Capturing Fall’s Golden Light: The Parterre Bench
I’ve been thrilled about red, crazy about blue — and now I’m simply mad about golden yellow. That soft, golden light of fall is so seductive; it’s also the first… Read More
Behind the Private Gates
Outdoor Fall Decorating
When pumpkins start appearing, we really know that summer is over and fall (or Autumn, as the rest of the world refers to it) is here. This presents a first… Read More
A New Fall Wardrobe: The Parterre Bench
Just the words “Chinese Lacquer Red ” conjure up for me romantic visions of Mandarin silk jackets; Louboutin soles; Diana Vreeland’s legendary New York apartment; a sexy, sexy red lipstick;… 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
A Late Summer Vegetable Garden
It’s been busy around my good friend Alice Ross’ abode this summer — she’s bottling honey from her bee hives, delivering Olive’s four Havanese-mix puppies, growing vegetables in the midst… Read More
Planted Containers: Horticultural Delights for an August Garden
It’s about this time of the summer that planters are “strutting their stuff,” full and bounteous with mature horticultural offerings. From breathtaking and dramatic (repeating the planting around the gates… Read More
In the Garden: Designing with Stone
In 2002 I photographed this garden for my first book, Private Newport: At Home and in the Garden. I remember making a mental note to check in on it over… Read More
Bunny Williams: On Garden Style
The Newport Flower Show is always a much-anticipated start to the “summer season,” but it was especially so this year! Bunny Williams was a guest speaker, an esteemed designer that I’ve… Read More
A Must-Have Garden Accessory: The Parterre Bench
From that long ago Thanksgiving weekend in Ireland…to the house-building, garden-creating project in Newport…to the first published coffee table book that prompted the creation of this bespoke garden accessory…the Parterre… Read More