Terrain

This past weekend we made the trek out to Glen Mills, PA to visit Terrain. If you're not familiar, Terrain is a garden center and home/lifestyle store conceived by the minds that brought us Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Since I've spent countless hours perusing (i.e., drooling over) the store's website (shopterrain.com), a weekend with no plans to speak of made it a perfect time to visit the store in person.

Sitting adjacent to a run-of-the-mill suburban strip mall, the rustic, Anthro-esque aesthetic so carefully curated and beloved by many, myself included, sets Terrain apart from the neighboring stores.

We spent time wandering through the garden center...

...and eventually made our way into the shop; have my mail forwarded, I'm moving in. Overall the price point is what you would expect of Anthropologie's outdoorsy sister, but the wide range of products for sale ensures that there is something for every budget. Shelves and tables are filled with unique housewares, garden tools and accessories, potted plants and terrariums, beauty items, books, stationery, clothes and jewelry. Though it's only August my mind wandered to Christmas shopping as I took everything in. Even if you don't make a purchase, the thoughtful design and creative feel of the store is sure to inspire.

When you visit Terrain, brunch, lunch or dinner at Styer's Garden Cafe is a must. It was fairly busy on the overcast Saturday afternoon when we were there, so reservations would be a good idea, especially if you have a larger group. We wandered around the store and did some shopping while we waited for the call that our table was ready. There are some tables in the front by the baked goods and coffee counter, but a table in the greenhouse is worth the wait.

Our order was taken right away and we enjoyed warm, fresh bread, baked and served in a terracotta pot with salted herb butter. We sipped our spritzers (elderflower and blackberry are delicious) as we waited for our food. The room was packed and a little noisy, but cozy and rustic, as you would expect dining in a greenhouse to be.

We shared the Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes with vanilla whipped cream and maple syrup, and the Organic Omelet with caramelized onions, goat cheese and arugula, served with potato hash and salad. I would highly recommend both, especially the pancakes. The food was fresh, simple, flavorful and delicious. The restaurant is BYOB so you can bring a bottle of wine and enjoy a nice leisurely afternoon or evening if you're so inclined. They also host private events, which I imagine would be absolutely beautiful.

If you happen to be near the Glen Mills, PA or Westport, CT areas, a stop at Terrain is definitely worth the time. If you're not geographically situated to the physical stores, grabbing a cup of tea and settling down to explore the Terrain website is almost as good.


All non-iPhone photo credits in this post go to my (patient and obliging) husband