This is a go-at-your-own pace home & garden tour. You will be given directions to the properties with your ticket, and you may visit the properties on your own in any order between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pick up your box lunch at the Jones House in downtown Boone any time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and visit the plant sale there. Questions? Write jww@boone.net or call 828-264-9955.

TOMMY LIGHT COTTAGE

This pet-friendly cottage sits inches from the South Fork of the New River. It has a shared natural pond in the front yard. There is also a small goldfish pond in front of the house which one must step over to get to the front door and includes a small man-made stream that runs through a maze of flagstone and various plants. The pergola on the front of the house is made of re-claimed cypress, and the small guest house on the river is made from all re-cycled materials--even the insulation. The 600-square-foot house is accented by a 500-square-foot covered deck that allows one to fish in the river without stepping into the yard. Many years of multiflora roses have been painstakingly removed to reveal hydrangeas, lilac trees, and forsythia.  The pond is accented by boxwoods and natural flag irises. Several types of different Japanese maples, evergreens, and other shrubs might make one think of a specimen yard or garden. Gardening is a process and the homeowners enjoy moving plants and shrubs around to suit their environment, just as one would arrange furniture.  Many different types of lilies, hostas, and ornamental grasses accent the rock wall that drops into the river.  Bright red crocosmia, cranesbill geranium, and liatris are the most common perennials, and all of these are accented with annuals of green and white flowers.  This is the perfect example of what one can do with a small piece of property and a house that is smaller than most people’s kitchens. A beautiful, sunny location in one of Boone’s oldest neighborhoods makes this property definitely one of the prettiest.

IRIS LANE HOUSE

Now owned by Saul and Nan Chase, this property originally belonged to Mabel Bingham Brown, a Watauga County native and reportedly the county’s first woman banker. She built her own house across the street and used the current property as flat park space for her family and the neighborhood children, and she built the stone garage, the 1500 square foot stone patio, the magnificent fireplace of Rich Mountain stone, and the covered "picnic palace" for entertaining and civic events. The outbuilding itself now holds an office. The home was built in two stages, 1,000 square feet in 1996 and the remaining 800-square-foot master suite in 1998. The structure was designed to fit the landscape, and no trees were cut down during construction. The present landscaping is based on a foundation of azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies, and native hardwood tree species, as planned by the late owner Mabel Bingham Brown. The irises of Iris Lane were entirely hidden by a thick layer of vinca, which took two years to remove; it also took two years to clean up several years of debris on the property and during that time construction took place. After adding many flowering perennials and ornamental trees and shrubs (notably peonies, deciduous azaleas and hollies, flowering magnolias, Kentucky coffee tree, pawpaw, and persimmon), the owners turned their attention to fruit trees and other food-producing plants. In addition to standards like apples, peaches, pears, crabapples, plums, and muscadines, they are pushing the climate envelope with figs and pomegranates. Edible plants like yucca, quince, prickly pear, and medlar help fill in the spaces.

TAKOMA

Takoma, a variation on the American Indian words tacoma and tahoma (meaning “high up near heaven” and “land of the waters”), is the name chosen by this property’s current owners – Tom Normand and Ron Redmon – when they purchased it nine years ago. In addition to its obvious relevance, the name also reminds them of a favorite neighborhood – Takoma Park – not far from their last home in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. The original house that has become Takoma was built in 1978 by Walter Head, who lives nearby. The lumber was logged from trees on the property and the stones of the fireplace and chimney are from the Watauga River. In 2001-2002, Ron and Tom had the first of two major changes made to the structure: a complete new front that expanded the living room, added an entry foyer and dining room, as well as a garage, and two decks. The original red oak millwork has been replicated in the new spaces with custom cabinetry and panels that give an Arts and Craft feel to the open design. In 2003 a second remodeling, this one on the lower level, vastly expanded and upgraded the master bath, extended the den/t.v. room, and added a small exercise room with an adjoining deck. The gardens around the house have undergone an equally extensive transformation under Tom’s masterful hand. A new raised lawn extends across the front of the house, creating a clean line below the views of Rich Mountain from the main rooms. An English perennial border against a split rail fence graces the back of the lawn while a retaining wall establishes the lower level space of foundation evergreens and seasonal plantings next to the house. Along the length of the large deck outside the dining room lies a well situated koi pond. A five-foot waterfall accentuated by a Japanese maple sets the mood for this peaceful garden focal point and outdoor room. Through the pavilion astride the deck are a set of steps that lead up to a woodland trail. Across the ridge and beyond a grove of large rhododendrons one arrives at Tom’s cutting and vegetable gardens, and some young fruit trees. The trail continues from the lower side of the vegetable garden, looping back to the house through a pine grove and joining the original access road to the property (c. 1930). A flight of stairs off the back of the deck descend to Tom’s greenhouse where he starts most of the annuals and vegetables he cultivates on the 9+ acres of Takoma. This also is where you can find Tom and Ron in the late afternoon on a snowy winter day enjoying a fragrant jasmine along with their chardonnay. Welcome to Takoma!

DIANE & JOE TILSON HOME

The Tilson home was originally built in 1991 to house the couple’s woodworking business, Earthwood Originals. That business began to dwindle, so full-time jobs were hastily found, and the woodworking shop became their very unfinished home.  The tools were moved into the basement, a laundry/bathroom was quickly added, and a makeshift kitchen was installed. The Tilson family moved into their new home on February 3, 1993. The friends who helped them move thought they were crazy. The house consisted of one large room upstairs, formerly the office, where a wall was built to divide the area into bedrooms for their daughter Ramsey and son Adam. The downstairs area was an open living/dining/kitchen area. A small loft was built over the bathroom and was originally designed to be Joe and Diane’s sleeping area. After spending one night in the loft, the couple decided to find a downstairs corner where they slept for the next five years. Constructed of sawmill lumber, recycled windows, and doors found in dumpsters and at construction sites, this hand-built house has seen many evolutions. Over a 16-year period, a double detached garage was built, a master suite/office were added, the kitchen was permanently installed, a sunroom was built, the kids rooms were finished and later converted into a sewing room and guest room, several decks were added and a basement area has become Joe’s “Man Room and Studio.” In what can only be described as eclectic, the house is furnished with a collection of artwork and crafts made by the couple, friends, and local artists.   Family antiques, a wardrobe made by Diane’s great grandfather for her grandparents when they married, tables made by Joe and Diane’s great grandfathers and the wooden tool chest used by Joe’s great grandfather, are treasured pieces. Hand-made furniture, shelves, and cabinets add rustic charm. The evolution of the garden has been dramatic as well. Raised log and sawmill slab beds were built on a steep bank with little “goat path” walkways. Gathered sticks and rocks became fences, flower beds, and a small pond. Eventually a retaining wall was built, 32 truckloads of dirt were hauled in, and a “flat yard” was created. Raised beds were built from locust lumber, an herb garden with stepping stones and rock boarders was constructed, and the pond was relocated.  A walking trail, leading to the creek which borders the property, was also built. Ramsey’s playhouse has been converted to a garden shed.  A storage building and two garages house lumber and other materials used in their construction business, Earthwood Builders & Design. The house, garage, out buildings, plus a small rental house sit on 2.37 wooded acres.

PETER & JONI WEBB PETSCHAUER HOME

Located in Councill Hills in downtown Boone, the Petschauers live in a home built for Dr. Peggy Polson, a former art department faculty member and artist. The home was designed by Claus Moberg and built in 1974 by Jay Parlier.  The structure is a simple, clean-lined modern home with shades of Asian inspiration. Contemporaneous solar features such as extended roof overhangs and oversize windows for natural light make the home a pleasure to live in.  Because Dr. Polson created art and had many delicate pieces of art and furniture in the home, she chose not to include a fireplace in the design.  Distinctive interior features include American cedar paneling in the living room and kitchen cabinets upgraded by Denise Grohs.  Additionally, the Petschauers have an extensive art collection displayed in the home.  Well-known landscape designer, Doan Ogden, planned the grounds and garden using indigenous plants that are dependent upon one another to bloom and flourish.  Planted by Bill Conrad in 1976, the grounds continue to be maintained by Mr. Conrad and Forest White.

JUDY HUMPHREY & TERRY TAYLOR GARDEN

Judy Humphrey and Terry Taylor have lovingly preserved and expanded the basic garden structure at their Grand Boulevard home, begun by Cora Pearl Jeffcoat during the first half of the 20th century. Major renovations included terracing the backyard as well as designing and constructing stone walls, walkways, and steps; hand-made fences and gates; a formal vegetable garden; a gazebo; and a koi pond. The garden features a wide variety of perennials and a large collection of daylilies.

Ms. Jeffcoat’s original home was destroyed by fire in 1985. Judy and Terry designed and rebuilt the new home, which is currently undergoing some interior remodeling.

Home & Garden Tour Ticket Information:

Advance Tickets: $25
Tour Day Tickets: $30

All tickets include a homemade box lunch with drink
(vegetarian options available)

Tickets available every
Saturday morning
June 9 - June 20
at the Farmers Market.

Tickets also available at the
Appalachian Antique Mall,
631 W. King St.,
across from the Mast Store
in downtown Boone.

Or call (828) 264-9955
or (828) 262-5119

ALSO VISIT
THE PLANT SALE
at the Jones House on June 27
for perennials, annuals, trees,
shrubs, and house plants