Enjoying the Gardens at Bellevue House
Up the street, exactly one mile door to door from our home, is an historic house renowned as one of only two homes in America both designed and decorated by… Read More
Behind the Private Gates
Celebrating Parterre’s Woodland Garden
There’s nothing like completing a years-in-the-making-garden to give one a new lease on life! While each of Parterre’s existing gardens are tweaked each year, the Woodland Garden didn’t truly deserve… Read More
A New Treat at the Elms!
In a busy (too busy!) summer to find a spot on the calendar, a moment of spontaneity carried the day. A Sunday morning text invitation tempted me to join friends… Read More
Bois Doré: Inspiring Architectural Design
With credit to its magnificent beauty (and Covid), the Newport community has turned into a beehive of real estate activity; to express it very simply, “buy or build”. I’m now finding… Read More
Containers, A Valuable Garden Detail
In honor of my dear friend, Margot Shaw, founder of Flower magazine and one of the headliners for the 2026 Newport Flower Show, I’m taking a page from her new… Read More
Flowering Outdoors: Gardens and Parties
The Newport Flower Show will have a Star headliner this month, Margot Shaw, founder of Flower magazine, introducing her new book, Flowering Outdoors: Gardens and Parties. Don’t you love the… Read More
A Notable Newport Estate, The Orchard Part 2
In a town of many old mansions, most have become house museums or condominiums or have been turned into dormitories and classrooms for a local university. Only a special few,… Read More
A Notable Newport Estate, The Orchard. Part 1
Memorial Day reminds us that summer is just around the corner, when friends return from all parts of the country and houses are “opened for the season.” One of those… Read More
Hansel and Gretel in Richmond
Historic Garden Week in Richmond provided such warm memories of both horticultural and architectural inspiration. One setting lingers in my mind, which I cannot resist calling the “Hansel and Gretel… Read More
Gardens and Houses of Richmond,VA
Often called America’s largest open house, “Historic Garden Week” in Virginia is a much-anticipated annual event for many garden lovers!For one elegant week, both homes and their gardens throughout the… Read More