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The quintessential guide to classic interior design, elegant entertaining & a genteel lifestyle. (formerly Mummy’s Monday Manners) Monograms on sheets! Who doesn’t adore beautiful bed linens?!  Seeing and feeling crisply ironed sheets instantly brings back memories of various beloved venues, the way a scent or sound will trigger feelings from the past.  I vividly remember flying to London with our eldest daughter, Alexandra, then age ten.  We were invited to stay at a relative’s elegant London townhouse, replete with a driver and a “Roller” (aka Rolls Royce).  We were both exhausted from the overnight journey and climbed into our twin beds. The faint scent of lavender on the beautifully ironed and magnificently monogrammed sheets gently swaddled us… and instantly, we experienced “sweet dreams and a slice of heaven!”  That experience made an impression on me and how important it is to pay attention to guest room sheets.  Well, all bedrooms,

The quintessential guide to classic interior design, elegant entertaining & a genteel lifestyle. “Secrets to Lovely Living” debuts today! My dear ones, On October 1, 2018, my first “Mummy’s Monday Manners” debuted after the nudging requests of my children’s friends who were working in NYC.  They were budding hosts and hostesses inquiring how to properly entertain!  It has been a joy to see MMM grow internationally.  I am terribly grateful and thank you for your support in spreading the word for me.  It has given me such pleasure to share some of the tidbits of advice which I inherited from my Mummy (and Daddy too).  They taught me by example the essence of polished graciousness… the basis for lovely manners and more. My colleagues and I came to the conclusion that the MMM title is a bit limiting.  At first glance, it suggests only manners, even though I write about

Much more than JUST manners… learn the “secret” nuances of regal refinement, timeless interior design & elegant entertaining! Living in tropical Palm Beach, I continue to be mesmerized and bedazzled daily by the ever-present lush greenery, multi-level hedges, and colorful floral landscape designs! Another aspect contributing to the enchanting and inviting aura of the private houses on the island are the handsomely embellished driveways, which feature varying pillar designs with unique decorative elements. The decorative elements range from traditional to sophisticated whimsy, setting the scene and individuality of a house. When we purchased our house, Fox Hall c. 1803 in Farmington, CT, we immediately set out to design an appropriate fence to replace the old, sad-looking stockade fence which stretched along Main Street. Two notable historic fences, the Peirce Nichols c. 1757 house in Salem, MA, and the “Old First Church” c. 1763 in Bennington, VT, inspired my husband and

Much more than JUST manners… learn the “secret” nuances of regal refinement, timeless interior design & elegant entertaining! The Lewis Walpole Library, on historic Main Street in Farmington, is owned by Yale University. It is a research library, open to scholars for 18th-century studies, and is a renowned resource for the study of Horace Walpole and Strawberry Hill in England. The front door of the Timothy Root House c. 1784, used to house visiting scholars doing research at the Library, features a blue-painted ceiling on the overhang. Blue painted ceilings on porches, verandahs, and exterior door overhangs has been a 200-year-old tradition in America. This subtle blue decorative detail has always been an attraction to me. The other day, as I was walking Miss Zsa Zsa, our rambunctious Jack Russell, along Main Street in the historic village of Farmington, I admired several blue-painted exterior ceilings. I was curious: how did

Much more than JUST manners… learn the “secret” nuances of regal refinement, timeless interior design & elegant entertaining!   Ladies use three distinctive terms to reference just ONE essential fashion accessory, one that they carry each day!  Can you guess what it is?  Of course, depending on where one lives in the world, the three names may be interpreted with a uniquely different meaning.  Soooo, which name do you use: pocketbook, handbag, or purse? The term “handbag” is often used in England, while “pocketbook” is favored in the South, and a “purse” can reference a small clutch or handbag, a wallet, or a coin holder. Whatever name you use, I know you can recognize a beautifully elegant one when you see it!  With that in mind, I am thrilled to introduce you to Launer London, renowned for their understated luxury leather goods, and especially for their stunning handbags.  Because they

Much more than JUST manners… learn the “secret” nuances of regal refinement, timeless interior design & elegant entertaining! Add even more charm to your Powder Room with lovely artwork! Typically, most guests do not expect to discover important artwork in a Powder Room!  While silver picture frames, replete with meaningful photographs, can pique the curiosity of your guests in other rooms, pretty Powder Rooms can be the perfect backdrop to display some of your most alluring artwork for guests to admire unexpectedly… albeit privately! Both photographs and artwork are what I refer to as “subtle bragging rights,” where nothing is overtly prominent but instead, discreetly intriguing to others.  Photographs in your house offer a peek at important moments.  Artwork, especially when displayed in a Powder Room, can be a surprise, revealing your interests, your family background, or personal stories. A Powder Room is intended for guests.  This is where ladies