I come from a long line of fascinating, difficult, stylish, and unforgettable people., especially women.

On one side, I’m a direct descendant of the Blackinton family—spelled Black-in-ton, with no G—founders and civic leaders of North Adams, Massachusetts, whose name still graces the town’s map and memory. Their legacy is one of structure, industriousness, and civic pride. It runs deep in my veins, along with a touch of stubborn refinement.

On another branch stands my great-great-great-grandmother, Charlotte “Lottie” Waterhouse—a woman of elegance and steel. She married into the Waterhouse family, the original accountants for the most prestigious side of our American lineage. Lottie was known for her beauty, sharp wit, and unshakable presence—qualities I like to think she passed down, whether we asked for them or not.

And my great-great-grandparents, who—let’s be honest—had far too much money for their own good. They maintained homes across Asia and collected art, furnishings, and rare pieces with the kind of carefree enthusiasm reserved for people who’ve never had to worry about storage. Much of the Asian art in my life today comes from their travels—not as souvenirs, but as extensions of the world they inhabited.

My mother inherited that eye. Her taste in couture, jewelry, and design was instinctual and bold. She had a gift for color, texture, and proportion—always knowing how to make something breathtaking without making it loud. She taught me to spot beauty, to appreciate restraint, and to never confuse price with value.

At the heart of our family’s geography is Hitching Post Farm in Woodbury, Connecticut, purchased by my grandparents from the surrealist artists Kay Sage (K. Sage) and Yves Tanguy. Under the guest house was the original town jail. I still maintain all of the keys to the jail. Also of note, there was a large snapping turtle - a menace. My grandfather named hi Godzilla and I understand from the family who bought the arm from my grandparents that he is still alive and kicking!

My grandmother and Kay developed a rare, genuine friendship, and several pieces of furniture from Kay still live in my house. The farm became a haven—for animals, memory, artistry, and layered history. It remains one of the most sacred places in my life.

This site reflects all of it—the refinement, the wildness, the lineage, and the chaos. Every item, every object, every word is part of that living inheritance. This is not just a website. It’s a window into history, held with both reverence and humor.

My name is Elizabeth. I have always rescued dogs and for the last twnty years have been rescuing coonhounds because they are very often discarded in my neck of the woods. a writer, a traveler, an international human rights attorney and someone whose roots run wide and deep. On my mother’s side, the family ties itself to Queen Victoria—and while I can’t swear to every detail, I can say I’m grateful not to have inherited the chin. My father’s family descends from the original O’Sullivan and O’Keeffe royal lines of Ireland. The point isn’t the royalty—it’s the legacy. Everything I hold dear is stitched with meaning, memory, and a bit of mischief.

I don’t have children, so I’m intentional about where everything goes. Some of my family’s most meaningful pieces will be donated to the Blackinton Library, where the name still carries weight. But many others I hope to pass on to people who will cherish them, display them, and tell their own stories around them—so that nothing beautiful ends quietly, or without a witness.

What I share here is not just history. It’s personal. And I’m so glad you’re here to witness it.