Take a seat…and let me tell you about the most beautiful bespoke bench!
The Parterre Bench, designed by Private Newport blogger/author/gardener/lecturer, Bettie Bearden Pardee is a stunning accessory for your garden, terrace or patio. The bench was initially conceived after Bettie saw an “Alice in Wonderland” style bench on a trip to Birr Castle in Ireland.
She sketched the original design (can you see her initials incorporated into the scroll design?!) and has a local wood shop in Newport, Rhode Island make the bench by hand. The color…well, that’s up to you!
Of course, I LOVE the newest pink shade, so I had to ask Bettie what inspired that color.
BBP: I’m always thinking pink! But then for New Years’, friends in Greenwich sent a card with their grandchild and it was on the most delicious shade of pink linen paper. And then winter turned gray, like London, and I really started fixating on pink. I’m thrilled with how it turned out on my Bench!
As we are all drawn outdoors this blooming season, I asked Bettie to share what she enjoyed most about Spring in her exquisite Newport garden.
BBP: Going through the “ceremony” of Opening the Garden for which I’ve waited so long; watching the tulips bloom in pots around my garden as well as the ones planted in my Cutting Garden; feeling that heart flutter when my 4 ‘Hally Jolivette’ cherry trees burst out in their precious pink flowers (when everything else is still so gray).
What a thrill to have seen (and sat on) the famous Parterre bench last August! Reach out to Bettie if you’d like to explore having one of your own!
images: by Private Newport, except the last image
What a great story, I love how she saw her vision through, the benches are wonderful!
I agree, Emily! Bettie has vision and follow through!!
I heard the buzz of the bees near the flowers.