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

10 / 25 / 187 / 27 / 20

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

10 / 18 / 187 / 27 / 20

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

10 / 11 / 187 / 27 / 20

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”

10 / 4 / 185 / 15 / 24

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

9 / 27 / 187 / 27 / 20

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

9 / 20 / 185 / 15 / 24

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

Invitation to a Fantasy Engagement Party

9 / 13 / 188 / 14 / 20

I’m all for fanciful and fantasy moments, especially when they are in the garden and occasioned by a specific plant in bloom. And can then serve as inspiration for an… Read More

Bay Views: Private Newport Residences

9 / 6 / 187 / 27 / 20

It occurred to me as I was enjoying another Newport summer tradition, a harbor cruise, that we perhaps take Narragansett Bay a bit for granted. While I’m most respectful of… Read More

Privileged Pets of Private Newport

8 / 30 / 185 / 15 / 24

Last summer’s post on “Newport Living: A Pampered Pets Perspective” was so popular (no surprise) that I knew I needed to include a part two for 2018. It has been… Read More