Nefl summer2015 issue pdf

SUMME R 2015 Display Until September 1

Inside‌

An Upscale Island Getaway Q Outdoor Living & Entertaining Secure Your Financial Future Q A Hidden Historical Find

6

Summer 2015 / Volume 1 • Issue 1

Home & Garden 6 Design Times Deux 14 Money Talks 16 What Lies Beneath

Entertaining, Occasions & Style Strawberry Spinach Salad Barefoot Beach Cocktail Outdoor Living & Entertaining Party Faux Pas Fine Living Finds Preparing for a Summer Soirée

Travel & Leisure 34 40 44 48

Tale of Two Chateaux An Upscale Island Getaway Digital Detox in Vichy France Haute Happenings

20

In Every Issue 2 2 14 16 20

Publisher’s Letter Editor’s Letter Financial Fine Living Old New England Forks, Corks & Cocktails

29 30 32 48 48

The High-Heeled Hostess Fine Living Finds Made in New England Haute Happenings Luxury Partners

ON TH E C OVE R Home by Patrick Ahearn Architect / Photography by Greg Premru

Photography by Laura Moss (left), Simon Pearce (middle), Dan Rapoza (top right), and The Nantucket Hotel & Resort (b ottom right)

20 21 22 29 30 32

34

40

Letters…

From the Publisher Linda Calder Founding Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

I

would like to personally thank all my readers for helping to make 2015 such a special year for me. With this inaugural issue of New England Fine Living magazine, my childhood business of selling hand-drawn magazines to neighbors has come full circle, 40 years later.

Many people may be wondering why I’ve launched a new magazine now, when some question the future of print media. Easy; that child entrepreneur inside me kept telling me to reach for my dreams. I personally prefer print magazines over online magazines, and after a lot of detailed research, it seemed like a logical next step for my company.

I am also proud to be celebrating the 10 year anniversary of New England Fine Living’s website, which was created as a way to share my fine living finds and lifestyle information with my interior design, event, and marketing clients. Who knew that Google and keywords would propel my selfdesigned website into a global resource for millions of visitors with an interest in the New England lifestyle, our classic architecture, and historical properties?

The website will still feed the souls of those loyal online visitors. And now, the oversized glossy publication will reach those who prefer flipping through the pages of a magazine. And with a magazine you will never have to refresh a page, it will never go into sleep mode when you close the cover, and you don’t have to worry about getting a virus (unless you’re reading it at a doctor’s office).

Judging from the posts and “likes” generated on NEFL’s social media sites, I know there is no shortage of New Englanders - and visitors from other parts of the world - who share my passion for beautiful New England style homes, stylish entertaining, travel and fine living. There are now two forms of media through which to share the accessible, and not so accessible, luxuries of New England with all readers, and to help you create your own personal version of New England Fine Again, my sincere thanks for your support. With the addition of our new glossy, a wonderful team of contributors, my family, and the loving support of my partner Ben, I’m looking forward to many more years of sharing the finer things in life that New England has to offer.

Linda

From the Editor Charlene Peters Acting Executive Editor

uxury is an elusive concept that can only be defined by each individual, based on economic and psychological factors. Globally and culturally, the assumption of luxury is rooted in history, rarity and craftsmanship – often associated with European luxury brands. With the New World, these Old World concepts are linked to American success. Our focus is to cater to New England readers who seek extravagance in all areas of life, whether it be a selection of vacation/investment homes to contemplate purchasing, the possibility of an upgrade to your current home, or where to travel near or far – with a focus on wine, food and spa.

The role of New England Fine Living magazine is to communicate to its readers on how to achieve luxury in a tangible manner on your own terms. Within this inaugural print issue of NEFL, you will be able to entertain ideas on revamping your home and garden, and will find design inspiration to transform New England homes mingled with elements of French chateaus. You will also read about visits to both New England and France – a connection more than coincidental.

As we are all too aware, money talks, so within this issue you’ll find tips to secure your financial future. We will also share insights from three architects sure to enlighten you with concepts to create outdoor living spaces for summer entertainment. When you’re ready to invite your friends over, a recipe for summer strawberry salad is at-the-ready, courtesy of a top chef in New England. Oh, and of course, there will be a cocktail recipe or two, plus a full calendar of events for you to map out your summer activities. Travel articles include Nantucket for a quick island getaway, a tale of two chateaus in New England and France, and a spa visit to Vichy for those who know how important it is to indulge in you!

To NEFL, each reader is exceptional and rare – a jewel who shines like gold – and we are here to cater to your fine living desires!

Charlene

2

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Photography by Lea St. Germain (Linda Calder)

L

BOSTON | 617.266.1710

MARTHA’S VINEYARD | 508.939.9312

PATRICKAHEARN.COM

Summer 2015 Volume 1 • Issue 1

Contributors Alyson Horrocks, a native Californian, is a New England blogger and freelance writer. After being educated in England, Idaho, and Utah, Alyson chose to relocate to New England, where her passion for early American history and historic architectural photography could be met. Now adapted to the New England lifestyle, and thoroughly enjoying it, she has chosen to reside in the greater Boston area.

Founding Publisher and Editor-in-Chief / Linda Calder Linda@NewEnglandFineLiving.com

Acting Executive Editor / Charlene Peters Contributing Editor / Debbie Swanson Creative Director / Troy Santi Production Director / Sharon Peck Administrative Assistant / Lorna Hood Chief Advisor / Ben Davis Art and Photography Consultant / Shannon Calder Summer Launch Event Director / Leslye Amico

Diane Parazin, also a native Californian, thoroughly enjoys New England’s warmer weather. Diane has written for websites, both of her town’s newspapers, and a number of local companies on topics ranging from home design to confections.

Diane has lived just south of Boston for over 20 years.

Complimentary Issues are distributed by our advertisers, at local events, and at select retail & service establishments. Individual copies may be obtained, by first class mail, while supplies last, for $8.00. This includes postage and handling.

Quarterly subscriptions may be obtained, through our website, for $16.95.

To subscribe by mail, send check or money order to: New England Fine Living 116 Spectacle Pond Road / Littleton, MA 01460 (978) 339-5444

Advertising and subscription inquiries or questions about editorial and photograph submissions, please fill out our contact page at NewEnglandFineLiving.com or email NEFineLiving@gmail.com. We reserve the right to refuse any ad, editorial, or photo, for any reason. All editorial and photos sent to New England Fine Living include the right to be used in print and online at New England Fine Living’s discretion.

Printed quarterly, New England Fine Living Magazine is a publication of New England Fine Living, LLC. The publisher assumes no liability or responsibility for advertiser comments or claims or for any opinions or comments of those interviewed. New England Fine Living is solely sharing information and makes no recommendations to purchase an item or service, sell an item, or visit a particular location. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written consent from the publisher.

New England Fine Living Magazine is art directed, designed and produced in collaboration with Imagemark Publishing and Design Studio, Wilton, CT. Imagemark creates awardwinning publications, corporate identities, and Web sites. Visit imagemark.net for more information, or call (203) 761-0025.

4

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Background photo courtesy of Patrick Ahearn Architect / Photography by Greg Premru

Jared Hoole, founder of Lakeside Financial Planning, has a Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning and a Master’s Degree in Taxation from the Graduate School of Business at Bentley University, a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Bentley University, and is a graduate of the National Tax Training School. Jared lives in Littleton with his family and enjoys summers on Lake Winnipesaukee.

P h o t o g r a p h y b y D i a n a Ta l i u n / S h u t t e r s t o c k

Home

Garden

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

5

6

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Written by Linda Calder Photography by Laura Moss and Michael J Lee Photography

Design

Times Deux W

hen New England Fine Living Magazine decided to feature a classic New England-style home of French chateau persuasion, I scrolled through my interior design list of colleagues. Sally Wilson and John Kelsey, of Wilson Kelsey Design, were obvious choices, especially once I asked them about any projects they were willing to share with NEFL readers. To my pleasant surprise, Sally was actually in Paris when she responded to my email. Even better, she informed me that she and John designed a Francophile-inspired home, that was once a 1907 stable and barn in Prides Crossing, Massachusetts. I was intrigued to hear more about their trip to Paris and their love of interior design.

Here’s what the two shared:

Photography by Laura Moss

LC: When we spoke this past winter, you were in Paris. What do you like to do while you are there?

SW: John and I both like architecture and the outdoors, and it’s easy to see that love come through in what we choose to do. We like to walk, the Marais especially, and look at the façades, admire the architecture and visit the parks where we sit and enjoy the trees, flowers, fountains, etc.

We enjoy lunch by the palace lake at Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, or Versailles. Our best days are when we get all of our passions: architecture, art, and nature — together in one place.

LC: During our conversation, you mentioned you would not consider yourselves Francophiles, but can you tell me when you first knew you liked this style, and why?

SW: We don’t consider ourselves Francophiles, because that would suggest we are one-dimensional. There is only one great driver that motivates John and me, and that is great design. I would say my passion for French design began when I was studying French decorative arts as a teenager, on my first trip to France; I went to school in Paris at the age of 17.

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

7

“There’s an intersection of beauty and functionality and we can visualize great design in many different styles.”

LC: NEFL is showing a French-inspired home that your firm designed using many different vendors, but if you could only pick three vendors to create a French-inspired room for a client, who would you choose?

SW: Quatrain, Dennis and Leen, and Tisserant Art & Style JK: Baba Wood Flooring, Boston Ornament Company, Decorators Supply in Chicago LC: If a client asked you to design a French-inspired interior, would you create a formal or country style, or let the style of the home guide you?

SW: We definitely let the architecture of the home guide us, or we change the interior architecture if we need to create a certain look or mood. I am big into adding French doors because they add so much ambiance and light. The personality of the family also comes into play, so we won’t create a space in a vacuum.

Q John Kelsey

Facing page: Once the carriage room, the foyer, with its 10’ ceiling, houses the piano and makes a great space for entertaining and parties.

LC: Now that you’ve shared your personal style, what are your specialties?

SW: Determining the look of the project with use of decorative arts, fabrics, color, furniture, antiques and artwork.

Photography by Laura Moss (left) and Michael J Lee Photography (facing page)

Below: Designed for a woman who cherishes beauty, the highly detailed cabinets, designed by Kelsey, evoke a formal French style (left). With nine fabrics in use, the ‘Lampas’ fabric, used on the larger shams, was the inspiration for the guest bedroom color palette (right).

LC: What would you say is your personal design style?

SW: I tend to blend different periods to create a European-continental look, so my favorite rooms would be an acquired collection of pieces that might be French, English, Dutch, Italian, or even Spanish. It’s the magic of the mix that makes it all work. I also love using lots of gorgeous fabrics, perhaps 4 or 5 in a room — and toss pillows to bring even more fabrics into a room.

JK: I lean toward more modern and classical design, like that of Axel Vervoordt, where one uses old artifacts but the finished design is more modern in style. I also enjoy that of Wabi-Sabi*, a Japanese design style. I like to see where impulse and emotions take you. *Following this interview, I returned to my office and Googled Wabi-Sabi. Wabi means things that are fresh and simple and Sabi means things whose beauty stems from the patina of age.

8

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

9

10

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

About Wilson Kelsey Design The husband and wife team of John Kelsey and Sally Wilson, ASID, Wilson Kelsey Design is an award-winning residential and commercial interior design firm serving upscale clients in Greater Boston and beyond.

Sally Wilson, ASID, holds a bachelor’s degree in arts (major in English literature, minor in art Courtesy of Wilson Kelsey Design

history) from Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree in interior design from the University of Florida’s College of Architecture. She has studied art and architecture in Europe as well as decorative arts at the prestigious Winterthur Museum in Delaware.

John Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in science (major in human development & family studies, minor in design) from Cornell University. He continued his design training at the Boston Architectural Center and since 1980 is certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).

For more information, visit wilsonkelseydesign.com

JK: Everything involving construction, such as how things work, how to sequence a renovation, spatial organization of a house or room and 3-dimensional puzzles.

There’s an intersection of beauty and functionality and we can visualize great design in many different styles. The notion of great design has driven our careers since the very beginning. We always seek to solve a problem or create a project so that it works, and then we do that beautifully.

Our projects must do both or we aren’t satisfied.

Facing page: After the homeowner fell in love with the Habersham range hood, with its painted side cabinets, the rest of the kitchen was designed to make that area the focal point.

Below: Facing a gas fireplace, the custom sofa, surrounded by cabinetry showcasing the homeowners collection of Roseville pottery, creates a cozy dining niche in the kitchen.

Photography by Laura Moss (left and facing page)

LC: What are your favorite rooms to design in a home?

SW: I like foyers and living rooms. They speak to the visitor AND the homeowner to immediately show what the home is all about. I love fulfilling that goal and getting the environment to tell a coherent story.

JK: I enjoy designing kitchen and libraries for a number of reasons. For many, the kitchen is the social center of the household, where dining, entertaining, homework and TV-watching happen. Sally and I often call these areas kitchen lounges because of the variety of activities we are asked to design.

A library is a place of retreat and refuge, where adults may retire after dinner for quiet conversation and drinks. In addition, we are asked to design for multi-functionality, such as designing places for concealed TV’s and home offices. Finally, because of the amount of cabinetry in each space, I have complete control over the aesthetics, style and feel of each space. To understand the personality of each client is to be able to channel that expression of personality through design details I create, right down to the exact profile of each piece of trim. The end result is immensely satisfying.

LC: Please share one of your favorite design projects.

SW: Our favorite project is usually the one we are currently working on, but honestly we love projects with nice people who inspire us. They make us want to do our best, and we all have fun along the way. But if I had to pick one specific project, it would be the one labeled on our website: “Manchester by the Sea”. The client was so in tune with me on what she liked, and she also loved beautiful fabrics, so I got to luxuriate in fabrics!

LC: On your days off, what are some of your favorite shops or boutiques you like to visit in New England?

SW: I visit the whole strip of antique shops in lovely Essex, Massachusetts, where my favorite dealers are located. When in Boston, I head to the South End and just wander around M. Flynn Jewelry on Waltham Street, Laura Preshong Jewelry on Tremont Street, and Gurari Collections, which is an art gallery, plus more!

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

11

Fine Living Starts With Your Vision…

At Flooring & Kitchen Designs of Littleton, our 35+ years of

Services Include:

experience will translate your vision into the right design, layout,

Kitchen & Bath Design Consultations

and material choices. We’ll help you choose from luxurious carpets,

Scheduling & Project Management

handcrafted exotic and domestic hardwood flooring, durable

Certified Installation

laminate flooring, luxury vinyl tile, and ceramic tile. From flooring

Full Service Estimates

and countertops, to cabinets and window treatments, our expert

Commercial & Residential Functions

consultants are ready to design your dream kitchen or bathroom.

And Ends With Our Experience.

244 Great Road | Littleton, MA 978-486-0096 www.flooringandkitchendesigns.com

Service and in-home appointments available in: Acton | Ayer | Concord | Groton | Harvard | Littleton | Westford

FINANCIAL FINE LIVING

Money Talks 10 Financial Tips for a More Secure Future Written by Jared Hoole

1. Invest now: The earlier you begin saving, the more time your

2.

3.

4.

5.

14

money has to grow. The goal is to have your money work for you by compounding over time. Gains from each year build on the prior year’s gains. Over the course of 30+ years, this can result in tremendous accumulation.

Pay yourself first: If your company has a retirement plan, such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan, enroll as soon as you are eligible.

Most company retirement plans allow you to enroll in a plan where your contributions are automatically deducted from your paycheck and directly deposited into the retirement plan. The beauty of automatic deductions is, since you never see the money, it’s nearly impossible for you to spend it.

Maximize your employer match: Most employers will match your contributions up to a certain percentage. Make sure you contribute enough to take full advantage your employer’s match.

When you don’t take advantage of a company match, you’re leaving money on the table. While some employers may not start matching your contributions immediately, that doesn’t mean you can’t start contributing in the interim.

Use tax advantaged savings plans: If your employer doesn’t have a group retirement plan, or if you are already maxing out your contributions, consider starting your own Individual Retirement Account (IRA). A traditional IRA lets you put up to $5,500 per year ($6,500 if over 50) in a tax deferred account. You can deduct the $5,500 from your income, and your money grows tax free until it is withdrawn.

Create an emergency fund: Wage earners should have 10% of their annual income in a primary cash reserve and another 20% in a tax sheltered emergency reserve. Self-employed and retired individuals should build their cash/emergency reserves to an even greater level. As an additional test, the combined value of cash and emergency reserves should be at least 20% of their mortgage balance.

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

6. Review your insurance: Being uninsured or underinsured can put you and your family at risk. Regularly review your insurance policies (homeowners, auto, etc.) so that you have the adequate coverage. Disability insurance is a must for anyone who is working, and life insurance should be considered for anyone where others depend on their income.

7. Pay off consumer debt: Credit cards can have interest rates well into the double digits. Paying off credit card debt is a great way to create a surplus cash flow in the future. Credit card purchases are generally for short term items that have no lasting value.

Learning to live within your means can go a long way towards financial independence.

8. Make more; save more: Each time you get a raise, increase your employer-sponsored retirement plan contribution rate. This has multiple benefits. You are increasing your retirement savings on a regular basis and you are controlling the rate in which your standard of living increases.

9. Invest in yourself: Going back to school to finish up your college degree or to pursue a master’s degree may cost you a lot upfront, but it will afford you more opportunities in the workplace.

This should result in higher career earnings that easily exceed your education expenses.

10. Own your home: Purchasing a personal residence has several advantages. One advantage is the long term leverage you receive when financing your home. Regardless of how much equity you have in your home, it appreciates at the same rate. Another advantage is that the mortgage interest and property taxes you pay on your mortgage are tax deductible. Furthermore, the first $250k ($500k if married) of gains when you sell your home are tax free.

What other investment vehicles out there allow you to make $250k without paying a dime in taxes?

Jared Hoole is president of Lakeside Financial Planning of Littleton and Burlington and a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP).

Lakeside Financial Planning 15 New England Executive Park / Burlington, MA 01803 (781) 270-1501 / lakesidefinancialplan.com

Photography by Leungchopan / Shutterstock

M

ost of us are forced to make hundreds of decisions on a daily basis. Some decisions may be as simple as choosing what color socks to wear, while others, such as whether or not to accept a new job offer, may take hours of deliberation. At the end of the day, most of us are tired and don’t want to make a hasty decision that could affect our long term financial security. With that in mind, here are 10 simple tips that will go a long way in helping to secure your financial future.

Look who just galloped in from outside.

Hold your horses, is that a weathervane on the table? Traditionally a roof ornament, now an interior design element, our roosters, fish, cows, grasshoppers, and custom designs can help you think outside the cupola.

NewEnglandWeathervaneShop.com 978-815-6189

OLD NEW ENGLAND

What Lies Beneath Written by Alyson Horrocks / Photography Courtesy of Alyson Horrocks

“Is it haunted?”

T

hat’s the first question people usually ask me, often wide-eyed and in hushed tones, after they discover that I live in an old house.

They often seem embarrassed to be entertaining the idea of ghosts, but curious all the same.

At first, I’d tell them I didn’t know. I might throw in some odd, unexplained occurrence around the house that proves nothing, but captivates their imagination.

The origins of my house are mysterious. My husband and I have yet to find the documents that prove exactly when it was built. Judging from the style and craftsmanship, we believe the original portion was constructed in the late 18th century; but like almost all old, New England homes, it was expanded over the centuries, each new generation adding their stamp and the current design trend of their time.

As someone who is passionate about New England history, I was drawn to this house in New Hampshire and the opportunity to live in intimate, daily contact with a relic of old New England. Hoping the creaky, beautiful, old home would yield its secrets to me, we moved in. Surprisingly, the house initially felt a little spooky; I was living in a house whose centuries of previous occupants were a mystery to me. Layer upon layer of lives had been lived here.

Accidental discoveries around the house also left me unnerved. One day, as I was going through the dusty, dank basement, I found a black

16

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

and white, turn-of-the-century photo. It was a family grouping in some New England country setting. In the center was a woman in the last stages of her life. The vision of her wasting body sent me into a panic for a moment; did she die in my house? Were these some of the people who walked the same halls I did, only a century before?

Not long after, we made another startling discovery: a small door with a brass finger pull, hidden in the kitchen floor. I opened it to see a ladder descending into blackness. A chill ran through me. What could be down there? As light from the pull-chain light filled the dark spaces and inky black corners, we saw a large, round well in the center of the space.

The realization that I had walked over this for weeks without knowing about it hit me oddly yet left me eager to embrace all the unknowns.

It’s been three years since we moved in, and I feel comfortable with the mysteries of this house. I look at those nameless faces in my old photograph with affection. I’ve gained an appreciation for the generations that had to plunge into a dark cellar on a creaky ladder when they needed water, while I simply push a lever on a faucet.

Now, when I’m asked if this place is haunted, I answer yes; maybe not in the way people expect, but all who have lived here have left a piece of themselves behind, as I assume and hope I will, too.

bright ideas begin at lucĂ­a

HOME

TM

Lighting

311 western avenue, lynn, ma 01904 (781) 595-0026 / (888) 595-0026

www.lucialighting.com

lighting & design

Summer 2015 NEfineliving.com

17

S i r i B l a n c h e t t e / B l i n d D o g P h o t o A s s o c i a t e s , L LC

McDougal Architects 840 Summer Street

McDougal Architects is a full service architecture and interior design firm.

McA works closely with its clients – collaborating, designing and bringing to fruition the Owner’s dreams and ideas. Our design is in the “details”.

18

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Boston, MA 02127 (617) 292-2724 www.mcdougalarchitects.com

Photography by Indira’s Work / Shutterstock

Entertaining , Occassions Style Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

19

FORKS, CORKS

&

C O C K TA I L S

Strawberry Spinach Salad

by Simon Pearce Restaurant Created by Chef Brian Gazda

For the spinach salad:

For the spiced nuts:

3 oz baby spinach (washed and dried)

1 cup walnuts

1 oz Great Hill blue cheese

½ cup pecans

1 oz spiced nuts

½ cup almonds

1 oz balsamic vinaigrette

½ stick butter

3 halves of grape tomatoes

3 T brown sugar

Strawberries

½ T rosemary ½ t salt

Toss the spinach with the balsamic vinaigrette in a

Pinch cayenne

mixing bowl. Place the salad on a chilled 10” plate.

Top the salad with the spiced nuts, Great Hill blue

Place the nuts on parchment lined sheet trays. Toast the nuts in a 350-degree oven

cheese and grape tomatoes.

for 6 minutes. Meanwhile place the butter, brown sugar, rosemary, salt and cayenne into a saucepot. Place the pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir the mixture frequently. Place the toasted nuts into a large mixing bowl. Pour the seasoned butter mixture over the nuts. Toss the nuts around to evenly coat them with the seasoned butter. Place the nuts back onto the parchment lined sheet tray. Toast again in a 350-degree oven for 6 minutes.

The Simon Pearce Restaurant 1760 Quechee Main Street Quechee, Vermont (802) 295-2711 SimonPearce.com Lunch: Daily, 11:30 am - 2:45 pm Dinner: Daily, 5:30 am - 9:00 pm Brunch: Sundays, 10:30 am - 2:45 pm

Products shown in the photo: Cavendish White Wine Glasses Barre Salad Plate in Slate New Cavendish Bowl Andrew Pearce Salad Servers

20

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

FORKS, CORKS

&

C O C K TA I L S

Barefoot Beach Cocktail

by Barefoot Cellars

Glassware: Pint glass

Garnish: Mint leaf

Ingredients: 1 strawberry, hulled and sliced 4 grapes, cut in half 3 orange slices

Photography by Simon Pearce (left) and courtesy of Barefoot Cellars (right)

4-5 mint leaves 3 oz. sour mix 3 oz. Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvee

Directions: Combine fruit and sour mix in a pint glass with ice.

Shake well and top off with Barefoot Bubbly.

Garnish and serve with a straw.

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

21

Key Elements

22

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

A Delight

Make Outdoor Living and Entertaining

Written by Diane Parazin

T

here’s a lot to love about outdoor living, particularly in New England, where the climate isn’t warm and inviting

year-round. Harsh winters leave us dreaming of pools, patios and open-air living rooms, where we can have fun and savor the sun and warm temperatures.

Architect Patrick Ahearn, says outdoor spaces that harmonize backyard landscaping, views and vistas make for the most enjoyable places in which to spend time.

“Creating the right outdoor opportunity can make a home an incredibly successful place to visit and live in,” he says.

Location: Martha’s Vineyard Architect: Patrick Ahearn Photographer: Greg Premru

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

23

Bri n g t h e I n d oor s Out Outdoor living and entertainment spaces can be created by taking advantage of a few key design elements, including the concept of bringing the inside out. Luxurious living rooms under ceilinged porches make for great outdoor living spaces.

“It’s all about scale” says Ahearn. “When designing an outdoor space, think about the scale of the space and how it relates to the environment you’re trying to create. It is key to have the flow of the outdoor and the indoor space work well together.”

Ahearn does just that with this property, a large home on Martha’s Vineyard with distant water views (shown on page 23). The use of multiple columns is reflective of the home’s Gambrel architecture. Red brick on the fireplace and oversized bluestone on the floor complement the more formal characteristics of the home.

Scale is just as essential to Architect Mat Cummings.

“If people are dwarfed, they don’t feel secure,” Cummings said. For this beautiful outdoor living space in Lynnfield, Massachusetts (below), Cummings balanced a large tree that stands just outside the verandah with the doubled-sided stone fireplace to make it feel comfortable. Fir bead board ceilings and mahogany decking cozy up the space.

Location: Lynnfield, MA / Architect: Mat Cummings of Cummings Architects / Photographer: Eric Roth

24

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Location: Mattapoisett, MA Architect: Beth McDougal of McDougal Architects Photographer: Blind Dog Studios

Tiered Spaces Provide Entertainment Options

Location: Winchester, MA Architect: Mat Cummings of

Porches, balconies, patios and lawns, all working together can create an enticing multi-tiered living space.

Beth McDougal, of McDougal Architects, uses balconies to great success in this Mattapoisett, Massachusetts home (above, left). The outdoor spaces can be accessed from each room of the house, giving the homeowners a wide variety of options when planning family gatherings. The deck opens to a lush lawn, which leads to the beach via a whimsical bridge, further adding to the entertainment.

In this striking Winchester, Massachusetts Victorian (above, right), Cummings uses different materials to clearly define the patio and porch spaces, creating a hierarchy Cumming says that such a transition makes each space feel intimate, while creating variety through familiarity.

Cummings Architects Photographer: Eric Roth

Location: Martha’s Vineyard / Architect: Patrick Ahearn / Photographer: Greg Premru

Po ols – T h e Li q u i d S h owpi ece A swimming pool can be the liquid showpiece of any outdoor space, turning your home into a decadent escape.

In this home on Eel Pond Overlook in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (right), Ahearn designed the pool to be in line of sight with the indoors.

“What you see when you look out helps define the scale and the character of that outdoor space,” said Ahearn. “If you’re in the living room and you’re looking out to the swimming pool, it should offer a sense of organization and alignment with a picture window, or a pair of French glass doors, from the house.”

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

25

Location: Mattapoisett, MA / Architect: Beth McDougal of McDougal Architects / Photographer: Andrew DeLory

Glass doors, leading out to a pool, play an important role in this Mattapoisett, Massachusetts home (above). With the family with adult children in mind during the design, McDougal made the pool accessible from the family and living room, the library, and a game area, which is the main attraction of the outdoor space. The result, according to McDougal, is a place where everyone wants to come home to, time and time again.

Like McDougal’s Mattapoisett home, this Cummings-designed West Newbury, Massachusetts home (left) provides entry to the pool and outdoor area from multiple rooms. The house is designed to gradually open from indoors to outdoors. A card room is a transitional space from the interior living area and opens into a bar, which shifts into a family living space. The family area can be completely opened to the outside, allowing the homeowners and their guest to enjoy an all-inclusive indoor/outdoor experience. Glass windows throughout the indoors allow the pool to remain a focal point.

Location: West Newbury, MA / Architect: Mat Cummings of Cummings Architects / Photographer: Eric Roth

Resources Patrick Ahearn

Mat Cummings

Beth McDougal

Boston, MA

Cummings Architects

McDougal Architects

(617) 266-1710

Ipswich, MA

Boston, MA

Martha’s Vineyard, MA

(978) 356-5026

(617) 292-2724

(508) 939-9312

www.cummingsarchitects.com

mcdougalarchitects.com

www.patrickahearn.com

26

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

U s e F ir e t o Fu el t h e Par t y Like water, fire plays an essential role in New England outdoor living and allows homeowners to spark up some outdoor bonding time.

“Fire is an increasingly important outdoor element in New England,” said Ahearn. “People tend to gather around an open flame.”

This home, also on Martha’s Vineyard (above), offers a fireplace that provides warmth, allowing the homeowners to use the space into the night, as well as into the colder seasons. The light brick and open concept complement the more relaxed feel of the home.

Knowing that people congregate around fire, Cummings recently added a large red-brick fireplace to his own home (below).

“A fireplace close to the home will generally draw people out of the busy kitchen and into the outdoors,” he says.

Cummings designed the fireplace as an intimate part of the back façade of the home, with windows framing the chimney, and a circular

Location: Martha’s Vineyard / Architect: Patrick Ahearn Photographer: Greg Premru

seating area surrounding the fireplace. This lets his family and friends feel as though the exterior patio space is a room unto itself.

Whether you open up the views to your outdoor features, or add an outdoor fireplace to warm your patio, enhancing your outdoor living spaces is a great way to make the most of your outdoor time. Q

Location: Ipswich, MA / Architect: Mat Cummings of Cummings Architects Photographer: Cynthia August

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

27

FROM THE DESK OF: NEFL

MAR K ETPLAC E

The

High -Heeled Hostess Party Faux Pas

D

o you have trouble pronouncing French words commonly used on catering menus? Not quite sure of their meaning when you hear them used at parties? For those who said yes, you’re not alone. Here are some definitions and a little help with the pronunciation.

À la carte Z ah-la-cart

A separate price for each dish offered on the menu.

Amuse Bouche Z a-mooze-bush

Served before the meal, a complimentary bite-sized hors d’oeuvre, usually offered by the chef, to stimulate your mouth and appetite.

Charcuterie Z shar-koo-tuh-ree

The art of making sausages and other cured smoked and preserved meats including pâtés.

Crudités Z kroo-di-tey

Pieces of raw vegetables (such as celery, carrots, peppers, radishes) that are served before a meal usually with a dressing or sauce for dipping.

Du jour Z due-zhoo-r

An item of the day not specified on the regular menu.

Faux Pas Z foe-pah

An embarrassing remark or comment in a social situation.

Hors d’oeuvres Z or-derv(s)

Small savory foods that can be enjoyed in one or two bites and usually served before the meal.

Prix Fixe Z pree feeks

A complete meal offered at a fixed price which usually includes an appetizer, meal, and dessert. Wine and cocktails are usually charged separately.

Soirée Z swah-ray

A formal party or social gathering usually held in the evening.

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

29

FINE LIVING FINDS

“These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things”

During business trips, impromptu excursions, and even getting lost, we always find time to stop and enjoy where we are. Whether we’re shopping, dining, or walking around historical properties, we love taking pictures to share.

Savoir Faire Home

Good Day Café

Home Décor, Interior Design, Accessories, Gifts, Antiques, and Vintage Finds

Bakery, Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Catering

Share your favorite places in

23 Barnard Street / Andover, MA

19 High Street / North Andover, MA

New England #NEFLfinds

(978) 409-6188 / Savoirfairehome.com

Mygooddaycafe.com

Les Fleurs

Muzio Designs at the Barn

Sea Bags

Floral Design Home & Garden Gifts Antique Finds Heirloom Rentals

Furniture, Antiques, Interior Design, Home Accessories, Gifts

Recycled Sails, Sea Bags, Vintage Items, Gifts

27 Barnard Street / Andover, MA

55 John Wise Ave – Rte 133 / Essex, MA

25 Custom House Wharf / Portland, ME

(978) 475-9669 / lesfleurs.com

(978) 890-7160 / Muziodesigns.com

Seabags.com

6 Bow Street / Freeport, ME (pictured above)

30

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Photography by Linda Calder

During our road trips, we always have our camera phones ready to capture our fine living finds.

“I have the simplest tastes.

I am always satisfied with the best.” ~ Oscar Wilde

%2672167</( Ǥ Ǥ

8[`W <WiW^dk

4ESORO

% 2 6 7 2 1

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

31

IN N E W E N D

LA

A

D

G

LA

ND | M

N NEW E EI N

Summer Soirée

G

Preparing for a Casual

ND | M A

E

32

Anichini

R. Murphy Knives

Stirrings

TaJ Table Linens

Shucking Knives

Margarita Mix

anichini.com

rmurphyknives.com

stirrings.com

Stonewall Kitchen

J.K. Adams

Atlantic Salt Works

Cellardoor Winery

New England Cocktail Sauce

Serving Tray

Hand-Harvested Sea Salt

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

stonewallkitchen.com

jkadams.com

atlanticsaltworks.com

mainewine.com

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Photography by Axel Alvarez / Shutterstock

Travel Leisure Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

33

Tale of Two Ch창teaux

34

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

G

Written by Charlene Peters

lobalization has afforded the opportunity for countries to collide in architectural and interior design, food, wine and art. With French connection in mind, here are two châteaux to serve as your muse for inspiration in and out of New England.

Mirbeau Inn & Spa Plymouth, Massachusetts

Photography courtesy of Mirbeau Inn & Spa / Dan Rapoza

L

ike a mad scientist, Executive Chef Stephen Coe and his team gather in the kitchen outfitted for creations of molecular gastronomy. In La Belle Epoque fashion, plates are served with the utmost flavor-forward and creativity in mind, tailored to sophisticated palates of guests who dine in the spectacular ambiance inside the Mirbeau Inn & Spa restaurant, Henri-Marie. Although the château may look like it belongs in France, it’s actually in The Pinehills development of Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Architecturally, Mirbeau Inn is fashioned after a French Manor, with interior design of French country and toile-patterned drapes and bedding. The guest rooms have claw foot tubs, walkouts to verandas overlooking the Monet-inspired gardens; every inch of Mirbeau and its grounds were built with the intention to be viewed.

Just outside of Mirbeau is The Pinehills golf course and walking paths, so there’s activity for everyone. But if you want to stay inside, the state-of-the-art fitness room and exercise room welcomes you. For weekday guests, the option to indulge in “Tuesday Teatime” and “Wine and Cheese Wednesdays” is offered each week. And then there’s the spa.

The bar has been lifted with the grandeur of Mirbeau Inn & Spa, most notably around the simulated Plymouth Rock in the middle of a 14,000 square-foot transition room inside Spa Mirbeau. Surrounding the rock is a pool of water available for foot soaks before a treatment.

Each treatment room has a gas fireplace for ambiance, but heat is an option. However, there is no choice but to surrender yourself in the capable hands of a Mirbeau massage therapist.

The exquisiteness of Mirbeau Inn & Spa astounds, and I feel the Francophile in me churning as I roam from the baroque-inspired Bistro to the restaurant. Henrie Marie is designed in 1920s Art-Deco style, fashioned after a private estate in Paris. It is here where I took my seat to experience a movie-themed seven-course dinner. As it turns out, it was a bit more than seven courses, beginning with an amuse bouche of one French macaroon that wasn’t just any macaroon. This small, buttery yellow treat was packed with molecular gastronomical genius. The instruction: allow it to sit on your tongue, hitting your palate for a while before slowly breaking it up. The sensation is akin to eating a large handful of buttered popcorn.

Before the first course, I was served a petit popover with honeycomb butter harvested from bees owned by the chef. The stage was set for a night of culinary theater whose theme changes on the chef ’s whim.

Tonight’s first course: “Forrest Gump” peas and carrots, to which I ate some of the molecular-structured carrots, but handed over the pod of peas to my husband, since some childhood dislikes never change.

Next, “James and the Giant Peach” of scallop ceviche pieces in a peach consume with panna cotta made so perfectly I consciously slowed down to enjoy each smooth scoop. And then, deconstructed “American Pie” of

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

35

Q Tuesday, July 7 – Wine Garden Party Q Friday, July 10 – Spa retail event Q Sunday, July 19 – Summer cocktail class Q Sunday, July 26 – Oyster farm “field trip” and cooking class* Q Thursday, July 30 – Art Bar event *The Oyster Farm field trip will take place at Plymouth Rock Oyster Farm, where Executive Chef Stephen Coe will hand-select a certain number of people to join him on a trip down to the oyster farm. All of the guests will be able to harvest their own oysters, learn how to shuck them, and eat them right out of the water before Chef Coe sets up a table out on the flats with a floating grill to serve a couple of courses using the oysters. Bill Doyle, a.k.a.

“The Oyster Guy” will be on-hand to discuss how it all happens day-to-day.

Food will be paired with Champagne or Prosecco.

cheddar ice cream with the slightest cheese flavor, a scoop of green apple pie filling and a dehydrated slab of speck prosciutto in a presentation worthy of being served to royalty.

The next film, er … course was “A Fish Called Wanda” of seared tuna, edible sand, avocado mousse, and tobiko (fish roe) with black vinaigrette. It took a while to figure out that the little black balls were actually squid tapioca. The next course proved the most filling: “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” made with local spaghetti squash and bedded under a large, dense meatball soaking in tomato broth and topped with Parmesan foam.

Stealing the spotlight, “Pineapple Express” was served by Coe and his pastry chef. As they lifted off the plate’s lid to a smoky welcome pineapple intermezzo, there were audible oohs and ahs. It would be best to mention that Coe once had a stint at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry, so he has learned how to cook outside the box from one of the masters.

Finally, “I Am The Cheese” showcased Coe’s honey and seasonal house made jams with cheeses, and the final plate of Augustus Gloop (“Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”) was a menagerie of truffle, nibs, chocolate milk and more decadence.

Upon our farewell morning, we absorbed the gardens that surround the Monet-inspired green bridge during breakfast of duck confit and sweet potato hash served on a crispy local egg, and croque Madame accompanied with a cup of cappuccino.

Although I was in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the only connection to pilgrimage was that I was served locally-sourced food. Coe, the mad scientists/molecular gastronome, knows how to shake up a menu like no other, while Mirbeau Inn & Spa knows how to cater to Francophiles.

For more information, visit www.mirbeau.com/pinehills-plymouth

36

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Photography courtesy of Mirbeau Inn & Spa / Eric Roth

July Events at Mirbeau

Photography courtesy of Château Pape Clément / Exterior by Jean- Claude Monin

Château Pape Clément Pessac, France

P

art of Château Pape Clément’s structure dates back to the 16th century. But the vineyard on the estate, gifted to Pope Clement V upon his appointment as Archbishop of Bordeaux, has been around since the 13th century. In the 14th century, Pope Clement V took over the vineyard until he could no longer perform both his papal functions and running the vineyard. He donated the vineyard to then Archbishop of Bordeaux, Arnault de Cantaloup.

As the oldest wine estate in Bordeaux, France to be plotted in rows, Château Pape Clément’s vineyard has survived phylloxera and mildews over several centuries, and passed through several ownerships and the French Revolution. Today, both the vineyard and the château stand strong and thrive in the commune of Pessac. Since the 1980’s, the château and its vineyards have been owned by Bernard Magrez, better known for his Luxury Wine Tourism brand.

In 2009, Magrez’ Grand vin, Château Pape Clément was awarded a perfect 100 from wine critic, Robert Parker, a gift from the heavens, perhaps. Church and wine go hand in hand at Château Pape Clément, where the barrel room’s interior design reflects the vineyard’s history of

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

37

For more information, visit luxurywinetourism.fr

38

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Photography courtesy of Château Pape Clément / Exterior by Vincent Bengold

papal ownership with rose shaped stained glass windows as center stage to rows of French oak barrels. A separate papal room is dedicated to the vineyard’s history, where spiritual music adds to the effect, as does a lying sarcophagus of the namesake pope. Sections of the exterior are shades of the papal past as well, right down to the gargoyles that line one rooftop.

Inside the château, regal splendor exists from room to room. A grand entrance leads to the breakfast room where you are served “Downton Abbey” style while seated at an oversized dining room table. The surrounding furniture is carved with Old World scrolls and patterns, and the bedroom suites reflect modernity while keeping design elements of history. Accommodation is first and foremost, with rooms as spacious as their views of vineyards that boast harvests dating back 700-plus years.

Inside the suites, a bottle of Mon Seul Rêve, one of many wines produced by Bernard Magrez, awaits the fortunate guests who are sure to indulge in the elegant taste of the Côtes du Roussillon 2011.

In the wine bar next door, décor keeps in line with the château, and design elements of interest include an antique violin in an opened case, glass chandeliers with ruby teardrops, a gold box opened to showcase two bottles of Bernard Magrez wines, and tables covered in black-andwhite photographic covers of the four Luxury Wine Tourism estates: Château Pape Clément, Château La Tour Carnet, Château Fombrauge and Clos Haut-Peyraguey, all of which owe tribute to a particular vintage dating back to as early as 1252 to 1818.

R E A LT O R S

Please join us for our

Fall Issue Fabulous Foyers Spirits of New England Madame Pommery Champagne A Little Black Magic Fall, Halloween & Thanksgiving Decorating Fall Foliage & Feast Women Owned Businesses

Plus our regular departments: Financial Fine Living Old New England Forks, Corks & Cocktails Made in New England Notes from the High-Heeled Hostess Haute Happenings

NewEnglandFineLiving.com Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

39

40

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015 Photography by Nantucket Inn & Resort (left); Allan Wood Photography / Shutterstock (right)

W

Heading South for an Upscale Island Getaway Written by Linda Calder

hen the words “I’m taking an island vacation” are announced, a vision ensues — one filled with an assortment of palm trees, tiki torches and glasses overflowing with the coconut froth of piña coladas, coupled with the beat of steel drums upon arrival. The island I reference in this story, however, is adorned with oak trees, the drinks are anything but tropical, but of sophisticated elegance in wine and martinis, and the welcome sound of steel drums is replaced with the vibratory sound of luggage wheels being dragged along cobblestone streets.

Less than a two-hour car ride away, the ferry to Nantucket awaits. From Hyannis, one hour on the Hy-Line will land you on this island of choice for a few days of rest and relaxation. For Ben and me, the timing was right, thanks to social media photos; we had a good idea of what spring flora would be in bloom by the images posted. And that’s all I needed to see.

We opted to take the Hy-Line ferry since passage from Cape Cod to Nantucket was only an hour, but if you want more time to relax and let your busy life slowly fade like waves in the distance, there is always the choice to hop on the Steamship Authority ferry.

The Nantucket Hotel & Resort (facing page), and Brant Point Lighthouse

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

41

42

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Photography Courtesy of The Nantucket Hotel & Resort (facing page); Linda Calder (right)

“The harsh winter of New England is but a distant memory with the warm weather upon us…”

As soon as the ferry docked, we descended the stairs onto the boardwalk, where our complimentary shuttle took us to The Nantucket Hotel via a mini tour of the downtown area. As we turned onto Easton Street, there was no denial as to which building would be our weekend home.

Built in 1891, The Nantucket Hotel stood in front of us in all its grandeur.

The combination of soft green clapboards, classic natural weathered shingles, and white trim complemented the hotel’s two vintage vehicles parked in the driveway. Once inside, I noted the décor was a masterful blend of vintage items, fun, yet elegant fabrics, and modern touches such as the metal steampunk whale art behind the reception desk.

After a visual pause, introduction to the concierge, and distribution of room keys, we were ready to explore our suite. Again, I take in the design of the space — a habit developed from having been in the interior design and event planning field for over 20 years. I thrive on visual presentation and ambiance, and surmise that I am standing in what was once an attic, now our two-room suite, complete with mini-fridge, microwave, and a Murphy bed for additional guests. From our windows, a birds-eye view led to historic homes and the ocean, which seemingly hugs this beloved island.

During the off-season, many shops and restaurants may be closed, but the Breeze Bar and Café, just off the lobby of the hotel, offers a continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a Sunday brunch. Our plan was to keep an easy pace, spending one morning, afternoon, and evening meal at the hotel, and then stroll downtown to dine and enjoy libations with the local island residents.

A spa treatment during my stay was an option, but we opted for a morning workout in the impressive gym, complete with free weights, circuit training machines, and treadmills. Complimentary iPads were available, pre-loaded with Netflix, Pandora, and Hulu — perfect for long walks on the treadmill.

If treadmills are not your forté, the hotel offers several maps of suggested streets for long walks and bike rides. We started to follow one of the suggested walks, but soon became distracted by other streets that

Breeze Bar and Café caught our eyes. Yes, we were “misplaced” once, but it worked out for us since we wanted to follow the coast and this is exactly where we ended up. Beautiful summer homes stood proud, as if patiently awaiting the arrival of their families, and white sails could be seen running before the wind just off shore.

The harsh winter of New England is but a distant memory with the warm weather upon us, but knowing The Nantucket Hotel is the only year-round resort on the island, we know we’ll be back soon, for another quick island getaway.

Would you like to visit Nantucket AND Martha’s Vineyard for your own upscale island vacation? The ‘Sea for Yourself’ package, created by the owners of The Nantucket Hotel and the Winnetu Oceanside Resort, is a two island adventure available for those wanting to explore both islands and resorts within one trip.

Best of Both Worlds Located in the heart of charming downtown Nantucket, The Nantucket Hotel & Resort provides an “in-town” experience, while the Winnetu Oceanside Resort provides an idyllic beach vacation on Martha’s Vineyard. For more information, visit:

Facing page: The Nantucket Hotel’s suite view, cozy chess alcove, vintage bus, and treadmills at the gym

www.thenantuckethotel.com and www.winnetu.com

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

43

Digital Detox

in Vichy, France

Written by Charlene Peters Photography courtesy of Vichy Spa Hotel Les Célestins

What do Napoléon III, Gabrielle Chanel, Catherine Deneuve, Sarah Bernhardt, John Davison Rockefeller, Baroness Rothschild, and Prince Rainier III of Monaco all have in common?

They all “took to the waters” during summer visits to the private society of Compagnie de Vichy in France.

44

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Photography by Emanuela Cino (left) and Joël Damase (right)

Vichy Spa Hotel Les Célestins, a 7,500 square meter space, is where the biggest spa in Europe awaits, and a train from Paris will get you there shy of three hours.

W

ilted in mind, body and spirit, Vichy Spa Hotel Les Célestins appears like a mirage in the desert, except that it actually exists.

And this destination on the banks of the Allier River in France is a far cry from dry. The region’s nine thermal springs, courtesy of volcanic eruptions, have been inactive for a century.

Grateful is an understatement in regard to the nourishment I receive from the moment I ceremoniously forfeit my laptop and iPhone into a drawstring pouch and say my goodbyes, to the moment I hesitantly retrieve these tech items upon my departure. I can honestly say that a Digital Detox is not only an amazing break from the reality of a tech-driven, hectic lifestyle, but a necessity for everyone to partake in at least once a year.

“We don’t treat the addiction,” I am told of the program geared more toward prevention of tech burnout and less on lifestyle changes. This program focuses on alleviating the stress of a strained neck, back and

arms, incorporating time spent outdoors to move the body, and lessons on how to breathe deeply and effectively.

Initial adjustment to the program can be a bit unnerving, especially if your primary language is English. Once I receive my itinerary in French, my kneejerk reaction is to fish through my handbag for my iPhone to Google Translate. Alas, my device is on hiatus; I am left to my own devices and must apply my French lessons.

Stress is not in the equation, though, as I am surrounded by practitioners with open hearts and expert massage techniques. These wellness professionals perform magic utilizing Vichy mineral waters with the goal to attain good health, palpable to all in attendance.

My room offers a calming view of the Napoleon III Park, where swans float by as if waving hello, and a fountain of water serenades me to relaxation. A fresh bouquet of flowers welcomes me, as does a pineapple stuffed with slices of the same, plus kiwi and strawberries to which I wholeheartedly help myself to at lunchtime. I survey the offerings of an art therapy anti-stress book and four colored pencils, as well as several books to read, a CD player with meditative music discs — but no television. Since I am on a Digital Detox, my television was confiscated.

Lunch at the bistro on the lobby floor of the hotel is where I enjoy a bowl of carrot soup made with Vichy water, as are most recipes, which

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

45

46

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

P h o t o g r a p h y b y E m a n u e l a C i n o ( b o t t o m a n d t o p l e f t ) , F a b r i c e Va l l o n ( t o p m i d d l e ) , a n d V i c h y S p a H o t e l L e s C é l e s t i n s ( t o p r i g h t )

adds to the vibrant vegetable colors in many dishes served here. A Saint Jacques (scallops) cassoulet accompanies my soup, served over a light yellow sauce made with cream, white wine and butter with more of that Vichy mineral-rich water.

I do feel tired after lunch, but have a meeting with the spa director to go over my itinerary, which lists 13 treatments over the course of three days. I was told to wear exercise clothes for the start of my experience, so following a tour of the well-labeled treatment areas of the circular spa, I experience an hour of personal coaching in the modest gym. I hadn’t expected a workout, but I get one that begins with time spent on a treadmill, and then some focus on legs, butt, stomach and arm exercises. Legs wobbly, I trudge back to my room to change out of my workout clothes and into a spa robe.

A mere minute walk in my Celestins robe led me from my comfortable and spacious room to the walkway connection to the spa.

I slip into my thick rubber sandals for ease in maneuvering on wet floors in the treatment rooms. My reward comes following the physical exertion: a bath infused with lavender and massage jets extraordinaire. A dance of lights surrounds me in show while I bask in a Vichy tub for about 20 minutes. Sounds of a distant tornado offer a clue to the swirl of pressurized water massaging me as I enjoy the light show.

The rest of my afternoon is spent moving from treatment to treatment, getting slathered in volcanic mud before being wrapped in a corn wrap, and then massaged under a rainstorm that is the 1896 invention of the famous “original” four-handed Vichy Shower.

A Tour Through Vichy Stroll through the streets of Vichy and marvel over the scrolled ironwork and balconies Coco Chanel must have at one time looked out from. You can take a guided tour through the Tourist Office which will highlight the Art Deco architecture of Vichy, and the Saint-Blaise-NotreDame-des-Malades, one of the first churches in reinforced concrete, built in 1925 and designed by Chanet and Liogier, today classified as a Historic Building. Inside the church you can admire paintings, mosaics, iron work and stain glass windows. More historic buildings include the Balmoral, the Plaza, the Amirauté, the Célestins College, a former hotel and majestic building in the shape of a ship’s hull.

Detox after all. My hearing is sharper to the sounds of birds flocking to a tree, and my imagination soars. I envision the patio tables I view below from my window filled in the summertime with guests who want to enjoy breakfast with nature’s best views. I realize there is nothing to focus on other than nature and relaxation in between treatments.

More treatments include a hose-down of Vichy spray while I stand victim to the therapist’s direction, guessing that this must be good for my circulation, and then I head to another room for my second cocoon wrap before another Vichy table massage, a head massage, and a UV sauna bed treatment. Lunch, exploring and dinner follow before sleep beckons. Today I feel the distance of my technology addiction.

My final day is spent with more treatments, including Luxopuncture (best in a series of treatments) to reduce stress by alleviation of the fascia by a charge on acupressure points. Finally, another colorful and roaring jet bath and final mud wrap before an hour is spent learning breathing techniques one-on-one in a Sophrologie treatment.

My farewell to Vichy leaves me knowing that I will be back, as I now have a sense of the Vichyssois lifestyle. I may have arrived wilted, but upon my departure, I am drenched in minerals and balanced in mind, body and spirit.

Visit www.vichy-spa-hotel.fr for more information.

NG THE G I L

NE

WI

TH

BE LO

CIRC

I am catered to by practitioners who perform so thoughtfully and expertly that I am almost brought to tears, except I am too relaxed to cry.

Dinner at N3 offers more Vichy water in lieu of wine, although the Auvergne region does produce some wonderful AOC wines. I indulge in everything Vichy, including dessert of Vichy-water infused ice cream.

I am here to hydrate with the mineral-rich waters of Vichy and persevere in my avoidance of alcohol. Instead, I eat the tasty and digestive-focused menu items before heading back to my room for a restful slumber. But wait! I am used to sleeping with my white noise app from my phone, which has been confiscated as part of my Digital Detox.

Sleep is a bit difficult, as thoughts of who might be emailing me consume my thoughts. Somehow I manage to drift asleep and awake to a sunrise reminiscent of the pinks and blues of my previous day’s color therapy bath; day two begins in full spa and relaxation mode.

Upon my examination by the doctor on staff at Vichy Célestins Spa, I am prescribed a thrice daily dosage of digestive thermal healing water.

To fill my prescription, I have to walk down the street to the location of the thermal spigots pouring minerals that include magnesium, manganese, silicum, calcium and iron.

When the doctor reveals my blood pressure, I am not surprised it is lower than it has ever been in my adult life. Today I feel as if I have plenty of time for relaxation and realize there might be something to this Digital

CH ARL

E

To discover the location of this land of luxury, visit our website.

NEfineliving.com

Photography by Charlene Peters

Summer 2015 NewEnglandFineLiving.com

47

HAUTE HAP P E N I N G S I N N EW E N G L AN D

L U X U RY PA R T N E R S

June-October 2015 June

September/October

Quechee Hot Air Balloon, Craft,

WGBH – Taste of Boston

and Music Festival

September 17–20

June 19–21

One Guest Street

One Village Green

Boston, MA

Quechee, VT

WGBH.org/foodwine/festival.cfm

Alysha Norbury – MV Seacoast Properties 39

quecheeballoonfestival.com

Bella Sera Bridal & Occasions

28

Coastal Windows & Exteriors

18

Cummings Architects

13

Flooring & Kitchen Designs

12

Lucia Lighting & Design

17

Marvin Window Design Gallery by NSWS

17

McDougal Architects

18

Newport Boat Show Windjammer Days Festival

September 17–20

June 21–27

Newport Yachting Center

Boothbay Harbor

4 Commercial Wharf – Americas Cup Avenue

Boothbay Harbor, ME

Newport, RI

Boothbayharbor.com/windjammer-days

newportboatshow.com

July/August

The Boston Cup Car Show

Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival

September 20

July 10–12

Boston Commons Parkman Bandstand

Stowe, VT

Tremont Street

www.visitvt.com

Boston, MA

Misselwood Concours D’Elegance

Cover 3

thebostoncup.com Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz July 17–19

Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival

Downtown Hartford

September 25–27

Hartford, CT

The Elms, Rosecliff & Marble House

hartfordjazz.com

Newport, RI

MW Coastal Goods

29

New England Weathervane Shop

15

newportmansions.org/events/wine-andMisselwood Concours D’Elegance

Patrick Ahearn Architect

food-festival

3

July 25–26 407 Hale Street

Boston Fashion Week

Beverly, MA

September 27–October 3

endicott.edu/concours/about.aspx

Boston, MA Bostonfashionweek.com

Suns USA

27

Tesoro Boston

31

The Singing Flower

29

The Thompson Team – Keller Williams

39

July 31–August 2

October

Fort Adams State Park

Head of the Charles

Newport, RI

October 17–18

newportjazzfest.org

Charles River Boston, MA hocr.org

Q At the time of printing, this information was current. Please confirm dates and times.

48

N EW E NG LAN D FI N E LIVI NG

Summer 2015

Photography by topseller / Shutterstock

Newport Jazz Festival

Want to advertise in New England Fine Living Magazine? Call (978) 339-5444 or visit NewEnglandFineLiving.com for more information.

Saturd day, Jully 25, 2015

Sunday, Julyy 26, 2015 5

Tour d’Eleggance

Concours d’E Eleggance

Thiis 70-mile tour is open to any classic car and Th ends with a public display and luncheon at the Misselwood Estate. Pre-registration required.

We invitte all own ners with pre-11976 concours quality vehicles to submit their application.

Featured marques: Mercedes Benz and Jaguar.

Spectator Info Saturday admission is free. Sunday tickets can be purchased online for $20 general admission ($25 at the door) and $65 VIP admission. Kids under 12 free.

Misselwood Concours d’Elegance 376 Hale Street | Beverly, MA 01915 978-232-2128 | concours@endicott.edu

misselwoodconcours.com

Kaponia Aliaksei / Shutterstock

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” ~ Henry David Thoreau