Pictured is a view of an Old Gnome Fairy House, which was recently decorated for the Christmas season and is located at 27 Silk St. in Newark Valley, N.Y. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
About five years ago, a significant portion of a diseased maple tree was removed from the front yard of 27 Silk St. in Newark Valley, N.Y. Left behind was a stump. Not your average sized stump, mind you, but a nearly twelve-foot section of a beloved tree that had stood steadfast for many years. The tree stump has since remained a prominent feature in front of the home.
Next door, Patti Cawley had envisioned a transformation, and that was to turn the tree stump into an Old Gnome Fairy House. She had pondered the concept for some time and then reached out to Pam Gillow to help her bring the idea to life.
Gillow, known for her clever artistry, and more recently as an illustrator for a Christmas book by author Susan Rubin, grew up on the street with Cawley’s children. Now living in Groton, N.Y., Gillow keeps in touch and visits family and friends who still live in the Silk Street neighborhood.
Combining artistic energies started in June of this year, and where some one hundred hours or more was spent developing and putting the finishing touches on the tree stump house. And not only Gillow and Cawley, but other people came to offer a hand in what became a community project, and which included Gillow’s daughter and granddaughter.
“Creating this was a labor of love,” Gillow commented, and explained that childhood memories spent playing with Cawley’s children was a part of her inspiration.
Gillow continued, “It’s precious to me to be able to give her something back as she has given so much to me,” adding, “I also wanted to give Silk Street a gift, too.”
Pictured are details of an Old Gnome Fairy House, which was recently decorated for the Christmas season and is located at 27 Silk St. in Newark Valley, N.Y. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
What started as a twelve-foot stump was shaped to about ten feet. Pennsylvania blue slate stone was utilized for part of the house steps, but otherwise, a majority of the items used were repurposed.
Cawley, who is also a member of the Newark Valley Quilters, explained that she had acquired some trim pieces from an old storefront on South Main Street near the Village Green, and then the corbels that adorn the top of the tree stump house came from another nearby property that had been refurbished. Pieces from a trumpet vine are draped all around the tree stump and carefully help support handcrafted steps that lead to the window boxes and summer porches. Quality paint was used on the shingles and other parts, too, so that the Gnome Home can withstand harsh weather.
Gillow shared that several materials she selected actually came from her own basement stash of treasures, and although quite a bit of the more detailed work of the Gnome Fairy House was completed at her own home, Gillow spent many hours on the job site, too. For example, she hauled her band saw to Silk Street to work on the architectural-style-looking shingles.
From hand painted gnomes and fairies, to solar lights, a Celtic family symbol and a cross, to angels gracing the landscape, among numerous other decorations, the magical house will engage visitors of all ages. The tree was recently dressed and decorated for the Christmas season, which features even more spirited décor. You may even find yourself walking around the tree several times to capture every detail.
“It really brings out the joy in life,” Cawley remarked.
Gillow added, “It delights my heart to give wonderful friends and neighbors on Silk Street a piece of magic.”
The Old Gnome Fairy House is located at 27 Silk St., which is just off of South Main Street in Newark Valley (Route 38), and within a mile of the Village Green.
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