Gingerbread Mansions of Newport
It’s the first day of the festive month of December. What better way to celebrate than admiring the just unveiled selection of gingerbread houses at The Breakers. But not just… Read More
Design & Décor
Frances Schultz on ‘Beeing’ Happy at The Bee Cottage
One of life’s greatest pleasures is re-connecting with friends from past lives. Frances Schultz and I had known each other in Atlanta thirty years ago; she was with Southern Living,… Read More
Monograms for the Home: The Art of Making your Mark
Monograms are a favorite pleasure of mine, adding such personal details to this lovely world in which we are privileged to be a part. What a wonderful bit of serendipity… Read More
Chic it Up! The Whimsical Artwork of Patricia van Essche
There’s nothing more enchanting to me than refined and well-placed pen strokes on Strathmore paper…finished off with a luxurious watercolor wash in yummy colors. When Patricia van Essche’s work was brought… Read More
Dallas Welcomes “Living Newport”: A Book Signing at Madison 214
What a beautiful setting for a “Living Newport” book signing! “The Setting”: Madison 214 in Highland Park Village, DallasThe Event: A champagne “Living Newport” book signingThe Date & Time: Friday, October… Read More
The Newport Antiques Show
One of the most anticipated events on our bustling town’s summer calendar is the Newport Antiques Show (July 24th-26th.) With its sharp focus on fine American and English antiques, the regional… Read More
“Iris in Wonderland” Newport Picnic
In an earlier journal post, I presented the irrepressible fashion maven Iris Apfel, who is the subject of a well deserved documentary. But the night of her exclusive Newport showing also… Read More
Mountain High
When I walked into my dear friend Ruthie Watts’s charming, cozy mountain retreat in Highlands, North Carolina, she asked me if I noticed anything different about her living room. Knowing… Read More
Easter Entertaining, Newport Style
Spring is a time of rebirth and rejoicing! The just-departed snow has provided water and a sheltering blanket of protection for dormant plants. Buds and early bloomers are starting to… Read More
Designing a Writer’s Lair
Just the name–Washington Irving III–hints of a great tale to tell. Writer, former actor and adjunct professor of English and the Humanities, Rip (referencing the famed character Rip Van Winkle)… Read More