Newsletter Archive

One of a pair of Lucite wall brackets, which flank our mirror, almost disappear and allow the pattern and colors of the Chinoiserie-inspired wallpaper to be visible in our dining room at Fox Worth in Palm Beach, and enable the colors of the porcelain to complement the overall color scheme.  As a long-time advocate of gilded wall brackets for supporting porcelain pieces in classically designed interiors, I’d like to share an elegant alternative you may not have considered- Lucite wall brackets. Made from clear, impact-resistant acrylic, Lucite brackets offer a beautifully discreet and modern way to display treasured objects. Their transparency creates a subtle “floating” effect, adding a quiet touch of modernity without disturbing the harmony of a traditionally styled room. These clear brackets, where our colorful birds perch, enhance the glimmer of our Venetian mirror in our living room at Fox Worth.  I particularly admire their versatility. Lucite brackets

What a delight it is to cook with my granddaughter Felicity, who lives in Berlin, Germany! She has an exceptional talent for cooking, and I’m constantly inspired by her sophisticated palate and uncanny ability to describe the subtle nuances of unique culinary creations. Recently, we made this delicious Chevre and Olive Tapenade together. It passed the ever-stringent “Felicity taste-test” challenge — phew! It is simple, yet deliciously divine. In a Pinch for Time? This Chevre and Olive Tapenade is a splendid make-ahead appetizer — ideal for cocktail hour and beyond. While it may not be the most attractive in appearance, it certainly earns stars for being both deliciously unique and incredibly easy to prepare. Fellow Farmington Garden Club member, Diane R., made it and brought it to a club function I hosted at Fox Hall, and she kindly shared the recipe with the members because we all raved about it,

When my family and I moved into Fox Hall twenty-six years ago, the hall chandelier, along with five other chandeliers, were still entirely candle-lit. Lighting all the candles before an evening of entertaining was beautiful… and a bit daunting, to say the least! Over time, we transitioned to antique, yet electrified chandeliers, and preserved the charm of the previous candles by dimming the bulbs for similar soft lighting. When it comes to creating a memorable evening, soft lighting is one of the most underestimated aspects of proper entertaining, as it sets the mood, tone, and sense of warmth that elevates every detail and moment into an inviting atmosphere for your guests. Candlelight, dimmed bulbs, and flattering ambient lighting can transform a space completely, as artwork glows with depth, table settings sparkle, and faces appear even more radiant! I like to say, “It’s all about the lighting!” when capturing an attractive

My eldest granddaughter, Felicity, is a superb cook… as is her Mum, my daughter Alexandra!  When Felicity visited us from Berlin, Germany, this summer, we exchanged some of our secret recipes and made a few together. My simple Palm Beach Puff recipe was one I shared with her, and we had a ball filming a video for “hollyholdendesign” Instagram too! This is one of my simple “make-ahead and freeze” hors d’oeuvres. I began making them in Palm Beach because they are an elegant, light and airy nibble, exquisite for serving before a dinner party. My Palm Beach Puffs are simple to make with only five ingredients, along with my signature red pepper flakes! Holly’s Simple Palm Beach Puffs! A classic, make-ahead hors d’oeuvre perfect for elegant entertaining. Makes: 70 rounds (1 ¼” diameter) Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 10–12 min Freeze Time (optional): 1 hr Serve: Warm!! Ingredients 1 loaf Pepperidge