The Color Issue Summer '22 by TrooRa Magazine

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 5 | SUMMER ’22

THE COLOR ISSUE TROORAMAGAZINE.COM

Innovative engineering, Design and Technology defining a new class of vehicle.

Lucid Motors Luxury mobility company reimagining what a car can be.

Hotel zelos

With provocative design, intuitive service, and imaginative art encounters, each Viceroy hotel is a reflection of the local culture and a uniquely authentic experience.

viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

Stay Sharp Stay Sober Free Of Alcohol Full Of Spirit

Monday Gin™ ZERO CARBS | NO SUGAR | 0 CALORIES | VEGAN

@drinkmonday | drinkmonday.co

The World’s Finest, Consciously Made Handbags

behno.com

C R A F T E D TO R E F L E C T T H E N AT U R A L B E AU T Y O F E AC H F E AT H E R

brackish.com

ORIGINAL Men’s Bow Tie The design that started it all, Original is crafted with varying shades of black, olive, and subtle hints of copper. The iridescence of the feathers promotes different shades depending on how the angle of light hits the tie. Center wrap is black grosgrain. Band collar wrap with an adjustable strap and hook closure - fits neck sizes 11” to 20”. Bow tie dimensions are 2.5” tall and 4.5” wide. Each feather used in production is all-natural and sustainably sourced. Feathers for bow ties are hand-selected, giving each finished piece unique coloring. Each bow tie is hand-crafted in Charleston, South Carolina and takes approximately five hours to make, start to finish.

talleyandtwine.com

eightroyale.com

The Art of Wearing Instagram @vicnateng

www.benjaminbabadi.com

Models: Inez & Natalia, Photography: Mark C., MUA: Onni, Styling: LaToya McInnis & Geneka O

celebrating us, the strong, resilient, and radiant women in our communities who inspire the world with our diversity and beauty

cocoacentric.com

celebrating us, the strong, resilient, and radiant women in our communities who inspire the world with our diversity and beauty

Models: Inez & Natalia, Photography: Mark C., MUA: Onni, Styling: LaToya McInnis & Geneka O

cocoacentric.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

The Color Issue Summer ’22

TROORA MAGAZINE

et me introduce myself : I am Tr ystanne Cunningham, Founder, Creative Director, and EditorIn-Chief of TrooRa Magazine. Beginning with The Color Issue Summer ’22— redesigned and reimagined—we will learn from one another what a magazine is and what it can be through TrooRa’s landscape and lens in our ever-changing world.

To star t , let me say that I am a magazine enthusiast , a sor t of junkie who, from a ver y young age, has been obsessed with flipping through the pages of the pioneering Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and more... Born and raised in Haiti until the age of 15, I was intrigued and absorbed in their images and stories, and now have the privilege of editing my own. I truly believe that whether a magazine is delivered to your doorstep or your tablet/ computer, printed on glossy stock , cheap tabloid paper, or appears on your mobile screen, it is still and foremost the work of an editorial team for an astute audience. A beautiful and meaningful—we hope—package of ideas, words, and images that a group of exper ts prepares for its readers. I consider it a work of ar t and hope you will come on the journey with us ever y quar ter. While technology efficiently delivers news stories to our desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, magazines are all about

contex t—how ideas and images are presented in relation to one another and within a larger point of view. Magazines are about trust and par tnership. We, the editors, writers, and researchers, will strive to always keep you engaged. And you, the readers, are free to engage with us. Let me tell you about this transitional The Color Issue Summer ’22 of TrooRa Magazine. I wanted to create an issue to celebrate color in ever y categor y and sense of the word. I believe we are for tunate to live in a time where color can be customized in ever y field and area of our life— auto, print , beauty, home design, fashion, and so many other industries. On the other hand, business owners and minority entrepreneurs have increased significantly since the pandemic. So many have star ted their own ventures. They hail from all walks of life, and their diversity is being championed through inclusivity by corporations, banks, the enter tainment industr y, and more to provide additional resources and suppor t small business owners. I am hopeful and believe these long overdue effor ts will help increase comprehensive change for future generations. In the interim, we still have so much work to do to overcome stereot ypes and the continued inequalities, boundaries, and inequities we face. TrooRa Magazine is the new magazine/

coffee table book providing a voice and platform to those individuals. TrooRa Magazine’s The Color Issue Summer ’22 is a celebration of these founders, their brands, projects, passions, stunning work , and fascinating stories. It is inspiring to see so many minorities able to follow their devotion and, in turn, provide us all access to so many truly rare remarkable products. In this issue, we feature the founder of watch brand Talley & Twine Randy Williams, Estelle Colored Glass founder Stephanie Summerson Hall, 10 Ways To Blend Contemporar y Color With Mesmerizing Cur ves, and touch on so many more colorful stories. There are so many stories this month that I love, but I am par ticularly intrigued by the ver y talented Iguehi James (our cover feature stor y) because it combines a great read with intriguing photographs taken by our veteran photographer Charles Schoenberger. We photographed the founder of Love Iguehi at the three Urban Retreats, Hotels Zetta, Zelos, and Zeppelin in San Francisco. Her stor y describes how she made the leap from the healthcare industr y to fashion designer, developed her own brand and label, and opened her first store in Oakland, California. Light as the Essence of Photography by TrooRa

TrooRa’s culinar y contributing writer Car y Wong tells the stor y of Dir ty Habit Lounge and its chef. Helmed by E xecutive Chef Thomas Weibull, with delectable cocktails and one of the city ’s largest collections of small batch whiskeys from Bar Manager Raul Ayala, Dir ty Habit showcases inventive seasonal share plates alongside crafted cocktails. Perched five floors above the streets of San Francisco’s bustling SoMa district and inside Hotel Zelos, Dir ty Habit is an intimate hideaway for those seeking an exclusive yet sociable atmosphere to drink and dine. The ver y talented Filipa Araújo, another TrooRa contributing writer, profiles a collection of some of the most visually stunning locations that will spark your imagination and leave you in awe. We take you on a journey around some of the most magical places our world has to offer. As par t of the group show at Institut Suedois de Paris from May 14th to August 14th, French ar tist Côme Touvay showcases five pieces of a series called WAKIMONKEYS. The exhibition is LONGING , Woven Strands, Woven Stories written by TrooRa Magazine’s own, London-based contributing writer and photographer Michael Daks. We also touch on stories about Nigerian-based

ar tist and photographer Kwame Acheampong, ar tists Ashley Adams and Serge Gay Jr., and the fascinating stor y of how, through a TrooRa Magazine previous feature and par tnership, one of our favorite ar tists, Dameon Priestly, was commissioned to create the new album cover for the multi-talented, impressive, remarkable, and monumental, singer-songwriter Van Morisson. Lastly, TrooRa LaMarqq, brainchild of one of my own passion projects, releases its first product this month. I’ve been blessed to work with the brilliant designer Basil Racuk to create this Packaged in Beauty Preser ving Character unique tote. LaMarqq by TrooRa introduces our first limited edition New Luxe Leather Tote Bags. They will be gifted to our VIP guests at our Issue’s Launch event par ty and sold at our first-ever Shop TrooRa Vir tual Live Shopping E xperience. We are confident you will find captivating and charming ar ticles in this issue and TrooRa’s promise to always introduce new rare brands and truly rare individuals. Be inspired, stay with us—and expect more!

Tr ystanne Cunningham Editor-In-Chief Creative Director Founder

THE COLOR ISSUE SUMMER ’2 2

contributing writer Cristina Deptula highlights the work of photographer Charles Schoenberger, whose ar t has graced our pages for several years. TrooRa Magazine proudly presents our first ever TrooAr tist Spotlight Award to Mr. Schoenberger during our Issue’s launch event par t y on July 28th at Dir ty Habit Lounge in San Francisco. The Color Issue’s launch par t y is one of several events through a par tnership with The Urban Retreats of Hotels Zelos, Zetta, and Zeppelin of the Viceroy Hotel Group.

N E W L U X E L E AT H E R TOT E B A G S V E G E TA B L E - TA N N E D VA C H E T TA L E AT H E R N AT U R A L , N O N - T O X I C C H E M I C A L S

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CONTENTS

On The Curve 1 0 W AY S T O B L E N D CONTEMPORARY COLOR WITH MESMERIZING CURVES

152

Life in Color

Culinary Color Compact

Home Design & Decor 68 76 86 96 104 114

ON THE CURVE ART OF LIVING C O L O R C O M PA C T ART HOUSE W O N D E R W AT E R COLOR & GLASS

T H E A M E R I C A N - I TA L I A N D R E A M CHEF THOMAS WEIBULL FROM THE ROOT LIFE IN COLOR WE ALL SCREAM FOR NICE CREAM

Art House

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126 136 144 152 158

Wine with a Catalyst for Change

Crafting unforgettable wine that makes an impact

onehopewine.com

estellecoloredglass.com

jewels for your table vintage-inspired, yet refined and modern colored glass collection that starts a revival of colored glass that is reminiscent of a past time

Travel 226 234 248

N AT U R E ’ S C O L O R P A L E T T E RESCUED BY COLOR THE REAL HOT LIST

242

Kate Winslet’s Love For Adventure

190

Art is Life and Life is Art

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Art, Music & Film

204

Serge Gay Jr.

1 74

K WA M E ’ S E Y E PHONE

182

WA K I M O N K E YS !

190

ART IS LIFE AND LIFE IS ART

198

D A M E O N P R I E S T LY

204

S E R G E G AY J R .

210

CHARLES SCHOENBERGER

216

PA I N T I N G T H E WORLD ONE S T R E E T AT A T I M E

262 276

BASIL RACUK

286

BENJAMIN BABADI

292

M A D I S O N S AV I L L E

300

TA L L E Y & T W I N E

312

F A C E O F TA N Z A N I A

320

E I G H T R O YA L E

326

TROORA LAMARQQ

332

ALICE BOW INSOLES

338

LUI JEWELRY

Fashion

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We Love Iguehi

Founder

TRYSTAN N E C U N N IN GH AM CREATIVE ART DEPARTMENT

Creative Director T RY STAN N E C U N N IN GH AM EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

Editor In Chief T RY STAN N E C U N N IN GH AM Copy Editor AM AN DA O R AH A Editorial Design Director S H E R DE LLAH AN U N C IADO Proofreading C R IST IN A DE PT U LA Proofreading M I C H AE L DAK S

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Legal CHI NWE O HA NE L E

WRITING DEPARTMENT

Contributing Writer M I C H AE L DAK S Contributing Writer N I Z IE LO K M AN Contributing Writer J E S S E ADU M A Contributing Writer S C H AE - AN N S ALM ON Culinary Contributing Writer CARY WO N G Contributing Writer C R IST IN A DE PT U LA Travel Contributing Writer F I LI PA AR AÚ J O Fashion & Beauty Contributing Writer ST E LLA P O LI ZOI D OU Beauty Contributing Writer N E H A S U R ADKAR Contributing Writer GE O R GE DIK E Contributing Writer R O B Y N ALE X AN DE R Contributing Writer V I C K I S LE E T Contributing Writer GR E G COX Contributing Writer M AN DY ALLE N Contributing Writer T U DO R CAR ADO C - DAVI ES Contributing Writer E LS A YO U N G Contributing Writer GR AH AM WO O D Contributing Writer TAR A S LO GGE T T Contributing Writer B I AN CA F E R N AN DES Contributing Writer AR U N A N AGAR AJ Contributing Writer K E V IN J E F F R E Y JAM ES STYLING DEPARTMENT

Styling Contributor S H E LLE Y ST R E E T PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT

Contributing Photographer M I C H AE L DAK S Contributing Photographer GAE LLE B E LLER Contributing Photographer WAR R E N H E ATH Contributing Photographer K WAM E AC H E AM PONG Contributing Photographer CO U R AGE M U E GB E YOG HO Contributing Photographer GILB E RT AS AN T E

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organic certified CBD* made in the United States sustainable packaging made in Italy

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THE COLOR ISSUE SUMMER ’2 2

ethically grown, certified-organic hemp and essential oils

Instagram: @mabelchongjewelry Facebook: mabelchongjewelry Twitter: @mabelSF Pinterest: @mabelchongsf mabelchong.com

Our mission is to remake, re-use, recycle, and repurpose for a prolonged life cycle.

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Beauty

346

Showing True Color

Wellness 366 346

SHOWING TRUE COLOR

354

E T TA + B I L L I E : O R G A N I C B AT H , B O DY, A N D S K I N CA R E P R O D U CTS FO R YO U R D A I LY R I T U A L

366

ANGELA SINNETT BRINGS DEPTH AND HEART TO HEALING THROUGH MAGNOLIA WELLNESS

376

Special Interest

Chase Bank

376

LASANDRA HUNT AT C H A S E B A N K : ENHANCED FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR M I N O R I T Y C R E AT O R S

THE COLOR ISSUE SUMMER ’2 2

Magnolia Wellness

Uniquely Hawaiian Skincare From Soil to Skin to Soul

honuaskincare.com

contributors IN THIS ISSUE

1 2 3 4 5 6

T R Y S TA N N E CUNNINGHAM Editor-in-Chief

3 7

AMANDA ORAHA Copy Editor

MICHAEL DAKS Contributing Writer/ Photographer NIZIE LOKMAN Travel & Wellness Contributing Writer

8 TROORA MAGAZINE

SHERDELLAH ANUNCIADO Editorial Design Director

CARY WONG Culinar y Contributing Writer

4 6

CRISTINA DEPTULA Contributing Writer ROBYN ALEXANDER Home Design/Decor Contributing Writer NEHA SURADKAR Fashion and Beaut y Contributing writer

11 10 9

F I L I PA AR AÚJ O Travel Contributing Writer

STELLA P O LY Z O I D O U Fashion and Beaut y Contributing Writer

SHOP CONSCIOUSLY

be the change. KHANUNBYMIMI

Instagram: @khanunbymimi facebook.com/khanunbymimi khanunbymimi.com

Inspired by a love of vintage pieces, flowing feminine dresses, florals, and life by the sea. cobblerslane.com

photographers

Q-R

@ _ N ATA L I E A L E M A N NICK KANAKIS NICOLAS REUSENS NICOLE MORRISON P E T E R M AT H E R PIERRE BLACH

S-U

L-M

L I N D S AY M I L L E R LUKE GONHES MADDY BAKER MARK DECENA M AT T B R I N E Y MICHAEL ALLEN MICHAEL KEENEY MICHELLE K MIN M I C H E L L E K VA L B E R G MEHDI SEFRIOUI MEGHAN WHITE MOGLI M O L LY D E C O U D R E A U X L AURA MUSIKANSKI M O R G A N O TA G B U R U A G U M C K AY L A C R U M P MUYEE TING

RACHEL CLAIRE R A L P H PA C E R I C H A R D VA N R YA N T I S C A R E N O T I S C A R E N O

SAMI ULLAH SARAH ARNOLD SARAH BUSCHO SARANG NAIK SOFI PENCHER SUSANNA SCOT T S H A N E K A LY N SIMON BERGER STEVE TIETZE TESSA CHEEK @THALIAGOCHEZ TIM SANTOS TORIN NIELSEN T O D D T R A N S PA N I

V-Z

ERIC WOLFINGER E R I C M U M AY ELSA YOUNG E LV I S V A S Q U E Z E T TA & B I L L I E FEDE ROVEDA FRAN RUBIA ELIAS GURROLA GREG COX

H-K

A-B C-D

CLARKE DRAHCE CHARLES SCHOENBERGER COLEEN QUEN COUTURE D A R I U S TA R E L A D AV I D E N L O E D O N TA E B L I N K S DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN D E V O N J A N S E VA N R E N S B U R

H A N N A H WA G N E R IAN DOOLEY JACEK DYLAG JAROD BARTON JEFFREY CZUM JO-ANNE MCARTHUR JOHN FOWLER JOSE FIGUEROA JUSTIN BUELL K A LY J A Y KARI ORVIK @K .BAARDE

N-P

AMOS NACHOUM ANDREW CURRY ANGEL FITOR A N I TA B S PA ANTONIO CUELL AR ANTONIO FILIGNO BRO JACKSON

E-G

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IN THIS ISSUE

VICEROY HOTEL GROUP V I C T O R M A LY U S H E V W A R R E N H E AT H YUNG-SEN WU

martinebrun.com

Personalized guidance that’s unparalleled.

Healthy beauty that works.

STORY BEHIND THE COVER:

The Color Issue Summer ’22 Cover Shoot Iguehi James BY CRISTINA DEPTULA

STORY BEHIND THE COVER

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Iguehi James, founder of Oakland clothing brand Love Iguehi, brought vibrant color and splash to her May photo shoot at the Hotel Zetta.

rooRa Magazine Founder, Creative Director, and Editor-In-Chief Tr ystanne Cunningham assembled another crew of talented creatives for the cover feature shoot of The Color Issue Summer '22 . The group included long-time friend and personal makeup ar tist Freddy Lopez , formerly of Mac and Tar te Cosmetics. Veteran Commercial Photographer Charles Schoenberger, whose crafted lighting combined with his moody color palette creates transpor ting memorable images. Former Vogue Italia St ylist Michelle Rivet and former Project Runway All Stars designer and st ylist Emily Payne. Hair Stylist Rober t Douglas and video content creators Westbound enter tainment. Equipped with the final piece to the puz zle, friend and designer Iguehi James gathered for the two-day shoot at San Francisco’s Hotel Zetta one bright , spring day. With the help of cappuccinos and a snack-filled staging area, they composed a wide assor tment of photos of the stunning designer Iguehi James, including the one on this issue’s cover.

Iguehi James’ shots reflected different colorful moods: friendly, bold and confident , sweet , energetic, and even sultr y. Her passion for creative style came through in each shot , and ever yone involved with the photo shoot enjoyed working together as a team of creative ar tists. The makeup ar tists’ work blended with James’ natural features accentuated how she looked in the various outfits and styles she posed in that day. And the hairstylists pulled off quite a feat - changing her hair from blue to pink to go with a different set of clothes! She also posed for some images in her lovely natural dark hair.

In a photo shoot , people take many more images than will make it into the magazine so they can choose which images best fit the magazine’s eventual layout. So the TrooRa crew shot Iguehi James in various dresses and outfits throughout the two days, including some of her own designs and a couple of different looks and hairstyles. F L E X I B I L I T Y A N D C R E AT I V I T Y Near San Francisco’s Metreon, the Zetta aims to be a “grown-up playground” for adults visiting the cit y. The Zetta’s common areas include a pinball arcade, dar tboard, Plinko and Jenga games, oldstyle gaming areas, rock and roll posters, and quirky chandeliers. All of these became backgrounds, along with some solid-color walls. Serendipitous black and white graffiti outside the building and a bright pink door outside also found their way into the shoots, luckily sighted before the sun dipped behind the city skyline. With Cunningham’s vision, the photographer and crew showed remarkable flexibility throughout the day, shifting rapidly between indoor and outdoor shots and rooms with var ying levels of natural sunlight. As a photographer will tell you, an indoor shot can require a ver y different setup than an outdoor photo on a cloudy day.

Iguehi James is a proud small business owner, a mother to three young daughters, and a designer who integrates colorful patterns from her Nigerian heritage into her clothing designs. She is a true ar tist , and so is ever yone who took par t in this photo shoot. Ever yone's effor ts came together to create the images for the cover feature of TrooRa's The Color Issue Summer ’22 .

@LOVEIGUEHI @CHARLESSCHOENBERGER @ S O C I A LT R A S H @ E M I LY S U E P A Y N E @FREDDY YLOPE Z @ITSMEROBD @_WESTBOUNDENT

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THE COMBINED WORK OF TRUE ARTISTS

kaloud.com

L U X U R Y H E AT M A N AG E M E N T SYS T E M S I M M E R S I N G A DV E N T U R E S E E K E R S I N T O T H E S O C I A L T R A D I T I O N O F T H E H O O K A H E X P E R I E N C E

Transform To Transcend

Krysalis Eltheria The Kaloud Krysalis® Eltheria® is not a Hookah... It’s a Krysalis. It draws upon more than 500-years of tradition and innovation and emerges reborn as something new; something unknown.

STONEANDSAWYER.COM

Designed and hand-produced stoneware ceramic table lamps from the Catskill Mountains of New York

stoneandsawyer.com

home design & decor

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68 76 86 96 104 114

ON THE CURVE BY ROBYN ALEXANDER

10 ways to blend contemporary color with mesmerizing curves

ART OF LIVING BY ROBYN ALEXANDER

Combining a covetable collection of contemporary art with a relaxed, bohemian aesthetic and an enviable location, this beachside apartment is the best of all worlds C O L O R C O M PA C T BY ROBYN ALEXANDER

Interior designer Kim Stephen’s terraced home in Barnes, London, combines her signature flair for color with a clever use of its relatively compact spaces ART HOUSE 1 0 W AY S T O D I S P L AY WA L L A R T TO P E R F E C T I O N I N YO U R H O M E BY ROBYN ALEXANDER

From eye-catching ways to grouping artwork together to hanging decorative plates and making use of picture shelves, here are 10 great ideas for displaying art on the walls of every room in the house

W O N D E R W AT E R 10 OF THE BEST S P E C TA C U L A R S W I M M I N G POOLS BY ROBYN ALEXANDER

COLOR & GLASS BRINGS J OY, H A P P I N E S S , & J E W E L S T O O U R TA B L E S BY CRISTINA DEPTULA

Inspired by her grandmother Estelle’s love for antiquing, Estelle Colored Glass’ founder Stephanie Summerson Hall pursues her passion project

THE COLOR ISSUE SUMMER ’2 2

PHOTO CREDIT WARREN HEATH

On The Curve 10 ways to blend contemporary color with mesmerizing curves

ST YLED BY TA R A S L O G G E T T PHOTOGRAPHED BY W A R R E N H E AT H WRITTEN BY ROBYN ALEXANDER

ffor tlessly easy on the eye, cur ves add instant visual appeal to a space. For a look that ’s right here, right now, combine their organic twists and turns with the latest in ear th-inspired, contemporary shades.

Painting not your thing, but feeling creative nonetheless? Create a tabletop still life using all your favorite curved pieces, take a (hi-resolution!) photograph of your efforts on your phone and take the pic to your local print shop. Once it’s printed, simply grab a classic gallery frame and proudly display…

HOME DESIGN

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TAKE 1: POSTER CHILD

Get the look with… Arched board, Obvi (obvi.co.za) and Portuguese-style crockery, Poetry (poetrystores.co.za), seen in still life print; A2 gallery frame, Country Road (countryroad.com.au); painted tray, see TAKE 3.

TAKE 2: STICK ’EM UP

Get the look with… Vinyl arch stickers, Stickaroo (stickaroo.com); vintage Tulip swivel chair by Eero Saarinen, stylist’s own.

TAKE 3: TRAY BIEN A handmade piece doesn’t need to be perfect to be charming: leave behind (for now) all that perspective stuff you learned in art classes and free-flow your way through a curve-filled design until your piece brings you joy. Get the look with… A plain plywood tray and poster paints from your local art-supply store. Choose complementary shades–here, we’ve used a cool coffee shade, a dusty pink, a deep ochre, and a soft terracotta that evoke desert sands and sunset skies.

THE COLOR ISSUE SUMMER ’2 2

Transform your space using color and curve–and without any pesky paint fumes–by choosing vinyl wall stickers. These are so easy to install and can also be moved around should you fancy a change and want to create a different configuration.

TAKE 4: GET MOBILE Add movement to your space with a simple, handmade mobile in the natureinspired shades of the moment. This is also a great project to do with kids: it’s about simply gathering some colored cards, folding them, and cutting out cute shapes. Don’t be too particular–the more organic, the better. Plus, the folding method means you can hide the fixings inside ;)

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Get the look with… Scissors, painted or colored cards, two dowel sticks, artist’s wire, and double-sided tape–all from your local art-supply store. Use the dowel sticks (or chopsticks) to make a cross, and wrap some artist’s wire tightly around the cross-section to secure. Wrap more wire tightly around each end about 2 cm in, leaving a little piece to create a hook shape. Do the same at the cross-section. This is where the paper shapes will hang from. On the folded edge of the colored shapes, make a pinhole in the middle and thread through a length of wire, leaving a few centimeters at each end. We used 3-5 shapes per strip. Lay flat and space out your shapes, and when happy, secure the wire to the card on the inside using double-sided tape. Make a loop of wire at the top end of each strip, then hang each strip from the cross. Now, balance: you may need to move the strips around to get a good balance or add/take away shapes until your mobile hangs comfortably. Trim off excess wire. To suspend the entire mobile, attach wire to the central midsection, finish with a loop at the top and hang in your favorite spot.

TAKE 5: SHOP AROUND Seek out curvaceous shapes and spicy shades when shopping for decor accessories and crockery. A round tray, tactile vases, and handle-free coffee mugs instantly add a cozy and comforting feel. Get the look with… Dusty pink serving bowls, Poetry (poetrystores.co.za); phone cover with strap, Zac and Gray (zacandgray.co.za); arched board and sand-colored vase, Obvi (obvi.co.za); off-white vase, H&M (hm.com); mugs, Nespresso (nespresso.com); mustard ceramic tray, Mr Price Home (mrphome.com).

TAKE 6: ARCHWAYS Add an avant-garde touch to your coffee table or mantelpiece with arched vessels and a curvy candleholder. And remember, small vases aren’t just for flowers–they look just as charming when used to store stationery and art materials. Get the look with… Tall and small arched vessels, oval triple candle holder, hole vase, arched vase, and wavy wooden board, Obvi (obvi.co.za).

TAKE 7: SOFT TOUCH

Get the look with… Off-white vase, H&M (hm.com); sandcolored vase and dusty orange vase, Obvi (obvi.co.za).

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No sharp edges allowed! Choose vases with tactile curves that invite a casual caress–and look just as lovely displayed on their own as they do when filled with spring blooms.

TAKE 8: CLASSIC MEETS COOL Maybe it’s the swivel that makes us dizzy for the Tulip chair–or perhaps its sensuous curves? Either way, this classic design makes us fall in love over and over again. Combining the Tulip’s retro feel with contemporary colors and arched and curved shapes makes for an eye-catching, layered look. And the truly bold should add a graphic dried flower stem or (if you have the space!) entire tree branch for a look that channels the fearless style of 20th-century floristry maven, Constance Spry. Get the look with… Vinyl arch stickers, Stickaroo (stickaroo.com); vase holding branch and hole vase, H&M (hm.com); all other vases, Obvi (obvi.co.za); vintage Tulip swivel chairs by Eero Saarinen, all stylist’s own.

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TAKE 9: NATURAL RHYTHM

Combine nature-inspired shades with touch-me textures to create up-to-theminute appeal: here, a fiber rug hung tapestry-style, offset by a supersized dried palm leaf, makes for a contemporary take on the inspirational style of 20th-century floral designer, Constance Spry. Get the look with… Rug, Poetry (poetrystores.co.za); dried palm leaf, Yes Exclusive Flowers (instagram.com/ yesexclusiveflowers/); dress, stylist’s own.

TAKE 10: COLOR ME NOW If you’re naturally restrained when it comes to color, this is your moment. Right now, the most fashionable shades in decor and design are “off” their pure tones–slightly “dusty” or “muddy,” if you like–but you can still head for the sun, just one that’s a little more muted. Think softer shades of terracotta, taupe, turmeric, and the pinks of autumn dusk... all of which exude warmth, comfort, and a grounded sense of familiarity. Get the look with… Rug, Poetry (poetrystores.co.za); vintage Tulip swivel chairs by Eero Saarinen, all stylist’s own.

Plant-based designs bringing the outside in & celebrating the natural world

fableandbase.co.uk

Art of Living ST YLED BY SVEN ALBERDING PHOTOGRAPHED BY GREG COX

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WRITTEN BY ROBYN ALEXANDER

Combining a covetable collection of contemporary art with a relaxed, bohemian aesthetic and an enviable location, this beachside apartment is the best of all worlds. Véronique savors the panoramic view from her balcony. The wooden outdoor chair is from Marlanteak (marlanteak.com).

Half-French, half-German, and brought up in South Africa, Véronique has “always been interested in art,” she says. “I used to be an interior designer, and during my marriage, I started collecting modern art, but it wasn’t until seven years ago that I was drawn to contemporary art.” At the time, she was going through a divorce, “my best friend married international art curator Kim Stern, and I started traveling with them to contemporary art fairs,” Véronique says. What she saw was “art that expressed what I was experiencing inside myself,” and as a result , Véronique embarked on a collaborative effor t with Kim to build her own collection.

by Michael Taylor and John Murray, which are reflected back at you in the multi-paned Argentinian mirror hung directly opposite the entr yway. Once inside, contemporar y ar tworks are simply ever ywhere in the open-plan main living space, with eye-catching pieces by Athi-Patra Ruga, Sthenjwa Luthuli, and Stephan Allwright vying for attention. In quick succession, you’ll take in sculptures by Cameron Platter, ceramic works by Ben Orkin, a tapestr y by rising South African ar t star Igshaan Adams, oils on board by Nabeeha Mohamed, and a bold abstract painting by Maja Marx–in shor t , a vibrant and multifarious display that makes for endless visual interest and must spark many a stimulating conversation.

Homeowner Véronique Savigné at the front door of her Bantry Bay apartment, which opens directly into the open-plan dining, kitchen, and living area. On the wall behind her is a mirror she bought in Argentina and reflected in its multi-paned surface are artworks by South African contemporary artists Michael Taylor (instagram.com/ michaeltaylorstudio) and John Murray, all sourced from Whatiftheworld gallery (whatiftheworld.com). The piece hung on the wall above the mirror is by Cape Townbased, Swedish-born artist Tom Cullberg (tomcullberg.com).

The proce s s of doing so has been “immensely gratif ying and nourishing,” she says, and the results are nothing shor t of remarkable, judging by the selection that is on show in Véronique’s apar tment. Even before you step through the front door–painted in bold, glossy black–its elegant frame doubles up as a container for some of the host of ar t inside, with a work by Tom Cullberg visible above multiple pieces

Asked about what attracts her most when she’s deciding what to acquire, Véronique again mentions Kim’s assistance and influence and adds that she looks for signs of “the artist’s hand” in the work, and is especially drawn to the textures and “sense of soul” in a piece. Her favorite work in the apartment, she says after lengthy deliberation, is the Igshaan Adams tapestry that floats above the kitchen-dining space. But above all, it’s the collection in its entirety and the way it represents “a bold, new, exciting beginning” in Véronique’s life that is clearly most important to her. “I am very much someone who collects from the heart, and so, in many ways, this collection is an affirmation of my own psychological journey into a new identity,” she says.

Véronique’s main residence is in Bishopscour t , on the other side of Cape Town, and she uses this apar tment as “a holiday space in the same city,” as she puts it.

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cquired just over a year ago and subsequently completely reconceptualized by its owner, Véronique Savigné, and architect Craig Kaplan, this apartment in the heart of Cape Town’s exclusive suburb of Bantry Bay combines its enviable beachside location with layered, eclectic interiors and a stupendous collection of contemporary art. Plus, it ’s situated in an Edwardian period piece that is one of the area’s most charming buildings, and sports glorious views of the iconic bay below it , too. Nevertheless, it ’s the art that makes this home utterly unique–and a true reflection of its owner.

Unsurprisingly, she says she feels “instantly on holiday when I’m here” and explains that the apar tment ’s location close to the galler y-packed center of Cape Town makes it hugely useful when she has an ar t event in the city to attend or a late-night dinner date with friends. As her two children have recently left home, she is now at liber ty to move from home base to vacation space at will.

Positioned on the Provençal vintage server beneath the Argentinian mirror in the dining area are art ceramics by Ben Orkin (left; instagram. com/benorkin) and Cameron Platter (right; cameronplatter. com). Both artists are represented by Cape Town gallery Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld. com). The works on the opposite wall, reflected in the mirror, include pieces by South African contemporary artists Michael Taylor (instagram.com/ michaeltaylorstudio) and John Murray.

When Véronique is spending time in her apartment, she explains, a “different rhythm” in which the day begins and ends at a later time is prioritized. So, it’s no surprise that the warmly layered and genuinely eclectic interiors here speak clearly to an ultra-relaxed lifestyle. The apartment had previously been very austere and “masculine” in its fixtures and furnishings, she says, and by contrast, her aim was to create “a richly textured, sumptuous jewel box .”

A marvelous feeling of expansiveness is generated by the double-volume ceiling in the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area, and it also enables the artworks and carefully collected furniture pieces to be shown off to advantage without creating any sense of clutter. Positioned to take in both

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Providing an element of separation between the dining area and kitchen space is a tapestry by rising Capetonian art star Igshaan Adams, who is represented by Blank Projects (blankprojects. com). The orange ceramic planter is from Pezula Interiors (pezulainteriors.co.za).

A beaker of beaded, hand-carved wooden stirrers, made by a Maasai artisan in Kenya, on the drinks tray.

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In the living room, an L-shaped, slip-covered sofa faces the views; both it and the ottoman are layered with throws collected on Véronique’s travels. The hand-embroidered cushions on the couch are from Pierre Frey (pierrefrey.com), and the sculpture to the right of the server is by Cameron Platter (cameronplatter. com). The artwork on the wall is “Cursed Benefits” (2020) by South African artist Sthenjwa Luthuli and was purchased from Cape Town gallery Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld.com). On the ottoman, a vintage brass tray holds a trio of scented candles by Fornasetti (fornasetti.com).

In the living area, the panoramic views invite one’s gaze outwards, but the plethora of colorful, eye-catching artworks arrests the eye within. The composite artwork on the right-hand wall is “Fragments” (2019) by John Murray, who is represented by Cape Town gallery Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld. com), and is hung in a way that makes for a brilliant use of the apartment’s double-volume wall space.

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ocean views and a panorama of the ar t collection is a classically elegant chaise longue, while vintage armchairs from Argentina face an L-shaped sofa in anticipation of late-night chats. Tucked behind the sofa along the wall, an industrial-st yle metal and wood ser ver holds cocktail essentials, while the overall scheme is softened with beautifully layered suzanis, throws, and hand-embroidered cushions. Framed iron mirrors from Argentina magnif y the plentiful natural light during the day, while multiple standing and table lamps scattered about the space–all of which spor t colorful, patterned shades–suggest that evenings spent here are all about the easy intimacy created by a warm and subtle lighting scheme.

Similarly, the pair of en suite bedrooms exude an easygoing, bohemian st yle while also evincing total dedication to the comfor t of their occupants. Both spaces feature walls clad in warmer, darker tones than the living room, luxe tex tures and tex tiles, and yet more carefully chosen ar t. For example, the pair of Michael Taylor works suspended above the bed in the master suite are both arresting and sensual–the ideal choice for such a space. And the room’s en suite bathroom is the last word in laid-back luxe, with a glass shower enclosure that connects its occupant with the expansive sea view. “Showering in it feels like you’re swimming in the sea,” says Véronique.

The main bedroom combines clean lines with subtle texture and pattern. The pair of artworks above the bed are by Michael Taylor (instagram.com/michaeltaylorstudio), while the pieces on either side are all by South African artist Stephan Allwright, whose work is available via Cape Town gallery THEFOURTH (thefourth.co.za).

Véronique’s apartment is available for holiday rentals; for more information, email Sean Crawford at sdalecrawford@gmail.com.

The main bedroom’s en suite bathroom is open plan, sleek, and contemporary. The bath and tapware are from Still Bathrooms (still.za.com).

In the second bedroom, the oil on canvas above the dressing table is by South African contemporary artist Nabeeha Mohamed (instagram.com/ nabeeha_m), whose work is available via Cape Town gallery Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld. com). The ceramic piece on the table is by Ben Orkin (instagram.com/ benorkin), and the Jean Prouvé Standard chair is a vintage piece. The table lamp is from India Ink (indiaink.co.za). Petite and cozy, the second bedroom is also en suite and features a moody wallcovering that beautifully sets off brightly colored kantha quilts and other Indian bed linen picked up on Véronique’s travels. The artwork above the bed is “Laughter and Tears, a Pair of Parentheses” (2021), an oil on canvas by South African contemporary artist Nabeeha Mohamed (instagram.com/ nabeeha_m), whose work is available via Cape Town gallery Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld.com).

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Holiday homes at the beach tend to come in two main categories–think nautical and fresh, or all about natural tex tures–but this apar tment is in a realm of its own. While it absolutely embraces its beachside location and ocean views, there is something even more special on display here: its owner ’s ongoing fascination with, and expression of herself through, collecting contemporar y ar t.

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Color Compact Interior designer Kim Stephen’s terraced home in Barnes, London, combines her signature flair for color with a clever use of its relatively compact spaces. ST YLED BY SVEN ALBERDING PHOTOGRAPHED BY EL SA YOUNG

WRITTEN BY ROBYN ALEXANDER

s it is situated in a row of brick terraced homes that were originally built as workers’ housing, the facade of this house is almost identical to those on either side of it. Step inside the front door, however, and the uniquely colorful style that interior designer Kim Stephen has brought to her abode rapidly becomes evident.

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“I am naturally drawn to color… and I’ve cer tainly got a ver y wide range of colors in this house,” says Kim. She’s not exaggerating–from the bright blue and green ikat wallpaper in the guest cloakroom to the bright pinks and yellows in the open-plan dining, kitchen, and living space, a plethora of vibrant shades meets the eye all over the house.

Originally built as a worker’s cottage, the house is one of a row of terraced homes with neighbors on both sides. Homeowner and interior designer Kim Stephen’s home office is situated in the room with the bay window. Kim says, “I use my bike all the time in summer. Sometimes I don’t use the car for weeks–I do everything around Barnes on my bike, and if I go into central London, I use public transport.”

Asked where her affinity for color comes from, Kim simply says, “Color makes me feel happy and brings interiors to life. My use of it feels intuitive– I’m just drawn to it when given a choice.” As her mother owns an interior tex tiles showroom, she grew up being exposed to a huge array of interior fabrics, “and I think I just found the colorful ones more exciting and interesting,” says Kim. As anyone who has tried to put together a decor scheme using a range of bright shades knows, it ’s not easy to get this sor t of look right. Kim says that to make color work in interiors, “it ’s always impor tant to temper with neutrals and tex ture,” and adds that here she made sure both of these elements were effectively used.

The best example of this is the textured charcoal wallpaper that covers one long wall on the open-plan ground floor and then wraps around the far end of the living space to subtly demarcate the lounge area. The wallpaper is one of Kim’s signature materials. She says, “It is the perfect ‘antidote’ to my full-on color, and art looks amazing against it [too]. It brings warmth and texture, and the light bounces off the linen-like effect of the paper.” Against this neutral backdrop, Kim has used a combination of boldly colorful pieces–the acidpink rug and striking abstract artworks that feature various shades of yellow–as well as a cleverly chosen hanging light fitting to make the space come alive. But these elements all came together very intuitively and “organically,” says Kim. “I spend so much time meticulously planning interiors within my work sphere, so I quite enjoyed just letting this space develop its own personality over time.”

The mirrors in the entrance hall are from Cécile & Boyd (cecileandboyds.com) in Cape Town. The black and white rug was custom made for one of Kim’s previous interior-design projects and has been repurposed here. “The low white shelving (left) and the enclosed cupboards (right) are really the kitchen built-ins, storing everything that a kitchen would need,” says Kim. “The enclosed cupboards store plates, glasses, cutlery, and so on, whereas the open shelving has my pots, cookbooks, and baskets filled with smaller items–and this was all in situ when we bought the house. [When we viewed it] I realized that there was not one tiny detail that I would have done differently so we pounced on it.” In this open-plan dining-kitchenliving space, the dining table was custom made to Kim’s design by Moorgas & Sons (moorgasandsons.co.za) in Cape Town. The dining chairs are from Sika Design (sika-design.com) in Denmark. Kim says she “chose this particular Estiluz (estiluz. com) light fixture because I needed something that was beautiful and statement-making, but it [also] had to be really unobtrusive and not visually blocking otherwise it would crowd the room. It is made up of two of Estiluz’s Volta lights, which can be hung in singles or multiples across widths.” The bright pink rug is from Gonsenhausers Fine Rugs (finerugs.co.za) in Cape Town. The gallery wall on the left is a mix of pictures that Kim has collected over time and includes pieces by “some nameless abstract artists (bought at Cécile & Boyd [cecileandboyds.com] in Cape Town [and] inexpensive mass-produced prints, but also original artworks by [wellknown South African artists] Deborah Bell, Lyndi Sales (lyndisales.com) and Willem Boshoff (willemboshoff.com). I have no problem mixing value and styles of art.” On top of the shelves on the left is part of a set of seven vases–all slightly different– ”bought at Block & Chisel (blockandchisel. co.za) in Cape Town years ago.”

Also a boon was the fact that the house had previously been given a considered structural renovation. This meant that its “classic London terraced house [layout]” had been enhanced with excellent built-in storage, high-quality appliances such as the kitchen cooker and ex tractor hood, and skylights that give a number of the rooms a greater sense of airiness and spaciousness.

The pair of wooden armchairs were originally purchased from Cécile & Boyd (cecileandboyds.com) in Cape Town, and for use in this space, they have been reupholstered using Carriacou fabric by Pierre Frey (pierrefrey.com).

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Kim planted the star jasmine in the garden; its position just beyond the glass The home’s location–a stone’s throw from the Crittall-style doors means that its scent wafts into the house when it is flowering. The high street in Barnes–is another key par t of its white, outdoor, rattan couch is from Sika Design (sika-design.com) in Denmark, and the yellow and black patterned throw partially covering its upholstery (in Dove White) appeal to Kim, her husband Graham, and their is made from Fujin fabric in Jaune by Pierre Frey (pierrefrey.com). The cushions are two children, Jamie (14) and Anna ( 7 ). “Barnes (from left) from Designers Guild (designersguild.com), from West Elm (westelm.co.uk), and made up using Jim Thompson Sampan Stripe in Pebble and Jim Thompson has a really village-like feel,” says Kim, “with a Tunis in Daisy (jimthompsonfabrics.com). The white side table is from Block & Chisel beautiful green, a pond with ducks, and a high (blockandchisel.co.za) in Cape Town, and the gray planter is from Habitat (habitat. co.uk). The outdoor rug is from Swedish rug maker Pappelina (pappelina.com). street with mostly traditional independent shops. When we moved here from South Africa, Graham loved the idea of In the main bedroom, the walls are in Cornforth White by Farrow living in a countr y village, but I really painted & Ball (farrow-ball.com), the mirrors wanted to be in London–and to our alongside the headboard are from Block & Chisel (blockandchisel.co.za), surprise, we got both boxes ticked and the curved headboard itself is when we arrived in Barnes.” upholstered in The Wave fabric in

While the entire family ver y much enjoys life out and about in their “ village,” they must all equally relish time spent in their home’s more private spaces on the first and second floors. Here, Kim has created a cocooning yet contemporar y master bedroom for herself and Graham that features an upholstered headboard in a bold blue pattern. Add more graphic pieces in the form of scatter cushions and punctuate with a mix of

Mineral by Linwood (linwoodfabric. com). The bedside pedestals are Terrace Side Tables from West Elm (westelm. co.uk), and the Gioalos table lamps are from OKA (oka.com). The scatter cushions with the yellow stripes are made up in Marina in Pastis by Lelievre (lelievreparis.com), and the pale blue scatter cushions in a plain linen bought by Kim from a local shop in Barnes. The yellow and blue throws are both from H&M Home (hm.com), and the bed linen is from South African bedding and linen makers Granny Goose (grannygoose. com). The bench at the foot of the bed is upholstered in a fabric from Mavromac (mavromacandthegatehouse.co.za). The artworks were found on Etsy (etsy.com) and placed in simple white frames.

blue and yellow throws, and the effect is all breez y summer time–yet one can easily imagine a more moody blue atmosphere, created via the inclusion of velvety, tex tured throws and decor accessories in deeper blue tones. Also on the first floor is Anna’s room, and Jamie’s is situated on the loft level above. Both ver y much reflect the personalities of their occupants and clearly came together as a result of real collaborations between them and their mother. Jamie “wanted a room that felt like his own little den, which it is,” says Kim, while Anna “seems to acquire and collect all sor ts of toys, ar twork , and knick-knacks all the time, hence the emphasis on display in her room.” Back downstairs in Kim’s home office–situated at the front of the house–a monochrome patterned wallpaper repeats another of her regular signatures, this time the use of black and white as a “neutral.” The Schumacher wallpaper used here is called “Deconstructed Stripe,” and Kim says, “I find it jaz z y and light , and it brings me joy while I work .” In Kim’s home office, the “Deconstructed Stripe” wallpaper by Schumacher (fschumacher.com) forms an energizing backdrop to the trio of still life paintings of chairs by South African artist Aurelia James (aureliajames.co.za). The desk is from Cape Town furniture store LIM (lim.co.za), and the glass “leopard print” pen holders/brush pots are from Pezula Interiors (pezulainteriors.co.za), also in Cape Town. The Soft Pad office chair with gold detailing is from Cult Furniture (cultfurniture.com).

“Yellow is probably the color that I use most,” says Kim, “but always in small quantities (accessories, a cushion), and I always make sure that it sits close to something black and white.” The abstract artwork in the hallway of the house was purchased from Cécile & Boyd (cecileandboyds. com) in Cape Town, and the rattan bench was picked up at a junk store in London, “as was the handbag on it, which is a play on an Hermès Birkin,” says Kim. “It’s canvas, with a Birkin design painted onto it.”

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In Anna’s bedroom, the desk is from La Redoute (laredoute.co.uk) with a chair that Kim found in an old junk shop in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The rug was bought “years ago” from The White Company (thewhitecompany.com), as was the yellow velvet fabric used to upholster the headboard, which was sourced at fabric store Bbellamy & Bbellamy (https://www.facebook.com/ bellamyandbbellamy/) in Muizenberg, Cape Town. The bed linen is from Zara Home (zarahome.com), with a selection of scatter cushions collected by Kim over time–everything from Designers Guild (designersguild.com) to “something I picked up in India, [and] something from a Christmas fair here in the UK.”

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One of Kim’s interior design signatures is the use of this textured wallpaper, Textures Vegetales by Élitis (elitis. com), in this charcoal hue. The pair of wooden armchairs were purchased from Cécile & Boyd (cecileandboyds. com) in Cape Town and have been reupholstered for use in this space using Carriacou fabric by Pierre Frey (pierrefrey.com). The drum side table placed between the two chairs is from Cécile & Boyd (cecileandboyds. com), and the one at the window is from IKEA (ikea. com). The three sculptures of women in swimsuits at the top left of this gallery wall are by Marieke PrinslooRowe (mariekeprinsloo-rowe. com), and the blue and red Matisse-style depiction of people swimming was picked up from an artist selling on the street in Amsterdam. The circle print is by Willem Boshoff (willemboshoff.com).

The Crittall-style glass doors and windows had been installed during the previous renovation. The couch and chunky side table are Cécile & Boyd (cecileandboyds. com) pieces, and the former is upholstered in a now-discontinued fabric from Mavromac (mavromacandthegatehouse. co.za). The square scatter cushions are covered in Arty fabric by Pierre Frey (pierrefrey.com), and the rectangular one is a beach scene on a cushion by Alexandre M-S (alexander-ms.hautefort.com). The Slim Aarons photographic print on the wall above the couch is entitled “Poolside Gossip.”

In the bathroom, all the sanitary ware and taps are by Lefroy Brooks (uk. lefroybrooks.com), and the patterned shower curtain is from Jonathan Adler (jonathanadler.com).

The Gastón y Daniela (gastonydaniela.com) Ikat Azul wallpaper is the star of the guest bathroom and is beautifully complemented by a glamorous round mirror from Habitat (habitat.co.uk), black and white artworks by Cape Town artist Kurt Pio (kurtpio. co.za), and crystal vases found at a brocante market in France.

Last but ver y much not least in terms of the ex travaganza of pattern and color in her home is the guest bathroom, with its blue ikat wallpaper and large brass-framed mirror. Kim says that from a decorative point of view, this is “ the place to go a little mad in–you are in there for such a shor t time, and it ’s such a great oppor tunity to give someone an ‘experience.’ I want them to come out with a sense of wonder!” Which is probably a ver y good way to describe the effect of a visit to this effor tlessly chic house in general. kimstephen.com

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Jamie’s bed is situated directly beneath one of the skylights, which means that in summer, when the skylight can be left open, he “feels like he is outdoors and under the stars.” Kim says, “Jamie has definitely got a designer’s eye and gets quite involved. We also needed to make the space practical, so he has a double desk set up–one for online gaming and one for homework. His bed sits in front of the chimney breast, which meets the angle of the ceiling at the top, so I designed a custom headboard [to fit the space].” The light is the Game Wall Lamp from House Doctor (housedoctor.com), and the skateboard is from Palace (palaceskateboards.com). The green figure is a Bearbrick (bearbrick.com) of Leonardo from the Ninja Turtles, which is hugely oversized and hence quite rare and collectible.

T H E

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Art House

10 ways to display wall art to perfection in your home From eyecatching ways to grouping artwork together to hanging decorative plates and making use of picture shelves, here are 10 great ideas for displaying art on the walls of every room in the house.

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SHELF LIFE

This homeowner credits her geologist grandfather with her taste for collecting. Her home includes varied collections of global ephemera and artwork that are genuine talking points. From Egyptian scarabs found in north Africa to vintage botanical art prints picked up in New York, she has a real eye for unusual items imbued with charm, history, and a tale to tell. Plus, her talent for display makes them all the more beguiling; using shallow picture shelves on which to display artwork is perfect for curator-collectors of all stripes because they enable you to easily change up, refresh, and add to the combinations in which your pieces appear. Tip These picture shelves are crammed with some of the homeowner’s favorite artwork. To create a similar collection, choose a theme or color focus–such as botanical illustrations, for example– then start hunting at auctions, in junk stores, and online.

ST YLED BY SVEN ALBERDING P H OTO GR A P H E D B Y GR E G COX , WAR R EN H E AT H , E L S A Y O U N G , D AV I D R O S S WRITTEN BY ROBYN ALEXANDER

FRAME GAME When this old historic home in a country town was renovated to include en suite bathrooms for its five bedrooms, elements of its past were enhanced via the use of architectural styles and finishes–and by adding lots of artwork, in a wide variety of styles, from the homeowner’s large and eclectic collection. Here, a trio of delightfully different pieces–which also showcase a diverse range of framing styles–have been hung to frame and emphasize a doorway, creating a vivid and lively display. Tip Create instant visual interest with artwork by combining pieces in very different styles: here, a fulllength portrait, a vintage map, and a lush landscape contrast with one another to make each piece stand out more clearly and memorably.

In this holiday home on a farm, where large numbers of paintings and objects can’t be regularly dusted, the best way to create an art installation was to paint it directly onto the wall as the creative homeowner did. With the help of an overhead projector, she outlined and filled in an image of a hawthorn branch on the white wall of the kitchendiner. Its thorns and flowers serve as “subtle reminders of the masculine and feminine elements balancing the home’s interiors.” Tip Create a similar look using ready-made and budgetfriendly adhesive decals that are widely available. These also need not be thought of as permanent installations: many of the adhesive versions can be easily removed and replaced by a new decal when the look of your space–or your taste–changes.

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ALT ART

COLOR BLOCKS A bold mix of colors in the casual living room of a family home gives it a playful feel, which is enhanced by the striking artwork. Bright shades abound on the gallery-style wall around the television–which features an eclectic mix of vintage prints, original artwork, and the delightful fan displayed above the TV–while a set of black and white photographs on the other wall offsets all the bold color beautifully. The use of a wide range of differently sized pieces on the gallery wall also works to engage and hold the viewer’s interest.

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Tip The black and white photographs are by Clive Will (clivewill.com), and the painted wooden Tintin figurines and Lucky Star stool were bought in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the homeowners’ travels.

IN THE PINK The interior color palette of this sun-splashed apartment is unusual but beautifully muted throughout. This guest bedroom is painted in a soft and dusty pink, which sets off the pair of artworks in much starker shades–red, black, and white–beautifully. The two pieces also combine a boldness of brushstroke and line that sets up a lively dialogue between them and adds energy to an otherwise tranquil space. The untrimmed canvas on the abstract painting on the left is also an unusual and charming element that is worth keeping in mind when printing one’s own images onto canvas for wall display. Tip Both the artworks were acquired from Smith Studio (smithstudio. co.za); they are by Claire Johnson (left) and Dale Lawrence (dalelawrence.info).

GROUP DYNAMIC Shared by a sculptor and an interior designer, this apartment is filled with their collections of vintage furniture and artwork. “It starts with one piece, and then we create a narrative around it,” they say. As this cluster of small artwork in the living area shows, they are drawn to pieces that resonate with others they already have. Placing them in a group close together enables the remainder of the wall to function as a sort of wider “frame,” drawing the eye their way, and facilitates interactivity–a “conversation if you like– between the four pieces. Tip The small artwork seen here are a combination of pieces by painter Jonathan Freemantle (jonathanfreemantle.com) and collagist Sitaara Stodel (instagram.com/ evenmynamewastaken).

Combining practical with aesthetic pleasures, this kitchen is situated in a stylist’s home in which all the walls and fitted storage cupboards have been painted pure white to serve as an ideal backdrop for an ever-changing display. It’s a joyful, confident mix–a trio of golden ceramic ducks draws the eye upwards, shelves hold an eclectic mix of cooking essentials, framed artwork, collected treasures, and a favorite image snapped by the homeowner in Namibia is used as a focal point behind the hob. Tip Take inspiration from the arresting photographic image featured here and enlarge and frame your own photographs. Then, display them wherever they will regularly catch your eye and give you pleasure, from a kitchen shelf to a bathroom windowsill.

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IN THE MIX

WONDER WALL One would expect the home of an art museum curator to be an object lesson in the display of artwork of all sorts, and this petite, ultra-colorful apartment is exactly that. This exuberant wall of special and collected plates in the kitchen is a “Friends’ Gallery” of handmade gifts, each of which has great sentimental value. The display features both round and oval plates and multiple decorative styles and colors–and is an excellent demonstration of the fact that “carefully curated” need not mean overtly ordered nor involve being obsessively matchy-matchy. Tip The wall-mounted ceramic vases included in this mix are an especially charming element; they offset the rounded shapes of the plates with a more linear feel and emphasize the threedimensional appeal of the installation when filled with fresh blooms.

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NATURAL RHYTHM

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This home belongs to a renowned fabric designer who regularly takes inspiration from the natural world for her creative practice, often doing months or even years of research before working on new designs. The framed artwork above the bed in the main bedroom is one of her own pieces: a fabric panel inspired by the drawings of early explorers in South Africa. This is a marvelously easy idea to replicate: simply select a favorite piece of fabric in a length slightly wider than the bed above which it is to be placed and have it mounted and framed by a good fine-art framer. Tip Amanda du Plessis (evolutionproduct.co.za) is the artist and fabric designer who created this evocative mounted fabric panel, which is inspired by early drawings of the flora and fauna of South Africa.

MATCHING PAIR This pair of arresting abstract artwork takes a place of pride on the wall of a tranquil bedroom. It’s an excellent idea to place companion pieces close together to emphasize their joint use of color and style and make them the memorable focal point of a space. The additional rules to follow are also similar to those that govern the hanging of artwork in a classic “white cube” gallery: allow plenty of space around the pieces to avoid any visual clutter, and ensure that they are not mounted too high up on the wall–artwork should generally have their midpoints at eye level.

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Tip Combining beautifully with this pair of paintings by young South African artist Jeanne Gaigher, whose work is available via Lemon (lemoncollection.co.za), is a vintage Le Corbusier chaise– the perfect vantage point for contemplation.

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WONDER WATER 10 of the best spectacular swimming pools

ST YLED BY SVEN ALBERDING PHOTOGRAPHED BY GREG COX

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WRITTEN BY ROBYN ALEXANDER

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From the breathtaking to the beautiful, these inspiring swimming pools are arguably the ultimate in family-friendly domestic luxuries–plus, they add loads of value, style, and atmosphere to the properties they adorn SCULPTURAL STYLE Anchored by a sculptural curved pillar, the main deck of this multilevel home fit for a tech baron showcases a 25-meter rim-flow swimming pool that makes a smooth visual transition from architecture to the landscape beyond. While the eye-catching column is “the main feature [of the space],” according to the architects, the way every element in the design works in relation to all the others is what makes it feel so very inviting. Tip Designed by Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens (silviorechlesleycarstens.co.za), this deck area demonstrates the difference it makes when the pool is considered an integral part of a space rather than something added as an afterthought–note the way it curves around the column, and the sinuous, stepped-down decking surrounding it, for example.

(Opposite Page) BLUE NOTE

Tip Although a real showstopper, this is also a pool that forms part of a family home and garden. Hence the non-slip, weathered wooden decking that surrounds it and the consideration given to the frame-like planting around the rim-flow design.

SET IN STONE On one side lies a forest of oak trees, and on the other, a view in which, on most days, the division between sea and sky becomes blurred into a single vista of blue. In between is an arresting, stone-clad house–and this exquisite swimming pool, with its dark interior and mirror-like surface, is perhaps the most perfectly magical element of a very special holiday home. Tip The rim-flow pool, designed by More Design (moredesign. es), has an interior finished in large-format, stone-finish ceramic tiles in a dark gray shade that makes it feel even deeper and larger than it is.

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Designed to merge seamlessly into its spectacular oceanside location, this clean-lined infinity pool overlooks a 20-kilometer stretch of pristine beach and a sparkling expanse of sea that in turn dissolves into the sky. As a result, when swimming in it, the overall effect is one of being part of–rather than a spectator to– the incredible scenery.

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GREEN PEACE Set within a lush Mediterranean garden, this large and almost lake-like pool is ideal for serious swimmers and splashing kids’ games alike. Lining it with green-tinted glass tiles was an inspired idea that makes the pool blend beautifully with the surrounding landscape and seem like an integral natural part of it. Tip This pool has a cleanlined, contemporary design–it dates from a recent renovation of this Mallorquin property–and features travertine slab edges as well as Portuguese glass tiles lining the structure and deep, wide steps running all the way down one side.

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JUNGLE BOOGIE

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Proof positive that a swimming pool need not be large to be envy-inducing, this oval oasis forms part of a coastal retreat that enables its busy owners to relax in a verdant conservation village at weekends and makes up one level of a mountainside home that unfolds over multiple levels. The pool is a very necessary addition to the property, too, as the adjacent Atlantic Ocean is notoriously cold all year round–excellent for surfing while wetsuit-clad but by no means comfortable for recreational swims. Tip Tucked into a green garden, the deck–made from weathered balau wood–is perfectly designed to create the feeling of being suspended in nature. The lounge chairs are from Paola Lenti (paolalenti.it), and the outdoor rug is by Fibre Designs (fibredesigns.co.za).

SKY’S THE LIMIT Infinity pools aren’t a modern phenomenon: one of the earliest examples, the Stag Fountain at Versailles, France, dates from the 1660s. Nevertheless, the seemingly boundaryfree connection they create between a garden and the ocean and sky beyond it feels extremely contemporary. At this dreamy seaside home, the pool draws the eye outwards towards the endless blues of the horizon, creating a calm and tranquil atmosphere. Tip

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They look great and add considerable value to a property, but bear in mind that rim-flow pools require Specialized design and installation: for example, two pumps are needed, one to drive the water up from the lower-level reservoir into which the water “overflows,” and another for the sanitization process.

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MOUNTAIN HIGH Sporting what must be one of the most breathtaking views of any pool on the planet, this urban oasis also has all the easygoing, family-friendly vibes of a classic suburban home–complete with loads of surrounding greenery and old-school mosaic-tile detail. But the intrusion of the cantilevered wooden deck “into” the space of the water gives this pool area a contemporary edge, too, making it pretty much the best of all worlds. Tip The wooden deck from which a panoramic vista of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain can be enjoyed is partially sheltered from the sun by an elegantly cantilevered extension of the home’s roof and furnished with a pair of Imba outdoor armchairs by Federica Capitani for Moroso (moroso.it).

SEXY CURVES The dreamily restored farmhouse to which this pool area is appended has seven bedrooms and is frequently filled with visitors, “which makes for a lot of social interaction and beautiful memories,” says the homeowner. We’re willing to bet that for guests and residents alike, plenty of those memories will be centered on lounging around and swimming in the property’s enviable new pool, which features a delightfully old-school curved shape. Tip The easy living essentials surrounding the pool include an outdoor shower with a curved natural stone “serpent” wall and shaded pergolas. The reclaimed oak pool loungers are by More Decor (moredesign.es), while the bright orange textiles used to upholster their cushions were selected by the homeowner for their similarity to 1970s Swedish style.

TAKING A VIEW Poised on a rocky promontory, this holiday property is the stuff of dreams–and not least because of its jaw-dropping pool, which could easily be located at a boutique hotel rather than a private residence. Situated in a landscaped garden down a short flight of steps from the house and its expansive outdoor terraces, the overflow pool is edged with elegantly linear stone tiles and surrounded by wooden loungers from which to revel in the sunshine–and the views.

Sun loungers come in a variety of designs, materials, and price points–and it’s worth investing in both frames and cushions that are truly water-compatible and weatherproof, as this sort of outdoor furniture takes a serious daily beating from the elements.

NATURAL RHYTHM The renovation of a holiday home perched atop a series of mountainside terraces near the sea included a complete overhaul of the existing swimming pool. It’s now a simply gorgeous rim-flow design that seamlessly links water and sky when viewed from the large, shallow steps on two sides of the pool, which are ideal for water-based lounging and also make entering and getting out of the water easy. Tip The essential finishing touches to such a steep site are stylish new balustrades by local Mallorquin artisans–in forged metal (left) by Toni Calafell and olive wood (right) by Pedro Casanovas–all of which were commissioned by architects who oversaw the renovation, More Design (moredesign.es).

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Tip

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Delightful Surprises and Cultivating Gratitude PERSONALIZED GIFTING.

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Color & Glass brings joy, happiness, & jewels to our tables BY CRISTINA DEPTULA

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Inspired by her grandmother Estelle’s love for antiquing, Estelle Colored Glass’ founder Stephanie Summerson Hall pursues her passion project.

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escribed as “jewels for your table,” the Estelle Colored Glass Collection consists of original commissioned pieces handmade by glass ar tisans in Poland at a 100-year-old glass-making company with a rich histor y.

Colors Bring Joy and Happiness Colored glass has been a passion of Hall’s for some time, and she enjoys designing luxur y cake stands and stemware. She brings a unique and personal sensibility to her work . “All of our pieces have a streamlined and modernized appeal, and all our colors range from vibrant jewel tones to soft pastels,” Hall says. While her pieces are modern, they are also vintageinspired, and she hopes that her work brings back a revival of colored glass reminiscent of an earlier time.

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She believes that colors add joy and happiness to people’s homes. The lavender pieces are her personal favorites, while the blue, rose, and pink ones have become the most popular with customers.

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Estelle Colored Glass recently landed a mention in Charleston Wedding’s luxur y fall/winter issue, where the editors described the glassware as “stunning.” Hall believes her line of glassware would look wonderful at bridal showers. They were also named Southern Living Tastemakers in 2021 and have been featured by Mar tha Stewar t and in O: the Oprah Magazine, Vogue, Harper ’s Bazaar, Elle Decor, New York Times, CBS News, the Food Network , and People Magazine.

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Rich Family Heritage Founder Stephanie Summerson Hall brings a rich family histor y of appreciation for lovely housewares to her business. She visited her grandmother in South Carolina many times in the summer when she was younger and had the chance to shop with her. “My paternal grandmother, Estelle, had two china cabinets filled with tablescape pieces and always had special pieces to use when she hosted a dinner at her house. She was always adding new pieces and growing her collection. This taught me the impor tance of curating a special collection for my own home that is truly unique. My grandmother was a day trip antique shopper, and I will always treasure all the qualit y time I spent with her treasure hunting,” says Hall. She remembers learning to cook from her grandmother, who made a special dinner and desser t each Sunday and ser ved them on her best colored glass. Hall says that she hopes to help her customers create special memories of their own.

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As she explains, “I hope our heirloom-quality pieces help create special memories for you just like the memories I have of time spent with my grandmother, Estelle, affectionately also known as ‘Big Mama.’ ”

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Personal Inspirations Before founding Estelle Colored Glass, Hall practiced corporate and tax law. She nur tured her dream of entrepreneurship throughout that time and launched another business before this one. Although it did not succeed, the experience taught her much to help her with this venture.

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She’s also the mother of four children and values work-life balance and time with her family. She ultimately decided to give up her law practice in Washington D.C. and move back to South Carolina to raise her children with a slower and gentler pace of life. In a recent inter view with Evereve magazine, she discusses how she suppor ts flexible schedules and working from home so that ever yone who works for Estelle Colored Glass can have the chance to be present with their families. Her company ’s aesthetic reflects these values, as they offer products for gatherings on the porch with family and friends and talk about the impor tance of community.

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Hall cites goal-setting and taking consistent and steady steps towards one’s goals as the secret to her success. Even if you have one bad day, she advises, get back up and star t heading towards your goals again. She’s proud to be a Black woman entrepreneur and showcases the work of other women entrepreneurs with homeware and lifestyle projects on Estelle Colored Glass’ social media pages.

Estelle Colored Glass will launch shot glasses, highballs, and vases in 2023. They are continually building new par tnerships and getting their products taken into new stores, and announce their latest news (pink champagne f lu te s!) on their Instagram, @estellecoloredglass

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Next Steps for Estelle Colored Glass

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Gifting With Style FOOD. ART. DESIGN.

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culinary TROORA MAGAZINE 124

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T H E A M E R I C A N - I TA L I A N DREAM BY CARY WONG

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CHEF THOMAS WEIBULL - DIRTY HABIT BY CARY WONG

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Chef Cristina Bowerman and Glass Hostaria

Chef Thomas Weibull Dirty Habit

FROM THE ROOT BY CARY WONG

How Chef Santiago Lastra spread the Mexican concept around the world

LIFE IN COLOR BY CARY WONG

Lilach Edman and her delightfully delectable pasta

WE ALL SCREAM FOR NICE CREAM BY CARY WONG

Kubé - The Artisanal, Vegan, Full-Fat Coconut Ice Cream

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The American-Italian Dream Chef Cristina Bowerman and Glass Hostaria

BY CARY WONG

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ike the trademark shock of pink hair Chef Cristina Bowerman sports, her strong and bright personality is unmistakable. Born in a very small village called Cerignola in Apulia of Southern Italy, she studied foreign languages and attended law school. Her career started as an attorney in one of the most prestigious foreign firms, but after a few years, she decided to take a long trip to the United States. Through different circumstances and influenced by her Italian background, she was hired by Spectrum Foods in Southern California, a high-end restaurant management company with a strong focus on Italian food.

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“They literally dragged me around all these restaurants and ask me questions like, ‘Is this really Italian? Is this good?’” she says. Then she moved on to work as a graphic designer for the next 10 years. That was when she started cooking more seriously. She hosted friends every weekend and realized that culinary art was what really stoked her passion. So, she attended Le Cordon Bleu school in Austin, Texas, and planned to stage back home in Italy, then eventually return Stateside. However, things changed while she was in Rome. She started working at Convivio Troiani, became the head chef of two restaurants, and shortly thereafter, took over the reins of Glass Hostaria. Within a few years, in 2010, Glass Hostaria was awarded a Michelin star, the first one-starred restaurant in Italy without white tablecloth.

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“I was totally in love with the idea that I could do anything I wanted,” she says. “Especially in Rome, because Rome [is] very much rigid in its tradition. Basically, you could take like 10, 15, 20 restaurants, put them all right next to each other, and they’re all the same. And still, nowadays, a lot of people come over to my restaurant, they say, ‘Finally, I can have something different!’”

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One could see that her American experience has left a huge impression on her cooking. “America gives you strength to believe in yourself and the means to realize your dreams,” she says. “The American Dream is still very much alive… and I wish for all the people to experience such an amazing energizing power within yourself to say, ‘I am going to do it, I am going to actually get what I want to get.’” In the European culinary world, food from the United States is often viewed negatively, but Chef Bowerman thinks differently. “You see that probably 70-75% of the restaurants here in Italy–for the new openings–have huge influences from American cuisine. Just think about hamburgers, for instance. Or now the trend of smoking and grilling.”

In addition, the vast geographical size of the US means that each region or state has its own approach. And that makes things tremendously exciting. Meanwhile, she did notice some incorrect stereotypes surrounding Italian food during her time in America. First, not all pasta is cooked al dente. Many pasta dishes, especially ones with legumes and lentils, tend to be slightly overcooked. These “rested pasta,” as they are called, are usually prepared in the morning and eaten at night. There are also more basic misconceptions like putting meatballs on pasta (no, they do not); and cooking chicken parmesan (no, it is not an authentic Italian dish). These all point to the fascinating differences between the two countries.

If she saw someone walking down a street anywhere in the world without knowing the dressmaker, she could still tell that it was made by an Italian. That is exactly how she thinks about Italian cuisine. For example, one of her signature dishes is the gnocchetti made only with potato, flour, and a dash of saffron for color. They are served with a modern black garlic bagna cauda sauce. Different elements like sea urchin, squid-ink bread crumbs made with cauliflower, truffle, and semi-dried tomatoes are added. Finally, edamame is used as a final touch to produce the shape of fava beans. “Honestly, it’s not really connected to an Italian tradition (or) an Italian dish,” she says. “But at the same time, if you tasted it, you’d say, ‘Oh, this is Italian for sure.’”

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When Chef Bowerman is creating her menu, she tries to establish a connection with the guests, be that an ingredient, a recipe, or a flavor. At the core, she focuses on recreating the profile of Italian cuisine in various ways.

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To Chef Bowerman, if she can recreate an Italian profile, the guests may not remember the exact ingredients, but they will remember the feeling and flavor of the experience. And one of the biggest challenges is to walk the fine line between honoring tradition and breaking new ground. Time-honored methods should be protected (especially when it comes to Nonna’s recipes!), but one can always find inspiration from them. Case in point, her vitello tonnato dish features cubed, sous-vide veal and uses the traditional sauce in a foamed form so that it tastes more flavorful yet lighter on the palate.

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The first client test is always an ugly dish because “sometimes, if you plated well and nice, and it’s beautiful to look at… you can be misled” into thinking it’s going to be an amazing course. She always let the testers know that they are the first ones to taste it. And if they do not like the dish, she will apologize and replace it. The process is still the same after 16 years at Glass Hostaria, and it still gives her the butterflies. “I go through the kitchen door, and I try to see what they do whenever they have the first bite. If they like it? Or they don’t? I’m still anxious, which is cool,” she says. Outside of the kitchen, Chef Bowerman’s main goal has always been to become a role model for all women who want to start a career–not

only in the culinary world but in general. She does a lot of volunteer work to give back to society. She has also been one of the founders and president (now in her second term) of Associazione Italiana Ambasciatori del Gusto, promoting the Italian art of food and wine. Her calendar is booked full for 2022. Bowie, a delivery concept she started, is looking for a physical location. Her restaurants in Smyrna, Turkey, and Xi’an, China are slated to reopen after the pandemic. She will also travel to Dubai for the Chef Manifesto Expo that is focused on eco-sustainability. In addition, she will speak on the United Nations’ goal of “Ending Hunger and Malnutrition by 2030.” “And then other events here and there, but that’s pretty much it. I think that’s enough,” she says with a confident smile.

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When she’s building new dishes from her own ideas, she is quite flexible. Sometimes she bases the idea on an ingredient; other times, she has a flavor in mind and tries to work backward from that. Once she is happy with the taste, she will share it with the team and, finally, a lucky (or unlucky) guest.

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delight in the details of cooking

Chef Thomas Weibull -

Dirty Habit

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BY CARY WONG

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erched five floors above the streets of San Francisco’s bustling SoMa district and inside Hotel Zelos, Dirty Habit is an intimate hideaway for those seeking an exclusive yet sociable atmosphere to drink and dine. Helmed by Executive Chef Thomas Weibull, with delectable cocktails and one of the city’s largest collections of small batch whiskies from Bar Manager Raul Ayala, Dirty Habit showcases inventive seasonal share plates alongside crafted cocktails.

Born to a Swedish father and a Filipino mother in the city of Philadelphia—the self-described “all-things-Philly-guy-at-heart with a little splash of European touch”—head chef Thomas Weibull comes from a very eclectic background. Food has played a central role in his life since childhood. The family often ate various Swedish, Filipino, and American dishes. They also frequently set up dinner parties on the weekends. They would start by getting ingredients from markets in different

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neighborhoods, then cooking them in the kitchen, and finally enjoy the labor with friends and relatives. Chef Weibull started helping his parents with the cooking; soon he was making dinner for the family so his mother could take an occasional break. It began with simple things like roasted chicken and pasta. Eventually, he wanted to offer more variety, so he learned dishes from PBS TV chefs like Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, and Martin Yan.

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Despite seeing how food brought families and people together firsthand and remembering that great feeling, it never occurred to him that he would be a chef. His original dream was to become an architect. It was not until they moved to Stockholm, Sweden that he would pursue a different career path. “My school counselor asked one simple question, ‘What is it that you would like to do?’” he says. “And cooking came to mind.”

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So he set off for culinary school, where he realized it was something he could enjoy for the rest of his life and that it was something he could do anywhere in the world. After graduating from culinary school, he started working in Swedish kitchens that followed the strict—one may even say

“military”—French brigade tradition. It was an environment where one was not allowed to question the leaders. Here, tall chef toques and crisp white coats were mandatory, even for those doing the menial job of peeling vegetables and potatoes. “I laugh at it now, but for the first year, that’s all I did,” he says. When he returned to the United States, he found a more organic approach. The collaboration and problem-solving were done as a crew and as one team. Creativity is the key to success, and he cultivates it in his own kitchen. He always pushes his sous chefs and line cooks to experiment and find their culinary styles. When creating a dish, Chef Weibull starts with the product first, then he considers the season and the appearance. He uses colors within the products to express his intentions. In the case of spring, his favorite time of year, they often look vibrant and light. Meanwhile, they take on a more earthy and rustic style during the fall season. More specifically, he likes to work with green and white, which can come from many sources. For example, “a bright green dill oil in a silky beurre blanc sauce always looks sexy to me,” he says. The team tries to let the products speak for

His current favorite on the menu is the dry-aged Half Liberty duck that has been marinated in Koji for 24 hours. It is then lightly smoked with lavender and maple syrup, then served with roasted sweet broccoli and black garlic sauce. It is a simple yet complex dish of harmonious flavors. Chef Weibull is also working on a new dish—a fried wild mushroom rice with soft egg—that is sure to become a vegetarian favorite when it goes on the menu.

On the drinks side, Dirty Habit has a great Whiskey and Rye program. The talented mixologists use their skills to incorporate seasonal products as the food and beverage teams collaborate frequently. Chef Weibull’s favorite is Gentleman’s Dignity, made with Benjamin Chapman 7 year Rye, Madre Mezcal, Aperol, Elderflower, and Montenegro Amaro. From the decor to the food and drink, the overall continuity is important to him. “Dirty Habit is sexy and provocative. We try to keep that theme going in all things we do, especially in dishes,” he says. “They are created to enhance one’s palate and senses, but also familiarity is emphasized. So, we try to create things that mostly come from past food memories that our guests can relate to. The ambiance in Dirty Habit just enhances that.”

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themselves when it comes to appearance, but proper technique is of utmost importance. A seared steak has to look properly caramelized instead of gray and boiled. Garnishes are added sensibly to help elevate the dish. Everything has to have a purpose to improve the final taste, texture, and appearance.

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How Chef Santiago Lastra spread the Mexican concept around the world

“I didn' t really have this beautiful stor y of growing up on a farm and having a family that cooks this insanely beautiful food [or] butchering lamb with my grandfather,” Chef Santiago Lastra declared.

Indeed, born in Mexico City and growing up in Cuernavaca (a town one hour south of Mexico City), his first brush with culinar y greatness at 15 years old was from the crab dip recipe on a Rit z Crackers box . While he dreamed of being a mathematician, a spor ts star, and a painter, he immediately felt at ease the first time he stepped into the Italian restaurant kitchen where he worked.

When the unthinkable happened with his father, grandfather, and grandmother all passing away in the same month, he stopped going to school for a while and decided to go back to restaurants. He wanted to bring food and wine home to cook for his mother and brother to share a moment of happiness. That was when he realized that , even at such a sad time, people could be happy by sharing food. This sad but beautiful experience was when he decided to dedicate his life to cooking.

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So, he star ted globetrotting–working and studying in Spain (including a stint at the legendar y Mugarit z), researching in Denmark , and stops in Belgium, Sweden, Great Britain, Italy, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Por tugal, among other twenty-odd countries. It was in Russia in 2016 that a life-changing event happened.

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Rosio Sanchez , the then-pastr y chef of Noma, sent him a message on social media. “My dream was always to go to Noma, but I didn' t have the chance or the money to pay for lodging,” he says. “And [Chef Sanchez] messaged me on Facebook . And she was like, 'Are you still living in Copenhagen?' And I was like, ‘yes.’”

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The truth was he was still in Moscow as they spoke. But then she asked if he was interested in working with Noma for a project and that Chef René Redzepi wanted to meet him. So obviously, he did the most logical thing in the world and said yes, they could meet tomorrow. He took the nex t plane to Copenhagen for the meeting, where they went for tacos. Chef Lastras was then told about the project to set up a Noma in Mexico. He would be the project manager, organize the logistics, manage the research trips, and deal with suppliers–basically set the restaurant up.

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Considering he hadn’t spent a lot of time in Mexico after leaving the countr y, it was a huge under taking. In addition, he had neither the experience working with suppliers nor the knowledge of solving other

management issues. Chef Redzepi understood the challenges Chef Lastras had to deal with and was ver y suppor tive. And since it was such a great oppor tunity, he decided to accept the offer.

“ We [found] a way to basically discover Mexico together,” he says. A week after they met , the Noma team was on its way to Mexico on his watch. They took more than 14 flights in 14 days all around Mexico, visiting

communities, restaurants, markets, and everything in between. He reached out to the locals to show them around. They learned how to grind chocolate in Oaxaca, make mole in Puebla, and fr y fish tacos in Baja, California. They also met with craftspeople for potter y and furniture. Finally, he built a robust supply chain with the indigenous people that would ensure there were enough ingredients once the restaurant opened in Tulum.

“So, if they 're going to have an event for a wedding or a par ty (with tens or hundreds of people), they would work for six months,” he says. “From making the pot and (the festive clothing) that they are going to wear to foraging to feeding the animals, to cooking the sauces and (other) preparations that would take days.” It gave him a deep understanding that these people have been doing the same thing for generations. They are also ver y generous in teaching others how to do it along with the

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This mind-blowing journey to his native countr y not only taught him about the culinar y customs that existed long before Spanish Conquistadors' arrival but also about how the people in different regions lived. They forage. They make their own containers. They even weave their own tea towels just for specific events.

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reasons why. And that 's the beauty and richness of Mexico. It is a living, breathing, historical documentation and is more about the personalit y of the people than the ingredients or the recipes.

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When the project finished, he knew that he would be welcome to join the team at Noma, but he was ready for something different. “I decided I wanted to open a restaurant that could share and promote the meaning of Mexican culture to the world,” he says. While relaxing on a beach during a vacation, he listed all the qualities a city needed to have for his restaurant and made the decision to open his place

in London. He started doing pop-ups to gain experience and knowledge of the market. Eventually, he opened the doors to Kol (which means “cabbage” in Spanish) in 2021. He was intent on representing Mexican culture and cuisine through the lens of British ingredients. That meant that apar t from dried chilies, corn, and a few ancillar y products, ever y thing came from within Great Britain. This concept created a lot of issues as well as oppor tunities. How can typical Mexican ingredients like tomato and lime be replaced? To answer that question, Chef Lastra imagined

that the United Kingdom was a Nor theastern ex tension of Mexico and thought about how the people would adapt to the terroir by focusing on the flavor. Take mango, for example. It is creamy, yellow, and fleshy. It has a little bit of tar tness and sweetness as well as a floral aroma. It is also juicy, so some form of liquid is necessar y. As such, the substitution star ted with sweet yellow peppers baked with elderflowers and their preser ves. An elderflower vinegar was added to the mix , then blended for smoothness. Finally, a finishing touch of kombucha was added for additional acidity and sweetness. Other such examples

At Kol, Chef Lastra also tries to integrate the different Mexican regional cooking styles while making sure not to overwhelm the local ingredients. “A sauce in Oaxaca will take one week or three-four days at least ,” he says while comparing two different areas. “A sauce

in Yucatan–ten minutes, five minutes, (or even) two minutes because that is the way that people work as well and live in different regions.” In terms of his personal favorite dish, he is especially into the Baja California lobster burritos. The combination of fresh flour tor tillas, pork-fat fried, freshout-of-the-ocean lobsters ser ved with beans, fries, and salsa was something he would never forget. And he has

recreated a version at Kol using Scottish lobsters. Looking ahead, he will focus on providing a che f 's table experience downstairs in the re staurant , where the menu change s e ver y couple of week s with a more creative and expressive bent. With a treasure trove of Mexican culinary heritage behind him, there should be no shor tage of magic!

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include using fermented gooseberr y juice in place of lime juice, pistachio paste instead of avocado, and more.

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Life in Color TROORA MAGAZINE

Lilach Edman and her delightfully delectable pasta

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BY CARY WONG

ood, as people say, transcends borders. No matter where you live, you can fall in love with another cuisine after a chance encounter. There is no better example of that than Lilach Edman. Growing up in Israel, she lived a few doors down from her grandparents, where food was a central par t of life. It was always prepared for families and

friends. On Fridays, they prepared for the Sabbath feast , where at least 15 people would eat at their house. It was a warm and loving environment. “One of my first memories is watching my grandpa prepare Manti (a type of dumpling) by hand,” she says. “Ever y thing was handmade. He would knead the dough, and white clouds of flour would billow in the sunbeams from the kitchen window.” By the time Lilach was 6, she had star ted to help her grandparents make the dumplings and handmade pasta from the leftover dough. So, the pride

As she grew up, she tried different cuisines, but Italian pasta was something that she absolutely loved. However, things got difficult when she became a vegan at 21 years old, as most pastas are made with eggs. Seeing that she could not simply buy pasta anymore, she began making her own pasta using only white flour and water. She switched to durum wheat soon after when she

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and joy of making food and feeding people were passed on to her at a ver y early age.

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realized that she did not like the tex ture of white flour pasta. After the initial trials, she watched more pasta-making videos online and read more ar ticles. She learned and tested different techniques until she developed her own technique and recipe. And it became a form of therapy. One day, she randomly watched a video where a chef put food coloring in their pasta to obtain amazing patterns. “I wanted to tr y it , but I didn’t want to use chemicals,” she says. “I ran new experiments, testing allnatural ingredients from flowers to spices to vegetables.” Vegan foods are often thought of as flavorless or unsatisf ying, and she wanted to make a statement that vegan pasta can be delicious, beautiful, healthy, and satisf ying.

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These two factors led her to play with a long list of ingredients for effects. Some were more basic; for example, spinach for green, beet juice for purple, and turmeric for yellow. While others were more obscure, like using zinc to create black color. An impor tant detail she learned was that some additives do not affect the flavor, but others strongly impact the taste. These differences all factor into the flavor profile of each final dish that she creates at home and in the teaching workshops at Cheffa, Israel’s vegan cooking academy.

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Speaking from experience, she shares a few tips for making the best-tasting pasta. Make the sauce first and add a little oil to the pastacooking water. These steps help prevent the pasta from getting sticky. Also, putting salt in the water will make the pasta more flavorful.

For the brave souls who make their pasta from scratch (which Lilach highly recommends), there are two more quick pointers. First , boiling the pasta for 90 seconds makes for the perfect al dente bite. And last but not least , one should make more noodles to freeze in por tioned sizes for later. As if by divine inter vention, her name foreshadows the colorful goods she makes. Sometimes she makes pasta with a new color and shape to express an emotion that she feels. Other times, she finds ways to incorporate lilac–her favorite color–into her work . There are endless possibilities in her paint palette. And since she began making colored pasta, no two pastas are the same. SOCIAL MEDIA CREDITS: @LILACH_EDMAN W R I T T E N B Y : @ D I G I TA L W O N G

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She has received tremendous demand for her product , so she is currently looking for ways to scale up production. Until a good solution emerges, however, Lilach continues experimenting and perfecting the recipes in her workshops. And one day, “I hope to share the pride and joy I received from my grandparents with the rest of the world through pasta!”

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Naturally perfect.

A new squeeze on healthy hydration!

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We All Scream For Nice Cream BY CARY WONG

TROORA MAGAZINE

Kubé - The Artisanal, Vegan, Full-Fat Coconut Ice Cream

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ost of us enjoy ice cream in all its glorious flavors and forms. What if, however, there was a way to make it even better ? Better for the environment and consumers? Kubé, a Black-owned, ar tisanal, vegan, full-fat coconut ice cream producer and social enterprise in Oakland, California, delivers just that.

Kai Nor tey, is the CEO and Co-Founder of kubé. She understood the impor tance of real, minimally-processed food as she grew up planting an organic vegetable and fruit garden in Oakland, California with her family. As a result , she knew the difference between what she calls “real mama ear th seeds” versus “Frankenstein GMO seeds.”

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She has loved ice cream since childhood. Even in college, she would celebrate the completion of final exams by eating ice cream. Unfor tunately, she became lactose intolerant later in life—a common issue that affects 30 million American adults to some degree, especially among those with Asian, African, or Native American heritage.

So in 2014, she star ted her journey in her kitchen. With her background in biology, experience in creating plant-based recipes, and added luck as a super taster (who can taste more nuanced flavors than the average person), she realized that the product created from fresh coconut cream does not have an overwhelming flavor like other brands sold on the market.

It forced her to make big lifest yle changes and give up dair y ice cream and dair y products. She was dissatisfied with all the non-dair y ice creams on the market because they were icy, bland, and made with synthetic chemicals, highly processed sugars, and ar tificial flavors. To her and a lot of others, none of them were satisf ying. Despite this, she wanted to enjoy clean, creamy, and luxurious ice cream again. So she star ted to work on her own product.

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“I was inspired to create the truth,” she says. “I decided it was impor tant for me to make vibrant , real, clean, full-fat coconut ice cream with highquality ingredients that allowed folks to enjoy ice cream again.”

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From her research, she learned that many coconut cream manufacturers overseas add ar tificial coconut flavoring into coconut cream and coconut milk , which have an unnatural taste that many do not like. “None of the coconut ice creams on the market are made with fresh full-fat coconut cream,” she says. “ We made our own real, full-fat coconut ice cream.” She remembered her husband taught her how to crack and shred mature coconuts during their trip to Ghana, where lots of coconuts and tropical fruits are consumed. She added chocolate, vanilla, or fresh key lime juice to the shredded coconuts. She took meticulous notes on ever y thing, such as taste, tex ture, and quantity,

along with various ratios of coconut cream to flavorings like fresh fruit , vanilla bean, espresso, chocolate, and more. Tastings were then created for friends, families, and the chefs she knew. Finally, feedback and responses were collected. Once she had a good base, the nex t step was to source organic cer tified, mature coconuts at scale. Despite calling various tropical fruit distributors, she had difficulty finding them. Ultimately, she had to get help from a few friendly people who worked at highend grocer y stores in California. They connected her to others who owned organic, regenerative coconut farms and distributors in Mexico. It was impor tant that the quality was not compromised. “ We do not impor t coconut cream,” she emphasizes. “ We crack , shred, and cold-press coconut cream from mature, organic coconuts.”

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And that commitment ex tends to ever y ingredient. The fruits come from family-owned organic farms and unionized farms like Swanton Berr y Farms, and the Madagascar vanilla bean and ex tract are procured from Nielson Massey. The chocolates are from TCHO, a cer tified organic maker in Berkeley, California. Other ingredients like ginger root come from farmers’ markets and other local organic distributors working with Bay Area farms.

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Color plays an impor tant par t in kubé products. Vibrant and tangy flavors of fruits like passion fruit pureé impar ted a bright yelloworange color. It is a ver y inspiring and uplifting hue that brings a joy ful and tropical feeling to the ice cream. For the lemon-ginger flavor, it was decided that the yellow ginger root was to be blended into the coconut cream with freshly squeezed lemon juice for a powerful, zesty, and slightly spicy note. A deeper yellow color was created by adding a ver y small amount of turmeric powder into the coconut cream base. Last but not least , for the Goddess EmpowerMINT (mint chip) flavor, a small amount of spirulina green algae powder and peppermint essential oil was added to the coconut cream base for a mild green color that is reminiscent of the peppermint leaf. Personally, her favorites are passion fruit , pineapple, coffee latté, bittersweet chocolate with cacao nibs, strawberr y, and Goddess EmpowerMINT. When people taste kubé at events or farmers’ markets, they experience moments of joy, luxuriousness, and sensuality. Many are amazed by the vibrant flavors and the creamy dair y-like tex ture.

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“I often hear people ask , ‘How did you get the coconut flavor out ?! This is incredible because I only taste clean flavors in a smooth and creamy tex ture. This feels like dair y ice cream!’” she says.

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To that end, they par ticipate in regenerative agriculture by donating coconut byproducts to urban organic farms like PlantingJustice. org in East Oakland to grow organic vegetables and fruit for low-income communities. A healthy, tasty, and socially-devoted ice cream product ? It is safe to say we can all indulge ourselves!

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In addition to committing to making the highest quality product , kubé is dedicated to social and food justice. They have three missions to address the critical issues we face: restorative economics and food justice, racial and gender equalit y, and ecology.

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Hand Rolled Palo Santo Incense

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art, music & film TROORA MAGAZINE 172

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K WA M E ’ S E Y E - P H O N E ARTISTIC PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRISTINA DEPTULA

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WA K I M O N K E YS ! LO N G I N G , WOVEN STRANDS, WOVEN STORIES BY MICHAEL DAKS

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Kwame Acheampong, born in Accra, Ghana, is a passionate photographer and artist who captures his images and communicates his artistry through the lens of his iPhone camera.

As part of the group show at Institut Suedois de Paris from May 14th to August 14th, French artist Côme Touvay showcases five pieces of a series called WAKIMONKEYS

ART IS LIFE AND LIFE IS ART BY MICHAEL DAKS

Ashley Adams is a black Latina woman artist and entrepreneur, a SoCal native inspired by nature and her own natural color palette W H AT ’ S I T G O N N A TA K E ( D A M E O N P R I E S T LY ) BY MICHAEL DAKS

Dameon Priestly, the Belfast-born artist, created the artwork for the new album of another Belfast native son, the great man himself, Van Morrison S E R G E G AY J R . BY MICHAEL DAKS

Serge Gay Jr is a Haitian artist and creative director living in San Francisco, where his murals have garnered much attention LIGHT AS THE ESSENCE OF PHOTOGRAPHY: THE ART OF CHARLES SCHOENBERGER BY CRISTINA DEPTULA

TrooRa Magazine proudly presents its first ever TrooArtist Spotlight Award to photographer Charles Schoenberger, whose art has graced our pages for several years

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PA I N T I N G T H E W O R L D O N E S T R E E T AT A T I M E B Y K AT E W I N G A R

While wall art and drawings have been found in ancient caves dating back thousands of years, modern graffiti first appeared in the subways and streets of New York in the 1970s. Read about artist paintaing the world one street at a time.

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Kwame’s Eye-Phone Artistic Photography Kwame Acheampong, born in Accra, Ghana, is a passionate photographer and artist who captures his images and communicates his artistry through the lens of his iPhone camera.

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BY CRISTINA DEPTULA

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w ame Acheampong’s Instagram account blossoms with joy: people flexing, wading and diving into water, or enjoying fields of flowers. The sensibility is bright and play ful: bold reds and oranges and yellows against the blues and greens of the natural scenes. Ever yone looks

strong and joy ful, even the people in Covid masks. Photography was originally a side project for Acheampong, a way to find images to accompany his poetr y. He fell in love with uncovering and creating images, though it became a separate ar t form for him. He still captures images with only his iPhone 12 Pro Max , showing that one does not need vast amounts of camera equipment to create distinctive work .

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He says that “emotions, spontaneity, and nature” drive his use of color. Currently living by the sea, he incorporates water, boats, and the beach into a lot of his photos. His subjects look athletic and pose with spor ts and outdoor props: boxing gloves, boats, life preser vers. Most of his photographs appear to be taken outside, except for a few where boys pose with pillows or blankets. Asked to describe his style, he answered, “My photography is experimental and readily embodies an all-embracing ar tistic approach. It ’s refreshing, with colors that draw the viewer ’s attention to the concept being depicted and also aids in symbolism and its respective interpretation.” He has an endless list of favorite photographers, “Notable among them are Mark Rothko, Yoan Capote, Berhanu Merikokeb, Serge Clottey, just to mention a few.” He finds natural inspiration in seeing their works and also takes ar tistic ideas from what he sees in the world around him.

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L O C A L H U M A N A N D N AT U R A L I N S P I R AT I O N S

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“ To be honest , I am inspired by existence. It sounds broad and vague but I am truly inspired by people, philosophy, poetr y, colors and the mere works of other ar tists [in other media] such as paintings and sculptures,” he explains. He also focuses on brotherhood and friendship, with many images of young and older boys playing and exploring together. DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE While much of his current work focuses on his hometown, he’s been featured on billboards around Ghana. His dream is to become globally recognized and take his photography out to the entire world. When he’s not taking photos, he enjoys reading, especially about ar t and philosophy. He’s earned a bachelor ’s degree in agriculture from one of Ghana’s premier colleges, the University of Ghana. Eventually, he would like to learn and experiment with other ar t forms such as painting and sculpture.

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Asked about his favorite color, Acheampong had a definite answer. “Blue, it ’s the sky and sea, two motifs repetitive in my works. It ’s personally a peaceful color too.”

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sculpture and site-specific installations elevating vernacular forms of knots inspiring awe and understanding

the journey of the line

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WA K I M O N K E Y S ! BY MICHAEL DAKS

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Photo Credit: Daisy Reillet.

As part of the group show at Institut Suedois de Paris from May 14th to August 14th, French artist Côme Touvay showcases five pieces of a series called WAKIMONKEYS.

akimonkeys are a series of large hand-woven mural tex tile figures that refer to ancient Andean fabric and a type of weaving construction originating from the oriental Mediterranean. The color here is like a repetitive pattern, and the pattern itself is a totemic figure: a maze for the eyes.

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