Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2013 i Victoria

Pumpkins are the quintessential symbol of autumn, glowing brilliant orange amid drying foliage in fields at local farms. In addition to simple beauty, these orbs give a flavor boost to our fall meals. From starter soups to light and creamy cakes, this seasonal favorite makes a perfect partner for showcasing warming spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. The delicate and delicious Pumpkin-White-Chocolate Soufflé Cake pictured on the cover and on page 42 was developed by our chef, Loren Wood, as the culmination of a relaxing dinner served in the rustic barn at J&D Farms. You’ll find the story about this incredible property on page 33. From Massachusetts, Vermont, and Virginia to Portland, Oregon, our stories are sure to inspire you to pack your bags and head for the great…

“Aprils have never meant much to me, autumns seem that season of beginning, spring.” —TRUMAN CAPOTE…

On the shores of Lake Champlain, in picturesque Shelburne, Vermont, historic landmark Shelburne Farms beckons sojourners to explore a sprawling site that is as much a 1,400-acre playground as an educational campus. Dr. William Seward Webb settled in a bucolic valley of northern Vermont in the 1870s with his bride, Lila, the daughter of railroad magnate William Henry Vanderbilt. The Webbs amassed 3,800 acres and envisioned transforming the scattered parcels into a model of modern agriculture. They commissioned the father of American-landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., to conceptualize the space. Embracing Shelburne’s natural topography to evoke a sense of wonder at every turn, the designer divided the area into sections of farm, forest, and parkland. Seward and Lila built their manse and surrounding gardens on the banks of the…

A TASTE OF LOCAL FLAVOR Begins on page 33 Hard-Cider Punch p.35 Makes 2 quarts 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons spiced rum 3/4 cup Rosemary Simple Syrup (recipe follows) 1/3 cup pecan liqueur 6 cups cold hard pear cider Garnish: fresh rosemary sprigs and pear slices Fill a large pitcher half full with ice cubes; set aside. Add rum, simple syrup, and liqueur; stir to combine. Add cider, and stir gently to combine. Pour into individual glasses, adding more ice cubes if needed. Garnish each with a rosemary sprig and a pear slice, if desired; serve immediately. Rosemary Simple Syrup Makes 1 cup 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 4 sprigs rosemary In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, and rosemary. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Remove from…

The gentle serenade of flowing water emanates from a bamboo pipe fountain into a deep basin; weathered stones rise from a bed of sand artfully raked to evoke the sea’s undulating ripples; and moss-covered rocks embrace a magnificent waterfall in verdant splendor. Such are the placid portraits that color the Portland Japanese Garden, an environment designed to speak to all the senses. A living tribute to the history and traditional culture of Japan, this outdoor oasis adeptly melds the essential elements of Japanese garden design— stone, water, and plants—with idyllic accents such as pagodas, lanterns, and arbors. Intended to mimic nature in its most idealized form, the garden’s aesthetic is asymmetrical. “Unlike a French garden, which is created on an axis, you take what you experience in wild nature and…

Visitors to Vermont’s awe-inspiring Shelburne Museum often find themselves embarking upon a journey that exceeds what they ever imagined—rare and unexpected visual surprises await at nearly every turn of the 45-acre setting. Situated in Shelburne, Vermont, just south of Burlington, in picturesque Lake Champlain Valley, the museum is home to one of the finest and most diverse collections of art and Americana. The inventive and unconventional Electra Havemeyer Webb, the daughter of H.O. and Louisine Havemeyer—prominent collectors of Asian and European art—founded this eclectic institution in 1947. Inspired by her passion for unusual artifacts, art, and architecture that capture a unique American aesthetic, Mrs. Webb amassed numerous and extraordinary collections with the intent to showcase them in a village-style milieu surrounded by colorful landscapes of perennial beds, herb and heirloom…

WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 9–11: To learn more about Laura Fraser and her work, visit laurafraser.com. ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 13–14: Jessie Davidson Interiors, 847-482-1466, jessiedavidsoninteriors.com. FAVORITE THINGS Page 15: The Wreath Depot Orchard Bounty Wreath, 22", $61.99; 888-837-3376, thewreathdepot.com. Masterstroke Canada 4" wide Luxury Satin Ribbon in 032 Mais, $5 per yard; 866-249-7677, masterstrokecanada.com. Page 16: Lacefi eld Designs D174 Orange Woven 20x20 Pillow With Jute Fringe, $163; 404-351-5450, lacefi elddesigns.com. Ortolan Organic Monarch Pillow, $72; 646-823-9709, ortolanorganic.com. Alicia Adams Alpaca Inc. Sail Throw in Indigo/Grey; $535; 845-868-3366, aliciaadamsalpaca.com. Aspen Bay Candles Pineapple Pinecones in Spiced Cider, $34.95; 800-748-9249, aspenbaycandles.com. Blenko Glass Company 384M Mini Water Bottle in Topaz, $36; 304-743-9081, blenko.com. Libeco Nottinghill Queen Duvet, $612, Euro Shams, $105, and Flagstaff Accent Pillow in Red, $101; from The Nicholson Gallery, 404-848-9553, thenicholsongallery.com.…

For a tastefully appointed home in one of Chicago’s upscale western suburbs, Jessie Davidson worked with a client’s existing collections to create inviting rooms that exude classic beauty. With clever visual prowess, she brought together a selection of luxurious textures in muted hues of persimmon, chocolate brown, taupe, and gray, along with the owner’s antiques that display an impeccable mix of mellow wood tones. “This is a very open floor plan—wonderful for entertaining,” notes the designer. “I wanted to focus on putting together soothing spaces that would complement my client’s collection of art and antiques.” In the family room, plush fabrics, including silk-velvet, suede, and linen-damask, are accented with pillows in persimmon silk and chocolate-brown Mongolian lamb’s wool. Invigorating splashes of persimmon and yellow in the living room, as well…

“ I would raer sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, an be crowded on a velvet cushion." —Henry David Thoreau…

Vibrantly hued leaves float gently to the ground and crunch beneath my feet as I cross the parkway to my local farmers’ market. The usually empty lot is alive with vendors and potential customers. The scene before me reveals rows of white canopies and colorful umbrellas covering tables piled high with fresh vegetables and fruit. A vintage pickup and a wooden wagon are filled to the brim with the produce of many hours of labor. Merchants bustle about, displaying their wares for the business of the day. Herbs, flowers, and vegetables still holding the scent of moist earth entice my senses; my spirit is aglow with the warmth and excitement of this Saturday adventure. The voices of the vendors echo as they exchange greetings with early-morning shoppers who wander through…