Trip to Greenwood gardens, short hills nj

I’d wanted to visit Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills, NJ for the past six years, ever since I heard it existed when moving to New Jersey. We drove there once and it was closed for a wedding, then an extensive restoration of the property took place, and now it’s open to the public Fridays through Sundays. Today I woke up with the idea (some of my best ideas come that way) and just had to visit. I bought a ticket and choose the time slot online, note that you must buy tickets online ahead of time. To summarize it was an absolute feast for the eyes and neither pictures nor words can do it justice - you must go in person.

Once you park, the first buildings you see are the once servant quarters (seen above) particularly the gardeners quarters. There were up to 100 servants at one time on the property. As not only an interior designer but a historical styles buff, I was so taken with the ornate details in each structure, particularly the tiles, and as I went through the rest of the property the many sculptures that came from the owners travels abroad.

Above is the main house looking from below in one of the tiered gardens. I didn’t get a front facing view of the brick home itself as I couldn’t get the image of the original grandiose towering 26-bedroom home built in the early 20’s out of my mind. The original home and gardens were designed by the architect William Whetten Renwick for multi-millionaire Joseph Day and his family, as a retreat from the scorching heat of New York City. This home seen above was built in the 1960s by the 2nd prominent owners, though there were many, Peter P. Blanchard Jr. and his wife Adelaide Childs Frick. Photos show they made the gardens somewhat more formal with manicured boxwood, as I can tell from photos of when Blanchard resided there.

The home and gardens have perfect neoclassical symmetry, with a pair of pergolas, above is with a view of the watchung reservation.

Both of the prominent owners loved dogs and had many, as well as loved to travel where they collected and sent home countless sculptures and figures seen on the grounds, like the hounds above.

One of my favorite features are the two pavilions on the property, the tea house and the summer house (above), both with colorful tile floors and beautiful rock and embellished Rookwood tile ceilings.

Above is the absolutely stunning tea house, with a fireplace, sink, and the ornate hand done floor, walls and ceiling mentioned above. Chess piece statues are placed around it that were so interesting.

Above is the path leading to the ponds, animal ailee, and the Grand Cascade.

The sun finally came out as I sat on a bench transfixed by the Cascade giving a whole new light literally to it, and showing so much more color in the plants and foliage. Below is a photo of the arcade beforehand with clouds dominated the day, yet the gardens were stunning in any weather.

I’m in awe that such a lovely, special preserved home and garden are right here in Short Hills, NJ. The care the 2 owners put into the property is palpable and truly an honor to get to enjoy. Photos and writing don’t do it's beauty justice, you’ll just have to visit their for yourselves. Enjoy!