Newsletter Archive

What decorative trim is timeless, tailored, and not expensive? Grosgrain ribbon! It can enhance curtains, valances, upholstery, pillows, and dust ruffles. It can also adorn clothes, hair bows, hats, shoes, and ponytails.  Now, that’s a notable roster for a simple ribbon trim, wouldn’t you agree? Grosgrain (pronounced GROW-grain) is a versatile ribbon with a distinctive ribbed appearance that runs across it and enhances its durability. Because its textured parallel ridges have a matte finish, Grosgrain is not flashy or shiny and is more durable than satin or silk ribbons. Grosgrain, in the 17th century, referred to a black and durable garment fabric. In the 1920s, Grosgrain “ribbon” was introduced, and now, many colors and printed designs are available. Grosgrain ribbon has a “distinguished appearance,” which is why it continues to embellish evening wear, such as the bow on a gentleman’s formal black evening pumps. Consider applying a 1” to 2”

What is my “secret” color combination for a charming, timeless, and tailored kitchen?  It’s a “blue-and-white” color scheme!  Why? It is TIMELESS!  This traditional color combination has been around for centuries, so maybe it does not qualify as “my secret,” but more of my “tried and true” color combination for a kitchen… and other rooms, too, for that matter! Mummy convinced me to consider a blue-and-white color scheme for my first “big-girl” house, in the kitchen.  This was sage advice for me as a young bride of 21.  She drew from her well-earned experience and encountered several rawwther unique interiors whilst moving our family over 33 times internationally.  To me, the blue-and-white theme utilized in kitchens adds an air of contentment and joy, similar to a bright blue sky adorned with enchanting, puffy white clouds… a joyful, welcomed sight! Even the blue-and-white images of kitchens I share on my Instagram

Why host back-to-back dinner parties? Sometimes consecutive parties are worthy of your efforts for a few reasons. Stuart and I occasionally host two dinners back to back because we either can’t fit two parties into our travel plans, to accommodate the demands of holiday schedules, or to adjust to our guests’ availability. While it might initially sound daunting, there are several unique benefits to holding parties in succession, if ever you need to: The silver is polished The flowers are arranged Your house is tidied up You can cook or cater enough for two nights, so whatever you are serving will all be made in advance The wine is purchased, the bar is stocked You can invite twice as many guests as you can sit at your table One benefit of two parties in a row is that after the first party, all you need to do is set the

We often overlook the hidden potential lying beneath our furniture! With a touch of creativity, these overlooked areas can be transformed into elegant spaces that enhance the overall aesthetic of any interior. Learning from ‘the best of the best’ has always inspired me. My television series aimed to show masterpiece and privately owned houses. Their interiors feature time-honored decorative techniques. Touring exceptional houses can enhance your ability to decipher the difference between an innocuous-designed, trendy-trite interior from a timelessly elegant interior that is charming, inviting, and memorable. I discerned a clever decorative technique while filming an episode with Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill inside the Private Apartments at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England, and it left an indelible impression on me: utilize the unused space under a piece of furniture! In Blenheim Palace, at the end of a long hallway on the piano nobile (Italian for “noble floor”), a graceful console table features

Gentlemen, take note!  I was unaware of the term “HIP” (Hands in Pockets) until William Mikus, a fellow Board member and the former Chair of the Salvation Army of Palm Beach County, introduced me to this concept. We were seated together at the Salvation Army holiday luncheon. The HIP topic sparked interest within our entire table. I invited him to share his thoughts as a guest contributor… so I will pass along his insightful and witty perspective! The HIP Phenomenon: A Trend Among Men “Recently, I noticed men walking into private clubs and fine dining restaurants with their hands in their pockets (HIP). At first, I didn’t pay much attention. But soon, I realized this phenomenon was everywhere, much like the “Red Car Theory,” which explains how something seems to appear everywhere, once you start noticing it! The Many Types of HIP Offenders There are many types of Hands-In-Pockets offenders.

After a champagne celebration at Fox Hall, we adjourned to the dining room, while our guests left their glasses behind in the living room. A friend’s daughter recently asked me what she should do with her glass after cocktail hour when attending a private dinner party. Here are some tips on the gracious way to handle it. At a Private Home Dinner Party: Unless the host specifically invites you to bring your drink to the dinner table, always leave it in the room where the cocktail hour was held. Place your glass on a cocktail napkin on a table or, if there is a butler or wait staff with a tray, either in the room or stationed at the entrance to the dining room, gently place your glass on their tray. At a Private Club or Restaurant: If you’re enjoying a cocktail at the bar or in a reception area,