Connecticut Couple Builds Nature-Based Business Drawing Two-State Customers

Connecticut’s Rustic Charm: A 25-Year Labor of Love Blooms in Kent

For over 25 years, Troy and Lorie Brown have poured their hearts into transforming Connecticut’s natural beauty into lasting works of art. Their family business, Rustic Gardens, just landed in a new commercial workshop space in Kent—a pretty big deal after more than two decades in the game.

This isn’t just another move. It’s proof of their stubborn dedication to craftsmanship, nature’s quirks, and a refreshingly personal approach to home and garden design.

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From Sherman to the Heart of Litchfield County

The Browns, originally from Sherman, have built a reputation for creating pieces as unique as the materials they use. Their new workshop on Kent Road works as an open studio, where clients get a peek behind the curtain.

Lorie, who’s a seasoned floral designer, orchestrates blooms into everything from wedding bouquets to vibrant arrangements for everyday moments. She’s got a knack for hand-tied wreaths, pottery, small furniture, potted plants, and that rustic home décor their clients have come to love.

May is especially hectic—think parties, graduations, and weddings galore. Clients keep coming back, which says a lot about the trust the Browns have earned.

Harnessing Nature’s Curves: Troy’s Masterful Woodwork

While Lorie arranges flowers, Troy and their son Ty focus on the lasting side of things. They gather curved branches and limbs from local Connecticut woods—eastern red cedar is a favorite.

These natural shapes become outdoor structures with real character. You’ll find hand-crafted fences that follow the land, railings that guide you, gazebos for lazy afternoons, pergolas for shade, gates, and benches that invite you to sit.

Troy’s coping technique is at the heart of their look. He follows the wood’s own curves, avoiding anything that feels mass-produced. Homeowners near Candlewood Lake, Spectacle Lake, and Lake Waramaug especially appreciate how these pieces just fit in with the surroundings.

Beyond Wood: Gardens, Arbors, and Epoxy Innovations

Rustic Gardens doesn’t stop with woodwork. They also design gardens, teaming up with local masons and nurseries like Kent Greenhouse.

Together, they create landscapes that change with the seasons, adding handmade arbors and gates as dramatic entrances to outdoor spaces.

Ty brings something different to the table—literally. He’s become skilled at crafting epoxy-and-wood furniture, using kiln-dried slabs and liquid epoxy to highlight the wood’s natural character.

The process takes time, but the results are worth it. Tables, counters, and bars come out looking stunning and tough enough for daily life, whether you’re in New Milford or somewhere else entirely.

A Bespoke Experience for Enduring Beauty

Rustic Gardens takes a collaborative, hands-on approach to design. From the first sketches to the final installation, they work closely with every client.

They believe in building outdoor spaces that feel personal and alive. Troy, the founder, points out that while their pieces come at a premium, people genuinely appreciate true craftsmanship.

Clients don’t just buy once and disappear. Many come back after years, looking for new projects or fresh pieces to replace their old favorites. That loyalty says a lot about the lasting quality and charm of Rustic Gardens’ work.

If you want to bring a bit of rustic elegance into your home or garden, Rustic Gardens invites you to join the creative process. Their journey unfolds across Connecticut’s scenic corners, shaped by a love for nature and a devotion to artistry.

You’ll find their portfolio and contact info on their website and social media. They serve Litchfield and upper Fairfield counties, and they also bring their artistry to Dutchess and Putnam counties in New York.

Here is the source article for this story: CT couple turned nature into a business that draws customers from two states. Here’s how they do it

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