Seeing how it’s Sunday, and in case you missed this t-shirt, or if you have no idea what this t-shirt means or why it is funny, you’ve come to the right place. We are traveling, so I missed church this morning. I had a Mexican omelette instead. It was close to a religious experience but not… Continue reading Southern Episcopalians
Author: Frances
Designer Megan Yager on Chinoiserie Chic Blog
Let’s hear it for the local talent. So yesterday I get this email from my friend Mary (Dede) Wood, a talented designer here in the Santa Ynez Valley: Not bragging but my girl’s stuff is pretty darned good…XO Dede Well she is too bragging and well she should. Dede’s daughter Megan Yager lives in Texas now… Continue reading Designer Megan Yager on Chinoiserie Chic Blog
Always Do Right
“Always do right. This will gratify some and astonish the rest,” said Mark Twain, who needs no embellishment, and certainly not from me. If anybody has anything to add to this, though, we’d all be happy to hear it. Perhaps it is the arrival of four beautiful, strong, smart, wonderful young girls and their kin… Continue reading Always Do Right
Fabulous Rooms – the Green Room at Winfield House
As we say goodbye to the Olympics in London (and well done old chaps!), and pursuant to my modestly athletic post last week on Winfield House, the U.S. ambassador’s residence in London, here is more on its spectacular Green Room, a fabulous room if ever there was. When Hollywood decorator Billy Haines re-modeled Winfield under… Continue reading Fabulous Rooms – the Green Room at Winfield House
Luscious (and Easy) Lemon Pudding Cake
Cue Porgy and Bess! Now playing on Broadway in a Tony-winning revival! Summertiiime … and the lemon is eeeeeasy… Not exactly how the lyric goes, but I have been waiting all my life to write that. Okay all morning. This Lemon Pudding Cake is as classic and certainly as old as the beloved Gershwin tune.… Continue reading Luscious (and Easy) Lemon Pudding Cake
Winfield House in London – The US Ambassador’s Residence
Are you still watching? How about that little Gabby Douglas? And Kayla Harrison? And Michael Phelps? I’ve never needed a reason to be proud of my country, but these young American athletes are sure making it easy. Elsewhere in London, the U. S. ambassador to the Court of St. James does us proud in the… Continue reading Winfield House in London – The US Ambassador’s Residence
How to Buckle a Seatbelt
Once I was on a plane late at night and the punchy flight attendant said, “…and for those of you who have not been in an automobile since 1965, here’s how you buckle a seat belt.” On Virgin America, which I’m on right this minute on the way back to California, the pre-recorded announcement says,… Continue reading How to Buckle a Seatbelt
Keith Langham’s 2012 Olympic Connection
To continue our Olympic homage to Britain in a rawthuh roundabout way, we turn to renowned New York designer and friend Richard Keith Langham, whose work most certainly has a British sensibility, espousing as it does an affinity for good curtains and refined comfort. Keith is also a B.R.I.T. of another ilk: Boy Raised in… Continue reading Keith Langham’s 2012 Olympic Connection
Inspiration Shopping in London – The Conran Shop
Did you watch the Olympic opening ceremonies? I love pageantry… Okay the big baby thing was weird, but whatever… Cameroon’s uniforms were great… I’m glad our boys wore ties, even if they were made in China… There should be a law against chewing gum on TV… Did you know there was an island nation called… Continue reading Inspiration Shopping in London – The Conran Shop
Tree Houses for Grown-Ups, and a Soggy Child Story
It’s not going out on a limb to say that tree houses are cool, a cherished childhood fantasy in a Moonrise Kingdom kind of way. A few weeks ago on a trip to France I was beguiled by a feature in the magazine Maisons à vivre Campagne (Country Houses) about a tree house bed & breakfast. About… Continue reading Tree Houses for Grown-Ups, and a Soggy Child Story
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