Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2019 i Victoria

In a poignant scene from Little Women, our inaugural Victoria Classics Book Club selection for 2019, the most demure of the March sisters yearns to play a wealthy neighbor’s grand piano but cannot bring herself to do it. The chapter unfolds, however, with a kindly gesture emboldening the girl to fulfill her aspirations. “Beth at last touched the great instrument,” Louisa May Alcott writes, “and straightway forgot her fear, herself, and everything else but the unspeakable delight which the music gave her, for it was like the voice of a beloved friend.” Perhaps it is because all of us can relate to this character’s hesitation to pursue her passion that we so heartily cheer her victory. Within our March/April issue, you will meet other talented women who overcame doubt to…

During the nineteenth century, the English were not alone in their quest for colonies—an endeavor that provided social status and prosperity to those who had the wit and the will to take advantage of the treasures on offer. The Dutch, Portuguese, and French were all competing for control of the next foreign territory, enriching themselves with the country’s wealth. Since the early Tudor days, Britain had pursued possession of territories around the world. The East India Company had its own private army to safeguard its trading in India and China, until the Indian Rebellion of 1857, when it ceded control of Indian interests to the British Raj and the newly titled Queen Victoria, Empress of India. But the British army was sent to protect gold- and diamond-mining operations in South…

When Jamie Harris first drove by an 1830s raised cottage set on several acres in midtown, she could barely discern the outlines of a porch behind a tangle of brambles and bushes—but she could tell the house had character. Some years later, when she heard it was coming up for sale, she quickly arranged a visit before it officially went on the market. As it happens, Jamie and her husband, Rob, were leaving that day for a trip to Italy, but they were so taken with the property, they made an offer from the airport. Happily, it was accepted. The Harrises were no strangers to renovations, having owned a number of old or historic homes that required varying degrees of repair—most notably the Virginia farmhouse where Rob had grown up—but…

When jewelry designer Ivy Long was growing up, her mother was a talented textile artist whose most notable wares were beautifully stitched hats. She often featured vintage fabrics in her millinery work, finishing the items with detailed appliqués and bead embroidery. It’s no wonder her equally artistic daughter was drawn to the fascinating realm of needle art. “I remember sorting through her collection of vintage buttons when I was little, the fun of seeing her designs take shape, the hum of the sewing machine, as well as being surrounded by all the interesting colors and textures of fabrics,” says Ivy. When she was ten, her mother gave her a box filled with beads, and that’s when she realized the endless possibilities of wondrous things she could create. “From a very…

I had been carrying a heart-load of grief when I first spotted Coco, a shy German shepherd-retriever mix, at a local animal shelter. Surrounded by a barking chorus of hyperactive beagles, pit bulls, and terriers, Coco walked toward me as I approached and then gently leaned her head against the cage door. Without a doubt, I had to make room in my home for her. My mother had died a month earlier after a long, sad battle with heart disease and vascular dementia. I was possessed by the notion that adopting a shelter pet would help ease my loss while filling the extra time that had suddenly opened up on my caregiving calendar. “In exchange for our care, they offer us unconditional devotion. ” First, I had to convince my…

Take a closer look at some of our favorite March/April features: Splendidly Restored Southern charm abounds in this nineteenth-century Georgia abode, but the interiors also reflect the homeowners’ love of antiquing and international travel. A Taste of Ireland Toast to St. Patrick’s Day with a steaming cup of Irish Coffee topped with whipped cream and a slice of Irish Porter Cake served with generous drizzles of a decadent whiskey sauce. Idyllic Easter Traditions Hand-crafted keepsakes remind us of the wonder of this time of year. Discover creative ideas for celebrating the season of rebirth. Ready to Bloom When she set out to transform the landscape around her brick Tudor, Linda Vater not only cultivated lush English-inspired alcoves but also developed a flourishing career in garden design and styling. Visit our…

Nestled gently into a rustic twig nest, suspended from a willowy bouquet of freshly cut branches, or arranged in similarly festive displays, a bevy of thoughtfully hand-decorated eggs celebrates spring. Along with offering an interlude of crafting, creating these keepsakes with papier-mâché eggs instead of a farm-fresh variety provides a means to preserve the splendor of a landscape in bloom. Using paints and stationery from her line, Artist-in-Residence Stephanie Monahan employs classic techniques to make objets d’art imbued with heritage. Brushed with hues from nature’s palette, from cheery shades of yellow and robin’s egg blue to petal-soft tints of lavender and pink, her colorful eggs are ready to be ornamented further with the art of découpage and delicate trimmings. A passionate collector of antiques and ephemera, Stephanie sources illustrations, sheet…

The Golden Gate Bridge, with its iconic and often-photographed vermillion towers, is San Francisco’s most famous attraction, to be sure, but not far from the bridge’s terminus on the city side, there is much to see and do. Though the weather is consistently temperate the year-round, spring is an especially lovely time to visit the Bay Area. Once a rather desolate stretch of sandy dunes, Golden Gate Park was transformed into a lush urban oasis in the late nineteenth century, due largely to the dedication of John McLaren, the horticulturist who served as its superintendent for more than five decades. Within the park’s more than 1,000 acres, tourists discover a medley of gardens and natural features, as well as the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum, which opened in…

When Linda Vater and her husband, Jamie, moved into their home twenty-seven years ago, the only thing growing in the front yard was an old oak tree. The backyard was no better; a tangle of blackberry brambles and bare clay presented quite a daunting picture. Fortunately, the house itself was in much better shape. Original mahogany woodwork and plantation shutters framed the spaces, and the oak floors required nothing more than waxing and buffing. A carefully researched paint treatment bestowed the walls with a mellow patina normally acquired over centuries, while the exterior was sandblasted back to its authentic finish. A kitchen renovation was the only major change. Meanwhile, Linda pondered what to do outside; her prior experience was limited to houseplants. When a neighbor who was a landscape gardener…

“I APPRECIATE THE LESS-STUFFY ATTITUDE OF HOW THE ENGLISH DECORATE—I’M DRAWN TO COMFORTABLE, INVITING ENVIRONMENTS.” —Lynne Taylor Stepping into Lynne Taylor’s Temecula, California, home, one feels an immediate sense of calm. Sunlight cascades through the large windows, while pale gray-green walls offer a serene backdrop to a thoughtfully curated blend of antiques and soft furnishings from her company. It’s a place to curl up in, to indulge in daydreams, to let the cares of the world dance away on a spring breeze. “My home is a hodgepodge of happy memories from past trips and bits and pieces of my grandparents’ home,” says Lynne. “My grandfather was a builder and, later in life, one of the first ‘fixer-uppers.’ ” Following in his footsteps—and relying on her nephew’s carpentry skills—she has transformed…

Over the vast expanse of North America, travelers can find a multitude of retreats from which to admire unique landscapes, along with local traditions and cuisine. In its second book, Relais & Châteaux showcases destinations across the United States, Mexico, and Canada that feature inviting atmospheres, both outdoors and in. The independently owned and operated hotels and restaurants that make up this global fellowship share the inspiration behind escapes designed to appeal to the sensibilities of each guest. Those who prefer the regality of Arizona’s red rocks can be amazed by the vibrant cactus gardens of the Southwest. Sojourners yearning for myriad colors can find brilliant wildflowers in the meadows of the Pacific Northwest, and paradise-seekers can explore the breezy tropical oases of the Caribbean. No matter the region or…

I cannot remember a time when I didn’t read. Books have been my steadfast companions over the years. My earliest were the Little Golden Books. When I outgrew those, it was on to the Bobbsey Twins. In grade school, I was fascinated by biographies and read them constantly. And then I discovered Little Women. Words cannot describe the joy I felt upon reading this book. More than fifty years later, this Louisa May Alcott classic is still one of the most important volumes that I own. I reread it every couple of years and always cry in the same places. This book motivates me to be a better person; it also teaches me about being courageous in everyday life and having a more personal and quiet relationship with God. Whenever…

“WHEN SPRING COMES TO PARIS THE HUMBLEST MORTAL ALIVE MUST FEEL THAT HE DWELLS IN PARADISE.” —Henry Miller…

The River Kent flows through the English countryside, its time-etched banks skirting Levens Hall’s park, where black fallow deer and rare Bagot goats roam, just as their precursors did in earlier times. Follow the footpaths through the ancient oaks to discover a transcendental scene, where trees are trained into whimsical shapes and flowers spill from beds and borders. When Colonel James Grahme, a favorite in the court of King James II, acquired the estate in the late seventeenth century, he set about making his mark on the property. In 1694, he hired as the landscape architect Guillaume Beaumont, once a pupil of André Le Nôtre at Versailles and later a royal gardener at the Hampton Court Palace, to design the gardens. Beaumont divided the land into an assortment of spaces,…

“MAY YOUR THOUGHTS BE AS GLAD AS THE SHAMROCKS. MAY YOUR HEART BE AS LIGHT AS A SONG. MAY EACH DAY BRING YOU BRIGHT, HAPPY HOURS THAT STAY WITH YOU ALL THE YEAR LONG.” —An Irish Blessing For these dessert recipes, visit victoriamag.com .…

WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 13–14: Carol Rizzoli, an essayist, memoirist, and journalist, is the author of several books. To sample more of Carol’s work, visit her website at carolrizzoli.org. ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 15–17: To explore artisan Stephanie Monahan’s range of papers, craft supplies, and other wares, visit her website at monahanpapers.com. Find information about her Easter Egg Craft Kit, a Handcrafted by You project produced in collaboration with Victoria magazine, at victoriamag.com/shop. SPRING’S FIRST BLUSH Pages 19–20: Oyuna: Aya Blush/Soft Grey Cashmere Throw, $1,299, Kiko Blush Beige Cashmere Throw, $1,099, Aya Beige/Ivory Cashmere Throw, $1,299, Seren Ivory Cashmere Throw, $1,049, Esra Rose Cashmere Throw, $699; from Epergne, 615-840-6341, shopepergne.com. Page 20: Faux Designs: Posy Invitation in Ivory, $19.95, Posy Invitation in Mint, $19.95, Posy Gift Note Single, $4.50, Posy Gift Pad, $12.95, Posy…