 A House, A Garden and a Book to Match
It’s a story that will make you feel right at home. It began just over a decade ago when Mar Jennings, banker turned author and modern lifestyle expert, bought a three-story colonial townhouse, becoming the foundation on which his creativity and passion for design began to sprout. He added a simple sixteen-by-ten-foot garage in the rear of the property to complement the home’s architectural style and curb appeal. And that was just the beginning.
This lot, in the greater downtown Westport, CT, area, seemed to be waiting as well. Originally created as a subdivision in 1921 but left untouched until 1995 when a builder—Rick Benson & Company—purchased this intimate property and broke ground to built the 2,200 square foot house.
It’s now named “Rosebrook Gardens”, due to the spectacular variety of roses that grace the gardens, and its proximity to the lovely brook which ran through the original property. This was quickly becoming a home—not just a house for him, but for others to enjoy and marvel.
This gracious home was completely decorated and renovated by Jennings to reflect his personal passion for casual luxury and serenity. The property includes breathtaking gardens all designed and planted by the owner. The garden design perfectly maximizes the lot, which is less than a quarter-acre. The interior design and color theme brings the gardens inside, as if mother nature intended it that way. The outdoor offers endless opportunities for entertaining and social gatherings.
Now back to the garage, where his design passion first began. Fittingly, it was redesigned as a garden studio in 2002, and is stocked meticulously with the usual outdoor essentials—terra cotta, fresh-cut flowers, potted plants, tools and gardening reference books.
This former garage now serves double-duty as a backdrop for his successful home and garden show—now nationally syndicated; Jennings is the host and executive producer for The Mar Jennings Home & Garden Show®, airing on WTNH, Channel 8, WCTX Channel 9, WNDY-TV and WWHO UPN 53. Jennings’ 30-minute lifestyle series presents affordable, creative and inspiring projects to dress up your home, garden and life with instructional segments on gardening, cooking and thinking green. Jennings is also a regular contributor on WTNH, Channel 8, Good Morning Connecticut an ABC affiliate and Meredith’s Better TV that airs in 14 markets across the country.
In the Winter of 2007, Jennings added author to his list of personal accomplishments with the release of his highly anticipated book, “Life on Mar’s, A Four Season Garden”. This beautiful oversize coffee table book uncovers how a home can serve as inspiration with simplicity and style, balancing natural solutions with everyday elegance. Rosebrook Gardens offers a unique passionate look into the heart and soul of a man’s motivation to share his love for his home, garden and life.
Life on Mar’s, A Four Season Garden is published by S&J Publishing and distributed through Baker & Taylor.
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