Author: Frances

15 Great Ideas From One Grand Room – and its Soane-ian Inspiration

Decorating, like life, is full of pre-conceived notions and beliefs disguised as facts. Letting go of them is not only liberating but leads to new possibilities. Living in limited space does not dictate limited beauty or even limited things. Edited, yes, but that is true of any good design. In great testament to that are the big… Continue reading 15 Great Ideas From One Grand Room – and its Soane-ian Inspiration

Cucumber Soup to Cool Summer’s Sizzle

You will wonder how you’ve gotten this far into summer, and possibly into life itself, without this cold cucumber soup. Stop on your way home today and get the ingredients, and whip up a batch asap. Takes 15 minutes, max. Chill. Repeat. All summer long. You will want a supply in your fridge at least until Labor… Continue reading Cucumber Soup to Cool Summer’s Sizzle

Nora Ephron and her “Exit” File

“Nora Ephron’s Last Love Story”  in July 10’s New York Post about the writer’s star-studded July 9 memorial service reminded me I’d yet to write about this fabulous woman’s legacy and untimely “exit,” as she had labeled the file containing her meticulous instructions about how she wanted things at her death. Wry–and thoughtful–to the end. The Huffington… Continue reading Nora Ephron and her “Exit” File

A Stroll Through Sissinghurst (Revised)*

Is it treasonous to have pulled for Andy Murray, a Scot, over Swiss-but-almost-seems-American Roger Federer in the Wimbledon finals? Is it wrong to wish for the rain they had? As we bake in the July oven over here in the Colonies I recall with more than a hint of wistfulness a recent cool and drizzly… Continue reading A Stroll Through Sissinghurst (Revised)*

A Stroll Through Sissinghurst

Is it treasonous to have pulled for Andy Murray, a Scot, over Swiss-but-almost-seems-American Roger Federer in the Wimbledon finals? Is it wrong to wish for the rain they had? As we bake in the July oven over here in the Colonies I recall with more than a hint of wistfulness a recent cool and drizzly… Continue reading A Stroll Through Sissinghurst

Happy 4th of July From Rancho La Zaca

I’m back at the ranch this week and Cowboy (for new readers, His Grace the Cowboy is my sweetheart) and I have my nephew and three of his buds flying in from Georgia. For their 18th birthdays my nieces and nephew each get a trip with Auntie anywhere they want to go. John Rex wanted… Continue reading Happy 4th of July From Rancho La Zaca

Sister Act – via The Peak of Chic

Dear Readers, I was so struck by the charm and originality of fellow blogger and House Beautiful contributing editor Jennifer Boles’s Peak of Chic post today that I wanted to share it with you. Funnily enough my sister Duvall has a trunk show clothing business called Sister Act Collections, so-called because I sort of got… Continue reading Sister Act – via The Peak of Chic

14 Decorating Tips From a Darlin’ Dining Room

The other night I was lucky to be invited to my friend Valerie Smith’s for dinner in East Hampton. Valerie is a designer and the beauty and brains behind East Hampton’s beloved  Monogram Shop, the go-to place for hostess gifts and great things for the house. Just visiting the shop is an inspiration, so imagine what it’s… Continue reading 14 Decorating Tips From a Darlin’ Dining Room

A Scintillating Summer Cocktail – “Il Spriz”

I’ll cut to the chase: It’s a drink called “Il Spriz” made by Mionetto, the same Italian company that makes Prosecco, which I thought was the Italian version of Champagne until a reader corrected me, below. (Grazie Franco!) Il Spriz is a symphony of citrus and herbal flavors–slightly fizzy, fresh, tingly and crisp. I swooned… Continue reading A Scintillating Summer Cocktail – “Il Spriz”