Art of Living 

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

At Ten Chimneys, design was not confined to architecture or décor—it unfolded through the acts of living themselves. Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt found creative fulfillment in shaping their daily environment: planning meals, cultivating gardens, arranging rooms, and adapting spaces to suit the season, the weather, and the company at hand.

Cooking was thoughtful and expressive, often drawing people together in the kitchen or at the table, while the gardens were both beautiful and purposeful, providing flowers, vegetables, and inspiration. These activities were not separate from their artistic lives; they were extensions of the same creative impulse.

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The Lunts approached their surroundings much as they approached a performance—with care, intuition, and an eye for balance. They designed spaces meant to be used and altered, furnished with objects collected, made, or commissioned for their meaning rather than their prestige. Gardens were tended with the same attention given to a script, and interiors evolved as needs changed. This continual process of shaping, refining, and responding made Ten Chimneys a living work rather than a finished design.

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Through these everyday practices, Ten Chimneys became a place where art and life were seamlessly entwined. Creating a meal, planting a border, or arranging a room was as intentional as stepping onto the stage. Today, the estate offers an intimate portrait of how Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt designed a life grounded in creativity, hospitality, and the quiet satisfaction of making something beautiful and useful each day.

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Today, the Ten Chimneys Foundation continues this tradition through tours and seasonal programs that explore the many ways the Lunts designed and lived their daily lives. During the 2026 tour season, visitors will have opportunities to engage with these ideas through special events and interpretive experiences focused on design, gardening, hospitality, and creative living at Ten Chimneys.