Boston Townhouses in their Summer Finery Part 1

Having lived in Boston for a few years, I’m very partial to the term “Boston Proper” as describing the old in-town neighborhoods that included Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End,…

Romancing our Summer Garden

The Orangerie in Parterre’s garden was a most special surprise Christmas gift in 1997, given to me by my husband, Jonathan, as we began our house building project. While originally…

Seafair, a Hurricane’s Tale

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

Hidcote: of Hedges and Vistas

While I have been very enthusiastic about visiting many gardens, both here and in Europe as time permits, my list of “to see” seems to be getting longer and longer.…

Private Newport’s Most Singular Oceanside Rooms

The cover of my first coffee table book, Private Newport: At Home and in the Garden, conveys in so many ways the sensibilities and design spirit of this post…shining a…

Harold Peto’s Iford Garden

Surprisingly, the unanticipated highlight of my May week in the Cotswolds was the visit to Iford Manor, outside of Bath. Clearly, this property was created by one who marched to…

My Newport Diary: The Week That Was

Along with this week’s heatwave came a bevy of trunk shows, fundraisers, Tennis Hall of Fame tournament, houseguests, suppers… and the list goes on. One might say July is “heating…

India Hicks: A Slice Of Newport

Photo Credit: @IndiaHicksStyle One soon learns, and then takes for granted, that Newport is an epicenter, in an understated way… truly a destination for many fascinating individuals. And often they…

Over the Moon About Roses

All the rain that we’ve been receiving must have been laced with Miracle Grow! I have never seen such bountiful blooms or healthier plants, with canes that were as thick…

Independence Day 2019

On this special day in our country’s history, I take pride in the pivotal role that Rhode Island, and Newport specifically, played in the American Revolution. The fiercely autonomous colony…