Newsletter Archive

A pair of lovely wall brackets will enhance any wall! Wall brackets support three-dimensional artwork such as porcelain vases, sculptures, clocks, and even candlestick holders. They have graced European interiors for centuries. Wall brackets are my go-to decorative element for adding a touch of elegance to a room. Wall brackets give dimension to a wall. I recommend always purchasing them in pairs for symmetry.  They come in all sizes, shapes, and forms, and can be gilded wood, stone, plaster, or acrylic. Wall brackets should complement both the object they hold and the room. They are discussed in detail in my book, The Pretty & Proper Living Room.   The four gilded brackets from the Mario Buatta sale at Sotheby’s in NYC now happily grace our Palm Beach living room. Grandmillennial Tips: If  you have a piece of porcelain, such as a vase or a Chinese ginger jar, and wish to display it

A lovely tradition in classically designed houses is a table devoted to bridal photographs as an homage to various brides within the family tree. In the past, the assembled portraits typically featured only the bride in a formal black-and-white pose, but they have now evolved into pictures of both the bride and groom, presented in both black and white and in color. Bridal photographs are traditionally grouped and displayed in the living room on a side table, a grand piano, or a table placed behind a sofa. The formality of the house and the photograph dictate the style of the picture frame, which can be ornate or contemporary, sleek or plain. The most traditional bridal picture frame is sterling silver or silver-plated. A French enamel frame is another stunning choice. Italian fine leather with gold embellishments or antique gilded frames are other options. In my book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, I discuss

As I reflected on Alexandra’s magical wedding day in Berlin, I was reminded of how much thought and care goes into making such occasions meaningful. Recently, a bride shared her observations about guest etiquette—things she wished everyone knew. With ‘wedding season’ upon us, here are a few timeless tips and thoughtful reminders for being a gracious guest that every couple hopes to see at their ceremony! No-no: To arrive at the exact time listed on the invitation. What to do: Plan to arrive 15–20 minutes early. This ensures you’re seated before the ceremony begins. When the mother-of-the-bride rises, take that as your cue to stand. No-no: To wear sunglasses during the ceremony or the reception. What to do: Remove them before entering the church. Even if the reception is outside, refrain from wearing sunglasses. Why? When the wedding couple look back fondly at their wedding photographs, they want to see the faces of their

Both are thoughtfully removed whilst being introduced to another person! Recently, I attended a lovely luncheon fundraiser in Palm Beach, held outside under a charming, fern-adorned canopy by The Colony Hotel’s pool. I was seated at a table with an inspiring and very accomplished group of ladies. The conversation amongst us was informative and most delightful! Here is the conundrum: one lady had sunglasses on the entire time. If I ever have the good fortune of seeing her again, I must confess that I will not have a clue who she is, because she never removed her sunglasses! And, her sunglasses were tinted silver, giving them a mirror-like appearance… rawwwther distracting, as I looked at myself the entire time I spoke to her! Another similar experience was when a friend invited me to lunch at The Breakers. As we departed the dining room, my host recognized a longtime friend entering

There certainly is cachet to cachepots! When my daughter received a cachepot as a wedding gift, she turned to me with a puzzled look. “A planter?” she asked as she was composing her thank-you note. I told her, “No, it is called a cachepot.” The look on her face was priceless. “A what? Mummy, is that one of your old-school Southern terms? It looks like a planter to me!” Well, she wasn’t entirely wrong—it does hold a plant! But the term is French: cachepot (pronounced cash-poe), translates to “hide a pot”—specifically, a flower pot. Unlike outdoor planters, a cachepot is designed for indoor display and does not have drainage holes. It’s not meant to replace a traditional flowerpot but rather to conceal it, elevating the appearance of the plant or floral arrangement within. A beautiful porcelain cachepot can transform an ordinary houseplant, a clutch of cut flowers, or even seasonal

“Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails.”  Max Eastman, American Author  As long as I can remember, four-legged furry animals have always made my heart go ‘pitter-patter’ with happiness. I have been fortunate to have always had a dog (and a few cats too). I brought home all kinds of “random treasures” as a child, much to the shock of my unsuspecting parents. I cannot imagine life without animals! But, not everyone loves dogs, so here are a few etiquette reminders. If your dog is going to be a houseguest, consider these courtesies: ~Inquire where the animal should stay in the house before arriving. Either bring a kennel cage, or a baby-gate, as needed to mind your pet. ~It is rawwwther presumptuous to ask if your pet can sleep in the bed with you, as the host/hostess may not want pet hair or dander in their guest room or on