Innholdsfortegnelse for November - December 2009 i Victoria

The days of this year have passed in a rush, and I find I am eager to meet Christmas head-on, with all the celebrations, decorations, messages from friends, festive gatherings, and special foods that typify the holidays at my home. On the day after Thanksgiving, I will enlist family and friends to help carry the cartons of memory-evoking ornaments from my attic and basement, and we will spend the day reminiscing as we decorate trees in several rooms. What makes your holidays meaningful? We asked our readers to tell us about their personal special traditions, and hundreds of you responded. Reader to Reader is filled with some of your letters, and we’ve posted others on victoriamag.com. These heartwarming accounts will brighten your day and trigger memories from your Christmases past.…

When I think of Christmas, I recall a story my mother told about her childhood. In those days, there was very little money for ornaments and gifts, but the one thing her family did have every year was a tree—not just any tree, but a gigantic evergreen that reached to the ceiling. On Christmas Eve, my grandfather would head to the woods to cut one down and cart it home. Anxiously awaiting his return, my grandmother would busy herself in the kitchen, baking apple pies and gingerbread cookies, while the children strung popcorn, cranberries, buttons, and candy canes for the tree. They laughed, sang carols, and enjoyed a generous dose of togetherness. Today, as I find myself in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, I take a moment…

A regal fir tree strung with twinkling lights and bedecked with carefully chosen ornaments is perhaps the most sentimental and striking item in a decorated room. Stockings and pillows by Pulvermacher Designs, opposite, evoke a subtle, elegant holiday ambience. Mercury glass hurricane lanterns from Vagabond Vintage and angelic votive holders from Jeremie, opposite and below left, reflect the radiance of the candles they contain, giving the room a golden glow. Ornaments with a woodlands theme, such as these from Mary Carol Home Collection and Cody Foster and Co., seem right at home suspended from an evergreen branch, below right. In a room so thoughtfully outfitted, even the wrapping paper and ribbon, bottom, should be alluring. Caskata paper, Midori ribbon, and Cavallini & Co. tags create prepossessing packages. Built in 1891…

menu AUTUMN SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND CANDIED NUTS / PORK LOIN WITH AUTUMN VEGETABLES / SAUTÉED BRUSSELS SPROUTS / OVEN-ROASTED GOLDEN BEETS / HERBED POPOVERS / CRANBERRY COMPOTE AND GINGERSNAPS WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM / PEAR TARTE TATIN In the fall, the outdoors is brimming with décor inspiration. Brightly colored leaves can be used in a multitude of ways. Here, they become an embellishment for a makeshift napkin ring made from a length of waxed twine. Faded green berries and papery seedpods are delicate decorations on an antique bottle, opposite, bottom left. The bottles can serve both as place cards and keepsakes of the evening. VISIT VICTORIAMAG.COM FOR THESE RECIPES AND MORE HARVEST DÈCOR IDEAS. A salad of tender greens and crisp violet-red radicchio, left, is a study in…

From satin and velvet to jacquard and taffeta, ribbon’s classic presence has graced gifts and home interiors for centuries, adding romance and charm to any display. Shown here, the elegance of this lovely embellishment is captured in a variety of Christmas gifts wrapped in lustrous paper and bedecked with shining ornaments and bows. According to Nicholas, ribbon is the oldest form of adornment known to man. “Ribbon is special,” he remarks. “It’s the only thing that can be manipulated into just about anything.” Satin flowers, lace ribbon trim, and sophisticated bows add the perfect finishing touches to a multitude of creative projects, gifts, and interior accents. “My style is very vintage, married with a modern twist. I like to bring all styles and periods of the bygone eras together by…

Sparkling holiday lights along the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré guide guests into the gleaming grandeur of Hôtel Le Bristol. Inside, the stately lobby is filled with rich tapestries, specially displayed for the winter season. The concierge, always graciously willing to be of service, stands behind a richly polished carved-wood desk. The genteel elegance of Paris is evident in each cobblestone street and every faded façade bathed in the renowned rose-pink light of the setting sun on the River Seine. Set in an exceptional location, Hôtel Le Bristol is just steps away from the bustling ChampsÉlysées, on the fashionably quiet Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The historical hotel opened its doors as a luxury establishment in 1925 and has maintained the very highest of standards ever since. Le Bristol is a palatial…

Made of intricately molded paper and vintage die-cuts and adorned with stunning decorative elements, Dresden ornaments bring gentle luster to a classic Christmas tree. After artist Gail Giaimo came across some rare Victorian ornaments in an antiques shop, she started searching for more, but soon discovered they were difficult to find. “I fell in love with the whimsy and beauty of these decorations,” she remarks. “I began collecting old die-cuts and tinsel and making my own creations.” First crafted in and around Dresden, Germany, in the mid-nineteenth century, the ornaments were precious even then, and they continue to be prized by various merchants and individual collectors. Because these timeless embellishments remain a sought-after collectible, Gail embarked on a business venture, Dresden Star Ornaments, which restores these enchanting decorations and creates…

The holidays surround us with the comfort and beauty of seasonal delights, presented by entrepreneurs who bring out the best in food and drink. 1. MIA’S KITCHEN Inspired by her passion for cooking, Mia Sebastiani developed a unique variety of wine-reduction sauces. Each gourmet offering enhances the flavors of fish, meat, vegetables, and even fruit and chocolate cake. 2. SPICE RACK CHOCOLATES Mary Schellhammer took her personal-chef business to a whole new level with her all-natural artisan chocolates. From the hand-ground herbs and spices infused in the chocolates to the exquisite hand-painted designs, each piece is utterly delicious. 3. THE PERFECT BITE CO. When Teri Valentine and her husband, John, began a catering business more than twenty-five years ago, she had a philosophy that cuisine should be made from scratch,…

Whatever the festive occasion— an elaborate Christmas ball or a romantic evening for two —take the time to renew and refresh with lavish beauty indulgences. After you bathe or before you dress, pamper yourself with a perfumed dusting powder that will help you feel exceptionally elegant. Thymes Goldleaf Dusting Powder, shown at left, can be applied with the lustrous puff, leaving skin scented with hints of jasmine and hyacinth. Revive skin with the fragrance of a grand floral bouquet in this airy body powder by Floris. Lady Primrose sweetly blends golden honey and apple blossoms in this dusting powder that is sure to enrich body and soul. The etched-glass shaker and accompanying dusting brush make stunning additions to any vanity. Crabtree & Evelyn’s perfumed powder, far left, silkens skin with…

Framed photographs of six generations of people in my family grace my dining room wall. The oldest pictures are sepia-toned images of stalwart fathers sitting on straight-back chairs, with their proud, unflinching wives standing by their sides. Their children are arranged right and left, holding hands or with their arms around each other. These are the immigrants who embarked on hazardous ocean voyages to come to America in the late nineteenth century. Soon after the newcomers arrived, they put on their best clothes, went to a photographer’s studio, and posed for pictures to send “back home.” Being well dressed meant you were succeeding financially, whether or not it was true. The photos were meant to comfort relatives in “the old country” and sometimes inspire them to come to America, too.…

French Interiors: The Art of Elegance, by Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery with photographs by Christina Vervitsioti-Missoffe (Flammarion). Enjoy a privileged glimpse beyond the stunningly spectacular façades of some of France’s most luxurious abodes. From the classic styles of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to the creativity of the nineteenth century, the book’s lush photos and descriptive text portray the tastefully refined décor of these exclusive dwellings. William Yeoward on Entertaining: Inspiring Ideas for Entertaining with Style, by William Yeoward with photographs by Paul Ryan (Cico Books). Make all your gatherings unforgettable by emulating the sophisticated style and unbridled imagination utilized by this world-renowned tableware designer to transform any occasion into an event. His book features twenty-one gorgeous table settings and menus for everything from a Penthouse Supper to a Winegrower’s Picnic.…

“Within the branching shade of Reverie Dreams even may spring till autumn; yet none be Like woman’s budding day-dream spirit-fann’d. Lo! Tow’rd deep skies, not deeper than her look, She dreams; till now her forgotten book Drops the forgotten blossom from her hand.” —DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI At Christmastime, opportunities for fellowship are everywhere. Stores and streets are filled with busy shoppers, friends and family come to visit, and it seems as though not an evening goes by without a get-together. But as wonderful and fulfilling as this season of camaraderie can be, there is something about a day of solitude that can nourish the spirit and renew the mind. When such a day presents itself—one with no prior commitments, no one to tend to, and no set agenda—it is a…

MASTHEAD Page 6: Duralee Hayden Printed Suede #20762-6; available to the trade, duralee.com. LAVISH POWDERS Page 16: Lady Primrose dusting gift set, $112; 888-382-7673, ladyprimrose.com. Floris Edwardian Bouquet silken dusting powder, £13 (approximately $18.72); florislondon.com. Thymes Goldleaf dusting powder with puff, $35.95; amazon.com. Crabtree & Evelyn Nantucket Briar scented body powder, $20, Lily of the Valley perfumed talcum powder, $13; store.crabtree-evelyn.com. Lollia Imagine perfumed dusting powder, $28; lollialife.com. A WOODLANDS CHRISTMAS Special thanks to the Shellmont Inn, 821 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 404-872- 9290, shellmont.com. Page 18: Jeremie gold angels with tea light holders, $28 (medium/ large), $18.99 (medium); available through BA Evans Home House, 706-882-1184. Pulvermacher Designs Christmas stockings, $165 each, Holiday Pillows, $55–$175 each; 305-474-0919, pulvermacherdesigns.com. Vagabond Vintage mercury glass hurricanes, $110/set of 2 (extra large), $92/set of…

1627 Harvest Dinner with the Pilgrims Plimoth Plantation | Plymouth, Massachusetts | November 21– 22, 2009 Experience a taste of the past and celebrate American history with a memorable evening of entertainment and hospitality hosted by residents of the English Village. After enjoying a delicious feast, guests will learn about the original harvest celebration of the seventeenth century and discover the culture that traveled across the Atlantic Ocean with the Pilgrims. For more information and dinner times, visit plimoth.org. Matisse as Printmaker: Works From the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation Baltimore Museum of Art | Baltimore, Maryland | Through January 3, 2010 Universally acclaimed as one of the most gifted painters and sculptors of his generation, Henri Matisse also was deeply engaged in the art of printmaking throughout his illustrious…

As passersby meander through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area at Christmastime, the gaslight lanterns wrapped in evergreen swags and wreaths studded with richly hued fruits and berries seem to whisper a welcome, transporting them to a time when the holiday was a simple yet splendid celebration. During this winter season, the exterior of the Williamsburg Inn is stunningly festive, its windows bathed in a golden glow. Opened in 1937, the establishment was conceived and built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife, Abby. At Christmas, the premises simply radiate cozy hospitality. The lobby houses a majestic fir tree, decorated with ornaments created by a local miniaturist and topped with a signature Prince of Wales gold crown. Time-honored activities, such as the lighting of the Yule log and…

Germany Among the most classic of holiday desserts is this moist, dark cake suffused with the warmth of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. Gingerbread has its roots in Europe, and it is most famously associated with Germany, where each home has its own recipe, varying from very spicy to sugary sweet. Ours includes a glossy coating of dark chocolate ganache, which delicately balances the piquancy of the spices inside. Norway These paper-thin wafer cookies are traditionally made with an iron similar to a pizzelle iron or a waffle maker—many Scandinavian families have passed down heirloom stove-top irons for generations. The light, airy batter cooks quickly in the hot press, and the cookies are then rolled into cones while still warm and crisp as they cool. The fragile cookies are…

Peaceful evenings spent engaged in conversation around the fireplace beckon treasured memories of holidays past. A stately mantel bedecked with classic antique transferware, above, is reminiscent of days gone by and sets a joyful mood for sharing seasonal delights with loved ones. Bowls and teacups filled with berries, greenery, and fresh spices that emit comforting and familiar fragrances, opposite, create a lovely centerpiece. “Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; and transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fifire-side and his quiet home!” —CHARLES DICKENS, THE PICKWICK PAPERS, 1836 The enchanting beauty of fresh flowers and gifts wrapped lovingly in vivid red and…