In honor of Memorial Day, I am revisiting a patriotic inspired summer house in Maine I originally posted in 2013... Built in 1905, this former hotel was transformed by the homeowners, designers John Knott and John Fondas, as the perfect private retreat. Located on the remote Little Cranberry Island where the only year-round residents are lobstermen, this summer home is off the beaten path and only ... continue reading...
Edith Wharton’s Newport Home is for Sale!
With Memorial Day Weekend upon us, what better way to kick off the summer season than with a tour of Edith Wharton's former Newport, Rhode Island summer home, which happens to be for sale?! Designed by architect John Sturgis in the late 1800s for Boston banker Samuel Gray Ward, "Lands End" was purchased by Wharton and her then-husband in 1893. With the assistance of Ogden Codman Jr.,Wharton then ... continue reading...
A Chat With Carleton Varney
This spring I attended the Dorothy Draper Design Weekend, which was the opportunity of a lifetime. Hosted by the legendary Carleton Varney and his team, I cannot more highly recommend this unforgettable decorating experience! It was incredible to be able to spend time with Mr. Varney, one of the world's most celebrated interior designers, and I am delighted to welcome him to The Glam Pad today for ... continue reading...
A Fabulous French Farmhouse
In case you missed it, Le Mas des Poiriers, an exquisite 18th century farmhouse, was featured in the March/April 2019 issue of Veranda (which was a wonderful issue BTW!) You may recall I interviewed the owner, American expatriate Shauna Varvel, in 2017, and so I was delighted to see Veranda's beautiful feature. In addition, Le Mas des Poiriers was featured in the April/May 2019 issue of Bride ... continue reading...
Sweet Home Alabama: A 19th Century Restoration
Instagram is such a fun way to meet interesting people from all over the world, and one account I have particularly enjoyed following is @riverbend_c.1840. The account documents the transformation of a 1840s home in Camden, Alabama with interior design by Ryan Dunagan. If you love before and afters, historic preservation, and elegant classic decor, you will love @riverbend_c.1840. The home ... continue reading...
Addison Mizner: Architect of Fantasy and Romance
When I think of Palm Beach, the legendary architect Addison Mizner immediately comes to mind. His distinctive architectural style of the 1920s defines the island even to this day. "Perhaps no other architect has done as much to shape the look of Palm Beach as Addison Mizner," noted the Palm Beach Daily News. This month, Rizzoli released a new book that celebrates Mizner's work, Addison Mizner: ... continue reading...
Equestrian Style 101
Today I am delighted to welcome Chase, otherwise known as The Lord of Decor @thelordofdecor_ on Instagram. Chase (age 27) is a collector, lover of interiors, antiques, and all things equestrian. He started the account as a hobby in 2017, and it quickly became an obsession. Chase was raised in the Brandywine Valley where he still resides today. His love for horses and equestrian style began as a ... continue reading...
Real Estate Roundup: Spring 2019
One of my favorite pastimes is perusing real estate listings, and I have been doing it since I was about 12 years old. Back in the "dark ages" before the Internet, I would use my allowance money to subscribe to Unique Homes, which was a magazine full of luxury real estate from across the country. I am so grateful that now we have Zillow, so we can all peruse to our heart's content! Below are ... continue reading...
Bunny Williams: Love Affairs with Houses
With an illustrious career spanning four decades, design legend Bunny Williams says in her latest book, "It still thrills me that every new project is like a new romance. There is the initial getting-to-know-you phase, the discovery of how people live, what their dreams are, what inspires them - such critical information as we begin the design process. Each stage has its exciting moments as well ... continue reading...
A Classic Georgian Home in the English Countryside
The one that got away... That was how interior designer Vanessa Macdonald and her husband James felt after losing out on their perfect country house in Oxfordshire, England. They tried to move on, yet the home continued to haunt them. So three years later, they wrote the owners to let them know they would love to buy the home if they ever decided to sell. Miraculously, they did and Vanessa and ... continue reading...
