Christmas Traditions For Children!

Magical Christmas traditions for children!

The charming Christmas moments that you create for your family are precisely the traditions that will carry on and become cherished memories for your children. Most likely, you still cherish and implement traditions that were passed along to you by your family when you were a child, right? We shall all miss being with our loved ones this year, but thinking about holiday memories, while dreaming of creating even more next year, brings a sense of comfort to me, and hopefully, to you too. Perhaps, a few of these ideas may become traditions for you to embrace when our families are finally able to gather once again to celebrate this joyous holiday season.

Every Christmas Eve, we all dress up and gather around the Christmas tree for drinks before dinner. While there, one of the men in the family, usually my husband, quietly disappears... and reappears on the front lawn, in a decades-old Santa outfit, bells and all. This is a beloved tradition from my husband’s family that we have inherited. Santa’s happy “Ho Ho Ho’s” are heard, and the children (adults too!) gleefully run to the window to catch a glimpse of Santa waving back, dashing across the lawn in the darkness. A REAL Santa sighting… sooo much excitement!! He even leaves his well-traveled big burlap bag near the front door. It holds one little present for each child to play with that evening. When the children were really small and unable to distinguish his voice, Santa would come in and sit down by the fire, holding a child on his lap to give them their present. Seeing him waving outside on Christmas Eve will always be a jolly tradition for our family! This year, since we cannot be together, I have replayed the video that I took last year, so that I may savor hearing the shrills of excitement from the children. It is the best gift ever!

When I lived in Germany as a child, my parents gave me twelve little red elves to place on our dining room table. One year, our dog licked off the hand-painted face of one, and a few others have been lost through the years, but five still remain, and continue to make me smile as they hop on the candelabra for my littlest grandchildren to discover! Magically, each day before Christmas, they dance around to various positions on the dining room table, and... up far enough from our dog, Miss Zsa Zsa’s, reach! Our grandchildren happily decorate the dining room table, hence the extensive army of nutcrackers and reindeer!

Here is a recent tradition that was kindly shared with me two years ago by a darling subscriber and dear friend, Mary E., who gave me the nod to share it with you. Have you heard of “Magic Reindeer Food?” Oh, it is a stupendously splendid activity for children! Each child is given a special bag of magic reindeer food to sprinkle on the lawn, near the chimney or front door on Christmas Eve. I saved one of the bags that Mary sent me last year to show you. What is the secret recipe? Mix dry oatmeal with a touch of glitter (or sprinkles, to be more environmentally correct). Our eight grandchildren sprinkle a pinch of magic food on the lawn, or over the snow, on Christmas Eve, just in time for Santa’s surprise visit.

With a name like Holly, I am always eager to learn more holiday secrets! Do share some of your holiday traditions, for all beliefs, during this festive season.

Wishing you all a happy Christmas and may your new year be filled with comfort and joy.

Sweet Memories of Christmases Past

Our Christmas tree tickles the 15’ high ceiling in the living room at Fox Hall. One year we had a live tree the same size, but the branches became stiff after a few weeks in the house. My son then had to use a chainsaw to cut the branches off so that it would fit back out through the doorway… hence the debut of an artificial tree!

As we embrace and celebrate this holiday season before us, I believe that 2020, a most challenging year, has opened our eyes wider and made us more grateful for our health, and life on earth, than ever before.  We also cherish our precious loved ones even more, especially when we cannot be with them.  

In the words of Norman Vincent Peale, “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”  

Have you ever considered creating a few “petite vignettes” on tabletops as a quiet nod and serene gesture to decorating for the holidays? A Christmas tree that fills the room or one that touches the ceiling is also oh, so joyful and majestic! Yet, discovering a few little, almost secret, treasured festive displays sprinkled around the house is a tender tribute to the magic of the season with a hint of innocence ... conjuring the sweet memories of Christmases past.

A collection of Austrian bronze deer have made their appearance each year, bounding onto one sideboard in the dining room, peacefully grazing near a miniature candle tree.

Mummy loved this sparkly, miniature musical tree. The sound of the music is magical and it reminds me that my parents are there with me in spirit the very moment I hear the first note. I wind it up to hear the music as I begin to arrange the charming orchestra of hand-carved angels from Germany, a collection added to each year by my son-in-law’s thoughtful German family.   

Enchantment often comes in small packages, just like tender loving gestures and a few well placed Lilliputian decorations! What are some of yours?

Grandmillennial Tips:
Place an ornament as an embellishment when presenting a tray of hors d’oeuvres. A dab of poster board clay on the bottom will keep it from falling off. This little Herend bunny elf, given to me by my amazing mother-in-law, dances and kicks his festive gold-tipped shoes up at my guests!

Pluck a few sprigs of holly to adorn your hors d’oeuvres, or on your butter plates. Be careful to discard any red berries from the holly. Do NOT bring the red berries into the house if you have children as they are poisonous!

Making your at-home office reflect your style!

Having a grand view is undoubtedly a luxury, especially while seated at an at-home office desk! The daylight shining in will enhance your face naturally for virtual meetings. This stunning office space is featured inside of Joy de Rohan Chabot's 15th century French chateau.

Several darling subscribers inquired about how to enhance their new WFH (work from home) office. If you have space to dedicate as your WFH office, have fun with it! Allow your new "office" to reflect your personality, passions, and interests in the same way that you would treat the interiors of your house. Quietly adorn the background for a Zoom meeting in a classic and timeless way. Perhaps a Christmas wish list for a few goodies to enhance your WFH office is in order?!

It is imperative to create a dedicated workspace that reflects you, makes you happy, and maintains the distinction between work and play... yet, it does not have to be all work and no play, right? Create a place you want to spend time in, yet structured enough that you will work! My daughter-in-law, Karen, and I are designing a stunning workspace for a very notable CEO, who will be working from her Florida home in the winter, instead of Connecticut. Here are a few suggestions we considered; ones you may want to think about as well:

~ If you are fortunate to have an ocean view or something marvelous to look at, treat yourself to that view when positioning your desk, even if it means your desk is not in a traditional position in the room!

~Thoughtfully contemplate the “background” for your Zoom sessions. A sense of symmetry is always pleasing. A fireplace, a lovely piece of artwork, even a black television screen work well. It is best not to have a window as the background unless the curtains are closed, as the light source will overpower the viewer’s computer image, and it will be challenging for your audience to see you from their screens.

If you have to sit in front of existing wallpaper, consider that what you wear for the Zoom meeting should ultimately complement the colors and design on the walls, and not fight with it! This space was designed by Susan Farcy Interior Design.

~If your wallpaper design is too busy, think about painting the room or one wall for your Zoom background. Choose a color you adore! At Fox Hall, my office is a Benjamin Moore OC-73 “Opal White,” a yummy peachy white, naturally enhancing any outfit or complexion! Or, simply paint the room all white, while also keeping the decorative distractions minimal.

~ Another chair with an ottoman or a chaise in the office is not just a decadent accessory! Use it to take a break from your desk, to read, or contemplate your work... and hopefully, not fall asleep!

~Place a tray upon the ottoman for another surface to hold your necessary papers for the day.

~Transform an existing chest-of-drawers into a credenza for your files, papers, etc. Move your clothes to another location if possible.

~Consider using a sleek desk. We specified a stunning glass desk for our client that will allow the new decorative carpet, a handsome statement piece, to be admired!

Since you are home, why not indulge in an attractive lamp and flowers or a pretty plant for your desk? This WFH area was designed by Elizabeth Guest featuring Brunschwig and Fils curtains.

~Good light is essential, whether daylight or task lighting. Splurge on an attractive lamp for your desk, one that you delight in each time you turn it on! Add a light fixture above for an added light source.

~Keep a vase of flowers on your desk or an orchid plant, creating a sense of luxury, which will transform the workplace into a place you want to work.

~Get the best and most comfortable desk chair you can afford. Think white, instead of black, for the upholstery. If you sit at the desk minimally, think about using an attractive side chair instead of a swivel work chair.

~ Add a decorative kidney-shaped pillow (rectangular shape vs. square) to place behind your back for lumbar support and added beauty to the room!

~Install curtain panels that are “inter-lined” in flannel. They will not only look attractive and hang brilliantly, but will assist in noise reduction. When a window is behind you, close the curtain panels to eliminate daylight for a Zoom call.

~Arrange to have more plug sockets installed near your desk, a charging station, and have the cords hidden in a box. Cable organizer boxes are available in white or black from Amazon.

~If you need a television to watch the stock market or breaking news, think about its placement and how the light sources in the room will affect viewing the screen.

~Hang artwork that speaks to you so that you can embrace the “uniquely-you-atmosphere,” bringing you joy when you enter into your home office, yet, discrete enough for a workspace.

~ Finally, try your best to eliminate clutter on your desk. Good luck with that aspect! (Ha! Note to self, Holly!)

Notice how all of these “make-do” home offices have beautiful lamps and flowers. These added accessories are what make your work environment beautiful and add a layer of decadence to your new work and living space. Treat yourself to these adornments as a little happy gift to see each day! This image is from flowermag.com and features Loggia wallpaper from Meg Braff Designs.

Grandmillennial Tips:
Of course, a separate office room is ideal! If space and budget are limited, have an open mind and think of potential workspace differently: create a desk under a staircase, transform a closet or niche into a work surface with shelves above, or install a floating work shelf without legs on a wall.

For visual Zoom continuity, take photographs of the background of where you sit at your desk, both day and night. Use these as a digital backdrop for your Zoom calls when you have to leave your office and Zoom from a different location.

A scarf as art? We choose to have a 35” x 35” Hermes scarf framed to hang on the wall behind a desk in Boston. I doubt anyone on a Zoom call would even know what it is because of the architectural design elements and neutral colors. Yet, the scarf adds a subtle touch of glamour to the office, reflecting the CEO’s personality and penchant for fashion!

Forbidden Faux Pas:
No-no: To have photographs of your family displayed in the background for your Zoom.
What is done: Strive to create an illusion that you are indeed working. Place your beloved pictures on your desk to enjoy, privately!

Part II Stewart Parvin: A Private Interview!

What a joy it is to continue on with Part II of my interview with Stewart Parvin, the brilliant royal couturier, who has garnered a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty The Queen!

Manners that Matter:

My newsletter, Mummy’s Monday Manners and Lessons for Lovely Living, is a tribute to my Mum and all that I learned from her!  Did your mother have a big influence on you?

My mother and grandmother have both had a huge influence on me and my manners. Being able to chat politely about nothing in particular, knowing which knife and fork to use and how to use it, should never ever be underestimated!!!  

 Was your mother or father a stickler for manners, and if so, what stands out in particular? 

I was having a socially distanced walk past Fortnum and Mason on Saturday with a dear friend, and we were discussing this very topic and drinking a paper cup of takeaway coffee at the same time.  We both agreed that our mothers would be horrified that we were drinking in public whilst walking down the street! As my mother would say “It’s VERY common” and I hate myself every time I do it! I also still can’t go to bed without brushing my hair which is my grandmother’s influence! 

What advice has served you well when working with a notable and noble clientele? 

When I first started out, a society hairdresser told me that I should never, ever refer to my clients by their Christian name and it’s something that I still do to this day, except in very few, very special circumstances. I now have one very grand-titled client who always berates me for calling her by her correct title, however despite our close friendship both working and personal, whilst in the boutique, I would never dream of doing it any other way. It allows for no personal conflict in what is a professional environment.

Covid Related:

What inspired you to make and donate scrubs to hospitals?  (Well done you!)  

Louisa, my assistant, lives in Windsor Castle (a long story!!) and a member of the castle community put the word out that the health service needed enormous amounts of scrubs for our dedicated healthcare workers. Through the kind donation of many of our fabric suppliers and the hard work of our seamstresses, we were able to help.

We’re in the middle of a pandemic, and people are not going out to events such as lunches, meetings, and big weddings.  I am curious as to what people are buying, how it has changed, and how is that translating into what you are designing presently during Covid?  

During the summer when here in Great Britain the rules for lockdown were eased slightly, we were lucky enough that weddings could take place with smaller numbers and people increasingly took to the idea of celebrating with real style at intimate gatherings. We were lucky enough to be involved in one such event when we assisted HRH Princess Beatrice by re-styling one of her grandmother's, Queen Elizabeth II’s vintage Norman Hartnell dresses into a wedding dress truly fit for a Princess!

This season we’ve created a special selection of items within the main collection which are specifically geared towards relaxing at home – there’s no need to be slovenly in isolation! We’ve created wonderful stretch velvet palazzos, leggings, and deluxe joggers to team with silk knit tees, vibrantly printed sweatshirts, and casual but luxurious silk shirts. Most of these are available to order in standard sizes from our new online boutique. We also have created many classic easy, glamorous separates like our Grace Kelly pants with their sophisticated ease and “cargo” skirts that are easy fit options. Whilst these aren’t available on the online shop, we’ve done wonderful business with our loyal clientele who are happy to order many of the easier fitting items through a telephone consultation. 

What do you think your clientele is yearning for — besides the end of the pandemic!  What do they want, as they look forward, in terms of clothes? 

I think my clientele, like everybody else, is desperate to be able to get dressed up, go out and have fun seeing all their dear friends at proper social occasions. Here’s to getting the jewellery out of the safe, putting on a hat, and having a wonderful time at Royal Ascot in 2021!   (Alleluia to that!) 

For the first time ever, Stewart Parvin is now launching an online purchasing option! 

An exclusive womenswear collection, in sizes 8-18, is now available online, with complimentary fabric swatches, and no charge for shipping internationally. Made to order in his West London studios, the online selection is perfect for staying chic whilst relaxing at home.

I do hope you have enjoyed this peek into the world of Stewart Parvin as much as I did! 

Part 1 Stewart Parvin: A Private Interview!

Stewart Parvin has earned a Royal Warrant of Appointment as a mark of recognition for the couture clothes he has designed for HM The Queen of England.

If you are familiar with Belgravia, London, chances are that you know of Mr. Stewart Parvin, the brilliant couturier behind some of the most titled people in the world, including Her Majesty The Queen of England. Stewart Parvin received his Royal Warrant in 2007, and has also earned an MVO (Member of the Royal Victorian Order, a British order of knighthood). 

Mr. Parvin’s window creations at his shop stopped me in my tracks, and enticed me to enter quicker than a wink! My daughter, Alexandra, and I were immediately ensconced! It is a classical couture haven. Chance would have it that while we were blissfully savouring his elegant collections, we had the honor of meeting Mr. Parvin. His charming demeanor and talents were palpable. 

It was most kind of Mr. Parvin to participate and share his insight into the world of Stewart Parvin. I could not bare to condense any part of this interview, so there will be two newsletters because his answers are like a decadent, double-layered box of fine chocolates… you just crave more! I am grateful to share Part I with you today. 

When did you know you wanted to be a designer and study fashion at Edinburgh College of Art? 

I knew I wanted to be a designer from a very young age. By three I was telling my mother not only what I wanted to wear, but what she should buy and how she should accessorize it! I was fortunate to attend a kindergarten where the owner had a beautiful home and dressed in the most wonderful clothes. Every morning I would be excited to see what she was wearing – at that age I knew the difference between Chanel and St Laurent!! 

Is there a designer you have always admired, and why?

There are many designers I’ve always admired, but my favourites are Hubert de Givenchy and Valentino – but I love the classic American luxe sportswear of Halston, Claire McCardell and Bill Blass. I admire them for their easy, relaxed, and sophisticated style, combining wear-ability and glamour.

 Was there ever a time you doubted yourself in the context of your talents, or just in life?

I remember just before I started my business in the mid 90’s I was working for a large eveningwear manufacturer whilst all my friends were working in Milan for the likes of Giorgio Armani and Max Mara, and I wondered “am I ever going to make my mark?” Thankfully opening my business and starting my collection in 1995 gave me the focus I needed to channel my creativity in a new and better direction.

 Where do you draw your inspiration from?  

Whilst I find art, travel, and cinema inspirational, it tends to be my clients and their desires that are the creative impetus behind my collection.

Before you opened your own firm, what was the one thing you learned from working alongside designer, Mr. Donald Campbell? 

There were many things I learned from Mr. Campbell who was a designer of great style, and with an exceptional eye. The most cherished thing I take away from my time with him is the knowledge and detail involved on the technical side of creativity. He taught me the importance of precise pattern cutting and how you can adapt a model pattern to fit a real customer, emphasizing the best features whilst disguising the less perfect.

Do you have a favorite fabric that you like to work with? Is there one that is your signature fabric?

 There are so many amazing fabrics available to work with these days, but my go-to signature is double wool crepe – which has amazing versatility and comes in the most incredible range of colours. Nobody can ever look wrong in beautifully tailored and impeccably crafted Italian double wool crepe.

Classic women’s clothing, like classic interior design, is timeless. A simple shift dress is as lovely today as it was when Jackie Kennedy was the First Lady of the US. How do you at “Stewart Parvin” use designs from decades ago, today, and how do you make them current?

I absolutely love the classics such as the shift dress. What I find is that there are so many subtle differences in firstly people’s figures, secondly in fit and thirdly in the trend at that moment in time, that all of these tiny adjustments can make turn something classic into something modern, young and relevant to a new audience.

Do you have a particular creation that you are most proud of?

I’m constantly striving to make my most recent creation the one I’m most proud of – I think that’s what drives one as a designer. 

Historically one of my proudest fashion moments was creating a state gown worn by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which was initially designed for the state opening of parliament – a very formal occasion when the Queen is dressed in full ceremonial robes and presents a speech at the House of Lords wearing the Imperial State Crown. This dress was created out of vintage embroidered satin in a design that paid slight homage to the dress Normal Hartnell made for Her Majesty’s coronation in 1953. The dress I designed achieved international renown when it was worn by the Queen in a set of photographs taken by Annie Liebovitz for Vanity Fair.

“Do you have a favorite color for your designs? (My signature color is pink!)

Snap! My favourite colour is pink too…. and navy blue! ”

When designing a wedding gown (your creations are enchantingly divine!) how do you decide the style for a client?  

As with all of my clients, I don’t start out by dictating a silhouette – a quick chat with several nuanced questions will quickly lead me towards the style direction I think we should go. With brides I find this can be a lengthy process as we often have to try many and various options, normally coming back to my initial concept!

What recommendations do you have for designing for women of a certain age? How can they remain fashionable without looking frumpy or dowdy?

It’s very easy for women of a certain age to remain fashionable. It’s usually about proportion – maybe not quite so short, low, tight as a few years ago!! Always emphasize the best bits whilst disguising the bits you’d draw a veil over! In essence - give a nod to your age but don’t be a slave to it!!

In 2016, you designed the lovely dress for HM The Queen that she wore when presenting you with the MVO award. What inspired you to make it purple?

The Queen kindly wore an outfit I’d designed for her when she presented me with my MVO.  It was a dress and jacket of the most wonderful purple and subtle gold lame brocade – a colour that particularly suits her. When designing for Her Majesty a bold choice of colour is often at the forefront of my thoughts. The Queen herself once famously said “I have to be seen to be believed” and strong bold colours not only enable her to stand out in a crowd but also suit her beautifully. 

Your iconic coat and dress designs never cease to amaze me, especially with the delicate nuances, which make them emblematic to your style. When designing a coat with a matching dress, which do you design first?

It depends on many factors whether I design the coat or the dress first. Sometimes stunning printed silk will be the initial focus so the dress comes to mind first, whilst on other occasions, I’ll have an idea for a detail on a coat necessitating the dress design fitting in with that, so as not to be seen beyond a subtle hint of neckline or collar. 

How do you determine the colors each season?
Do you have any projections about colors and fabrics for 2021?

Under normal circumstances, every season one goes to Paris for the bi-annual exhibition where fabric of every hue, texture and style is available to the fashion trade. As such my eye, like other designers be they fashion or interiors, have an innate sense of the new colours we’re going to be working with. This comes I think from having observed each seasons coming colour palettes, watched the world around us go by and as such a feeling for the tones and shades we’ll be drawn towards each season. Having said this I know that my clientele being as they are, will always want to see shades of blues be it royal, powder or navy in the collection, because that always suits the skin tone of the English rose in a way that the beiges and neutral tones suit an Italian complexion.

 In my collection for 2021 we’ll be seeing delicate shades of pale rose, primrose yellow and gentian blue.

Have you ever heard of the term, “Loose covers?”

The Brunschwig & Fils chintz, in the notable Campanula pattern, has a solid blue chintz ¼” contrast welt and skirt edging.

Mummy always said, “To get your house in order, host a party or invite house guests. It is amazing what one can get done with that incentive!”

Being a designer, the month of November, in normal times, has garnered the reputation as “crunch month” in order to achieve miraculous design installations for clients. The deadline of Thanksgiving is the goal to spruce up their houses before family and friends arrive!

The use of slipcovers, aka ‘loose covers’ in the UK, immediately comes to mind as a charming notion to spruce up a tired piece of upholstery, or to offer an attractive new garment for your furniture any time of year! A slipcover is a custom-made cover, which can be put on or taken off of a piece of upholstered furniture. It can be made with just about any fabric, yet most traditionally, they are made of cotton, chintz, linen, damask, or even white muslin.

In England, the loose covers are just that… slightly loose. In America, they tend to be more snug, with the appearance of actually being upholstery.

Slipcovers can be changed intermittently for the seasons, to protect the furniture from dust, sun, or even storage. The myriad of times I have toured the handsome, historic Governor's Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia, the checkered cotton slipcovers, which are simply made, loose and unembellished, always capture my attention as a timeless and sensible decorative element, and historically correct.

When I specify slipcovers, I try to incorporate a contrasting welt, which means that the piping that adorns the seams is made in a solid color fabric to complement the fabric design. I use a flat ¼” welt for the edging of the skirt. I also use a colorful twisted ¼” cord with tape, to accent a plain fabric, so that the cord becomes the decorative detail that distinguishes the bespoke cover.

This fireside chair is not slipcovered, but I am displaying it as an example of how a contrast welt works well as a tailored detail. The Ralph Lauren linen hunt print fabric (which is now discontinued) has a burgundy, solid-colored chintz as the contrast welt and edging. The box-pleated skirt is at home in the Hunt Room at Fox Hall.

Slipcovers usually have zippers, or sometimes buttons, which are applied to a side or back seam, in order to remove them. Whilst filming my television episode with Lady Carnarvon at Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey, I noticed that in the enchanting “Morning Sitting Room” the muted, English floral patterned chintz loose covers that graced the two fireside chairs and sofa, did not have zippers, but instead, the sweetest row of petite ‘hooks-and-eyes.’

More examples are featured in my first design book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room.

Grandmillennial Tips:

Slipcovers on dining chairs are a stupendous method for keeping the actual chair upholstery fresh from little children’s sticky hands.  And even without children, the appearance of a slipcover is a tailored, old-school touch to add to a dining room chair. 

Have fun when designing slipcover skirts!  From scalloped edges to pleated or gathered skirts, I like to pretend I am designing a darling dress-skirt for the furniture to wear.

Dining Room chairs are the perfect candidates for slipcovers, and this scalloped edge adds a touch of whimsy.

Slipcovers can also be laminated, depending on the fabric, and it is usually best applied to flat, cotton fabrics. This technique offers a brilliant cleanability for a well-used chair in the kitchen!

Be clever and design two-room schemes for the same room! Consider having summer slipcovers made in a cool cotton, linen or chintz fabric, which naturally gives a summery feel to a room! For the winter, change them to a soft wool or cotton velvet to give warmth and texture. Of course, these seasonal changes are all dependent on the other design aspects of the room, for a complimentary appearance.

Exude confidence with your carriage!

My most favorite Edward Degas painting, “Dancers in Pink,” is a treasure featured in the Living Room at the Hill Stead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut.

With the constant use of face masks in public, the art of smiling with your eyes has become perfected as our adapted manner of communicating without facial smiles being visible!  I think of a smile as a kind acknowledgment of someone’s presence. Now, my eyes have to perform double-time with a mask on! 

Another way to silently communicate, and quite effectively with or without masks, is the art of standing straight, aka the art of deportment. The way we carry ourselves relays grace with our poise and carriage. Did you listen to your Mum when she said, “Stand straight, pull your shoulders back!”? I have flashbacks of the movie, The Titanic, at teatime, where a mother gestured to her daughter to sit up straight and not touch the chair with her back. While we are not as formal as in that scenario, good posture is still considered a sign of good-breeding and a secret code handed down from mothers (and fathers) to their daughters and sons. This gesture is equivalent to the significance of a firm handshake and a “how do you do?”  It is a silent signal of confidence, polish, and grace. 

While attending a tea in NYC, a lovely young lady approached me to chat. Instinctively, I admired her posture and the elegant way she held her head high and her neck straight; she was incredibly graceful. After a while, I inquired if she had been a dancer. It was no surprise to learn that she had performed ballet in an international arena. Her walk and stance were poised, effortless, and not exaggerated in any way. She appeared confident and elegant. Her refinement inspired me straight away. I began to stand taller! Good posture can be pleasantly contagious to those around you. 

While working at home during Covid at a desk, table, or even on a sofa, it is quite easy to ignore our posture. Consider being conscious of your carriage today. Make a concerted effort to walk taller and sit with an elegant purpose. Go out with a mask on, smiling eyes, and the awareness of a newly inspired finesse to your carriage. Good posture is commensurate to wearing a beautiful outfit; it conveys a tenacity and self-assured spirit!   

We have to admit, our mothers were right all along with their proper prodding! The lesson learned is to stand tall.  Pay this lesson forward.   And, oh, by the way, are your shoulders back?! 

Oh, joy! I just was informed by the charming and creative Director of the Hill Stead Museum, Anna Swinbourne, that they will be collaborating with the Ballet Theatre Company to create a brilliant reimagining of the Nutcracker on the carriage porch, which will have a dance floor installed in it. The dancers will perform for 25-30 minute excerpts, from the full ballet, inside the glassed-in walls, while the visitors, safely spaced, will watch from the outside, as they sip hot chocolate… visions of looking at your very own snow globe. I am pirouetting! From Nov. 28 to December 20th, 2020, peek at www.hillstead.org to discover more details.

Grandmillennial Tips:

A dear friend of mine, a noted plastic surgeon, remarked that this generation of cell phone users are continually gazing down.  This action will begin to take its toll on their necks. The remedy is to hold your phone up in front of your eyes, not below them. This technique may seem strange at first, but you will begin to notice the difference in your posture and you will save your neck from aging prematurely. That free advice is a golden nugget, right? 

The same is applicable for your computer screen. Boost it upward so that your eyes are looking to the center of the screen. My computer screen is now on top of a stack of Sotheby’s and Christie’s catalogs, which work brilliantly to save my neck... and my pocketbook!

Elegant Earrings... For Your Walls?!

Our living room at Fox Hall features a pair of antique, Italianate gilded wall brackets on either side of our painting of a terrier. We discovered the painting at a gallery in Prague, and our children all voted to buy it. To this day, it is one of their favorite pieces! Mummy found the antique pair of Chinese porcelain jars in Hong Kong back in the 1960’s, and I think the graceful curves of the brackets complement the curves of the porcelain.

A pair of lovely wall brackets will enhance any wall... in any type of interior!

In my Lessons for Lovely Living, decorative wall brackets seem like an appropriate topic to discuss at the beginning of November. I am steering away from our national election issues, and instead will focus on home sweet home! This time of year, quite fittingly, many wish to spruce up interior areas for the upcoming holidays, even during Covid times.

The Canton porcelain pieces, which flank either side of a portrait of my grandfather, required rather large wall brackets!

Use your imagination, and join me in envisioning wall brackets as pretty drop-earrings that adorn a wall! Wall brackets are stands that support three-dimensional artwork such as porcelain pieces, sculptures, clocks, and even candlestick holders. They have graced interiors in Europe for centuries. A charming pair of 1760-80, gilded shell wall brackets from England even embellish the front parlor of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Wall brackets are my go-to for enhancing a wall space inside of Fox Hall, and for my clients.

This pair is based on an 18th-century design and are hand carved with an antique gold gilt. Scully and Scully offer some lovely options.

Wall brackets give dimension to a wall. If purchased in pairs (highly recommended!), they add glorious symmetry when placed on either side of a featured piece of artwork or a looking glass (mirror). I refer to them in my book, The Pretty & Proper Living Room. Wall brackets come in all sizes, shapes, and forms. They can be made of gilded wood, stone, plaster, acrylic, and other media forms.

Like picture frames, wall brackets should complement the object they hold, and the room they are displayed within. When you discover a pretty pair, my recommendation is to buy them! My husband and I purchased a set of four gilded brackets from the Mario Buatta sale at Sotheby’s in NYC, and they are patiently waiting to be appointed to a wall in Fox Hall!

While shopping for a client in Palm Beach, I spied these fun and attractive acrylic wall brackets at the store HIVE.

Grandmillennial Tips:

When you have a piece of porcelain, such as a vase or a Chinese ginger jar, and wish to display it on a wall bracket, remember to measure the widest point, as the widest point will push the piece away from the wall, sometimes further than just the base. It may require a larger shelf surface, necessary for the item to appropriately fit. I once purchased a rather buxom pair of Canton vases. It was a challenge to find a large enough shelf on the wall bracket to place them on, but eventually, I found a pair! 

From overzealous, dusting endeavorist housekeepers, to slamming doors, remember to use some “museum putty” under the pieces displayed to keep them in place on the wall brackets. 

 There is nothing like pretty earrings to finish off an elegant outfit, so let your imagination go wild with the array of possibilities of what to display on your wall brackets! There are endless options. Look around your house for a pair of “something pretty” and ponder… are they wall bracket-worthy?!

Forbidden Faux Pas:

No-no: To hang a pair of wall brackets too high when used to grace either side of a piece of artwork!

No-no: Try not to only center the wall bracket on the piece of art, but instead, center the entire composition of both the wall bracket and the item that is placed upon it. If anything, the composition can be hung a scant lower than dead center of the artwork.

Another Use For Your “Guardian” Staffordshire Dogs!

Please, Do Come In!

A little hand-written note like this is a thoughtful way to let your party guests know that they may enter the house and not wait outside until someone answers the door!

As always, I am grateful for your subscribership to MMM!  Thank you for your thoughtful questions.  They serve to inspire me for new topics, like this one, which I received last week:

“If you are hosting a bridal shower or the like, and someone says they’d like a tour of your house… what do you say?  It seems very rude, to me, to ask such a thing.  Am I wrong in thought??  I’d love YOUR thoughts on this.”

While it may be considered impolite to pose such a question, it can also be interpreted as a compliment to the homeowner!  Keep in mind that your darling guests are not trying to offend you; quite the opposite.  You have created a beautiful and inviting house, and they only wish to see more, as odd as that might seem. But, if you choose not to take them on a tour, my suggested responses are: 

“I was so focused on preparing for this event that I am afraid the rest of the house is not ready for a tour today, but perhaps another time?!” 

“I cannot show you that area of the house today, but let me show you… the verandah!”

A similar situation: Our former nanny is now married and living in a grand house on a lake outside of Minneapolis.  It still boasts the reputation of the famous owner who had previously lived there.  When she hosts large cocktail fundraising events, inevitably, guests are inquisitive and begin to stray away on their own to explore areas she would prefer them not to venture into.  She asked me how to discourage guests, whom she doesn’t know, from wandering about and exploring bedrooms. 

I, too, can relate to this situation.  Before Covid, when hosting fundraising events at Fox Hall (when I may not personally know all of the guests), on a few occasions I have glanced up the staircase to see a rogue guest on their way up to the Ballroom, inviting themselves to discover it on the third floor!

While I adore sharing the history of our 1803 house and giving tours, I invite guests to join me on a tour on my timeframe, when I can accompany them.

A few Staffordshire dogs work well as a deterrent during large, fundraising events... as long as Miss Zsa Zsa doesn’t try to eat them or play with them as fellow canines!

One way to discourage wandering guests is to hang a small ribbon across the stairway or place two chairs in the hallway with a ribbon tied between them.  Placing a vase with flowers on the floor or on a table in the center of a doorway is also an attractive deterrent.  Sometimes I even like to assemble a few porcelain pieces, such as my ‘fur-ocious’ Staffordshire dogs, on one of the staircase steps. Guests instinctively understand what these attractive “roadblocks” are meant to indicate… well, hopefully, they will!  

I am interested to hear what discreet “roadblocks” you have used and which ones have worked well for you?

My husband, Stuart, moved the pumpkin to the center of our front door momentarily, while he was potting the two holly bushes. I looked at it and thought this may be a subtle way to display the pumpkin on Halloween to indicate no trick-or-treating during this crazy Covid time.

Grandmillennial Tip:

The opposite of keeping guests out of certain areas is to invite them to come in!  When hosting a party, I place a small note on the unlocked front door which reads: “Please, do come in!”  I try not to have guests standing outside waiting for someone to open the door, especially with the inclement weather in New England! 

If you watch the Netflix series, Emily in Paris, in Season 1, Episode 8, Emily visits a lovely family chateau in Reims, the Champagne region of France. Upon meeting the Madame, Emily says, “Oh, the chateau is so beautiful, I’d love a tour!” The response from Madame was, "We don’t give tours of the chateau, we live here! If you’d like a vineyard tour there is one in 30 minutes." 

P.S.  I received several inquiries about the wall paint color for the "porcelain wallpaper" in our Butler's Pantry. It is a flat latex, in Benjamin Moore #805 ‘New York City State of Mind!'

Ever consider having “porcelain wallpaper?”

The Butler's Pantry at Fox Hall is now adorned with various blue and white plates. Mummy purchased the large round platter, over the coat closet door, when we lived in Taipei, and trust me, it weighs a ton!

If you’re an avid collector of china patterns, such as myself, you’d agree that one can never have too many china designs.  Plates, platters, service pieces, oh my!   Like me, if you have a penchant for collecting various sets of china, it can be a challenge to find ample storage space for them. Fortunately, many historic, or turn-of-the-century houses, have Butler’s Pantries designated for this purpose.  Even so, what do you do if you are challenged with a lack of space to store your acquired stacks of pretty plates?

Here is part of the answer!  First, let me share a short story… 

The week before Lady Carnarvon flew over from Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey, to attend a luncheon I hosted on my verandah at Fox Hall for 45 ladies, the plumber came to change the faucet in the laundry room, located just above our Butler’s Pantry.  He neglected to turn off the water main… old house, old pipes!  Yes, indeed.  The pipes broke and water instantly gushed through the ceiling, ruining the Butler’s Pantry cabinets, floor, and beyond.  A temporary ceiling was installed a day before the party, not that I was inviting anyone in to see the disaster area, but because the show must go on!  

New cabinetry was designed, which offered a vast amount of new storage space for more plates.  Hmmm, a silver lining in that black cloud, right?  I was on the search for a replacement wallpaper too. My vision was to have a blue and white Canton porcelain design, but as each wallpaper sample arrived, while pretty, none were quite right. 

In a pinch, days before another dinner party, I had the walls painted a deep blue.  When I stored all of the china away during the renovation, I discovered some old boxes with stacks of blue and white plates that were long forgotten!  It was an ah-ha moment!  I would make my own wallpaper design out of china plates.  In essence, I hung plates all over the painted walls as a faux wallpaper design.  And that is what I refer to as my “porcelain wallpaper.”  It features a charming dimension and authentic sheen that only plates can achieve!  Dinner on the wall, anyone? 

Fox Hall has the original "Butler's call-box," pictured in the center. When the ringers are pressed from various rooms, the little arrows dance back and forth. The children used to push the call buttons in their bedrooms, hoping the butler would magically appear. I imagine he must have been hard of hearing!

Grandmillennial Tips:

If you inherit an abundance of plates, platters, or saucers, or when you spy a box of plates for sale at an estate or church sale, think “porcelain wallpaper” in a kitchen, Butler’s Pantry, laundry room, or even in a bathroom!   Not that we are all entertaining during COVID, but we do have the time to re-design and decorate while repurposing pieces we already own.

Hang plates on your cabinet doors, unless you have a heavy-handed family! It works well in the Butler's Pantry, and I was able to display the Meissen cobalt blue plates that I never used, and Mummy's Imari plates, too. Over the window are some antique tiles that my daughter, Alexandra, purchased in England and gave to me. Do not hesitate to mix and match patterns, shapes, and sizes, as long as the color theme is consistent.

Plate hangers are available at any hardware store or online on Amazon.  I also use a dab of posterboard putty to hold them in place.

Extraordinary French decorative arts and porcelains are displayed in the many well-appointed rooms at Hillwood Estate.

Treat yourself to a visit to the Hillwood Estate, Marjorie Merriweather Post’s home, heiress to the Post cereal fortune, in Washington D.C.  Mrs. Post was not only an avid collector but one of Washington’s most exalted and admired hostesses of her time.  To put her hostess adroitness in perspective, her other house was Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.  Yes, she could entertain on a rawwther grand scale!  Observing her vast collection of stunningly remarkable porcelain service pieces, as they peeked through the glass cabinet doors in the Butler’s Pantry, I left with an indelible impression and could relate to her appreciation for pretty plates.  Put this venue on your “must-visit” the next time you are in Washington.

What Does Your China Say About You?

Break Out Mummy's China! 

Collecting various china patterns through the years has been a joy. My two favorite colors have obviously attracted my eye: pink and cobalt blue! Mummy's white Wedgwood is next to my grandmother’s floral Bavarian plate, pictured in the center.

One of my sweet subscribers, Nikki, wrote to me after reading last week's topic of choosing a color and theme to build upon: 

“My Southern belle mother always said that the lady of the house should decorate the dining room in her most flattering color.  At the table, she is the star of the evening and the walls behind her are her stage.  To this day, the walls of my dining room are the same shade of green as my eyes.  I always feel more confident and prettier in that room!” 

What a lovely observation! This inspired me to write about your choice in china, because china patterns serve to accent and flatter your dining room, and you, too.  China designs are a splendid way to mirror your personality, complement an occasion, and enhance a dining experience!  Observing the china pattern a hostess chooses for an event is tantamount to reading tea leaves; it tells so much in a delightfully subtle way. 

When I was a twenty-one-year-old bride, Mummy suggested that I choose a white set of china, one that could cross over from informal to formal. My parents moved around to various places in the world every two or three years, so she spoke from experience.  Her solid ivory-white Wedgwood pattern would dovetail into the dining room color scheme she was greeted with and could harmonize with any occasion, floral arrangement, or country.  My word, I don’t know how she did it, but she would host a formal dinner party within a week of moving into a new domicile! 

I have collected many patterns, but I continue to use her Wedgewood, along with her pretty floral Bavarian porcelain plates, which she inherited from her mother. Now, the same floral plates (in the center of the above photograph) grace my springtime dinner parties at Fox Hall.

When selecting your china patterns, think about the colors and themes that make you happy!  My daughter, Alexandra, adores her Herend Chinese Bouquet in Raspberry, and my other daughter, Caroline, chose Haviland Parlon Syracuse in Turquoise. Again, these represent their favorite colors that they use for both their wardrobe and interiors.

I have been asked if one can appropriately mix patterns during the same dining event. Mummy taught me that a salad course or dessert course is the optimal time to slip in a different china pattern, as long as it complements the overall scheme of the table and dinner plate pattern. I collect various plates just for this purpose, to add variety and shake it up a bit, versus using a matchy-matchy set throughout the dinner party.

Is there a difference between formal and informal?  Indeed! To me, the quality of the porcelain and the amount of gold embellishment on a plate is what contributes to the formality of the design.  When I first started my interior design business, I was invited to design a formal dining room for the Junior League of Hartford’s Showhouse, so I asked Tiffany & Company to collaborate with me. I chose an exquisitely formal pattern: Royal Copenhagen’s Flora Danica porcelain plates. To this day, it is my most beloved, formal pattern. Take a quick tour with me in the bridal registry at Scully and Scully, Park Avenue, NYC. 

Grandmillennial Tips:

Consider buying sets of china at auction, where your dollars will go much further. From a few plates to extensive porcelain sets, when purchasing at auction, plates tend to sell for a mere fraction of what the retail cost would be… even Flora Danica! 

During COVID, grand scale dinner parties certainly are not an option. But, may I suggest for your dinner tonight, or breakfast tomorrow, take out your prettiest plates? Begin to use them more often than just for special occasions. Whatever you serve, it will taste better, I promise!  

Welcome to our new sponsor!  

How delightful to discover a source for darling, traditionally designed clothes for my eight grandchildren! The clothing collection at Yellow Lamb is made with exceptional fabrics and can be passed down for generations to come. Adorable, well-made, and traditional are attributes that I admire. I just spied a “fox designed” dress… I wonder if they make it in my size?! 

Pearls of Design: What color and theme represent you?

When entertaining a large gathering, I utilize the space under the “Mene” bronze sculpture of horse and jockey by placing our collection of Fox-head goblets and derby cups. Mint juleps, anyone?

It has been said that one will meet a handful of people in their life who will share their magnanimous advice or touch one’s life in an impactful way, even though it may seem insignificant at the time. 

After 45 years of marriage, and after recently celebrating the wedding of a dear friend, I was inspired to share with you the advice that a dear friend, Marie deButts, gave me when I was a young bride. We met at the Deep Run Hunt Club, outside of Richmond, Virginia. She was twenty years older and I admired everything about her. On our long, glorious rides, I asked questions and relished her answers. We discussed everything, from how she furnished her plantation, to what design advice served Marie well. Here are two pieces of advice that I took to heart. Nothing earth-shattering, but in reality, these have impacted my life in a most positive way, which is the reason I am sharing them with you. Please share them too if you know of a young lady or gentleman just starting out!  

COLOR:  

Marie said to choose one, or possibly two, colors that you love to wear and build on them. Your entire wardrobe will blend well together forever, and the color you choose will become your trademark. Her color was red.  Well, you already know my color.  I love pink as much today as I did as a bride! From shoes to handbags, accessories, coats, and dresses, pink and green reign in my dressing room closet.

The same holds true for the colors in one’s house. Mummy loved cobalt blue, which I have also incorporated in various aspects of design in Fox Hall, from blue and white Chinese rugs to Canton porcelain, and a pastel blue bedroom. When my husband and I had a portrait commissioned of our children, they were dressed in tones of blue, which would have complemented just about any room at Fox Hall. While one of my daughters adores coral and turquoise, the other one is attracted to shades of yellows and pinks, which are incorporated in their wardrobes and interiors.

Atop our Hepplewhite mahogany card table is a collection of Meissen vases and Imari porcelain, placed under the English oil painting by Edwin Fox. This is another nod to the cobalt blue theme in our front hall.

THEME: 

Marie’s prudent tidbit of advice was to include design elements that you adore, and make them a theme to build upon in your house. She had a “running horse” gold belt buckle that enhanced her outfits. I was inspired and thought to myself, horses and foxes,  perhaps by osmosis, or by my ancestors who definitely passed the horse obsession gene along to me. Thank heavens my darling husband, Stuart, has supported my interest in British sporting art, silver foxes, hunt scene breakfast porcelain and accessories, and an 1803  house named Fox Hall!  

In my television series, I spoke about the porcelain room at Blenheim Palace, which features retired porcelain patterns.  Having one room dedicated to one theme is another way to give your house a unique and enchanting detail.

What speaks to your heart?  Whatever theme you choose, it will subtly give an insightful glimpse to others about your life experiences, travels, personality and it will tell your story. A house filled with good stories is rich with authentic patina, adding to its enchantment to others, and is rewarding to your eyes, too! 

(And Marie, I thank you for your advice and I  hope that you are galloping through the clouds of heaven on your handsome grey horse!)

The front hall at Fox Hall features my grandmother's cobalt blue Chinese rug which I inherited. Notice in the far corner is “Team Holden,” an antique bronze piece from Normandy, which we purchased in Paris. It gives us great joy and serves as a happy memento each morning as we descend the staircase.

Part II: My Interview With David P. Columbia!

This is the team that created the New York Social Diary, David P. Columbia and Jeff Hirsch. They have been working together for over twenty-two years, yet never in the same building together!

May I pour you another sip of fine wine and share another portion of my interview with David Patrick Columbia (DPC)?  Who knows, perhaps I will write even more at another point in time. Hopefully, after my incessant nudging to David to write his biography, he will someday. As you can imagine, he has a plethora of life experiences to share with the world.  David openly shared a glimmer with me, so that I may whisper them to you.
 

Holly:  Given all the brilliant parties you have attended in your life, does one sparkle in your memory bank more than any of the others?

David: One of the greatest dinner parties that I have ever attended in my life was hosted by Edie Goetz in LA.  Why?  Because it was perfect in every way!   Edith “Edie” Mayer Goetz hosted legendary dinners at her ‘Holmby Hills’ mansion, which was the epicenter of Hollywood for over twenty years. She was the “Queen of Hollywood!” The saying was, “What Edie wants, Edie gets!” Her father, Louis B. Mayer, built MGM into the most prestigious studio during Hollywood's golden age. Her sister, Irene, married Gone With the Wind producer and studio executive, David O. Selznick. And Edie's husband, Bill, ran 20th Century Fox, and then Universal-International.

Holly: I read that Edie had over sixty Impressionist paintings, which echoed the smooth elegance of her persona. 

David:  Edie had a beautiful house.  I don’t know how many there were numbers-wise but they filled the walls of her library, Living Room, Dining Room and entrance gallery, and her bedroom. Over the fireplace was a van Gogh self-portrait. The pastel interiors were designed by actor-turned-decorator William Haines.  She never discussed the interiors of the house, ever. That was because they were intended to look like her natural choices and collections. She created a social atmosphere that was very proper, with staff and chefs, which complemented the elegant decor of her house. It was a beautiful environment; it was very, very special.

Holly:  In your eyes, what was it that Edie did that made her such an exceptional hostess?

David:  When you went to her house, no matter who you were, if you were invited to be her guest, everyone was treated exactly the same, with the same respect and the same welcome.  At her house, everyone was treated well, very comfortably and very equally. No one got more attention than anyone else, even the movie stars.  Everyone was equal.  Quite simply, everyone at Edie’s table was a guest of Edie before they were anything else. And everybody treated each other that way too!  Cary Grant was actually just like David P. Columbia at the table because we were Madam’s guests.   

Holly:  How did the evening evolve? 

David: Guests arrived promptly at 7:30 in the evening… you arrived on time! The food was perfect, the service was perfect, the timing was perfect, and it felt very easy... she entertained you. Drinks were served in the library. After drinks, one crossed the Living Room to the Dining Room. Dinner was presented superbly in a candlelit dining room which glowed all over, the food had the reputation as being the best in LA, and it was impeccably served. Her butler came from the Royal Household. They were not called Butlers in England, but instead, Footmen and they served in all the royal households — Clarence House, Buck House, Windsor, Balmoral, etc. Edie’s staff were local people except for the butler and the chef — those two were top of the market. 

Afterward, the evening concluded with a  screening in the Living Room. The screen was concealed in the ceiling until the process of screening began. It was surreal. Watching a film and sitting amongst the actors in the movie. And then, she said good night. Her sister, Irene, once wrote, “Entertaining became her career.”

(I am only telling you the tip of the iceberg of this stunning story… David, please write your biography for all of us to savor!)

Holly:  As a thoughtful hostess, ‘charm’ to me is an essential factor, as charm contributes to making your guests feel comfortable.  How do you describe real charm?

David: I found out early on in life, real charm is when people feel comfortable around you. You make people feel comfortable around you by being polite, by paying attention, and by being kind, even under circumstances where kindness is not the first choice!  Because I am “nice,” I have had many opportunities to see, hear, and experience. Maybe not opportunities to make a lot of money, but opportunities to move around and make the most of whatever I have! 

Holly:  Do you think your background as a child contributed to your natural charm?

David: I came from a different world. We were poor; we were sub, not near the top. But because of my father’s early background in the 1920s and 1930s of being a chauffeur for the rich and famous, and because of my mother’s curiosity, I learned about the top and I pursued that. By the time I came along (the last of my father’s children) that was all PAST and memory.  I found the way to pursue it was to always be nice, and to overlook those who are not.  When people are not nice, I still remain nice, not phony.  It is actually to protect myself, and it provides opportunities because it makes it easier for other people to relate to you.  

Holly: We both have the same affinity for dogs! How many do you have now?

David: I have four dogs and a big soft spot for Shih Tzus.  The real reason animals are good for you is because the way they make YOU feel… good! The way you feel about them, which is basically unconditional, is the best feeling in life.  It is the feeling of love.  You feel for them, and it is THAT feeling that makes you feel good.  The same for the feelings of others, it makes you feel good!

David hit upon the notes that I believe contribute to creating a meaningful life, including treating one another equally and understanding the essence of real charm.

He said to me, “My office is my Living Room. My life is at my desk.”  His stories and sage words of advice reminded me of the love he gives his four dogs… it makes us all feel good!

Thank you David for writing your clever chronicle about the social, historical, and cultural life of NYC. And, thank you, Jeff, for being the other clever half of NYSD. David told me, "Jeff is as much responsible for the NYSD as I am. I couldn’t have done it without his talent and eye and vice versa. He’s the one who makes it all look so good people want to read it!”


P.S.  You are invited to send this along to others you know who may also enjoy an insight into the background of NYSD and will be inspired to subscribe!

The New York Social Diary! Meet David Patrick Columbia!

Who is the mastermind behind THE New York Social Diary?  David P. Columbia!

Looking as dapper as ever, David Patrick Columbia embodies the essence of New York society with his clever wit and positive attitude. 

The nature of social journalism is people interested in other people!  In 2000, David Patrick Columbia (DPC) created his legendary, weekly online newsletter, the New York Social Diary (NYSD) where he has cleverly chronicled the social, historical, and cultural life of NYC. People have aspirations and want to be inspired! There is a fine line between having a gossip publication and a socially informative one, the latter of which is the essence of NYSD. I regard his writing as a fine wine. It tastes like velvet and has subtle but complex nuances from mastering the art of its blending and aging, with just the right touch of intrigue.  With one sip, you’ll only want more!  

I found out first hand that David is a genius at storytelling. Imagine that! Our interview lasted two hours, but it felt like two minutes! Here is the first half of our chat together. Next week's newsletter will continue with even more delicious stories.

A little DPC background:
At a very early age, David was intrigued and enamored with the lifestyle of NYC, which had the reputation of being glamorous, and completely different than his very modest Westfield, MA upbringing. He begged for a dollhouse and fantasized that he lived in that perfect house.  At age six, he read the social column in the newspaper that his father brought home. At age 11, David saw an ad for a Smith Corona typewriter, which he desperately wanted.  His mother bought it for him, even though it was very expensive for their family.

He went on to Colby College, where he won $100 in a writing contest. He didn’t finish college but decided to take his money and go to NYC at age 19 to become a writer. He had only been there three times in his life, once to a coming-out party, which had quite an influence on him.  A friend offered David her mother’s apartment until he found a place to live. It just happened to be at 740 Park Ave, a 16 room duplex, where he lived, rather lavishly, for the first 8 months! This experience showed him the side of life that he had only imagined as a child.

Young David with his elder sister, Helen, in their hometown of Westfield, Massachusetts. 

All of his life he has been a writer but has never thought of himself as a professional writer.

Holly: Did your mother have a positive influence on you? 
David: My mother had a huge influence on me!  She read to me every night and told me many stories about her life, which was filled with hardships, and that is probably why I am a writer today. 

Holly: Was your mother a stickler about certain aspects of your life, and about etiquette?  
David: Everything! She was a Virgo… asking me, “Did you wash your face?” when I was age 16… really, mother?!  We were brought up to have manners.  When I was growing up, we were taught manners on how to behave, and get along with people. “Thank you” and “please” are there so that we can speak to one another. Even in the animal world, manners are taught by their mothers who teach them what they can and cannot do!  Etiquette almost does not exist anymore… children are not taught it. Etiquette is a navigational tool, and what one uses to move smoothly in life, and around each other.  (My, did that resonate with me!) 

Holly: I admire how you do not disparage people in NYSD. There is a fine line between a gossip publication and a socially informative one, as the reputation of NYSD. 
David: If it is an interview, I ask questions… anything I want to ask. But if I am invited as a guest to your table, and I really don’t know you, I do not intrude on your privacy with any kind of questions.

A DPC story: 
A few years ago, David was invited to lunch at Lee Radziwill’s (sister of Jacqueline Kennedy) apartment. After a lovely time, she mentioned that she was curious about something. “In NYSD,  you never say anything bad about anybody.” She wanted to know why.  David’s response was, “Why would I? Frankly, what is in it for me, David the writer, if I am saying something bad about someone? I don’t want to have an argument with anybody. I don’t want to have an enemy or any of those things. I don’t look for that. I can see it, obviously, when it is there.  I am well aware of things you can say that are bad about people, but I look for the positive in people. That is what we have to live off of and go on.  At my later age, I see that the so-called negative things are always there, and will always be there with all of us.  But the things that are really important are positive.”

Holly:  You eventually left NYC and moved to LA.  What brought you back to the East Coast?
David: I was asked to write a book about Bobby Short. (An American cabaret singer and composer.)

A DPC story:
At age 51, David left LA, and on his drive back to NYC to write a book, he asked himself this question: “Let’s say... if you have to live in NYC and write to make a living, and if you could do anything you wanted, what would you like to do?”  David then said to himself, “I would like to write a social column! Well, nobody knows me. The world has changed, social columns don’t even exist, so don’t get your hopes up. But, just know, if you could have it, you would want it!”  

He went to a cocktail party at the Chanel store in NYC and met a little English lady, Heather Cohane, who in 1986 founded Quest magazine, which was basically a real estate magazine that had some social stories in it. She knew of David’s writing and asked if he would like to write a piece for Quest, about a woman from Philadelphia who was reared in Boston and grew up with the Cushing sisters, Babe Paley, Betsey Whitney, and Minnie Astor.  He did and after he wrote a few more pieces, Heather asked, “Would you like to write a column?” David did, and named it the New York Social Diary! 

Fast forward: David became the editor of Avenue Magazine (one of Manhattan’s oldest society magazines featuring the elite) and still wrote his column too. He knew there would be an audience on the internet someday because the internet would be everywhere.  He said, “I once lived in “everywhere,” and I know how interesting NYC is to “everywhere.”  

So, on August 15, 2000, he gave notice and left Avenue to launch his new website, which he started with Jeff Hirsh, who had begun working with him as his assistant and as a talented photographer at Avenue when he was 21. With Jeff’s help, who also left Avenue, they launched the first NYSD online in September 2000, with no sponsors.  At first, they published 2-3 times a week but realized that to make an impression, they would have to post five days a week, which they did by the end of that year, and have done so together ever since, for twenty years. 

Holly:  Who would you say your audience is? 
David: Our audience is basically over 40, and 60% of them are women.  We are a “reading” publication. The younger generations don’t read, and they are not curious.  Life is all about learning! It is everything! Go into a restaurant, and they are just looking at their phones. The world has changed, and the audience has changed.  

There is no social life in NYC now.  Much of NYC’s social life is built around philanthropy, galas, getting involved with the cause. What I try to write about now under COVID is how important it is to be around each other. We are social creatures.  Wearing a mask and staying in the house, not being with people, or even on the phone or Zoom, is not the same as a human relationship. We need human relationships to live, which is required as a creature! People need to be with people.

TO BE CONTINUED! Please, join me for the second half of my interview with DPC on next week's MMM.  Find out David’s explanation of “real charm” and how to make people feel comfortable. Be privy to one of the greatest dinner parties he has ever attended in his life which he said was,  “A perfect party in every way!”

P.S.  You are invited to send this along to others you know who may also enjoy an insight into the background of NYSD!

Holly Holden's Pet Etiquette

Dogs and cats are not always a welcome sight for your guests!  

This is sweet little, but very naughty, Miss Zsa Zsa, our fourth English Jack Russell terrier. They are “terrors,” but adorable!  Photo credit: Gabriella Narus

“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 and joy!  Oh, the random treasures that I brought home to my unsuspecting parents. How did they ever put up with me?  Once, during a piano lesson in Taipei, I heard a kitten crying outside of the window.  After my lesson, I walked outside and found the kitten in a brown paper bag “thrown out.”  Yes, tiny “Ribsy” came home to live with us and turned out to be a stunning Calico cat, who teased our dog, Mischief, unmercifully.  I have always been fortunate enough to have a dog, and I cannot imagine life without one. 

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.”  -Comedienne Gilda Radner

Recently, Stuart and I celebrated our 45th anniversary! (Yes, I was a child bride... just kidding!)  We were invited to bring our dog, Miss Zsa Zsa, to the house we were going to visit soon after. We chose not to for a few reasons, which inspired me to write about the topic of pets.  

“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” -Orhan Pamuk

Maybe it was this precious illustration that I had in my bedroom as a child that captured my heart and made Jack Russells so dear to me.

Pet Guests: Not that many of us have houseguests these days due to COVID, but should you be a houseguest and are invited to bring your pet, there are a few courtesies for you to consider:

• Inquire where the animal should stay in the house before arriving. Either bring a kennel cage and blanket, or a baby-gate, as needed.  

• 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 their beautiful linens. If they offer for you to do so, be respectful of their house by minding your pet. 

• Along with the food you pack for your dog or cat, bring along bowls for their food and water. Don’t expect to use the pretty porcelain at the house you are visiting. 

• Bring a leash to walk your dog and pick up after them.

“A house is not a home until it has a dog.” -Gerald Durrell

“Oops, the vase fell over, but I can still smell the flowers!”

For guests visiting a house with pets: If you invite a guest into your home, for any occasion, ask them these two questions either at the door, or preferably in advance of their arrival:  Are you allergic to animals, and are you afraid of dogs or cats?  

The answers will make you conscious of what you must do with your pet… and if yes, to either question, put them away during their time in your house.   Do not assume that everyone loves animals, which is hard to believe for those of us who are avid animal lovers. I keep our dog in her “penthouse” until someone requests to see her.  Zsa Zsa, a Jack Russel, is a jumping-jack who cannot control her excitement when greeting someone! It is disconcerting for any guest to have a dog lick, jump, or shed on their clothes, especially on a black dress or dark suit pants.

“If you want a friend in Washington, D.C, get a dog.” -Former President Harry S. Truman

Grandmillennial Tip: 
If you have pets that you allow on your furniture, consider purchasing a few extra yards of fabric when you are having a piece upholstered or slipcovered.  With the extra yardage, have a throw designed to use on top.  When you place the throw on the furniture, it will “disappear” visually and can quickly be dry cleaned as needed, saving the upholstery fabric underneath undue wear, tear, and pet… fragrance!  It can even be quilted or have a decorative trim or pretty piping applied to the edges.

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” -Actor Will Rogers

If your petite dog is allowed to hop on your sofa or sleep on your bed but requires a leg-up, consider buying a small antique or vintage chair or footstool to place next to it. It will be a darling little decorative accessory that will enable your dog to “hop-up” in style! 

“If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.” -Author Phil Pastoret
 

If you have animal-loving friends, please invite them to join the MMM party, too! 

Sign up here!

“Pink always tastes better!”

Elegant Entertaining: Five Forbidden Faux Pas

Little nuances can make a big difference when creating a charming experience for your guests!  Here are a few no-no’s to know… the timeless secrets that Mummy shared with me.  They continue to hold true in the present day, and will for another generation of grandmillennials, too!

Each country has various traditions. These no-no’s, while in no particular order of significance, are worth being aware of in America. Some are in reference to old-school proper etiquette, and others are simply advice from years of entertaining. Mainly, these tidbits are what I call inherited gems. Take them or ignore them.  I’m grateful because knowing these no- no’s have served me very well. 

Per the request of several of my darling subscribers, I will continue sprinkling in a few of these FFPs as the topic in my future newsletters. They will all touch upon various aspects of gracious living. The word “forbidden” is used with a wink... I guess I like alliteration! Although I admit, the word “forbidden” did get the attention of my children when they were young!

Entertaining: Five Forbidden Faux Pas!

Making every party guest feel special is my goal as a hostess! Preparing for a party is similar to preparing for a show!  I strive to use meaningful details to create an ambiance that is unique and memorable! Shopping within the house for treasures to use on the table is truly like a treasure hunt... hummm, what will I discover behind this door?!

No-no:  To not have a “drinks table” within reach of each seated guest during cocktail hour or any type of seated gathering.  

What is done:  Be sure to have a surface, aka a  “drinks table,” within reach of each guest to be able to place their drink glasses upon, especially when seated. This is applicable for any room.  

Note: There is no need to have coasters!  The linen cocktail napkin you offer each guest can be used in place of a coaster. I think it is discreetly more elegant then asking your guest to try to fit their glass into or onto a designated coaster.  From my experience, coasters can actually make the glass tippy, especially if you are in a deep conversation and not acutely aware of where the coaster is while placing your glass upon it!

Candles on the table are not lit during the day, as seen on the table set for a late afternoon champagne reception I hosted to introduce my daughter-in-law to other ladies upon her arrival in Farmington!

No-no:  To light the candles on a dining room table before six in the evening, or before it is dark outside.  

What is done:  For breakfast or a luncheon, candlesticks may remain on the dining table, but the candles are not lit.  This follows the custom that candles were actually used for light!  

Note:  This tradition is not adhered to in other countries.  I find it charming to see a candle lit on the breakfast tables in cozy little restaurants in Germany!

No-no:  To place a fork on top of a dinner napkin.

What is done: The only time a fork goes on top of a napkin is when dining outside, because the wind may possibly blow the napkin away! If a fork is being presented for a meal, then it belongs on the left side of the plate position, or above the plate for dessert. The napkin is then placed to the left of the fork. 

By the way, a napkin may also be placed on top of a charger, dinner plate, or butter plate.

Having Chef Russell prepare his divine creations for a dinner party that we hosted for a museum function at Fox Hall, was, as always,  a delight!  And, I’m not cooking in the kitchen all day! 

No-no:  To clean dishes in the kitchen in between courses, or even after dinner, while your guests are still present. 
 
What is done: Dishes and glasses are cleaned after your guests have said their adieux and left!

 While guests are seated at the table, remove the appropriate plates after each course, and simply place them on the counter or in the sink.  There is no better way to tell your guests that you’re bored with them, or so fastidious that you can’t help yourself from cleaning, than to get up and wash the dishes between courses or after the dessert is served! It leaves a gaping hole at the table, conversations are interrupted, and besides that, the sound of the water running and dishes clinking in the kitchen adds to a very uncomfortable atmosphere. It hints to your guests that you secretly wish they were helping you clean dishes too, or that you wish they would leave!

Note: The above is applicable for hosts that do not have any help in the kitchen to assist in serving and cleaning. If you have help, discuss with them in advance of the party, that during dinner, everything that takes place in the kitchen must be very quiet, especially if they attempt to clean the dishes.  The goal is that no noise will be heard from the kitchen while guests are in the dining room.  
When we have help, my husband Stuart and I will ask our table guests to adjourn to the living room for after-dinner drinks, port, or coffee, so that the dishes and glasses may be cleared off of the table after everyone has left the dining room.

A spur of the moment Valentine's Day dinner for another couple was such fun! I found some angels that once belonged to my parents, and I arranged them in the center of the table. I placed a chocolate gift on the napkins of our guests - Cupid made me do it!  

No-no:  Neglecting to walk your guests to the door upon their departure. 

What is done:  Either the host or the hostess should make the effort to accompany a guest to the door upon their departure. If it is a single lady at night, it is most gallant to have the gentleman host, or even a gentleman guest, walk her to her car to be sure she is safe, or at least offer to do so.  

Note:  If it is a large party, it is acceptable for a guest to slip out without saying thank you and good-bye if they see that the hosts are busy with other guests.  The guest can always address this in their thank you note!  

These are only five FFPs gleaned from a more lengthy list, which I will share with you in future newsletters.  In the meantime, I would love to hear any Forbidden Faux Pas that your Mum was a stickler about… the ones that you’ll never forget, making certain that your children won’t forget either! So, do tell. 

PS. Oh, a little request! Would you kindly help me inspire others, worldwide, to subscribe? We have a noble following and I would be so grateful to you for sending this newsletter on to others. The world could use more gentility and kindness right now, wouldn’t you agree?

Be sure to sign up for the chance to win my NEW book Pearls of Palm Beach as a giveaway! It is my way of thanking you for being loyal subscribers- Cheers to YOU! The giveaway will close on September 25, 2020.

Sign up here!

What do you give the person who has everything?!

The loveliest and most meaningful gifts are bespoke!  A commissioned piece of art gives artistic freedom to create the vision you wish. This oil painting of Fox Hall was a gift I gave to my husband, Stuart, for his birthday.  Our two Jack Russells are now in “biscuit heaven”  but live on in the painting. I am wearing a pink gown that I designed for our elder daughter’s wedding reception in Berlin, Germany. In the sky, there are three stars of Orion’s Belt, representing our three children. Helen Galick was the artist, but sadly is longer taking commissions.

What do you give the person who has everything?!

Recently the question, “What do you give the person who has everything” was posed to me. Do you agree that a handmade or bespoke present can be the most meaningful kind of gift? I encourage my children and grandchildren not to buy a gift for me, but to make something instead. These are gifts from the heart, and the ones I cherish immensely. The same concept is applicable when giving a gift to an adult who has everything, wouldn’t you agree?  Just knowing the thought, effort, and love that went into customizing a present contributes to making it a treasure. In that vein, if my homemade Grand Marnier pecan pie does not fit the bill to celebrate a notable occasion, I have a go-to, more extravagant gift idea to share with you!  It is one that never seems to fail to give joy to the person who has everything: a custom piece of artwork, created just for them!

Our daughter, Caroline, painted this watercolor of our living room at Fox Hall to grace the introduction page of my first book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room. 

A custom watercolor, pen & ink rendering, or oil painting of the recipient’s house, garden, interior room, pet, bridal bouquet or something of significance, will be received and become a cherished gift!  I am writing about this now in reference to a house painting because gardens tend to be at their peak for flowers and green grass about this time of year, though Connecticut is in a drought, and the grass is brown!  Photographs of a house, taken by the artist or you, will enable the artist to better understand what the house looks like in the summer (unless you prefer to feature another season).  NOW is the time to commission an artist and take the necessary photographs, especially if you want the artwork completed by the Christmas holidays. This type of gift will be adored forever and ever, especially when created to commemorate a celebratory event such as an anniversary, birthday, marriage, or even a new house.

My parents commissioned this watercolor of my Austrian great-grandfather’s house, Nibelheim, in Tientsin, China. According to my father, who lived there, the artist painted it from a black and white photograph and created a splendid interpretation.

How to find an artist? Ask your friends or an art school for recommendations. I am delighted to share with you three very talented artists:

Emma Schuck is such a brilliant artist and also a joy to work with.  She is an Irish born designer who studied at the National College of Art and Design.  Upon graduation, she moved to America, where she worked at a textile design studio.  Emma is currently working as a custom watercolor artist.  Her Etsy shop features custom house portraits, bridal bouquets, and whatever her clients can dream up! Click here to view her website. 

Barbara Bellin’s artistic talent and love of architecture drive her passion for commemorating homes, interiors, and buildings. She’s painted over 800 homes, historic buildings, and museums around the world.  Barbara’s work has been featured in galleries across the East Coast, The Wall Street Journal, W Magazine, and other publications.  Click here to view her website. 

 Susan Stillman is an accomplished and award-winning artist who is known for her vibrant representations of homes.  Her work has been featured in hundreds of publications, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She has a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design, MFA from Brooklyn College and is a faculty member of Parsons New School of Design since 1983.  Click here to view her website. 

Grandmillennial Tips:

Have the artwork copied and made into fold-over notecards! They can be used to write notes or as lovely invitations.

Be sure that the artist you commission has a painting style that complements the style of the recipient’s interiors… traditional begets traditional!  

An alternative to giving a completed piece of artwork is introducing them to the artist and letting them create the artwork vision together. 

Keep the colors that are inside the house, or the colors that the recipient loves, in mind to share with the artist, who can then incorporate them  into the painting.  After all, the painting will be hung inside of the house! 

It may be best not to have the artwork framed in advance. I find that everyone has their own particular taste in frames. The recipient will decide where it will be hung, which may require a different style, color, or finish of a frame than what you would have chosen.

Forbidden Faux Pas:

To suggest to the recipient where to hang the painting! Let them choose what they want to do with it and where they want to hang it.  It may be quite different than what you have envisioned for it! 

PS. Please forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in this topic and hopefully, they will be inspired to subscribe!

Please meet our new sponsor - June St. George!

Interior designer Ally-Catherine wants you to create something that you love, and that will last a lifetime.  Her creations at June St. George helps weave together your past, present, and future into one stunning piece with beautifully embroidered decorative accessories! Ally- Catherine’s  Southern heritage and world travel inspire her to design custom pieces for her clients to celebrate their family and bespoke life.  She is committed to helping you create an heirloom design of your dreams in such a pretty and charming manner.

Holly’s five simple interior design tips to enhance your house, now!

Here I am standing in front of a Sir Joshua Reynolds painting (c.1785) on the first landing of the grand oak staircase at Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey. In my public television series filmed there, I discussed the use of brass stair rods. We can all learn from masterpiece houses.

Holly’s five simple interior design tips to enhance your house, now!

My interior design firm, Holly Holden & Company, Ltd. www.hollyholden.com, specializes in classic and traditional design. I believe in designing once… for a lifetime! Who wouldn’t want to hear those words?  Designing with decorative accessories and techniques that stand the test of time, and enhance your home with little effort, translates to a good investment for your design dollars.  You might have fun implementing them along the way, too!  

Brass Stair Rods:

Something as simple as adding brass stair rods to your carpet runner on a staircase is a timeless decorative detail. Stair rods are appropriate in cottages and castles, and everything in between! You can order them with a clear lacquer finish so that they do not require polishing. When I hosted my public television series, You Are Cordially Invited, I discussed brass stair rods at Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey, because they are featured on the main staircase in the castle. It is the finishing touch on any staircase with a carpet runner.

Our brass stair rods have been in place, holding the wool Stark runner, for over twenty years at Fox Hall and have survived three children and numerous dogs... and party traffic on their way up to the ballroom!

Picture Lights: 

Adding picture lights to your artwork, no matter what the genre of art, adds an inviting glow to your walls, especially in the evening light when you entertain. I prefer and specify a matte brass finish for a classically styled picture light. Picture lights work best on framed artwork that does not have glass covering it. When my Stuart and I attended a dinner at Buckingham Palace, it was held in the stupendously handsome Picture Gallery. The main source of light for the evening was from the picture lights atop each painting within the stellar collection of art. The artwork lined the walls salon-style, one on top of another, and was displayed upon the elegant coral damask wall upholstery... a magical and majestic evening!

The soft glow of a picture light  over an oil painting adds a magical ambiance to any room.

Paint the interior of your fireplace black: 

New or naked bricks on the interior of a fireplace need to have the illusion that the fires in the fireplace have created a black patina. There is specialized paint for this endeavor. I specify a flat black for both new and old houses alike. Our historic house, Fox Hall, built in 1803, has seven fireplaces that are naturally blackened from the 217 years of wood fires within them. There is just one which had new bricks replaced in the center... I made sure that the new bricks are now black! Many fireplace examples are featured in my book,The Pretty and Proper Living Room.

The Hunt Room at Fox Hall has wood fires burning quite often during the cold months of New England. Miss Zsa Zsa loves to sit near the warmth in “her” chair!

Darling wastebaskets: 

A decorative detail that is often overlooked for ANY room is a truly darling wastebasket.  My new interior design book, Pearls of Palm Beach, features many examples of adorable wastebaskets in the ‘Darling Detail’ section for each of the eight private houses featured.  Lining a wastebasket with a paper doily is another adorable little detail found in many of the guest bedrooms in the United States and Europe.  Charming wastebaskets can be rawwwther expensive, but well worth it. These little accessories always grace polished interiors. 

Mr. Pink stands proudly in our Hunt Room bathroom at Fox Hall. He was purchased years ago from Scully & Scully in NYC. I am proud to have them as our premiere MMM sponsor. I believe they offer the best selection of wastebaskets ever, including bespoke monogrammed ones... Mr. Pink agrees!

Repurpose decorative items that you already own: 

Shopping in your own house for decorative items to repurpose can be such fun! We were hosting a Chinese themed dinner party and I discovered a box of unused crystal perfume bottles, featuring a cut crystal pagoda top.  Mummy had collected them to give as gifts but never did.  I decided to use them as soy sauce holders!  

Here is another idea that never ceases to garner a smile: use a crystal decanter, normally used for wine or spirits, and pour mouthwash into it to use in a bathroom. For the amusement of your houseguests, fill the decanter with a gold-colored mouthwash, such as Listerine, and then place a silver decanter label, engraved with either “scotch” or “bourbon,” to hang over the decanter neck!

Look closely and you can spy one of the pagoda perfume bottles repurposed for soy sauce at our Chinese themed dinner party.

Fruits & Veggies: A Clever Way To Keep Them Fresh

This is one of my most favorite Katherine Houston ceramic pieces!  The tender asparagus stalks appear as if they are dancing around a maypole. And the pink ribbon of hearts… well, just because!

Summer is the sensational season for flowers and fresh vegetables. They are especially appreciated by those of us living with the “four” seasons of New England!  Mother Nature’s gift of magnificent flowers and vegetables have a natural shelf life and then, voila, sadly they are gone. The clever solution to this natural phenomenon? Well, it comes in another form of brilliant magnificence... masterfully sculpted, beguiling botanical ceramic creations by the stellar artist, Katherine Houston. 

I gave a talk at the charming Chilton Club in Boston, about my first book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room.  My precious friend, and the member who arranged the event, Tita Hyland, also hosted a divine luncheon after the lecture.  To my right, she seated her friend, Katie, as in Katherine Houston.  I was thrilled to get to know Katie, and to learn more about her decorative porcelain artwork, which I have long admired- 18th Century porcelain in the 21st century! We have remained friends ever since. 

What inspired me to share Katherine Houston’s work with you? While passing a local farm stand today, I had that pang, that thought... I do not want summer to end! I adore utilizing the happy harvest of flowers in the house and having colorful veggies displayed in the kitchen. Then, I had an ah-ha moment! I can keep the bounty of summer in the house for all seasons by displaying Katie’s latest creations. Divine fruit and flowers that never lose their beauty and live all year long!

Look at the delicate frilliness on the leaves of the lettuce, the pink bow on the string beans, and the vibrant red onion! They are simply a taste of “summer” on a table.  I have seen pieces similar to these assembled beautifully together on a sideboard in a dining room as an enchanting adornment. An example of this is in my book, Pearls of Palm Beach, in the Irish House chapter. 

Katherine is influenced and inspired by ancient Imperial and Chinese wares, along with those of 18th century Meissen and Sevres. She carries on the tradition of hand-sculpting hard-paste porcelain, using only 18th century colors to hand-paint her masterpiece creations of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Her work is collected throughout the USA, Europe, South America, and Japan, and her pieces grace prestigious museums. Her work is so prized that The White House commissioned her to create an exclusive work of art, an authentic “American Pumpkin” to be given as State Department gifts. How appropriate, and much more attractive than an American turkey!

Katherine hand-paints her compositions using only 18th century colors. I can imagine this piece, once finished, as a stunning centerpiece on a dining room table. And, it will not require any tending to, only visual appreciation! 

You can see the exquisitely rendered detail in her work. Each piece is quite unique due to its sheer difficulty and complexity.  It is a lengthy process, which can take months, even a year, for her to conceive the envisioned ideal form and balance she requires in her creations. Using white clay from South Carolina, along with her over 300 colors of paint, each creation is one-of-a-kind. On her website, KatherineHouston.com, the fascinating creation process is explained in detail.

The Chelsea Melon is 10” high, and would be ideal on a breakfast table, don’t you think?  If you are short on fruit to serve, no problem…  just dine with your eyes!

These artistic pieces can be displayed just about anywhere in a house. Well, perhaps not in the children’s playroom!  When I spy one of Katherine’s pieces in someone’s house, it never ceases to make me smile. I admire those who can appreciate one-of-a-kind beauty. It is as if Mother Nature left a calling card... created by Katie!

Millennial Tip

Just as a flower arrangement is enhanced with a silver platter or a complimentary porcelain platter under the vase, porcelain fruits, vegetables, and flowers can also be enhanced.

When you purchase one decorative porcelain piece, keep the color scheme of the room in mind, and think about potentially collecting more of the same genre, so that a vignette may be created in the future.  A vignette of several smaller pieces, that are similar in style, can often have more impact than one piece.

Introducing our new sponsor - Sabatino Tartufi!

Who doesn't love truffles? Truffles have been revered since 1600 BC. Who doesn’t love truffles? Sabatino Tartufi is the world’s largest truffle company and importer. When I was first introduced to their “Truffle Zest,” a black summer truffle seasoning with no artificial flavoring, I was hooked. Even Oprah insists on carrying a bottle of Truffle Zest in her purse! Sprinkle it on just about anything such as eggs, chicken, and pasta. Sabatino offers recipes, like truffle hummus, and this one pairs well with vegetables… just not the Katherine Houston ceramic vegetables!

Oh, my! We have a truffle TREAT for you! To celebrate their first inclusion in Mummy's Monday Manners, Sabatino Tartufi has been exceptionally kind to offer a 20 % discount exclusively to our MMM subscribers!  

Simply click on the button below and enter code: HOLLYHOLDEN at checkout. 

*Coupon active 8/17-8/23 11:59 PM EST.

Happy Truffling!

Our Interview With Acclaimed Chef Daniel Boulud

The acclaimed Chef Daniel Boulud at Blantyre Hotel in the Berkshires, his recent endeavor to keep a portion of his staff working at this new destination outside of NYC.   Photo credit: Dani Fine Photography Inc.

Introducing French, Michelin-Starred Chef Daniel Boulud!

Have you ever dreamed of having a French, Michelin-starred chef in your kitchen, especially during these mundane quarantine times? Take me away and indulge me in fine-dining, please dear genie! 

Just the sight of fine-dining in a movie inspires Stuart and I to look at one another, and take yet another sip of wine, pretending to partake in the on-screen moment and savor one of our cherished pastimes… dining well. You too?!

Your wish will come true in NYC with a new dining experience that comes to you with the take-out and home-delivery options now offered by the ingenious Chef Daniel Boulud. He has thought of adaptive ways to keep some of his kitchen and staff working while enabling all of us to enjoy his contemporary French classics in our own kitchens or dining rooms during these very challenging Covid times.

Chef Daniel Boulud at his newly invented sidewalk cafe, Restaurant Boulud, NYC, for al fresco dining. 

Chef Daniel Boulud is one of the most revered French chefs in America, with 13 restaurants around the world, and the Feast & Fêtes catering company. He is also the recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award for “Outstanding Chef” and “Outstanding Restaurateur.” And if all of that isn’t impressive enough, Daniel is the author of nine cookbooks and founder of the Michelin-starred Restaurant Daniel in NYC.

Being granted an interview with him was such an honor. I thought of Pavlov’s dog as I began assembling my questions! He swept me away with his passion for cooking, family, staff and ultimately, his loyal customers, along with his commitment to his charities, especially in the wake of Covid. His keen business sense on how to adapt to these challenging times is most commendable.  

So, the moment I heard his enchanting French accent, saw his endearing smile and his chef’s whites, I was immediately transported to a happy place! I hope you will be, too. Napkin in lap, wine glass in hand… let’s commence! 

If you could have only four ingredients in your kitchen, what would you select? 

Ingredients are of course sometimes fancy and sometimes very humble. If I had only four ingredients, for sure I would have potatoes, which come in many forms, textures, types… and I can prepare them in hundreds of ways!  The potato is so French, and being French, it is an important thing for me. 

I use a lot of vegetables in my cooking- I love them all. Growing up as a kid on a farm in France, I think having harvested potatoes... it’s kind of a magical thing. You dig in, lift, and then grab the potato hanging from the roots, picking them one after another… there is nothing more memorable for me. In the spring, the potatoes are still so sweet, freshly made to go with cheese fromage blanc, or in a salad with the walnut oil that we made in the fall from the walnuts. Such fun memories!

Next would be garlic because garlic is healthy and tasty.  Sometimes you don’t know it is there, and sometimes you really know it’s there... I really love that!  Again on the farm, garlic was an important thing, as we harvested two and a half tons of garlic, sweet garlic, a year.  And we made bread with garlic, which I would do. We used to always eat a lot of garlic, and of course, in the potato salad, there is always a clove of garlic crushed a bit with salt, made into paste and put into the dressing… from my humble roots as a farm boy. 

Olive oil is a very important ingredient for me.  There is butter, of course. Being French, there are many other forms of fat, but I think of all the fat, the one I use the most, the one I love the most, is olive oil. Based on where the olive oil comes from, it is interesting to see if they are sharp, or sort of sweet, if there is a fragrance, or how smooth. I cherish many dishes which I often start cooking by using olive oil.  

I am not from Provence, but I have practiced Mediterranean cuisine for quite a long time, and I am in love with that cuisine.  I pay homage to Mediterranean cuisine from my time in Provence. So, olive oil definitely gave me a sense of direction, and a sense of home and health as well. 

The fourth ingredient would be eggs because if I can do hundreds of recipes with potatoes, I can do thousands of recipes with eggs!  Eggs are the protein for me. For breakfast with my young family, we all have an egg every morning! I think eggs are so versatile, so affordable, and eggs are so important in much of the cooking and baking in every culture. There is always a use for eggs.  And If I use the potato, the garlic, the olive oil, and the eggs… I can make an amazing Spanish frittata, or an amazing potato egg pie. 

What is your ultimate comfort food? 

My favorite comfort food is when I can make it a one-pot meal.  Some roasting, then some braising, some simmering. It is something you can put in the middle of the table and everybody can enjoy it as much as they want… that is comfort!  Either a beef stew, chicken stew... I love stew so much that I wrote a book called Braise, which you can find online.  I think braising for me is the ultimate comfort food because, you know, you take your time. It always brings the full flavor in the house, and brings a lot of joy at the table. As you walk in the house, oh my God, it smells so good… it is beautiful! Be inspired and start to cook some wonderful, soulful dishes.

(Oh my, I’m really inspired now, how about you?!)

Was your mother a stickler about any manners in particular as you grew up on your family farm near Lyon, France? 

Living on a farm, there was the well-being of the home, and the well-being of the farm. We didn’t mix the two. We were raising chickens, dogs, and all kinds of things. We loved our dogs on the farm, but the dogs were not allowed into the house. For us, the dogs were happier to be living outside. I respected that- this was a line not to be crossed!

It was very important that there was no distraction during a meal. The mealtime was very, very important and precise.  There was no television, iPad, and no one had an excuse to miss a mealtime.  Lunch was always at 12:30, and dinner at 7:30 pm. No one had an excuse to be late or to get up without having the meal being complete. Keeping up the conversation was expected. Mealtime was an important ritual. Now, if I am working and can’t be home, my wife reads books to our children during the meal or tells them stories to keep them occupied in front of their plates.  And as you know, teaching manners to children is so important… but it is also so difficult!

(Alleluia, to those sage words!) 



Chef Daniel’s exemplary commitment to his charities, especially during Covid times, and serving meals to over 125,000 volunteers, hospitals, nurses and doctors, food banks and shelters, is most admirable. 

Food 1st  is a non-profit organization preparing thousands of meals for organizations such as Citymeals on Wheels, The Bowery Mission, as well as local hospitals, nurses, and first responders.

Hand in Hand is a foundation the chef started in March to support his employees who have not been able to work.

Chef Daniel Boulud is a visionary who has touched many lives with his talent and love of life! Tres Bon et merci beaucoup, Chef Daniel!

I would also like to thank Courtney Silver,  my talented Director of Business Development, for arranging and participating in the interview with Chef Daniel and me! 

P.S. Perhaps you know others who enjoy cooking and are dining “foodies” and would be interested in Chef Daniel’s words too? Please forward this newsletter along to them and inspire them to sign up!

Introducing NivenBreen!

What an honor it is to introduce you to my stupendously talented, New York based communications and brand consulting firm, Nivenbreen! They have successfully launched and continues to politely promote my new book, Pearls of Palm Beach. They specialize in developing strategies for luxury lifestyle and design companies... my audience! The co-founders, Chesie Breen and Ellen Niven, have a distinguished roster of worldwide clients and 25 years of combined industry experience in the home, design, fashion, jewelry, hospitality, and publishing sectors.