Musings on Parterre’s Architectural Details
We built our home in 1999, something we had never imagined we would take on, but it proved a charmed experience in every sense…”meant to be,” as we like to… Read More
Design
Inspiring Garden Design: Wm. Kent’s Rousham Landscape
On my last trip to the Cotswolds, I chose to include Rousham House in Oxfordshire. While it doesn’t receive the kind of attention that Hidcote, Sissinghurst and Great Dixter do,… Read More
Inspiring Garden Design: The Elms Garden through the Seasons
Within the heart of Newport exists a truly remarkable reincarnation of an 18th century limestone French château, specifically the Château d’Asnières in Hauts-de-Seine, France, circa 1750. Fortuitously, the Elms is… Read More
Inspiring Garden Design: Sakonnet Garden’s Silver Fantasy
Planning for my “Inspiring Garden Design” series can often start early in the prior year. This post is just such an example, the result of a trip May of 2021… Read More
Inspiring Garden Design: 8 Lessons in the Snow
Every winter I’m reminded of why I love being in Newport rather than warmer climes–it provides the opportunity to rest up, gather oneself, reflect on the past year, and set… Read More
Inspiring Garden Design: America’s Eden
Happy 2022! In January of each year I so look forward to starting my annual “Inspiring Garden Design” series. It is such a welcome antidote to the post-Christmas duldrums. This… Read More
Embellishing Autumn in Newport
While it is the majestic beech trees for which Newport is so renowned, come this time of the year it is the graceful, multi-hued Japanese maples that steal the show.… Read More
Fall Decorating 2021: Part 1
The weather has been so pristine and sparkling that I was beyond inspired to start creating fall decor vignettes as soon as I returned from Texas. Each one prompted another… Read More
A Tuscan Retreat: Castello di Reschio
Tranquil…Secluded…Peaceful. Atop a tree-shrouded series of hills that had once been its own independent fiefdom under the direct influence of the Holy Roman Empire, an eleventh century castle has been… Read More
Parterre’s Bountiful ‘Limelight’ Hydrangeas
Fall came very early this year, seemingly the first of August. Having been spared the typical end of summer heat, my long-awaited, much-anticipated bank of ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas was not missing… Read More