Grab a wisk and head to the barn

This is Ina Garten's "barn." It sits in the backyard of her Hamptons, New York, estate - which is lovely and filled to the brim with many objects of desire. House Beautiful profiled the Garten's second house, the barn, where Ina presently films her TV show, Back to Basics. The "barn" is lovely, but Ina, this isn't a barn.

"I love the simple but old style of Belgian country buildings and barns. I gave Frank Greenwald, the architect, some books of things I liked, and he came back with a plan that literally was perfect. I didn't change a line."

This kitchen is life altering. Can you imagine having this much space and this much natural light? I'm and getting more and more anti-clutter in my life and Mrs. Garten does the "no clutter" look in a great way.



This kitchen counter is almost 18 feet long. "My assistant and I work together, so we needed a really long counter. It's divided by a sink in the middle — very efficient. You don't want a huge kitchen. If it's too big, you need roller skates to get around it. The work area itself is actually the same size as it is in the old house."

"I work here, eat lunch here, have parties here. And I love those big chairs."

While I love the organization (and her lime green Le Creuset collection!) of this pantry, I can't say that I love the shelving she chose. I think simple wood shelves would look better, metal shelves look a bit cheap to me - but perhaps they're all the rage in the Hamptons and in modern kitchen decor. 

How come my all white bedding doesn't look this nice? See what I mean with the "less is more" in accessorizing. Most people would put a picture above the headboard and load that side table with framed photos, books and a trinket - but not Ina.

Oh man, Ina has a desk. I have desk envy, and now cool-stool envy. 

Love this bench in the entry way. I've always thought it would be neat to have a old, beat up church pew in a long hallway or entry way. 

With the all-white bedroom and the all-white bench, it is very clear that Ina has no children and no pets - and maybe even no visitors.   

This outdoor seating area is ideal - but let's be honest, I still hate the outdoors. 

This fireplace is about the only thing I just truly didn't care for, it just doesn't seem to fit. Maybe a different color, maybe different accessories? Maybe I'm wrong.

What makes me comfortable by Ina Garten
1. Cashmere blankets and Loro Piana slippers everywhere.
2. Great dance music when I'm cooking.
3. Flower arrangements from the garden.
4. Mariage Frères tea with homemade cookies.
5. Surrounding myself with people who make me happy.