Eye Candy: The 2014 Savannah Tour of Homes & Gardens

Yesterday was the closing day of the 79th Annual Savannah Tour of Homes & Gardens. A very generous friend surprised me on Saturday night with a text, asking me if I wanted two sponsor passes that were given to their firm as a thank you for their support of the tour. How thoughtful was that?! Of course, I immediately said “yes” and lined up my neighbor and friend, Becky, to go with me.

The Sunday portion of the tour was in the Ardsley Park and Chatham Crescent part of town. I tried (so very, very hard!) to find us a house in Ardsley Park when we learned we were moving to Savannah, but those houses go quickly and there aren’t any rentals, which is was what needed for our short time here. We always wind up where God wants us to be, and I’m pretty sure He had a reason for us living on post instead. But, that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy looking and thinking about what might have been!

No photography was allowed inside, as these are all private residences. I absolutely understand that, even though I wish I could show you all the great decor we saw. But, it’s sunny and warm down here in Savannah, and there were so many beautiful outside garden areas that I could snap photos of, so just sit back and enjoy!

Wouldn’t you love to have your morning coffee in this gazebo, under that beautiful crystal chandelier?

Love the fountain; it actually reminds me of the side garden in our North Carolina house {here}, although this one is grander.

The house wasn’t open for the tour this year–just the garden–but isn’t it amazing? The owner said it was on the tour last year, and I’m so sorry we missed it!

A reception tent was set up in Kavanaugh Park for tour-goers, with light refreshments and live jazz music from the Savannah Arts Academy (the performing arts high school in Ardsley Park).

We then moved on to six different gardens. Becky and I both loved this DIY potting bench–see the corbels and table legs they used to make it gorgeous?

The dark-bottomed pool is beautiful, even in March:

I’m not sure if I like the candle chandelier or the fountain best in this shot:

We saw so many neat fountains and water features:

There were lots of inspiring outdoor dining and entertaining areas, too.

I loved this charming little bistro set on the carriage house’s balcony. A lot of carriage houses are either rented as apartments or used as guest houses–I could absolutely live in one of them!

Wrought iron is everywhere, and it’s gorgeous.

Check out these doors!

We’ve had a cool winter, but those of us who brought our herbs inside during the cold months are now ahead of the game:

And our azaleas are almost done, but they still had a little color left for the tour:

As we were walking through the neighborhood, we ran into a yard sale and–of course–had to stop and take a look. Becky scored a beautiful silver ice bucket and then had to carry it around to the last three houses. I’m not sure if we looked like we were stealing the silver, or were ready for a party, but we definitely got some laughs. Here’s Becky with her loot: