Pardee Planning: Savvy Southern Hospitality
We’ve all had this experience – you are looking for one thing in an old file or seldom-used drawer and you come upon something quite by surprise — which then… Read More
Author: Bettie Bearden Pardee
Dressed in Autumn Finery
It’s the end of the growing season; time for cutting back, pulling out, bedding down. And thinking about making an arrangement with leftovers from the garden and “roadsidia” (a gardener’s… Read More
A Life of Its Own: Musings on the Parterre Bench
It’s been an exciting past three summer months — not only for me but for the Parterre Bench as well. After her formal introduction following the Newport Flower Show in… Read More
Ode to the Autumn Clematis
Vivacious… embracing…enveloping…a bit free with her favors…and goes by the honeyed name, Sweet Autumn Clematis. Am I describing a lady of questionable behavior or a trailing vine that appears with… Read More
Newport’s Magical 18th Century French Garden
It’s almost in my backyard and the Newport “cottage” for which I have the most affection – The Elms, built in 1901 and a copy of the French Chateau d’Asnieres… Read More
Autumn Equinox
The Autumn Equinox gives us the occasion to reflect back on our favorite images from a memorable Newport summer 2016.
Newport Living: A Pampered Pets Perspective
From Xie Xie and Indigo in repose underneath the portrait of their owner to a “tuxedo cat” walking across a garden bench to Henri Matisse surrounded by flowers, here is… Read More
Creating Your Own “Iris Apfel-Inspired” Dahlia Arrangment
Table centerpieces are probably my favorite part of the entertaining process, made all the more satisfying when the flowers are fresh from the garden. At this time of the year… Read More
A Revealing Interview with Iris Apfel
After the sheer pleasure of spending the weekend with this self-described “oldest living teenager,” and capturing her spirit and wisdom in a video interview, what are my personal impressions of… Read More
Iris Apfel: Out and About in Newport
Visitors always give us an opportunity to see Newport through someone else’s eyes. Imagine the fun when those eyes belong to Iris Apfel (and special access is afforded). Saturday presented… Read More