An Inside Look at the Barefoot Contessa's Barn

On a shady side street of East Hampton, New York, Ina Garten built her "barn," inspired by the simple country buildings of Belgium and designed by architect Frank Greenwald. Ina loves to entertain outdoors, and "all my guests love to sit on the stone sitting wall before dinner, having a glass of wine," she says. After dinner, everyone gathers around the big iron fire bowl to roast marshmallows and make s'mores.

Rough-hewn salvaged beams lend dimension and warmth to kitchen-dining area. Axel Vervoordt cabinets anchor one wall and a huge Vervoordt basket at the end of the 18-foot-long counter holds all Ina's bakeware.

Here Ina has the dining table all set and ready for guests. Stately upholstered chairs mean everyone is comfy at dinnertime.

"There was a temptation to put a mantelpiece around the fireplace, but it would have been too decorative," says Ina. "This is a masculine room, and it needs to be very clean." Candlesticks on the mantel by Ted Muehling; stools from Robert Stilin; faucet by Waterworks.

Open shelves are stocked with a collection of cake stands and hotel silver. Viking range and hood; Sub-Zero refrigerator; Bosch dishwasher; KitchenAid mixer.

The cook lays out grapes, figs, crackers, and cheese. So basic, so Ina!

In the pantry, simple wire Metro shelving holds plates, props, and supplies.

In the bedroom, a 17th-century French oak table holds egg-shaped ceramics by Ted Muehling and a vase from Lucca. Bed linens by Frette.

Bliss is morning coffee in the comfort of a bedroom armchair covered in a Rogers & Goffigon gingham.

French doors open to the gardens outside from the bedroom and give the quiet sitting area a great view.

Ina's office space is in an alcove outside the bedroom. The antique desk is from Bloom in Sag Harbor. Photo of Luxembourg Gardens by Jean-Michel Berts. Walls are Farrow & Ball White Tie.

This bubbles-up-to-your-chin bathtub by Waterworks overlooks a walled garden. Wood blinds are by Nanik.

In the entry, a 19th-century muslin-covered settee from Bloom is just right for donning summer flip-flops or shucking winter Wellies. A 17th-century Venetian mirror hangs on a wall painted Farrow & Ball's Light Gray.

Looking out from the barn you can see the main house in the distance.

A covered porch leads to the entrance. The caramel-colored cedar will age over time to a silvery gray.

A covered porch becomes an outdoor living room in summer; 1920s rattan chairs. Greg Yale designed the wall sconces and indoor/outdoor lamps.

Outside, you'll also find a stone-topped trestle table and sitting wall on the bluestone terrace.

Ina'’s Pomegranate Cosmopolitans and a vase of fennel, in lieu of flowers — why not?

On the bluestone terrace, Ina prepares to set the table.