Kensington Palace came with high expectations in my book. I’m not obsessed with the royals, but like everyone else, I can’t look away from a Harry scandal or Kate Middleton’s perfect wardrobe (and hair). My mother adored Princess Diana, and as a kid in the ’90s, I remember her death clearly. All of that history sits in the background, so visiting Kensington Palace—the home tied to every one of these figures—felt exciting.

Walk through The Elms in Newport and you’ll find rooms that feel surprisingly familiar. Beyond the marble halls and gilded ceilings are kitchens, baths, and bedrooms that remind us that good design—historic or modern—always begins with proportion, craftsmanship, and comfort. These are the spaces that connect Gilded Age grandeur to everyday living.