Initial Thoughts

The Royce, a New Hotel Concept

Life‘s special moments are a reason to come together! For a town that celebrates for so many reasons, and in so many ways, a timely hospitality concept has just opened in…

Parterre’s Spring Garden Statement

The first trees on the property to leaf out or bloom, this variety, Cherry ‘Hally Jolivette,’ produces the most exquisite small, single blossoms in a soft shell pink, clustered together…

Anticipating Summer 2025

Hurray! It’s the Merry Month of May! Spring is popping (after a too cold, too windy winter). And I’m off mid month to England. But when I return this is…

A Daffodil Story

“And then there was the year we put the Parterre Bench along the daffodil-studded brook…” As we like to say, there’s always a Story in Newport, or in this case,…

Easter is Hopping our Way

With all the bunnies hopping, flowers blooming and spring fever popping, everyone is in a most celebratory mood; especially since Easter gives us an excuse to put on our party…

Leonardslee Rock Garden, Sussex, England

When it comes to “take it or leave it,” I can usually “leave” as regards rock gardens…until an English garden trip in 2023 left me speechless. Little did I know…

Countdown to Spring

By the calendar, it’s officially Spring at Parterre…the rabbits are nibbling, the raindrops are dropping, the deer are encroaching…but it won’t be true Spring in Newport for awhile (on a…

Calling Seafair “Home”

As one who has written two coffee table books on the subject of Newport’s homes, I often find myself reflecting back on the many private residences that I’ve visited and…

Personal Postcards from Lake Maggiore

My trip to the Lake District of Northern Italy last April/May had its share of WOW! moments (which have been the subject of many blogs), but this post is about…

Majestic Seafair

There’s always a story in Newport and as we head into the spring season, this gripping tale from my book, Private Newport, deserves to be retold. Few in Newport recognize…