MEET THE AUTHORS of the BOOKS, BUBBLY, & BLOOMS PARTY

Written by: Emmanuela Panepinto Images by: Eric Striffler • July 22, 2023
A table topped with vases of flowers and a magazine.

It was the perfect summer day at Maple Shade, the historic Hamptons home of KDHamptons founder Kelli Delaney Kot and Dr. Mark Kot. Hosted by KDHamptons, the Luxury Lifestyle Diary, LUX Lifestyle Magazine and Bed Side Reading, the exclusive “Books, Bubbly, and Blooms Garden Party” was held on July 2, attracting invited Hamptons influentials, tastemakers, writers, and passionate readers who came to celebrate the holiday weekend. A dynamic group of selected authors signed their hot new summer reads, and guests toasted with Kelli’s favorite cocktails while being served artisanal summer bites.


The consummate Hamptons hostess, Kelli is known for always adding a fun party trick to all of her gatherings. Guests swooned over Kelli’s jaw-dropping BLOOM BAR filled with over 1,000 fresh cut floral stems from Island Time Farm of Shelter Island. Farm owners Kelci McIntosh and Chris DiOrio arranged beautiful custom bouquets sweetly wrapped in burlap and sealed with a pink pin for each guest to take home – a flower lovers dream. Weston Table Founder and CEO Dianne O’Connor curated the BLOOM BAR design to look like a French flower market. She included 19th century copper jugs and watering cans, a collection of vintage items, and a European Wicker Basket Garden Wagon filled with an explosion of vibrantly-colored blooms to create a bit of South of France magic in the Hamptons.

A group of women are posing for a picture in a park.
A woman in a white dress and straw hat is holding a glass of wine.

The event was hosted in the Kot’s gorgeous blooming gardens which featured charming conversation tables and sitting areas styled with Weston Table decor including French table linens, Arte Italica Scalloped Pitchers filled with layers of peonies and pink Chinese forget-me-nots, and pastel pink and white Mosser Glass cake stands that served as pedestals for locally-made Sundae Donuts and sensational Oishii strawberries. Dianne O’Connor noted that, “Kelli’s spectacular gardens and perfect catering created an enviable summer in the Hamptons’ Fourth of July weekend event that will be remembered for its beauty, good taste, and flawless elegance.”

Two women are standing next to each other in a grassy field.

HERE’S THE LIST OF THE  AMAZING AUTHORS

 

  • The Fin Tastic Cleanup by Laura Mancuso
  • I Wish I’d Known/Shine by Sarah Vie
  • Kobe Manatee Climate | Change and the Great Blue Hole Hazard by Robert Scott Thayer
  • Karma Under Fire by Love Hudson Maggio
  • Praesidium by McKinley Aspen
  • The Fairmounts by Valierie Nifora
  • The Baker’s Man & The Necessity of Lavendar Tea by Jennifer Moorman
  • On a Rooftop in Beijing by Maggie Paredes
  • Child Bride by Jennifer Turner
  • Equestrian Life in the Hamptons by Blue Carreon
  • Lady Be Good by Pamela Hamilton
  • Butter Side Up & Jane’s Jam by Jane Enright
  • Underwater Daughter by Antonia Deignan
  • Trust Your Intuition by Robin Pollak
  •  How to Love Yourself by Rachel Madorsky
  • The Finer Things by Lauren Erickson
  • French Holiday by Sarah Ready
  • VEG Forward by Susan Spungen
  • Village Beaches by Philip Andrew
  • North Bay Road by Richard Kirschenbaum


A man is sitting at a table signing a book.
A man with blonde hair is holding a book in his hands.
A woman in a floral dress is holding a book.
A woman is sitting at a table holding a book called sarah ready.
A woman in a floral dress is holding a book and smiling.
A woman is holding two books in her hands.
A woman in a white dress is holding a book.
A man is holding a book titled village beaches.
A woman is holding a book titled trust your intuition.
A woman in a floral dress is holding two books in her hands.
A woman is sitting at a table holding a book.
A man in a blue hat is holding a book.
A woman wearing glasses is holding a cookbook and smiling.
A woman in a pink dress is holding two books.
A woman is holding a book in her hands and smiling.
A woman is sitting at a table holding a book.
A woman in a white dress is holding two books.
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Three women are standing in the grass with a dog in front of a house.

The Veranda House Returns

April 18, 2025
Nantucket, with its misty harbors, salt-kissed breezes, and centuries-old charm, has always been a place where history whispers through every weathered shingle and cobblestone street. This spring, one of the island’s most beloved landmarks, the Veranda House, will once again welcome guests, rising from the ashes of a devastating 2022 fire that necessitated a complete rebuild. Set to reopen in spring 2025, the new Veranda House is a masterpiece of restoration and reinvention. Owned by Procaccianti Companies and managed by TPG Hotels & Resorts as part of the Nantucket Resort Collection, the rebuild was meticulously overseen in collaboration with the town and historic district commission to ensure that the property retained its original federal-style elegance while incorporating modern luxuries and state-of-the-art amenities. First built in 1684, the Veranda House has stood as a symbol of Nantucket’s rich maritime legacy, its wraparound porches offering a front-row seat to the island’s ever-changing seascape. The new design remains true to its original size, scale, and architectural character, seamlessly blending historic integrity with contemporary comforts. Guests will find spa-like ensuite baths in every room, featuring Carrara marble, custom fixtures, and sleek walk-in showers—a nod to modern indulgence without sacrificing classic charm. The 19 redesigned rooms, including the Grand Harborview King with its private balcony and fireplace, exude an intimate, serene luxury. Expanded outdoor gathering spaces now offer even more opportunities for guests to soak in the island’s ambiance, whether sipping coffee at sunrise or toasting the golden hour over Nantucket Harbor. “This reopening marks a significant mile- stone, not just for Veranda House, but for the entire Nantucket community. We are deeply thankful for the community’s unwavering support in bringing this iconic property back to life,” says Paul Hitselberger, EVP of Operations for TPG Hotels & Resorts. The Veranda House is not just a recon- struction—it’s a resurrection, a tribute to Nantucket’s ability to endure, evolve, and enchant. Its doors reopen as a beacon of timeless hospitality, welcoming travelers to a place where history is honored, and every detail—from the breezy verandas to the handcrafted interiors—tells a story. For those who love Nantucket, the Veranda House is a homecoming. Images courtesy of The Veranda House.

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