Private Newport - with Bettie Bearden Pardee

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People, Places & Spaces


Newport Living: A Pampered Pets Perspective

9 / 20 / 167 / 17 / 20

From Xie Xie and Indigo in repose underneath the portrait of their owner to a “tuxedo cat” walking across a garden bench to Henri Matisse surrounded by flowers, here is… Read More

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A Revealing Interview with Iris Apfel

9 / 13 / 167 / 17 / 20

After the sheer pleasure of spending the weekend with this self-described “oldest living teenager,” and capturing her spirit and wisdom in a video interview, what are my personal impressions of… Read More

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Iris Apfel: Out and About in Newport

9 / 8 / 168 / 14 / 20

Visitors always give us an opportunity to see Newport through someone else’s eyes. Imagine the fun when those eyes belong to Iris Apfel (and special access is afforded). Saturday presented… Read More

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Viewing the Private Atelier Swarovski Jewelry Show

9 / 6 / 167 / 17 / 20

Here she is…Iris Apfel… our special guest for the Atelier Swarovski party at Parterre. How appropriate that this fashion legend and beloved “out and about” lady would be in attendance… Read More

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Celebrating Iris Apfel’s 95th Birthday

9 / 1 / 1610 / 10 / 23

There are parties…and then there are PARTIES. This, though, was not a big bash but a small, intimate dinner at our home with fashion icon Iris Apfel on her 95th… Read More

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A Trip Down Memory Lane: The Buick Woody

8 / 25 / 167 / 17 / 20

Newport has been in the grips of a stifling heat and humidity spell so credit this funny story to possible sunstroke…it’s so out of character for me…but I marshaled forward assuming… Read More

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Bill Cunningham in Newport: Remembering a Legend

8 / 9 / 167 / 17 / 20

It’s an ages-old tradition in Newport…when a member of the “community” passes away off-season, a memorial service is held after all summer residents have returned for “the season.” In his own… Read More

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Hostess Gifts: The Creme de la Creme from Newport Shops

7 / 14 / 167 / 17 / 20

It’s July and Newport is now in full swing — the clubs have had their “dry runs” in June, the young set and their children have rented every house available… Read More

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The Works of Hunt Slonem: A Distinct & Delightful Charm

7 / 12 / 168 / 14 / 20

Newport in the summer enjoys a gracious plenty of captivating visitors — last week it was designer and gardener Bunny Williams at the Newport Flower Show; this week it is celebrated… Read More

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The Newport Farmer’s Market

7 / 7 / 167 / 17 / 20

What would summer be without its farmer’s markets? We’re fortunate in Newport to have one very conveniently positioned just up the hill from the beaches and right before you arrive… 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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privatenewport

Most visitors walk through Rosecliff @newport.mansions admiring the grand rooms. The ones who look up discover the real masterpiece✨

Hand-painted skies. Intricate plasterwork. A chandelier that has watched over more than a century of Newport history☁️

It’s details like these that make Newport’s Gilded Age estates feel less like museums and more like works of art🎭

✨ Save this for your next Newport visit, and follow @privatenewport for the details most visitors never notice.
#privatenewport #newportri #gildedage #newportmansions #rosecliffmansion

View Instagram post by privatenewport

Jul 1

229 9
Open post by privatenewport with ID 18107910049995446
Most visitors walk through Rosecliff @newport.mansions admiring the grand rooms. The ones who look up discover the real masterpiece✨

Hand-painted skies. Intricate plasterwork. A chandelier that has watched over more than a century of Newport history☁️

It’s details like these that make Newport’s Gilded Age estates feel less like museums and more like works of art🎭

✨ Save this for your next Newport visit, and follow @privatenewport for the details most visitors never notice.
#privatenewport #newportri #gildedage #newportmansions #rosecliffmansion

privatenewport

The grand rooms of Rosecliff @newport.mansions weren’t built to be silent…

During the Newport Flower Show, one of the mansion’s most captivating details quietly came to life, a self-playing piano filling the halls as guests wandered through rooms once designed for America’s wealthiest families.

It’s the kind of moment that reminds you these homes were never museums… they were meant to be lived in..

✨ Save this for your next Newport visit, and follow @privatenewport for more hidden details inside the city’s most extraordinary historic estates.
#privatenewport #newportri #gildedage #newportmansions #privateliving

View Instagram post by privatenewport

Jun 29

160 11
Open post by privatenewport with ID 17933663904090998
The grand rooms of Rosecliff @newport.mansions weren’t built to be silent…

During the Newport Flower Show, one of the mansion’s most captivating details quietly came to life, a self-playing piano filling the halls as guests wandered through rooms once designed for America’s wealthiest families.

It’s the kind of moment that reminds you these homes were never museums… they were meant to be lived in..

✨ Save this for your next Newport visit, and follow @privatenewport for more hidden details inside the city’s most extraordinary historic estates.
#privatenewport #newportri #gildedage #newportmansions #privateliving

privatenewport

Some rooms don’t demand attention, they quietly earn it..

Beyond Rosecliff’s @newport.mansions grand staircase is a space wrapped in rich wood paneling, hand-carved ceilings, and stories that have unfolded over generations. It’s easy to miss if you’re only looking for the ballroom.

These are the details that make Newport unforgettable.

🤍 Save this for your next mansion visit.
Follow @privatenewport for the Newport most people never get to experience✨
#privatenewport #newportri #newportmansions #rosecliff #privateliving

View Instagram post by privatenewport

Jun 28

639 13
Open post by privatenewport with ID 18101117891267002
Some rooms don’t demand attention, they quietly earn it..

Beyond Rosecliff’s @newport.mansions grand staircase is a space wrapped in rich wood paneling, hand-carved ceilings, and stories that have unfolded over generations. It’s easy to miss if you’re only looking for the ballroom.

These are the details that make Newport unforgettable.

🤍 Save this for your next mansion visit.
Follow @privatenewport for the Newport most people never get to experience✨
#privatenewport #newportri #newportmansions #rosecliff #privateliving

privatenewport

There are grand staircases… and then there’s Rosecliff..

For more than a century, these sweeping steps have welcomed society’s elite, dazzling gowns, celebrated guests, and evenings that became part of Newport’s legendary Gilded Age story. Every carved detail, every graceful curve, and every soaring ceiling was designed to leave a lasting impression, and it still does today💫

It’s impossible to stand here without imagining the music drifting through the halls, the anticipation before a ballroom filled with laughter, and the grandeur of an era when Newport was the center of America’s most extravagant summers✨

Some places preserve history….

Others make you feel like you’ve stepped inside it☁️

✨ Save this for your next Newport visit, and follow Private Newport for more timeless moments from the City by the Sea🌊
@newport.mansions
#privatenewport #rosecliff #newportmansions #gildedage #newportsummer

View Instagram post by privatenewport

Jun 25

422 13
Open post by privatenewport with ID 18186966058376120
There are grand staircases… and then there’s Rosecliff..

For more than a century, these sweeping steps have welcomed society’s elite, dazzling gowns, celebrated guests, and evenings that became part of Newport’s legendary Gilded Age story. Every carved detail, every graceful curve, and every soaring ceiling was designed to leave a lasting impression, and it still does today💫

It’s impossible to stand here without imagining the music drifting through the halls, the anticipation before a ballroom filled with laughter, and the grandeur of an era when Newport was the center of America’s most extravagant summers✨

Some places preserve history….

Others make you feel like you’ve stepped inside it☁️

✨ Save this for your next Newport visit, and follow Private Newport for more timeless moments from the City by the Sea🌊
@newport.mansions 
#privatenewport #rosecliff #newportmansions #gildedage #newportsummer

privatenewport

Part 2: The Newport Flower Show 🌿

For one weekend, Rosecliff @newport.mansions became Newport’s most beautiful address✨

Thousands of blooms, sweeping ocean views, and the grandeur of a Gilded Age estate set the stage for the Newport Flower Show, one of the city’s most beloved traditions🌸

It’s easy to see why people fall in love with Newport..

Save this for your next visit, and follow for more of the Newport most people never get to experience🤍

#newportflowershow #newportri #rosecliff #privatenewport #gildedage

View Instagram post by privatenewport

Jun 23

178 17
Open post by privatenewport with ID 18114627154895104
Part 2: The Newport Flower Show 🌿

For one weekend, Rosecliff @newport.mansions became Newport’s most beautiful address✨

Thousands of blooms, sweeping ocean views, and the grandeur of a Gilded Age estate set the stage for the Newport Flower Show, one of the city’s most beloved traditions🌸

It’s easy to see why people fall in love with Newport..

Save this for your next visit, and follow for more of the Newport most people never get to experience🤍

#newportflowershow #newportri #rosecliff #privatenewport #gildedage

privatenewport

Behind the doors of Newport’s most celebrated summer event… 🌸

The 2026 Newport Flower Show transformed Rosecliff’s @newport.mansions historic interiors into living works of art, where flowers, design, and Newport elegance met in the most extraordinary way✨

These are just a few of the details from inside this year’s “Pearls of Newport” exhibition🌊

Part 2 is coming tomorrow. Trust us, you’ll want to see what’s waiting outside👀🥀

✨ Save this for your Newport summer bucket list
🌿 Follow @privatenewport for more of the Newport most visitors never get to see
#privatenewport #newportmansions #gildedage #newportflowershow #rosecliffmansion

View Instagram post by privatenewport

Jun 22

217 32
Open post by privatenewport with ID 18447092419189526
Behind the doors of Newport’s most celebrated summer event… 🌸

The 2026 Newport Flower Show transformed Rosecliff’s @newport.mansions historic interiors into living works of art, where flowers, design, and Newport elegance met in the most extraordinary way✨

These are just a few of the details from inside this year’s “Pearls of Newport” exhibition🌊

Part 2 is coming tomorrow. Trust us, you’ll want to see what’s waiting outside👀🥀

✨ Save this for your Newport summer bucket list
🌿 Follow @privatenewport for more of the Newport most visitors never get to see
#privatenewport #newportmansions #gildedage #newportflowershow #rosecliffmansion
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