A Holiday Walk | Greenfield Hill

Greenfield Hill, Connecticut is a part of Fairfield that is filled with a wonderful blend of antique houses built in the 1930s. Many of them are designed by architect, Cameron Clark. Clark lived in Greenfield Hill and had offices in Southport and Manhattan. He is well-known for his residential work and for his redesign in 1939, of the Fairfield Town Hall. Clark was married to Agnes Selkirk, a graduate of the Lowthorpe School of Landscape Architecture—a school for women founded in 1901, specializing in landscape architecture and horticulture—located in Groton, Massachusetts. Agnes worked for renowned landscape architect and teacher Ellen Biddle Shipman before opening her own Park Avenue office.

Not all of these houses were designed by Clark, but they are all gems that I wanted to share with you. I took these photographs on an afternoon walk last winter. The architectural details and stonewalls are timeless and elegant and truly Connecticut.

Everything looks particularly beautiful in late afternoon winter light.

Here is the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church that sits on the green. It's the church I got married in almost 14 years ago. In the month of May, there is a lovely Dogwood Festival here. It's been a tradition for 76 years. I hope you enjoyed our afternoon walk around Greenfield Hill. Wishing you glad tidings and all the best in the New Year!

Gifts + Charms + Wish-Lists

A lovely reader of My Dog-Eared Pages wrote to ask me if I would please create another gift guide this year. I was extremely honored and delighted by her request. But I just couldn't find the time it takes to gather together a complete holiday gift guide as I have in the past—with ideas from baby to best friend [here + here]. So what I thought might be fun, would be to put together my own wish-list. My dream gift would be the perfect antique lady's writing desk from 1stdibs! But of course, what I would love more than any gifts at all, would be to gather with family and friends.

My extravagant wish-list. For almost seventeen years, my dear friend André gave me a scarf from Hermès for Christmas [though not my first, you can read about that here]. The year André passed away from cancer, my husband carried on the tradition. So, the first thing on my list is inspired by this beautiful friendship and this classic photograph of Jean Shrimpton. I don't have a solid-color scarf in my collection and I love this purple scarf called, Hermès-Sellier.

Hermès-Sellier Scarf in silk jacquard $395

Now remember... I said this was a wish-list! I currently do not own a pair of Roger Vivier shoes. And, I think these are absolute perfection. Such a divine color, with tortoise shell buckle.

Roger Vivier Belle de Nuit Suede Gommette Flats $590 [On right, a 1960s ad for shoes designed by Vivier for Christian Dior, Illustration by Rene Gruau]

I just discovered this sensible + chic Loupe from Vivre, made by the renowned French design house Perrin Paris 1893. It magnifies 5X with a 2.36" diameter lens on a 35.4" cord. Never worry about leaving your glasses behind!

Tortoise Loup by Perrin Paris $395 • And, they make amazing eyewear, too. $345

Also from Vivre, I spotted this Horn Cuff by Mariana Lopez Osornio. I think it might be best to wear two at a time. One on each wrist!

Horn Cuff made in Argentina from Vivre $150 [note: MLO Jewelry is a sustainable business; using recycled materials] More treats for the cuff with these fabulous gloves from Anthropologie: [perfect details, note the gold-tone leather in between the fingers!] Cuffed Shearling Gloves by Maison Fabre $198 Don't head out into the cold without the perfect Lip Balm! Rodin Olio Lusso blush-tone Lip Balm w/Jasmine + Orange Oil $28 Hmmm, it appears I am loving pink and coral at the moment! I adore this Tangier Stripe Pillow from Heidi Merrick. $165 Crisp white Wendy Shirt with Cocktail Cuff by Thomas Pink $180 • Straw Stitched Sun Hat from Chance $325

And, since this just might be the year of the Charm Bracelet after the Christie's auction of Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry Collection this week:

Oscar de la Renta Russian Charm Bracelet $225 Yummy Marimekko Lokki Blanket $245 • Tangle Lacquered Tray from Plantation Design $150 [you can never have too many trays or blankets!]

And, maybe something to read while cozy under the Lokki blanket. There are so many wonderful books that have been published recently. One that I would love to add to my library is, BALS: Legendary Costume Balls of the Twentieth Century; that explores nine of the most exceptional private costume parties of the twentieth century. Published by Assouline.

BALS: Legendary Costume Balls of the Twentieth Century $175 And just one more, published by Rizzoli... Oberto Gili: Home Sweet Home $85

Since the 1970s, Oberto Gili has been an editorial photographer traveling the world. His images of fashion and interiors have appeared in House & Garden, Town & Country, and Vogue. This collection of photography spans his career; and focuses on 'the extravagance of the bohemian.' The New York Social Diary interviewed Oberto Gili here. And, there are also so many treats for your library at my favorite, Nick Harvill Libraries. I would love numerous prints by artist, Jane Parkes. Her work is quickly being discovered by decorators; as seen in the June issue of House Beautiful. Green Girl, Monotype [see a lot more and inquire about pricing and availability here.]

A touch of RED with this votive from glassybaby in the color Happiness. 10% of the sale from each Happiness votive is donated to Gilda's Club in New York City. So far, glassybaby has donated $626,211.73 in sales given since November 2003. Their votives absolutely glow and come in amazing colors. These make great gifts for hostess, or anyone!

glassybaby Happiness votive $44

And, finally... who wouldn't adore an Ivan Terestchenko photograph from his series Interieurs Couture. [contact directly for availability: 30 x 40 cm $250 • 50 x 60 cm $400 • signed, dated and numbered • limited edition of 30 prints]

I would like to end by wishing you the most delightful holiday possible. And, to thank you for reading My Dog-Eared Pages. I greatly appreciate each and everyone of you who visits and comments. Happy Holidays!! Holly Boot: Andy Warhol for Tiffany & Co.

1960s Mexicottons

I just discovered these wonderful Mexicottons from máXimo design by Alexander Girard. As a textile designer, Girard is known particularly for the work he did for Herman Miller from 1952 to 1975. In the late 50's, Girard felt that the textile industry was lacking the zest of color he was looking for, so he designed these lively cottons that were woven at a 19th century textile mill in Morelia, Mexico. Today, máXimo is working with the same mill to re-issue these Mexicottons, which are hand-dyed and hand-woven exactly the way they were when Herman Miller first introduced the fabrics in 1961. These beautiful stripes are respectably priced at $65 per yard and $45.50 to the trade, with a 1-yard minimum. I'm planning to cover two chairs in the pink/red stripe, with stripes running horizontally.

blue/green

wide multi-stripe


red/blue


pink multi-stripe


blue/green multi-stripe


pink/red


tan/black

In 2000, máXimo partnered with the Girard family to bring Alexander Girard's extensive collection of work to the contemporary market by joining select companies like Flor, Maharam, Kate Spade, Herman Miller, Vitra and Chronicle Books. Products include accessories, home + office, pillows, fabrics and more.