Private Newport - with Bettie Bearden Pardee

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Behind the Private Gates


Spring at Parterre

5 / 18 / 235 / 17 / 23

After 10 days in England, I have a years worth of images for weekly posts — but first, a peak at Parterre. Spring, while late and coolish this year, was… Read More

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Celebrating Daffodils, the Beacons of Spring

4 / 20 / 234 / 19 / 23

Cheers to “the beginning of event’s season!” as one friend refrerred to it. Until just a few years ago, “the season” didn’t start until Memorial Day; now April is a… Read More

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Postcards from Parterre

3 / 30 / 233 / 30 / 23

While building a home was something we said we’d never undertake, creating Parterre proved one of the most surprising and satisfying experiences. Inspired by this adventure, I committed myself wholeheartedly… Read More

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Parterre’s Garden: Capturing the Spirit of Newport

3 / 23 / 233 / 22 / 23

We’re heading into spring and with it comes the ritual of “opening the garden for the season.” I can’t believe we’ve been carrying this out for 24 years! It is the time… Read More

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Winter and Spring: Before and After in the Garden

3 / 2 / 233 / 1 / 23

We’d had nary a drop of snow in 2023 (with the exception of two dustings). And then, lo and behold, on the eve of March 1 those big white flakes… Read More

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Romantic Gardens

2 / 16 / 232 / 15 / 23

Since this is the week of Valentines, I was inspired to share some gardens that whisper “romantic.” And while this word does not often come to mind when I look… Read More

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Celebrating Ever-Present Green

2 / 9 / 232 / 9 / 23

A beautiful truth that we all take for granted? Green is the most prevalent color in nature. Given this time of the year, as an example, we can really appreciate… Read More

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Garden Dreaming with the Parterre Bench

2 / 2 / 232 / 1 / 23

As I’m finalizing plant orders for the garden and booking restaurants for my April visit to England, it suddenly dawned on me that spring is just around the corner…2-3 months,… Read More

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Autumn, All Around the Town

11 / 10 / 2211 / 9 / 22

As I said in my first book, Private Newport, at Home and in the Garden…”On the Avenue, By the Sea, and Off the Beaten Path.” Seeing Newport in Autumn (a… Read More

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Fall Florals: A Bittersweet Goodbye

10 / 27 / 2210 / 27 / 22

This is a melancholy time for me. The ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas have sent out the clarion call that the garden will soon be put to bed for the season. My response?… Read More

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About Bettie

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, designer of the Parterre Bench, national lecturer, and entertaining expert.
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Insta Happenings

privatenewport

Wrapping up our time at Virginia’s Historic Garden Week with some of the details that stayed with us most 🌿

The brick paths.
The hidden fountains.
The climbing roses.
The kind of homes and gardens that remind you beauty was once created slowly… and meant to last.

Thank you for following along through one of the most beautiful spring traditions in the South - we already know these places will stay in our minds for a long time🌥️

Which photo was your favorite from this series?👀
#virginiagardenweek #richmondvirginia #gardensofrichmond #privateliving #privatenewport

View Instagram post by privatenewport

May 12

257 19
Open post by privatenewport with ID 18464953345110908
Wrapping up our time at Virginia’s Historic Garden Week with some of the details that stayed with us most 🌿

The brick paths.
The hidden fountains.
The climbing roses.
The kind of homes and gardens that remind you beauty was once created slowly… and meant to last.

Thank you for following along through one of the most beautiful spring traditions in the South - we already know these places will stay in our minds for a long time🌥️

Which photo was your favorite from this series?👀
#virginiagardenweek #richmondvirginia #gardensofrichmond #privateliving #privatenewport

privatenewport

Before “quiet luxury” had a name, homes like Parterre were already living it. Gardens that evolve with the seasons, rooms designed for conversation, and a pace of life that feels almost impossible now💫✨
#privatenewport #newportri #privateliving #newporthomes #gildedage

View Instagram post by privatenewport

May 11

855 22
Open post by privatenewport with ID 18140137576523606
Before “quiet luxury” had a name, homes like Parterre were already living it. Gardens that evolve with the seasons, rooms designed for conversation, and a pace of life that feels almost impossible now💫✨
#privatenewport #newportri #privateliving #newporthomes #gildedage

privatenewport

The Gilded Age didn’t believe in subtlety✨

The dining hall at The Breakers was designed to impress at every angle - soaring ceilings, gilded details, and the kind of grandeur modern luxury rarely touches anymore.

Newport really was America’s playground for excess, and honestly, we’re still not over it..
What’s the first detail your eyes went to?
#thebreakersnewport #newportmansions #privateliving #guildedage #guildedagemansions

View Instagram post by privatenewport

May 10

183 12
Open post by privatenewport with ID 18120233929734011
The Gilded Age didn’t believe in subtlety✨

The dining hall at The Breakers was designed to impress at every angle - soaring ceilings, gilded details, and the kind of grandeur modern luxury rarely touches anymore.

Newport really was America’s playground for excess, and honestly, we’re still not over it.. 
What’s the first detail your eyes went to?
#thebreakersnewport #newportmansions #privateliving #guildedage #guildedagemansions

privatenewport

You were never supposed to see these homes…

For one elegant week each spring, Virginia’s Historic Garden Week quietly opens the gates to some of the state’s most beautiful private estates and gardens.

Often called America’s largest open house, the tradition began in 1927 and now welcomes visitors into hundreds of homes usually hidden behind hedges, winding drives, and brick walls.

From classic Virginia red brick estates to grand Palladian-inspired manor houses, each stop feels like stepping into another era entirely.

Okay… but which one are you picking? 👀
#virginiagardenweek #richmondvirginia #privatenewport #privateliving #fyp

View Instagram post by privatenewport

May 7

1062 36
Open post by privatenewport with ID 17898831606287396
You were never supposed to see these homes…

For one elegant week each spring, Virginia’s Historic Garden Week quietly opens the gates to some of the state’s most beautiful private estates and gardens.

Often called America’s largest open house, the tradition began in 1927 and now welcomes visitors into hundreds of homes usually hidden behind hedges, winding drives, and brick walls.

From classic Virginia red brick estates to grand Palladian-inspired manor houses, each stop feels like stepping into another era entirely.

Okay… but which one are you picking? 👀
#virginiagardenweek #richmondvirginia #privatenewport #privateliving #fyp

privatenewport

before trends… this was the standard

nothing accidental, nothing overlooked

follow for more places that feel like another era ☁️
#newportrhodeisland #thebreakersnewport #newportmansions #privatenewport #gildedagemansions

View Instagram post by privatenewport

May 5

569 21
Open post by privatenewport with ID 17906290311411005
before trends… this was the standard

nothing accidental, nothing overlooked

follow for more places that feel like another era ☁️
#newportrhodeisland #thebreakersnewport #newportmansions #privatenewport #gildedagemansions

privatenewport

Built around 1900 as a summer “cottage” for Anna Van Nest Gambrill, this American Renaissance-style estate is anything but ordinary.

Designed by Carrère and Hastings - the same minds behind some of the most iconic architecture of the era, this home has quietly evolved over time.

Today, it’s no longer just a private residence… but home to the National Museum of American Illustration, housing thousands of original works.

Newport always has layers..and this is one of them.

Save & follow @privatenewport for more you don’t always see ➡️
✨✨✨✨✨
#privatenewport #newportri #privateliving #gildedage #newportmansions

View Instagram post by privatenewport

May 4

763 38
Open post by privatenewport with ID 17883866517545502
Built around 1900 as a summer “cottage” for Anna Van Nest Gambrill, this American Renaissance-style estate is anything but ordinary.

Designed by Carrère and Hastings - the same minds behind some of the most iconic architecture of the era, this home has quietly evolved over time.

Today, it’s no longer just a private residence… but home to the National Museum of American Illustration, housing thousands of original works.

Newport always has layers..and this is one of them.

Save & follow @privatenewport for more you don’t always see ➡️
✨✨✨✨✨
#privatenewport #newportri #privateliving #gildedage #newportmansions
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Bettie's Faves

  • Charlotte Moss
  • La Dolce Vita
  • My Beautiful Paris
  • The Enchanted Home
  • The Glam Pad
  • The Lush List
  • The Potted Boxwood
  • Vicki Archer
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