I get really excited before a field trip up to Terrain in the Brandywine Valley of PA. GPS programmed, check. EZ Pass toll card, check. Station wagon readied, check. Let’s go!
With 2 locations, Terrain is the super cool and uber stylish nursery with the most amazing selection of plants, ornaments, furniture, accessories, books, textiles, and everything fabulous for home and garden. The PA store is located on the grounds of a former nursery, Styers, and features a charming restaurant in the old greenhouse—make a reservation as it is popular. Oh, and BTW, Terrain is owned by Urban Outfitters / Anthroplogie. So, you know the displays are gonna be awesome!
Recently, I invited my friend, Elaine, to join me on a field trip up to Terrain. We got there early so I could snap these photos:
A fantastic offering of the latest books on gardening, design, cooking, living, etc.
Terrariums were everywhere!
This terrarium is made from a large vintage apothecary bottle.
Gravel and rocks for your own terrariums.
I love this olive tree!
European table top linens.
Fine tools
Topiary standard cranesbill geraniums in bloom.
An awesome display of pots and containers!
The restaurant / cafe in the old greenhouse serves organic cuisine.
Our drinks were served in vintage canning jars – NICE!
I saved my favorite for last: a summer cottage on the grounds. Notice the burlap curtains.
Lovely displays inside the cottage.
What a great field trip, I am very envious!
As always Loi, your photos and text make me feel like I was right there with you!
That little cottage…bliss.
Okay, now I need to go to Terrain, love your photos, and the olive tree is gorgeous!!
Okay, that cabinet of pots & containers is ridiculously y amazing!!!…just saw it on your Pinterest page! And that cottage…love the rough length of linen on the table and the chairs. May now have to start a terrarium in a vintage container. Wish I were in PA! Thanks for the tour!
Monica
Now that's a swell field trip. I wish I had been in the back seat of the station wagon. What a perfect time of year to visit the store. One of these days I will get to go to Terrain. In the mean time, thanks for the lovely photos.
Marybeth
Oh, Loi, you are really going to get me in trouble now. It reminds me of a fabulous nursery/restaurant in the neighborhood where my sister in London lives. I am going to try to squeeze this in on my trip south. I love the look of the linens. xo, Phyllis
You had me at "Stationwagon"!!! Seriously, you need to add that gem in the picture! Wonderful and inspiring post, the burlap curtains makes me think of using burlap coffee bags for my cabana……hhhmmmm…xob
One of my favorite day trips from NYC was here…. I hope that you enjoyed your day as much as I always did! Beautiful photos too….!!!!
Loi – I cannot believe you went to Terrain! On my bucket list! Was it fab??
btw – i must say your picture taking skills are amazing. are you a professional photographer, too??
Hi Loi!
What a fabulous place! Thanks for taking us along. Make room in your station wagon for me next trip Daaaaaling!
Hope you got yourself a few goodies.
XO
I will take one of everything!!! So much to love. What a great day, so glad you took us along.
Ohh Loi, thanks for such a wonderful tour! Wish there were nurseries like this one around here. I love the way they take great care in displaying their goodies. Both inside and out. The little cottage is a dream!
A great post, as usual! Thanks!
Kifus
Loi,
I just visited the new Terrain store in Westport, CT. From your pictures it looks like the two shops are very similar. Great coffee bar serving Counter Culture Coffee prepared by well trained baristas!
You took great photos at Terrain! They should use them for a gallery on their website like Peterson's does. No shoppers were in the images! Really gorgeous photography, such a good eye.
I read that they are going to start expanding around the country. Thank you for taking us along with you, Loi! Did you find anything special that you had to take home? The beautiful olive tree is in a zinc planter just like the one Target sells in their Smith & Hawken line.
Heaven! I am so jealous it isn't even funny. Our garden centers are junk stores compared to this. We have lovely plants but everything else is cheap and ugly. I am so jealous of anyone who has a place to even buy a few good pots. So happy you got away for the day and thanks for sharing these great photos!! 🙂
Terri xo
I think you need a friend called Susan to take on your next trip Loi, what a fabulous place. Mind you it is probably for the best that I live far away, my bank balance may not stand the strain.
I have not been to Terrain. It looks really great. I particularly liked the table linens and I have been meaning to put together a terrarium for at least a year now. Looks like you had a nice trip.
This store is fabulous!!! I am a huge display junkie having worked in the field…forever, and their displays are so inventive! I love the marriage of natural elements in a clean almost contemporary setting! Thank you for sharing Loi!
Thats a serious shopping alert right there! It has a similar vibe to Petershams in the UK but with adding styling, I like very much! Love those macho cocktail glasses.
Ticket, passport, credit cards, large suitcase…..check!
Beautiful photos of wonderful displays! Love the look…combining fresh and new with old and natural elements. I will have to get to the CT store soon. I especially love that wall of pots…zinc and terra cotta all together on the wood cabinets…and the summer cottage displays are so inviting too. It really puts you in the mood for gardening! Thanks for sharing this tour and your fun day with us! 🙂
OH MY GOODNESS – that place looks AMAZING! But I've got an addition to your check list – GPS programmed, check. EZ Pass toll card, check. Station wagon readied, check – PICK UP PAULA AND TAKE WITH!!!!
One day Loi…one day…!
Paula xxx
Hi, nice information shared with such a eyes catching and beautiful pictures with it.Thanks.
Good Gosh Loi! I am in heaven just looking at your photos! I can't even imagine being there for real. I would probably faint a time or two. I just went to our little ole nursery yesterday and the man is retiring..his shop is for sale (nothing like this but huge potential) for $180K…these photos make me Plant Pavlov!
Ok I just added this to my list of places to hit on a road trip. I'm going to need weeks for my road trip but this gorgeous place will have to take top place. I hope you had a great time!
XX
Debra~
Every state needs a store like this! Beautiful pictures and thanks for sharing!
Loi-
If we had a Terrain nearby, I would spend every dime I have! This store is a piece of plant heaven and I have to visit one.
You always share the most beautiful places.
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo
You photos are awesome!! That cottage is ah-mazing. I drooled over the displays! xo, Have a fab long weekend!! K
Loi what an exciting excursion!! You are right the property is a delight, I too love the Olive tree and cabinet next to it!
Thought you would enjoy…Interview with Leslie of Segreto Finishes and her fabulous Book Giveaway!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Oh Loi, too beautiful for words! I feel like I took a little vacation just by looking at your photos. Hugs to you. Liliana
Beautiful photos, Loi. If I still lived in the northeast, I'd be packing the car right now. I love the olive tree. Two of the flanking my Flora statue in the garden are on my list of must haves. Thanks for taking us along on the visit to Terrain.
Best…Victoria
Oh Loi!! You are overwhelming me!! Stunning post! That garden house in the last pictures is to die for!
xx
Greet
Loi,
Be still my beating heart…oh I just love love love all of this and your photos are a book of their own. I wish I lived closer and could have been there as well. I love glass houses and I think they'd be the perfect office. With everyone getting their daily dose of vitamin D (from sunshine) smiles would be endless. All that is needed is a doggy or kitty roaming as a greeter and or helper to complete the visit.
Love the organized pots on shelves, the linens (tip: perfect durable yardage to make pillows out of too), and of course love the books. So much eye candy here what at great place! Great post Loi I am so thrilled that you blog because I don't want to miss anything you choice to show and tell.
Bette
Loi, thanks for taking us on this great field trip with you! What a dream store, and your pictures are so beautiful!!!
have a wonderful weekend,
Robin
I receive their beautiful emails all of the time, but I had no idea that they also had a bricks and mortar store!
Thank you for taking us with you 🙂
xo
Brooke
What a great shop! Wish it would be next to my house…
Markus
An absolutely wonderful post.
Terrain looks like a great nursery, and your pictures fabulous.
Love,love,love a garden centre and this looks like one of the best.
Hope you have a lovely week.
Lizx
I have ordered several things front Terrain's online store and have been pleased every time. I was not aware they had an actual store. After seeing all your wonderful pictures I will have to try and visit.
Loi, I wish I could come visit your store and go to Terrain! Looks so lovely!
Loi,
What a wonderful adventure with a friend! I did not know about the physical store Terrain, as I am not too far from PA I will have to make a trip to visit.
Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth
P/S. In your post about books you had a sculpture that looked like an acorn is that what it is?
Hi, Elizabeth – Thanks for your question. That is a giltwood architectural finial….it sold a while ago. Cheers, Loi
What a wonderful store. I would love to visit there.
Oh, Loi, what a wonderful post! This so speaks to me for several reasons. I love your photos. I love gardening. I love the Brandywine area. And I have missed Terrain. But, not next visit. My husband and I would make several trips a year to Longwood, Dillworthtown Inn, Brandywine Museum, garden tours and so much that the area has to offer.
Now, I have a new destination – Terrain. But till then, I'm checking out their online store. Thanks for the inspiration.
b
What a dream! That looks like a place I could spend a lot of time in! I bet you really enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing! Your posts are always very inspiring!
Carolyn
I've heard such great things about Terrain. So nice that you can have lunch there too. Would love to see them open up a shop here in DC.
What a pretty shop. I particularly like the terrarium stuffs. And that table in the last photo, I love the brickwork below, perfectly aged looking.
Hi Loi,
I know you probably get this all the time, but: YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS, or rather, PAINTINGS, as I have referred to them before are simply breathtaking! I will probably never get the chance to visit Terrain, but I already feel as if I have! Thanks for bringing me along.
poppy
Amazing photos Loi! They're magazine worthy! And this is just my kind of place. I'm a garden centre junkie – I worked in them for a few years – and no matter where I am in the world I always try and find one. This one is FAB!!! As someone else mentioned aswell, it reminds me of Petersham Nurseries in London (I've never been just seen photos). Would love to visit this place one day – everything is gorgeous. They obviously have put a lot of energy and thought into getting the right style for the place. Wish I could have gone with you!
Sharon
xxxx
What an amazing place. I could live there! Thanks for the tour, Loi. Have a great weekend!
Deborah
This is just not a place to shop but a real destination Loi. Every dodgy, ho-hum plant/nursery Retailer should be forced to spend a day here, then they might just get it! We are lucky to have The Conservatory Garden Store here in Adelaide run by 2 clever clogs Jeff & Peter (www.theconservatorygardenandhome.com.au). They really know how to buy, display & retain customer loyalty. They survived the GFC while others have fallen over. Good retail & client retention is not rocket science, you've just got to be prepared to listen to your clients & change to meet their needs when required. Thanks for your beautiful images, I felt like I was just behind you & Elaine on your shopping expedition.
Millie xx
Un mondo meraviglioso!
Che bel blog!
Ciao:)
Luci@
What a great place. I want to start a terrarium now! Thanks for sharing. Jennifer
Thank you for posting this. It’s exactly what I was looking for!
…Grazie per essere passato dal mio blog.
Sono felice di conoscerti!
A presto
Ciao Loi:)
Luci@
I got faint looking at all of those incredibly gorgeous images. I could live there…..food, drink, and beauty…..is there any thing better…..well OK…..I need a few reality shows:)
Oh my goodness! You are so lucky to have it so close! I love the european table linens….and the cottage with the burlap curtains! It all looks positively heavenly! You must be brimming with inspiration! Hopefully their next store will be in CA!!
I'm loving these photos and I'm terribly envious of your close proximity. GORGEOUS photos as per usual!
Congrats on your props over at Red Door Home! wow, you are FAMOUS 🙂 I love it. You deserve every bit of it. Have a lovely weekend my friend!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
Love these images, that summer cottage is to die for! B x
I was really interested in this store until I discovered the CEO of these companies is giving money to ant-gay initiatives and right-wing political candidates. Alas, three stores off my list of faves!
WOW!