Indholdsfortegnelse for January - February 2011 i Victoria

As a young girl, I was encouraged to promptly write thankyou notes for birthday and Christmas gifts. I’m sure the sight of my beginner’s cursive on the pale blue envelopes my mother provided was cause for smiles at my grandparents’ homes. I can just imagine their voices saying, “Yes, Inez is teaching Phyllis proper manners, just as we expected.” I am just as certain there were times when I surely protested and delayed the writing of those simple missives. But Mother was patient, and I became a willing letter and note writer in my teen years. In continuing to follow a practice dictated years ago by my mother’s sense of propriety and my desire to please her, I feel I am giving expression to one of the genteel arts that…

Beautifully sparse and exquisite in its majesty, winter grants us time to reflect, dream, and take pleasure in the familiar warmth of our homes. As the year begins anew, and the bare expanse of landscape glistens with snow, we invite you inside to cherish the hours within a frosty palette that shimmers with style. Make the most of the season’s stark color scheme with a serene mix of comforting whites layered with brilliant accents. Here, a motif as pure as freshly fallen snow is paired with gleaming metallic accessories to create a tablescape that captures the quiet magic of winter. Subdued white “Symphonie” dinnerware from Comptoir de Famille, right, is glamorously dressed with stainless-steel “Mini Basketweave” napkin rings in Gravel and a “Pressed Dahlia” Gunmetal place mat, both from Chilewich.…

THE HERMITAGE MUSEUM Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, made his home at The Hermitage. The elegant cantilevered staircase and scenic French wallpaper in the center hall, the dining room where Jackson’s portrait hangs, and the bedroom his grandchildren used appear much the same as they did in 1889, when the estate was opened as a museum. The wooden chest and etchedglass lamp are displayed in Jackson’s library. HERMITAGE HOTEL Opened in 1910 as the city’s first million-dollar hotel, the Hermitage Hotel was constructed using Italian sienna marble, wall panels of Russian walnut, and a luminous cut-stainedglass ceiling in the vaulted lobby. The luxurious five-star hotel, a fine example of Beaux-Arts classicism, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. UNION STATION HOTEL Once Nashville’s gateway…

As the fresh white canvas of another new year unveils itself—hopeful, optimistic, and full of promise—we have once again gathered an outstanding group of entrepreneurs who are sure to inspire you with their stories of selfdiscovery. Following only their hearts and their strengths, these gifted women pursue life with passion and positivity. Out of Africa With her groundbreaking company, Jacaranda Living, Cathy Deale has pioneered new markets for the exquisite embroidered linens and handcrafts made by Zulu women in the coastal South African region where she was born and raised. Cathy Deale is passionate about helping people help themselves. She spent her entire childhood and young adulthood in the KwaZulu- Natal territory of South Africa, in the city of Durban, and eventually studied social work and psychology at the University of South…

As a girl in her carefree teenage years, Natasha Lehrer was not anticipating the awakening of her entrepreneurial spirit when her family moved to the countryside from a Chicago suburb. Settling into rural life in the village of Big Rock, Illinois, she felt a deep connection to a biblical verse from the book of Esther: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Inspired by the legacy of the agrarian lifestyle surrounding her new home on the Midwestern prairie, Natasha considered raising sheep. In the process of seeking her path, a kind soul gave her a spinning wheel, and fatefully the Lehrers’ new house came with a loom. An unexpected turn of events led to the purchase of a lamb and…

WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE In her original career in the editorial field, Carol Rizzoli served as a publications editor for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., a book editor for The Washington Post, and an assistant professor at Boston University. Inspired by their enjoyment of bed-and-breakfasts, Carol and her husband, Hugo, followed their dream and launched a new career path by purchasing and renovating a stately Victorian parsonage on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and opening Royal Oak House Bed Breakfast in 2003. She recounts their adventures in her recent book, The House at Royal Oak: Starting Over & Rebuilding a Life One Room at a Time. ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE Fate appears to have lent a hand in bringing together our team of Artists-in-Residence, based in Charlottesville, Virginia: stylist and designer Jennifer Carroll, photographer Jen…

The birth of a new year is a time of reflection, bringing with it an opportunity for change, whether that means adopting healthier habits, pursuing a long-held dream, or developing a greater appreciation of what is most important in life. Here, our readers recall their most successful New Year’s resolutions. Every January 2nd, my birthday, I sat with pen in hand to write my goals and resolutions for the coming year. Despite having had the best of intentions, however, I never quite managed to keep them, as they lost importance throughout the ups and downs of the subsequent twelve months. All too quickly I was back sitting at my desk the following year, often repeating the very same aspirations. Then, one birthday I realized how pointless this was—writing down things…

Our enchanting Vanilla Bean Cake laced with fluffy layers of meringue buttercream icing brings a sweet finish to a savory winter meal. Flawlessly blended, the wispy buttercream is enhanced with vanilla bean seeds to intensify the flavor. Pair this luscious treat with the crisp effervescence of Champagne for a celebratory dessert. Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.” —JOHN BOSWELL See Recipe Index, page 86, for recipe information.…

Victorian and Edwardian continental pillow shams of handkerchief linen with Valenciennes lace surrounds rest on a cutwork-and-embroidery linen duvet, below. All are from Pat Kerr’s private collection. Opposite, from left: Ruched satin trim is threaded with pale pink satin ribbon. A bow of ivory satin ribbon graces a delicate baby bonnet. Brussels lace trims an Edwardian linen handkerchief. Pat Kerr, the celebrated Memphis designer of fairytale wedding gowns, was a collector of lace long before it became an influence on her work. “When I was 19, I went to the Orient and was quite taken by the exquisite embroidery with fine handmade lace,” she recalls. “With no forethought of building a collection, I shipped all my own clothes home in boxes and filled my suitcases with gorgeous embroideries.” As a…

Inspired and guided by owner Sandy Patterson’s passion for collecting, and benefiting from her practiced eye for spotting oneof- a-kind vintage treasures, her shop, High Cotton, Ltd., offers an intriguing journey back in time. With a business background and more than twenty years of retail management and buyer experience, Sandy launched her antiques business in 1991 in Yorktown, Virginia. Expanding ten years ago from the original 200-squarefoot space to the current location in Colonial Williamsburg, High Cotton boasts nearly 2,000 square feet stocked with fine estate linens, crystal, silver, china, glassware, and furniture. “The time frame of the merchandise is turn-of-the-century—1880 to 1940,” Sandy notes. “High Cotton reminds customers of their grandparents’ era and of fond memories from their early childhoods.” Although the shop also carries a selection of small…

PEAKS OF PERFECTION Begins on page 42 Vanilla Bean Cake p.42 Makes 1 (9-inch) 3-layer cake 2 cups cake flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup castor sugar*, divided 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped, seeds reserved 2 large eggs, separated 2/3 cup milk 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 recipe Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream (recipe follows) 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 3 (9-inch) cake pans with baking spray with flour; set aside. 2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl and using a mixer at medium-high speed, cream butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. 3. Add reserved vanilla bean…

As you sort through the mail, the letter stands out. The envelope has a nice texture and a pleasing color. The stamp is floral, and the address is written in a beautiful hand. Turning the letter over, you notice it is sealed with pale blue wax and imprinted with a fleurde- lis. A wedding invitation, no doubt, you think to yourself. Yet, when you break the seal and slip out the contents, you discover a letter from an old friend. Delighted, you sit down in a chair and peruse the missive, smiling and perhaps rereading sections. In this era of e-mails, texts, and cell phones, such an experience is rare but well worth reviving. My adventures in letter writing began with a complaint from my friend Ro. Since high school,…

1. LD DESIGNS Situated along the scenic California coastline in Ventura County, Lisa Discolo’s graphic arts studio specializes in corporate identification, calling cards, personal stationery, type-inspired design, and memory pages that preserve cherished photographs and memorabilia. Celebrating the “presence of the human hand in visual communication,” the company is committed to quality custom designs that convey a unique identity. For more information, visit studiolddesigns.com. 2. LE MARCHÉ Tucked into a cozy historic village in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, Le Marché is a landmark boutique offering classic furnishings, embroidered and monogrammed luxury linens, vintage accessories, fine china, giftware, and stationery. Pioneering their business as importers of fine French furnishings, owners Donna Marie Murphy and Bill Abdalla have expanded their reach to encompass the entire home interiors market. For more information, visit lemarcheva.com.…

The Art of Chocolate Indiana University Art Museum | Bloomington, Indiana | January 30 Treat your valentine to an early celebration at this romantic “evening of fine food, desserts, drink, music & live chocolate.” Hosted amid the colorful environs of the Indiana University Art Museum, the event features an irresistible array of spectacular chocolate creations crafted by local artisans. Attendees can also sample chocolate martinis, hors d’oeuvres, vintage wines, and specialty coffees while touring the galleries, enjoying live music performances, and participating in a silent auction. For more information, visit weekofchocolate.com. Three Friends of Winter Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, Illinois | January 29–31 Celebrate the beauty of winter in the Japanese tradition with this glorious silhouette bonsai show. Representing bamboo, apricot, and pine, which flourish in Japan during cold-weather…

“If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden”. —CLAUDIA GHANDI If your special occasion suggests an intimate dinner for two, take design cues from the garden and the frosty landscape beyond. What could be more inviting than a soft palette of winter whites set aglow by the magic of candlelight and the opulence of crystal, silver, and gold? Amidst a pristine blanket of matelassé, vintage lace, and timeworn finishes, a burst of fresh spring blooms creates an enchanting respite of seasonal contradiction.…

Love Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare (Doubleday). When it comes to words of love, no one is more eloquent than the Bard of Avon. Featuring 154 sonnets and some of the greatest poetry ever written, the book also includes many delightful songs and poems taken from Shakespeare’s plays. Whether conveying tenderness or despair, these works present a multifaceted portrait of love as an overwhelming force that never fails to triumph over time, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, or even death. Cakes for Romantic Occasions, by May Clee- Cadman (David and Charles). This imaginative book provides instructions for creating more than forty stunningly beautiful cakes that are veritable works of art. With motifs influenced by the garden, butterflies, the heavens, and even Paris in springtime, author and couture wedding cake designer May…

Gypsy Honeymoon owner Gabrielle Ekedal arranges objects in vignettes, replete with elements of the natural world—an elegant coral fan, an egret plume, and dried poppy pods. Visitors might find, woven into this engaging environment, the ingredients of a fairy tale: antique spools, fantastical slippers, and decadent sweets. Crossing the threshold of Gypsy Honeymoon, artists, writers, weekend shoppers, and international travelers find items that set story after story in motion: ancient temple bells from Japan, antique French postcards lined with graceful script, delicate silk Chinese ear covers embroidered with spiders. The wares for sale in this San Francisco locale can be traced to the far corners of the globe, and the store itself is reminiscent of a wonderful rainy-day find in Paris—eclectic, lovely, and timeless. “It is a place where objects…

COVER Anna Weatherley Simply Anna teacup, $34, and saucer, $32; from Bromberg’s, 205- 871-3276. India Imported marble bowls, $15–$59; from At Home, 205-879-3510, athome-furnishings.com for retailer information. Antique buttons, call for pricing; from Zan’s, 205-520-4600. Fabric: Kravet 28655-17, Kravet 28717-117, Schumacher 1744-22, and Kravet 193717-12, call for pricing; to the trade only, D.S.R. Inc., 205- 599-6109. SEASON OF WHITE Pages 16–17: Fino Lino Organdy Embroidered Placemat Set in White, $150 for 8 place mats and 8 napkins; from Savannah Fine Linens, 912-447-5885 or 888- 294-8489, savannahfinelinens.com. Royal Limoges Oasis in White bread & butter plate, $60, dessert plate, $75, dinner plate, $65, teacup, $85, saucer, $40, creamer, $125, sugar bowl, $175, oval platter, $520, and salad bowl, $345; brombergs.com for locations. Vagabond Vintage mercury hurricane votives in large, $48, medium,…