Newsletter Archive

A fireplace has always been, and will always be, the focal point for any room. With the summer months upon us in New England, our wardrobes are now changing, an abundance of sunlight is beginning to grace our rooms, sealed windows are sprung open for fresh air, and the whisper of spring cleaning calls to us (in a very faint voice, that is!).  Spring is also a brilliant time to take notice of spaces that have been overlooked or ignored; the discounted areas that could use some sprucing up, too! Case in point: while I was admiring how the lilac arrangement on our master bedroom mantelpiece complimented the floral design on Mummy’s Meissen vase, I suddenly noticed a neglected space that I have overlooked as if it were invisible!  The dark, blackened firebox space under the mantel appeared forlorn, begging for attention.  (The “firebox” is the space where the fire

Learning from ‘the best of the best’ has always been an inspiring goal, and one that I advocate and strive to promote.  For my public television series, my goal was to show masterpiece, privately owned houses.  Similar to visiting a prestigious art museum or touring a notable palace, the time-honored decorative techniques and nuances you glean from the experience may serve to enhance your ability to decipher the difference between an innocuous designed interior, which is bland and trendy-trite, and/or a timelessly elegant interior, which is charming, inviting and memorable.  Do you too agree that developing a keen eye for details enriches your understanding of what contributes to excellence? One decorative element I discerned while filming an episode with Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill inside the Private Apartments at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England, left an indelible impression on me: utilize the unused real estate (space) under a piece of furniture! If you watch the

Longing to send out an invitation and host a little party again? Hosting a party is now coming to fruition after the seemingly endless Covid quarantine. Having recently attended several outdoor receptions in Palm Beach, with guests vaccinated and serving staff masked, an important invitation detail came to mind to share with you! When composing an invitation with an acknowledgment request, do you know which side of an invitation the R.s.v.p. (French for “Respondez s’il vous plait”) is placed? Is it on the lower-right corner, or… the lower-left corner? It is placed on the lower-left corner of the invitation! Respondez s’il vous plait may be written as R.s.v.p. with a capital R and a lowercase s.v.p. The other form is R.S.V.P. in capital letters. The preferred form, and the one I use, is R.s.v.p. It is what Mummy taught me. “The favour of reply is requested” is another proper acknowledgment

“Hats off” to Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the esteemed British milliner, who in 2014 was granted a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty The Queen.  Her impressive, bespoke hats have garnered respect and admiration internationally.  Her stunning millinery creations have a dedicated following from a distinguished arena of clientele.  What an honor it was to interview Rachel! She is now creating her divine bespoke creations for an American audience too.  Derby anyone?! (*Please note that the U.K.spelling within Rachel’s answers may be different than our American spelling.) ~When did you know that you wanted to be a designer? I have always loved creating. At first, I wanted to become an actress and go into the theatre, which led me to thoughts of designing costumes, but somehow I ended up in millinery.  My mother always wore hats to church on Sundays.  She was well known for them.  I think this must have had an influence. ~Do you

Lovely light brings any room to life!  Lighting is a key component of a room’s ambiance.  Creating a soft, warm glow is the ideal way to establish a welcoming environment in any room.  A light that is too bright or intense serves only as a deterrent to your guests, reminding them of a place that is not that inviting, such as an operating room or a police interrogation room!  I shy away from the seat that is near a brightly lit lamp as the harsh shadows are not becoming to anyone… wouldn’t you agree?! Lampshades serve to attractively conceal the lamp’s electrical hardware and shield one’s eyes from the brightness of the bulb.  They add a touch of elegant enchantment.  They can also be clever and whimsical.  Like a stunning sunset, soft pools of light created with smartly appointed lampshades offer an ambiance that serves to subtly captivate your guests.