Veteran landscape architect Dan Sherman has opened a new garden center in Greenwich.
But don”™t head to Carriage House Gardens looking for a new shovel or a bit of sod.
“We don”™t intend to be a garden center that has rose spray,” says Sherman.
After all, there are plenty of chain and specialty stores that have that mass-market formula down.
Instead, the principal of Daniel Sherman Landscape Architect in Valhalla, N.Y., is crafting a destination garden center that he thinks will offer something distinctive.
Sherman is quick to hand out a card that describes Carriage House Gardens as “a special place that features landscape architects, contractors and artists in an environment with select plant materials, garden antiques, sculptures, ornaments, stone and masonry samples.”
And a wander through Carriage House Gardens on a recent afternoon proves that all those elements are falling into place in a most artful way.
A big part of that is the artwork ”“ literally ”“ that has been provided by The Outside In Piermont. That gallery, owned by Sherman”™s Piermont, N.Y., neighbors Bill Walsh and Joe Serra, has quickly become a noted destination for Hudson Valley-based artists and artisans.
Here, as Walsh shows, the gallery is showcasing some of its signature artists with spherical sculptures by Grace Knowlton, carved-stone faces by Ted Ludwiczak and metal and stone work by Eric David Laxman. Each piece is settled within a garden setting, serving as the perfect illustration of how it might fit into one”™s own surroundings. In addition, Carriage House”™s interior, a space with a decidedly welcome feel thanks to warm barnwood walls dotted with paintings and shelves and tables lined with sculptures, pottery and stained glass, further illustrates the work, all set amid rough-hewn wood furniture and rugs.
And as part of the Carriage House Gardens”™ grand opening, set from 1 to 5 p.m. July 22, an exhibition of paintings by Frances Wells will be unveiled.
It is, Walsh says, a way to showcase more of the artists The Outside In has become known for promoting.
Clients may find Carriage House Gardens, at 1194 King St., ideal for an afternoon wander. Though there are plants all around, many are destined for Sherman”™s projects. All, though, serve as an example of what can be ordered for a client.
“It”™s kind of a fun fit with not a lot of pressure,” Sherman says. “I see all of it as fantastic advertising for the landscape business.”
With plans for wine tastings, book signings, sculpture shows and expanded food service down the line, Sherman says he hopes Carriage House Gardens will become both an event destination and a shopping source.
It began as a way for Sherman to source the plantings and trees for his own projects. Here, Sherman”™s associate Greg Mercurio, a landscape architect and certified arborist, oversees the acquiring of plant materials. Being able to buy them and store them helped keep costs in check for the landscape business.
“We had nowhere to stage the plants,” said Sherman, who marks 20 years in the field this October.
An association with Materia Brothers, that owns the Greenwich property, led to the new venture that Sherman likens to a co-op effort.
“It”™s more like an association of consignees,” he says. “It didn”™t take any investment on our part” to build the existing space or fill it with inventory.
Indeed, the list of associated businesses is deep. ShermanӪs own firm will provide landscape-design services and The Outside In Piermont will continue to add arts, crafts and d̩cor items. Greenwich Gardens, Materia Brothers offers masonry and landscape contracting. Garden d̩cor items are by Kenneth Lynch & Sons and Florentine Craftsmen; Victoria of VL Designs is on hand to provide interior design and d̩cor items, while Michael Becker of Bloomage! is offering seasonal floral installations. Kim and Erica of Anthropek offer vegetable plots and maintenance, while Sun Valley Nursery in Ossining N.Y., provides classical garden accessories. Sculpted stone bowls, basins and fountains are by Flowering Quince, while Precision Stone and Marble provides stone and tile for kitchen and bath.
As with anyone who works on people”™s homes, Sherman says the services he and the affiliates have gathered all tie in to something that will connect with clients on a very real level.
“The things you get to make are people”™s dreams.”
