Romancing our Summer Garden
The Orangerie in Parterre’s garden was a most special surprise Christmas gift in 1997, given to me by my husband, Jonathan, as we began our house building project. While originally… Read More
Design & Décor
Seafair, a Hurricane’s Tale
There’s always a story in Newport and as we head into hurricane season, this gripping tale from my book, Private Newport, deserves to be retold. Few in Newport recognize Seafair… Read More
Private Newport’s Most Singular Oceanside Rooms
The cover of my first coffee table book, Private Newport: At Home and in the Garden, conveys in so many ways the sensibilities and design spirit of this post…shining a… Read More
B is for Boxwoods
On my recent visit to Atlanta, I had determined to finally meet the two owners (Dan Berman and Randy Korando) of one of my favorite Buckhead shops, Boxwoods, which has… Read More
Faux and Behold
Prepping is well underway for the Newport Flower Show (June 21-23), when many talented ladies (and men) of the garden world will dress the rooms of Rosecliff with luscious floral… Read More
Newport Society: The Passing of a Legend
My first post of the New Year is in honor of Marion Oates Charles, a legendary hostess and fixture of society in Newport and Washington D.C. since the 1950’s. “Oatsie,”… Read More
The Holiday Parterre Bench
For me, as for many of us, Christmas decorating is steeped in tradition. The treasured hand-me-down and collected-over-the-years ornaments that are lovingly hung on the tree just as they have… Read More
“O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree…”
Newport’s “cottages” are indeed a big draw in the summer, but so many visitors miss one of its truly breathtaking seasons — the Holidays! Decorations galore dress up already significant… Read More
A Vanderbilt-Inspired Holiday Mantel
It was a dream invitation, especially at this time of the year — come in and pick out your favorite new ornaments that have just arrived and create a holiday… Read More
Revealing Insights for Expressing Your Personal Style
My recent trip to Birmingham, Alabama came via an invitation from my dear friend, Margot Shaw, founder and Editor-in-Chief of the must-read Flower magazine. Ten years ago, in her great… Read More