ERROR RG P4 18.1.1999 In Friday's Lifestyle article on the Premier at her new home, The Laurels, it was stated that the Premier's Official Residence, Camden, was a gift to Bermuda from the Tucker family.

Camden was in fact purchased by the Government in the 1960s.

At Home With ... is a new monthly Lifestyle feature which takes readers into the homes and minds of local personalities. The first individual to be spotlighted is Premier Jennifer Smith who opened her doors to The Royal Gazette to offer locals a look at her new home, The Laurels, and an insight into the woman who will lead Bermuda into the 21st century.

*** Premier Jennifer Smith could never be accused of resting on her laurels -- but resting in The Laurels is definitely in the cards for 1999.

Last month, the old Bermuda cottage became the official residence of the Premier -- and an oasis of calm away from the high pressure world of politics.

The Laurels in Paget is nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the city -- but its central location allows the Premier to reach either end of the Island with little hassle.

It is little wonder that the three-bedroom hideaway was chosen to be the Premier's inviting sanctuary to retreat to after a busy day of engagements, meetings and decision making.

Most would be surprised at the size and character of the home. It is not extravagant or ostentatious, but a charming bungalow that whispers quiet elegance.

Bordered by flowers, the front porch provides an ideal spot to revel in the beautiful panoramic views of the Island and the South Shore. This verandah will provide the Premier with a tranquil setting where she can unwind and escape the pressures of her demanding job.

And the interior of the sunny yellow cottage is equally as fetching as the exterior.

The Laurels affords the Premier sufficient space to entertain family and friends -- thanks to the adjoined living and dining rooms.

Although all of the furniture has yet to arrive, at the moment the interior is dominated by a few stylish yet cozy pieces.

And thanks to its hardwood floors, neutral walls and high ceilings, The Laurels manages to denote the stature befitting the Island's top political figure.

The Premier moved into The Laurels, the former home of Bermuda's Attorney General, on December 17. The home became vacant after Attorney General Elliott Mottley left his post early in November.

Premiers of Bermuda already have an official residence -- Camden -- located in the Botanical Gardens in Paget, where they can formally entertain.

But Camden, a gift to Bermuda from the Tucker family, has no bedrooms and extending the house would be difficult due to its historic value.

Ms Smith said the move from her family home in St. George's to The Laurels went relatively smoothly thanks to the efforts of friends and two Government departments.

"Works and Engineering were responsible for the interior and exterior repairs,'' she explained. "Agriculture and Fisheries prepared the grounds.

"But without the assistance of a group of volunteers -- Dale Place Young, Sheron Bartram, Eunice Talbot and Ianthia Butler -- who shopped for all of the furniture, arranged for its delivery and setup, moved all of my personal effects from St. George's, shopped for groceries and arranged to have the house cleaned, it would have been a difficult and near impossible move.'' And Ms Smith said she was indebted with gratitude to the volunteers who picked out the furnishings for the new residence.

"I gave detailed instructions and then trusted in the good taste of those charged with the job,'' she said. "They know me well and did an excellent job in reflecting my taste.'' The house is decorated mostly in neutrals, but Ms Smith said vibrant paintings would provide the rooms with splashes of colour -- like her favourite red.

"My favourite colours will be expressed in the artwork I choose to display in the house.'' Ms Smith admitted that the quaint cottage still did not feel like home, probably due to the fact that she has not had much time to spend in her new abode.

"My personal staff are attempting to make me spend more time at home relaxing,'' she said. "In 1999 I will make a concerted effort to comply with this suggestion from my staff who has my best interests at heart.'' Since taking up the mantle as leader of Bermuda, Ms Smith has had little time to exercise the creative talents for which she is well known for.

While primarily known for her paintings, few may know that Ms Smith also has a love for painting pictures with words -- poetry.

But once her schedule does slow down and the weather gets a little warmer, Ms Smith said she plans to pursue her favourite pastimes while enjoying the one aspect of her new home she has fallen in love with -- the front porch.

"This is where I will set up my easel and paint once I have a few moments,'' she said.

The lovely garden, with its bevy of colourful flowers including birds of paradise, is sure to provide the artistic Premier with plenty of inspiration.

And she vowed to enjoy the enchanting garden to the fullest, once her schedule allows it.

"I have a garden but presently I haven't had the opportunity to spend too much time in it,'' she confessed. "When demands on my time decrease I will spend more time in the garden.

"I enjoy flowers and having the beauty of nature around me -- there is a beautiful view from the home -- and Ag and Fish keep the grounds in good condition.'' Until the weather warms up, the Premier takes refuge in one of the two cozy, overstuffed chairs placed in front of the living-room fireplace.

"Since I moved in during the winter months, my favourite room is the front room with a fire burning in the fireplace,'' she revealed.

And she admitted that she dreams of the day when she can just while away the hours relaxing in front of a roaring fire.

"I haven't really had time to do this, but I can dream and right now my image is of me listening to Patti Labelle, sipping a glass of champagne in front of the fireplace.'' Although she has not been there for long -- not even a month -- slowly the cottage is beginning to evolve from a residence into home.

Little touches of `home' are slowly sprouting up all over the house -- pictures of family and friends as well as paintings by Bermudian artists are positioned ready to be hanged. Magazines are sitting on the front porch and even the kitchen shows a little evidence that someone has quickly passed through.

And the busy Premier has even managed to start gathering special memories in her new residence.

"To date my fondest memory was hosting my numerous godchildren at home following taking them to the pantomime,'' she recalled. "Later that evening I hosted a tree decorating party for some of our closest friends in honour of my brother Andy's 50th birthday.'' Some may argue that the leader of a country with one of the highest per capita incomes in the world should live in a grand mansion, complete with servants.

But The Laurels affords this busy woman a chance to kick off her trademark high heels in a place that could actually be thought of as `home'.

Photos by Arthur Bean SETTING UP HOUSE -- Premier Jennifer Smith, pictured here in her dining room, relied on the "good taste'' volunteers who shopped for all of the furniture in her new home. A lot of the furniture has not yet arrived.

FAVOURITE SPOT -- Premier Jennifer Smith catches up on her reading on the front porch of her new home. The tranquil spot, which affords spectacular views of the Island, is the Premier's favourite aspect of The Laurels.

THOUGHTS ON CONSERVATION AND POLLUTION Thoughts on Conservation and Pollution I went down to the sea to wash my face but it was full of fish Besides, the sand was too hard.

They asked me why my face was dirty with sorrow and blamed it on the sea and sand No, said I but, yea, they said it must have been the soil and rain But I knew better and turned away to wipe my face on a leaf.

Jennifer Smith