A Vanderbilt-Inspired Holiday Mantel
It was a dream invitation, especially at this time of the year — come in and pick out your favorite new ornaments that have just arrived and create a holiday… Read More
Author: Bettie Bearden Pardee
8 Oops! in the Garden
Confession, as they say, is good for the soul — well, this was certainly the year to take a few (no, a lot) of gulps as regards the garden. And… Read More
Bellevue Avenue in Fall Color
I spoke too soon in my last post regarding lack of exuberance in Newport’s leaf display. Exactly three days after that email, all of our trees literally popped at the… Read More
Capturing Autumn: Turning Over a New Leaf
When you live in a New England town, autumn takes on a special meaning. While we might not have the exuberant leaf display of our more northerly neighbors, there are… Read More
Revealing Insights for Expressing Your Personal Style
My recent trip to Birmingham, Alabama came via an invitation from my dear friend, Margot Shaw, founder and Editor-in-Chief of the must-read Flower magazine. Ten years ago, in her great… Read More
Three Perspectives on Woodland Gardening
As my father loved to say, “travel is broadening.” That wisdom took on a new meaning when gardens and their design became such a focus for me. My recent travels… Read More
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Sometimes just what you’ve been looking for may well be in your own backyard. For me, that would be Boston (where we once lived for four years). So as I… Read More
Ballyfin: An Irish “World Apart”
If you love a wonderful story, a dreamy, romantic setting and a knight in shining armor who saved the day, then look no further than Ireland’s Ballyfin demesne. Having had… Read More
Irish Gardens and their Signature Details
It was 2003 when I was last in Ireland, with the Atlantic Botanic Garden. So taken was I with the diversity of garden design and breadth of plant material (sighting… Read More
Newport Society: The Harold Brown Villa
In a very European fashion, the Harold Brown Villa has been occupied by the same family since 1895 – approximately seventeen generations – which is befitting of an aristocratic family… Read More