Yellow Cottage Garden

"Right away, I could envision the gardens we've built and there was a garage that we used for a workshop."
They ended up $50'000 ahead in the real-estate transaction, money they used to create Yellow Cottage.
Aided by a clutch of matured trees and some mature perennials they purchased, they have created and instant garden that has the feel of something with some history.
Two ponds are connected by a babbling brook and a variety ;of birds have already made the place a favorite hangout.
Patterson encourages people to drop I and walk through the gardens, whether for relaxation or inspiration for their own gardens.
The shop itself is a source of wonder for many people.
Patterson painted the ceiling sky blur with puffs of white clouds. She painted the floor to look like flagstone, complete with sprigs of moss growing between the stones.
"People just love the floor," she says, amazed and pleased simultaneously.
In addition to the decorative gardening items, they also sell perennials, ornamental grasses and hostas.
Already they are planning for Christmas, when they will decorate the shop and offer a similarly unique collection of seasonal plants and decorative pieces.
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the shop will be open year round.
Patterson's calendar already is filling up with various gift show they plan to attend, always searching for another unique item to bring back for their customers.
"It's very exciting so far," she says. "People really seem to like what we're doing."

The Yellow Cottage Garden & Gifts
Sells a variety of unique gardening items, set amongst beautiful garden.
In Wallacetown, seven minutes south on Highway 401 on Currie Road. Take Exit 149 at
Dutton, West of London. 762-0659


Greenery Part of Business Mix
The neighbours weren't sure what to think when Susan Patterson and Ken Reinke moved into their Wallace town farmhouse and painted it bright yellow. This wasn't Vancouver, after all where hues of pink blue and yellow are commonplace on stucco homes. Before long, however their plans unfolded and their new neighbours could see what a beautiful addition they were making to the area. This May, after a year and a half of hard work, Patterson and Reike opened Yellow Cottage Garden and Gifts, a business, home and new lifestyle all rolled into one. Set amongst some lovely gardens that will continue to expand and develop on; the site in the years to come, Yellow Cottage features a cozy gift shop that approached heaven on earth for avid gardeners. The couple offers a surprisingly wide variety of items, all garden related. From lanterns and sundials to birdhouses and folk art, the watchword in unique. Many of the decorative elements for sale are Reinke's creations. Of particular note are beautiful stepping-stones the couple created by inlaying decorative glass in concrete. They also sell Yellow Cottage honey, which they harvest from two beehives on the property (secured I a corral away from customers). It is an example of the local flavour of some of their stock. They sell Maple Syrup, jams and goat's milk soup-all produced by local business people. "It's very exciting so far." Susan Patterson Although Wallacetown is barely more than 30 minutes from their former London home, it is a world removed. That was the plan when Patterson, 49, decided to leave Bell Canada after 20 years of service. The pace of change in her office was grinding her down and she decided to chase her dream rather than wait for an opportunity to officially retire early. "We wanted to find a way of creating a simpler, happier lifestyle," she says. So they drew a circle around London on a map and started looking for a house that would suit their plans. The leisurely pace of their search ended when they sold their Old South home in less than two weeks. "When we found this place, the paint was peeling and it didn't look too good. But the inside really was pretty good." Recalls Patterson.
	"Right away, I could envision the gardens we've built and there was a garage that we used for a workshop." They ended up $50'000 ahead in the real-estate transaction, money they used to create Yellow Cottage. Aided by a clutch of matured trees and some mature perennials they purchased, they have created and instant garden that has the feel of something with some history. Two ponds are connected by a babbling brook and a variety ;of birds have already made the place a favorite hangout. Patterson encourages people to drop I and walk through the gardens, whether for relaxation or inspiration for their own gardens. The shop itself is a source of wonder for many people. Patterson painted the ceiling sky blur with puffs of white clouds. She painted the floor to look like flagstone, complete with sprigs of moss growing between the stones. "People just love the floor," she says, amazed and pleased simultaneously. In addition to the decorative gardening items, they also sell perennials, ornamental grasses and hostas. Already they are planning for Christmas, when they will decorate the shop and offer a similarly unique collection of seasonal plants and decorative pieces. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the shop will be open year round. Patterson's calendar already is filling up with various gift show they plan to attend, always searching for another unique item to bring back for their customers. "It's very exciting so far," she says. "People really seem to like what we're doing." The Yellow Cottage Garden & Gifts Sells a variety of unique gardening items, set amongst beautiful garden. In Wallacetown, seven minutes south on Highway 401 on Currie Road. Take Exit 149 at Dutton, West of London. 762-0659

Greenery Part of Business Mix