When family and friends gather... #tahillafarm

'Morning' painted by Amy Katherine Browning
(1881-1978)
Photo credit:  Joanna Dunham

Many Americans are thinking about their Thanksgiving table this week and the love and warmth that will flow around it. It is a special time of year and I admit it is one of the things about living in New England that I miss most. The air will be crisp, the fireplaces will be stoked, the Thanksgiving meal will be creating it's magic in ovens and stove tops, music will fill the silence until guests arrive and then..it will be laughter and joy which will be followed by utter exhaustion and deep contentment that the day is done and thoughts will travel to  Christmas. I love a New England Thanksgiving. This is our 15th Thanksgiving away from the USA...and I can tell you no matter how hard we try, it is never the same. My solution is to store it all up and create the magic when the family gathers at Christmas.


It is with all of this in mind that Mr. H and I consider our family gathering space at Tahilla Farm. Below are photos taken of our kitchen and dining room while living in New Zealand. The farmhouse style table on the left is from our days living in Australia and the one on the right is from our time in New Zealand. Both tables were made by local craftsman. At this moment, neither table is where it is suppose to be. We should have the one on the left at Tahilla Farm and the one on the right with us at Chateau Mango..but the reverse is true. A little hiccup in my planning before moving from England. Eventually I imagine both tables will end up at Tahilla Farm...and that is when the fun begins.

We caught up with our architect by speakerphone last week for another productive meeting. I am happy to report that he read my last post and understands where I am coming from. Mr. H has other ideas but I will save that for another time.

Today..let's just talk tables. Mr H and I are in agreement that we would like a dining space with a view and one with plenty of room to move about without bumping into walls or furniture. We are going for an open plan room..kitchen, living, dining. It is the first for us so we are keen to think out every little detail. 

Gil Schafer III 'The Great American House'

The gathering space above created by Gil Schafer is perfect. Tahilla Farm is not as grand but it is a good reference point as are the windows in the home below. I talked about windows in an earlier post...Tahilla Farms seems to be all about windows with Mr. H. Both options are ideal.

Architectual Digest

The photo below is one of my first 'pins' for my Pinterest Farmhouse file, before Tahilla Farm was a reality. I always liked the idea of a table in the vicinity of a fireplace. I can not imagine anything dearer on a cold winter's night.

House Beautiul Magazine via

Last summer I was digging around the local used book shop and discovered the book, Barn Style Homes. I took a pic of the dining area, loving the bay shaped windows..it gives just a bit more extra space. Perfect for a lage gathering.

Barn Style Homes  Photo by F&E Schmidt

The question of the formal dining room comes up often. Mr. H is an emphatic no on that one...for me, if a library was involved, I would go there and I have just the room and dining table in mind. 

Architectural Digest  Photo: Peter Aaron/Esto

So tell me, how do you dine?

Do you gather in a formal dining room or in the kitchen?

Do you have a view, a fireplace or favourite piece of artwork close by?

How many people will your table seat?

If you are celebrating Thanksgiving with a large crowd, 

how do you accommodate everyone?

If you have an open plan kitchen, living and dinging area..

do you have any advice for us?

Your advice so far has been fabulous, keep it coming!

Before you go..

If you enjoy having friends and family gather at your home,

you may enjoy this poem by Edgar A. Guest.

'Studio Supper' painted by Amy Katherine Browning
(1881-1978)
Photo credit: Joanna Dunham

When Friends Drop In

It may be old-fashioned, but the times I like the best

Are not the splendid parties with the women gaily dressed,

And the music tuned for dancing and the laughter of the throng,

With a paid comedian's antics or a hired musicians song,

But the quiet times of friendship, with the chuckles and the grin,

And the circle at the fireside when a few good friends drop in.

There's something 'round the fireplace that no club can imitate,

And no throng can ever equal just a few folks near the grate;

Though I sometimes like an opera, there's no music quite so sweet

As the singing of the neighbours that you're always glad to meet;

Oh, I know when they come calling that the fun will soon begin,

And I'm happiest those evenings when a few friends drop in.

There's no pomp of preparation, there's no style or sham or fuss;

We are glad to welcome callers who are glad to be with us,

And we sit around and visit or we start a merry game,

And we show them by our manner that we're mighty pleased they came,

For there's something real about it, and the yarns we love to spin,

And the time flies, Oh, so swiftly when a few good friends drop in.

Let me live my life among them, cheerful, kindly folks and true,

And I'll ask no greater glory till my time of life is through;

Let me share the love and favor of the few who know me best,

And I'll spend my time contented till my sun sinks in the west;

I will take what fortune sends me and the little I may win,

And be happy on those evenings when a few good friends drop in.

Edgar A. Guest

(1881-1959)

Thank you for dropping in and best wishes

to all ...may your home be filled with love and laughter!

Jeanne xx