A Life of Its Own: Musings on the Parterre Bench
It’s been an exciting past three summer months — not only for me but for the Parterre Bench as well. After her formal introduction following the Newport Flower Show in… Read More
Tag Archives: inspiration
Ode to the Autumn Clematis
Vivacious… embracing…enveloping…a bit free with her favors…and goes by the honeyed name, Sweet Autumn Clematis. Am I describing a lady of questionable behavior or a trailing vine that appears with… Read More
Newport’s Magical 18th Century French Garden
It’s almost in my backyard and the Newport “cottage” for which I have the most affection – The Elms, built in 1901 and a copy of the French Chateau d’Asnieres… Read More
Creating Your Own “Iris Apfel-Inspired” Dahlia Arrangment
Table centerpieces are probably my favorite part of the entertaining process, made all the more satisfying when the flowers are fresh from the garden. At this time of the year… Read More
Iris Apfel: Out and About in Newport
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
Viewing the Private Atelier Swarovski Jewelry Show
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
A Late Summer Vegetable Garden
It’s been busy around my good friend Alice Ross’ abode this summer — she’s bottling honey from her bee hives, delivering Olive’s four Havanese-mix puppies, growing vegetables in the midst… Read More
Planted Containers: Horticultural Delights for an August Garden
It’s about this time of the summer that planters are “strutting their stuff,” full and bounteous with mature horticultural offerings. From breathtaking and dramatic (repeating the planting around the gates… Read More
Realizing a Dream: The Creation of the Parterre Bench
When something has been a dream for so long, it begins to take on mythic proportions…and begs that inevitable question…am I really going to design this bench? Somehow in my… Read More
Hostess Gifts: The Creme de la Creme from Newport Shops
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