This summer of ’24 is dedicated to Newport in all its many manifestations from entertaining to interiors to gardens to “happenings.” All coming under the nostalgic name, My Newport Diary…bringing our “City by the Sea” to you more personally through my private lens.

And what could be more appropriate for this first day of August than a visit to one of the oldest estates on this island (1854). It is refreshing to see the ways in which a younger generation has taken advantage of the five+acres, teasing out quiet entertaining hangouts, formalizing the ‘garden rooms’, and bringing creative perspectives to vegetable and cutting gardens (ie. the dahlia plants are each identified with their name on a painted rock; no more metal labels that get lost when snow or mulch come into play).

But the new addition that I find so aesthetically compelling…and which takes the landscape to another level…is the dramatic lattice backdrop to the existing rectangular pond. What could be more appropriate for today’s feature image than lotus flowers and “Victoria amazonica” lily pads gracing this water concept come the middle of July!

Inspired by a design from the French home of notable twentieth century decorator Elsie de Wolfe, this signature statement is centered with a fireplace and seating; its curved wings give a sense of embrace to the overall scene. Pass through the lattice door and discover another space with many new entertaining opportunities (for guests of all ages) which have been created in the southernmost area of the property.

A British-style summer house fronting a bocce court, a grill discretely off to the long side with accommodations for dinner al fresco (and do note, no host courtesy is overlooked…this charming petit house serves also as a loo so guests need not walk the distance to the main house).

Near this space, a working greenhouse with a bluestone courtyard includes small round wooden tables, inspired by the lattice structure, for more lunching and dining; a pondside small gazebo with table shelters a ringside seat for enjoying the summer display of blooms and greenery, both in the pond and around its borders. Inspired by the alyssum encircling the pond at the Blue Garden, Oakwood’s plantings require 285 plants! Its mate across the pond, by the greenhouse, is referred to as the “tile temple,” where Mahjong is played.

At the northern end of the property, a small reminder of the grand lattice statement now distinguishes an axial path bordered by oakleaf hydrangea, ferns, and all manner of evergreens.

And a refurbished potting shed is now a “She shed” for flower arranging, taking on a bit of chic with its umbered-yellow standards at the French doors and interiors of celadon green.

The blue painted color of the doors recall the shutters of the main house.

I can never pen a story on Oakwood with out including one of the most magical architectural structures in Newport…the Clocktower…singular in interest also as it is a borrowed view, belonging to an abutting neighbor on the northern edge of the property.

Majestic signature trees have always taken pride of place at Oakwood but in the past recent years they are also elegant backdrops to what is now one of Newport’s private arboretums.

Many mercis, Angus and Joanna…