HIGH-WATTAGE DESIGN

These days, with improved lighting technologies but also increasingly complicated buying options, achieving a successful home lighting scheme is no small feat, which is why homeowners rely on the expertise of Cynthia Lafarier, owner of Harbour Lighting Boutique in Exeter, R.I. Lafarier, who launched the company in 2006, does it all, from overseeing her 1,700-square-foot showroom to spec’ing schemes for every sized project, from just one room to whole homes and even landscapes.

“There’s light, and then there’s lighting. There’s an art to it,” says the design consultant, who deftly manages aesthetics, placement, proportions, wattage, lumens and even bulb selections, oftentimes from the blueprint stage. Her advice on common lighting mistakes, not to mention upcoming trends, is well worth the read.

How did you get your start in lighting design?

I used to model when I was a kid; I still love fashion and keeping up with trends. My mother always used to bring me around to houses. She loved driving around and showing me different properties and their features, which got me involved in home design at an early age. I started off my career as an interior designer but eventually specialized in lighting. I just fell in love with it—I enjoy helping and teaching people. I also like being in the know regarding what’s new and different.

What are some common mistakes that you see homeowners make in their lighting decisions?

Color temperature is a huge consideration with LED lights. Temperatures that are too warm can make items in your home look yellow; bulbs that are too cool can make things look chalky. Unfortunately, people have no idea what they’re getting themselves into and then have no idea why they hate their home’s lighting.

The spread of light is another important consideration. This is one of the secrets to good lighting design. I can walk through a house and easily see which fixtures should be casting more degrees of light. Plus, the design of some lightbulbs can limit their light circle, which is why it’s important for clients to know what they’re buying, particularly with the cost of bulbs these days.

Overall, exterior and bathroom lights are the hardest to purchase. Bathroom lights are challenging because it can be tricky finding the right location for them with limited space and mirrors. Exterior lights are difficult because they are usually an afterthought. Position wise, homeowners are sometimes limited to where the electricians poke holes for the wiring; then they go out and buy a particular light that they like and the proportion and scale are all wrong. Planning ahead is always best, when a home’s size and position can be taken into account.

What trends are emerging for 2016?

Believe it or not, gold colors are coming back, and crystal is still popular. The biggest trend I see, though, is that homeowners are embracing clean lines and choosing more contemporary fixtures, even if their home’s style is not necessarily modern. They are mixing and matching styles with sophisticated results.

What’s new at Harbour Lighting this coming year?

This fall we’re redesigning the showroom walls to have cleaner displays that include whole panels devoted to top brands like Hubbardton Forge, Northeast Lantern, Visual Comfort and more. But we’ll still have home accessories and even jewelry for sale throughout our displays. Jewelry makes sense for us because, as I always tell my customers, lighting is jewelry for your home!

Unique finds that fit your southern New England lifestyle

New Growth

Harbour Lighting Boutique’s Brindille table lamp by Hubbardton Forge evokes stark natural forms with its subtle yet visually arresting design. Crafted from aluminum and available in soft gold (shown) and vintage platinum, with four different shade options. 16.70 inches tall by 10 inches wide. 567 South County Trail, Suite 104, Exeter, RI, 401-294-7959, harbourlightingboutique.com

Stack Attack

If you like stackables, then these bracelets are destined for your jewelry box. Appropriately called Four Keeps, they are equally comfortable with dressy or casual outfits, making them the perfect accessories for any occasion. Crafted from sterling silver, they are available in pink, yellow, white and black and in single, double and triple strands. Their expansion design ensures a fitted look no matter how many you mix and match. Available from M.R.T. Jewelers, 927 Warren Avenue, East Providence, RI, 401-435-3500, mrtjewelers.com.

Flower Power

If you’re tired of run-of-the-mill stripes, then these bold yet timeless tie designs by Trumbull Rhodes are for you. All Trumbull Rhodes neckties, bow ties and cummerbund sets are handmade in the USA using the finest cotton fabrics created by Liberty Art Fabrics of London. Available in a variety of patterns, including Plymouth, Arundel and Canterbury (shown clockwise from top). Self tipped, 3¼ inches wide and 57 inches long. 703-304-7116, trumbullrhodes.com

CHEERS!

Founded by brothers Will and Dave Willis, Bully Boy Distillers is Boston’s first craft distillery, and its 750-gallon copper pot still produces spirits in small, limited-run batches. The company’s latest release is Estate Gin, crafted in the London Dry tradition but enhanced with bigger botanical flavors and aromas typically found in American gins. Instead of just neutral grain, this gin begins with a neutral apple and grain proprietary base, which imparts a clean taste with great depth of flavor. For purchasing locations, visit bullyboydistillers.com.

Take A Seat

They are iconic signs of summer. Seaport Shutter’s Adirondack chairs are handcrafted in the company’s Chatham woodshop from western red cedar. The gently sloping seat has extra slats for maximum comfort, the frame is two inches thick for added sturdiness and each paddle arm is nine-and-a-half-inches wide to easily accommodate a laptop or cocktails. Customize yours with the color of your choice, a whimsical cutout design or a carved name or company logo applied to the bottom slat. Meticulously finished with five coats of paint, these chairs are available as a rocker, settee, child’s Adirondack or the “Senior,” which has a specially designed flat seat to make the transition out of the chair easier. 1714 Main Street, Brewster, MA, 508-896-8900, seaportshutter.com

Topnotch Service

Since learning the art of pottery as a teenager, Tessa Morgan of Flying Pig Pottery has perfected the sgraffito technique, which involves carving designs through a colored slip to the contrasting clay body beneath. Whether her dreamed-up motif is flying pigs, serenading mermaids, cats chasing mice or herons catching fish, her functional stoneware is immediately recognizable for its whimsy and, oftentimes, its nod to Cape Cod’s marine life. She carves her designs on tiles, bowls, vases, platters, mugs, cups and more; custom orders available. 410 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 508-548-7482, flyingpigpottery.biz

Dressed For Success

Boston-based Atlantic Co. takes classic prints and turns them into fun fabric drink coasters that are always in fashion. Comprised of a water-resistant inner lining and an absorbent cotton outer layer, these functional textiles are machine washable and even dishwasher safe. Shown here are Patchwork Madras and Classic Seersucker designs, but Flannel and Washed Denim are also tempting options. atlantic-co.com

Natural Instincts

An artistic floral arrangement can have a truly transformative effect on an interior, and Susan Swanson, owner of The Green Door in East Greenwich, R.I., specializes in everlasting versions. Using only the most realistic and botanically correct elements, she creates wreaths, baskets and table arrangements that range in style from lush and romantic to coastal and seasonal. Here, she mixes white orchids and onion bulbs with real shells in faux water. 130 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI, 401-885-0510, thegreendoorathome.com

Gourmet To Go

Pain D’Avignon might be best known for its bread, but maybe not for long, thanks to its new line of individually wrapped pastries—some of the bakery’s most popular. The tempting treats include rich brownie bites; gourmet granola bars; raspberry shortbread; and fig, lemon pistachio, chocolate espresso and cranberry almond biscotti. Available at Pain D’Avignon’s Hyannis bakery and café (15 Hinckley Road, 508-778-8588) and online at paindavignon.com/marketplace.

Hop To It

Looking for a new brew to try this summer? Look no further than Shipyard’s new yearround beer, Island Time Session IPA. An easy-drinking IPA, it is built with a variety of Northwest hops, which contribute to the grapefruit and pine nose and spicy hop finish. Available nationwide in bottles, cans and on draft, Island Time joins Shipyard’s highly acclaimed and award-winning family of beers, all handcrafted at the family-owned brewery in Portland, Maine. shipyard.com/beer/island-time

Take

BY LAURIE HIGGINS

When done well, theater has the unique ability to delight but also provoke. Whether the subject matter is history or modern-day life, comedy or tragedy, audiences respond to theatrical works that deliver profound and provocative observations about the human condition. They also appreciate the performers’ talent and spontaneity and the challenge of performing live.

While New York City is considered the go-to spot for world-class theater, southern New England has plenty of incredibly talented theater companies that make traveling unnecessary. From classic theater like the plays of Shakespeare to innovative world premieres, the following theaters always deliver brilliance.

The Huntington Theatre Company in Boston was awarded the 2013 Regional Theatre Tony Award with good reason. Artistic Director Peter DuBois and Managing Director Michael Maso bring artists from Boston, Broadway and beyond to their stage.

Huntington is a national leader in the development of new plays and has produced more than 100 New England, American or world premieres to date. In addition to providing an amazing outlet for talented actors, it also supports local writers through a new playwright-in-residency program that guarantees future talent. huntingtontheatre.org

Boston is also well represented in the theater world by the SpeakEasy Stage Company, whose season runs from Labor Day through Memorial Day each year.

“We focus on contemporary plays and musicals that haven’t otherwise played in Boston, and we are committed to using local actors, designers and directors,” says Marketing Director Jim Torres. “The other thing that sets us apart is the intimacy of our space. Our main home is a 209-seat black box theater and no seat is more than 30 feet from the stage.”

This year will be the second season of SpeakEasy’s new works initiative, The Boston Project, which supports the creation of plays set in Boston. The project’s goal is to introduce more stories about the city and its culture and residents into the theatrical ecosystem. speakeasystage.com

With nearly 120,000 seats filled annually, Providence’s Trinity Repertory Company is the gold standard of southern New England theater. Impressively, it features one of the country’s last longstanding professional resident acting companies and is also a pioneer in theater education, with programs like the Project Discovery student matinee program and its partnership with Brown University to offer MFA programs in both acting and directing.

“We’re now in our 52nd season and present a balance of classics, new works and world premieres each season,” says Katie Leeman, director of marketing. trinityrep.com

In nearby Warwick, the Ocean State Theatre Company, founded in 2012, is a newcomer to the scene that focuses on providing a highquality theater experience. Its mission is to preserve the tradition of live theater with an emphasis on musicals. To that end, this season will present the classic Damn Yankees as well as the more contemporary Avenue Q, a musical with puppets about college grads in New York City trying to find a purpose in life. oceanstatetheatre.org

Shakespeare & Company in the Berkshires is one of the largest Shakespeare Festivals in the country. Each year they host professional actors from all over the world.

“To see a show at Shakespeare & Company is to be drawn into the experience,” says Artistic Director Jonathon Croy. “Our approach is based on the model of Shakespeare’s own company. Our work is wide open, bold, clear, physical and direct in ways that push the common boundaries of the relationship between actors and audience.”

In addition to plenty of classics penned by The Bard himself, Shakespeare & Company will also put on exciting new plays such as Liz Duffy Adams’ Or, about one chaotic night in the life of poet, spy and first female playwright Aphra Behn, and Ugly Lies the Bone, Lindsey Ferrentino’s play about a newly discharged vet who served three tours in Afghanistan. shakespeare.org

Cape Codders are lucky: they can readily enjoy a variety of theaters that consistently mesmerize audiences with innovation, creativity and sheer talent. Cape Rep Theatre in Brewster offers amazing stories, stunning set designs and passionate artists who aren’t afraid to take a chance on the stage.

In addition to classic crowd-pleasers like the upcoming Hairspray: The Broadway Musical, Cape Rep is also presenting creative choices like The Woman in Black, Stephen Mallatratt’s spooky story within a story. Rick Elice’s Peter and the Starcatcher is another sure-fire winner this season; its madcap pace is the type of show that Cape Rep excels in producing.

In addition to having its own acting company of regular performers, Cape Rep deliberately brings in Equity actors for various roles to ensure the highestcaliber casts possible. caperep.org

Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater has consistently produced thought-provoking programming since 1985, including some cutting-edge theater. Their mission is to provide an alternate theater experience than cannot be found elsewhere in the community.

This season’s most exciting shows include Mike Barlett’s Cock, a comedy that explores the fluidity of sexuality, and Bill Russell’s Unexpected Joy, a world premiere musical about four singers’ various degrees of career success. The East Coast premiere of Kenneth Jones’ Alabama Story, set in 1959 Montgomery, also promises to be excellent. what.org

Cotuit Center for the Arts stages six or seven phenomenal shows on its main stage each year. This season’s highlights include Rodgers & Hammerstein’s high-spirited musical Oklahoma, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Driving Miss Daisy.

It also produces about a dozen exceptional and edgier shows in its intimate Black Box Theater. This season’s shout-outs include playwright Neil LaBute’s The Money Shot, about two actors faced with a taboo decision that could revive their careers, and David Ives’ Venus in Fur, about an erotic power play. Some of the plays in the Black Box are written by local playwrights such as the Fat Ass Cancer Bitch series by Christine Rathbun Ernst, who will debut Fifty’s a Bitch this season.

“I am blown away every day by the talent that goes up on the stage,” says Executive Director David Kuehn. “It’s amazing.” cotuitcenterforthearts.org

BY CHARLOTTE ROTH PHOTOS COURTESY ROCK SPOT CLIMBING

Reach new peaks in your workout regime with indoor rock climbing.

For many, rock climbing conjures images of steep mountains and precarious ledges, complicated harnesses and frightening drops. In recent years, however, indoor rock climbing facilities have transformed climbing from a risky endeavor along the lines of skydiving or bungee-jumping into a fun, accessible sport that men, women and children of all ages can practice safely.

Southern New England facilities have been on the cutting edge of this trend for years. Carabiner’s, an expansive facility in New Bedford founded in 2004 by veteran climber Steve Caton, boasts 35,000 square feet of climbing surfaces that stretch 65 feet into the air. Rock Spot Climbing, launched in 2002 by co-owners Lary Norin and Nadav Minkin, offers four state-of-theart locations: two in Rhode Island (Lincoln and Peace Dale) and two in Mass. (Dedham and South Boston).

CLIMBING’S RISE

Steve Caton has observed the meteoric rise of indoor rock climbing from the start. “When I built Carabiner’s, it was one of the only gyms in the area, and the largest,” he explains. “I’ve seen so many new facilities open up and stay open—there’s a ton of demand in the market.”

Rock Spot Director of Marketing and Special Events Kat

Waterhouse agrees: “When our Lincoln facility opened in 2002, there were just three or four climbing gyms in New England. Now there are at least six in the greater Boston area alone.”

Waterhouse attributes the sharp spike in popularity to the sport’s inclusive nature, as evidenced in Rock Spot’s motto: “All ages, all abilities.” She elaborates, “Indoor rock climbing is a fairly easy sport to get into. You don’t need a ton of natural ability or even strength to start out.”

Getting Started

First-time visitors to Carabiner’s and Rock Spot Climbing find friendly instructors, introductory courses and all the gear necessary for beginners to start their journey. Both gyms offer rentable basics like harnesses, ropes and climbing shoes.

After a brief orientation, which spans basic climbing techniques and safety rules, Rock Spot employees generally take a hands-off approach, although staff are always on hand to answer questions and ensure climbers’ safety.

Carabiner’s has an inventive methodology for a beginner’s orientation. “Most people have a natural reluctance to heights at first,” Caton explains. “Our protocol first intellectualizes the equipment, explains how and why it works. To start, people will climb just four or five feet and practice falling in a controlled way. When they feel comfortable, we progress to eight or ten feet. These incremental increases really help habituate new climbers.”

Waterhouse has observed that visitors to Rock Spot tend to fall into one of two categories: climbers and bucket listers. “Climbers are usually experienced members and climb several times a week. Bucket listers may come just once to check rock climbing off their to-do list,” she explains. “However, I’ve seen so many people go from one-time bucket listers to habitual climbers—it’s kind of our mission to make people fall in love with the sport.”

Bouldering And Top Roping

Both Carabiner’s and Rock Spot gyms offer the two primary types of indoor rock climbing: bouldering and top rope climbing. Bouldering involves climbing angled surfaces, lower to the ground and without a harness. Top rope climbing involves climbing a tall vertical wall with a harness whose rope runs up to an anchoring system at the top of the wall and down to a belayer on the floor.

Rock Spot gyms have between 20 and 50 top rope walls with countless routes varying widely in height and difficulty. At Carabiner’s, 120 top rope opportunities dispersed throughout the large gym offer hundreds of potential routes for climbers. Both gyms vary their routes frequently— which is why expert route setters are integral to the quality of the indoor climbs.

“Route setters are like artists on the wall,” says Waterhouse. “They conceive different patterns that force the body to work in different ways and develop different muscle groups.”

Individuals Welcome

“Generally,” says Waterhouse, “Climbing is not a team sport. While many people climb together, when you’re on the wall, it’s an individual activity. It’s your movements, your decisions, your strategy.”

But there are ways in which indoor rock climbing can be highly collaborative. In top rope climbing, the relationship between climber and belayer is crucial to the safety and success of the climb. While the climber scales the wall, the belayer stays on the ground, maintains tension in the rope and lowers the climber gently in case of a fall. At most facilities, belayers must take a certification course or pass a test to prove they can belay safely.

Although solo climbers can use devices called auto belays or hire staff to belay them, Caton recommends that climbers learn to belay. “It’s an immensely helpful skill that boosts confidence, responsibility and fosters a sense of teamwork, especially for young people,” he explains, adding that the convivial nature of the sport has a way of bringing people together. “I see people walk into the gym alone and within just a few minutes they’ve met another climber who can belay them and exchange advice.”

FULL-BODY WORKOUT

Climbing exercises the body and the mind, favoring precision and forethought over brute strength. Waterhouse laughingly likens climbing to “a giant living video game,” adding, “The mental game is all about problem solving.” Caton agrees: “It’s about the journey and how you flow on the wall, not just getting to the top.”

Many would-be climbers are put off by the idea that climbing requires super-human upper body strength. Both Waterhouse and Caton insist that’s not the case. “Climbing is actually much more about technique and strength in the legs and feet,” Caton explains. “Climbers tend to be wellrounded athletes with speed, skill and coordination.” Waterhouse stresses the full-body nature of the workout: “You’ll absolutely be sore the next day. Climbing engages your legs, core, flexibility and your sense of balance.”

In Or Out

While some indoor climbers may have outdoor climbing aspirations, “Indoor rock climbing is really a sport in its own right,” says Waterhouse. “Most of our members are indoor-only climbers, although we do offer tools to make the transition from indoors to out.” Rock Spot gyms provides outdoor gear rentals and occasional excursions to climbing sites, like the Quincy Quarries in Mass.

Caton, who began his own climbing career outdoors 35 years ago, is living proof that indoor and outdoor climbing can work in harmony: “Indoor climbing absolutely prepares you for outdoor, and vice versa,” he contends.

For more information, visit carabiners.com and rockspotclimbing.com.

Opposite and This Page: Rock Spot Climbing’s four locations in southern New England provide a variety of challenging vertical and boulder climbs, and beginners are always welcome.

BY JULIET PENNINGTON

As a starting safety and five-year defensive captain for the New England Patriots, Devin McCourty puts everything he’s got into his on-field efforts. But it’s off the field where McCourty’s drive and commitment are making a difference in the lives of those fighting sickle cell anemia and their families.

Since childhood, McCourty, 28, and his twin brother, Jason, a cornerback for the Tennessee Titans, have watched their aunt Winifred McCourty battle the incurable disease, which is marked by a deficiency of healthy red blood cells to carry the necessary amount of oxygen throughout one’s body.

When they made it to the National Football League, the McCourty brothers knew they wanted to help those afflicted with the debilitating disease. They founded a charitable organization called Tackle Sickle Cell (tacklesicklecell.org) and partnered with Embrace Kids Foundation, a New Jersey-based nonprofit that helps children with cancer, sickle cell and other serious disorders.

“We saw the struggles and the hardships our aunt went through and wanted to do something,” McCourty says. “A lot of people don’t even really know what the disease is and how people deal with it.”

He met with Glenn Jenkins, executive director of Embrace Kids Foundation, in 2013, and learned that the foundation had been trying to launch a sickle cell anemia awareness campaign but didn’t have enough funding.

“So when I came in, it just worked out perfectly. We decided to go with a 5K walk/run, and it’s taken off since then,” says McCourty, who, along with his brother, has worked diligently to educate himself about the disease. “I had a chance to go to Boston Children’s Hospital and sit down with doctors there. It’s been cool to learn from some of the brightest people in the world who deal with sickle cell.”

McCourty says he has always been close to his brother and enjoys partnering with him on this endeavor. “We work together to make sure everything runs full speed and it helps that we can network and get other players involved,” he says. “We talk every day either by text or FaceTime, so I can see his kids and talk to them.”

And while McCourty says there isn’t any rivalry per se, there is some good-natured ribbing between the two: “We definitely keep track of what each one does throughout the season, whether it be an interception, tackle or other big plays, and we’ll talk trash to each other, but it’s cool.”

The twins are identical but they can be told apart by chicken pox scars (on Devin’s nose and Jason’s forehead) and birthmarks (on Devin’s earlobe and Jason’s neck). The first time they played against each other, in 2012, they had between 20-30 people—including their mother and older brother, both of whom wore split Titans/Patriots jerseys—in the stands.

“We were both captains, so we met at the coin toss before that game,” McCourty recalls. “To see both of us achieve our goals by not only playing in the NFL but both being captains and leaders of our teams…that meant a lot.”

Because their aunt has sickle cell anemia and their dad, who died when the boys were young, carried the gene, they were tested at five years of age for the trait, and thankfully the result was negative.

According to the Mayo Clinic, for a baby to be born with sickle cell anemia, both parents must carry a sickle cell gene. The gene is more common in families who come from Africa, India, Mediterranean countries, Saudi Arabia, the Caribbean islands and South and Central America, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website. In the U.S., it mostly affects blacks.

Each year, about 1,000 babies in the U.S. are born with sickle cell anemia, between 70,000-100,000 individuals have the hereditary blood disorder and 3 million have the sickle cell trait, according to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.

McCourty marvels at his aunt’s strength and fortitude as she battles the disease. “When she was young, she went to the doctor and was told she would be lucky if she made it to the age of 35,” he reveals. “Now she’s 65. She has her struggles: she’s legally blind and she’s on oxygen 24/7, but she’s still out and about.”

That positive attitude and resiliency is important when living with this or any other disease, McCourty asserts.

“When I meet with kids in the hospital, one of the key things I try to do is go in and be uplifting, whether it’s playing a game or watching TV, signing a picture for them…I just try to keep their spirits up,” he says. “One of the great things I’ve done with Children’s Hospital is they’ve made videos for kids with me and other athletes telling them about how we deal with injuries, how we feel and how we deal with pain from playing the game of football, and kind of compare our experiences to the different things they are going through.”

And while he is dedicated to his foundation and the fight against sickle cell anemia, McCourty always makes time to attend his teammates’ charity events.

“Devin has been a leader on our team since we drafted him in the first round in 2010,” says Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “He earned Pro Bowl honors at cornerback as a rookie and was named a defensive co-captain in just his second season. He has since transitioned to safety and earned Pro Bowl honors at that position as well.

“As important as his contributions have been to the Patriots on the field, what makes Devin so very special are the contributions he makes as a Patriot off the field,” Kraft continues. “For the past six years, he has been one of the most engaged and active participants in our community programs, regularly volunteering his time and resources to support causes and initiatives throughout New England. He is a great role model for young players to emulate, both on and off the field.”

McCourty, who grew up in Nyack, N.Y., and played football with Jason at Rutgers University, lives in Alpine, N.J., during the offseason and in Foxboro, Mass., in-season. When we caught up with him this past March, he had recently purchased a house in New Jersey and was in the midst of planning his April wedding to fiancée Michelle Powell, a doctor and first-year resident.

“We were furniture shopping for the house and then my fiancée threw me right into wedding planning,” he laughs. “It’s been fun, but hectic.”

During the off-season, McCourty enjoys playing pickup basketball; watching professional basketball (he’s a huge NBA fan, and Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder is his favorite player); and spending time with teammates, including Matthew Slater, whose wife, Shahrzad Ehdaivand Slater, is also a doctor. “Whenever we’re together, Slate and I don’t say much,” he admits with a grin. “They talk about a lot of stuff we don’t understand.”

Now happily married, McCourty says he is looking forward to the 2016-17 football season, including meeting new players and coaches and forging bonds that will be strengthened over time.

“I know it will be a huge challenge like it is every year, but we know—and I know—that our team will be good and we’ll find ways to win games,” he says with confidence. “It’s the way we do things in New England.”

A spa visit feels good but the results are even better.

BY LENORE CULLEN BARNES

If the prospect of a snow day sends a child’s spirits soaring, the promise of a spa day may be the adult equivalent. More than ever, amid the cacophony of our all-media-all-the-time culture, the allure of a sanctuary devoted to rejuvenation, wellness and calm is paramount.

Throughout southern New England, we are fortunate to have access to spas that marry cutting-edge technology with natural, organic products and that pair skilled technicians with soothing settings. In short, they offer beauty bliss. And in case you wrestle with a tinge of guilt over treating yourself, let it go. Spas do a lot more than pamper; they help make you well, and that’s a goal we can all pursue in good conscience.

Debra Catania, co-owner with her brother, William Catania, of the Beach Plum Spas, located in Hyannis, Sandwich and Plymouth, affirms the concrete benefits of spas. “Our services are very results oriented,” says Catania. “It’s not just about feeling good; there are reasons behind the treatments we administer.

“A massage can reduce pain and breaks up the toxins in your system. Then, soaking in a bath with Himalayan salts afterward releases those toxins,” continues Catania. “Our ultrasonic machine drives nutrients into the skin beneath the surface, promoting healthier emerging skin. All of these services have direct benefits. We try to educate our clients as well as provide services, and we want people to leave here with real results.”

The Hyannis location, in the Cape Codder Resort, includes medical spa services, with a medical director, medical aesthetician and nurses on staff to administer injectables, medical peels, laser treatments and more. beachplumspa.com

To the uninitiated, visiting a spa for the first time can spark a little anxiety. This is why Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Regency Newport prides itself on its unintimidating tone, says spa director Charlotte Michael.

“Our spa has beautiful panoramic water views but is also warm and comfortable,” says Michael. “Even first-timers are at ease. From making a reservation to check out, we try to make your visit a marvelous experience.”

One Stillwater “must try” service is the Vichy Shower in the Wet Room, marked by its floor-to-ceiling views of Narragansett Bay. From a bar suspended over the treatment table, cascading water from six jets targets lymphatic points, increasing detoxification.

“All of our treatments incorporate one of the five natural elements,” Michael adds. “Swedish massage is still the most commonly requested, but we are noted for our Raindrop Aromatherapy technique, which helps with absorption of essential oils. For our facials and body treatments, we use Babor, a German skincare line that is absolutely exquisite and very luxurious.” newport.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas

The themes of ocean views and luxury continue at OH! Spa at the Ocean House in Watch Hill, R.I. One of only 47 spas in the world to earn a fivestar rating, OH! treats its clients to personalized attention in a classic coastal environment.

“It’s very important to us to know what type of experience a guest is looking for so that we can cater our service to meet expectations,” Gagliardo continues. “Guests may be joining us for a massage because they are sore or in pain, to celebrate a special occasion or perhaps they are seeking solitude following a difficult experience in life. We are able to personalize our service to create a memory that is individual to that person. This type of connection with guests is what brings them back time and time again.”

In 2015, OH! Spa was voted the number-one hotel spa in the continental U.S., ranking highest overall in the world by Travel & Leisure, a position voted on by Ocean House guests and the magazine’s readers. “It is very meaningful to know that our mission has been appreciated and so well received,” says Gagliardo of the honor. oceanhouseri.com/oh-spa

Another award winner, Bliss Spa at the W Hotel in Boston received top honors from both Boston Magazine and Improper Bostonian in 2015. Spa manager Morgan Wedge describes Bliss as “very bright and fun, with a flirty vibe. We play lyrical R&B music. We focus on building relationships so that the client is comfortable and connected with the technicians to achieve the best results.”

Among Bliss’ signature services is the Triple Oxygen Facial and a new “multifaceted facial that is highly customizable, according to the client’s needs,” says Wedge. Besides its topnotch service, Bliss is also famous for, surprisingly, tasty brownies served in the lounge area along with lemon water, cheese, crackers and olives. blissworld.com

At Mirbeau at The Pinehills, in Plymouth, the flavor is decidedly French. “Our spa is a truly unique, French-inspired paradise that beckons guests to incorporate some ‘me time’ into their regular routines,” says spa director Diane Scott. “Guests can make an entire day of it and utilize all of our amenities, including our unique Resting Area, which is located in the heart of the spa and features a stone fireplace and heated foot massage pool.”

Other destinations to explore are Mirbeau’s state-of-the-art fitness center; eucalyptusinfused steam rooms in the finely appointed locker rooms; and the Aqua Terrace, a yearround outdoor oasis complete with relaxing whirlpool, waterfall, fire pit and bar.

A new addition, introduced this spring, is Vinothérapie by Caudalie treatments. “They include luxury facial and body treatments taken from the vineyards of Bordeaux, France, to nourish and relax the body and mind,” says Scott. “We are one of the only resort spas in this area to offer them.”

After enjoying the aesthetically appealing facilities and even a treatment room with fireplace, guests can sample some French fare or a glass of wine at the upstairs bistro. mirbeau.com

Citron in Providence is a boutique-style spa with a “very Zen and refreshing” atmosphere, according to owner Christina Allen. The creative name is apropos to the experience, which is designed to invigorate and uplift the spirit.

“The décor of natural wood combined with pure white reflects our philosophy of rustic nature meets modern science,” describes Allen. “Our spa is warm and welcoming, not big and overwhelming. We’re very close with our guests; we value personalized relationships.”

The main product line, Aveda, features allnatural ingredients and only plant-based products. “We use an Elemental Nature Chart to assess factors like a guest’s stress level, energy level and sleep,” says the spa owner. “We identify which elements are out of balance and design treatments to restore that balance.”

In addition to massage, facials, waxing and nail treatments, med spa services are administered by a nurse and include the latest technology in Botox, collagen replacements, peels and enzyme treatments—including the Perfecting Plant Peel, an all-natural alternative to a 35-percent glycolic peel. “We believe if it’s going to help with your self-confidence, then that improves your overall well-being,” asserts Allen. citron.com

This Cape Cod home has its priorities straight.

BY LENORE CULLEN BARNES

BRIAN VANDEN BRINK

The main house is a traditional Cape with whimsical touches, but a shift to board-and-batten denotes the more rustic “barn” wing, which cleverly disguises a two-car garage topped by a guest suite.

Frequently painted and even more often photographed, Wychmere Harbor presents a quintessential Cape Cod setting. A future house blessed with this storybook view needed to be something equally extraordinary, fitting into the landscape while remaining distinctive.

The team at Polhemus Savery DaSilva Architects Builders (PSD) is well schooled in ways to simultaneously capture Cape Cod character and infuse a home with unique details and individuality. John DaSilva, design principal for the firm, collaborated with the couple, lifelong fans of the Cape, and his colleagues to achieve the desired aesthetic.

“Our initial vision was to build a Cape Cod-style home with modern-day comforts that fits in with the neighborhood and maximizes our view of the harbor,” says the homeowner. “We wanted a house that had practical, comfortable and inviting spaces where we could entertain our family and friends for years to come. We wanted a home where our kids would want to spend their free time—now and as they grow and have their own families.”

PSD lent its own interpretation to that vision. “Our goal in designing this house was to create something that is both a Cape and a representation of a Cape, meaning something like what a child might draw, abstracted and scale-less,” says DaSilva. “At first glance, the house looks straightforward, but it is a Cape with a twist. Its primary street-facing typology follows the Cape diagram—one-story façade with a low eave and dormers above—but the proportions and details are exaggerated and unexpected. The windows are oversized. The shutters have unusually large louver blades. The columns at the entry porch are broad, flat and stretched far apart. The dormer is almost too big for the roof on which it sits. The elements jostle for primacy but ultimately coexist peacefully.”

While the structure’s left side, overlooking the water, is the Cape design, the right extension is what DaSilva describes as a “symbolic barn.” Crowned by a cupola, it features a false barn door accented by a traditional gooseneck light. Besides a two-car garage, its saltbox shape houses a second-story guest suite with bath, accessed by a private back stair. A built-in desk makes it a suitable workspace but parallel window seats under the eaves invite reading, daydreaming and naps. Conventional garage doors are located discreetly on the structure’s side and are obscured by landscaping. Red cedar board-and-batten on the barn contrasts with the main home’s Alaskan yellow cedar shingle siding.

The rear of the house offers outdoor living amenities that encourage family and friends to linger and savor the setting. An oversized screened opening dominates one wall of the expansive, enclosed porch, clad in red cedar V-groove boards. The adjacent bluestone patio’s offerings, including a stone pizza oven that is representative of an allegorical “witch’s hut,” notes DaSilva, make it hard to find a reason to go inside.

But you’ll be glad you did: the family room is an inviting mix of cozy and airy. The design palette is subtle, allowing details like the stone fireplace and the ceiling’s V-groove paneling in a checkerboard pattern to enrich the space. “The checkerboard pattern and other unexpected details are casual and fun,” DaSilva says. “Similar to the exterior, the interior is balanced between serenity and intensity.”

In the adjacent kitchen, a stainless hood—descending from the raised ceiling and enhanced by cove lighting—takes center stage. Marble countertops and white cabinetry keep the ambience fresh, and a window seat makes a perfect perch.

Between the family room and dining room, two flat columns with heavy crown molding reference the same details surrounding the fireplace. A tray ceiling further defines the dining space.

Family time is prioritized in the kitchen thanks to a seating area around the range and a window seat next to the fridge.

Connecting the living areas with the garage/barn is a high-functioning mudroom with multiple built-in cubbies and hooks. A custom bench for three dog bowls affirms the importance of every family member. The fanciful faucet even sports a sculpted dog motif.

Upstairs, the master suite includes a spa-worthy bathroom with two vanities, separate toilet room, shower and built-in tub under an eave. A cathedral ceiling and abundant windows flood the bedroom with light. The room comfortably accommodates an easy chair, a relaxing spot for overseeing the lively harbor. Three children’s bedrooms and two more bathrooms complete the second floor.

“Our intention was to make the house memorable and endearing without being cute,” explains DaSilva. “So the memory that the family holds while they are away is a clear image, a larger-than-life impression of a place to which they long to return.”

According to the family, mission accomplished. “The best decision we made was working with PSD,” the homeowner contends. “We chose them because we have always admired their work. They were incredibly easy to work with—professional, organized, timely, detail oriented and so talented with incredible vision.”

For more information, visit psdab.com.

Our top picks for first-class vacations.

here should be an award for whoever came up with the concept of a resort. Find a beautiful setting; add the finest creature comforts, a host of fun activities and a staff dedicated to making your visit as pleasurable as possible, and the result is a recipe for the perfect getaway. Sound like just what the doctor ordered? Maybe it’s your turn to indulge in a family vacation or weekend escape at one of these premiere resorts, all well versed in delivering first-rate service and memorable experiences.

CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS

BY LENORE CULLEN BARNES

Since the 1920s, the White Elephant has been an iconic landmark on venerable Nantucket, evolving over the decades into its current entity as a first-class resort. “The White Elephant represents casual elegance,” says general manager Bettina Landt. “Its harborside location, steps from town, lends itself to a great vacation for everyone: families, couples, even business travelers. The experience is authentic and informal. Anyone can pick up a guidebook, but we [the staff] try to share with guests what makes Nantucket special in our hearts and minds. We get people excited about getting out there and doing things on the island.”

Guests can choose among the hotel’s 67 airy rooms; 11 one-, two- and three-bedroom adjacent garden cottages; and two three-bedroom lofts in town. Enjoying a cocktail or dinner on the Brant Point Grill terrace, with lovely and lively Nantucket Harbor as a backdrop, constitutes a perfect summer evening. whiteelephanthotel.com

If your idea of a getaway is a little farther away, check into The Wauwinet on Nantucket. Idyllically located with the Atlantic on one side and Nantucket Bay on the other, but still only a 20-minute drive from town, The Wauwinet has been hosting vacationers since 1888 and now houses 33 individually designed guest rooms plus the recently opened three-bedroom Anchorage House.

Although a jitney transports guests into town, you may never need to make the short journey. Complimentary tennis, bicycles, Sunfish sailing and paddle boarding keep energetic visitors entertained, while more languid types enjoy the sun and sea breezes from the chaise lounges on the lawn. Watch the sun set over the bay before wandering in for dinner at Topper’s restaurant.

“There are a million reasons why The Wauwinet is special,” says general manager Eric Landt. “We’re a small boutique hotel set nine miles outside of town, nestled between the ocean and the head of the harbor. When you arrive at the property, you immediately unwind. It’s a place where you can actually grab that hardcover book that sat next to your bed all year and finally read it undisturbed.”

Landt stresses that the staff is genuinely interested in making people’s experiences fantastic. “The property is beautiful, the location is stellar, but it’s the people who take it over the top,” he says. “It’s all the special touches and nuances, remembering guests’ names and preferences, birthdays and anniversaries, that make their stay memorable and keep them coming back.” wauwinet.com

While Harbor View Hotel dates back to 1891, its current roster of 114 guest rooms and suites is all about contemporary style and comfort. Besides a fitness center and outdoor heated pool, the Martha’s Vineyard hotel’s standout feature is the pleasurable five minutes it takes to walk into downtown Edgartown. However, guests can easily stay on the property and enjoy a memorable cocktail or meal at the family-friendly Lighthouse Grill, the intimate Henry’s Hotel Bar or the poolside North 41. A typical activity at Harbor View is to plant yourself in a rocker and watch the ferries and sailboats glide past Edgartown Light and Chappaquiddick Island. harbor-view.com

Last year, Condé Nast Traveler named Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard one of the top 100 hotels in the world and one of the top 25 in the U.S. Accommodations include one- to fourbedroom suites, private cottages and Mattakesett Properties’ private home rentals. Heated pools, a tennis club and a complimentary children’s day program are among the amenities that make this resort a favorite. The Dunes, Winnetu’s casual dining restaurant overlooking South Beach, has also won awards for its craft beer selection and New American cuisine that incorporates fresh, local ingredients. winnetu.com

“Wequassett is a very special place where you can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the spectacular setting along with five-star service from a staff that goes above and beyond at every turn,” says Mark Novota, managing partner. “Our guests are often generational, with families creating childhood memories; eventually those children bring theirs to keep the family tradition alive.

“We offer personalized service and work very hard to have an emotional connection with our guests,” he continues. “We want them to become raving fans of the resort and we understand we have to work extremely hard to earn this.” Wequassett’s efforts are paying off, according to Forbes Travel Guide, which just named it the Cape’s first and only Forbes Five Star property. “We are very proud of the recent attainment of our fifth star and look forward to working harder than ever to be worthy of this special distinction,” says Novota. wequassett.com

Back on the mainland, in Harwich, the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club offers another luxury oasis on 27 acres overlooking Pleasant Bay. Twenty-two historic buildings and 120 guest rooms and suites comprise a relaxing retreat infused with local ambience. Two pools, two beaches, boating and water sports, four tennis courts and access to a championship golf course ensure everyone is having fun. Dining options include the elegant Twenty-Eight Atlantic and clubby bar Thoreau’s as well as outdoor options: Outer Bar & Grille, LiBAYtion and Pleasant Bay Terrace.

The first sign that you’ve reached Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, in Brewster on Cape Cod Bay, is its stately 1890s mansion and carriage house. Once home to the Nickerson family, the mansion is now on the National Register of Historic Places and is an impressive sight to behold.

Accommodations inside the mansion include 90 newly renovated rooms as well as the luxurious Presidential Bay Collection villas, which come with a personal concierge, stocked kitchen, outdoor patio and easy access to the weekly s’mores bonfire on the resort’s private beach. Or, guests can opt for the Villages guest rooms set along Ocean Edge’s Nicklaus Design golf course. Besides easy access to golf and tennis, these rooms are near Blueberry Pond’s stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking opportunities.

“Ocean Edge has something to offer all types of travelers, whether visiting as a family for a summer vacation or simply enjoying a romantic weekend getaway,” says general manager Robert J. Newman. “Guests can do anything from relax all day by the water, pedal along the adjacent Cape Cod Rail Trail or play croquet on the expansive front lawn. Ocean Edge provides a special ‘home away from home’ atmosphere with all of the benefits and amenities of a resort.” oceanedge.com

Chatham Bars Inn presides over the Atlantic like the established paragon that it is. Town & Country Travel magazine termed it “the ultimate Cape Cod luxury experience,” and its setting, architecture, amenities and service validate its first-class reputation.

Besides a range of room and suite options, many of them ocean view, Chatham Bars Inn is home to a variety of dining experiences, including Stars, which is famous for its dry-aged steaks, wine list and fresh ingredients from the resort’s own eight-acre farm, and The Beach House, where lunch and dinner are served with an ocean backdrop. Couple delicious meals with a private beach, heated pool, award-winning spa and quick access to downtown Chatham, and it’s easy to see why Chatham Bars Inn is so highly lauded. chathambarsinn.com

BY JENNIFER SPERRY

First impressions count, and The Colonnade Hotel makes an excellent one. Set in Boston’s Back Bay, within striking distance of Newbury Street, The Shops at Prudential Center, Fenway, Symphony Hall and more, The Colonnade combines luxury and convenience with a dose of high style.

The hotel’s lobby, complete with plush seating and an oversized table featuring a map of historic and presentday Boston, sets a posh, luxurious tone that continues into the 285 guest rooms and nine luxury suites, where a soothing chocolate brown color palette is accented by blonde wood and geometric patterns. Operable floor-toceiling windows let in plenty of natural light.

Fine cuisine is readily available onsite thanks to Brasserie Jo, an authentic French brasserie where European charm abounds. Here, guests can indulge in a leisurely meal with oversized martinis and French specialties like steamed mussels and coq au vin, or simply sip their wine of choice at the restaurant’s charming bar.

But without doubt, The Colonnade’s icing on the cake is its spectacular rooftop pool, dubbed RTP for short. “Over the years, RTP has become a beloved summer tradition for Bostonians and visitors alike,” says David Colella, The Colonnade’s vice president and managing director. “During the day, starting at 8 a.m. with breakfast service, RTP provides an urban oasis 12 stories up with cabanas, day beds and chaise lounges as well as full food and cocktail service until 10 p.m. At night, the scene transforms from sunbathing to post-work cocktails and a sunset experience that you won’t find elsewhere in Boston.”

From its state-of-the-art fitness center to its themed packages and special offers, The Colonnade hits every note when it comes to guest service. “From check in to check out, we anticipate and take care of our guests’ needs so that they can truly relax and enjoy themselves,” says Colella. colonnadehotel.com