There’s something quite lovely about exploring someone else’s garden.There is no work to be done, no weeds I must pull, nothing I need to water or prune. It is pure enjoyment.
Last October my friend Amy and I entered the doors of the Museum Willet-Holthuysen in Amsterdam. The stunning 17th Century canal house was once the home of Abraham Willet and his wife Louisa Willet-Holthuysen.
After her husband died, Louisa stipulated in her will that upon her death, the home and all its contents were to be given to the city of Amsterdam. Since 1895 her wishes have been followed. The home has been turned into a museum showcasing Abraham’s vast collection of paintings, weapons, glass, and other treasures. Click here for a virtual tour.
The house provides a fascinating glimpse into Dutch life for the wealthy in the 1800’s. As much as I enjoyed the opulent bedrooms, marvelous ballroom, and cozy scullery, the garden was my favorite spot. Quiet, peaceful and beautifully laid out, it was an oasis of calm and artistry in the heart of Amsterdam.
What is your favorite garden you’ve ever visited?
Favorite Garden might be Fairchild Gardens, Miami! Love your pictures…they are beautiful.
I think my favourite gardens are where I find the unexpected little secrets such as palm trees in England,banana trees here in the Okanagan,and a blanket of azaleas on the forest floor. This garden in Amsterdam is a treasure.
I can imagine, William! I just looked up pictures and wow!! What a gorgeous spot. 🙂 I’m so glad you like my pictures. 🙂
Oh, that IS lovely, Val! 🙂 I like unexpected things too. Like the fuschia pom-pom looking bush. So beautiful and like something out of Dr. Seuss! 🙂
Oh that is lovely. What an oasis.
Favorite garden, perhaps the Botanical Garden in Wellington, NZ. =)
I’m so glad you like it, Breanne. 🙂 I just looked up Wellington Botanical Gardens and oh, there are some lovely spots. 🙂 I especially like the gnarled trees and the Peace Garden. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this beautiful enchanted garden with us. I’d love to hang out there in the summer with a nice drink and a good book. 🙂
Favourite garden now that is a difficult one as I have visited many and love them all. The ones I used to visit most often for inspiration and relaxation just because I was lucky enough to live not far away from them are the RHS Gardens at Wisley, Kew Gardens and Polesdon Lacey all south of London in the UK.
I would certainly love to visit this one in Amsterdam.
Thanks for calling by News From Italy and leaving a comment about your coffee machine, it sounds very similar.
Oh my! Particularly love that weird alien plant. I’ve always had fond memories of the Shakespeare Garden in Central Park. Although its hard to match Versailles for scale and pretension!
Oh Krista, what pretty pics!!
The flowers are beautiful but the best flower of ’em all is YOU!
I agree with Michael, the Fairchild Gardens in Miami are really nice. The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC are also stunning. And of course, the Botanical Gardens in Caracas, Venezuela are simply beautiful… there are just too many to list Krista!
Gorgeous spot! For me it was the gardens at Chateau Villandry in the Loire. I could have spent a day walking around!
Wow – that’s gorgeous! It’s hard to believe that any Amsterdam house has so much outdoor space :o) I love that fluffy purple flower – wonder what it is… My favourite gardens are definitely the Generalife gardens at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, for the views as much as the abndant water features and beautiful plants.
You are so right ! But, how about …. it’s nice to have garden like this, but someone else doing the weeding and the maintenance? That’s even better yes? Perhaps, one should mary a king or a prince, or a very very wealthy one, or buy a lottery (who knows), or let just dream ….. good to have a beautiful dream, LOL
Just to cheer you up and make you feel better since you are feeling not so well today.
elra
You know, I don’t know if I have a favourite garden Krista, you’ve just made me realise I rarely visit beautiful gardens when travelling… the best I can offer for this question is I do check out Floriade every year…, but (she has her head hanging down & kicking the dirt as she speaks) I usually go at Night Festival time where the flowers are all lit up and sort of the aaahh… background to the fun of the festival. Mmmm, guessing Anna better brush up on her garden hopping huh 😉
Loved the virtual tour of Willet-Holthuysen museum… what an amazing dining table huh.
I hope to go to Amsterdam next spring and will make a note to go here. My favourite garden was a National Trust one in Cornwall which had a maze and went all the way down a hillside to the sea.