Anticipating Summer 2025

Hurray! It’s the Merry Month of May! Spring is popping (after a too cold, too windy winter). And I’m off mid month to England. But when I return this is… Read More

A Daffodil Story

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“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,… Read More

Easter is Hopping our Way

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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… Read More

Leonardslee Rock Garden, Sussex, England

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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… Read More

Countdown to Spring

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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… Read More

Calling Seafair “Home”

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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… Read More

Personal Postcards from Lake Maggiore

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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… Read More

Majestic Seafair

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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… Read More

Villa d’Este on Lake Como

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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… Read More

Yearning for Spring…in Atlanta

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Atlanta is such a welcome escape this time of year when we in Newport will not have leaves on the trees for another 2 months. I’m dreaming about my former… Read More