Innholdsfortegnelse for September/October 2023 i Victoria

Dear Friends As the first crisp breeze of the season stirs the branches outside my window, the natural fanfare of rustling leaves calls to mind the pageantry commemorating two of the most significant global events of the past year: saying goodbye to a beloved monarch and ushering in a new era. For each ceremony, all eyes turned to London, where cascades of red, white, and blue bunting framed our collective observance of these solemn occasions. In this special September/October double issue, we highlight both milestones and more. The Countess of Carnarvon, whose Highclere Castle features on page 61, knew Queen Elizabeth IInot only as a head of state but also in a more personal role as the godmother of the Earl of Carnarvon. “It’s hard to put into words what…

PATHS OF DISCOVERY Sally Clarkson As I sense the morning sun peeking through my bedroom window, before I even open my eyes, a surge of delight floods my spirit. Saturday is my day for adventures, a tradition that satisfies my soul. My habit of several years is to don walking clothes and explore my beloved Oxford—to meet a friend, to sip strong coffee, to wander an old castle, to visit a historic village—and, of course, to have tea and scones as a reward at the close of the day. Setting out on the cobbled streets, I inhale the perfumed fragrance of myriad magenta and pink roses sprinkled throughout the ancient path next to my flat. Most of England seems to be a garden brimming with varieties of flowers at every…

“MANY OF MY ANTIQUES ARE FAMILY HEIRLOOMS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED DOWN. THEY HAVE A STORY ATTACHED TO THEM.”—Darien Rozell On the fringes of New York’s Adirondack region, the rustling of leaves in mid-transformation melodiously applauds the incoming season. And a very special six-acre woodland property in Saratoga Springs is preparing to shine its very brightest. “I think that every house has a season, and Pantry Hill’s is autumn,” says homeowner Darien Rozell. Darien’s background in producing editorial content lends itself to her beautifully curated Instagram account and inspirational blog, named after the Craftsman-style abode she shares with her husband, Eric, and three little ones. Although the country home was built in 2016, the couple’s cozy English flair and prized family relics have fashioned the dwelling to mirror classic interiors…

There is an undeniable elegance in the patina of a gilded mirror, and the marks of a human hand on a walnut buffet only further qualify its irreplaceable worth. After spending her childhood as an expat in Italy, Cindy St. Romain understands the intrinsic value of beautiful artifacts, especially those with ties to beloved destinations such as Florence or Paris. Now, the interior designer and aficionado of bygone treasures provides her clients superior custom services, often taking several overseas trips each year to search for the most authentic items on their wish lists at European markets. When her troves of unique Old-World furnishings, art, and collectibles could no longer be contained in the confines of her home, Cindy opened a light-filled showroom in Louisiana’s Northshore community of Madisonville. St. Romain…

Parasols & Poetry It’s difficult to imagine a parasol at this time of year when the weather is cool and the sun is lower in the sky. But, to my good fortune, I don’t have to imagine one. Before she passed on, my mother-in-law gifted me a parasol that has been in her family for generations. Mum never knew who its first owner was, but an antiques dealer dates it back to at least the early twentieth century and perhaps earlier in the 1800s, when producing umbrellas and parasols was a common skilled trade. Its light lacy canopy is still intact, although the thin silk underlayer has torn away from the ribs and needs repair. Its handle is a thick twig, bent and shaped into a graceful curve, clearly formed…

Visit our website to read this issue’s online stories and to find more of the content you love. Take a closer look at some of our favorite September/Octoberautumn features: In His Footsteps Recall the life of beloved author C. S. Lewis—explored through sites of Oxford, England, and in the nearby abode where he wrote many of his best-loved volumes. Harvest of Plenty Discover premier destinations for gathering a collection of vibrant gourds, including our quintessential seasonal pick: the ever-popular pumpkin. A Painterly Influence Glean inspiration from the eye of Kristie Shelton, a Texas artist and interior designer whose home brims with signature style. Meeting Lady Carnarvon Learn more about the afternoon of bliss that Editor Melissa Lesterand Senior Director of DesignMelissa Sturdivant Smith shared with the Countess of Carnarvon. We…

Fall is on grand display in Northern Virginia as forest critters scamper to collect plump hickory nuts descended from trees where golden leaves yet linger. The sweltering temperatures of summer are traded for a refreshing crispness that turns thoughts toward the home. At Tallwood, autumn has proved to be a season of renovation. In Jenny Bohannon’s eldest son’s bedroom, the harvest season oversaw a fetching makeover. “Having often been struck by the fact that historic Virginia interiors are inherently British in their aesthetic, it is, I think, quite fitting that we incorporated a bit of that heritageinto what has lovingly become known as our son’s Handsome English Country Bedroom,” she says. In keeping with the English influence apparent throughout her home, the room is adorned in a mix of patterns,…

“SEPTEMBER SKY NEVER LOOKED MORE CHARMING; OR THE SUBLIME PETALS OF THE ROSE LOOKED SO GRACEFUL.”—Avijeet Das “THE TIME OF THE FALLING LEAVES HAS COME AGAIN.”—John Burroughs “SEPTEMBER IS THE MONTH OF MATURITY; THE HEAPED BASKET AND THE GARNERED SHEAF.”—Patience Strong SEE RECIPE INDEX, PAGE 135, FOR RECIPE INFORMATION.…

“AUTUMN CARRIES MORE GOLD IN ITS POCKET THAN ALL THE OTHER SEASONS.”—Jim Bishop “NO SPRING NOR SUMMER BEAUTY HATH SUCH GRACE AS I HAVE SEEN IN ONE AUTUMNAL FACE.”—John Donne Peruse our favorite sources for finding pumpkins at victoriamag.com.…

A crown jewel in the history of British porcelain manufactory, Wedgwood Jasperware offers a simple elegance to both home and table. The company’s founder, Josiah Wedgwood, made many notable contributions to the industry, but, arguably, the most important and famous was this fine, unglazed stoneware developed in 1774 after thousands of experiments. Though the natural state of this hard porcelain is white in color, it is iconic for being stained throughout, rather than merely on the surface, in order to achieve a particular pigment. The most famous shade is Wedgwood Blue, a recognizable sky color that came about with the invention of Jasperware, but the company also made the pottery in lilac, yellow, black, and green, each featuring a uniquely desirable matte finish. For this reason, Jasperware is not usually…

In a city with ancient roots, including the oldest university in the English-speaking world, is it any surprise that the finest hotel would have an equally storied past? Founded in the 1860s, The Randolph is lauded as not only a luxuriousfive-star lodging but also an iconic Oxford landmark. Unlike many historic hotels, which may have begun their lives as residential or business structures prior to being transformed, The Randolph was designed as an auberge from the very start. Though well-established, nineteenth-century Oxford was a growing city in need of somewhere for noteworthy guests to stay. Enter a group of benefactors, including Dr. Francis Randolph, a contributor to what is now the Ashmolean Museum and the man after whom the hotel was named. Their gift blessed the city with this unique…

My favorite memory of taking tea did not occur in the meticulously beautiful St. James teahouse, my family’s usual venue for tea parties, but in the stately comfort of my childhood home. In 2018, my sister and I decided to throw our mother a birthday tea party. Although this special occasion is not her favorite day of the year, we hoped to bless our mother with beauty, good company, and a personalized menu. We brainstormed the details on our walks over the high desert plateau. Under the pure blue sky and golden spring sun, memories of past pleasures reincarnated in edible form. Our family trips to Ireland manifested in homemade scones with honey from our own hives. Remembering our puppy’s penchant for gobbling cicadas on summer walks brought about cheeky…

“INEVITABLY, A LONG LIFE CAN PASS BY MANY MILESTONES; MY OWN IS NO EXCEPTION.”—Queen Elizabeth II…

Each year, in winter, spring, and autumn, a cluster of countryside communities in southeast Texas becomes a mecca for discovering keepsakes, particularly those patinaed with the passage of time. Wandering through stockpiled barns and endless aisles of tents, one might believe they’re perusing the brocantes of Paris or a quaint Italian flea market, but the distinct sounds of a slow-as-molasses drawl remind visitors they are one of the nearly 200,000 shoppers at the Round Top Antiques Fair. In 1968, three philanthropists revitalizing the small Round Top, Texas, community approached the late Emma Lee Turney, a well-known antiques dealer, hoping to persuade her to produce a country show of heirlooms and other relics to outfit the homes the women were restoring. Emma’s years of expertise led to a thorough vetting process…

After sensing she’d spend more time at home beginning in 2020, Kristie Shelton spent the next two years devoted to learning oil-on-canvas painting—her steady and skilled hands slowly adapting to the unfamiliar medium. The results of her labors hang in local galleries and find pride of place in her home outside Fort Worth, Texas. The romantic still life compositions, often depicting blue-and-white ginger jars and delicate blooms, harmonize effortlessly with Kristie’s enchanting collection of French relics. Growing up surrounded by talented influences, Kristie remembers découpaging, cooking, and fashioning crafts even as a child. “I’m grateful now that they were a creative bunch,” says Kristie of her mother, grandmothers, and aunt. Her passion for producing beautiful things led to a line of accessories, such as tassels and handbags featured in wholesale…

“IT LOOKED LIKE THE WORLD WAS COVERED IN A COBBLER CRUST OF BROWN SUGAR AND CINNAMON.”—Sarah Addison Allen SEE RECIPE INDEX, PAGE 135, FOR RECIPE INFORMATION.…

WRITERS-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 15–16: Sally and Sarah Clarkson are the best-selling authors of The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming. To learn more about this mother and daughter, including their respective books, podcasts, and other projects, visit their websites at sallyclarkson.com and sarahclarkson.com. ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 17–18: Content creator Jenny Bohannon delights her Instagram audience with glimpses into life at Tallwood, her idyllic country home in Virginia. To learn more about Jenny, visit her website at tallwoodcountryhouse.com and her Instagram @tallwoodcountryhouse. REMEMBERING THE QUEEN Pages 21 and 23: Cotton & Quill: Equestrian Plaid Wallcovering, call for pricing and availability; 205-848-2785, cottonquill.com. Julie Wear: Cheval Chestnut Brown Cup & Saucer, $89; 859-873-0138, juliewear.com. Southern Tribute: Queens Crown Match Strike in Tortoise, $125; southerntributegifts.com. Page 22: CANVAS Style: Queen Elizabeth Coin…