The Allure of Lavender
by Lisa Bartell of Wisteria Manor “Ladies fair, I bring to you Lavender with spikes of blue; Sweeter plant was never found Growing on our English ground.” — Caryl Battersby Have your eyes ever had the pleasure to see a bountiful field planted with lavender, row after row of alluring azure blooms against a blue sky? The tempting aroma that wafts among the rows and dances on the breeze has such a calming relaxing effect on one’s nature. This ancient herb from the Mediterranean has been around for over 2,500 years. Known to have been used by Mary on the Christ child at his birth and after his crucifixion (known in Hebrew as “Nard” or “Spikenard”), it has passed down through the ages for its aroma, beauty and medicinal purposes. Romans used it in their public bath waters to perfume themselves. Hence the Latin root word of lavender, “lavare” which means “to wash.” Romans also used it for its medicinal properties, gaining knowledge of this from the Greeks. People from the Renaissance period thought it would ward off the horrific plague. During the Victorian Era, the English used lavender in their homes for its clean fresh scent, hanging it in bundles in every room, placing sachets in dresser drawers and washing their linens in its essential oils. This came about due to Queen Victoria’s obsession with all things lavender. English society, loving to follow trends set by their queen, followed suit. Queen Victoria loved it so much that she had it strewn on her floor, so when stepped it would release its clean aroma into the room. It was of the utmost importance to the queen that she took it upon herself to appoint Miss Sarah Sprules as her “Official Purveyor” who would oversee her never ending supply of lavender. This herb was in such demand, that farmers started farming it commercially to supply both commoners and royalty. Today we still use lavender for many things. Medicinal Lavender is widely used to treat insomnia, hair loss, stress, anxiety and post-operative pain. It is also used by aromatherapists, and by massage and acupuncture practitioners, as well as for chiropractic manipulation. Household uses Lavender is also used as laundry and carpet freshener, linen spray and bug repellent. Here is an easy recipe: Linen spray recipe 2 teaspoons witch hazel 40 drops of lavender essential oil 4 ounces of distilled water spray bottle Mix witch hazel and oil together and let it set for a few minutes. Add water and put in the spray bottle. Always shake well before using. (You may want to spot test an item before using.) Cooking Lavender...
Outdoor Spaces, Outdoor Fun, Enjoy The Sun
by Brenda Miller, Designer of Interior Spaces, The Miller House Even though landscape and patio space is often overlooked, outdoor renovations and redesigns make for perfect outdoor spaces for family and fun. An outdoor space is a great way to give your “blah” house a much-needed boost while creating a place to enjoy the sunshine. Define what you really want from your outdoor room. It sounds obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to begin designing a space just for one purpose. Some people love being out in the elements, while others are sensitive to wind and sun; some love entertaining, while others want to enjoy a space as a spa-like retreat. These questions may help you to get a better sense of what you really hope to get out of your outdoor room: Do you prefer to spend time in your yard with family and friends or alone? How do you want to use your outdoor space — to cook, dine, lounge and play? Or do a combination of those? Do you mind carrying food, utensils, etc. from the house to the yard, or would you rather have easier access? Do you like the feeling of sitting out in the elements, or do you prefer a more sheltered space? How important is privacy to you? What times of day do you like to use your yard? Set your budget ahead of time, and work carefully with your designer to make sure you stick to it. You may want to do some research ahead of time on materials and landscaping techniques that are appropriate for your location and style. OUTDOOR KITCHEN Have you ever found yourself running back and forth between cooking indoors and cooking outdoors on a warm afternoon? The best way to prevent this from happening is to properly design your outdoor kitchen so that it can function like your indoor kitchen. Now, this doesn’t mean you need a large outdoor kitchen. In fact, a small one might be just what you need. Benefits of an outdoor kitchen It’s a great entertaining source both for social and family gatherings. Cooking outdoors in the summer can keep your air conditioning bill down. Cooking emits heat which warms the home. It keeps both the mess and clean-up outdoors. All your cooking is done in the same space. Elaborate outdoor kitchens can also add to the real estate value of your house and may help you if you plan to move away after a few years. According to the Property and Environment Research Center, in the Northeast, 43 percent of homeowners report having an outdoor room. Though all these numbers do not...
Bell’s – A behind-the-scenes peek at apparel selection
When you step into Bell’s in Old Town Winchester, what you see – the coats, pants, suits, hats, scarves, handbags, ties, shoes, jewelry – are a conscientious compilation of hundreds of thoughtful hours spent, hand-selecting each piece. Six to eight times a year, the Shendow family visits New York City for buying trips for the various seasons. The buying process for Spring/Summer 2015 began the end of July 2014 and the search for Fall/Winter 2015 commenced in January 2015 — almost nine months in advance of the actual wearing season. Irvin, Sarah, Scott and Stephen attend the apparel shows where manufacturers from around the world set up booths at the Jacob Javits Center for buyers to view their offerings. Additionally, they traverse Manhattan, visiting showrooms of certain designers who have a permanent showroom: Robert Graham, Canali, Tommy Bahama, Hickey Freeman, Zanella and Carmen Marc Valvo to name a few. What follows is a brief behind the scenes look at a recent trip to New York in July of 2014 – for the Spring/Summer (s/s) 2015 men’s apparel market. Irvin, Stephen and Sarah went to New York early on a Wednesday to visit showrooms throughout the city. By Friday evening, 27 different showroom appointments had been conducted, with manufacturers like Jack Victor, Hickey Freeman, Canali, To Boot and Boglioli. “The goal, as always, is to sift through the offerings, selecting unique pieces — that when combined with the best of other manufacturers — will present our clients with a unique, cohesive, original collection,” says Stephen. On Saturday, Scott took the train up to NYC while Stephen and Sarah headed home to Winchester — not everyone can be away at the same time. Sunday was the first day of the MRket show, so they headed there the next morning to meet with casual wear manufacturers, Cooper Jones, Left Coast Tee, Bill’s Khakis, Flynt and leather good makers Will Leather. “Some of the Italian and foreign resources do not have showroom representation in the U.S.,” explains Scott. “They only come twice a year for the MRket show. We have appointments with the ones we want to see, but also leave some free time in our schedule to make new discoveries and to find newness in market direction.” That afternoon they headed over to the Robert Graham showroom. Robert Graham’s colorful and unique shirt designs are represented in their showroom – which doesn’t disappoint – it’s like walking into a tropical paradise with its beach theme. As in any meeting, they sit down with their rep who shows each of Robert Graham’s shirts for Spring/Summer 2015. Irvin and Scott make decisions on each...
From Bean to Bar, Chocolatier Serves Up Artisan Chocolates with an International Flair
story & photos by Pam Lettie Chocoholics, take note: Chef Nathan Miller offers quarter inch squares of chocolate nirvana to anyone who wants to taste the difference between cacao grown in Peru versus cacao sourced from Africa. Truth be told, he offers samples to all who want to try his fine chocolates. Miller not only makes his own truffles, chocolate bars and pastries, but also sources his cocoa beans – three or four tons per year – from farm cooperatives throughout the world. The creative combination of flavors and of ingredients grown with sustainable agriculture practices netted Miller a win at the national Good Food Awards in January for his Ghana 70 percent chocolate. Miller says there were about 1,500 entries in the Good Food Awards. He appreciates the challenge of competing, but he also likes to see what people are making and how chocolate is changing. For example, Miller uses a stone cylinder and wheel to grind his beans and bring out different flavors of the chocolate. Some of his chocolates are comprised solely of organic cacao, organic cane sugar and organic cacao butter, a treat for those of us accustomed to mass produced chocolate. The simple ingredients let the skill of the artisan chocolate maker – the bean roaster – shine through. Other of Miller’s chocolates might have crushed house-made gingerbread or locally sourced Pennsylvania pretzels or coffee or chili in the mix. Many of his chocolate bars are named with the source of the beans – Ghana, Belize, Hispaniola, Peru, Madagascar – along with the percentage of chocolate in the bar. Others are named with the special flavor. But the best part of his shop lies in the glass jars lined up behind the counter. Halfway hidden by the counter, the glass jars – ranging in size from a gallon to a less than a cup – house chocolate samples. Miller serves up each sample with a long pair of tongs, happy to discuss his art with the samplers. He says it’s important for clients to be able to try samples of chocolates to taste the flavor and feel the “mouth” of the chocolates. I indulged in many of the delightful morsels. The melt-in-my-mouth sweetness of the buttermilk chocolate, either the 45 or 55 percent varieties, is my choice for the perfect chocolate bar. Both are made from the Ghana cacao beans. Initially, when I slip the chocolate into my mouth, it is just another little lump, but as it warms and begins to dissolve, the flavor of the buttermilk sneaks through. The gingerbread chocolate bar is made from the 55 percent buttermilk chocolate, the Ghana...
Hunting the Right Fit
by Wendy Gooditis photos by Lauri Bridgeforth Watching Karen Ewbank sort through the samples of rich tweeds, it is clear that this determined woman has found a way to gather up the threads of her life and weave them into a beautiful, functional fabric, rather like the gorgeous Harris Tweed she is examining. Her business, Ewbank’s Clothiers, is to make noble custom riding clothes for the discriminating equestrian, as well as elegant custom clothes of all kinds. In her shop/workroom on Route 340 near Berryville, the mannequin sporting the nearly completed scarlet hunt coat appears ready to escort the glimmering mossgreen silk dress on the next mannequin in to dinner at the hunt ball. And heads will turn as they make their entrance! Her clothes are professionally designed, thoughtfully made, and meticulously fitted, as evidenced by the number of return customers she has. It began with a line of clothing she created for stores in Middleburg and Pentagon City. When her riding friends learned of her skill, they began asking for custom clothes. Soon a Master of Foxhounds asked if she would rework the linings in the staff hunt coats. Word got around, and customers began coming to her from various hunts, mostly in the Eastern United States. “We really go out of our way to tailor our hunt clothes traditionally. I studied the highest quality coats made in England and France,” she says. She really does make the most wonderful riding jackets: hunt coats in fabrics light or heavy, scarlet or black; tweed hacking jackets; elegant shadbellies – the curiously named riding jacket with tails, worn with a vest or vest points. She makes custom britches in a number of styles. She makes riding aprons to keep hardy foxhunters warm on brisk winter mornings. She makes correct driving habits for those equestrians who exercise their horses in harness. She even makes the pristine white coats worn by the handlers at hound shows. Her personal experience as a lifelong horseman and avid foxhunter is invaluable in her work: for example, knowing what colors and buttons each hunt displays and how to use those correctly, or what constitutes “correct” in the finicky requirements of a riding habit. Her shop is a place of busy clutter balanced by the direct, detail oriented personality of its proprietor. Ewbank was trained in the art of fashion design at Wellington Polytechnic in her native New Zealand, earning her degree with a particular interest in clothing and textiles. From there she became a theater costume designer, followed by a long stint as a fashion model, from Hollywood to Milan to Paris. And throughout these thrilling...
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