic properties, so beautiful and timeless.

    Ruth

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  2. i always love your nature pictures!! and the historic home is so beautiful!

    the STYLE Fringe BLOG
    http://the-stylefringe.blogspot.com

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  3. Wow, the Stevens-Coolidge Place looks like a wonderful estate to explore! I'm sure my sister Jordan and I would be pretty shutter-happy there, taking photos of everything we saw, haha. ;) It looks like you took a ton of photos, too! You got some lovely shots, and I think I'll have to try convincing Mom to bring us for a visit...it's not TOO far away, after all, and I just love history. ;)

    And that necklace is gorgeous, I love the soft colors!

    Great post!

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    1. You guys would love it! Check out that link for the Trustees of Reservation. That will bring you to other historical estates in MA that may be closer to you. :)

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    2. Awesome, I will. Thanks!

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  4. Such a sweet, feminine set -- I can imagine it paired with the lightest gauze dress. And what a beautiful home. I love historic places -- the stories they could tell!

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  5. Agree with Janice .. beautifully feminine set you've created. The colors are so soft and gorgeous. I love MA, it is so typically New England, and LOVE the Federal style. I grew up in the Pacific NW where you don't get the fall colors (not like New England), or the colonial architecture. It is one of the things I love about living back East.

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    1. I have only lived in MA but have always adored the old architecture here and of course Fall! It is full of charm in New England!!! I will really miss those things when I move away for retirement. :)

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  6. what a beautiful old place...the upkeep must be time consuming.
    Debbi
    -yankeeburrowcreations

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  7. I love your choice of howlite with rose quartz. You've made a perfect piece to pair with a sundress!

    That house in New Andover is beautiful. I love touring historic places and I think it is the grounds that amaze me the most... trying to imagine exactly how much work it took to get them there let alone the daily upkeep!

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  8. I love the necklace set! And a pendant from a Scrabble piece...how ingenious. The house you toured is beautiful. I love visiting places like that and hearing the "story" behind it. When we went to Michigan we visited the Meyer May house. It was a beauty.

    * If you get a chance, I'd love to see your recipe for the vegetarian version of the chicken pot pie. :-)

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    1. Hi Libby, I'll e-mail you a recipe in a couple of days :)

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  9. Wow Val, this estate is gorgeous!!! I loved all the pictures! Those creepy old trees are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing all of this! Your necklace set is gorgeous! Have a great weekend ;o)

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  10. you always have really nice thing to show!!!

    www.meryswardrobe.blogspot.com

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  11. What an amazing place to visit! I love the architecture;)

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  12. What a great place to visit! The gardens are stunning.

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  13. I have always wanted to visit a place like that. The house looks amazing and the estate is just beautiful. Those trees are gorgeous and I would spend a lot of time sitting under them :)

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  14. Hi Val,

    The necklace is beautiful!

    I love historical homes. The grounds are amazing.

    Dee

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  15. Cool pictures! And necklace is really pretty!
    Amazing blog:-) Check mine and let me know if you would like to follow each other:-)
    Kisses
    Aga

    Worlwide GIVEAWAY WITH SHEINSIDE until 4th June!
    Worlwide GIVEAWAY WITH SHEINSIDE until 4th June!
    www.agasuitcase.com

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  16. What a beautiful place. The grounds and architecture of Stevens-Coolidge Place are amazing, what a wonderful place to spend the day! Your necklace and earrings are lovely.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  17. What a beautiful place to visit and walk around. Your picnic idea is great! Love all the flower photos :)

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  18. How wonderful!!! Now I want to come there and have a pic nick too!!

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  19. great pictures..really does look like a delightful estate!

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  20. Beautiful necklace - those are my colours :)
    The pendant is so pretty!
    What a wonderful historical house and garden. I love looking inside buildings such as these and also castles, as we have here.
    Hope you are doing great!
    Duni

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  21. This historical trip is awesome, thanks for sharing such nice pictures...that creepy tree has its charm also :)

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  22. Hi Miss Val :) Another lovely necklace, the colors on that pendant are so soft and gorgeous. Looks like a wonderful field trip! I would love to wander the grounds with all of those flowers and awesome trees, but I'm sad the house is closed. Wandering old houses always manages to transport me back in time... :)

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  23. Val, this necklace is just beautiful!
    The beads you chose for it are so perfect.

    I actually am in No. Andover several times a year. My brother lives there. I have never heard of this estate, but it looks like a wonderful place to visit. Definitely on my list the next time I am there.

    I hope your week has gotten off to a wonderful start!
    xo.

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    1. Hi Lisa, This estate is near the Common and not far from Mass Ave. It is a perfect place to relax for an hour or so. I hope you get to visit...you won't be disappointed. :)

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  24. What a beautiful garden. Thanks for sharing. I always look forward to seeing what you've been up to on your travels. Glad to have more time to read blogs. :)

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  25. great pictures!!:) very colorful!

    Leonor
    thesparklinglemon.blogspot.com

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  26. Oooo- looks like a fun place to visit! The picture taking was amazing, I'm sure :)

    xoxo
    Jordan♥

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  27. Beautiful photos and post!!! I love this necklace!!!
    Have a good week!

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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Thank you for stopping by! I love reading visitor comments! ~Val