Indholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2018 i Victoria

“FINE OLD CHRISTMAS . . . HAD DONE HIS DUTY THAT YEAR IN THE NOBLEST FASHION.” —George Eliot “ALL THE WORLD THAT I SEE FROM MY TOWER IS DRAPED IN WHITE.” —Jean Webster “THE SNOW IS SPARKLING LIKE A MILLION LITTLE SUNS.” —Lama Willa Miller SEE MORE ON THE WEB at victoriamag.com…

Although some antiques should be given to the care of a professional, these tips can help keep a collection in prime condition. → Rotate displays to avoid exposure to sunlight, heat, and humidity. → Promptly after use, hand-wash silver and dry with a soft cotton cloth. → Wrapping items in specially treated flannel prevents flatware from tarnishing during storage. → Use reputable products and gentle tools when polishing is needed. → Scouring silver pieces rigorously may irreparably damage the finish. Employ mild techniques with delicate objects, and accept the warmth of patina.…

Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence, Italy, has long enjoyed its reputation as a center for art. Florentine artists such as Raphael and Michelangelo created brilliantly hued and meticulously detailed paintings, most often with ecclesiastical themes, and gold leaf was used liberally, especially to denote sacred figures. Local craftsmen began making their own interpretations of this ornate style in the form of triptychs, picture frames, and furniture. As interest for these pieces grew, the community craft guilds provided crucial support to these artisans, ensuring they could keep up with the demand and that the desire for their products would continue for centuries. These items were particularly favored by British tourists during the Victorian era, allowing them to bring souvenirs of the continent home from their travels. Florentine-style wooden…

In the early 1960s, just before Aunt Jess and her family left their home on the United States Naval Base in Argentia, Newfoundland, just a few miles from my hometown, my military uncle—Bake, as he was affectionately called—gifted to my father a handsome, hand-painted, and rather significant wooden Santa complete with sleigh, roping, and reindeer. Every year thereafter, for as long as I can remember, my father would judiciously rig up Santa and his team in our front yard, along with a magnificent, illuminated fir tree. “Inside each glorious Christmas box from away, there were individual packages impressively wrapped in pretty papers with brightly colored bows. ” The ritual was a sure signal that Christmas had officially arrived in our neighborhood. Our splendid Santa was the first of its kind…

Take a closer look at some of our favorite November/December features: A White Christmas Discover the majestic sights, myriad charms, and Old-World influence present in Québec City, Canada, a mecca for travelers from all around the globe. Silver at Table One woman’s sterling collection is composed of lovely and thoughtfully procured selections, including rare antiquities and cherished heirlooms. Holiday Open House With many festive, make-ahead selections and an abundance of light fare, our menu provides the perfect cuisine for those cheerful end-of-year gatherings. A California Collective Homeowner Annie Higgins weaves her love for antiques into her work and surroundings, where an appreciation for European treasures reigns supreme. Visit our website to read this issue’s online stories and to find more of the content you love.…

“CHRISTMAS IS A DAY OF MEANING AND TRADITIONS, A SPECIAL DAY SPENT IN THE WARM CIRCLE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS.” —Margaret Thatcher Embellishments of red and green lend time-honored elegance to the celebration of Yuletide—especially when rendered in crisp tartan or complemented by shimmering gold. With finds for decking the halls, entertaining, and gift-giving, our gathering of treasures heralds the season with signature style.…

In the northeastern Paris suburb of Pantin, Maison Lemarié’s artisans work amid yards of gossamer fabrics, sparkling trims, and assorted plumage. As one of the last remaining plumassiers and decorative florists, Lemarié is known not only for its feather and floral creations, but also for exquisite tailoring that incorporates ruffles, pleats, inlays, and smocking. Those extravagant fabric camellias that adorn garments bearing the coveted Chanel label are brought to life within these very walls, with each petal painstakingly assembled and sewn by hand. Nearby, at the Maison Lesage atelier, masterly hands move with expert ease as a piece of broderie d’intérieur (interior embroidery) takes shape. Silver and gold threads shimmer amid bright turquoise and amethyst strands arranged into flowers and foliage—bouquets that soon will embellish evening gowns. “EMBROIDERY IS TO…

“CHRISTMAS IS A SEASON NOT ONLY OF REJOICING BUT OF REFLECTION.” —Winston Churchill “THE LIGHT OF THE CHRISTMAS STAR TO YOU. THE WARMTH OF HOME AND HEARTH TO YOU.” —Sherryl Woods The hushed neutral palette of Kathleen and David Roth’s gracious family home in the suburban enclave of Mountain Brook, Alabama, evokes a sense of pure serenity all year long. But come December, it offers a sublime backdrop for sumptuous swags of evergreen, boxwood wreaths, crimson amaryllis, yards of classic red ribbon—and all the other trimmings that make Yuletide complete. When the couple bought this charming 1940s two-story painted-brick house five years ago, Kathleen took on the task of decorating every square inch herself—but then, creativity comes naturally to this busy entrepreneur. As the owner of Key Circle Press, she…

In Chinese culture, soolip represents the idea that life’s destiny is to seek wisdom. It also happens to be entrepreneur Wanda Wen’s middle name. Twenty-three years ago, she wisely channeled her love of paper—and her unique name—into a thriving business where her talents are beautifully on display in the form of stationery, card sets, and wrapping paper. Her enticing West Hollywood emporium is a study in serenity, with vignettes placed according to feng shui principles and products lined neatly on floor-to-ceiling shelves. Drawers hold parent sheets—larger sheets on which multiple copies of a printing are made—of shimmering, patterned paper, and a rainbow of ribbon is neatly corralled against one wall. “Forever, since I was a girl, I’ve always been fond of paper and the possibilities of paper,” explains the proprietress,…

Atop a peak in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Ellen Phillips observes the rhythms of nature from her woodland studio. Expansive windows frame views of the surrounding area—a peaceful setting that offers a kaleidoscope of artistic inspiration. Within the atelier, Ellen’s portfolio also reflects seasons of growth and change. After majoring in biology and art, she began her post-college career as a research assistant in biochemistry and was surprised to find similarities between the two areas of study. “What they have in common,” she says, “is a hungry curiosity and the ability to connect seemingly disparate things.” Both disciplines require tenacity, she points out, in order to bring about something new. “GOOD ART CAN INTRIGUE AND CHALLENGE AND AWAKEN OUR MINDS TO NEW AND DEEPER IDEAS.” —Ellen Phillips Creative expression ultimately…

AN ALABASTER OPEN HOUSE Whipped Feta and Olive Finger Sandwiches Makes approximately 24 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (8-ounce) block feta cheese, crumbled ¼ cup heavy whipping cream ½ cup finely chopped pitted Kalamata olives 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 1 teaspoon lemon zest ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 (16-ounce) loaf firm white sandwich bread ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley Garnish: sliced Kalamata olives, fresh dill 1. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, feta, and cream. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Beat in chopped olives, dill, lemon zest, and pepper until combined. 2. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture over half of bread slices. Top with remaining bread slices. Using an electric or serrated knife, remove crusts from bread,…

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Thanksgiving and Christmas menus followed a predictable pattern: roast turkey and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, and baked ham and my mother’s special coconut pie for Christmas. As a young mother, I attempted to follow those same menus for the holidays. Then we moved to Jamaica with our young children for a two-year stint as volunteers. Some traditional food items, such as turkey and cranberries, were simply unavailable. What to do for a Thanksgiving menu? From our local newspaper, we clipped a recipe for rice-peanut stuffing with orange zest in roast chicken, which proved to be a hit. From then on, we were liberated from traditional holiday menu expectations. One year we enjoyed a spicy North African meal for Christmas; another year, Julia Child’s recipes…

When we think of a British Christmas, we often imagine a Dickensian holiday. Beribboned mistletoe balls, lavish sweets, and St. Nicholas come to mind, along with gorgeous Christmas trees—a tradition ostensibly imported from Germany by Prince Albert. In fact, the first Christmas trees made their way to England years earlier when Queen Charlotte, the consort of George III, introduced miniature versions into the royal family’s private festivities. While not as elaborate as a Victorian celebration, a Regency Christmas was a time of great cheer that included greenery, mistletoe boughs, Yule logs, Christmas candles, holiday parties, and simple but heartfelt gifts. In Scotland, however, things were quite different. Prior to the Scottish Reformation, most of the Christmastide traditions were observed. The Scots even referred to the season as the Daft Days,…

“IT’S CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART THAT PUTS CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR.” —W. T. Ellis “THE FIRST FALL OF SNOW IS NOT ONLY AN EVENT, IT IS A MAGICAL EVENT.” —J. B. Priestley “THERE IS A CHRISTMAS SONG UPON THE AIR, THERE IS A JOY INNATE WITHIN THE HEART.” —Edna Greene Hines SEE MORE ON THE WEB at victoriamag.com…

For Elizabeth McGiffert, as the sun sets on Thanksgiving Day, thoughts shift from sharing a casual harvest meal on the family farm to planning a formal Christmas Eve dinner at home. The McGiffert brothers and their wives alternate serving as hosts for this grand occasion, and when it is Elizabeth’s turn to welcome loved ones to the table, place settings gleam with the timeless allure of precious metals. “Sterling silver is classic and elegant,” she says. “I appreciate it for its beauty but also because every piece has a story behind it.” Pulling objets d’art from her custom-built silver closet, each loving cup, bonbon dish, and compote seems to hold memories. She recalls an instant attraction to many of her finds. In fact, when she spotted a folding biscuit box…

It was a Sunday afternoon in 1992 when interior designer Jan Cash and her husband, Stan, found their most beloved objet d’art. The pair had just arrived in Munich for a tour of Germany and, eager to become oriented, set out to walk the quiet streets. Without a map to guide them or an itinerary to limit their wanderings, the outing took on a dreamlike quality as the pair became immersed in the ancient city’s beauty. As they passed an antiques shop, an exquisite angel displayed in the window took Jan’s breath away. She wanted to purchase it, but the store was closed, and she doubted they would ever stumble upon the location again. To her relief, Stan led her back the next morning, and a kindly shopkeeper explained that…

“I WISH WE COULD PUT UP SOME OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN JARS AND OPEN A JAR OF IT EVERY MONTH.” —Harlan Miller…

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 2, 7, and 113: 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, visit her website, rebeccamcclanahanwriter.com. GIFTS TO CHERISH Page 15: Hoffman Media: Exclusive Victoria Holiday Ornament, $34.95; 800-361-8059, victoriamag.com/shop. Lenox: Winter Greetings Plaid 6" Bread & Butter Plate, $34, Winter Greetings 8" Salad Plate, $50, Winter Greetings Plaid 10.75" Dinner Plate, $72, Reed & Barton: Francis I Wreath Picture Frame Ornament, $100; 800-223-4311, lenox.com. L.L. Bean: Royal Stewart Scotch Plaid Flannel Nightshirt in Popover Plaid, $54.95; 800-441-5713, llbean.com. Monahan Papers: Holiday Journal with pen, $24.95, available in three patterns; 800-361-8059, victoriamag.com/shop. Page 16: Caspari: Acanthus Trellis Gift…