Indholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2018 i Victoria

“I WANDERED LONELY AS A CLOUD THAT FLOATS ON HIGH O’ER VALES AND HILLS, WHEN ALL AT ONCE I SAW A CROWD, A HOST, OF GOLDEN DAFFODILS.” —William Wordsworth “HOW MY HEART GLADDENED, AS THE LIGHT OF SPRING CAME FROM THE SUN, WITH ZEPHYRS, AND WITH SHOWERS, WAKING THE EARTH TO BEAUTY, AND THE WOODS TO MUSIC.” —James G. Percival SEE MORE ON THE WEB at victoriamag.com…

Priscilla Hillman chose her home for its apple trees. Located around the corner from the family’s Litchfield, Connecticut, home, she had admired the property’s arboreal beauty for years. “Some people care about a floor plan,” she explains. “I am drawn by trees.” When the house came up for sale and the Hillmans’ son, Glenn, grew old enough to want a house of his own, Priscilla and her husband, Norman, made the purchase. It wasn’t until they began clearing the recesses of the two-acre landscape that they discovered even more apple trees hidden in an overgrown thicket. But those were not the only residents on the property. When devoted nurturing encouraged forgotten lilacs to bloom, Priscilla discovered offshoots from the legendary French lilac collection offered for sale at an annual event…

From a centuries-old farm cottage perched high on a hillside in the Cotswolds, textile artist Sam Wilson gazes out at the surrounding fields, gathering inspiration for the enchanting prints that adorn her range of products. She has a bit of serendipity to thank for her eponymous homewares brand, which came about quite by accident. Sam was working as an illustrator when she and Mark, her husband and business partner, moved their family to the village of Chipping Campden. She was invited to take part in local arts and crafts exhibitions and began offering her artwork for sale. “I soon realized that originals were expensive and time-consuming, and not everyone had wall space for them,” she says. “I started printing tea towels and fell in love with putting my designs on…

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 2, 7, 17, 20, 34, 36, and 97: To learn more about Valerie Greeley, visit her website, valeriegreeley.com and her shop at etsy.com/uk/shop/acornmoon. WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 13–14: Rebecca McClanahan, a poet, essayist, and memoirist, is the author of ten books. To sample more of Rebecca’s work, please visit her website, rebeccamcclanahanwriter.com. CAPTIVATED BY BUTTERFLIES Pages 15–16: April Cornell: Luxurious Linen Jacquard Tablecloth 54"x54" in Mist, $89, Meadow Tablecloth 56"x 92", $69; 888-332-7745, aprilcornell.com. William Yeoward Crystal: Classic Juice Carafe, $70, Camilla Tumbler Highball, $195; 800-818-8484, williamyeowardcrystal.com for retailers. Varga: Springtime Clear Water Glass, $185; Anna Weatherley: Powder Blue Charger, $110, Spring in Budapest Dinner Plate, $330; from DeVine Corporation, 732-751-0500, devinecorp.net for retailers. Towle: Old Master 4-Piece Place Setting, $675; from Lifetime Sterling, 800-264-0758, lifetimesterling.com. Page 17: Honeysuckle Boxwood…

Take a closer look at some of our favorite March/April features: Blooming Beauty The fertile banks of Oregon’s Willamette River nurture acres of iris gardens, roses, and orchards in a valley that has become a vintner’s paradise. The Season of Rebirth As the lilt of birdsong carries on a breeze blowing through a sun-dappled garden, a lovely Easter tablescape showcases a sumptuous feast. Drawn from Nature Textile artist Sam Wilson captures the spirit of the English countryside in her line of home-wares featuring the flora and fauna of the Cotswolds. An Ode to Spring Surrounded by dancing daffodils, a Wordsworth-inspired menu offers a delicious brunch best enjoyed amid the lakeside floral splendor. We love your ideas! Do you have any suggestions about something you’d like to see in the magazine?…

“THE BUTTERFLY COUNTS NOT MONTHS BUT MOMENTS, AND HAS TIME ENOUGH.” —Rabindranath Tagore…

Escape to the tranquil environs of a sun-washed garden, where the scene is set for a festive gathering. A leafy branch seems to extend an arm in hospitality, guiding guests toward a beautifully adorned table tucked cozily beneath brilliant green foliage. This carefully chosen spot provides a perfect vantage point for savoring the sweet spirit of renewal that characterizes this special occasion. “EASTER SPELLS OUT BEAUTY, THE RARE BEAUTY OF NEW LIFE.” —S. D. Gordon A sense of wonder is palpable among children who eagerly explore timeworn paths, still dressed in their Sunday best. A new white dress simply must be twirled—how else to measure the fullness and loft of its softly gathered skirt? And little toes know that the best way to experience the sumptuousness of fresh, tender grass…

“IN PALE MOONLIGHT THE WISTERIA’S SCENT COMES FROM FAR AWAY.” —Yosa Buson When wisteria reaches the peak of radiance—from late spring to early summer in most regions—let its lush cascades and intoxicating fragrance inspire a memorable celebration. Right: The simple pleasure of indulging in a frosty treat befits a setting sumptuously arrayed with seasonal bounty. Fostoria glassware in the Wisteria pattern calls attention to the featured bloom, while scoops of ice cream echo the blushing hue of pink parrot tulips. Above left: Demure buds accent a Vista Alegre Viana footed teacup, saucer, and accent plate paired with a Wedgwood dinner plate.…

Co-owner of Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts Dan Belman recalls a man who walked resolutely through the 6,500-square-foot Atlanta shop. Declining assistance from several clerks, the mysterious patron studied the mélange of floral compositions, antiques, and accessories before turning to exit. When Dan teased him about leaving empty-handed, the visitor finally confessed with a chuckle that his wife’s credit card statement contained so many entries for Boxwoods each month that he felt compelled to see the allure for himself. Employees never determined the identity of the devoted female customer— perhaps because business has grown steadily since Dan and partner Randy Korando opened the store in 1995. “The best way to describe the ambience is electric and fun,” says Dan. “We are extremely fortunate to be a busy and active place.” The…

“For me, the lily of the valley represents spring’s fragility and gentleness, and evokes the season’s inherent sweetness and romanticism.” As a child, toward the end of a long, snowy (and snowed-in) winter, I was always excited and enchanted to see the yellow, violet, or white crocus buds that had silently and determinedly pushed their way through the stubborn but eventually yielding snow covering the small garden in the front of my house. “Move over, winter—we’re coming through!” they seemed to announce, their long-awaited arrival signaling both the end and the beginning of seasons. The crocus is too beautiful to bear the serious-sounding term harbinger of spring, as I used to think when I first learned the phrase's meaning. How could a harbinger have such delightful colors and such delicately…

Fearless, courageous, independent, and a female pioneer in an age with few role models for women, Amelia Earhart ignored the limitations placed on women to forge her own destiny in life. Her achievements alone are groundbreaking, but especially considering that she was born in 1897, a time when women had limited opportunities outside of marriage and raising a family. She chose to push not only the gender barrier, but also the dangerous new frontier of aviation. I am most inspired by her blindness to adversity, challenges, and discrimination, as well as her spirit of tenacity in pursuit of her dream. She never wavered in her convictions, accepting dangerous flights without hesitation. Using her life and ideals as a compass to guide my choices, she always navigates me to break free…

In the sixteenth century, Europeans became enamored with the iconic blue-and-white porcelain produced during China’s Ming and Qing dynasties. Determined to create their own interpretations of these much-coveted treasures, Meissen made the first pieces in 1707 in Germany, and other countries soon followed suit. In 1775, the Royal Danish Porcelain Manufactorynow known as Royal Copenhagen—was founded by chemist Frantz Heinrich Müller under the auspices of Queen Juliane Marie. Keen-witted and strong-willed, she understood what a valuable component this industry would be to her nation’s economy. The first pattern produced by Müller and his team was Blue Fluted Plain, called Musselmalet in Danish. It features a stylized chrysanthemum and cinquefoil motif, reminiscent of traditional Chinese designs and hand-painted in a distinctive cobalt blue. Although the embellishment has been adjusted slightly through…