Postcards from Parterre’s Garden
This was certainly the year to take a few (no, a lot) of gulps as regards the garden. Rain, rain, rain. And just as I was thinking “good, yes, but… Read More
Tag Archives: vignette
A Winter Tale: Imagining a 19th Century Garret
This is a post that I wrote months ago but neither the season nor the opportunity ever presented itself for adding it to the website. Slipping into this New Year,… Read More
Innisfree Garden in Nantucket
On a small peninsula on the northern coast of Nantucket is a view so compelling that uber architect, Robert Venturi, was coaxed into doing one last residential project…for clients, Susie… Read More
A Miniature Spring Tablescape
Spring…at last? In trying to hasten the green landscapes that seem so long in coming, I resorted to creating my own for spring entertaining occasions in the house. And what a fun… Read More
Inspiring Garden Design: Island Charms
A chance conversation during my brief lecture stop in Vero Beach, Florida resulted in a visit to a most singular garden. The “surprise” factor played out with the Dutch Cape… Read More
Inspiring Garden Design: London’s Small Gestures
England’s justifiably famous gardens receive so much attention that sometimes one forgets that this heritage of “greening” trickles down to small gestures in urban surroundings. I’m always fascinated to see… Read More
Bill Cunningham in Newport: Remembering a Legend
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
The Merry Month of May in England
Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 90th birthday on April 21st, a prelude to what is always one of the busiest seasons in the British Royal calendar. One can assume that… Read More
The Sakonnet Garden: A Singular Sensation
Across the Sakonnet River from Newport — a ten minute boat ride but an hour drive — is Little Compton, Rhode Island, the quiet countryside contrast to the “bustling seaport”… Read More
A Tale of Two Orangeries
Part of the pleasure of building your own home in Newport is the ritual of naming it (very de riguer — taken so literally that one witty friend tagged their… Read More