RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Amazing weather at this year's sell-out show on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea (which has hosted the show since 1913) ensured a crazy crowd, and crowded it was.  My cousin and I were there in the afternoon, and the gardens were fabulous (if a bit wilted from the heat). We wove our way around the grounds until just before closing, and then headed over to the Bluebird Cafe for dinner. A wonderful day all 'round...

What I Did Last Summer

Many of you have wondered via e-mail where I've been (thanks for your kind notes)... generally, things have been excruciatingly busy and I needed to take a break to focus on work & real life stuff. So I did, recharging in the most wonderful place imaginable...

It was nice to get away, but it's good to be back.

Hanham Court

Isabel and Julian Bannerman, an amazing British couple who design + build gardens for the who's who of London {Jacob Rothschild, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Paul Getty, John Robinson, HRH the Prince of Wales} have made Hanham Court their home for the past 16 years. Part medieval castle, part Tudor barn, this rustic Manor house is where they hone their unique sense of design -- a mix of 'ancient' architecture and romantic, fragrant blooms.

A semi-ancient tub on their estate, overflowing with just 2 varieties of tulips and completely evocative of their incredible style, is my favorite. I just acquired a pair of these fabulous vessels, somewhat difficult to find on this side of the Atlantic. They'll be arriving, together with the rest of my late summer shipment, very soon at Post & Gray!

photo via Cote de Texas

Pink

My country upholsterer just delivered these...

pink linen + ebony wood + nickel nailheads
= a seating confection

Beach Bound

A pair of these amazing BRNO chairs just left for Southampton.
Enjoy, Melissa!

Farmers Market

Summer weekends require early morning trips to the local farmers market. Mine, the Community Farmers Market in a fabulous small town south of Uptown, is particularly well known for its direct-from-farmer (rather than distributor) freshness. With coffee & organic blueberry muffin in hand (from a practically sold out artisan pastry chef named Lucy), I hit the tents...

Green + White + Silver

This room just hollers summer

Where to Stay in the Hamptons?

I'm considering a weekend in the Hamptons. Any recommendations?

Chandeliers of a Different Sort

Love these shoes from Prada, and the tangerine polish too.

Happy 4th

Enjoy a fabulous start to your summer. See you in a few days.

Fabulous Stuff on Sale

Don't miss the Annual Sale at Post & Gray, today through July 17. I have a few pieces on sale + lots of new arrivals...

{That amazing aqua check, really perfect paired with the hand-screened linen, came straight from Shannon @ The Designer's Attic}

Fabric Love

I'll soon be bringing a room-full of furniture into Post & Gray, inspired by a few euro-sized down pillows I just had made out of this amazing fabric, Dzhambul by Brunschwig & Fils.  A classic chippendale sofa will be wrapped in pale aqua velvet, 2 delicate 1940's armchairs will be covered in coral Libeco-Lagae linen {+ a few judiciously placed nickel nailheads}, and 2 low silvered bamboo tables will move about to hold drinks & The New York Times.

I can hardly sleep nights thinking about it.

Have You Read It?

Honestly, could you put it down? I don't think I've gone to sleep before 2:00 a.m. all week. This has got to stop.

90

Grandmother's turning that crazy big number this weekend & I'm off to the land of the Alamo for a Texas-sized celebration in her honor. Just seems right, doesn't it?

Crazy Hot

Mid-90's & so steamy an 'excessive heat advisory' is in effect. The emergency broadcast system is warning about thunderstorms & reminding us to hydrate & stay out of the sun. My friend Pam @ Red Ticking posted on a gate she's been dreaming about lately. Me? I'm imagining a drive to the beach, trailed by a vintage Airstream filled with fairy lights, clean Levi's, icy Bud Lime & a surf board.

What about you?

Christie's Cottage

This is the house Brinkley has lovingly decorated since 1998. The architecture is fabulous as well, originally the home of John Gardiner (of the Island) and restored by her scoundrel of an ex-husband, Peter Cook. Corcoran has the $30M listing -- isn't it fabulous?