Newsletter Archive

Presently, there is a stupendous show about the Royals’ fashion, “Royal Style in the Making,” at Kensington Palace in London. The exhibition, which will be open until January 2022, explores the relationship between the fashion designer and the royal client.  The star of the exhibition is Princess Diana’s glittering, ivory wedding gown with a 25’ train, along with creations by the noted royal designer, Norman Hartnell, including a c.1940 dress in black velvet that is unknown publicly and on loan from the estate of the late Princess Margaret.  It was either given to her or it was bequeathed by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Have you heard of the noted fashion designer, Norman Hartnell?  I wanted to learn more about him, so I turned to Nick Rayne (of Rayne Shoes, with 3 Royal Warrants) who kindly introduced me to his dear friend Michael Pick.  For over forty years, Michael has been an

With my affinity for foxes, an English painting of a running fox is prominently placed above the second landing in our front hall. One of Fox Hall’s notable architectural triumphs are the two Palladian windows located on the same wall in the front hall. It is one of the only houses in America with this distinctive feature. Hence, the name “Fox + Hall” was a fitting appellation for our home. When my daughter Alexandra lived in England with her husband, both of their houses came with a name.  It was then that I realized that an English country house is actually required to have a name. The house name is used as the actual mailing address, tantamount to our house number and street address in America. May I inspire you to consider creating a name for your house or apartment, if you do not have one already? For two hundred

My darling grandson in England, a dapper dresser like his father, asked me if he should take his hat off when being introduced to someone… similar to the sunglass protocol! Ladies: Oh, lucky you!  Your pretty dress hats do not need to be removed indoors or when the National Anthem is played because your hat is deemed as a fashion accessory for your outfit! After five in the evening, or once the sun sets, a lady does not wear a brimmed hat.  The reasoning behind this is that a brim is not needed after sunset. I find myself wearing straw hats daily in Palm Beach as my “chic technique” for sun protection.  Do you wear hats as well? Gentlemen: Your hat should be removed out of respect when being introduced to someone, and especially if it is a lady, or while in the presence of a lady.  A hat should also be

What do summer sunglasses and a glove have in common? Both are thoughtfully removed whilst being introduced to another person. Recently, I attended a lovely luncheon fundraiser in Palm Beach.  It was outside, under a charming, fern-adorned canopy at The Colony Hotel pool.  We were in the shade due to the canopy above.  I was seated at a table with an inspiring and very accomplished group of ladies.  The conversation amongst us was informative and most delightful.  I feel privileged to have met them!  We all exchanged personal cards and I look forward to seeing them again.  But, one lady had sunglasses on the entire time.  If I ever have the good fortune of seeing her again, I must confess, I will not have a clue who she is because she never removed her sunglasses.  Besides that, her sunglasses were tinted silver, reflecting a mirror-like appearance.  This was distracting, as

As I commenced the interior design for a pretty place at 100 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, which has a fabulous ocean view, I was inspired to share my vision with you!  While the ocean view from the living room and dining room is the main event, the dining room is in need of aesthetic character.  Recently renovated, it now has a contemporarily stark white palette.  It is yearning to be beautified with interesting and detailed wood mouldings, and of course, color.  Voila!  I was inspired to design and embellish the dining room with a bespoke Chinese Chippendale motif! Thomas Chippendale, 1718-1779, the legendary London cabinet maker, wrote a catalogue in 1754, The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker’s Director, featuring 160 of his stellar designs. It was the first and most famous reference book of its kind. One recognizable trademark of Chippendale furniture is the ball and claw foot, but there is a

Have you noticed an abundance of American flags being displayed this 4th of July weekend?  After the long year of quarantine Covid days, the Declaration of Independence, celebrated since July 4th, 1776, also complements the freedom we are presently feeling, in part due to the vaccine and the efforts of dedicated health workers worldwide!  Do you agree? The first American flag was officially adopted by Congress in 1777.  There is no official record to substantiate that Betsy Ross was the first to create it, but she has been attributed to this task.  Evidently, she had a penchant for red, white, and blue.  (If I had designed it, I imagine it would be a pink and green flag… oh dear!)  The 13 stripes originally represented the first 13 colonies, along with 13 stars, and now 50 stars for our states. As my husband Stuart hung our flag over the door at