All in the Detail: a look at the Barefoot Contessa property

Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!

I have a ‘thing’ about houses…. duh, right?

I have Movies that I love BECAUSE OF THE HOUSE in the background, for example favorite movie homes (but not necessarily favorite movies):

(Thanks to Hooked on Houses for all these great links... I just LOVE her website because I AM hooked on houses!)

I have Television Shows that I love BECAUSE OF THE HOUSE in the background, and ok, I will admit it, I have people I love BECAUSE OF THE HOUSE in the background (if I love their house – how could I NOT love them, right?)

Well, one of my all time favorite properties has to be Ina Garten’s home in East Hampton. Come along and join me on a tour of Ina’s (that’s what her friends call her and she might not know it but I wanna be her friend) East Hampton home, garden, barn and yes, even her apartment in Paris!

With a big thanks to House Beautiful, we get to take a back stage pass tour of Ina Garten’s property. It's earthy, elegant, simple, and so Ina. Are you as excited as me?

Let’s start with the newest of the structure on her property, The Barn.

The Picturesque Barn

According to House Beautiful, Ina Garten built her "barn," inspired by the simple country buildings of Belgium and designed by architect Frank Greenwald. Now, everyone knows that Ina loves to entertain outdoors, so what better structure could there be for the feeling of the outdoors than a barn, but not just any Barn - an East Hampton Barn...

Take a Look!

On the bluestone terrace, Ina prepares to set the table.

“Here Ina, let me help you with that.”

Rough-hewn salvaged beams lend dimension and warmth to the kitchen-dining area. Axel Vervoordt cabinet anchors one wall and a huge Vervoordt basket at the end of the 18-foot-long counter holds all Ina’s bakeware. Countertop is Peitit Fossil Belgian Stone; lamps are custom. White armchairs from Robert Stilin. Wall color is Farrow & Ball Light Gray.

Let’s just pull up a chair for a front row seat to watch the master at work in her own environment.

Ina has the dining table all set and ready for her guests.

I guess she knew we were coming!

"There was a temptation to put a mantelpiece around the fireplace, but it would have been too decorative," says Ina. "This is a masculine room, and it needs to be very clean." Brilliant! Candlesticks on the mantel by Ted Muehling; stools from Robert Stilin; faucet by Waterworks.

An array of objects has been used to decorate the mantle of the fireplace. It does not have to be symmetrical to look beautiful.

Open shelves are stocked with a collection of cake stands and hotel silver. Viking range and hood; Sub-Zero refrigerator; Bosch dishwasher; KitchenAid mixer.

This is a Chef’s Dream Kitchen.

In the pantry, simple wire Metro shelving holds plates, props, and supplies.

Ok, my mouth is watering…. (can it do that with interiors vs.. food?)

In the bedroom, a 17th-century French oak table holds egg shaped ceramics by Ted Muehling and a vase from Lucca. Bed linens by Frette.

Morning coffee in the cozy comfort of a bedroom armchair covered in a Rogers & Goffigon gingham.

Yes, Ina would definitely do something so thoughtful.

French doors open to the gardens outside from the bedroom and give the quiet sitting area a great view.

Here's a tour of that amazing garden!

Ina's office space in an alcove outside the bedroom. The antique desk is from Bloom in Sag Harbor. Photo of Luxembourg Gardens by Jean-Michel Berts. Walls are Farrow & Ball White Tie.

I also have a drafting table for a desk… but trust me, it looks NOTHING like this!

This bubbles-up-to-your-chin bathtub by Waterworks overlooks a walled garden. Wood blinds are by Nanik.

It just keeps getting better, doesn’t it?

In the entry, a 19th-century muslin-covered settee from Bloom is just right for donning summer flip-flops or shucking winter Wellies. A 17th-century Venetian mirror hangs on a wall painted Farrow & Ball’s Light Gray.

We have sneaked a peek or two of this amazing spot during her shows!