Gorgeous Day - Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff Mansion!

 

This was my first year attending the Newport Flower Show.  I've always wanted to go but it's never fit with my schedule.  This year's theme was "Jade: Eastern Obsessions!" and the show was held from June 21st to the 23rd.  Designs were inspired by food, colors and images of the Far East.  It did not disappoint!  The weather was perfect.  My husband commented that at $18 per person (we bought tickets early), this was a true bargain!  We got to spend the day at the Rosecliff mansion, enjoy live music and sip wine as we enjoyed the grounds. The proceeds from the Flower Show benefit the preservation of the 88 acres of historic gardens and grounds maintained by The Preservation Society of Newport County.

  

 

 

Stunning Rosecliff Mansion was built for Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1902.   It was modeled after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles, by the architect Stanford White.

 

Porsche had cars on display at the show.  

Imagine driving around Newport in this hot little car!

Spectacular arrangement with lilies and roses.

 

 

 You can see the theme in many of the floral designs,

 like this amazing dragon that was at the entry to the show.

"Floating" lanterns.

 

This little one is having a great time

and traveling in pampered doggy style!

 

 

 

 

 

  That cloth you're holding isn't covering much Sister!

Love this statue!

 

There were many booths and displays with items for sale.  These are some of my favorites of the day:





 

I purchased one of these "Edge-a-lawn" garden edgers and will let you know how well it works after our garden project.

 

 Just love these clever napkin holders!  Imagine using these for a garden brunch.  How fun! 

 

 

These "Pennoyer Newman" planters are very lightweight and probably some of the most convincing cement-look planters I've ever seen.  They are pricey but they will tolerate extreme temperatures and will be easy to move around the property.

 

 Always love silver! 

 

A sampling of floral arrangements and show participants:

 

Holy giant Begonia! First place!

Topiaries!

 

 

Displays of participants samples

 

Peonies are always a favorite

 

Just love this display. 

Some more of my favorites....

 

   

 

 

 

 

Enjoy some sneak peeks inside Rosecliff. 

Every time I tour the mansions, I get inspired and find some things I would like to incorporate at home.  I'm not sure what the wall color is in the mansion but it is not pure white.  It appears to be almost a light coffee colored white.  I love it.  The other thing I noticed that I will definitely do at home is that the French doors in the mansion are mirrored!  I have a French door in my dining room on the outside of my china closet and will definitely be adding a mirrors to it.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Notice the mirrors on all of the French doors.

 

 

This shot shows the wall color a little better. 

It's definitely a coffee white.

 

 

If you've never toured the Newport Mansions, I highly recommend it.  It is a lovely way to spend the day or a weekend.  You'll get to explore beautiful mansions, learn some great history and interesting stories, enjoy gorgeous landscapes and gardens and wonderful ocean views.  There are many cozy bed and breakfasts in Newport to choose from and lots of great restaurants.

 

If you're interested in touring the mansions or learning more, I've included the link to the Newport Preservation Society below. 

 

http://www.newportmansions.org/

 

Please stop back for my next post where we will be exploring "Green Animals" topiary garden in Portsmouth, RI.