the waves

Rhode Island is one of my favorite places to visit in the summer.  Not only does one of my best friends live in Providence, but my aunt and uncle own a fabulous summer cottage in closeby Newport, as well.  Before they bought their current summer home, they used to rent out a part of The Waves every summer, a fabulous mansion on the Cliff Walk, that was built in 1927 by architect John Russell Pope.  I’ll never forget the first time I visited, coming up the drive and seeing this breathtaking ivy covered stone and slate structure. While the original mansion has been turned into a bunch of privately owned condos, the integrity of the property is still completely intact…you have to look pretty closely to see it isn’t still one grand summer home:

A charming walled courtyard welcomes you as soon as you drive up:

The deck to the left below was off of my aunt’s condo, where we ate and drank many a margarita until the wee hours of the morning:

This was our view…who wouldn’t love to wake up to this every day?

A sail boat is the best way to see all of Newport:

…including the former childhood summer home of Jacqueline Bouvier and her family:

…which, might I add, comes complete with a children’s playhouse.  Apparently, there are underground tunnels connecting the two so the house staff wouldn’t be seen running to and from.  In case you’re wondering, that “playhouse” is bigger than my first mortgaged home, haha!

I can’t wait to get back up there this summer!  Stay tuned for before and after pics of my aunt and uncles newly renovated summer home.  Happy Tuesday!