ali mode: The Huntington Library

I’m winging my way back to New York today but wanted to share some pictures I took during my recent visit to the Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens in Pasadena. My mother’s friend is a docent there and she gave us a private tour of the recently reopened Beaux-Arts residence and the new Chinese Garden. If you’re ever in the area it’s a lovely place to spend the day, and the Desert Garden is often cited by interior designers as a huge source of inspiration. I’m sure the beautiful new Chinese Garden will soon be added to their list of inspirational spots as it’s filled with gorgeous details. One of my favorites was the area covered in intricately laid stone done in a quatrefoil shape. I also found a sweet little book on etiquette in the gift shop that was taken from old documents in the Huntington’s collection. It’s filled with arcane but amusing advise for women such as always referring to your husband by his surname. The advice may be outdated but it sure will look sweet on my coffee table.