Innholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2012 i Victoria

Photo albums, ribbon-tied bundles of wedding invitations and graduation announcements, and countless treasured memories attest to the many celebrations my husband and I observe in May and June. In addition to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day events and the ceremonies, commencements, and nuptials we attend, we gather for the ample share of family birthdays sprinkled throughout these months. I look forward with great anticipation to the balmy weather of midsummer, when we move our entertaining out of doors—either to our screened porch or to the stretch of lawn we refer to as our “outdoor room.” There, with perfumed breezes to cool us and birdsong to serenade us, we can enjoy relaxing times with our guests. I find that hosting gatherings surrounded by nature is an easy way to achieve a…

My mother’s graduation corsage is still vivid in her memory. Even though the sweet peas had pretty much wilted by the time she fetched her highschool diploma and handshake, in her mind’s eye, she holds a clear image of their fluttery, tissue-thin petals as they were pinned onto her gown. Long after she forgot the equations taught in algebra, and decades after the words of Shakespeare’s sonnets faded from her memory, she can still recall the exact whisper-pink hue of those expressive blooms. Many times while I was growing up, she would describe the sheer poetry of the elusive flowers. I almost felt as if I knew them personally. But neither of us really did, because one critical element was missing: The “sweet” had vanished from sweet peas by the…

Books Make a Home: Elegant Ideas for Storing and Displaying Books, by Damian Thompson (Ryland Peters & Small). In today’s digital age, many people are convinced that the future of the printed book is doomed. Author Damian Thompson emphatically disagrees, asserting that books have “visual and tactile qualities that are irreplaceable.” In this magnificent work, he advises readers how to organize and present their collections according to various functional spaces within their homes. Included are fascinating glimpses into the personal treasure troves of several notable readers, accompanied by quotes and anecdotes. The tome also contains a comprehensive listing of resources and suppliers, as well as acclaimed bookshops, libraries, and literary festivals. A Space of My Own: Inspirational Ideas for Home Offices, Craft Rooms and Studies, by Caroline Clifton- Mogg (Ryland…

“Beautiful dream, can I awake / And from the fond illusion part ? Can I the spell of sweetness break That now is lying on my heart ?” —CLARA MARCELLE FARRAR GREENE…

A genuine road warrior, Pamela Williams hits the highway on any given day to scour the country’s best antiques shows and flea markets for her North Carolina boutique, Branching Out. Armed with nothing but a high-top van and her bichon frise, Max, she always returns with a surprising cache of vintage finds her patrons continually deem irresistible. Her shop has become a popular nook within the cozy University Mall in Chapel Hill and a happy diversion for anyone looking beyond the sameness of big-box stores and cookie-cutter design. “My customers are typically very educated, well traveled, and savvy,” says Pamela. “They’re tired of massproduced products from chain stores and megamalls, and they can find what they need here.” The evanescent wares at Branching Out range from handmade antique furniture and…

Experience the desert splendor of the historic New Mexico town of Santa Fe, with its grand hotels, classic inns in the center of Old Town, authentic restaurants, and Native American art galleries. Savor the vibrant flavors and garden-fresh ingredients of summer pasta dishes, ideal for serving at an intimate alfresco dinner for two or a large gathering of friends and family. Browse an exotic collection of hand-painted Japanese paper goods and imported gifts at a charming jewel box of a shop in Berkeley, California. Our fresh take on a classic lobster boil: Enjoy a surfside supper with mouthwatering corn on the cob, scrumptious fruit cobbler, and beach-inspired décor. ON SALE 6/26/12…

When I was about 4, my mother joined the Flint Antiques Club. While most young women of the 1960s era were sporting beehive hairdos, wearing go-go boots, and idolizing The Beatles, Mom was learning about spinning wheels and butter churns and was admiring the American pioneers and revolutionists. In the club, she met a woman named Jean Priser, and they became great friends who went antiquing together. Their favorite finds were what are now known as “primitives.” Rather than antiques that still looked pretty and were in mint condition, as if they had always been stored inside a drawer or displayed behind glass, Mom and objects that showed use and that exhibited the hard work and American spirit. r re nd ut dmiring sts. nt hat ide d Jean liked…

I have wonderful memories of May, as it is the month of two very sacred events: my mother’s birthday and, a few days later, Mother’s Day. Growing up in a small town in the 1960s, we were allowed to walk the mile to the local five-and-dime store. Oh, the importance of that mission! I can remember the ritual distinctly: breathing in the scent of daffodils blooming in the park, feeling the warmth of the sun on my back, riding an elevator by myself, and carrying money in my little change purse. What a rite of passage to select a gift and bring it to the ancient cash register to be rung up by the violet-haired clerk, who may have guessed the importance of this purchase. I carried it home proudly…

EXPLORE MORE OF NEWPORT’S POINTS OF INTEREST AT VICTORIA MAG.COM…

Atop a hill overlooking the city of Portland, Oregon, stands a sandstone castle born of dreams. Henry and Georgiana Pittock, the loving couple who brought it to life, were simple, down-to-earth people. He, barefoot and penniless, made his way west from Pennsylvania via covered wagon; she crossed the plains from Iowa with her parents. When they married in 1860, he was 26, and she was just shy of 16. Before long, Henry became the proud owner of the Weekly Oregonian, currently the oldest continuously published paper on the West Coast. The journalist and entrepreneur later expanded his empire to encompass railroads, steamboats, real estate, sheep ranching, and silver mining. The couple’s ascent to prosperity mirrored the burgeoning growth of Portland from a small Northwestern town to a bustling metropolis. Henry…

COVER Sue Fisher King Italian Dinnerware Animal/ Floral charger, $375, dinner plate, $295, and salad/dessert plate, $375; 888-811-7276, suefisherking.com. Sabre Gustave 5-piece place setting in Pearl, $98.50, Garnier- Theibaut Mille Wax napkins, $81 for 4, Souleiado Ou Ravi Provençau rectangular tablecloth, $360, and La Verrerie de Biot highball glass in Persian Blue, $48.50; from Meli-Melo, 713-526-9026, meli-melo-texas.com Antique chair and white pitcher , call for pricing; from Tricia’s Treasures, 205-871-9779. WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE AND ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 14–15: To learn more about Tovah and her latest book, The New Terrarium: Creating Beautiful Displays for Plants and Nature, visit tovahmartin.com. To see more of Maryjo’s work, visit kochstudios.com. MOOD INDIGO Pages 16–17: South Street Linen Metropolitan Scarf, $225; 774-234-7678, southstreet linen.com. Ryan Studio Aegean Fretwork pillow, $289, Ornament Aegean pillow, $219, and Tortola Marine…

Sooner or later, that primal urge to flee from everyday life washes over all of us. When it does, we choose a destination, pack our bags, and get away from it all. Such was the mind-set of Dan Belman and Randy Korando, owners of a landmark Atlanta shop in the heart of Buckhead known as Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts. With a prospering business that had gradually grown into three separate boutiques—garden, gift, and home entertaining—the couple’s supercharged professional lives had them juggling everything from landscape and interior design to intensive buying trips abroad. “In 2002, when we decided it was time for a second home away from the city,” says Dan, “we set the parameters for two hours or less from Atlanta and took off on a Saturday to find…

AMONG THE WILDFLOWERS Begins on page 30 Summer Vegetable Salad p.33 Makes 4 servings 6 tablespoons champagne vinegar 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon coarse salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 (12-ounce) package heirloom cherry tomatoes, cut in half 1 (8-ounce) package haricots verts, cut in half and blanched 1 English cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, seeded, and sliced into 1/4-inch slices 1/2 small Vidalia onion, thinly sliced 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon fresh dill sprigs 1 tablespoon torn fresh basil leaves 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, haricots verts, cucumber, onion, and shallot. Pour vinaigrette mixture over vegetables; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with dill, basil, and oregano, and…