I am writing this on the bus as we wing our way toward the final dinner celebration at Whitby Castle, so here are some photos from the last two days. It’s been such a delightful whirlwind right here at the end and I will be very sorry to leave on Saturday.
I can’t with you, Hudson Valley. I just can’t with you.
You may notice I am posting this after midnight, so perhaps you will forgive me if I don’t say much. The photos speak for themselves, anyways:
Today we visited some lovely houses and ate gorgeous meals and blah blah blah you get the point. Here’s the photos!
We started at Wilderstein, a charming non-profit run almost entirely by volunteers. Their devotion to the house was palpable and the collection was expertly maintained.
The house was painted red, green, and purple; an atrocious sounding combination that was actually quite lovely.
We carried on to a private home nearby called Rokeby, built in 1811.
In the afternoon we visited Edgewater, another private home cared for by Dick Jenrette and his wonderful staff. Completed in 1825, the Greek Revival home boasts immaculately restored interiors, a huge collection of Duncan Phyfe furniture, and some of the hardiest climbing hydrangea I have ever laid eyes on.
Tonight is a free night in Rhinebeck. Any suggestions?
We explored the world of strong ladies today, starting with Eleanor Roosevelt and ending with Beatrix Farrand (my personal favorite!). I was so thrilled to be standing in a Farrand garden that I forgot to snap a photo. We ended the day eating a delicious cold supper under a marquis on the lawn of Montgomery Place. What a sublime, happy evening!
At last! Out of the City..
I spent some time grappling with the merits of contemporary sculpture at Storm King Sculpture Park.
Louise Bourgeois:
We enjoyed a perfect al fresco lunch at a Gothic Revival home called The Vyne. Unfortunately, I was so busy heaping my plate with pasta salad that I failed to take a photo with my phone. After lunch we traveled further North to a grand old Dutch home called Wynkoop House, built in 1767.
We visited five houses yesterday AND enjoyed an evening lecture AND a lively supper at the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck. Today we’re off to Val-Kill, Top Cottage, and the Beatrix Farrand Gardens (!!!) This obsessive gardener is looking forward to the latter…
At last! Out of the City..
I spent some time grappling with the merits of contemporary sculpture at Storm King Sculpture Park.
Louise Bourgeois:
We enjoyed a perfect al fresco lunch at a Gothic Revival home called The Vyne. Unfortunately, I was so busy heaping my plate with pasta salad that I failed to take a photo with my phone. After lunch we traveled further North to a grand old Dutch home called Wynkoop House, built in 1767.
We visited five houses yesterday AND enjoyed an evening lecture AND a lively supper at the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck. Today we’re off to Val-Kill, Top Cottage, and the Beatrix Farrand Gardens (!!!) This obsessive gardener is looking forward to the latter…
We started our day on Wall Street.
And ended on the roof of the Met:
This evening we watched the sun set over the Hudson River, among other things. Here are some woefully inadequate phone snaps of our city travels:
These are just a few glimpses of everything we’ve been up to this weekend in New York City. We leave for Rhinebeck bright and early tomorrow morning — so it’s off to bed I go!
Tomorrow’s schedule gives you a good idea of the blistering pace of Attingham. I can’t WAIT to get out there and flop down on some floors!
And good night, W 44th St.
I’m in New York for the next ten days attending a curatorial study program run by the American Friends of Attingham. Colin is holding down the fort in my absence.
Thanks to the magic of my iPhone I will be able to post snaps of my trip along the way. Check back soon for your daily dose of historic houses… I took the above photo this afternoon on my descent into LaGuardia. Gorgeous!
Hermitage Collection Connection 