Front Porch the
spring 2018
wichita
The Art of Cultivating Simple Pleasures and Living Well
The Duet of Form & Function
A
Along the way, civilization has amassed lots of laws and rules. Some, like the Seven Natural Laws of the Universe, can never change. The law of cause and effect, for example, says that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Or take the law of rhythm, which affirms that change is constant. Or the law of polarity, which holds that everything has an opposite; the Taoist yin-yang symbol, for example, features a dark swirl associated with shadows and femininity, and a corresponding light swirl associated with growth and passion. And then there are the countless other laws—rules, really, if that—that say you can’t wear white after Labor Day (What about winter white?), or mix stripes with plaids (Fashion designers would beg to differ), or sport open-toe shoes in winter (Well, that’s just common sense). As for accessorizing, any grandmother with taste would advise, Continued on page 10.
Ah, glorious, bountiful, exuberant Spring! Celebrate the end of Winter, that hostile, benumbing season of dolor, cold medicine, and hot toddies. Instead, raise a chalice filled with May wine, mellow and, well, fresh as spring, and pay homage to Louis Sullivan, who first uttered the phrase, “form follows function,” as one of infallible laws of nature.
A French-inspired luncheon is easy to prepare and a sensory delight. See page 14 for recipes.
Clockwise from upper left: 1] Demonstrating the quintessence of spring freshness, this residence runs the gamut from the classical to the ultramodern across the span of a single room. At left, an antique bregère—a classic enclosed French armchair— upholstered in lime-green satin, functions as whimsical counterpoint to the austerely functional chair, opposite, featuring richly vivid orchid velvet. The area rug, the orchid-upholstered sofa, and its lime-green pillows imaginatively integrate the space. By A&M Superior Upholstery, 106 N Hillside St, 262.2076. 2] Give a shout-out to spring with a fetching variety of metal and ceramic containers available from Walter's Flowers and Interiors, 124 N Main St, El Dorado, 316.321.1740. Whether they’re holding first-rate fresh-cut flowers or stunning silk blooms, these fanciful cachepots, harking back to times gone by, can showcase any number of spring bouquets. 3] Birdbaths greet springtime songbirds. Fashioned from natural granite boulders, accented with a polished rim, and suitable for virtually any landscape, they’re rugged enough to withstand winter cracking, and shallow enough to attract the pretty smaller birds. Created by nature and crafted by artisans, these striking birdbaths are available exclusively from Backyard Nature Center, The Shops at Tallgrass, 8336 E 21st St #500, 683.2121.
number 35 2 Peaceable Kingdom: full bird feeders keep spring birds singing strong 2 Shades of Green: landscaping with native plants creates delightful themes 3 Art Gallery: an exhibition of fine art from extraordinary local artists 5 The Collector: quilts are evolving as an art form 8 A La Carte: baking is as easy as pie with a winning recipe 13 Quiet Spaces: photo essay on the Zen-like ambience of a serene garden