Innholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2016 i Victoria

Alavish table invites friends to enjoy the simple pleasures of sociability and delicious food. The impressionist artists, who observed joyful outdoor gatherings with food over a century ago, captured the custom in paint with an exuberance that beckons us still. The young group famously included Renoir, Monet, Manet, and Toulouse-Lautrec, as well as two women—Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt, an American who lived and worked in France. In contrast to the establishment, these young rebels who burst upon the Paris art scene in the 1860s favored depictions of everyday life. And they often painted outdoors, developing quick brushstrokes to capture exquisite landscapes and people suffused in sunlight. At his home in Giverny, Claude Monet took an avid interest in the culinary arts, from organizing the vegetable gardens and orchards to…

“ One never sees Paris for the first time; one always sees it again …”—EDMONDO DE AMICIS Corey Amaro’s life reads a bit like a fairy tale. Twenty-eight years ago, the Californian fell in love and moved to France to begin her new life with the man she affectionately refers to as “French Husband.” Upon their arrival, he proudly presented a tiny 7th-floor apartment in Paris’s coveted 14th district—and she was speechless at the sheer emptiness of it. “I stared at it with my mouth wide open,” she relates. “There was no furniture, a kitchen smaller than a teacup, and a bathtub with a huge skylight above it.” Having inherited her mother’s talent for decorating with vintage items, Corey quickly asked if any second-hand shops were nearby. Eager to accommodate…

“Surely these things of old have stories to tell, and they absolutely fascinate me”—Staci Thompson With the rising sun and Chanticleer’s crow comes a new day in the Loire Valley. In the kitchen, breakfast preparations begin with mixing, measuring, and pouring. Bowls and jars work in and out of rotation as do hand-loomed linens. Every day these utilitarian items turn out a fine performance, and every day the appreciation grows, for they epitomize pretty practicality. Though this scene and similar ones hearken back to days gone by, the pieces have endured the test of ages, and the same sentiments are still embraced. Collector and antiques dealer Staci Thompson of Thompson-House Antiques, in Birmingham, Alabama, fell in love with once-common French ceramics many years ago. She says, “I took advantage of…

The venerable Gothic-style manor house known as Abbaye de la Bussière served as a monastery for 650 years before becoming a state-owned property, shortly after the French Revolution. At the end of the nineteenth century, the Baron Léonce Hély d’Oissel acquired the house and restored it. His daughter, Thérèse, who inherited the estate at his death, donated the abbey to the bishopric of Dijon for use as a spiritual retreat. Eventually, the upkeep became too burdensome, and the compound and attached land were offered for sale. In 2005, native Brits Clive and Tanith Cummings were searching for a French holding to complement Amberley Castle, the elite Relais & Châteaux hotel they own in England. The hunt led them to this resplendent spot, deep in the heart of the Burgundy region.…

Take a closer look at some of our favorite May/June features: Dear Old World Prince Edward Island, home of beloved author Lucy Maud Montgomery, served as inspiration for her well-known character, Anne of Green Gables. This coastal community is a perfect getaway for sightseeing and learning more about its rich history. A Taste of Beaune The mother-daughter duo opened The Cook’s Atelier to train local and international visitors alike on seasonal ingredients, regional wines, and provincial cuisine. They share favorite recipes from their popular culinary destination. Peaceful Sojourns Be transported to the charming region of Burgundy, France. Immerse yourself in its humble culture brimming with illustrious scenery and a storied past. A Painterly Palate Celebrate French impressionism art with a midday repast. We bring you a menu inspired by the…

“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop”—OVID “ Oh, the summer night Has a smile of light And she sits on a sapphire throne” —BARRY CORNWALL…

Famous for the domed Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur at its summit, and perhaps infamous for the Moulin Rouge cabaret, Paris’s Montmartre district retains the atmosphere that has attracted creatives and romantics for generations. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the arts flourished in France, and Montmartre became a thriving hub of music, theater, literature, and art, as the finest talents in their fields flocked there for work and revelry. During the Belle Époque (beautiful era), the oldest building in the district, Bel Air House—now Le Musée de Montmartre—became a residence and meeting place for many artists, including Suzanne Valadon, Maurice Utrillo, Émile Bernard, Raoul Dufy, and, perhaps most notably, Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Renoir moved to the Bel Air House in 1876, where he painted two of his most famous works:…

In the Dordogne region of southwestern France, dappled sunlight falls on yards of English silk billowing in the breeze. Clotheslines outside her home showcase the talents of Heather Cowie, co-owner of Froufrou Chic. Through alchemy and intuition, she produces the demure palette that characterizes her handmade ribbons. “My use of color is fused with a deep love and understanding of the mercurial—and even ephemeral—qualities of the silk itself,” she explains. Dual passions for scientific study and creative pursuits inform Heather’s efforts. Growing up in an Australian gold-mining town inspired her to become a geologist. But the early influence of family matriarchs cultivated an appreciation for textiles that eventually led to a career in mixed-media art. At Froufrou Chic, the dyed fabric is torn into strips and gently frayed before beginning…

As anyone with a passion for gardening knows, the heart-stirring need to turn the soil, tuck in seeds, and tenderly nurture each tiny sprout must be indulged. For Erin Benzakein, that yearning began with a 2-acre plot of land and a big dream that has blossomed into a thriving business, christened simply Floret. Both a farm and a floral-design studio, Floret has drawn the attention of growers and consumers alike who support the local-flower renaissance taking place today around the globe. Erin’s husband and two children work alongside her, making it a true family affair. With her quick success, this Washington State resident once contemplated expanding to a larger plot of land. “As we explored increasing our footprint, something just didn’t sit right,” she says. “Bigger isn’t always better. So…

A FRENCH IMPRESSIONIST REPAST Duck-Confit Rillettes Makes 2 cups 2 (8-ounce) packages duck confit legswith thighs*½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ¼ cup duck fat, room temperatureToast pointsWhole-grain mustardCornichonsCapers Celeriac Slaw (recipe follows)Garnish: capers 1. Using your hands, shred meat from legs and thighs, discarding bones and skin. 2. In the work bowl of a food processor, combine meat, salt, and pepper. Pulse until combined and meat is processed. Add fat, and pulse until mixture holds together. 3. Transfer mixture to an airtight container. Cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Serve with toast points, mustard, cornichons, capers, and Celeriac Slaw. Garnish with capers, if desired. *Duck confit is available from many butchers and specialty grocery stores, or online at mapleleaffarms.com .…

“The bay always sought to enlighten us, teaching us about the consistency of change, the indulgences of good neighbors, and the power of friendship.” I am 40-plus years old—ancient by some standards, a mere babe in the woods by others. Having been raised an Alabama coastal girl, growing up with Mobile Bay “just across the way,” the world was salty-sweet. Back in the mid-1970s, Daphne was a small town where neighbors knew neighbors, bay breezes beckoned us outdoors, and the sandy shores were our playground. We would have to traverse a briar patch or two, and at times the seagulls acted as screeching guards, dancing and diving in hopes of nabbing the crusts of bread they knew we would share as payment for entrance into their domain. My friends and…

When I was 9 years old, I began my study of the French language and French literature. When I was 13, I acquired a pen pal who lived in Paris. I learned how to perfect my pronunciation by listening to the singers Béatrice Arnac, Gilbert Bécaud, Jacqueline François, and Yves Montand. In college, I majored in French and spent my junior year abroad at the Sorbonne; I later became a French teacher. The moment I arrived in France and heard the people speaking the language I absolutely adored, I felt I was home. Eventually, I met my pen pal and his mother. Of course, I frequented the Louvre, Quai d’Orsay, and the Musée Rodin. After watching Julia Child, I attempted to prepare her coq au vin for my family. I…

SEE MORE ON THE WEB at victoriamag.com “ISN’T IT SPLENDID TO THINK OF ALL THE THINGS THERE ARE TO FIND OUT ABOUT? IT JUST MAKES ME FEEL GLAD TO BE ALIVE—IT’S SUCH AN INTERESTING WORLD.” —L. M. Montgomery…

In the heart of the ancient Gallic district of Montmartre—known today for its quintessential Parisian cafés and boutiques—L’Objet qui Parle (French for “items speaking”) draws passers-by into a fanciful setting that brims with gleaming chandeliers, baroque mirrors, and exquisite china. So replete is this tiny emporium, furnishings spill beyond its doors and onto the sidewalk. Amid classic keepsakes are avant-garde surprises, including weathered marionette puppets and a range of taxidermy displays. Such intriguing tableaux befit the artistic heritage of the hilltop village. At the turn of the twentieth century, many of the world’s most renowned painters maintained studios in the area. Although the neighborhood declined following the golden era that brought the likes of Salvador Dalí, Claude Monet, and Vincent van Gogh to its cobbled streets, L’Objet qui Parle proprietor…

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 7 and 16: To view more of Mary Shira’s work, visit maryshira.com. WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 13–14 : Look for Frances Mayes’s latest book, Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir (Broadway Books), on amazon.com. PROVENÇAL FLAIR Page 15 : Zodax Raised Design Compote Bowls, set of 2, $11.50; 424-253-4471, carlyleavenue.com. Creative Women Pulled Napkin in Blue, $18; 802-658-1211, creativewomen.net. Aux Anysetiers du Roy Provencal Garden Tea, $19.50; 713-660-0577, thefrenchfarm.com. Azulina Hydrangea Creamer, $39, Sugar Bowl, $39, Oval Serving Platter, $95; 713-623-1812, shop.azulina.com. Page 16 : Creative Women Border Throw in Blue, $220, Folded Pillow 20x20 in Azure, $107; 802-658-1211, creativewomen.net. Ryland Peters & Small French Home, $29.95, Romantic French Homes, $45; 646-791-5410, rylandpeters.com. Smyrna Collection Marine Terry Lined Peshtemal, $52; smyrnacollection.com. Fab Habitat Mindora-Veria Faded Denim & White Sand Medium Basket, $69,…