Dutch barn

It’s not all about receiving: Giving back matters to Gervais and he’s doing that by helping spotlight the next wave of comedic talent through the Spirit of Comedy — a U.K. stand-up contest presented by Dutch Barn Vodka, which he happens to co-own.

The contest was actually all Dutch Barn’s idea and when they were asked about the contest they said something like, “Well, we know Ricky’s not going to last forever.”

As the sun descended over Inness that Saturday, Mr. Somer was taking in the golden-hour view of the grounds from a flax-colored armchair in the Inness lounge, discussing the Danish sensibility of its lime-wash walls and the utilitarian design of the building itself, which he described as a “a wormhole between an old 17th-century Dutch barn and a brand-new Swiss minimalist museum.”

Great room, dining room, screened porches, Dutch barn gambrel roof, detached garage with guest apartment.

It might be anything from lace to a Dutch barn; the fascination is with the act of making, which parallels the poet's own craft.