VIE Magazine September 2023

The ART of A Not-So-Still Life

JAY MERCADO

FINDING INSPIRATION from COAST TO COAST

ROAMING with the BIG CATS

IN BOTSWANA’S WILD FRONTIER

ART & ADVENTURE

PHOTO BY ED GUTENTAG

DEAR SCENIC HIGHWAY 30A,

Thank you for the best 25 years of my life! I’m so excited to celebrate this career milestone and to continue making my clients’ dreams come true along your beautiful beaches.

Thank you for the 18 miles of two-lane road parallel to pristine white sands, where people drive 35, slow down, and breathe in the peace of “paradise.”

Thank you for all the happy memories you have helped me make here with my parents, children, and grandchildren. My daddy even got his real estate license here at age 80.

Thank you, Seaside, for teaching me about New Urbanism after I fell in love with your quaint little post office 35 years ago. I’ve learned much about traditional neighborhoods and their value in the real estate community. How lucky we are to live among such great architecture!

Thank you for all the fun events, from Seaside’s July 4th parade (a perfect venue for the Twirling American Beauties) to Sinfonia concerts, REP performances, CAA festivals, DCWAF fundraisers, CVHN’s Soiree on the Bay, and so much more.

Through the years, you have taught me the value of community. I am so thankful for the friendships formed as our community met the needs of others through world-class nonprofits, like Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Food for Thought, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, and Alaqua Animal Refuge, to name a few.

As we embrace the future together, 30A, I want to express my gratitude to you for being the foundation of my success and growth. Every client I have and will continue to serve, every dream home found, I owe to you. You have my heart and make me smile!

With boundless love,

The Smile of 30A

lazy beach days. summer sunsets. vacation vibes.

OCT. 2023

25 – 28

Makers Market

Firkin Fête

Spirited Seminars

Spirited Soirée

Be the Maker

A vibrant festival celebrating craft beer, spirited cocktails, fine food, and skilled makers & craftsmen.

Alys Beach Crafted aims to tell the stories of crafted beverages, culinary experiences, artistry, and workmanship. Crafted will be a weekend of events, a gathering of masters of food and drink and renowned artisans from around the country sharing the process, the inspiration, and the product of their craft.

Benefiting Cultural Arts Alliance

For more information, visit alysbeachcrafted.com Tickets on sale now.

Lovelace Interiors Reimagined

As a lover of all things beautiful, it is my honor and privilege to have created and founded Lovelace Interiors with my late husband, Dewitt “Sparky” Marshall Lovelace, over 28 years ago. Many of my clients have become lifelong friends, and I am so grateful for them. We’ve traveled the world together, and I’m still designing alongside my team in and around Scenic Highway 30-A, Destin, and Inlet Beach, Florida, as well as Aspen and Napa Valley, to name a few areas. The world is changing, and so is our industry. Like so many others, we are pivoting with the times. Our beautiful Inlet Beach showroom is gearing up to have the sale of the century, with 50% off select items (excluding

original artwork), as we are evolving our business model for the coming year. Our newly reimagined studio in our Inlet Beach showroom will also be an exciting place to shop. Stay tuned for more details on our new adventure as we introduce you to Lovelace Design Studio & Boutique. The ethos of our newly imagined lifestyle boutique is to continue making your homes lovely and curated from the ground up. Our licensed team of interior designers is ready to create and serve you with our A-game of experience, taste, class, and business acumen; in short, our goal is to move forward with grace, elegance, and a fresh outlook on bringing beautiful things to life.

With Love,

Keep an eye on our social marketing channels and the pages of VIE magazine as we announce our big showroom sale running from early fall through midFebruary. I can’t wait to share more about this journey with you!

A BOHEME DESIGN

Architecture designed around You and the things You love...

From the GULF to the BAY to the DUNE LAKES of 30A, We Are Your WATERFRONT SPECIALISTS.

“Our approach to real estate is different. We strive for excellence. We take the responsibility our clients give us with abundant gratitude. We’re knowledgeable. We’re enthusiastic. We love what we get to do every day. We work hard. We work smart. Whether you are selling property or buying property here on 30A or all across the Emerald Coast – we provide you with the experience, community knowledge, and commitment that fulfill your needs. Our “clients first” business philosophy provides you with the reassurance that every action we put in motion is with your best interest in mind.”

BRIAN BEASLEY, Broker Associate brian.beasley@compass.com | 828-337-3492

“A worker’s veined and weathered hand is as allegorical as a colossal ocean rock,” says visionary artist Jay Mercado. “A still life of papaya, dragon fruit, grapes, or a pear is truly alive, sweet with pleasure, juice, and seed. A subject meets the viewer’s eye with warmth, challenge, and a deep knowing.” Read more from this prolific artist in our feature story, “A Not-So-Still Life,” on page 24.

Eros by Jay Mercado

Oil on panel, 48 × 60 inches

FEATURE

24 A Not-So-Still Life: Jay Mercado Art

VISUAL PERSPECTIVES 23

32 Petite pause: Rooftop Views at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo

VOYAGER 35

36 Amangiri: An Exclusive Desert Oasis Redefining Luxury Travel

46 A Historic Southern Icon: Get Lost in Time at The Grand Hotel

C’EST LA VIE CURATED COLLECTION 88

97 L’intermission: In London Town at the Rosewood

LE MONDE 99

100 Brian Kelley’s Endless Summer Vibe

104 Petite pause: A World of Wonders with Go2Africa

BON APPÉTIT! 109

110 The Joy of Not Cooking: The Polished Chef Is Here

Vie is a French word meaning “life” or “way of living.” VIE magazine sets itself apart as a high-gloss publication that focuses on human-interest stories with heart and soul. From Seattle to NYC with a concentration in the Southeast, VIE is known for its unique editorial approach—a broad spectrum of deep content with rich photography. The award-winning magazine was founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Lisa and Gerald Burwell, owners of the specialty publishing and branding house known as The Idea Boutique®. From the finest artistically bound books to paperless digital publication and distribution, The Idea Boutique provides comprehensive publishing services to authors and organizations. Its team of creative professionals delivers a complete publishing experience—all that’s needed is your vision.

PUBLISHED BY

54 Adventure in Botswana’s Wild Frontier

61 L’intermission: Naturally Sweet with Fig + Salt

62 Threads of Timelessness: Legacy and Artistry at The Newbury Boston

68 The Power of a Good Walk

SARTORIAL 73

74 But Where Would I Wear This?

80 The Art of Swimwear with summer of spivey

86 Petite pause: A Taste for Adventure in Norway

117 L’intermission: Luscious Lychee

Cake by Tessa Huff

THE LAST WORD 121

AU REVOIR! 127

THE TENTED PAVILIONS OF CAMP SARIKA AT AMANGIRI OFFER AN INSPIRING RETREAT TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DRAMATIC AND SECLUDED DESERT SETTINGS, THE COLORADO PLATEAU IN SOUTHERN UTAH.

Photo courtesy of Aman Resorts

CREATIVE TEAM

CEO/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com

FOUNDER / PUBLISHER

GERALD BURWELL Gerald@VIEmagazine.com

EDITORIAL EDITOR

JORDAN STAGGS Jordan@VIEmagazine.com

ASSISTANT EDITORS

KELLY CURRY Kelly@VIEmagazine.com

EMME MARTIN Emme@VIEmagazine.com

COPY EDITOR

WENDY ANDERSON

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

FRANCESCA PEÑA CALDERA, SARAH FREEMAN, ANTHEA GERRIE, MYLES MELLOR, CAROLYN O’NEIL, SUZANNE POLLAK, COLLEEN SACHS, XENIA TALIOTIS

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY

ART DIRECTOR

SALLY NEAL

Sally@VIEmagazine.com

DESIGN STUDIO AMBASSADORS

JACK KIRKENDALL

HANNAH VERMILLION

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

HUNTER BURGTORF, JOHN CAREY, GREGORY CARIDEO, BEN CHRISTENSEN, AARON FEAVER, DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN, JACK GARDNER, ED GUTENTAG, SYDNEY JETER, NIKOLAS KOENIG, JEFF LANDRETH, SARAH ANN LORETH, DANIEL MEIGS, MING NOMCHONG, CARLO PIERONI, DAN POWER, ROMONA ROBBINS, STEVEN ROJAS, ANDREW SCRIVANI, CHRISTIAN SORIA, JOE THOMAS, CHANDLER WILLIAMS, GETTY IMAGES, MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY, SHUTTERSTOCK

ADVERTISING, SALES, AND MARKETING

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

KELLY CURRY Kelly@VIEmagazine.com

MARKETING COORDINATORS

HAILEY BETHKE

ABBY RYAN

BRAND AMBASSADORS

LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com

MARTA RATA

Marta@VIEmagazine.com

MANIFESTING BEAUTY

In mid-2007, my branding and marketing firm, The Idea Boutique (TheIdeaBoutique.com), was enjoying its fourteenth year of business. But the business outlook was quickly changing—my husband’s architecture work was all but dried up, and marketing accounts were far from plentiful with less on the horizon. I had a staff of ten that was counting on me, and I was losing large, longstanding accounts at the end of the year as they, too, were dealing with their layoffs. With an expansion that began earlier in the year, my office became a bona fide construction site. Despite waning work prospects and less-than-ideal working conditions, I continued to forge ahead as if nothing was wrong. I conducted business meetings amid dust barriers, welding, sheetrock, and a pile of bricks waiting to be installed. Somewhere in there, I miraculously secured two large accounts that would help, but the company would need more than that to sustain. By November, things were looking pretty bleak.

It was during a trip back to my childhood home that Thanksgiving, and after many sleepless nights of running every scenario of how to survive what was ahead, I imagined starting a luxury magazine. It came to me in a dream that I believe was God-inspired. We had great designers, writers, and marketers on staff, so I suggested the idea to my partner and husband. He asked, “What do you know about publishing a magazine?” and I confidently said, “How hard can it be?” Sometimes, a little hubris is a good thing. Only some of the time. That’s when my husband and I decided to venture into publishing and launched our flagship magazine, VIE

Big corporations were bandying that there was no longer any need for print since that was the narrative when everyone was getting into the digital stratosphere. Magazine and newspaper closures were becoming commonplace. Back then, the constant whispers and snickers from almost everybody around me seemed to morph into a dull roar. “Don’t you know that print is dead?” people would say with utter condescension and then follow it with an eye roll. A problem solver at heart, I knew this new challenge would be my biggest one to date and felt as if we were either on the precipice of something great or that we would fail big. It was one of the worst and most unlikely times to run a newly launched magazine in less than a year, but that is where we were.

Then, almost a year later, the sky fell—well, almost. The financial crisis that culminated in the market crash of October 2008 sent a wave of fear and uncertainty around the world with such breadth and force that appropriately earned it the moniker “The Great Recession.” Labeling an event of such gravitas with such a Great Gatsby-like name was possibly an attempt to romanticize the ordeal’s enormity and reduce it to a more human level. At least it wasn’t as bad as The Great Depression, but it was a bleak time for many, and the fallout left many thousands with almost nothing, especially those heavily leveraged in real estate.

And so, in 2010, after the dust finally settled, our company emerged not as a victim but as a victor. Through His grace, we had been sustained. The rebuilding could begin. A c’est la vie approach to life, a gift of imagination, a tenacious spirit, and courage have been my constant guides, with my faith backing me every step. Along with a brick-by-brick mentality, testing, refining, and digging a deep foundation were all part of a journey not for the faint of heart. I was forging and cutting my path, which has been an uphill battle of determination, and at times, when faced with adversity, my only strategy was not to give up. Dreams are hard to achieve if you don’t count the costs, which sometimes means you need to sacrifice more than you ever thought.

I’ve said for many years that failure was not an option, and when needed, I fought through challenges that came in a myriad of ways. At times, the costs took everything we had. I wanted to succeed with the endeavor set before me. In recent years, however, I had an epiphany that changed my thought process on the definition of failure. When failures come, it doesn’t mean the endeavor wasn’t meant to be. What we have created these past fifteen years and 120 issues later has touched people’s lives and sometimes given them hope, love, and inspiration. To quote Winston Churchill: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

I’ve learned along the journey that we need to be inspired to create and begin to inspire others so that they have a blueprint to follow. What we make might not always be for ourselves as it might be for others. It’s humbling and good for me to think this way, as it takes so much ego out of the equation. The world needs so much more, which we must create to manifest. That is the job of a creator.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. And to my team of collaborators here at VIE, thank you for your talent and spirit of excellence.

To a creative life!

—Lisa Marie

CEO/editor-in-chief Lisa Marie Burwell

Photo by Romona Robbins

We collaborate with talented photographers, writers, and other creatives on a regular basis, and we’re continually inspired by how they pour their hearts and souls into their crafts. Follow these creatives on social media and don’t forget to check out our account, @viemagazine.

JAY MERCADO & TERESA MARCHESE

“A Not-So-Still Life”

JayMercado.com

RockSolidforLife.com

SALLY NEAL

Art Director @sallyneal__

Travel is most definitely an art. Art is often viewed in a museum, where you gather to stroll past paintings and sculptures, admiring what makes them unique and worthy of display. I like to think of the earth as a museum; its incredible cities are separate art pieces within it. They all have different vibes that make you feel different ways. Some are louder than others, some make you nostalgic, some are peaceful and calm, and some are just fun to look at. Travel is art, and art is travel. They go hand in hand.

Jay: To travel is to embrace the unknown. And like all art at its best, it does not tell; it reveals. Inspired by the great explorers, I’m certainly no Shackleton. Yet I avoid the cliché tourist site visits in favor of discovering what might exist in the heart and soul of a local community. Respectfully wandering through a village, town, city, or wilderness inevitably surprises me. Meeting random people who share things not found in a travel guide is always serendipitous. It’s much more fun to find where the locals eat lunch, play pool, and drink coffee or beer. One thing always leads magically to another. Suddenly, you find yourself having dinner in a remote farmhouse in the south of France, sharing the muscat wine made by your hosts. Or you are unexpectedly a guest of an archaeologist, invited to wander carefully around a mound of freshly discovered Mayan ruins hidden in the jungles of Belize. Anything is possible when artfully traveling. There is no expectation but to discover.

Teresa: Art should take you to uncharted territory. A painting, poem, or performance should take you on an adventure inside and outside yourself. It should scare you, calm you, stir something deep inside you, light a spark of wonder and awe. Traveling is no different. It is not about seeing the sights, spotting the birds, or buying the T-shirt; it is about venturing into the unknown. When traveling, one may be walking the same path as another, but your shoes fit differently, and soon, your heart, mind, and spirit are different—your skin fits more comfortably. You start to discover more of who you are. The art of travel is experiencing something foreign, something huge that exposes the thick pink length of your scars and dares you to bite right into the sweet, meaty muscle of life.

JANE SPIVEY NICHOLSON

Owner/Designer, summer of spivey @summerofspivey

As a designer, there’s an art and inspiration to everything, especially travel. The art of travel is dipping your toe into different lives—a fabulous blend of curiosity and connection. It’s about embracing the unfamiliar with an open mind and fresh eyes, allowing the world to weave its stories into my life and designs. Each destination becomes a palette of colors, cultures, and flavors waiting to be explored. Immersing yourself in a new culture and getting inspired by new places is fuel for creativity! Traveling is painting a picture of yourself in this place you’ve traveled to for a moment. For me, to master the art of travel is to persistently explore beautiful places and always bring a piece of that inspiration home. Oh, and always travel with a summer of spivey swimsuit!

IN THIS ISSUE, WE ASKED THE CREATIVES: DO YOU THINK THERE IS AN ART TO TRAVELING?

ART SHOULD TAKE YOU TO UNCHARTED TERRITORY. A PAINTING, POEM, OR PERFORMANCE SHOULD TAKE YOU ON AN ADVENTURE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE YOURSELF.

So long, Summer!

Sharing stories, memories, and laughs is at the heart of everything we do! If you have a fun end-of-summer adventure to share, be sure to tag VIE; we would love to see where this season takes our readers. Take a look at some recent experiences and stories below. Until next month, read responsibly!

@theideaboutique 2017 throwback! As brand storytellers, we love storyboarding and executing flawless photo shoots that convey a deeper meaning! This cover shoot and the accompanying “Dystopia Meets Utopia” story and video were inspired by the designs of Richelle Valenzuela –Pasaporte Company, taking fashion to another dimension. Check out more in the March/April 2017 issue of VIE magazine! Photo by @carlopieroni

@Old Parsonage Hotel “With its 1600s stone manor house frontage lending it the look of a country retreat, it’s easy to forget you’re in earshot of Oxford’s city centre.” —Sarah Freeman | Sarah explores the “City of Spires and Storytelling” in a captivating article for VIE magazine, certainly worth a read if you plan on heading our way this summer.

@viebookclub Introducing the VIE Book Club! This Readers Corner from the creators of @viemagazine and @viespeaks celebrates all things #bookish! Watch this space for book recommendations and reviews, author interviews, podcasts, beautiful bookstores, libraries, events, and much more!

@30a_beach_bum Laughter flowed throughout the great room, as did the wonderment and admiration for this home’s craftsmanship during its reveal. The stage for the event was the brainchild of a talented builder and designer. A book written by the creative mind behind the home and its darling author took center stage for the evening as the strum of guitars surrounded us. @corcoranreverie @q_tile.lemontree @jimaccola

@patrickdavismusic Thank you, @viemagazine, for the extremely kind article on my music and @songwritersinparadise. I really appreciate the love. You can read the full article at viemagazine. com/article/songwriters-in-paradise. Much love, everybody! —PD

LET’S TALK!

Send VIE your comments and photos on our social media channels or by emailing us at info@viemagazine.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts. They could end up in the next La conversation! VIEmagazine.com

@daytradertikibar Summer feels! #seasidefl #daytradertikibar #30a #30aeats

See more at AngelaHeisch.com.

Visual Perspectives

Brooklyn-based artist Angela Heisch translates the intricacies of nature, organic patterns, and architectural influences onto her canvases. Her works, awash in vibrant colors, are characterized by curving forms juxtaposed against dark, meticulous lines. As viewers dive into the depths of her pieces, they are invited to navigate the dance of light and shadow, surface and depth. Heisch’s unique visual narratives come to life at GRIMM New York gallery in her exhibition

As above, so below, which runs from September 8 to October 14, 2023. The showcase promises a visual treat and an immersive experience, urging observers to find familiarity amid abstract elegance.

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

Angela Heisch Reflection Pools, 2023 Oil on linen, 80 × 60 inches (AHE23013)

Photo by Gregory Carideo

NOT-SOA STILL LIFE

By Francesca Peña Caldera Artwork by Jay Mercado

y hope is that the viewer will find, in my artwork, that thread that connects her to something bigger than herself. That he will be moved through a feeling with no words and perhaps a burst of delight or surprise, a comforting warmth, a vehement call to action, friendship, and truth,” says painter Jay Mercado. “An observer might see something that no one else will see, and, in turn, see the world around them a little differently in every subsequent moment.”

Mercado was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and raised in San Francisco during an era when pop art, psychedelic posters, and underground comics flourished. That bold aesthetic, mixed with a vibrant culture of street artists and grandscale public art from previous generations, became early artistic influences that still inspire him today.

Aperture of Bliss

Oil on panel, 48 × 60 inches

Visual Perspectives

Banana Fan Oil on canvas, 24 × 36 inches

Opposite left: Papayas Oil on panel, 48 × 60 inches

Opposite right: Margarie’s Cherry Oil on panel, 36 × 48 inches

Working under the heavy pressure of a prestigious advertising agency, Mercado took the edge off by taking drawing classes after work, which the company paid for to encourage employees to understand the creative process. Upon being offered a promotion, Mercado decided instead to leave the company to become a full-time artist. He cut his teeth in the art world working for two mural studios in Los Angeles. As a budding muralist, Mercado worked on teams assigned to paint scenes for private residences and commercial spaces, including Las Vegas luxury hotels—panoramic vistas that would let visitors from all over the world experience a bit of ancient Roman history, tour the magic of Egypt, and imagine themselves on a beach in the middle of a desert of dreams. This technical, artful work proved invaluable in building his skills in multiple styles with a magical sense of depth, light, and scale.

His next big leap was moving back to his hometown of San Francisco, where he rented a storefront studio to have a go at a solo art career. An impressive thirty years followed as he created paintings inspired by his surroundings—colorful and abundant Asian markets, Cambodian donut shops, the great Pacific Ocean, and acres and acres of farmland, strawberries, cauliflower, and artichokes, toiled and tended by migrants, stooped and reaching as they worked the earth.

“Both my grandfathers were farmers,” the artist shares. “I never worked the land or grew corn. We moved to the coast when I was three. Yet the theme of agriculture found its way into my paintings.”

Looking at his journey, it is only fitting that Mercado’s work has often been compared to that of Works Progress Administration (WPA) artists such as Diego Rivera, Lucien Labaudt, and Victor Arnautoff.

Mercado and his wife, Teresa, spent over twenty-five years creating art, facilitating workshops, and curating magical happenings out of their neighborhood studio. Both working for themselves, they invented an artful and adventurous life together, taking advantage of the diverse, innovative, beautiful, and freaky fast-moving Bay Area. Building, hustling, bustling, surviving, and thriving, the City by the Bay was in their bones. Mercado says about their accomplishments as a couple, “We always made magic happen, and we built beauty from whatever we had, which was often seemingly nothing. We crossed oceans, rode waves, climbed mountains, and created community, connection, and countless metaphors. It was crazy—and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

AN OBSERVER MIGHT SEE SOMETHING THAT NO ONE ELSE WILL SEE, AND, IN TURN, SEE THE WORLD AROUND THEM A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY IN EVERY SUBSEQUENT MOMENT.

Visual Perspectives

Anew adventure began in December of 2021. The two decided to leave their oceanside flat, friends, and brick-and-mortar businesses in search of their next. Although the idea of finding a new place and space had lingered in the back of their minds, the past few years brought it brightly into the light. They needed to find a new place to call home.

Mercado doesn’t like to admit it, but Teresa explains that they left San Francisco heartbroken. The city had become unrecognizable. Besides that, she says, “The month had been brutally taxing—packing, moving, cleaning, hauling, letting go, and forcing myself to let go of even more. We didn’t know where we were going or how we would make it, and all of our beautiful things—the collections and weavings of our artful days and nights, of our partnership and pain—everything was on a truck with a bad reputation.”

The tears surrendered to the adventure as they made their way across the country— recorded in the trip journal as “down the rocky coast of the Pacific, across the desert mesas of New Mexico, the color and creole spice of New Orleans, then the jungles of the Florida glades—pink birds and gators, the golden sun and sands of the Gulf. Then buttered biscuits and fried green tomatoes along the cobbled streets of Savannah, North Carolina barbecue, Tennessee whiskey, the stalwart barns of the Pennsylvania Dutch, and up and up and north to New England. Frozen lakes, rushing rivers, towering forests, and fat, fluffy snowflakes.” Seeing the large barns, churches, and lodges along the highways and tucked away in the woods, spending time along the lakes, rivers, and hiking trails, and taking in the vastness of the forest and the sentinel range of mountains, Mercado was newly inspired to create.

MERCADO CREATES VOLUPTUOUS AND EVOCATIVE PAINTINGS, OFTEN MYSTERIOUSLY LACED WITH MAGIC REALISM.

First Prize Oil on panel, 36 × 36 inches

Opposite top: Artist Jay Mercado

Opposite bottom: Oranges in Tissue Oil on panel, 24 × 72 inches

Visual Perspectives

YOU COULD DROP ME ANYWHERE, AND I WOULD FIND SOMETHING THAT INSPIRES MY ART.

ou could drop me anywhere, and I would find something that inspires my art, but rural New England surprised me,” he says. “I feel a calm that I never experienced in the city. The beauty, the history, the mountain, the bear and deer that hang out in my field—it’s magical. And isn’t that what art making is?”

Within a year, the husband-wife team found a beautiful farm home with six acres and a large barn they will soon convert into a working studio, gallery, and creative space. Although Mercado is not a farmer (“yet,” he says with a smile), he feels he has returned to his roots in a way that would make his grandfathers happy. Now, in his New England studio, he continues to create artworks—large and larger ones—that evoke a subtle yet compelling figurative sensuality.

“A worker’s veined and weathered hand is as allegorical as a colossal ocean rock,” the visionary expounds. “A still life of papaya, dragon fruit, grapes, or a pear is

truly alive, sweet with pleasure, juice, and seed. A subject meets the viewer’s eye with warmth, challenge, and a deep knowing.”

Borrowing from historical motifs, Mercado creates voluptuous and evocative paintings, often mysteriously laced with magic realism. His artwork has been shown in exhibitions across the country, and his paintings hang in homes and businesses around the world. Mercado specializes in large-scale commissions for private residences and commercial interiors. Mercado views the commission process as a spirited collaboration between the artist and patron. He has an incredible aptitude for divining each client’s vision and interpreting their unique needs, desires, and aesthetics to design a beautiful and powerful work of art.

You can see more of his work at JayMercado.com.

Lemons in Cloth Oil on panel, 36 × 36 inches

Opposite: First Kiss Oil on panel, 48 × 60 inches

Petite pause

Indulge in the epitome of luxury at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, where the Prince Rainier III Suite stands as a testament to opulence. With an extensive wine cellar and Michelin-starred dining, this prestigious member of The Leading Hotels of the World encapsulates over 150 years of distinguished hospitality. Just steps away from the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo, this retreat offers an authentic Monaco experience. Explore more at LHW.com.

Photo courtesy of The Leading Hotels of the World

From a SUITE in HÔTEL DE PARIS MONTE-CARLO, MONACO’S ELEGANCE MEETS the ENDLESS HORIZON of the MEDITERRANEAN.

Sarah Ann Loreth, a distinguished fine art and aerial photographer, holds a deep connection to Alaska’s awe-inspiring landscapes. Living in a quaint Alaskan town overshadowed by North America’s tallest peak, she collaborates with a “flightseeing” company offering tours and glacier landings in Denali National Park. She is originally from Massachusetts and reflects, “I was drawn to Alaska’s imposing peaks, its quiet solitude, and the everyday adventures it promised.” Through her camera, Loreth captures the majesty of Alaska, presenting its shifting terrains with clarity and passion. Outside of her photography, she cultivates her love of gardening, relishes quiet moments in nature, and enjoys the simple pleasures of watching online dog videos.

Visit SarahAnnLorethPhotography.com to view more of her work.

Photo by Sarah Ann Loreth

The WHISPERS of the CANYONS GUIDED ME to AMANGIRI.

By HAILEY BETHKE

Ahandcrafted wooden sign, scrawled simply with AMANGIRI, marks a road that snakes behind the towering rock formations, called hoodoos, into the distance. Unsuspecting passersby would never know that primely positioned only a brief distance down this road is an exclusive desert refuge nestled on over nine hundred acres in south Utah. This is Amangiri, which translates to “peaceful mountain” in Sanskrit. The place lives up to its name as a private, blissful, and restorative destination.

“Resort” is not quite the right word to describe Aman’s private desert oasis. Instead, Amangiri is a retreat grounded in desert mystique and simplistic luxury, often left a mystery to those unable to visit the property themselves.

Photography courtesy of AMAN RESORTS

You may have heard rumors of Amangiri or seen photos of the stunning architecture on your social media feed. Considering Hollywood’s biggest names have spent time here, and the resort is nature-centric, I was unsure what to expect. Would the mood call for a Bottega Venetta purse or a hiking backpack?

I quickly learned that Amangiri is a place that welcomes you precisely as you are. It offers permission to unwind and restore, fuss-free, avidly explore through carefully curated day excursions, celebrate milestones, or simply enjoy the gift of living we each receive every morning. Guests hail from different parts of the country and the globe, some visiting regularly and others saving for years for this one-time experience. To answer my initial question, many of the guests arrived to dinner dressed down, sporting a pair of hiking boots, perhaps with a stylish cowboy hat or a light gloss of makeup. But, for all, Amangiri is simply a place where each guest is welcomed and celebrated—without the pressures of work, prying eyes, or the roles we carry in the outside world.

Amangiri’s cozy compound is delicately placed around millennia-old rock formations that seamlessly blend with the desert horizon. The central hotel is just a brief drive from Camp Sarika, where I spent the duration of my trip. Recently opened in 2020, Camp Sarika is an expansion of the main resort that seeks to redefine our connection to nature. These ultra-luxurious “tented” pavilions evoke childhood memories of camping under canvas—with an elevated twist in true Aman style.

Each of the ten pavilions (completely insulated and temperature controlled, much like a hotel suite) is intentionally situated with direct access to the canyon just footsteps from the backyard. Think of all the amenities you would expect in a luxury villa—including heated floors, a spacious living and dining area, outdoor seating, and a soaking tub and rain shower—but designed to model a tented structure. There are no hard canvas floors here, and the plush king-size bed is comfortable after a long day of exploration on the property. The daytime views of the canyon from the plunge pool were unforgettable, as was the brilliant showcase of stars over the private fireside, where we nestled in Pendleton blankets and toasted s’mores. Camp Sarika, which is even more intimate than the main resort, was the perfect place to rejuvenate after a long day.

Above: Amangiri’s restorative programming includes everything from yoga classes to the 25,000-square-foot all-inclusive spa.

Opposite and below: Whether relaxing at the main resort pool, in your private plunge pool, or on one of many open terraces, the desert landscape surrounds you with its calm beauty.

“AMANGIRI is a COZY COMPOUND DELICATELY PLACED AROUND MILLENNIA-OLD ROCK FORMATIONS that SEAMLESSLY BLEND with the DESERT HORIZON.”

Much like the resort’s principle of attentive service through honoring each guest’s individual needs and preferences, the activities offered appeal to every type of traveler. To explore the surrounding landscape, many tackle the Via Ferrata, Amangiri’s most popular activity. The climb consists of metal rungs, ladders, and bridges to scale four hundred feet above the desert to the top of Cave Peak, which features a gorgeous 360-degree view of the property and landscape beyond. I am not an avid seeker of heights, yet I can confidently say the experience is equal parts exhilarating and enjoyable throughout the ascent. The suspension bridge at the top of the climb, with breathtaking panoramic views, was remarkable. Ask for Marc, who has been leading guests on the Via Ferrata climb for more than seven years and previously spent thirteen years managing rafting on the Colorado River.

“AMANGIRI CELEBRATES UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE and SIMPLISTIC LUXURY.”

xcursions with Amangiri expert guides are available at many surrounding national parks and monuments, including a slot canyon tour— Antelope, Owl, and Rattlesnake Canyons are only a short drive from the property. Guests can also arrange horseback riding, hot air balloon excursions, and helicopter tours. My guide, Raymond, was fabulous; a Navajo native, he was highly knowledgeable about the history of his people and the area. Plus, he is an expert at finding the best canyon lighting for professional-looking photographs, which was an added delight.

For those who prefer calm to the thrill of adrenaline, Amangiri’s 25,000-squarefoot spa is the quintessential day retreat, complete with a cold plunge pool, dry sauna, and steam room. Guests can cycle through this restorative sequence before or after their spa treatment of choice. Situated only footsteps from the gym, where floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the desert landscape and the main resort, it’s easy to take a moment of pause for restoration here.

The entire staff is very adaptive and willing to meet your needs and requests; Amangiri celebrates understated elegance and simplistic luxury combined with attentive and friendly service. The connections made with the staff over such a short period were remarkable; I remember many of them by name.

Above and below left: Guided hikes, horseback expeditions, and climbing excursions are also available through the resort, providing guests with a balance of adventure and relaxation.

o matter where you stay on the property, the meals at Amangiri are first-class. Camp Sarika’s restaurant features a rotating dinner menu that changes daily. During my stay, the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine featured pesto gnocchi and sliced jicama appetizers, which were immediate hits. The main restaurant at Amangiri is also superb, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows for expansive views of the desert. If there is one thing you need to check off your bucket list at Amangiri, it is the simplest task: an order of cast-iron pancakes. Buttery and almost biscuitlike, this crowd favorite is sure to please. Even actor Eugene Levy raved about the breakfast item during his stay in the travel docuseries The Reluctant Traveler.

Although the essence of staying at Amangiri is hard to describe—indeed something you need to experience firsthand— know this: the peaceful mountain will welcome you exactly as you are with open arms. It’s ready to support you in creating your unique personal experience, whether that means busy days of adventuring or uninterrupted time for self-care at the spa, walking the property, and lounging by the pool. Every detail, from the immaculate architecture to thoughtfully curated excursions and the resort’s layout, is intentional.

Without the glitz and noise of Hollywood but with the same luxury and service, Amangiri is proof that there’s something magical in the deserts of southern Utah, something that transports you to another world that’s softer, more grounded, and yours to explore fully.

To book your stay at Amangiri or find more information, head to Aman.com/resorts/amangiri.

“The PEACEFUL MOUNTAIN will WELCOME YOU EXACTLY as YOU ARE with OPEN ARMS.”

PROJECT: VIE Magazine Headquarters, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

ARCHITECT: Gerald Burwell

HISTORIC SOUTHERN A

Lakewood Golf Club offers thirty-six holes of rich history and natural beauty at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama.

rom the moment you arrive at the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Point Clear, Alabama, you feel as if you’ve been tucked away into a natural oasis untouched by time. The grounds are immaculate, and you immediately become one with nature strolling around the expansive Southern coastal compound encompassing the boutique hotel, spa, restaurants, and more. An anchor of the Point Clear community since 1847, the Grand Hotel is a historic icon boasting an impressive list of celebrities, past presidents, and social influencers who have sought out a stay.

Rich with historical events, it is safe to say the Grand is heavily rooted in the history books of America. Originally designed as a forty-room hotel, it became a hospital during the Civil War and later hosted critical training operations during World War II. Every day at 3:45 p.m., the Grand pays tribute to its wartime history with a cannon firing on the edge of Mobile Bay. The Grand has been through war, fire, and hurricanes but has stood the test of time to remain a coveted Southern getaway destination.

rowing up, my family always stayed in Fairhope, Alabama, on the way to Fort Morgan for our annual beach trip. As we drove out of town, we would pass the Grand, and I would wonder what it would be like to stay there. Several years later, my husband, Alex, and I had the pleasure of spending the long Fourth of July weekend as guests on the property. Our main goal was to slow down, catch up on some much-needed relaxation by the impressive pools, and enjoy having everything easily accessible, with no worries about going off-site for anything. Of course, another top priority during our stay was to experience the special features of this iconic hotel that has drawn visitors for over 175 years, including the Lakewood Club golf course, the 1847 Bar, Southern Roots, and Bucky’s Lounge.

On day one, we checked in and immediately started to explore the grounds. Amazed at the lush landscape so beautifully laid out before us, we knew we were in for a treat of a weekend. We then got settled in our spacious room, tossed on our swimsuits, and headed straight to the pool to begin a weekend of R&R. The Grand offers three guest swimming pools: the feature pool, the

The Grand Boardwalk is a bayside promenade extending from Zundel’s Lane north to the Grand Hotel.

adult pool, and the indoor lap pool. We grabbed some drinks from Jubilee Poolside Grill and claimed lounge chairs by the adult pool to enjoy some afternoon sun before changing and heading to Bucky’s Lounge for the evening.

Aura J. “Bucky” Miller was a hospitality legend. He served on the staff at the Grand Hotel for sixty-one years, exuding the property’s mantra of “simplicity, sincerity, and service.” His signature indoor-outdoor lounge showcases a piano bar, rare whiskies, fine wines, and romantic firepits. This is a fantastic spot to watch the sunset and catch up with loved ones or new friends.

Above left: Lakewood Golf Club’s Dogwood course

Left: Many arrive at the Grand by boat from Mobile Bay.

Opposite bottom: The lobby of the Grand offers a mix of traditional design and cozy Southern hospitality.

OUR MAIN GOAL WAS TO SLOW DOWN, CATCH UP ON SOME MUCH-NEEDED RELAXATION BY THE IMPRESSIVE POOLS, AND ENJOY HAVING EVERYTHING EASILY ACCESSIBLE, WITH NO WORRIES ABOUT GOING OFF-SITE FOR ANYTHING

e kicked off day two with an amazing breakfast in the Grand Hall. The restaurant offers something for everyone, but don’t sleep on the pancakes with pecan butter, bananas, and coconut syrup—chef’s kiss! After breakfast, we ventured to the Lakewood Club to explore the golf clubhouse, tennis courts, and pools and ended up spending the day at the Lakewood Club adult pool, as it was such a peaceful spot to catch some rays and get some reading done. We closed out day two with dinner and drinks at Southern Roots. This on-site eatery offers an elegant farm-to-table experience, complete with stunning views of the property and a magical ambience.

Here’s a fun fact: the 1847 Bar—the Grand’s bar housed inside Southern Roots—is named for the year the property was established. From Wednesday through Sunday at 5:00 p.m., guests can attend “Celebrating the Craft” at the 1847 Bar to commemorate the art and craft of bartending and learn about a new specialty cocktail.

Opposite: Southern Roots at the Grand Hotel

Right: Enjoy a beach cabana by the bay for a perfect afternoon!

Below: The Grand Feature Pool is a refreshing escape with stunning views of the resort and the shimmering waters of Mobile Bay. The zeroentry zone, water slide, and splash pad provide endless excitement for the entire family.

T H E LA K EWO O D

C LU B H AS B E E N

N AM E D O N E O F

T H E TO P 2 5 MOST

H I STO R I C G O L F

CO U RS ES BY

H I STO R I C H OT E LS

O F AM E R I CA .

On our final day at the Grand, we were up and at it early for an 8:00 a.m. tee time. Alex secured a slot to play the 7,104-yard, 18-hole, par-72 Dogwood course. It was a hot morning, but the oaks, pines, magnolias, and overall natural beauty surrounding the fairways made it all worth it. The Lakewood Club has been named one of the Top 25 Most Historic Golf Courses by Historic Hotels of America. Additionally, they have hosted the 1974, 1986, and 2021 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championships.

If golf is not your thing—or if it is, but you have longer than a few days—be sure to check out some exciting options we had to leave on our to-do list for our next stay. These include being pampered at the newly renovated 20,000-square-foot bespoke spa, walking the full boardwalk that runs along the Mobile Bay on the edge of the property, and witnessing the magical monarch migration in October. If you are looking for your next weekend getaway or planning some vacation time near the Alabama coast, be sure to check out the Grand Hotel. Full of history, charm, and amenities, it’s the perfect place to escape!

LEARN MORE OR BOOK A STAY AT THE GRAND HOTEL GOLF RESORT & SPA, AN AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION PROPERTY, AT GRAND1847.COM.

YOUR VIEW, OUR PASSION.

E. F. San Juan’s renowned wood millwork creations are complemented by the highest quality windows and doors. Our craftsmen work seamlessly with the most trusted providers of impactrated doors and windows, such as Weather Shield®, to create custom homes that masterfully combine security, beauty, and function.

ARCHITECT: GEOFF CHICK & ASSOCIATES

BUILDER: PRESTIGE PROPERTIES

PHOTO BY STM PHOTOGRAPHY

By Xenia Taliotis

Roaming with the Big Cats

Adventure

Photography courtesy of Wilderness

Lioness at ten o’clock.” Vasco, projects manager for Wilderness, Botswana, was in the back of our jeep, seemingly with his eyes closed. I had binoculars over my glasses, eyes wide open, but even with all that, I saw nothing but swaying grass.

But then something flicked. I focused my binoculars and saw the swishing tail of my first free lion. Her lithe, golden form rose and moved languidly toward us. Soon she was by our vehicle, her bourbon eyes measuring us. Realizing we were neither food nor foe, she sauntered off, her unhurried movements belying the fifty-plus miles per hour she can run when hunting.

A little later, we saw her in full-throttled predator mode, staking out a cheetah devouring a kill and then pounding across the plain in an audacious snatch and grab to seize the carcass for her cubs.

The cheetah, the weakest cat, has only one defense—speed. Tense-tight, she watched the stalking lion, assessing the diminishing distance between them while tearing at the flesh voraciously, timing precisely when she would have to surrender her meal and sprint for her life. Grabbing one last chunk, she sprang just as the lioness made her move.

I was at Chitabe, one of three camps run by leading conservation operator Wilderness that I would visit during my stay in Botswana, in Southern Africa. I had chosen Botswana because it is one of the best safari destinations in the world, with a genuine commitment to wildlife preservation and some of the most stringent anti-poaching laws in Africa.

And I’d gone with Wilderness because it has been working in Botswana for more than forty years and has several camps there, each in a different location to give access to diverse ecosystems, with options to view animals from land, water, and the air, as well as at night. Its impressive eco-credentials include solar-powered camps, eco-friendly detergents and toiletries, reverse-osmosis water filtration, and an excellent record of supporting local communities. Finally, I’d heard great things about how knowledgeable its rangers were.

Chitabe covers 22,000 hectares of wilderness in the heart of the UNESCOlisted Okavango Delta—an alluvial fan of lagoons, channels, and islands that, at six thousand square miles, is the world’s largest inland wetland area. It draws the hunters—lions, cheetahs, leopards, crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, and wild dogs; the hunted—impalas, lechwe, giraffes, zebra, and baboons; and much else in between, including elephants, buffalo, hippos, vultures, fish eagles, kingfishers, and rollers.

I’d arrived from the UK the night before that first drive. I had gone straight to my tent—a luxurious thatch-capped villa decorated in the colors of the Kalahari and Okavango and floating on an expansive timber deck. I needed sleep, but as one sense—sight—shut down, another—hearing—ramped up. Hours before I saw any wildlife, I heard it. Throughout the night, animals sang, trumpeted, roared, scampered, chased, caught, fled, flew, created life, and ended it.

Soon after I finally fell asleep, I was woken by a guide bringing me tea and asking me to be ready in ten minutes to be escorted to reception. The walk wasn’t long, but it might have brought me closer to the wildlife than was advisable. “We share our camps with the animals,” said Vasco. “This is their land, and we must respect that. Elephants and baboons are often outside the rooms, so we accompany guests to and from their villas at night.”

Hours before I saw any wildlife, I heard it . “

Game drives started early, and it was cold. Despite multiple layers, I dove into the poncho and blankets provided, tucking a hot water bottle into them. We set off before the pink and gold of a rising sun began to color the sky, our senses sharpened by anticipation and the earthy aroma of wild sage.

As dawn melded into day, indistinct shapes took form. There were jackals standing on gargantuan termite mounds and giraffes gracefully picking their way through the grasslands, their long necks and legs a miracle of form and function. Studies by Dr. Julian Fennessy, co-founder of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, show the species is experiencing a silent extinction. In the 1700s, Africa had about a million giraffes. Now there are just 117,000.

“

This is their land , and we must respect that .

Impalas and red lechwe were all around, zebras grazed up ahead, and ostriches and roadrunners raced comically past.

For all I saw, Tank, our guide, saw—and showed us—more. Intuition, experience, and an affinity with nature seemed to have given him superhuman hearing and vision. He cut the engine and pointed to a leopard draped over a baobab tree branch. After eating, the creature seemed like he wouldn’t move for days, but Tank said he’d spring if an opportunity came his way. That appeared soon enough when an impala danced toward death. Twenty more steps, and it would be dead meat. Thankfully, it turned and bolted.

We drove on. Tank leaned out of the jeep and showed us the tracks of one of the most endangered creatures on earth—the painted or wild dog. We followed the tracks and found a pack of about fifteen. I was moved to tears by them, by their coats of burnished gold, fall red, black, white, and brown, enormous round ears, and complex social relationships. Fiercely loyal to their pack and led by an alpha female, they communicate by touch, actions, and vocalizations and make important

decisions by voting—yes, you read that right; they vote—by sneezing.

A century ago, five hundred thousand painted dogs roamed across Africa. Now estimates put the total population at 6,600. Needing to build up their numbers, individual groups go on puppy raids, abducting the young of another.

The next day, we left Chitabe for Vumbura Plains. Our flight took us across the water channels that feed the delta’s flood plains, mopane-forested islands, and marshlands. Seen from above, they appeared like arteries, keeping one of the world’s most important habitats alive.

When we arrived, my room—a beautifully designed indoor-outdoor space with wooden floors and an unobstructed view of the savanna—was unavailable, not because it hadn’t been prepared but because an elephant was having a snack by the door. I bided my time in the restaurant, enjoying a meal as rich in flavor as the landscape was in color, with plant-based options that satiated even meat lovers. As I ate, an elephant stopped so close to me that I could count every fold in his skin.

Later, we took a night drive to explore some of Vumbura’s 60,700-hectare wilderness. The two lion brothers who had taken over the territory from another pride walked silently past us, intent on finding prey. What a thrill it was to be utterly ignored by them.

The next morning, we drove through water channels to find elephants walking trunk to tail along the water’s edge. Occasionally, they would siphon gallons of water into their trunks to spray into their mouths or to give themselves a cooling shower.

We then swapped our vehicle for mokoro canoes to enjoy the beauty of the delta from the water. Emerald green reed frogs clung to blades of grass, malachite kingfishers flashed past in a flurry of sapphire blue and orange, and dragonflies darted all around.

A short flight took us to our final camp, DumaTau, a 111,300-hectare private concession in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve overlooking the Osprey Lagoon, which had so much wildlife that I could have had a safari from my room. But I took a river cruise, which brought me within feet of a hippo raising its head out of the water, showing me a yawn that seemed to reveal eternity. We spent only a short time in her company before we followed the call of a troop of baboons. Their behavior was as familiar as our own. “Did you know they’re so terrified of snakes they faint at the sight of one?” asked our guide. No, but I do know several people who would do the same.

Photos courtesy of Grand Bay Construction - Brand Partner

Naturally Sweet

Beyond cakes, Fig + Salt offers a variety of baked goods, hampers, and grazing boxes, all designed to please the palate and the eye. Explore inspiring creations on Instagram @figandsalt, or visit their website FigandSalt.com to learn more.

We’re pleased to introduce Fig + Salt in Australia’s Yarra Valley! Cake-making here is more than an art; it’s a celebration of the region’s ingredients. Led by Cass Morris, affectionately known as “Figgy,” the bakery emphasizes using locally sourced, handpicked elements. Notably, the vanilla buttermilk cake comes layered with fresh homemade lemon curd and is topped with vanilla buttercream. The floral touch, particularly the pale purple hydrangeas, evokes fond memories of Figgy’s Nan’s garden. Steeped in her country roots, Figgy’s cakes often showcase nature’s bounty, from vibrant garden blooms to foraged fruits and foliage.

Photo courtesy of Fig + Salt

Threads of

TIME LESS NESS

Legacy and Artistry at The Newbury Boston

By Emme Martin

Beneath the warm summer sun, Boston’s Back Bay awakens with its unique charm. As historic brownstones stand alongside Parisianinspired townhomes, they offer glimpses into the city’s vibrant past. Strolling along cobblestone pathways, the distant hum of the T subway blends with the city’s energy, capturing Boston’s blend of tranquility and liveliness. The presence of Tiffany & Co. neighboring The Newbury Boston hotel adds an enduring touch of elegance. Drawn into The Newbury Boston for a night in June, I eagerly drank in the essence of Boston.

The moment I stepped into The Newbury Boston, I was embraced by a harmonious fusion of classic sophistication and modern elegance. Chandeliers cast a timeless glow, contrasting with the Nero Dorato marble floors. However, it was the subtle scent of birchwood that captivated my senses—a signal of the luxury awaiting. When I examined the chandelier, a creation by Andreea Braescu, its intricate details revealed a masterpiece. I later discovered its design was inspired by the ginkgo biloba tree, a symbol of the Boston Public Garden.

As I strolled through the opulent lobby, welcoming smiles greeted me. Hallmarks of the staff throughout my stay included a warm demeanor and assurance that my needs were important. Guided by Highgate and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), The Newbury Boston embodies refined luxury. Since its opening in 2018, The Newbury Boston has proudly been a member of LHW, reflecting the brand’s dedication to distinct design, enriching art, and culinary delights. Joining LHW signifies a commitment to excellence and uniqueness, with hotels meticulously evaluated on numerous criteria to ensure guest comfort and distinctive experiences. This alignment with LHW’s values ensures that The Newbury Boston continually offers a one-of-a-kind, luxurious guest experience.

“THE NEWBURY EMBODIES REFINED LUXURY.”

The property’s legacy dates back to its time as the Ritz-Carlton in 1927, hosting guests ranging from world leaders to intrepid explorers. Its evolution from the forty-dollar suites of the Twenties to today’s refined accommodations reflects changing times and underscores the hotel’s dedication to upholding its storied heritage.

At the core of The Newbury Boston’s allure are visionary designers who breathed new life into its essence: Jeffrey Beers, Alexandra Champalimaud, and Ken Fulk. Their brilliance is unmistakable—each infused the hotel with vitality and left distinct imprints. Beers, celebrated for innovative glass designs and modern sensibilities, shaped the transformation of the property with this seamless melding of architecture and emotion. Champalimaud, a globally acclaimed designer, instilled character and tranquility into the guestrooms and suites. Meanwhile, Fulk, renowned for creative dynamism, reimagined the hotel with a fresh and invigorating perspective.

The Newbury Boston hotel

Photo by Nikolas Koenig

Delving deeper into The Newbury Boston’s charm, its art collection, curated by Mike Carroll and Lynne Kortenhaus, stands out. Inspired by Europe’s historic salons—hubs of vibrant discourse and artistic collaboration—the property immerses guests in an ambience rich with creative expression. Its common spaces showcase a mix of budding talents and esteemed artists, each pioneering in their techniques. For instance, photographs like All the Things and Letterfrack by Richard Selesnick and Nicholas Kahn adorn the side entrance. Artwork is positioned with intent: Letterfrack, capturing a man embarking on a journey, sits near the exit, hinting at the adventures awaiting guests in Boston.

When you peel back the layers of the collection, its thoughtful diversity shines through, featuring sculptures, paintings, photographs, and other cutting-edge mediums, all designed to evoke a rich dialogue between guests. Among the standout pieces are portraits of cultural icons by celebrated photographer Yousuf Karsh. In a generous move, these evocative, beautifully captured photographs were a cherished gift from his estate, now seeing the light of day outside museums or private collections for the first time.

Adding to the hotel’s allure is a tranquil library nestled adjacent to the lobby. I came across one of my favorite art pieces, a striking wood-and-fabric neck mount named Sienna by Breon Dunigan, elegantly presiding over the fireplace. The mantle is encircled by a curated collection of books, cozy desks, and a snack bar, inspiring guests to immerse themselves in literature or find a moment of reprieve.

After appreciating the artistic narratives of The Newbury Boston, I briefly settled into my corner room. However, the rest of the hotel beckoned. Prompted by curiosity, I headed out again to discover more of what the establishment had to offer.

Crafted precisely by the renowned Champalimaud Design, The Newbury Boston’s suites merge the warmth of home with enduring elegance. Each of the 286 guestrooms bathes in a serene palette of blues, grays, and creams, fostering serenity. Handcrafted wood, chic herringbone patterns, and marble flourishes anchor the design, infusing modern flair into the classic Bostonian style. The spacious layout, punctuated with window nooks overlooking the Public Garden, prompts a deep sigh of relief. Original artwork by Veronica Lawlor adorns the walls, while bespoke amenities, including Byredo Willow bath products and private access to The Library and Fitness Center, elevate the experience.

Guests can choose from the city’s most extensive collection of ninety luxury suites, with the added allure of forty-two fireplace suites for those seeking a cozy winter retreat and two presidential suites for an unforgettable stay. For an extra touch of indulgence, guests can request a dedicated fireplace butler, offering a selection of thoughtfully curated wood. From the quick-burning and warming birch to the long-burning and fragrant cherry, the lightly scented oak, or the classic New England maple, each wood brings its unique charm to the fireside experience.

The Suites Afternoon Tea

Leaving my suite, I headed to the exquisite Mansion Suite for a refined afternoon tea. Notably, guests can also enjoy this service in their rooms—the epitome of sophistication and leisure. The in-suite afternoon tea boasts Jenwey Tea paired with dainty finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and springtime-inspired desserts—an ideal intermission before my Public Garden tour.

Tour of The Public Garden

In partnership with The Newbury Boston, the Boston Public Garden tour is a must. Under the guidance of Bridgett, a passionate member of the Friends of the Public Garden, we immersed ourselves in the lush beauty of the country’s first botanical garden. Bridgett masterfully recounted its inception in 1837 and how the park has preserved its initial design, envisioned by the then-twenty-six-year-old George Meacham. His winning entry in a blind competition boasted elegantly curved pathways, a tranquil pond, and carefully plotted flower beds. The tour delves into renowned landmarks, such as the George Washington statue, while highlighting the garden’s curated specimen trees imported from Europe and Asia, featuring species like oak, maple, beech, and ginkgo. The enchanting swan boats and beloved Make Way for Ducklings sculpture lend a fairytale feel to the garden. As a drizzle began, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up, eagerly anticipating the evening offerings of The Newbury Boston.

Adjacent to the Boston Public Garden, The Newbury offers stunning scenery.

Photo by Joe Thomas

Opposite left: Enjoy afternoon tea service in the comfort of your Newbury suite.

Photo by Andrew Scrivani

Opposite right: The spacious Corner House Suite at The Newbury

Photo by Nikolas Koenig

The opulent lobby at The Newbury Boston

Photo by Nikolas Koenig

The Street Bar

Around The Street Bar table, a cherished rendezvous for locals and travelers alike, we enjoyed an ambience marrying luxury and comfort. Sipping the Public Garden Spritz, a nod to our earlier garden visit, I was pleased to know that part of its proceeds benefit the Friends of the Public Garden. The bar’s environment bridges eras and encourages spirited conversations. With classic leather barstools, a fireplace, and dark wood accents, the bar exudes the allure of the 1920s. Soft lighting casts an inviting glow, and The Newbury Boston’s artful curation again shines in the creative details and decor.

Top left and bottom right: Contessa offers a bespoke menu and cocktails with a wicked view of Boston.

Photos by Douglas Friedman

Bottom left and top right: The Street Bar blends old Boston charm with the best modern amenities.

Photos by Andrew Scrivani

Contessa

Collaborating with Boston’s own Ken Fulk, the restaurant Contessa effortlessly blends luxury and comfort, sophistication and modernity, all set against the enchanting backdrop of the Public Garden. As I settled into the elegant eatery, I was naturally drawn to its centerpiece—a stunning marble bar perfectly capturing the city’s cosmopolitan character. This bar exudes timelessness and stands as a central hub where Boston’s vibrant cocktail culture comes to life.

At Contessa, the culinary journey is guided by the vision of Chef Mario Carbone, a master in his craft. Every dish, from the captivating squash carpaccio to the tantalizing spicy lobster capellini, is an exquisite creation that pays homage to Italian flavors while embracing innovative twists. The restaurant goes beyond ordinary dining; it’s a pathway to uncovering Boston’s dynamic culinary heritage.

As the evening unfolded and we savored espresso martinis, the allure of The Newbury Boston continued to beckon, leading me to a final nightcap at The Street Bar. When I wandered back to my room, I discovered The Newbury Boston excels even in its turndown service, attending to every detail with the utmost care, including a premium bottle of Hot Toddy. It’s these thoughtful touches that contribute to the overall enjoyment of any stay here, making each moment a memorable one.

For more information or to book your stay visit LHW.com or TheNewburyBoston. com.

The Leading Hotels of the World is a meticulously curated assemblage of distinctive, independent luxury hotels comprising over four hundred establishments in over eighty countries. Rooted in a legacy established by pioneering Europeans in 1928, the brand’s present-day operation remains in the hands of dedicated hoteliers. With an unwavering mission to unite independent hoteliers and inquisitive travelers, LHW embodies the essence of each destination, boasting diverse architectural styles, captivating designs, and cultural experiences elevated by passionate individuals. Notably, 85 percent of these establishments are family-owned, often spanning multiple generations. The brand adds approximately thirty new members annually, introducing exciting new openings across the globe, from Dallas to São Paulo.

THE BAR'S ENVIRONMENT BRIDGES ERAS AND ENCOURAGES SPIRITED CONVERSATIONS.

Delicious pizza at Contessa

Photo by Steven Rojas

The Power Good Walk of a

By Suzanne Pollak

Walking in nature has had a strong and creative influence in shaping my life. The rhythm of walking keeps my brain loose, not rigid. I get my best ideas and a sense of peace and calm when I move through nature.

s someone who grew up outside of the United States, I am always curious about other cultures. During the lockdown period, when people worldwide were all gravitating to the outdoors, it was fascinating to read about nature-loving traditions and customs from different countries and then try to incorporate them into my routine.

One of the philosophies I read about and tried to practice is Norwegian friluftsliv, a term invented by the famous playwright (and Norwegian) Henrik Ibsen in the 1850s to describe the value of spending time in remote locations for spiritual and physical well-being. In our digital world today, this has come to mean the importance of disconnecting—from our devices and everyday irritations, and during lockdown, from monotony—to spend time outdoors, enjoying the simple life in nature without destroying or disturbing it. During this widely stressful time, I spoke to many friends in different places who were also doing whatever it took to spend as much time outdoors as they could as a way to experience peace and calm, no matter their climate: As Scandinavians say, “There is no such things as bad weather, only bad clothing.” This cultural embrace of the outdoors, the connection to nature, and the love of being active through hiking, cycling, or even just walking contribute to the Nordic countries ranking highly in the yearly World Happiness Report. I know it meant a world of difference to me and many others.

Another cultural connection to nature that I read about and incorporated in a way is the Japanese custom of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, an eco-therapy that emerged in the 1980s designed to encourage people to reconnect to and protect the country’s forest. For me, that translated into being more observant of nature that surrounds me in my coastal ecosystem, cultivating quiet, contemplative time as I walked along the vast vista of the water under expansive skies. My area may not have forests to stroll through daily, but I could still bathe in nature and absorb the therapeutic benefits to mind and body.

Although walking has been a formative aspect of my life and part of my routine for a long time, implanting these customs from other countries has given new meaning to my daily practice.

While walking helps to disconnect, it also supports the work I do. I walk to become a better writer, strategizer, and fundraiser.

During the pandemic, I edited the script for my weekly Zoom cocktail classes during my morning walk on the Battery (c. 1768), a landmark defensive seawall in Charleston lining the Cooper and Ashley Rivers. That ancient wall became my movable desk, where I could lean my notebook to cross out sentences and add ideas as they popped into my head. Then I read my work out loud as I walked—the salty sea air blowing around my brain made this a breeze (my version of “forest bathing”), and I didn’t become stuck like I do while sitting at my desk. I continued the writing and editing practice on my daily walks and even wrote this article while walking.

became a more effective fundraiser on my outside walks too. On solo walks, I strategized on what to ask for and who to ask. I raised money when I walked with another person. During COVID, when people were not willing to meet inside, they were willing to go for a walk. Fundraising is a face-to-face job that requires building personal relationships, but due to the pandemic, I changed how I did my job. Face to face became side by side, step by step, walk by walk. Today I continue to fundraise this way because moving together side by side is less intimidating or confrontational than sitting face to face; therefore, it’s often more effective.

I find that people tap into different parts of themselves when walking in the expanse of nature (rather than sitting in the confines of an office or coffee shop), and my walking meetings had multiple benefits. The meetings were relaxed, didn’t feel like work, and I felt like people’s hearts and imaginations expanded in nature.

I also walk to be with my friends. Although catching up over lunch or cocktails can be great, going for a walk is an ideal way to solve problems. For starters, moving reduces stress. When a friend ended a romantic relationship, we took three laps around the wide walkway surrounding the Colonial Lake tidal pond to come up with a plan for her to move forward. The lake and its park there were

established by a commission in 1768, setting aside the area forever for public use, and I frequently use this public space with friends as we listen, protect, and support each other on walks through the park and around the lake.

When it rains, I even like walking solo to clear my brain. Walking alone unlocks my thoughts. It is easier to sort out what’s on my mind, to figure out what is taking up valuable brain space that needs to go. This doesn’t happen within the confines of home. My brain is a laundry list of what must be done inside my house. Moving in fresh air is like being in a washing machine that clears and cleans space in my brain—a natural massage that relaxes and lets things go.

Nature is full of spiritual energy, soothing, healing, and expanding. Being in nature makes magic happen.

Suzanne Pollak, a mentor and lecturer in the fields of home, hearth, and hospitality, is the founder and dean of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits. She is the coauthor of Entertaining for Dummies, The Pat Conroy Cookbook, and The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits: A Handbook of Etiquette with Recipes. Born into a diplomatic family, Pollak was raised in Africa, where her parents hosted multiple parties every week. Her South Carolina homes have been featured in the Wall Street Journal Mansion section and Town & Country magazine. Visit CharlestonAcademy.com or contact her at Suzanne@CharlestonAcademy.com to learn more.

Shaped by 175+ years of proud heritage and elevated by a very contemporary statement of southern hospitality, there is an unforgettable quality that underpins our renown as “The Queen of Southern Resorts.” Welcome to a gracious retreat on Alabama’s Gulf Coast – the iconic Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, awaits you.

Beyond these statement pieces, Estrada’s collection also showcases exquisite earrings, necklaces, and rings, each with its own narrative of artistry and heritage. Visit LauraEstradaJewelry.com to shop or learn more.

Sartorial

Emerging from Los Angeles, Laura Estrada Jewelry is a testament to blending tradition with innovation. Founded in 2018, the brand masterfully melds ancient metalsmithing methods with a fresh design sensibility. Drawing inspiration from “ancient art history, organic forms found in nature, and the creative process itself,” Laura Estrada believes in allowing materials to “take form of their own volition,” treasuring the unexpected and the element of surprise. Face and head adornments by this Latinx-owned brand—reminiscent of ancient cultures in which such jewelry symbolized status—are reimagined as contemporary treasures.

Photo by Christian Soria, @christiansoria_ Makeup by Dion Xu, @makeupbydion Styling by Stelly Nation, @thestellynation Hairstyling by Davontaé Washington, @iamdavontae Model: Jordan Clay, @jordanxclay

STRIKE A POSE

CURATED BY THE SEASIDE STYLE ®

But

WHERE WEAR THIS?

Would I

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL MIEGS

The ladies behind Cabana by The Seaside Style love a good ’fit. They believe that kaftans, sequins, and over-the-top outfits can and should be worn to soirees, the grocery store, and the car pickup line at school. They have heard time and time again conversations on the sales floor of women who lean over and whisper to their friends, “But where would I wear that?” Well, they are here to showcase that you never need a reason to look your best.

Meet Chrissy, Daryl, Evelyn, Nancy, Penny, and Wanda; these women are multitaskers, bold, colorful

tastemakers, and natural-born leaders. You need to know these leading ladies. They are the stars behind The Seaside Style’s newest tongue-in-cheek campaign, inspired by the creative team’s individual styles and a healthy dose of playful nostalgia. These are the masterminds building and evolving Seaside, Florida’s retail empire (including town cofounder/visionary Daryl Rose Davis!), and we love to see them having fun while flaunting their marketing brilliance with this campaign, which launched this summer on their Instagram, @cabana.seaside.

Follow along as we share more about these fierce and fabulous women!

MEET CHRISSY.

Chrissy

She thinks sequins are an everyday essential whether she’s going to a gala or the local fair, might accidentally burn her one-pan dinner, and never misses a hair appointment. Chrissy believes in color—lots of it. She believes you can wear sequins to parties and the corporate office. She also believes you can change the world one sequin at a time, and if you can’t decide on one color to wear, you should just wear them all! Chrissy thinks life is about balance. Ever tried wearing a designer dress while eating a five-dollar lunch?

Evelyn

MEET EVELYN.

She splits her time between the boardroom and the playroom, excels at multitasking, and has dinner on the table by 6:00 p.m. sharp. From fashion week to household chores, she celebrates the little moments and looks fabulous doing so. Whether dancing around the playroom or on a girl’s trip with her best friends, she’s the kind of Cabana Girl who can’t help but make a statement no matter what she’s doing.

Daryl

MEET DARYL.

This gal doesn’t need an introduction. She’s the town tastemaker who would never step out in anything but her best. From curating her bathroom to her closet, she adds flair to everything she touches. Daryl knows there’s no how-to road map to great style. It’s about self-expression and, above all, feeling confident in everything you do. Is she eccentric? A little. Curious? Of course. Confident in her decisions? Always. Always.

Nancy

MEET NANCY.

Nancy has the best flower garden on the block, knows all the neighborhood gossip, and never misses a chance to wear her signature floral patterns. Nancy is a pro at keeping all her secrets—and yours too. Everyone needs a friend like Nancy. She has a colorful closet and colorful imagination and occasionally lets a colorful word fly. Nancy is known for making the best chicken salad in town. It’s her gift to everyone for any occasion. New to the neighborhood? Chicken salad. Just had a baby? Chicken salad. Leaving your husband? Chicken salad. Tax evasion court date coming up? How about a little chicken salad?

Wanda

MEET WANDA.

Meet Wanda. On Mondays at 9:00 a.m., she runs errands and returns by twelve sharp. On Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m., Ginger comes over to play cards and gossip over cocktails. On Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., Wanda plays tennis with the girls. On Thursdays at 8:00 a.m., she tends to her garden. Fridays are reserved for self-care only. When Wanda’s not planning what matching set she’ll wear next, she’s sipping her signature gin cocktail and catching up on the latest Hollywood scoop. Need advice on how to style your coffee table? Wanda’s your girl. Need a hand organizing your closet? Say no more. Not sure how to tell your husband that his distant cousin can’t stay with you for the summer? She’ll coach you through it. From her impeccable taste to her life advice, she’s the woman who does it all.

THE

MEET PENNY.

She’s new to town but is already on everyone’s radar. She turns heads everywhere she goes, whether it’s the laundromat or a dinner party. She has big hair and an even bigger personality and isn’t afraid to be the boldest in the room. Yes, she brings her couture to the laundromat—and you wouldn’t believe the things she’s overheard there. You may not know much about Penny, but she knows a lot about you. Sweet? Sure. Mysterious? Maybe. Underdressed? Never.

To shop for these looks and more, visit Cabana by The Seaside Style at 45 Central Square, Ste CC-2, or go to CabanaSeaside.com.

LADIES BEHIND CABANA BY THE SEASIDE STYLE

LOVE A GOOD ’FIT. THEY BELIEVE THAT KAFTANS, SEQUINS, AND OVER-THE-TOP OUTFITS CAN AND SHOULD BE WORN TO SOIREES, THE GROCERY STORE, AND THE CAR PICKUP LINE AT SCHOOL.

Endless SUMMER The Art of Swimwear

INTERVIEW BY SALLY NEAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY SYDNEY JETER

Art IS DEFINED BY THE OXFORD DICTIONARY AS “THE EXPRESSION OR APPLICATION OF HUMAN CREATIVE SKILL AND IMAGINATION, TYPICALLY IN A VISUAL FORM, PRODUCING WORKS TO BE APPRECIATED PRIMARILY FOR THEIR BEAUTY OR EMOTIONAL POWER. “

When most people think of art, they probably think about paintings, sculptures, songs, or dances, not necessarily fashion—especially swimwear. That is unless you’re Jane Spivey Nicholson, the owner and designer of summer of spivey, a bespoke women’s swimwear brand based on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast along Scenic Highway 30-A.

From utilizing sustainable materials to perfecting the hug of fabric on a woman’s body, Nicholson is on a mission to create a bathing suit fit to be hung in the Louvre (or at least all over the beach). Like art, not all swimsuits are created equal. Some make you feel comfortable, some stop you in your tracks, some are designed with a deeper purpose, and some are just fun to look at. summer of spivey (sos) strives to be all of these wrapped into one brand, setting out to make women feel their best in a bathing suit.

We caught up with Nicholson to talk about the art of swimwear!

VIE: Tell us a little about yourself. What led you to create a swimwear brand?

JANE SPIVEY

NICHOLSON:

I am from the fabulous Mississippi Delta and attended Mississippi State University for my bachelor’s degree in fashion design and merchandising. I had an incredible college experience. With MSU being an agriculture-focused school and the fashion design department housed in the department of agriculture, I got a very textile- and sustainabilityfocused education on fashion, and I am so thankful for it. My college sweetheart, Brandon, and I married in 2020 and have been chasing dreams together ever since—now beachside!

Since I was a little girl, I have been beach- and swimsuit-obsessed. When a design professor of mine told the class that the hardest things to sew were a swimsuit or a wedding dress and urged us not to choose either for our projects, I thought,

“Wait a minute—designing a swimsuit is all I have ever wanted to do!” Every one of my projects after that was entirely swimwear-focused. I have had my sights set on creating my own swimwear brand ever since. It truly brings me so much joy and fulfillment; it feels like God’s purpose for my life is to make this brand to help each woman shine confidently in her own skin and style.

VIE: How would you describe summer of spivey in your own words? What sets it apart from other swimwear brands?

JS: To me, getting lost in the details is where you can find summer of spivey. At its core, sos is unique, impeccable quality, versatile, and noticeable. I want anyone to look at one of our swimsuits and instantly know it is by summer of spivey.

Our mission is to have a great sense of style, encourage standing out in the crowd, make pieces with love from start to finish, and create transformative pieces that can be worn in many ways. These are all at the heart of sos.

Where and how the pieces are constructed is so important to me—sos is made by skilled artisans in Bali who are paid well, love their craft, and create these art pieces with love and precision!

I want sos wearers to feel confident at the local country club pool, on the beach in the Bahamas, on a yacht in Miami, or chasing kids in their backyard. Display your personal style as the pieces evolve with you; you can convert one swimsuit into ten different looks so that you can do more with less.

VIE: What is your favorite part of the design process?

JS: The initial design idea sparks the excitement, but the final “showman’s sample” in the final color and fit is the most thrilling to unbox! I have loved color forever, and choosing the colors and textiles of a collection is one of my favorite parts, harking back to my time at Mississippi State. The material makes the suit!

It feels like God ’ s purpose for my life is to make this brand to help each woman shine confidently in her own skin and style.

VIE: How does it feel when you see someone wearing one of your swimsuits out and about?

JS: It is a pinch-me moment every time! The first time I saw a total stranger in one of my swimsuits walking around Grayton Beach, I felt like I was living in a dream come true. Seeing someone in my favorite spot wearing my design is truly surreal!

VIE: Tell us a little about your swimwear collections. What have been some of your favorite designs and why?

JS: I launched the brand with the “first light collection,” filled with celestial hues in the most gorgeous, slightly shimmery fabric. Choosing a favorite suit, I imagine, would be like choosing a favorite child. Still, the swimsuit that has been my greatest accomplishment so far—because of the near-impossible design—is the seagrass woven one-piece. It took many rounds of sampling because it was unlike anything they had ever made, and it came out to perfection in the end! The frill bikini top and bottom are also favorites of mine, especially to wear as a fun crop top with wide-leg pants. The top can flip from a higher cut with more modest coverage to a lower cut, perfect for tanning.

VIE: Tell us a little about what makes each piece unique. How do you think art and swimwear go hand in hand?

JS: I am so blessed that my life has been full of art and inspiration; my mom always had an art project for us to do, and creativity was abundant. I strive to fill summer of spivey designs with art. Looking to the unexpected for inspiration is my favorite and where the design process always starts for me. Designing is full of art—creating a swimsuit from the spark of an idea to drawing the design by hand, then CAD, then patterning and sampling; it is like putting the pieces together to create a work of art. I want all summer of spivey swimsuits to be works of art, beautiful and unique. Even more, I want the women who wear them to feel like a walking work of art to be “oohed” and “aahed” over when they wear them!

VIE: What is the most challenging part about your business? What is the most rewarding part?

JS: Finding my manufacturer was incredibly difficult because I wanted the best of the best to bring these designs to life. Getting a business off the ground is scary and daunting, but jumping into the deep end without fear and trusting that God put this dream in my heart for a reason got me through all the scary parts.

The most rewarding moments are when customers share how confident or beautiful they feel in their summer of spivey suits! Seeing how incredible the suits look on so many people never gets old.

VIE: Are there any upcoming projects or events you’d like to share?

JS: Right now, I am working hard designing and dreaming about the next collection! Hopefully, a trip to Bali is also on the horizon to meet the artisans who bring sos to life and to gather lots of inspiration. You can also catch summer of spivey trunk shows and pop-ups along 30-A and beyond. Be sure to follow us for those event dates!

I want sos wearers to feel confident at the local country club pool, on the beach in the Bahamas, on a yacht in Miami, or chasing kids in their backyard.

TRAVEL MAKES one MODEST; YOU SEE what a TINY PLACE YOU OCCUPY in the WORLD.

—GUSTAVE FLAUBERT

Experiential travel and yachting company Pelorus is venturing into uncharted territory with A Taste for Adventure, a captivating culinary expedition through Norway, in collaboration with 62°NORD and SKANDL. This distinctive venture merges Pelorus and 62°NORD’s expertise in cruises with the culinary artistry of Michelin-starred chefs. It offers immersive master classes, Nordic fishing escapades, and the allure of open-flame cooking, all set against Norway’s stunning natural landscape. As travelers indulge in these unparalleled encounters, Pelorus remains committed to curating bespoke adventures and yacht expeditions across the globe, each journey beginning at $25,000. Experience the extraordinary at PelorusX.com.

Photo courtesy of 62°NORD

Summer 2023 is taking its final bow, and C’est la VIE’s September shopping lineup is all about effortless sophistication. Think of it as your go-to for anything from a day at the office to a weekend getaway—a cotton dress that feels right, a hat that adds flair, and neutrals that work everywhere. With curated home accents and beverages to greet you post-journey, dive into fall where style isn’t just worn—it’s lived. Safe travels.

Sézane Max Shirt in Casual White Sézane.com – $125

NEUTRALS AND NOMADS

Dawn The Florentine Dress

Janessa Leoné Tinsley

Wide Brim Hat

JanessaLeoné.com – $267

Raffia Chic 15

C’est la vie

Alexander McQueen Victorian Jewel Knuckle Clutch in Light Ivory AlexanderMcQueen.com – $5,990

Abysse Hawkins Bodysuit in Coral AbysseOfficial.com – $200

Janine Abraham and Dirk Jan Rol Sculptural Rattan Lounge Chair 1stDibs.com – $9,500

1950s Moment 21

Kathy Kuo Home Conor Coastal Beige Accent Brown Wood Bookends KathyKuoHome.com – $129

Janessa Leoné Zelda Bucket Hat

Woven Whirl 18 Pick Me Up Beauty Water Potion No. 2 Mango Turmeric PickMeUpPotions.com – $60 VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 93

Hot

and Holistic 20

The Seaside story that hasn’t been told . . . from the perspective of cofounder/visionary Daryl Rose Davis.

A brand-new luxury coffee-table book celebrating the rich history of the Town of SEASIDE ® and the evolution of The Seaside Style ® through 40 years of photos and stories.

London Town

In the heart of Rosewood London, the Holborn Dining Room offers a culinary showcase of reimagined British classics while the art of afternoon tea remains a cherished tradition within its walls. Housed in a Grade II-listed edifice that was once the 1914 Edwardian stronghold of the Pearl Assurance Company, the hotel seamlessly merges English heritage with contemporary sophistication. Beyond its striking seven-story Pavonazzo marble staircase are 263 upscale rooms and 45 suites, each echoing the property’s luxurious ethos. The Rosewood is both a beacon of London’s architectural history and a reflection of its modern dynamism.

Photo by John Carey

Le monde

GOES ROUND AND ROUND

Step into the captivating world of Assouline’s Byron Bay and uncover the allure of Killen Falls, a tranquil freshwater pool set against the backdrop of a cascading waterfall, known as a local’s secret escape within this coastal haven in Australia. Known for its vibrant arts scene and rich Indigenous heritage, Byron Bay offers more than just its stunning coastline. This gorgeous coffee-table book captures the town’s multifaceted energy, resonating with wave chasers and mindful wanderers alike.

Photo by Ming Nomchong

BRIAN

SERVING UP FRESH SINGLES AND GOURMET BURGERS

By Emme Martin | Photography by Ben Christensen

If Summertime were a language, Diamond-selling superstar Brian Kelley would indeed be fluent. Following the release of his widely acclaimed 2022 solo effort, Sunshine State of Mind, the Grayton Beach, Florida, local continues to evolve as a solo artist with his latest single, “See You Next Summer.” The catchy, nostalgia-infused track transports listeners to an idyllic state of young love along the Gulf Coast. Its lyrics paint a picture of a summertime fling that evolves into more—a tale as timeless as summer itself. The track resonates with the same feel-good coastal vibe that captivated listeners in Sunshine State of Mind hits like “Boat Names” and “Beach Cowboy.”

Kelley, the Florida half of the duo Florida Georgia Line who is signed to Big Machine Records, has carved out a distinctive identity as a solo artist. His cool and confident country style allows him to commission songs from other writers while staying true to his voice—a practice adopted by country legends such as Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney. “I bet you did think I wrote it,” Kelley tells VIE as he describes acquiring his latest single, penned by HARDY, David Garcia, and Hillary Lindsey. “I was driving down the road in my truck, my favorite way to listen to new songs, and I put on the demo and thought, ‘Well, that sounds like a smash.’” He adds that the track resonated with him deeply, reflecting his “forever kind of love story” with his wife and business partner, Brittney Kelley, co-owner of Tribe Kelley Surf Post in Grayton Beach.

Produced by Dann Huff, the song came to life after a true Nashville country studio session with some of the city’s best musicians. “The production is smackin’,” Kelley remarks. “It’s full of energy, with big guitar solos and drums, but it also backs off the energy at times, and you can feel the emotion and those dynamics.”

The song’s vitality, a testament to Kelley’s artistic evolution, is palpable. Looking back, he attributes the solitude of the pandemic to sparking the creative energy that shifted his focus on pursuing a solo career. He’s now at a point when he’s not holding back and feels a new sense of freedom—a momentum he plans to sustain in his next album.

There’s no news on a release date yet; nevertheless, the coastal-country star says he’s looking forward to showing more sides of who he is and what he loves, which means fans can expect more original songwriting in the future. “I just love songwriting,” he tells us, claiming that he’s staying focused and writing at least three to four days a week. “It’s really all about just showing up and seeing what kind of magic we can make happen that day, whether we write a song for me or somebody else.”

I PUT ON THE DEMO AND THOUGHT, WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SMASH.

While Kelley continues to craft new music in the studio, he eagerly anticipates sharing his new songs and connecting with fans at more concerts, including his Surf Post Sessions in the backyard of Tribe Kelley Surf Post. Those in the know can attest to the magic of these events, as the intimate shows drew sold-out audiences in the summer and fall of 2022. These shows hold a special place in Kelley’s heart. “I was really proud of what we created. It was so special to be that connected with fans, friends, and family and create our own world,” he says, adding that the concept of a small-scale residency is relatively novel.

In even more exciting news, Kelley shares that locals and visitors to the 30-A area can anticipate the opening of his and Brittney’s latest venture, Papa Surf Burger Bar, any day now. The new joint promises to fill a gap in the local food scene with its delicious burgers and good vibes.

In addition to the couple’s self-proclaimed love of burgers, the project just made sense when an old, iconic property they had been eyeing in Dune Allen Beach went up for sale during COVID and offered an opportunity. “Everything about this project is what we love,” Kelley says. “We love burgers, renovations, interior design, and architecture. It’s a really small, special place.” The Kelleys partnered with their friends Jason and Brittany Aldean and Tom and Chris Glavine once the project was conceptualized. Each partner has their own special burger on the menu (Kelley’s, of course, is The Beach Cowboy). He adds that they were very particular with the menu items, from the fries to the salads, noting, “You can have a great-looking place, but if the burgers aren’t slammin’, it doesn’t matter.”

IT’S REALLY ALL ABOUT JUST SHOWING UP AND SEEING WHAT KIND OF MAGIC WE CAN MAKE HAPPEN THAT DAY.

Experience a world of wonders with Go2Africa, crafting personalized safari adventures that capture the true essence of the continent. Whether spotting the iconic Big Five, tracing the wildebeest migration, or connecting with endangered gorillas, Go2Africa transforms your dreams into reality. Based in Cape Town since 1998, the team’s deep African roots drive meaningful collaborations across seventeen countries. Amid its offerings, discover a hidden gem—a romantic dinner in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, where the wilderness sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Begin your journey at Go2Africa.com and embrace the magic firsthand.

Photo courtesy of Go2Africa

A BOUTIQUE REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE

Celebrating 20 years in business on Scenic Highway 30A in Grayton Beach, La Florida Coastal Properties is a private, family-owned real estate boutique specializing in Gracious Living. Our female- and veteran-owned firm offers clients white-glove, individualized care. Experienced brokers and a team of dedicated associates offer stability, longevity, and consistency in our service.

Bon appétit!

THE ESSENCE OF LIFE

A century after Prohibition ended, the legacy of whiskey distillation returned to Manhattan with Great Jones Distilling Co. establishing its presence in NoHo at 686 Broadway. Fusing the worlds of art and spirit, they’ve partnered with the estate of renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat to present the Basquiat Bar. Beyond its three exquisite whiskey expressions, the distillery pays homage to New York’s vibrant history through curated culinary experiences, engaging tours, and a dedication to fostering contemporary traditions.

Photo Courtesy of Great Jones Distilling Co.

Interview by JORDAN STAGGS | Photography courtesy of THE POLISHED CHEF

THE JOY OF COOKING

Not

THE POLISHED CHEF IS HERE

Ispent much of my time when I was younger with my grandmother in the kitchen and garden, where I learned the importance of paying attention to detail and maximizing every ingredient,” says Chef Nathan Davis. In Bucksnort, Tennessee, where he grew up, he recalls, “I realized this was a place where food was a way of life. The produce has several seasons and various uses, from lettuces for a fresh salad to canning tomatoes for sauce during the winter. I mastered our family recipes and skills passed down from generation to generation and learned that creating a beautiful meal was always more meaningful when shared with family and friends.”

At twenty-four years old, Davis’s hard work and determination to become a great chef paid off, and he landed the sous chef position for the Thompson

Hotel in Nashville, run by the Besh Restaurant Group. He later moved from Nashville to the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida, where he worked under famed chef Emeril Lagasse at Emeril’s Coastal in Miramar Beach. This experience led to higher positions as chef de cuisine for the Stinky’s Restaurant Group and award-winning Cuvée Kitchen + Wine Bar. Although he learned invaluable skills from all three restaurants, Davis wanted to be more personally involved in his patrons’ dining experiences and spend more time at home with his daughter. This calling drove him to start his private chef service. “Through sharing my love for food and family, I designed the Polished Chef to help others create those moments that will last a lifetime.”

VIE caught up with Davis to learn more about this new business and his goals for the future.

VIE: What are the most significant differences between working in a restaurant environment versus being a private chef?

Chef Nathan Davis: Working in different acclaimed restaurants is entirely different in terms of setting and experience as a private chef. Traditional restaurants are also more fast-paced, handling multiple tables or customers at once and working much longer hours or nights. Being a private chef, I have the privilege of more free time during the day to spend with my family. I also enjoy being the head chef of my business because I have the chance to get to know my clients on a more personal level; most of them have been regular clients since the start of the Polished Chef. I am able to focus and learn more about what each client likes or does not like, and I adjust their menu depending on their palate. This makes the experience much more personable, especially cooking in their home for four to six hours; I am fortunate to build deeper connections with my clients and give them a memorable experience.

VIE: Tell us a little about a typical day or event for the Polished Chef. What goes into the planning process with your clients?

ND: A typical day for us always starts with connecting directly with our clients. Our name is the “Polished Chef” for a reason—we are polished throughout, from the moment they contact us for a reservation to pairing their menu and wines, cooking with the finest local ingredients, and providing the same level of hospitality and attention to detail in all aspects of the service. We are known for giving an elegant culinary experience in the comfort and privacy of their home. The Polished Chef works with our clients to customize their menu; we have an exceptional variety of fresh local seafood, meat, and produce. We take pride in working directly with our sources to provide the best possible cooking ingredients.

VIE: What key elements do you and your team employ to pull off a successful meal or event?

ND: I make sure everyone on my team is on the same page regarding the menu, number of guests, allergies or dietary restrictions, and any other details for events. We are determined to give the

best service and be in constant communication, whether at 9:00 a.m. or 9:00 p.m. I have always said that communication is key; sometimes, you need to overcommunicate to make sure everything goes smoothly.

It all starts in the booking process—responding quickly to our clients sets us apart from the rest and is one of the reasons we got to where we are today. Our clients are essential to our growth, and we communicate with them from beginning to end to ensure they know we value their time. I have always believed that paying close attention to detail is vital; I know the smallest details can make the biggest impact. For instance, something as small as having different menus for guests with dietary restrictions or allergies goes a long way and shows that we value them and their experience just as much as the rest of the group.

Above: Chef Nathan Davis, founder of the Polished Chef

Opposite: Davis and his team work closely with each client to customize menus, follow diet and allergy restrictions, and create a memorable experience time after time.

Opposite bottom right: Photo by Hunter Burgtorf

We are polished throughout, from the moment they contact us for a reservation to pairing their menu and wines, cooking with the finest local ingredients, and providing the same level of hospitality and attention to detail in all aspects of the service.

To put it simply, I tell my employees what I expect or what I want done, and they say, “Yes, Chef.” We are a properly and professionally functioning team, and we understand we have a business to run. Our team has a great dynamic, for which I am grateful.

VIE: What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of your business?

ND: The first year of creating the Polished Chef was the most challenging, especially after the pandemic, and it was only me working constantly— booking clients, answering emails and calls, and cooking for every single event by myself. I would say work-life balance can be tricky, but looking back at the challenges in the beginning compared to where I am now makes it all worth it. The most rewarding part is knowing how much the Polished Chef has grown in the past three years and now has a great support system, clientele, and team. I’m grateful to be able to take my daughter out for father-daughter days and dinners and just be able to spend more quality time with my family now.

VIE : How do you like to get creative with your offerings?

ND: My goal for every event is to highlight and elevate the traditional details and elements of an opulent dining experience. I love to focus on fresh coastal seafood, familiar Southern flavors, and Southern hospitality. The Polished Chef focuses on refined techniques with a modern twist to create a unique meal to remember. We are the only luxury private chef company that can proudly say that every client’s menu is different each time. I pair wines specifically with their dinner selections, so no menu is the same. As the seasons change, so do the local selections.

Planning our menus and creating new recipes gives me the opportunity to try new things and experience food in different ways. Of course, we have our client favorites, such as jumbo lump crab cakes, surf and turf, or key lime pie, but we always tell our clients that their menu is fully customizable. Even if they crave something not listed on our signature recipes, I can work with whatever they request, put my twist on it, and execute their meal flawlessly.

VIE: What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

ND: Smoked ribs and grilled oysters—they’re the two things I grew up cooking with my grandfather. He is the most inspirational person in my life, and I spent much of my childhood around him. Cooking these at home for my family makes me think about my childhood and growing up with my grandfather. He loved oysters, my daughter and I love oysters, and our famous seafood tower includes oysters—even my black Labrador is named Oyster!

VIE: What’s next for the Polished Chef?

ND: The Polished Chef is a small business that’s still growing, but I have no intention of slowing down. I have plenty of great ideas and exciting projects in the works that you’ll have to stay tuned for!

Above: Chef Davis loves the personal relationships he builds with clients through working with them on creating events and cooking in the comfort of their homes as a private chef.

A TOWN OF IDEAS

—robert davis Seaside Founder/Visionary

Photo by Dave Warren

“This high-stakes thriller offers a great balance between romance, mystery, and edge-of-your-seat action. It’s the perfect beach read!”

Luscious Lychee

Drenched in summer, this cake comes alive with the delicate, floral notes of lychee—infused in the sponge batter, reduced to a syrup, and nestled within as whole fruit—contrasted by the silkiness of rose buttercream and the sharpness of raspberry jam. Behind this exquisite creation is Tessa Huff, renowned cookbook author of titles including Layered and Icing on the Cake. From her Vancouver studio, where she curates the Bake Club newsletter, Tessa shares that this cake encapsulates “light and refreshing flavors, perfect for a warm day.” The visual artistry, marked by intricate piped details and a dramatic ruffle, further showcases her baking mastery.

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NEW PODCAST WITH HOST VIE EDITOR JORDAN STAGGS

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Our second luxury coffee - table book, COOK by VIE, debuts in Fall 2023 as a celebration of Cocktails, Cuisine & Culture. Published by

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CELEBRATING THE ARTS

BY MYLES MELLOR

ACROSS

1 Michelangelo masterpiece

4 Creator of the sculpture, Ecstasy of Saint Teresa 8

Art is not what you see but what you make others see.

—Edgar Degas

Au revoir!

BEFORE YOU GO . . .

Martin Rayment, born in Berlin and deeply influenced by classic cinema and surrealism, is a tour de force in multimedia art. His resin collage paintings and animated sculptures transport us to an era of vintage Hollywood glamour subtly merged with surrealistic touches akin to René Magritte. By sifting through historical materials, Rayment crafts reimagined narratives from iconic movie moments and portraits, encapsulating them in glossy resin. Beyond his artistic endeavors, he passionately supports the Nottingham, UK, art scene as the cofounder of The Carousel, a hub championing and celebrating local creativity.

Rayment calls this artwork a “nod to Magritte, the artist who inspired me to make art around the age of eleven when I discovered my dad’s book of his works. The excitement of learning that we can create new indistinguishable worlds through art led me on the path I’m still traveling today.”

September 15 to 23, 2023, Martin Rayment will showcase a selection of works from the first decade of his career at Surface Gallery, Nottingham. The event also features the debut screening of a film by My Town Vision depicting the past three years of Rayment’s career. Visit MartinRayment. com to view more of his work or for more information.