Trade Secrets 2012: Linden Hill Farm | Lakeville, CT

Here’s a classic Georgian Revival tucked away in the Litchfield Hills on 75 acres of what had once been part of a 2,000 acre land grant from King George III to a local farmer.  With its’ open fields overlooking the Berkshires, this home boasts beautiful fountain plantings; a variety of fruit trees that include two orchards, one old apple orchard, and a new, smaller orchard producing more hybrid-modern apples; and lots and lots of peonies! Debra Blair, one of New York’s most respected interior designers and owner of Blair Design Associates in New York City, and her husband Richard deBart purchased the home in 2003 and it has become a labor of love as they restructured the hardscape and the landscape.  A welcoming Linden Tree Alleé lines the driveway to the house where you’ll be greeted by the breathtaking magnolia trees.  Few trees say “spring is almost here” like the showy, ornamental magnolias that put on a display of colorful flowers long before the first leaf buds unfold.  You can stroll down the very long original brick pathway lined with boxwoods from the front of the house to the pool where you’ll find more lovely boxwoods and pear trees.  Stonewalls wind around the patios with peonies, bleeding hearts and iris popping-up from behind to welcome the early summer breeze with their gallant colors.  There’s a lovely medieval herb garden off the kitchen, too!