From the Blog

A Daffodil Story
April 24, 2025
“And then there was the year we put the Parterre Bench along the daffodil-studded brook…” As we like to say, there’s always a Story in Newport, or in this case,…

Easter is Hopping our Way
April 17, 2025
With all the bunnies hopping, flowers blooming and spring fever popping, everyone is in a most celebratory mood; especially since Easter gives us an excuse to put on our party…

Leonardslee Rock Garden, Sussex, England
April 10, 2025
When it comes to “take it or leave it,” I can usually “leave” as regards rock gardens…until an English garden trip in 2023 left me speechless. Little did I know…

Countdown to Spring
April 3, 2025
By the calendar, it’s officially Spring at Parterre…the rabbits are nibbling, the raindrops are dropping, the deer are encroaching…but it won’t be true Spring in Newport for awhile (on a…

Calling Seafair “Home”
March 27, 2025
As one who has written two coffee table books on the subject of Newport’s homes, I often find myself reflecting back on the many private residences that I’ve visited and…

Personal Postcards from Lake Maggiore
March 20, 2025
My trip to the Lake District of Northern Italy last April/May had its share of WOW! moments (which have been the subject of many blogs), but this post is about…

Majestic Seafair
March 13, 2025
There’s always a story in Newport and as we head into the spring season, this gripping tale from my book, Private Newport, deserves to be retold. Few in Newport recognize…

Villa d’Este on Lake Como
March 6, 2025
The Lake District of Northern Italy is storied for its singular climate that makes possible their legendary gardens and memorable landscapes, many of them with the sparkling lakes as a…