English Manor Design Cliveden House is not a place you can write about only once. Previously, I explored its interiors and exteriors through the lens of English manor design. The grand staircases, portrait galleries, and architectural symmetry set the tone for a life lived at scale. However, the true spirit of Cliveden emerges in motion, […]

Some houses announce themselves before you ever cross the front door. Cliveden is one of them. From its formal terraces to the sweep of the front drive, every line hints at power and taste. Perched above the Thames in Buckinghamshire, the estate was rebuilt in 1851 by Sir Charles Barry, whose command of proportion also defines London’s Houses of Parliament. Four decades later, William Waldorf Astor would make it his own—layering Italianate architecture with English romanticism, sculpted gardens, and storied interiors.

Meghan Markle spent the night here before marrying a prince, which feels entirely appropriate. Cliveden House has long attracted the type who favor silk robes, staff entrances, and an audience. Built high above the Thames, it’s grand, deliberate, and unapologetically architectural—a masterclass in historic English estate design. Every arch, terrace, and column reminds you that beauty here was planned, not improvised.

Join me on a Los Angeles historic homes tour with stops at three landmark houses: Hollyhock House, Kings Road House, and the Ennis House. From early modernist design to bold geometry and layered texture, these homes still influence how we think about space today. Between vegan meals and boutiques, I squeezed in a few landmark buildings—and this tour was totally worth it.

There’s no shortage of design in West Hollywood—Los Angeles shopping and dining at its finest. WeHo has some of the coolest restaurants, brunch spots, and coffee shops around. Every meal (or break from design meetings) offered plenty of inspiration. Beyond strong Americanos and great cocktails, I was drawn to the hospitality design and retail environments—spoken like a true former commercial interior designer.

Toronto’s neighborhoods offer more than just a pleasant stroll—they’re a study in layered history, evolving styles, and architectural details that still feel lived-in. On this trip, I wasn’t only browsing boutiques and admiring façades—I was gathering historic home design inspiration at every turn. From Georgian buildings reimagined as luxury storefronts to rows of Victorians, the structures hold strong.

A trip to NYC from Boston is so easy—Amtrak Acela, Route 128 straight to Penn Station. We came for our client and spent the day at her Lenox Hill apartment. After a full day on site, I headed out just as the light started to shift. Met friends, stopped into a few galleries, and ended the day with a walk through the city. We’ve been spending more time in New York for projects and sources, and every visit brings fresh perspective.

Like a true New Englander, I’ve spent plenty of time in ski towns from New Hampshire to Vermont—and even a few in Massachusetts. I expected Quebec to feel different, but this Mont Tremblant ski trip surprised me with its quality and ease. Just a bit farther than Stowe, my usual stomping grounds, yet a completely different experience.

Visit Montreal in the winter, and expect freezing temperatures with a dose of hockey and history. We’re talking 1°F or way below-zero Celsius. Bring fur, thick socks, plentry of outerwear, and waterproof everything. I personally owe my survival to my leather, sherpa-lined L.L. Bean tall boots—stylish and, frankly, non-negotiable. We arrived via train after a record-breaking 30-inch snowfall, a winter wonderland—cute but cold.