Christmas in the Gardenhouse
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyBack at Thanksgiving, when I visited home, I had the delightful and privileged opportunity to see and photograph the most enchanting Gardenhouse. Built from mostly repurposed materials and all dressed up for Christmas, you’re in for an inspiring and festive tour!!
Let’s rewind a bit. When I was 16, I worked at a charming little country store and café, often side by side with a wonderful woman named Janice in the store section. (Even then, I had a passion for styling—setting up displays, decorating Christmas trees, and the like.) Janice used to bring in her handmade items to sell: wreaths, dried flower arrangements, holiday decorations, you name it. I was always in awe of her creations. I still vividly remember a bunny she crafted that my mom purchased and adorned with a mini coat she crafted from vintage fabric, intricate button details, and a quaint little flower arrangement—it was a masterpiece.
Fast forward a couple of decades and now you’ll find Janice running a shop she owns called The Olde Stone Gate, nestled next to her home. I’ve been a regular customer over the past few years whenever I’m in town, and I always find something irresistible. Her shop is a treasure trove of beautiful home decor, curated vintage finds, and naturally, Janice’s handcrafted pieces.
A few years ago, Janice and her husband Allie set out to build what is called Gardenhouse next to her store. They built it from the ground up, using their own hands and an array of salvaged and repurposed materials they had curated over the years. The incorporation of so many exquisite details in their creation is truly awe-inspiring—it gives me chills just thinking about it.
I visited Gardenhouse last Christmas and I was in absolute awe. I told Janice that once it was complete, I’d love to photograph it and share it on Inspired By Charm. We debated on the best season to showcase Gardenhouse and eventually agreed upon Christmas—and what a magical choice this was.
I spent a few hours there snapping away—I took 500 photos! After some tough decisions, I narrowed it down to the top 90, and from there, even further. Today, I’m thrilled to share these curated glimpses with you.
For the most part, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves, but I might highlight a few features as we go along. Janice and Allie have poured countless hours into this space, and I’m ecstatic to share their labor of love with you. It’s one of those places that deserves to be admired by as many eyes as possible. So, enjoy the tour!
As I mentioned, Gardenhouse is a patchwork of reclaimed pieces. Every window, every piece of flooring, etc. is salvaged material. That wall with the grand wood? It’s crafted from vintage doors. Some of the wood accent details were created from old bookshelves cut into strips.
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And about that wood cabinet… when they went to pick it up, it wouldn’t fit in their van. They had to dismantle it completely, piece by piece, and then reassemble it at home.
See that gorgeous thick old wood forming the loft? Well, it’s all salvaged; formerly, each piece was bristling with nails that were removed with painstaking care. The bricks on the back wall were leftovers that a family member didn’t use.
The quaint lean-to on the right side of the Gardenhouse, designated for lawn equipment and the like, is yet another testament to the resourceful building. Constructed entirely from salvaged items, the cost of this addition was astonishingly low—truly a testament to their ingenuity.
While I’ve spoken at length about the construction, I must highlight the seasonal decor that brings Gardenhouse to life. The holiday adornments are a testament to Janice’s meticulous eye for detail—a quality that absolutely delights my design-loving heart. There’s immense joy in discovering the array of treasures someone has gathered over time, learning where they found them, and seeing how they’ve chosen to display them.
So many pieces in this space narrate a tale dear to Janice; her face would illuminate as she shared these origin stories with me. This, in essence, is the heart of exceptional design—it’s about cherishing and showcasing the things you adore. It’s about surrounding yourself with items that bring a smile to your face, pieces steeped in history, and those you’ve crafted or constructed with your own hands. I could’ve spent hours just sitting there absorbing every intentional touch she’s added to the space.
If you ever find yourself near St. Marys, PA, do yourself a favor and visit Janice at The Olde Stone Gate. I’ll link The Olde Stone Gate Facebook page HERE so you can check her store hours and give her a follow.
It’s been a joy to share this magnificent and festive space with you. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I thought you would. I would love it if you’d take a moment to leave a comment below that I can share them with Janice.
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Awesome! Just awesome! Having a gardenhouse like that would be a dream come true for me. But at least I can use some of the little details in my own home. Thank you and her for sharing!
ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING! My jaw was open through most of the photos. This is a place that makes you *feel* something special inside💜 Thank you so much for the absolutely necessary idea to share her incredible talent with as many people as possible! Janice is a legend👑 She should be featured in design magazines. And she could absolutely author a book on design! I want to buy it already. What a lovely way to start a Saturday 😊 Thank you both for sharing!
Beautiful and charming! Brings memories of my grandmother’s little cottage in Old Saybrook, Connecticut!
Truly a labor of love and beauty. So cozy. So much to see and consider– about the original owners who designed and used all the decor pieces. Wouldn’t you love to go with Janice on one of her trips and see what she uncovers? I think we all have some creativity in us, and we need the solace of discovering what nature and the past can offer.
Isn’t it amazing!? I totally agree with all of your sentiments!
xo Michael
OMG, Absolutely Irresistibly, Charming. I live in Indiana, oh how I wish I lived closer. Thank You M, Inspired By Charm for the Beautiful Pictures, and Janice and Allie for creating, Garden House. Have a Wonderful Holiday. Ellen
All I can say is WOW! What a treasure. I could pour over these pictures for hours & still miss details. It’s truly a beautiful space.
I want to live there! These photos take my breath away…literally! What a beautiful and artful display of everything…one of the loveliest shops I have ever seen. I hope to visit n person, someday.
WOW!! Quite an amazing space. Loved all the details you captured, I felt like I was reading a magazine spread. It really should be featured in print, but so glad I am a subscriber to your blog…your photography is stunning. Janice and Allie are so talented to create this space out of recycled and reclaimed materials. I love that aspect of it, I am so into repurposing items. But to create a space so inviting is spectacular! I wonder how they use this space, do they host dinners? There is a 2nd floor, but I couldn’t see how to access it. Thank you for taking such beautiful photos, too bad we couldn’t see all 500!!
They are so talented! And yes, there is a loft space. She is still trying to find the perfectly ladder to allow access to the loft.
xo Michael
Thank you for sharing this charming space! Both you and Janice have wonderful gifts of creativity. The attention to every little detail is amazing…absolutely lovely!
Stunning. This is so beautiful I could take up a life of crime and walk away with the pine cupboard, that quilt and any number of things. Does she have an online presence for her store? Thanks for this, it made my day.
Haha! Love it! I linked her FB page at the end of the post. You can see more there.
xo Michael
Wow! These pics gave a great ideas and the inspiration for a few decorating ideas! Wish I lived near there! Awesome post!
Just so charming thanks for sharing
I just want to live in there! Every inch is full of holiday inspiration. Thanks for sharing such a magical place!
Michael, this tour of Janice’s Gardenhouse reminds me of the true meaning of the word CHARMING! I thank you and Janice for allowing us to tour her special little retreat from reality. And Merry CHRISTmas to you both. MOST SINCERELY, Janice Francis
I am in love with this place. You can see through the photos just how much talent and hard work went into building it. So cozy, festive, and happy. Love all the natural light that flows in. Simply beautiful. Great job. Thank you for sharing.
Yes! It’s amazing!!
xo Michael
Gardenhouse is beautiful! Love the architecture and all the lovely touches of Christmas. Thank you for sharing this delightful space.
Oooohhh! This is so beautiful and welcoming! I love every detail in every photo! Thank you for sharing this gorgeous space!
What an exquisite little place! Truly an enjoyable tour. Thanks much for sharing it. And thank you for all the creative, enjoyable content you have shared with us this year….so much to enjoy, try, and dream about.
Wishing you a season of peace and joy at Christmas and blessings in the New Year.
I love this article, Michael! She’s amazing!
This is amazing to see and actually feel the love that went in to it. The beautiful decor, the colors and furnishings are simple yet elegant. If it had a bathroom and small kitchenette, I for one would be so happy to live there! It has made my mind start thinking of the sheer strength of having a smaller home like this.
Thank you for introducing me to another wonder in this world. My heart is joyful!
Agreed! I think about that all the time. There’s something so charming about a smaller home where you take use of every single inch of space. And you’re so welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed the tour.
xo Michael