Fall 2022 - Upscale Living Magazine

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CONTENT AUTOMOBILE 10 McLaren Solus GT, a Sci-Fi V10 Hypercar 12 Purosangue Ferrari, the first four-door Ferrari with a V12 Powertrain 14 Bugatti Mistral, a $5 million love letter to the iconic W16 powertrain YACHTS 16 Villa X30 Catamaran, unrivaled livability ART + CULTURE 18 Art in Search of a New Home 20 Mrs. Toolip and her Island Collection JEWELRY 22 Adorning the Courageous Aida Bergsen 24 Brush Jewellery, with love from Italy 26 Lydia Courteille’s High Jewelry Collection “Indian Song”

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FASHION 28 Couper, Creating Wearable Works of Art 34 Fall Fashion Glamor TIMEPIECES 32 Duckworth Prestex Watches Reborn PROFILE 36 A Visionary in Architecture, Arnaud Behzani 40 Home Trends 42 Seeing the Bigger Picture in Design, Leah Atkins HOME + DECOR 46 Perfecting the Art of Entertainment, Capucine de Wulf Gooding & David Gooding TRAVEL 50 The Residences at The Sebastian, Vail 54 Sungani, Custodians of South Luangwa 58 Denmark, a Mediterranean Holiday

TRAVEL (Cont’d) 62 What’s New! 72 The Little Nell 78 Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection 84 Say Hello or Welcome, Cheers or Good Health in Beautiful Fiji 88 Belize, an Adventurer’s Paradise CRUISE 80 Seabourn Venture, Elegance on the Open Seas BOOK REVIEWS 91 Our favorite Reads for the Fall CHEFS 76 Betula Aspen Restaurant WINES + SPIRITS 92 Top California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines

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Copyright 2022 Upscale Living Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Upscale Living Magazine and ALP Publishing Inc. The Publisher will be held responsible for any errors found in the magazine. The Publisher accept no liability for the accuracy of statements made by advertisers. Ads in this publication are not intended as an offer where prohibited by state laws. www.upscalelivingmag.com

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AUTOMOBILES

McLaren Solus GT A Sci-Fi V10 Hypercar

| BY SOMNATH CHATTERJEE

F

antasy cars are conjured up with the idea of leaving behind conventional barometers and making a car which is truly looking like something from outer space. Thanks to a popular game called Gran Turismo, the lines have been blurred between reality and virtual reality with many cars being made just for this video series. The latest such outlandish creation comes from McLaren with the Solus GT being made for the Gran Turismo SPORT video game.

From the stage in a virtual game to being made for select customers- the Solus GT is a one of a kind hypercar with a powertrain as unique as its looks.

The Solus GT is a V10-powered single seater track car made with little compromise in terms of design or performance.

There is a lot of motorsport technology and track car ethos which has been embedded into the car while like all McLaren’s the Solus GT also has a carbon-fiber monocoque. The chassis of the McLaren Solus GT also features 3D-printed titanium components while the bodywork features carbon fiber. The race car stance being mixed with a fantasy concept car look has an entirely different design ethos from any other McLaren. Aerodynamics also play a big role here with a ‘hammerhead’ nose, full diffuser plus having a wraparound canopy screen of the teardrop cockpit which makes it a purposeful racing car.

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Since it is not a road car, the Solus GT sticks to the ground with a large front-splitter, a huge rear wing along with wheel pods in each corner to save weight.

The ‘tear-drop’ shape also manages airflow. Unlike other McLaren cars, there are no dihedral doors as instead you get a sliding canopy were getting in is akin to entering a fighter jet.

The interior is no compromise with a single-seat molded according to the owner along with a steering-wheel which seems to be plucked from an F1 car.

Owners also get the proper ‘F1 driver’ experience with bespoke track events, an FIA-homologated race suit, helmet and more.

The 5.2-liter V10 engine is something of a surprise since we have been accustomed with hybrid McLaren powertrains. The V10 develops 840PS and 650Nm while screaming past 10,000rpm. The gearbox is a seven-speed sequential gearbox, with race-proven internals along with a carbon-fiber clutch- plus being automated which means pulling away or driving it is not as challenging as a bona-fide race car. With this much power, the Solus GT is also the fastest McLaren this side of an F1 car.

Only 25 of these track-only monsters are being made with prices not being revealed but we’d wager that owners do not care as for them; it is an alluring slice of virtual reality made real for the track.

AUTOMOBILES

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AUTOMOBILES

PUROSANGUE FERRARI The First Four-Door Ferrari with a V12 Powertrain | BY SOMNATH CHATTERJEE

F

errari is a name reserved for low-slung two-door rockets along with being wrapped around a distinct layer of Italian zeal plus dripping with the latest technologies. Aside from making supercars, Ferrari is also known for its illustrious GT history in terms of making comfortable yet fast Grand Tourers for covering vast distances with ease. The V12 Ferrari GT is etched deeply within the company values but Ferrari is now looking ahead and expanding that in a radical way.

Meet the Purosangue, Italian for ‘thoroughbred’ and that ushers in a new wave of Ferraris. However, it is not hugely different when it comes to core Ferrari ethos in being equipped with a glorious naturally-aspirated V12 and sprinkled with the very best of technology which Ferrari can conjure up.

Before we dig deep into the technical prowess of this 4-seater GT (it isn’t an ‘SUV’), let us take a look where the big Purosangue fits into the Ferrari range. It is a flagship model for sure and is their first four-door car although it follows in the philosophy of the earlier GT4 Lusso albeit with a more SUV like personality.

The Purosangue in all honesty is not a regular SUV and is not an SUV within the regular definition of one. It is big and is fitted with a 4WD system but everything is pure Ferrari. Dare we say it terms of others in this sector, its closer to its makers roots.

The body panels are all new along with the structure which is a mix of aluminum and carbon fiber. Much has been done to make the Purosangue as stiff and as light as possible with a standard carbon roof and improved NVH over the earlier GT4 Lusso.

The design is sleek and not an off-roader while being peppered with traditional Ferrari cues linked to past V12 models. It is a big car but hides its visual bulk admirably along with a relaxed sense of restraint with its elegant lines. The shape is certainly crossover like with big wheels.

Inside, Ferrari has tried hard to not graft an SUV-like driving position hence, you are cocooned inside rather than sitting on it. Typically, tech-laden Ferrari interfaces are there in being all digital along with touch controls but it is cleaned up and has a less racy outlook when compared to its supercar stablemates. The materials and the overall fit/finish is right up there and makes its asking price seem somewhat justified.

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The Purosangue is a strict 4-seater but these are four comfortable seats with ample legroom while the rear-hinged doors make for excellent ingress/egress as well. A glass roof is optional but the upholstery inside shuns traditional leather or carpeting as instead it uses dark brown semi-aniline leather along with an optional new carbon-fiber weave integrating copper wires.

In-fact with the launch trim of the car, sustainability has been a focus just like other luxury car-makers with a roof-lining with recycled polyester along with Alcantara also derived from recycled polyester.

Interestingly, this is a Ferrari also for the passenger since they also get a dedicated display! A further nod towards the Purosangue in being a luxury car is that it is the first Ferrari to have a standard Burmester 3D Surround Sound System.

However, we think the sound of the 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 will pique more buyer’s interests and unlike modern Ferraris which are getting a hybrid V8 or a V6, the Purosangue is a V12 with no electrical assistance.

With 725 rampant horses, the Purosangue will gallop from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 s and from 0 to 200 in 10.6 s. An 8-speed dual-clutch transmission will also no doubt will give the car a smooth driving experience.

A streamlined design with clever aerodynamics reduces the drag coefficient of the car while a complicated Ferrari active suspension technology is designed to give the Purosangue the agility of a Ferrari while also being handy over bad roads.

Further technical highlights include an updated 4RM-S system from the GTC4Lusso and independent 4WS seen on the 812 Competizione.

In short, the Ferrari Purosangue is a thrilling prospect for any Tifosi as it changes many things but it also stays true to its roots in other ways. We expect first cars to trickle in by the end of next year- ample time for us to take in the concept of a Ferrari with two more doors.

AUTOMOBILES

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AUTOMOBILES

BUGATTI MISTRAL A $5 million love letter to the iconic W16 powertrain | BY SOMNATH CHATTERJEE

W

hile electrification is looming large upon the high-performance supercar segment, stringent emission norms are sounding the death knell of big gasoline engines. One of the great powertrains which would be confined to the history books would be the W16 which first made its debut with the iconic Bugatti Veyron. The Veyron rewrote that performance car rulebook and ripped apart the goal posts in terms of automotive engineering with its top-speed and the glorious powertrain while also making it work in a seamless manner. The fact that you can drive a Veyron like any ordinary car is a feat.

The Chiron that followed was a grounds-up overhaul of the Veyron recipe with even more power along with a more streamlined design approach.

With the Bugatti and Rimac being together, it is largely known that the W16 would be replaced with something else. However, while future Bugatti’s won’t be full electric, the iconic configuration of multiple cylinders will be played last in the Mistral.

It is a one last blast for this engine and to make it a more surreal experience, the W16 would be heard better with no barrier between the driver and the engine. The roofless Mistral is also way more than just a Chiron roadster as the styling along with the ethos is a lot more delicately steeped within Bugatti history.

The name itself has a sense of mystique being called after a wind that blows from the Rhône River valley, through the towns of the Côte d’Azur in southern France and into the Mediterranean. Rather apt as the car is all about embracing the concept of open-top motoring albeit with a mighty W16 behind you.

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The car uses the 1600PS configuration of this engine from the sportier Chiron Super Sport but Bugatti have also gone to considerable lengths to give the Mistral its own unique identity.

The design is arguably the most striking one that we have seen from Bugatti along with a veneer of aggression draped alongside the classic design ethos. The horseshoe grille is there but the front-end is radical with the Divo and La Voiture Noire being the inspiration. The rear meanwhile takes a leaf out of the more hard-core Bolide with the X-shaped lights.

Also, some other design attributes clearly show that it is not just a Chiron based convertible since we love the way the windscreen creates a visor like effect which also neatly blends into those distinctive side intakes.

There are also new roof-mounted engine air scoops which are a nod to the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid, as well as the first open top Bugatti of the modern era: the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport.

The interior is like the Chiron but we are not complaining while the door panels are obviously new.

The aluminum gear shifter also carries Rembrandt Bugatti’s ‘dancing elephant’ sculpture and that serves to remind you that Bugatti is all about craftsmanship as much as it is about immensely powerful cars.

Bugatti says that the entire production run of 99 units is already sold out even if it costs $5 million each. It is after less of a car and more of a love-letter to one of the greatest engines ever made.

AUTOMOBILES

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YAC HTS

VILLA X30 CATAMARAN Unrivalled Livability | BY NIKITA VIVEK PAWAR

EXTRA Yachts, a brand of ISA Yachts and a part of Palumbo Superyachts, is relatively young in the yachting industry. After an impressive fleet of spacious tri-deck yachts and speedy vessels, the Italian shipyard is expanding its portfolio in the catamaran segment with its latest launch - the VILLA X30.

Described as ‘unrivaled livability’, the 30 meters (99 feet) yacht combines innovative architecture with the efficiency of a catamaran. It is designed with a mindset to provide its owner and guests with a laid-back experience with open plan, multi-level on-board comfort and luxurious amenities to redefine enjoyment on the water.

Unlike other EXTRA yachts that Francesco Guida designs, this catamaran is entirely designed by the Dutch firm Phathom. The exteriors are sleek, classy and stylish, with the main deck boasting extra high ceilings and large panoramic windows intended to maximize the outdoor views.

Similar architectural detailing is found in the aft salon ceiling outstretching to the exterior and the master stateroom with a private glass-bottomed terrace between the two hulls to enjoy the great outdoors; the glass doors close it off to protect it from wind and bad weather. When closed, the master stateroom enjoys the protection and sound damping thanks to its inherent design. The SPA bathroom is located on a lower level and has been split into port and starboard.

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The interiors of the yacht are at the owner’s discretion. The layout features the main salon, library nook, bar and galley, all connected to each other beneath the wheelhouse and observatory. The current design features VIP cabins with direct access to the transom. The multi-functional “high/low” platform sits flush with the swim platform. This platform can support 5 meters (16-foot) tender and other water toys.

This new catamaran is powered by a hybrid propulsion system that “significantly reduces C02 emissions”. With the twin Volvo Penta IPS 1350 engines, the X30 Villa will have a cruising speed of 12.5 knots and reach a top rate of 17.5. The vessel is also fitted with glass-impregnated solar cells, found in electric yachts by Sunreef, Rossinavi and Silent, to compensate for the additional energy for on-board utilities.

Sustainability is close to the project with the inclusion of Sustainable or natural materials such as re-purposed fibers, sustainability assessed paints and plasters, and alternative leathers seen across the Villa. The reclaimed woods used, like the desaturated oak parquet and walnut cabinetry, will be considered without compromising quality or finish.

After yachts, catamaran and speedy yachts, we cannot wait to see what Extra brings next. 

YAC HTS

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ART

ART IN SEARCH OF A NEW HOME

How Interior Designer Andrew Suvalsky Brought a Museum-Level Collection to a new Park Avenue. | BY JAMES ES SEX

A

slender sculpture by Harry Bertoia, a drawing by Pablo Picasso, and a fabulous statement piece by Frank Stella are just a few examples of the luxurious gems that grace an extraordinary apartment located on New York City’s Park Avenue. How did all these pieces end up in a home on Park Avenue? Simple. Interior designer Andrew Suvalasky, founder of Andrew Suvalsky Designs, decided to play matchmaker after learning about a luxury apartment that needed a fresh twist and an art collection that needed a new home.

Well, that’s not quite how it happened. Suvalsky was original on a short list of highly prized designers but was chosen to redesign the Park Avenue residence because of his special flair for design. Suvalsky revolutionized the home’s old interior by changing the color palette and rethinking the scale of the furniture in relation to the art that would be housed in the Park Avenue home.

The apartment’s previous design was dark and muted, with colors that pulled away from the art being displayed. The new aesthetic, however, was designed to be a mix of modern gallery meets vintage classics. The clients—one a retired businessman involved in philanthropy, and the other, the inheritor of the art collection with pieces that date back to the 1950s—were looking to add a few new pieces to their collection and wanted a design style that would not lock them in one specific era. They wanted something that would flawlessly integrate their new art pieces as well as old.

“We did not change the layout or the structure of the home,” said Andrew Suvalsky. “Instead, we proposed a totally new color palette that seamlessly moved along different shades of cream, seafoam, and lavender.”

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and brown tones and had smaller-sized furniture that was not properly scaled to the room. “We lightened everything,” Suvalsky explained, “we made it similar to a white canvas so all of the art would stand out. We chose furniture with modern and simple lines so that the décor would feel timeless. At the end of the room, we moved a tall Bertoia’s copper and bronze sculpture which now works as an ax to the room and as a focal point.”

He is not wrong. The Bertoia sculpture really does work as a focal point for the room and enhances everything from the color palette of the walls to the surrounding paintings and portraits. The transformation is surreal and clearly displays the talent of Suvalsky’s eye for design.

“It was a beautiful project,” Suvalsky told Upscale Living Magazine, “we had to respect the existing architecture from the 1990s and learn how to work with it.

Through lightening and ambiance, we made the home more current along with configuring the proportions between the fine art and the furniture. The most exciting part was the task of creating a design around the art. When you have such important pieces of art, you have to ensure the art is given the right amount of spacing; and in the meantime, you can take ‘advantage’ and take small cues from the art to the décor. The idea of placing Bertoia’s sculpture at the end of the room came just from the idea of a pillar that the sculpture itself does suggest. In general, we wanted to elevate the interior design without doing a lot of tricks in the décor, so that art would really shine no matter what.”

And shine it does. Suvalsky’s redesign hits a very high note and reveals why his firm is so sought after by New York’s elite. 

ART

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ART

MRS. TOOLIP AND HER ISLAND COLLECTION Explore the Best New Art Barcelona has to Offer | BY JAMES ESSEX

“T

he way in which an artist paints marks their identity.” These are the words of famed Dutch artist Mrs. Toolip, an abstract expressionist painter whose work has recently ventured into the realm of redefining how one creates a masterpiece. Born in New Zealand, raised on the Coast of Brava, and currently living in Barcelona, Mrs. Toolip has experienced much of the natural beauty our world has to offer. She has traveled across continents, lived within differing cultures, and now explores these experiences on her canvas. Her latest series of paintings, appropriately titled, Island Collection, incorporates many of the staples of abstract art while also incorporating her unique use of color and negative space.

once-fertile lakebed. In contrast, the Island of Palaus a stunning use of vibrant colors to make one feel as if they are looking at the island from the perch of an airplane window.

Each painting explores a different area of the world the artist has visited while using her memories to create an accurate representation of what she felt while in the moment. This emotional approach to painting is a hallmark of Mrs. Toolip’s work, or as she describes it, “I see art as the way to create something new with my hands to express myself. Emotions, feelings, impressions, and special moments urge me to paint. Such an approach also lends itself to the creative use of tools.

When asked about her inspiration for this series, Mrs. Toolip said it was her love of nature and desire to put her emotions onto a canvas that was the driving force behind its creation. “Nature makes me feel unstoppable in my creative world! My technique is very expressive combining acrylics with materials such as stones, sand, lacquer, and many more to achieve an exciting variety of textures and colors. The result of this art experiment is a natural-looking canvas that creates the landscape airview impression. Living and creating in urban Barcelona, I gave some artworks an industrial touch.”

Mrs. Toolip’s Island Collection paintings are a beautiful mix of the successful use of brush, spatulas, and other instruments that work in unison to create works that could be characterized as artistic surgery today.

The Island Collection is more than just another abstract work, it is a masterpiece of creative texture design. “I love to work with bare hands,” she explained, “because I like to feel the textures of my work. Touching different materials makes me feel as if I’m connected to my audience and it allows me to fill my pieces with an energy and vibrance that the viewer can see as I bring my paintings to life.”

A good example of this phenomenon comes from Mrs. Toolip’s Dried Lake River, Ethiopia piece. Even when viewing the image online you can feel the coarseness of the sand as the colors reveal the dying soil of a

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Moreover, in each work, Mrs. Toolip’s abstract forms of painting prevail over cold archetypal theories of Barcelona’s current abstract expressionist scene. There is a warmth to Mrs. Toolip’s work that strikes a formal balance between the abstract and the practical.

Paintings like Tenerife or Brown Lake, Australia, with measurements from 40 x 80 cm to 200 x 100 cm, and prices between $1,400 and $3,500 have been perfectly created for any collector’s home.

Mrs. Toolip has opened her Barcelona gallery doors to the public to exhibit the Island Collection and it is well worth a visit. Even if you’re too late to view the Island Collection, you should make the Mrs. Toolip Art Gallery a priority stop. Located on C/ Ausias C/ Ausias Marc, 14 the gallery is changing the Barcelona art world in its own right, allowing visitors and guests to view Barcelona’s best and brightest artists free of charge.

If you’d like to learn more about Mrs. Toolip, her Island Collection, or her gallery, you can visit their Instagram page @mrs.toolip to view their current exhibitions or connect with Mrs. Toolip herself. 

Dried Lake River, Etheopia

ART

Green Lake, Austria

Artic Iceberg

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JEWELRY

Adorning The Courageous

AIDA BERGSEN

| BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS

B

ased in Istanbul, jeweler and sculptor Aida Bergsen creates jewelry with different themes that reflect traces of her hometown and its multilayered cultural fiber. She draws inspiration from mythological tales and symbolic natural forms.

Each of her wearable sculptures are meticulously hand carved in wax, then transformed into timeless jewels using traditional goldsmithing techniques. With her 20 years of experience, Aida Bergsen Jewelry today reaches out from Europe to North America, adorning the bodies of the courageous.

Having been influenced by some of the most diverse civilizations in its history, Istanbul inevitably forms of a truly breathtaking cultural

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and social mosaic from which Aida Bergsen draws endless inspiration. In particular the archaeological history and its roots to Archaic, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods and their multi-ethnic ways of living.

Form-based and figurative, the World of Aida Bergsen is distinct with a play of light and shadow reflecting not only her traditional sculpting discipline but also her conceptual approach.

Aida Bergsen initiates her design process from her own private myths and carefully transforms them into public dreams. Renowned as ‘wearable sculptures’, the collections hold traces of legends of gods and goddesses and the mysteries behind flora and fauna symbolism. | www.aidabergsen.com

JEWELRY

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JEWELRY

Brush Jewellery

With Love from Italy

| BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, the historic fivestar hotel and former flour mill on the city of canals’ Giudecca island, is delighted to present the latest Brush Jewellery collection, now on display at the property. From 1st September 2022, Brush Jewellery’s new Italian Collection, which was inspired by Venice and is handmade in the UK, is available to view in person exclusively at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice. Guests of the hotel will also receive an exclusive 10% discount on the range, which includes iconic glass hoop earrings, rings and necklaces in a bright, mood-lifting array of colors. Passionate about supporting up-and-coming talent, Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is thrilled to offer its guests the opportunity to shop the iconic Brush pieces, in the heart of the city that inspired them!

About The Italian Collection Brush Jewellery’s The Italian Collection is inspired by Italy and traditional Murano glass native to Venice. Enchanted by the vibrant colors and vivacity of Venice whilst on honeymoon at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, designer and founder Harriet Smith has created a collection of colorful glass bead hoops, necklaces and rings. The glass pieces are handmade by glassmaker Scarlet Leonard in her studio in Lincolnshire. Scarlet has been working at the torch for over 10 years and lives to ‘play with glass’. Brush Jewellery is designed with the modern, fashion-forward woman who loves to be creative with her wardrobe. She can match her style with the colors of the collection and pair her look with the perfect hoops. | https://www.brushmag.co.uk/store 

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JEWELRY

Lydia Courteille’s High Jewelry Collection

Indian Song | BY NIKITA VIVEK PAWAR

F

or centuries, the subcontinent of India has been a fascinating mystery to the West with its extraordinary and magnificent architecture and rich culture. Numerous travelers have traveled to the mystic land to learn about the country, culture, and spirituality. Amidst glorious temples and monuments, elaborate textiles and food, and lovely people, Parisian high jewelery artist Lydia Courteille found inspiration for her latest collection that embarks on a journey, a song - the Indian Song.

After her elaborate travels through the Silk Route, China and many other places, the designer has visited India countlessly. Traveling extensively throughout the subcontinent, she has recreated some of the most iconic legends, sculptures and colors with extraordinary craftsmanship, using her best know medium of expression - jewelery. Courteille created a 12-piece collection inspired by Indian architecture, festivities, mythology and animals. “I think it is a beginning of a very large collection”, said the designer in an interview.

Inspired by the mythology Starting the collection is the Khajuraho ring that bears the sculptures on the Khajuraho Temple. The temple is said to be built between 950 to 1050 AD in Madhya Pradesh that features erotic sculptures on its exterior. The designer created a unique ring inspired by the thought that spirituality doesn’t need to be far from bodily pleasures. The explicitly erotic sculptures are craved on sandalwood, recalling the colors of the temple, on the sides of the ring with a deep red color of tourmaline to create a ring which is both simple and complex at the same time.

Another iconic temple is the Madhurai Temple in Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Shiva and

his consort, the goddess Parvati. This brightly colored temple has a complex of fourteen elaborately sculptured and painted stucco decorated towers. Courteille depicts these towers with colorful cabochon sapphires, rubies and spinel, representing the stucco figures covering the temple’s facades. The ring also acts as a small temple with the face of the goddess inside it.

The ring also represents the snake deity Naga, the ruler of the underworld. The designer has also created the Apsara earrings that depict the celestial singers and dancers in the court of Indra, the king of the gods, using sandalwood.

Inspired by the architecture The Taj Mahal is a symbol of love, built by the Moghul emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is believed to have taken its inspiration from Tamerlane’s Gur-e-Amir Madrassah in Samarkand, where the emperor is buried. A mixture of Islamic, Ottoman, Indian and Iranian architectural influences, the white marble structure is an inspiration for many. The designer created a pendant necklace to recreate the Taj Mahal in emeralds and sapphires with a small inside, symbolizing eternal love and affection.

Courteille’s Naga Necklace takes the story of the snake deity Naga from the UNESCO World Heritage Site near Chennai, Mahabalipuram. The massive granite rocks are believed to be the ‘Descent of the Ganges’ and bear stories of the Mahabharata and mythical figures, including the snake deity.

Inspired by the animals The Hindu goddess Saraswati is a goddess of wisdom, art and knowledge. Accompanied by a peacock and swan with a corded instrument of Veena in her hands, the goddess is a symbol

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of purity and beauty. The designer’s interpretation of the goddess is by the swan and peacock.

Apart from being the goddess Vahan (vehicle), the peacock is also the country’s national bird.

The influences of its beauty and grace are found across the country, notably in the City Palace of Jaipur, built at the beginning of the 18th century. Courteille has created an enchanting peacock necklace, spreading its feathers using tanzanites, emeralds, yellow sapphires, white diamonds, and tsavorites with an antique glass perfume bottle.

A legend says that Lakshman, the son of Karni Mata, drowned while drinking from a pond and that he and all his male relatives were permitted by Yama, the god of death, to return to the world of the living reincarnated as rats.

Thousands of devotees come to the temple to offer milk to the rats. Depicting this extraordinary phenomenon is the Karni Mata ring. The opal in the center is the milk, while the rats are made of sapphires and diamonds.

Inspired by the culture India’s rich and diverse culture has been enthralling for many. Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama from Sri Lanka, rescuing his wife, Sita. The designer interprets the festival of lights with a Ganesha ring with many gemstones from emeralds, diamonds, sapphires and more.

Turra - an ornament worn on the side of a turban handing past the ear is the inspiration for Courteille’s Turra earrings, using spinels, rubies, sapphires, and white diamonds that recall the splendor of the bygone era of Jaipur. Another extraordinary creation is the Humming Bird Turra Ear-pendants that feature Emerald, tsavorite garnet, sapphire, red spinel, turquoise, and 18k black rhodium-plated gold. 

JEWELRY

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FASHION

COUPER

Creating Wearable Works of Art

By Heléne Ramackers

A chance meeting at a blackjack table fortified a friendship that turned into a business partnership. With brains, beauty and leadership, Caroline Gilroy and Agee Gretta Leinberry are excited to disrupt the fashion industry with the launch of Couper.

Carolina and Agee, please tell us about yourselves Caroline Gilroy: Born in the Philadelphia area, I am a mom to two children, Grace and Rory, with a third on the way, and Co-founder of Couper. I graduated from Duke University and moved to New York City shortly after to embark on my first adventure as a merchandiser at Tory Burch. Since then, I have spent years in both the corporate fashion world, as well as the tech space (most recently Salesforce) which has led me to this crazy fun ride with Couper. I am an avid runner, ambitious traveler and love bringing my kiddos along for any and all of it!

Agee Gretta Leinberry: I am Co-Founder of Couper, self-proclaimed martini connoisseur and bonafide beauty junkie. Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. I moved to New York City the day after I graduated from the College of Textiles at North Carolina State University.

I studied Fashion and Textile Management which paved the way for what became an almost decade long career in the corporate fashion world.

Did you have a defining moment in your youth that shaped your career path?

Caroline: When I was in college, I was introduced to Mike Tucci, former President of Coach, and CEO of Rag and Bone. I sat down for a couple of conversations with him throughout my college years, and he had inspired me to not only get into the industry, but also taught me to pave my own career path and never be afraid to get creative.

Agee: I’ve always loved sewing, creating, and designing, but my confidence rose during my college experience. I was awarded the North Carolina Textile Foundation Scholarship to study Textiles at NC State. Upon graduating, I won a few awards including Textile Student of the Year which really inspired me to define the direction of my career.

Where did you meet one another, and how did you end up in business together?

Both: The short answer … we met at a blackjack table in Atlantic City. Not the place either of us envisioned meeting our future business partner, but our husbands, who are college friends, happened to drag both of us out on a rainy day down the Shore, immediately sparking a friendship.

Caroline: When Couper was still just an idea, my first call was Agee since I had always admired her work from afar. I watched her career grow at Veronica Beard and Rebecca Taylor while we were friends, and I knew she was supposed to be my other half in this … and blackjack partner of course!”

Was it a natural progression to end up in the fashion industry?

Caroline: Definitely not! I was a college lacrosse player at Duke who was used to wearing ribbons in her hair and eye black on her face.

I always had such an interest in it, but I never thought I had the resumé to chase my dream of entering the fashion world. When I got my first couple of jobs in the industry, I knew there was so much more I wanted to do for it.

Agee: Without a doubt, and from the beginning! My mother always comments on how my childhood revolved around creating. You could always find me sewing and designing. I made every Halloween costume and graduation dress,

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sewed aprons for my friends and produced handbags to sell at my ‘$3 bag stand’ (no lemonade for this girl) outside of my childhood home.

Please tell us more about Couper.

Couper was born out of our frustration with how homogenous the fashion landscape had become. We wanted to create a platform for limited edition, museum worthy exclusives - a place to get excited about wearable works of art that couldn’t be found anywhere else and would help brands offload deadstock materials that would otherwise go to waste.

How like-minded are you?

Agee: We are the perfect balance of like-mindedness. While we have many of the same values, we bring two different perspectives to the business.

Caroline: As Agee mentioned, we are the perfect balance. Most importantly, our values are 100% aligned, but when it comes to left-side, right-side brains, we are opposites! Agee’s creative mind inspires me every single day, while I like to hone in on more of the operational side and ensure all of her ideas can actually be executed.

Is the trend in fashion more towards sustainability? How does it impact the designs and feel of the items?

Absolutely, and we love to see so many brands doing what they can to contribute to a more circular economy. The industry is far from perfect, but there are many companies that are defining the next generation and finding great commercial success when it comes to sustainability. We strive to show that sustainable fashion can easily sit next to an advanced designer product and feel equally as rich.

FASHION

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FASHION

It really runs the gamut depending on the capacity of the brand, the amount of deadstock or liability fabric they have on hand, and where it is produced. For our vintage items they’re truly one-of-a-kind.”

Couper is built on the premise of your love for ‘occasion dressing’, do your beauty routines follow this same ethos? Tell our readers more about your top beauty tips.

Agee: It’s all about fresh glowing skin! I’m a lover of a thorough yet simplified AM/PM routine. I have a rotation between glycolic acid, retinol and niacinamide for my active ingredients throughout the week, then focus on hydration and repairing my skin barrier on my off days. You’ll never find me without blush, lip glow or eye cream in my bag.

Caroline: Absolutely - I live and breathe for my skincare routine since truthfully it is my only ‘me time’. I have a very regimented AM/ PM routine that consists of morning cleanser, serum, a moisturizer and an SPF. At night, I take a religious epsom salt bath (again, my ‘me time’), where I try to put on some type of deep moisturizing masque for 15 minutes, followed by all my products. I am not a makeup person, but I do love my tinted moisturizers.

All work and no play can be terribly monotonous. What do you do for fun?

Your fashion pieces really make a statement!

Do you each have a go-to-look that’s your favorite?

Agee: So glad you think so! Our exclusive Coco Jacket by Rosewater House is my current Fall favorite.

Caroline: Thank you! We are obsessed, to put it lightly. Right now, I am crushing on our Eli Mini Dress exclusive with Francesca Miranda. I have personally worn her to two events already this Fall, and can’t wait to wear her again!

How do you go about choosing your designers?

We love discovering small brands through Instagram. Our goal is to support emerging designers from all over the world that aren’t already sold on more than 1-2 major retailers.

Since Couper is limited edition, how many pieces of each item do you produce?

Agee: My husband and I love to spend time out in Montauk NY as much as we can. I’m definitely happiest when there is an outdoor activity involved. Currently I’m counting down the days until we’re out West skiing and visiting both of our families in Colorado.

Caroline: I try to find a way to make everything fun. My family loves to travel, so anyone that knows me is always commenting how we are always on the move. I also love my workouts - whether it’s casual tennis, long runs, or any type of barre class. Lastly, my absolute favorite thing to do is beat my husband in a card game once the kids go to sleep … we are typically betting on who has to do the dishes.

How do you balance work and family?

Agee: In a post-covid world, and now as an entrepreneur, this is such a different answer than it used to be. My husband and I both work from home and are so immersed in each other’s work lives that we have to try to sepa-

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rate our personal lives from our careers. While true vacation days don’t really exist anymore, we’re so fortunate to be in a position where we can go work from different locations, visit our families, and spend time with loved ones while simultaneously running a business.

Caroline: To be honest, this is a question I am still trying to figure out myself. I have tried to create hard boundaries with work where I don’t check my phone or email from 5 to 8pm so I can enjoy that time with my kids, but no system is perfect. Luckily, most of what we do is work-from-home, so as the peanuts are in and out, I get to show them what I am working on and give them lots of cuddles during our team meetings! My favorite part of starting Couper has actually been the fact that my family has shaped my work life, and the two most exciting aspects of my life have molded together as one.

They are a part of the journey and I want them involved in every step along the way!

What exciting prospects/projects do you have on the horizon?

Agee: I’m incredibly excited about some upcoming exclusives with a small Nigerian designer called House of Akachi. The deadstock fabrics we’re using are so special - you’ll see bright jewel tones and gorgeous jacquards.

Caroline: There are just so many. Our Holiday/ Resort capsules are truly our best yet. I am so excited about our Holiday sweater we are launching with Le Lion. We have worked on her for months and she is finally just perfect! https://shopcouper.com/

TIMEPIECES

duckworth prestex watches reborn | BY KEVIN PILLEY

L

ancashire was once the English Switzerland and, a hundred years ago, Preston’s of Bolton was the British Omega or Rolex. Everyone wanted to have a Preston on their wrist or dress shirt fob as well as wedding finger.

Bolton-born Neil Duckworth, who as its Managing-director brought TAG-Heuer to the UK in 1982, has revived the company his cello-playing great-grandfather, Frank, founded in 1869. At one time, the jewelers were making 150 wedding rings a day and in 1925 it started to make watches.

With Italian suede, Horween leather, rubber and “very adjustable” NATO straps as well as steel mesh bracelets, the re-born Duckworth Prestex watches now use Japanese movements but the Arabic numerals, hands, faces and whole look are original Prestex, and haven’t been seen since the line was discontinued in the 1950 by Neil’s father,Gordon. The Preston’s office building in the center of Bolton closed in 2017.

Chronograph and automatic watches are now available in three period colors. The first divers watch is due out in November. Neil plans to revive more of best-selling heritage models.

“Each model has a distinctive vintage style cushion shaped case and represents the tradition of British watchmaking, “says Neil whose team of watchmakers are all members of the

British Horological Institute. The company is now based in Penn, Buckinghamshire but the technical and after sales services are still based in Churchgate, Bolton. Duckworth was born at Havecroft Hospital on Victoria Road, Heaton, half a mile from where he grew up and where his mother still lives. He attended Bolton Grammar and the Music School Chetham’s in Manchester followed by the Northern College of Music where he studied flute and piano.

“I joined the family jewelry business in 1976.

I am not a watchmaker and have never studied horology; from the start though, I took an interest in watches. Preston’s were authorized dealers for Omega,Tissot, Rolex, Longines and others.

“A watchmaker, Mr Snaddon, taught me about the internal workings of a mechanical watch. I went to Switzerland to study for two weeks. After five years I left to take on the UK distribution for the then little-known brand Heuer which made hand held stopwatches and timing equipment. At one point in our Bolton headquarters TAG Heuer we employed thirty watchmakers. We were also distributors of Oris, Fortis, Maurice Lacroix, and Ulysee Nardin. I once employed Roger Smith as a trainee. He is now one of the most famous and accomplished watchmakers in the world. A Bolton lad!”

After leaving TAG Heuer in 2011, Duckworth worked as an agent for many brands and dealt in pre-owned watches. “But I have always

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dreamed about having my own watch brand, and in 2020, I decided to make that dream a reality.

“I had accumulated a small collection of original Prestex watches which have been used as the inspiration for the rebirth of the brand and the new range. The first two models went on sale in May 2021. The Duckworth Prestex “Belmont” dive watch is named after the village and sailing and watersports club.

“Our Verimatics collection is inspired by the original Prestex Art Deco watch. The collection’s name combines the Latin ‘veritas’, meaning truth with ‘automatic’ to summarize the essence of the timepieces. These watches are powered by the carefully crafted Miyota 9039 automatic movement.”

The third generation chronograph watches are contemporary iterations of the Prestex Classic.

Bolton collection design recall’s the family firm’s original 1924 pocket watch. Concessions to modern technology include a luminescent compound which enables the watches to be read in low light and domed sapphire crystal protects the dial and provides a good level of scratch resistance. A precise and reliable quartz chronograph provides the power. The watches range in price from £400-615. It is still very much a family business. Neil’s wife Wendy Duckworth is responsible for PR and marketing while Tom, Neil’s son, who studied Physics at Manchester University, handles the digital

TIMEPIECES

side. Non-Executive Director, Simon Bakewell, co-founded UK property consultancy, Nelson Bakewell. Head watchmaker Clive Walters qualified as a watchmaker in 1994 while working at Duval Limited, which later became LVMH Watch and Jewelery UK. “My grandfather joined Preston;s in the 20s.

He was one of four siblings born in the Hough, Bolton and lived in Castle Street. It was his elder sister Gertie who joined James Preston in the early 1900s. She took over his business when he died, and her brother Frank joined. His interest was in the newly-emerging consumer phenomena that was wristwatches. In the 20s and 30s.”

Commenting on the revival of the historic family watch brand, Neil Duckworth say: “Our watches represent the perfect balance between luxury and affordability, meaning that a genuine piece of British horological tradition is now accessible to everybody”.

“It’s quite emotional really, I grew up with Prestex watches so to see them back home again is a dream come true for me.”  | www.duckworthprestex.co.uk 33 | UPSCALE LIVING MAGAZINE | FALL 2022

FASHION

FALL FASHION GLAMOUR

By Heléne Ramackers

CARLOTA SUNGLASSES Showcasing a subtle cat-eye-shape, these round Carlota sunglasses evoke a 60s visual. The first frame launched by Lapima and the only model to have already been released in all colorways. | us.lapima.com

FLOUNCE TOP An embodiment of summer ease, the Flounce Top is a seasonal staple. Versatile by design, this piece transitions effortlessly from day to night.

Crafted with a sustainable cotton fiber, the Flounce Top is complete with an asymmetrical off-the-shoulder silhouette, adding subtle elegance to any outing. | cuyana.com

CROPPED GILET Long-by product Toscana shearling with a supersoft hand feel defines this cropped gilet. On the other side, smooth suede completes that reversible design that complements the season’s printed dresses, casual staples, and smart tailoring alike. | meandem.com 34 | UPSCALE LIVING MAGAZINE | FALL 2022

mini bow bag A cheeky and endearing rendition of the modern mini bag, our Mini Bow Bag is crafted from luxurious Italian leather. Its cotton twill interior features a small pocket for streamlined organization and a detachable gold chain for styling versatility. | www.cuyana.com

MAXI DRESS Made in Indonesia, this 100% cotton Brava dress is cut into a classic silhouette that you’re likely to wear all year around. The voluminous, floaty tiers, nonrestrictive fit and fully balloon sleeves are thoughtfully designed to be suitable and flattering for your body type. There’s not a single occasion where you can’t wear this dress. | shop.mikoh.com

PROFILE

A Visionary in Architecture

ARNAUD BEHZADI | BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS

S

triving to never have his products look like yesterday, Arnaud Behzadi’s childhood in Tehran greatly influenced his exceptional architecture of today.

Arnaud, tell us a bit about yourself.

I spent the first 11 years of my life in Tehran.

I traveled through a country with an ancient culture without considering how lucky I was. I visited archaeological sites without measuring their strength. I fished sturgeons and emptied these little eggs inside their bellies without knowing the value of what I later came to call caviar. My childhood most certainly influenced my career and the architect I am today.

When and why did you start your firm, Arnaud Behzadi?

I started working on projects in my own name since 2014. It was then that I realized that I had the knowledge and the technicality to assume my own architectural writing, and to discern the elements of history contained in each space, each building, and even each client.

What and who inspires you?

It’s hard to say if someone or something inspires me directly. Nevertheless, I am sure that we are constantly influenced and somewhere we are constantly influencing. However, I can confess to you that during my architecture studies I read Derrida, Foucault, Goetz, Edgar Morin, Paul Ricoeur but also Beaudelaire and that I kept wanting to understand Barragan,

Zumthor, Ando, ​​Mathis, Cocteau and many others.

You have worked on a variety of projects: hotels, castles, villas, restaurants & bars, offices, spas, and chapels creating incredible interiors and architecture. How do you marry the two applications of interiors and architecture?

In architecture, there is no distinction between inside and outside. These are continuous spaces with or without thresholds. I consider that there needs to be a permanent connection between all the spaces and a dialogue that allows everything to make sense to ensure the poetics of the routes. All the spaces I draw are places where human beings wander from inside to outside and vice versa.

You challenge your own vision. Please explain.

Many architects seek to perfect themselves in an area and create modules that they apply to each project. It is a vision that I do not share. Each space has its own DNA, its own history and each new project is a new challenge with new creations. I strive never to look like yesterday.

I love your motto ‘architecture is never simply drawn on a white page’. Could you talk us through that please.

can see, it’s not a blank page. This desert has a history, an appurtenance, people who have crossed it for millennia, seasons, winds, lights and at each sunrise and sunset, a color. It is from this heritage that architecture begins.

Do you have a signature style?

I don’t think so, I hope not. But maybe, probably a vision becomes a style after a while.

However, there could be a common point to my projects. That’s the fact of absolutely wanting to bring the past and the present into a dialogue.

When working with clients, how do you persuade them to see your vision without it coming across like it’s your idea?

This requires getting to know the client and to let the client get to know me better. To discuss his passions, but also his fears and enter into a dialogue and a level of intimacy that we will no longer need to persuade one another. It can sometimes take time!

The favorite part of your job?

I tend to say that the beginning of a project and the end. At the beginning, we are in a creative process. We superimpose stories, images of eras.

Then at the end, we see the fruit of our work.

It’s simple!!

You have recently decorated three suites at Relais Bernard Loiseau. It’s exquisite. Please tell us about the project.

If you have to build a cabin in the middle of the desert, without any object as far as the eye

It was a very nice meeting with Bérangère, then Dominqiue and Blanche. They brought me

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PROFILE

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PROFILE

the strength and creativity that Bernard Loiseau left as a legacy two decades ago.

I tried to innovate by creating a cocoon as a new way to sanctify sleep. To imitate this moment, this space. I kept the codes that characterize the house, and the result is pretty cool.

You were given carte blanche by chef Mallory Gabsi to decorate his first restaurant. That sounds like an amazing project.

Meeting Mallory was like a blessing.

He’s very, very young, he’d never done a project in his life, but he’s a genius. I invited him over to my house for lunch and we cooked together, then started sketching ideas and laying materials on the table. Mallory is an incredibly intuitive person, like many people who are a genius. It didn’t take us months to understand each other, and he trusted me very, very quickly. I was able to ask him about a few details so that he felt at home, in his very first restaurant.

What do you do for fun?

I work a lot. But I read also a lot and I isolate myself in the countryside or by the sea on my favorite Greek island to recharge my batteries from time to time and find new inspiration.

Any exciting plans on the horizon?

Opening an office in Dubai, which will be in charge of future iconic projects in the Middle East and in India. Other new castle hotel and restaurant projects are currently in progress

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and in particular the historic restaurant of the Relais Bernard Loiseau... “La Côte d’Or” Where Ernest Hemingway went to dine or Picasso returned there or even this famous last lunch of Georges Clémenceau in September 1914. |www.arnaudbehzadi.com 

HOME TRENDS

| BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS

JEWEL BOX CHANDELIER Limitless combinations allow one-of-a-kind installations. Newport colorway featuring a mix of striped and ribbed beads, with brushed nickel hardware and a 24” diameter canopy, complete with stainless steel cables. | tracygloverstudio.com

MODERN DAYBED Created by craftsmen in Casablanca and Istanbul using naturally finished solid oak and wool, this Modern Daybed will be a timeless item in your home. With its minimalist look, it will blend in beautifully with any other accent pieces in the space. | revivalrugs.com

KANYON COFFEE TABLE Sculptural round smoked oak coffee table made in Turkey. Produced in small batches and handmade by skilled craftsmen, the products in this collection aim to reinterpret traditional craft techniques, carrying their wisdom and sensibilities into today. Inspired by a Mediterranean spirit and geography, these pieces are designed with a deep appreciation for art, craft and nature. | revivalrugs.com

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CHUNKY JNIT BLANKET This beautiful cuddly blanket with Scandinavian style pattern will match any interior. The blanket can be used as a cuddly blanket on the couch, as a living blanket and as a bedspread.

Known in Scandinavia as the Chunky knit blanket, it is coarsely knitted as a trendy product in your home, or perfect for a decorative touch whilst being kind to the skin. | wolfandbadger.com

BOOKEND S/2 HERMES BISQUE This bookend was designed by Sophia-Enjoy Thinking. The famous Greek characters keep your books in perfect standing order whispering... ‘enjoy thinking’. Sophia-enjoy thinking is an exciting brand which strives to evoke the cultural storytelling of Greek Classical heritage through modern design, ethical trade and collaborative process.

Each and every product is designed and handmade in Athens, Greece and the ethos behind the collection is: where art flirts with design, eternity meets modernity, the magic of timeless myths inhabits the spirit of the 21st century.| www.wolfandbagder.com

HOMES + INTERIORS

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HOMES + INTERIORS

SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE IN DESIGN

LEAH ATKINS | BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS

I

nfluenced by her mother, Leah Atkins knew from an early age that she was destined to be an interior designer. Today, she loves adding value to her clients’ homes and lives by creating a homey feel.

Leah, tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a 31-year-old that loves life. I have a husband and two amazing babies, August James and Clementine Eloise. I also have a standard poodle named Murphy. I live right outside of Atlanta in a beautiful southern home where I hope to see my kids grow up and make many fun memories. I love spontaneity and adventure. I thrive on alone time, but I also thrive when I’m surrounded by people. I’m extremely sarcastic, but also extremely loving. I will always stand up for myself and others.

Did you have an influence in your youth that shaped your career path?

My mother was my biggest influence in my youth that led me to become an interior designer. She loved decorating our house and would always encourage and help me when I wanted to change up my bedroom. I loved it so much that by the time I was in second grade, I was saying that I wanted to be an interior designer when I grew up.

When I was a senior in high school, they introduced an interior design class as an elective. I jumped on the opportunity and absolutely loved it.

I don’t even remember the teacher’s name, but she also played a big role in solidifying my decision to become an interior designer.

When did you start your firm, Leah Atkins Design?

I started Leah Atkins Design in 2014, less than a year after graduating college. I actually worked at a furniture store right after college, which was something I had always said I would never do. I sold nursery furniture to the sweetest couple and as soon as they heard I had a degree in interior design, they wanted my help. I was so excited that they gave me the opportunity and trusted me with their home. I owe it all to them! I 43 | UPSCALELIVINGMAG.COM | FALL 2022

HOMES + INTERIORS

never looked back after realizing that I could dive into the design field without working for another designer first. It was always my goal to own my own design firm; I just had no idea it would happen so early in my career!

What and who inspires you?

I find a lot of my inspiration in travel, nature, art, and music. Inspiration is truly all around us if you pay attention!

Do you have a signature style when it comes to interior design for clients?

I always say that I love any style as long as it’s done well. It’s not my job to have a signature style; it’s my job to design to my client’s style.

That being said, I will always be a fan of oversized art, collage walls, wallpaper, and mixing patterns.

me to make some decisions and push them outside their comfort zone. I try to encourage them to see the whole picture as opposed to focusing on each individual piece.

Front porches and foyers play such an important role in creating a welcoming feeling. I love making a statement in these spaces that sets the tone for the rest of the home.

What are / have been the biggest challenges in your career?

How do you maintain a classic look and feel while gently pushing the boundaries?

One of the biggest challenges as an interior designer is finding the right clients. Of course, COVID has delayed everything, and we have been looking at lead times of up to a year for a while now, so that’s been a huge challenge.

Mixing patterns, having fun with an unexpected space like the ceiling, using black in bold ways, pulling in unexpected pieces, and wallpaper/lacquered walls are just some of the great ways to gently push the boundaries while still maintaining a classic look.

Important lessons along the way?

Don’t let old men or anyone else judge your talent, capability, and value. I am where I am today because of my own hard work.

The favorite part of your job?

When working with clients, how do you persuade them to see your vision without it coming across like it’s your idea?

Seeing my clients’ faces when the job is complete! Improving the lives of so many people is definitely my favorite part of the job.

Well, it is my idea so I’m a little confused by this question - haha! My clients and I have to develop a close relationship where they trust

Your clients love a welcoming feeling. How do you go about creating that for them?

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Talk us through a timeless interior design style.

A timeless interior design style is going to have classic pieces such as simple sofas and typically a neutral palette. It is something that will withstand all the trends and you may even be able to pull some trends in as they come and go.

Is there a right and wrong when it comes to decorating?

Yes and no. As long as your home makes you happy, then it’s fine! Don’t worry about any-

HOMES + INTERIORS

body else. However, there are certain things that work together and some things that just don’t. Floor plans and furniture layout are also important to make sure that you maximize the use of your space.

Please explain ‘less is definitely not more’ in the South.

Minimalism is most definitely not a southern concept. We love filling our walls with meaningful artwork and family photos. We love filling our bookshelves with layers of accessories. A curated and layered home is a typical southern home.

We’d love to know more about the importance of light and lighting.

Lighting is one of the most important things in a home. It not only lends itself to better mental health and a homey feeling, but choosing the right pieces can make your home feel much more high end and personal. Changing out light fixtures is one of the first things I suggest in a new home, although I always suggest waiting to choose them until the room is designed.

Every light fixture in your home should make

a statement. Lamps are just as, if not more, important since they provide ambient lighting.

Personally, I only have my lamps on in the evening! The lamp itself can often be a piece of art and it is truly worth investing in ones that you love.

I decline projects all the time due to budget. I have never declined a project due to style. Designing to different clients’ tastes is what keeps my job so fun!

How does one keep things modern / timeless without breaking the bank?

I love spending time with my kids, doing anything outdoors, being on the water, shopping, and spa days!

I swear by HomeGoods; you just have to know how to choose the right items! Let’s be honest though; I’m not really the best person to ask about not breaking the bank!

Do you believe in repurposing dated pieces or should one simply shop for new ones?

What do you do for fun?

Any exciting plans on the horizon?

I guess you’ll just have to keep an eye on me to find out!  | leahatkinsdesign.com

Unless you have a sentimental attachment to a piece, it is usually not much more to just buy something new and will give the space a much fresher feel. Antique wooden pieces are a whole different story. Pulling some antiques into a space can make it feel more curated and lived in.

Have there been projects you have declined?

If yes, why?

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PROFILE

Perfecting The Art of Entertaining Capucine De Wulf Gooding & David Gooding | BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS

Husband and wife team Capucine De Wulf Gooding and David Gooding of Juliska fame love what they do, which is evident in how passionately they speak about honing their respective crafts and perfecting the art of entertaining.

Capucine and David, tell us a bit about yourselves.

We are a husband-and-wife team that love what we do! We design beautiful tableware and have it manufactured all over the world to bring you the very best. We believe the things that we make are not just stuff. It is our belief that the bowls, plates, serving pieces and candlesticks

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are all fuel for the beautiful blaze of togetherness. Across centuries and cultures, people have congregated around food and drink, and we now live in a world where people are distracted, remote and often human interactions can feel transactional. It’s more important than ever to proactively create human connection and ultimately that’s what this is all about - we aspire to bring people “together at the table.”

PROFILE

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PROFILE

Did you have an influence in your youth that shaped your career path?

David: My father was the first importer of Villeroy & Boch into England. He was a marvelous entrepreneur and I loved learning as much as I could from him. I grew up in a world of ceramics and we have a little joke that I actually bleed glaze. When I came of age, I couldn’t wait to emulate my father’s footsteps and start my own import company in the US. While we were in Europe looking for products to import, we actually discovered amazing glass blowing artisans, developed our own line of products and launched our own brand together.

Capucine, your inspiration and center of your brand Juliska stems from a country house outside of Paris. Please tell us more.

Capucine: My grandparents lived an epic life of love and adventure in a wonderful country home about an hour north of Paris. They filled this home with nine children, live music (each child played an instrument), fresh flowers and home-grown food from the garden, and unforgettable memories. My experiences at this house as a child often inform our design aesthetic of casual entertaining offered with the thoughtfulness of formality, perfectly imperfect mix-and-match settings infused with touches of whimsy, and spontaneity.

You founded Juliska in 2001 as newlyweds.

Is there a meaning behind the name of your company?

Juliska is a female name from the Bohemian empire of the same time, and as our bohemian glassware which was the foundation of our brand.

I assume you started small - how have you grown your products into an iconic tabletop and home décor brand over the past 21 years.

Yes indeed! Things truly snowballed! We launched with 25 shapes of bohemian glassware and now have well over 800 products in our assortment - from textiles to flatware, to mouthon glass picture frames, pillows, Christmas ornaments, and beyond. We are having a lot of fun as we travel, go through various life experiences, and into different rooms of the house, and love creating products for those moments and experiences.

How can people create a culture of thoughtful living and abundant loving?

Read our book! Gather your loved ones with the proactive intention of creating a memorable moment, whether it’s over a midnight bowl of mac & cheese or an intimate birthday dinner.

Romanticize your own life with consistent, thoughtful, and proactive gestures of love.

Your products are ‘perfectly imperfect’.

Please explain.

Perfection is boring. Products that are handcrafted are innately imperfect because they are created by human hands and contain idiosyncrasies and soulfulness. We celebrate this

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soulfulness in each product we make.

Congratulations on your first book entitled Together at the Table. What can readers expect from this beautiful publication?

We are thrilled to share our personal experiences of the wonderful things we have learned over the years that have brought beauty and meaningful moments to our lives. We hope the photographs and stories will fill people with ideas and excitement about what they can do in their own homes to add beauty to each day and create experiences so magnetic that it will draw their loved ones in to linger long after the food is finished.

Exciting projects on the horizon?

Always! Our unofficial company icon is a hot air balloon which to us is a symbol of adventure and constant ‘new horizons!’ We can’t tell you about all our exciting projects at the moment but can share that we are opening a new flagship store on King Street in Charleston.

It will be a marvelous new Juliska boutique experience spread among 2 floors and 4000 sq ft and include a gorgeous bridal registry salon and a workshop studio space for classes on the romantic arts, such as flower arranging, mixology, and more. | https://www.juliska.com/ 

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A RESPLENDENT HOME FOR YOUR HOLIDAY

THE RESIDENCES AT THE SEBASTIAN, VAIL | BY TRACY BEARD

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T

he Sebastian - Vail is a perfect blend of warmth and sophistication. Located in the heart of Vail Village in Colorado, guests find gorgeous woodwork, plush textures and friendly service. Dine on delicious cuisine at Leonora, sip on decadent cocktails at the newly renovated Frost Bar and indulge in a treatment at Bloom Spa before exploring this fabulous village. The Sebastian - Vail offers an exciting range of accommodations. The Residences at The Sebastian - Vail make the perfect home away from home with first-class amenities, fireplaces, balconies and stunning views of the valley or the mountains. Plan to stay for a week or a few months.

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A ROOM FOR EVERYONE My son Garrett and daughter-in-law Victoria accompanied me on this trip. We arrived and settled into our three-bedroom residence boasting a full kitchen, living room, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Before our arrival, we took advantage of the grocery delivery service and had preselected food delivered to our suite. Easily accessible, tasty food in your kitchen is convenient; you don’t always have to go out for a meal or late-night snack.

A DRINK BEFORE DINNER After settling in, we headed to the Leonora for a cocktail. Garrett ordered a chocolate old-fashioned; it was a nice twist on an old favorite.

Victoria had a skyscraper with bourbon, amaro, Aperol and lemon. She said it was very flavorful. I tried the Violet Beauregard made with 18 Belvedere vodka, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, chambord raspberry liqueur, lime and prosecco. The cocktail was beautiful and refreshing.

Leonora and Frost Bar both offer scrumptious traditional cocktails and delightful seasonal options.

Now relaxed and refreshed, we went across the pedestrian street to try the locally famous wagyu burgers at Bully Ranch Restaurant. The burgers lived up to their hype, and the truffle tots were incredible.

A TOUR OF THE MOUNTAIN The following morning, Garrett made breakfast while we lounged in our PJs with coffee before we set out for our adventurous jeep tour with Nova Guides Vail, Co. Our expert driver/knowledgeable tour guide made this excursion an exhilarating trip through the backcountry. Garrett and I rode in the back of the open-air jeep, and Victoria sat up front with the driver. The jeep trip was a fun way to explore the area, and next time we will try it with the ATVs that Nova Guides rents.

A TREATMENT AT BLOOM SPA The Sebastian’s boutique spa is well appointed, soothing, and a muststop in Vail. Bloom Spa offers a variety of massages, body therapies, facials, altitude recovery treatments and more. I opted for an 80-minute High Altitude Adjustment treatment. It began with an oxygen therapy session and a relaxing foot soak in a tub of warm saltwater. This 20-minute oxygen replenishment revitalized my tired body. Soon I was escorted to a private room for an invigorating full-body massage—a perfect way to restore the body and soul.

A WALK IN THE VILLAGE We had decided to have dinner in our suite and then go for a stroll through the village. The area features an abundance of tasty eateries, posh clothing stores, fancy bars and coffee shops. Our local tour guide said, “Summertime brings people that love the outdoors, hikers and cyclists. At this time the area has a laid-back vibe. However, in the winter the people change, and this pedestrian corridor becomes a different type of happening place. The area is known as ‘Vail’s promenade.’ People are decked out in furs and dressed up to see and be seen.”

Vail Village is exciting any time of the year. October is a fun time during the Octoberfest celebration. Booths with food and drinks line up 52 | UPSCALE LIVING MAGAZINE | FALL 2022

throughout the corridor, and music fills the air each evening. The village is always family-friendly. In the winter an outdoor ice skating rink is erected, and professional ice skaters offer lessons to children and adults.

A DISPLAY OF LUXURY I think the lobby and library in The Sebastian - Vail feature the most spectacular art pieces in the hotel. The tall ceilings, numerous books and opulent couches in the library are lovely. The art displayed throughout the lobby and library is from the private collection of the hotel’s owners (Ferruco Vail Ventures, a family-owned investment group in Mexico City).

These include the oil paintings and steel-and-bronze sculptures. The impressive chandelier in the lobby is redolent of antlers and was crafted out of metal by Joe Cooper, an artist from North Carolina.

AN EXPERT IN THE KITCHEN Leonora offers an appealing menu designed to tantalize the tastebuds.

Executive Chef Kevin Erving uses fresh, local and organic ingredients to create an exceptional tapas experience. His dishes are inspired by cuisine from the French Alps, Spanish Pyrenees and the Colorado Rockies. The perfect evening consists of an inspired cocktail or two, wine and dinner with a series of shareable small and more significant plates.

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Chef Erving grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has more than 30 years of experience in premier establishments, including The Ritz Carlton Chicago, The Four Seasons Vancouver, The Four Seasons Manele Bay and The Lodge at Koele on the tiny island of Lanai, Hawaii. He is passionate about food and said, “My philosophy on food is simple—treat each ingredient with the respect it deserves and don’t overcomplicate it.” Chef Erving works hand in hand with Garrett Cosgrove, the beverage manager, to pair dishes with wines from around the world.

Chef Erving is new to The Sebastian - Vail. Upon his arrival, General Manager Bryan Austin said, “The resort is thrilled to welcome Kevin. Erving brings a level of talent and expertise that will elevate the creativity of the menu, growth of our internal team and overall culinary experience for guests and locals alike.”

and served with espelette pepper jelly, smoked grits, pickled apple & fennel relish.

The Sebastian - Vail is a magnificent place to stay with family, friends or someone special. Before leaving, spend time at the popular local farmers’ market. 

A DINNER AT LEONORA Dishes at Leonora change seasonally. During my visit, Garrett, Victoria and I shared a variety of delicious choices, and the sommelier paired each one with fabulous wines. Our favorite was the BBQ Pork Belly Pintxo. It was tasty, tender and full of flavor. Since our visit, Chef Erving has taken the helm in the kitchen. Pork Belly is still a favorite. It is now braised 53 | UPSCALE LIVING MAGAZINE | FALL 2022

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SUNGANI

CUSTODIANS OF SOUTH LUANGWA | BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS | Photography courtesy of Sungani/Adriaan Louw and by Heléne Ramackers

Z

ambia’s South Luangwa is well renowned for being one of the most untamed areas on the African continent. This vastly wild part of Zambia is sized at an enormous 3,490 sq mi, and with the Luangwa River as its lifeblood, oxbow lagoons act as its capillaries, creating a vividly dramatic landscape.

From my vantage point seated next to Captain Lasford in the Cessna 206, I spot crocodiles sunning themselves on the riverbanks and hippos lying out in the open, their pink skins looking like they need a dash of sunscreen. Flying in to camp truly is the best way to witness the panorama unfurling in front of me, appreciating the magnitude that is South Luangwa National Park.

In the southernmost reaches of the park, two magnificently chic camps opened their doors in May 2022. Sungani, the masterfully elegant camp and Kulandila, a camp with a more authentic safari feel. Originally from Zimbabwe, the lodges are owned and run by the charming Davy family, creating a true sense of being at home. “For me, I feel like it’s my own house,” Director Lynne Davy tells me over High Tea at Sungani. “I’m forever moving things around and the guys all know, she’s been on the deck – this is not where this piece of furniture was earlier. You know that feeling when you go to visit someone and you can instantly tell that you can put your feet up, and they’re not going to get mad with you, that’s what I needed. If this is how guests feel at Sungani, then it makes me so incredibly happy.”

Comfort is key for both Lynne and husband Paul, who have had their fair share of staying in different safari lodges. “When I’m in the bush,” Lynne continues, “my room has to have a bit more space in the mosquito net; I dislike that horrible feeling of it crowding you, hence our nets are draped on the outside of the bedposts, quite a nice distance away from the bed. The sheets are super important too; anything that doesn’t feel crisp and clean does not belong in our lodge.”

Natural textures have been incorporated throughout the lodge, with interior influences by Lynne and daughter Jordan. “I remember when Mom and I were thinking about the design,” Jordan tells me as she cuts a piece of the deli-

cious chocolate cake made by chef Quinton and his team, “we stood what is now polished concrete, drawing with a piece of charcoal from the fire where we thought different pieces of furniture should go. We really wanted it nice and open plan, with lots of natural tones and textures, but still comfortable, luxurious and at the end of the day, we wanted it to feel safari.”

Choosing a site to build a safari lodge on came with its own set of challenges, especially a destination as remote as South Luangwa. For Lynne and Paul, the most vital factor was that they have to live and work on-site, as well as employ staff from the local community, and starting from scratch, they really didn’t know what they were in for. “We have the most amazing people working for us,” says Lynne. “Lodge manager Cindy and Chef Quinton are like our adopted children. Then we have John, Noah and Vincent here (she points to the smiling faces behind the coffee counter) and the housekeeping staff Isaac and Patrick. Our entire staff, from the groundsmen to the pool maintenance team and everyone in-between have been super important since day one. We would not be here today if it wasn’t for their selflessness and hard work.”

Chatting to son Michael over lunch, initial assessments from industry people were riddled with summations of ‘crazy’, ‘too wild’, ‘too challenging’ and downright ‘insane’.

The family’s longstanding history in the safari business ensures that they are not ones to shy away from a challenge – the bigger the challenge the sweeter the reward. It took them a full day to get here, only to find a derelict site that had been standing vacant for more than a decade. “When we first set eyes on this piece of land, overlooking what is now known as the Sungani Lagoon, we immediately knew the doomsayers could do nothing to deter us – we felt the magic.”

In April 2019, constructing Sungani started in all earnest once permissions were granted to start building. One of the biggest jobs would be to create roads to the property as there were only two game loops. “We were about three months in with the project when my Dad said to me: ‘Michael, I think we made a mistake’”, Michael tells me. “To which I replied, ‘No Dad, this is South Luangwa, we’ll be fine, we’ve got to push through.’ “We went out the next 55 | UPSCALELIVINGMAG.COM | FALL 2022

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day and we saw a herd of elephants and a herd of buffalo. Those were the two most important herds of animals we saw, because in that moment, everything changed. They were here; we just had to give them time to adapt to us being here.”

I am able to witness firsthand the difference in wildlife behavior when out on a game drive with guide Brian; the impalas pause for a moment before pronking away, the pukus stand still long enough to be photographed and the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe become a roadblock. We even see a leopard one evening, digging under a tree! And a first ever sighting for me, two porcupines on the night drive. As Michael so aptly put it – nature is so remarkable and given the chance to recover, it looks after itself.

Staying at Sungani, the view from my guest tent (think glamping with all the bells and whistles) is interactive, almost like a movie playing out starring different characters. Sitting in my comfortable rattan chair on my private deck with my favorite morning beverage, a perfectly crafted cappuccino by Cindy, I watch the hippos in the Sungani lagoon, feasting on the Nile cabbage they clearly seem to enjoy. When morning breaks, it’s like a rouge-filled painting filled with live, serenading birdsong. During the afternoon, the baboons barking from the opposite side of the lagoon signify that there might be danger lurking, and the piercing call of a hyena is an indication that they are out there in the wild, where they belong.

Days are spent at your own pace; if you prefer to skip an activity to have a midday bubble bath, indulge in a snooze next to your own plunge pool or sit out on the main deck watching the parade of wildlife from a safe distance, you are free to do so. One thing is certain – you will never go hungry at Sungani. Chef Quinton has mastered the art of creating the finest cuisine, from bush brunches to languid dinners on the deck. His High Tea is legendary, and Paul even sneaks a peek of what the freshly baked cake of the day is.

Thank goodness I brought my stretchy pants as the chocolate cake is simply irresistible.

Sungani (pronounced suhn-gah-nee) means custodian or keeper in the blended Chichewa language and with their vested interest in the guest experience as well as conservation, the Davy family has certainly created a masterpiece of custodianship in South Luangwa. For more information visit sungani.com *** Heléne’s flights were generously sponsored by The Luxury Safari Company | https://www.theluxurysafaricompany.com/

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Copenhagen towers and streets at evening and night time.

Courtey of Simeon Baker

DENMARK A Mediterranean Holiday | BY ADAM JACOT DE B OINOD

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W

hy go to all the trouble? By which I mean a Mediterranean holiday with spiraling temperatures, lengthy traffic jams and overcrowded flights for the holiday that never really stands a chance.

Instead, for sheer comfort and ease, for rest and repose, for good vibes and bonhomie, I strongly recommend Denmark.

How easy a country to get around and holiday to manage. And what an inspiring people. Indeed when I travel I like to develop a mosaic of the generic looks that typify a nation. In Denmark all appear to sport a grin and to shun a grimace. Indeed it’s often dubbed the ‘world’s happiest country’. As their renown philosopher Søren Kierkegaard declared, “life is understood backwards but must be lived forwards”).

Close to both the airport (15 minutes away by taxi) and metro station and within walking distance from the Opera, the Royal Library and Nyhavn is NH Collection Copenhage. I went up the elevator into a foyer that’s contemporary and chic. It houses a stylish super-long hub with a dimly-lit expanse where arched sculpture and irregular levels fought for my attention in an open-planned set of flowing concepts. It ranges from the breakfast restaurant to the library, with comfortable seats, natural shapes and organic artifacts. It’s all very tastefully done.

The four hundred or so rooms have a modern Scandinavian design and, most refreshingly, an unusually generous and pampering amount of space. The window takes up the whole wall and, beyond the suede-style curtains, it offers a wonderful natural light to afford panoramic views over the harbor and canal.

And beautifully positioned opposite along Nyhavn, the 17th-century waterfront lined with brightly colored townhouses, is Kompasset. This former flag and compass factory has an interior with celadon banquettes that has taste, simplicity and a super cozy feeling. All in keeping with their word ‘hygge’ meaning a quality of cosiness and conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment and which is the epitome of Danish culture. Here I enjoyed the varied array of mussels, potatoes, dill, summer cauliflower, egg, browned butter, hazelnut, langoustine, duck heart, leek and buttermilk, turbot, peas, chives, strawberries, hibiscus, long pepper and meringue.

Here too I discovered the drinking toast across Scandinavia is “skål”! (pronounced “skoal”) which originally meant ‘skull’ and

referred to a custom practiced by the warlike Vikings who used the dried-out skulls of their enemies as drinking mugs.

Formerly Denmark’s first public hospital, and housed in a magnificent 18th century Rococo building, is The Design Museum.

It has decorative art and a heritage collection in one half and its modern day and cutting-edge design in the other. I found it truly a font of inspiration.

Tucked away along a trendy shopping street in the city center off Strogen I came to 42 Raw Vegan. Sitting on a café-style bench amongst racks of fashion magazines, I savored the cosmopolitan vibe of happy adherents to the restaurant’s slogan of “just as nature intended”. Here I tucked into a delicious chicken bowl comprising of cucumber, cabbage, edamame, hummus, avocado and chicken.

Food has an equally inventive vocabulary in the Danish dictionary I rifled through. For the names of traditional Danish pastry (‘wienerbrød’) there’s ‘kanelsnegle’ (cinnamon snail), ‘spandauer’ (baker’s bad eye after the yellow cream in the middle) and ‘frøsnapper’ (frog snapper). As for a longer word I found the intriguing ‘palaegschokolade’ for chocolate in thin slices for sandwiches.

Set conveniently right by Central Station and on Tivoli Gardens’ western side is Nimb Brasserie. Nimb resembles Brighton Pavilion but with an Indian twist and this imposing hotel overlooks striking fountains spraying bubbles and jets of water and has an outdoor brasserie that proved a peaceful sanctuary for me from all the surrounding buzz. Here I tucked into a delicious Salad Nicoise a la Nimb with white tuna from the Bay of Biscay, eggs and potatoes.

And so seamlessly on by train to the sound and the strait, the area north of the capital that is North Zealand. It overlooks the famous Øresund Strait and is protected over the Baltic at Helsingør by Kronborg Castle which provided the setting for Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ known to us as Elsinore.

Café Olai is the oldest family restaurant in town with tasteful wooden tables and low ceilings amongst the freshest of roses and most stylish of lighting on long cords so typically Danish in design. It is full with Swedish trippers who come in their droves to sit in the sage green chairs and enjoy abundant help59 | UPSCALELIVINGMAG.COM | FALL 2022

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Blank Space Studio. Courtesy of Esmee

ings especially of ‘smørrebrød’ the traditional Danish open rye-bread sandwiches. Here I too enjoyed a chicken salad comprising of crispy salad with warm chicken breast, fried bacon, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, pickled red onions, homemade dressing, grilled pineapple and Jerusalem artichoke chips.

North Zealand is nicknamed the Danish Côte d’Azur but has none of their flashiness, as the Danes come for their summer holidays. More bikes and boats than bucket and spade, there’s a joyful sense of entire generations of families collected around pontoons with diving boards and amongst the boats, the picnic tables and the villas with their private beaches and their views across to Sweden.

I stayed at Hotel Villa Brinkly. It’s a hidden gem sandwiched between the sea and a forest.

Indeed the Egebæksvang Forest is perfect for

Christmas time. Courtesy of Daniel Rasmussen

a proper stroll or ‘forest bathing’, the simple and modern method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees and the beach on the Øresund strait offers an uplifting vista across to Sweden. The hotel is set on Strandvejen, the forty-kilometer beach road, which winds along the coast from Copenhagen to beyond Elsinore. It’s in the village of Skotterup, “the old Snekkersten” as the estate agents have it, and is full of former fishermen’s cottages that are now summer residences. I couldn’t recommend it more highly as a means to experience the true authentic Denmark: a quaint 19th-century, low-rise wooden boutique hotel with a homely style and even a magnificent personal chef.

This chalet-cum-beach house with its distinctive navy-blue color has eight cabin-style rooms and one family suite with paneled ceilings and pine walls, naval artifacts and each possess its own outdoor terrace and furnished patio. There

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are views either of the waterfront and sea in front or the forest with its gorgeous avenue of trees behind. In the foreground is the yard where the owners grow their own herbs and vegetables and tend to their pair of Guinea pigs. All very heavenly, homely and grounding.

In the charming dining room with a chandelier and tasteful French furniture the magic happens as it’s where Annette serves dinner. She’s a gourmet chef who also caters for Denmark’s film premiers such as Indiana Jones, Avatar and Pirates of the Caribbean. She focuses keenly on local produce and her food is outstanding.

Each dish is light and spoiling and like a present of healthy offerings I went on a journey of tastes and sensations like the very best of taster menus. She is personally on hand to talk you through her ‘gifts’. It has to be experienced. As does her husband Erik who offers his time and very British sense of humor to all and sundry.

(L

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The peaceful setting is open to the animation of the guests and of course the hosts and it’s equally perfect for a solo traveler. Non-guests need to book the restaurant in advance. It’s a sensory delight.

I went on a shortish bike ride down to Humlebæk to the Louisiana Art Gallery. It attracts connoisseurs from all over the world and, along with the new Munch museum in Oslo, is Scandinavia’s premier modern art gallery with an endless cavern of halls sufficient to house four extensive exhibitions at any given time alongside its permanent collection.

Almost like a museum in itself, and as another part of my full day out, I ate across the road at Gamle Humlebaek Kro. It’s like an alpine chalet and houses four themed rooms such as the ‘Hunting’ room with walls bedecked with antlers, the ‘Captain’s’ room with nautical compasses, charts and paintings, the ‘King’s’ room with heritage and family memorabilia and the ‘Gallery’ with large, dark, wooden seats. It’s all very grounding steeped, as it is, in antiques and history.

Everywhere the Danish are committed to recycling and passionate about the environment; for being eco-friendly is seen as a basic duty and something you do to be a part of Danish society. Indeed Noma, the famous restaurant meaning ‘mad Nordic food’, uses fresh and wild natural ingredients that are often foraged.

Open from March to October, which encompasses the full Danish holiday season, is Café Vitus. Set in a modest hut and overlooking Snekkersten harbor, it’s full of the local community with their dogs and prams, their bicycles and boats. There’s nothing quite like a marina to eat beside and watch as fellow diners moor, eat and sail off again. Here I enjoyed the freshest of shrimp and avocado salad before a deliciously naughty treat of hot chocolate with cream. A hidden gem.

So much better than the Mediterranean!  Credits Ann Jørgensen. Visit Nordsjaell and Frederiksborgs

(L) Hotel VIlla Brinkly. (R) Bedroom at Hotel Villa Brinkly.

TIPS - Like much of Scandi-

navia it is expensive to the British purse but the Danish are not accustomed to tipping waiters or taxi drivers who are obliged

to have a bike rack to take you home if you have had two too many glasses of wine. To understand more fully the Danish way of life I strongly recommend ‘How to be Danish’ by Patrick

Kingsley and ‘The Year of Living Dangerously’ by Helen Russell and for specific guidebooks ‘DK Eyewitness Denmark’ and ‘The Monocle Travel Guide Copenhagen’.

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WHAT’S NEW “Bringing you the finest places around the world is what we love to do here at Upscale Living magazine. In keeping with this tradition, we are focusing on introducing you to new kids on the block or accommodation establishments with a re-looked lease on life.

Grab your travel diary as you want to get to these places as soon as possible!”

| BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS

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FOUR SEASONS RESORT TAMARINDO MEXICO

Located on a private island on the Pacific coast surrounded by more than 3,000 acres of verdant jungle, Four Seasons Tamarindo connects guests to Mexican heritage in an ultra-luxurious nature experience. Featuring 157 contemporary Mexican accommodations, many with private pools, plus four restaurants and bars, a superb golf course, a transformative spa and wellness center, and much more.

Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México sits on a private peninsula off Mexico´s Pacific Coast in Jalisco. “In Tamarindo, we are creating a resort experience that is deeply connected both physically and spiritually with its surroundings,” notes Vince Parrotta, Four Seasons President, Hotel Operations – Americas West.

“Working closely with our visionary owner partners and myriad local and regional designers and artisans, we are

offering something entirely new. To put it simply, if you think you know Mexico, you haven’t been to Tamarindo.”

With only 2% of the surrounding nature reserve being developed, this is a defining characteristic of the resort. “We are dedicated to the concept of ‘rewilding,’ enabling the Earth’s natural rhythms to flourish and nature to recover its balance,” says the Resort’s General Manager Felix Murillo. “Everything we are doing is guided by this ethos, and it is our hope that our guests will form a deep connection both to the land and the coastline, and that in doing so they can recover their own balance and leave inspired and energized.”

With unique features including an on-site working farm, Rancho Ortega, and a Discovery Centre that serves as an introduction to nearly unlimited exploration and recreational

pursuits, guests will be able to create their own version of paradise in this undiscovered part of Mexico. “Jalisco is one of the most economically and culturally important states in Mexico, owing to its natural resources as well as its long history and culture,” says Enrique Alfaro Ramirez, Governor of Jalisco, México. “We are proud to welcome visitors of the state to Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México, a resort that represents the best in Mexican talent and celebrates Jalisco’s rich land, people and traditions.”

“In Tamarindo, we are showcasing the very best of what this destination has to offer in an unmatched natural oceanside setting,” says Pedro Verea Hernandez, CEO of Paralelo 19, the owners of Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México.

“We are thrilled to work with Four Seasons in bringing this vision to life.”

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@SANDTON-HOTEL

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

Based in the upmarket suburb of Benmore in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, the landmark @Sandton-Hotel and Acsiopolis lifestyle precinct is a mixed-use development, with @Sandton-Hotel providing a luxurious experience for discerning guests seeking a ‘single window’ in the South African hospitality space. @Sandton-Hotel offers a relaxing respite from the bustling streets outside, with a grand reception foyer welcoming guests inside to experience all the amenities they could need under one roof. On Clubhouse the deck, guests will find a sparkling blue swimming pool, with a smaller child-friendly pool attached and a children’s play area nearby. The Clubhouse offers enticing views and a place to relax, unwind, and enjoy a refreshing cocktail or ice-cold beer. The elevated deck area provides privacy whilst enjoying the view of activities

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from the Piazza it overlooks, whetting guests’ appetite with high end eateries and other retail offerings.

Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy the complimentary, wellequipped gym adjacent to a second pool, allowing fanatics to exercise without having to leave the hotel. At the luxurious @Spa, guests can re-invigorate their body and soul and ease away stress in the sauna, with many options available on the spa menu as well as a dedicated yoga area.

Guests will also find an array of dining options within @Sandton-Hotel, from an on-site @ Deli with grab-and-go options to the coffee area at Co Worx, @Sandton-Hotel’s Restaurant, a private Cigar Lounge and Tasting Room. @Sandton-Hotel offers a comprehensive choice of business resources, including a state-of-the-art conference center.

“The items we chose for the suites are timeless,” says Evie Simitopoulos, Interior Designer. “We went with modern classics, locally made in South Africa, and tailormade for the spaces. Fabrics are of superior quality and made to compliment the upscale finishes at the hotels. Accessories are minimalist and introduce color and texture to the interior, adding to an overwhelming luxury feel.”

The stunning 3-bedroom penthouse boasts incredible views from the 21st floor across the northern part of Johannesburg.

Featuring a spacious deck area with built in barbecue facilities, private pool, sauna and private elevator over three levels. Each bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom, with the main bathroom boasting a Japanese toilet. With its own fully equipped kitchen with luxury appliances.

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HÔTEL MARTINEZ CANNES, FRANCE

The relationship between Hôtel Martinez and the Cannes Film Festival (since the latter was established in 1946) has been the inspiration for interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon in his creation of two spectacular penthouse apartments spanning 14,000 sq ft - among the largest in Europe - for this iconic Art-Deco hotel on the Côte d’Azur which opened in 1929 and is now In The Unbound Collection by Hyatt.

Each apartment pays homage to two icons of the cinematic world: Isabelle Huppert, recently ranked by The New York Times as second on its list of the greatest actors of the 21st century, and Thierry Frémaux, director of the Cannes Film Festival.

Located on the 7th floor, each boasts a panoramic view of the Bay of Cannes, impressive dining and living rooms plus

walk-in wardrobes, studies and screening rooms. In the design process, both artists added personal hints of glamour to their own apartments to express their individual flair, including selecting specific books, photos and even music playlists.

The penthouse inspired by Isabelle Huppert is feminine and delicate, featuring light colors such as white and gold and a range of materials from leather to silk plus bespoke rugs and Cocteau-inspired décor flooded with natural light. In contrast, the Thierry Frémaux apartment has a more masculine feel with bolder colors and furnishings and cooler tones – a more subdued style. The bathroom, for example, resembles a celebrity dressing room, with black and white tiling reminiscent of film reels.

To create an even more exclusive experience for guests,

both personalities have created their own scents for their own apartments, in association with the renowned Mane perfumer Julie Massé. Isabelle Huppert chose a fragrance with notes of the tuberose flower emanating from the world’s perfume capital, Grasse, just north of Cannes. Thierry Frémaux opted for a perfume with elements of cypress, cedar and fig.

In addition, apartment guests are able to experience a bespoke menu created by Christian Sinicropi, the Executive Chef of the 2 Michelin-Starred La Palme d’Or at Hôtel Martinez, the only restaurant with this accolade in Cannes. The new apartments are a significant part of a €150 million investment by Hôtel Martinez, which also includes a new 600 sq m destination spa, garden oasis and swimming lane, in addition to a 200 sq m fitness center.

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OKAVANGO EXPLORERS CAMP SELINDA RESERVE, BOTSWANA

Great Plains Conservation, the iconic eco-tourism company, opened its latest offering on July 1st 2022 in northern Botswana. Okavango Explorers Camp is situated within the expansive 160,000-hectare private Selinda Reserve, and with only six guest tents, privacy and exclusivity is guaranteed.

Located at the intersection of two iconic ecosystems, this area may be new to guests but has been known to Great Plains for many years as one teeming with wildlife.

“We are proud to introduce the latest camp in our Explorer Collection, set within what might just be Great Plains’ best kept secret – the Selinda Reserve” said Great Plains co-founder Dereck Joubert.

“Offering some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the region, our guests can expect to spot lion, leopard and wild dogs, all of which hunt

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regularly in the area, along with elephants, giraffe and rare antelope.”

Okavango Explorers Camp sleeps a maximum of 12 guests sharing and provides a safari experience reminiscent of exploring the unknown African hinterland in a 1920’s style.

The camp exudes a spirit of the romance of yesteryear whilst ensuring that adventure and discovery are an essential part of the journey.

The safari experience includes breath-taking wildlife viewing drives in Great Plains’ specially-adapted vehicles, elephant-spotting canoe trips along the Selinda Spillway and exploring the area on foot – just like the explorers of times gone by. For a true bucket list in the bush experience, guests can even opt to dine with their toes in the water, as the camp’s dedicated team arrange

a lantern-lit, ‘floating’ gourmet experience on the Spillway.

Ideal for groups of friends or families wishing to take over the whole site and make it their own, Okavango Explorers Camp is the perfect companion to fellow Explorer Collection camps Selinda Explorers and Duba Explorers.

Okavango Explorers Camp is the latest to join Great Plains’ Explorer Collection, a group of truly unique camps across Botswana and Kenya that epitomise the classic safari, transporting guests back to a bygone era. Located in the same stunning remote wilderness areas as Great Plains’ Reserve Collection safari camps, these intimate, unassuming safari camps are light in their footprint but heavy on experiential luxury, with an atmosphere of bush elegance and relaxed bohemian style.

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RADDISON COLLECTION HOTEL, VADISTANBUL INSTANBUL, TURKEY

Following an extensive renovation, Raddison Hotel Group announced the transformation and re-opening of Raddison Blu Hotel, Vadistanbul as a Raddison Collection hotel in August 2022. Located in one of the city’s prime residential and commercial districts, Radisson Collection Hotel, Vadistanbul is the Group’s second Radisson Collection property in Turkey and the first in Istanbul.

Vadistanbul is a modern and dynamic residential area of wider Istanbul, nestled on the foothills of Vadistanbul Park which includes the Ataturk Arboretum, Belgrade Forest, and Göktürk Ponds National Park. Radisson Collection Hotel, Vadistanbul is situated on a main boulevard in Vadistanbul which will be home to the shopping mall with 270 retail shops and offices for 20,000 people. The hotel is located op-

posite the Turk Telecom Area, one of Istanbul’s major sports arenas, near the key business district of Maslak, and 30km from Istanbul’s new airport.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Vadistanbul features 193 stylish rooms and suites in a relaxing atmosphere with the choice of either city or forest views and a relaxed urban vibe. The rooms offer a relaxing atmosphere, a stylish design, and thoughtful amenities.

The property transformation was aimed at improving the facilities and maximizing guest satisfaction by offering exceptional service. Upon entering the hotel, guests will be introduced to a modern design in the lobby area while guestrooms offer upscale, modern comfort. The all-daydining restaurant serves international delights made with local products, while in Vadi

Bistro guests are guaranteed to experience the vibrant pulse of city life in Turkey.

The hotel offers a fully equipped gym with stunning forest views. The hotel’s partner spa, Valley Club & Spa stretches across more than 2,330m2 and includes a heated pool, a Turkish bath, a steam bath, a hammam, and a sauna with five treatment rooms for a selection of massages and treatments.

Nihan Sicakkanli, General Manager of Radisson Collection Hotel, Vadistanbul says: “We are proud of our association with Radisson Hotel Group, which has the right selection of brands to fit our requirements. We look forward to hosting guests under the Radisson Collection brand at this iconic, newly transformed property.”

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THE OTHER HOUSE

SOUTH KENSINGTON, LONDON Launched during late Summer 2022 by Naomi Heaton, The Other House is a lifestyle brand that blurs the lines between hotels, serviced apartments and private rentals. Designed by award winning interior designers Bergman Design House, highlights include spacious and comfortable rooms, an all-day dining bistro, a destination bar and a glamorous spa. Its aim is to let guests feel like a resident as long as they are in town and give them experiences to remember.

The Other House is a journey of discovery with secret places that each guest can call their own. To live like a resident means to feel at home. Providing a deep sense of place, ownership and security, The Other House reimagines how people stay with them, creating apartment style living that feels like home. In turn, they have designed comfortable, familiar

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surroundings which people can discover and make their own, making people feel like they have always been residents.

Shaped through a residential lens rather than a conventional hotel approach, The Other House brings a unique perspective to the hospitality sector. Founder and CEO Naomi Heaton’s extensive experience in the private rented property sector and entrepreneurial vision, spanning over 30 years, led her to observe the rapidly changing requirements in terms of place making, lifestyle, and the use of technology and the need for a change in how hospitality is approached.

Effortlessly and elegantly combining home comforts with hotel style facilities, The Other House combines beautifully designed club flats, complete with fully fitted kitchens, living and sleeping areas – with a

private club exclusively for residents and members to relax and enjoy with two bars, spa and fitness studio. For a local vibe, there are public spaces, including a destination bar and all-day dining bistro.

The property’s truly unique art collection created by Marie Soliman of Bergman Design House was unveiled in August 2022, combining bold, bright colors and a sense of humor with muted works of art.

Breathing new life into the pieces while creating a cohesive scheme in every room, the rooms feature updated bespoke works of over 100 existing 18th century oil paintings, further adding a cool, eccentric and flamboyant aesthetic to The Other House.

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WALDORF ASTORIA CHICAGO CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Chicago’s premier luxury hotel, Waldorf Astoria Chicago, has undergone a major renovation.

As part of this significant renovation, the sophisticated Gold Coast hotel has unveiled an evolution of its dining venues with a new signature restaurant, cocktail bar that restores a beloved city setting, and lobby lounge, enhancements to its award-winning spa, and refurbishments of its guestrooms.

The project saw a grand redesign of its crowning Presidential Suite as well as the introduction of a lavish new Astoria Suite. Leading the hotel’s renovation was the award-winning Chicago-based hospitality design and architecture firm KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group, which first designed the interiors in 2009. Paying homage to the style and grace of the legendary Coco Chanel as a celebrated cultural icon, the KTGY Simeone Deary

team merged the hotel’s classic roots inspired by French masters with a refreshed modern design that embraces a vision of timeless, refined luxury with a bit of an edgy twist.

“We are delighted to usher in a new chapter for Waldorf Astoria Chicago, and we are honored to reunite with KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group to execute this refreshed design vision,” said Todd Temperly, general manager, Waldorf Astoria Chicago. “We look forward to having guests and Chicagoans rediscover our timeless Gold Coast experience, with new and returning traditions for them to cherish.”

As part of the new dining experience, Waldorf Astoria Chicago introduced Brass Tack, a signature brasserie concept drawing inspirations and ingredients from the Midwest.

Both the menu and the space

serve as the perfect setting for group dining and shared plates, evoking the classic traditions of a brasserie with a distinctly Chicago touch.

The grand chateau-style hotel’s guestroom and suite designs were enhanced with refreshed white-and-black color schemes.

The upgraded rooms showcase new mirrors and furnishings incorporated throughout.

Beds make a grand statement with new, artful floral-inspired upholstered headboards. Both the 2,400-plus-squarefoot Presidential Suite and the 1,800-plus-square-foot Astoria Suite evoke the charms of a Parisian pied-à-terre, displaying spacious living and sleeping settings designed in beautiful modernity with black and white color accents, polished wood flooring, gorgeous curves, and bright metals.

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THE LITTLE NELL | BY TRACY BEARD

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all and winter are excellent times to visit Aspen, Colorado. In the fall the heat of summer is over, but the days are still warm, and the nights are cool and crisp. The weather is ideal for outdoor adventures, and the landscape is picture perfect. The winter months bring snow, turning Aspen into the proverbial winter wonderland. The Little Nell is Aspen’s only FiveStar, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel and a fantastic place to stay and play any time of year.

FALL IN ASPEN

Aspens, cottonwoods, Douglas firs, lodgepole pines, Rocky Mountain maples, and willows paint the hillsides of Aspen in the fall. The evergreens retain their dark shades of green throughout the year, but the broadleaf deciduous trees provide an ever-changing array of colors. These leaves turn from their myriad shades of spring and summer greens to scarlet red, carnelian (a reddish-orange), and vibrant yellow. As fall progresses, the red turn to russet (a reddish-brown), the orange to amber, and the yellow to lurid (a pale-yellow color signifying that the leaves are fit for dying). This spectacular color palette draws many to Aspen in the fall.

WINTER IN ASPEN Winter brings the snow, and with the snow comes skiers, boarders, and snow bunnies. The ski lifts run up and down the mountains throughout the day, filling the hearts of winter athletes with joy, but savvy guests of The Little Nell can book an Aspen Powder Tour. These private tours accommodate 12 people looking for an exclusive experience on the backside of Aspen Mountain.

Tours average 10 to12 untracked runs of intermediate to expert terrain. After a morning of calorie-burning activity, guests dine on a delicious lunch with wonderfully paired wines from around the world. A massage therapist is onsite to give complimentary chair massages in the wood-stove-heated cabin in the mountains.

The First Tracks Program, another excellent winter adventure, is available solely to guests of The Little Nell, Residences at The Little Nell, and The Limelight Hotel. Guests must be intermediate to advanced skiers. Participants board Aspen Mountain’s Silver Queen Gondola at 8:15 a.m. (before the Mountain officially opens in the morning), and they ski or board through virgin, waist-high powder.

THE LITTLE NELL In the fall my son Garrett, his wife Victoria, and I stayed for several nights at The Little Nell. The chic lobby featured a fireplace and a well-appointed lounging area. Our expansive room had two queen-sized beds, a lovely sitting area in front of a fireplace, a workspace, and an enormous bathroom.

DECADENT DINING IN ASPEN Executive Chef Matt Zubrod | As a teenager, Matt Zubrod began working as a dishwasher, and the chef at that restaurant encouraged him to attend culinary school. When Zubrod was in college earning a degree in business, he worked in kitchens and fell in love with the culinary world. His mother prompted him to apply for a job at the Ritz Carlton in Boston. He landed the position as an overnight prep chef. The Ritz Carlton chef promised Zubrod that if he worked hard for six months, he would train him anywhere 73 | UPSCALELIVINGMAG.COM | FALL 2022

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in the kitchen. Nine months later, Zubrod began learning each station in the Ritz Carlton kitchen. He slowly moved up the chain and realized this was what he wanted as a career.

of these incredible experiences. I loved watching Garrett and Victoria get an education in wine, and it was fun for me to sample several new wines.

A friend in France invited him to come and stay on his couch, and he got him a start at a Michelin-star restaurant. Zubrod worked for free and obtained more training. During my interview with Executive Chef Zubrod, he said, “Before you are labeled chef, you feel like you will never know everything, and then the day you call yourself chef, you have to know the answer for everything.” Chef Zubrod once asked a seasoned chef, “At what point do you become a chef?” He responded, “You are never ready, but at some point you have to start teaching what you know.”

AUDI EXPERIENCES AT THE LITTLE NELL

ELEMENT 47 Element 47 is one of two restaurants at The Little Nell, and Chef Zubrod has been the executive chef and culinary director for seven years. The menu at Element 47 highlights Colorado’s contemporary cuisine and features wagyu beef, house-made pasta, and seasonal produce.

Diners can enjoy Chef Zubrod’s cuisine paired with wines from The Little Nell’s award-winning wine program.

During our stay at The Little Nell, Garrett, Victoria, and I got dressed and ready for dinner at Element 47. We ordered the burrata with heirloom tomato tart, Palisade peaches, and arugula pesto. Garrett had the wagyu tartar—tender wagyu beef with rye, allium, egg yolk, and fresh horseradish. It was wonderfully seasoned and artistically designed.

Garrett and I ordered the 4 oz Emma Farm’s wagyu beef with thinly sliced stacked potato pave, locally foraged mushrooms, and shishito peppers. The thick slices of wagyu tenderloin had a crispy exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth center. The flavors were incredible. Victoria dined on the Rosen Farm’s lamb with charred leeks, carrots, za’atar, and a pepper condiment.

Victoria and I finished dinner with the cherry cheesecake bar made with mascarpone cheese, hazelnuts, and hibiscus-flavored fruit leather. Garrett ordered the chocolate mousse with acai, blackberry gel, hazelnuts, and a touch of Maldon sea salt. The deep dark chocolate mousse was light, airy, and went amazingly with the hazelnut and berry flavors.

Dinner is not the only meal at Element 47; breakfast is also a treat.

The offerings include the classic morning essentials—coffee and tea, juices, eggs, and bacon—but Chef Zubrod puts some yummy twists on the menu. We ordered the light and fluffy lemon soufflé pancakes with raspberry syrup, toasted pine nuts, and fresh raspberries, the ideal combination of sweet and tart. The house-made seasonal pop tart was superior to the ones from the store, and the wagyu enchiladas with eggs, salsa, and cotija cheese were fantastic.

WINE EXPERIENCES AT THE LITTLE NELL The Little Nell offers guests the opportunity to book private tastings from their celebrated wine cellar. A sommelier will lead guests through an exclusive tasting in the wine cellar. The kids and I participated in one 74 | UPSCALE LIVING MAGAZINE | FALL 2022

The Little Nell has a unique program where guests can test drive the all-electric Audi E-Tron. Victoria and I took the classy new car with all its bells and whistles for a spin to Maroon Bells. The car ride was exhilarating, but the splendor of the new ride could not compare to the two towering 14,000-foot mountains that appeared before us in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.

We exited the car and stood stunned at the glorious scene before us.

The aspen trees bathed the hillsides in a dazzling golden yellow. We meandered down one of the nature trails to get closer to the magnificent display of fall colors. Most people take a bus to Maroon Bells, so a reservation is needed.

VISIT THE LITTLE NELL This trip was my first fall visit to Colorado but will not be my last. Garrett and Victoria live in Colorado, so I have visited in winter, summer, and spring several times. To me, fall in Aspen is the most glorious time to visit. The colors are mesmerizing, the weather is delightful, and it is one of the best times to be outside experiencing new adventures. Plan a trip to Aspen and stay at The Little Nell to experience the magical activities offered by the fall and winter seasons. 

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BETULA ASPEN RESTAURANT | TRACY BEARD

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rench Chef Laurent Cantineaux and Venezuelan architect and restaurateur Juan Carlos Pérez Febres opened Betula Aspen in December 2018. The two are also co-owners of Bonito Saint Barth. They opened this restaurant, known for its flavorful cuisine, impeccable service, and comfortable chic interior, in St. Barts in 2009. In 2017 Hurricane Irma devastated the island, requiring Bonito Saint Barth to close for reconstruction for six months. During the rebuilding, Chef Laurent and restauranteur Juan Carlos decided to open Betula in Aspen, a place Chef Laurent found while vacationing. Aspen is named after the tree, so the owners followed suit and named their restaurant “Betula,” a Latin word for the birch trees in the area. Betula is the sister restaurant to Bonito.

The restaurants have differences and similarities. Mountains surround Betula, and Bonito is on an island in the sea. Both are highly desired destinations for celebrities and prestigious visitors. In the words of Juan Carlos, “Bonito has a beach-house atmosphere, and Betula has an alpine backdrop.” Aspen is a stunning place

with gorgeous landscapes and Victorian houses.

Betula’s design is that of a welcoming Victorian-style home with modern accents. When asked how Chef Laurent would describe Betula, he said, “The ambiance is unpretentious— friendly, cozy chic, like being at home with friends—with a sense of art de vivre.”

Betula, located on the second floor above highend shops in downtown Aspen, boasts beautiful views of Ajax Mountain. Juan Carlos designed Betula with a bar lounge and indoor and outdoor seating for 130 guests. The outdoor dining area, used when the weather is favorable, has the feel of a garden terrace.

Executive Chef Laurent was born and raised in Paris, France. He attended culinary school in Paris before working with Michelin-star restaurant owners Guy Savoy at Guy Savoy Restaurant in Paris, France, and Michel Troisgros at Restaurant Troisgros in Roanne, France. Chef Laurent then moved to New York City, where he worked for Daniel Boulud at Daniel’s for five years. After New York, he spent time in Venezuela at other impressive restau-

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rants. Before he opened Bonito Saint Barth, he continued to master his innovative cuisine using French techniques, Latin influences, and various spices from around the world.

The menus at Bonito and Betula parallel one another but are also unique. Laurent said, “We have an old-style rotisserie that we brought from France. It is the centerpiece of the kitchen, visible from the dining area, and where we prepare most of the hot dishes.” Betula uses high-quality ingredients from excellent suppliers. Chef Laurent said, “One of my favorite things to cook is seafood, and I like to explore Peruvian cooking techniques and seasonings.

At Betula we like to make interesting, diverse cocktails with assorted flavors and colors.”

My son Garrett and his wife Victoria joined me during my visit to Aspen. They live in Colorado, so it was an easy trip for them. Aspen is one of Victoria’s favorite places, and she recommended that we dine at Betula. It was a lovely evening, and we sat outside under a large white canopy. We began dinner with a few delicious creative drinks. Chef Laurent told me that he

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and his partner Juan Carlos plan to put in a retractable cover over the terrace in the future.

Cocktails at Betula Aspen arrive in an assortment of attractive glasses, various colors, and deliciously unique taste profiles. I was glad there were three of us at dinner so I could sample more than one drink. I ordered the Drink Me from the Bottom, a light and refreshing vodka cocktail made with strawberry and ginger syrup, lime juice, a homemade birch and basil tincture, fresh nutmeg, and fever tree club soda. Another delicious cocktail was the Betula Rhumtini made with cardamon-infused rum, coffee liquor, fresh espresso, cacao, and bitters. Yummy!

Chef Laurent sent a delicious amuse-bouche (free appetizer) to the table to get us started.

The plate comprised three small smashed potatoes topped with luscious guacamole.

His ceviche bonito followed with striped bass and sweet potato; it was light and refreshing with different tastes and textures.

Next, we enjoyed a beautiful fresh tomato salad with balsamic vinegar and cheese and a decadent dish of duck foie gras with pineapple-curry chutney and homemade brioche. It was rich and creamy.

One of our favorite dishes was chef ’s roast Peking duck with pineapple chutney. It was so flavorful, and the chutney was the perfect accompaniment. The seared Chilean sea bass had a crispy skin and was moist and flaky on the inside, and the bok choy and asparagus were cooked perfectly crisp-tender.

We finished dinner with a couple of tasty desserts. The warm caramelized apple Napoleon featured freshly baked puff pastry, caramelized apples, hot caramel sauce, and vanilla ice cream. The raspberry cream cheese mousse had yuzu gel, strawberry coulis, and a ginger hibiscus infusion; it was a delicious mix of sweet and tart.

If you are in Aspen, book a reservation and dine at Betula.Go early and bring friends so you can try out a few decadent cocktails offered at this chic restaurant.

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SOLAGE

Auberge Resorts Collection | BY TRACY ELLEN BEARD

Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection recently celebrated its 15th anniversary and a $30 million renovation.

Located in one of Napa Valley’s famous wine towns, Calistoga, California, Solage boasts two stunning event spaces, delicious dining, opulent accommodations, and an upscale spa.

REFRESHERS AND RENEWALS Solage’s recent renovations ended at the close of summer 2021. The focus was to update and overhaul the public spaces and to add a few new additions to the property. The resort purchased new pool furniture, and the bocce ball courts received a makeover. Additions to Solage included a second hot tub, six private cabanas, extra patio space at Solbar, and a second restaurant, Picobar. The suites received a few upgrades, including fully fenced patio areas, fireplaces, water features, plunge pools, and outdoor showers.

Next year another less extensive renovation is in the works to give a “facelift” to areas not part of the previous project.

STUDIOS AND SUITES I recently visited the Solage. The studios and suites have vaulted ceilings, pebble-stone floor showers, and beautifully furnished outdoor patios. My studio had well-appointed, comfortable furnishings that included a desk, chairs, and a California king-sized bed. The color palette in the studio reflected the stunning landscape hues of Napa Valley.

I loved the fireplace, water feature, chairs, and table on my spacious patio, and I enjoyed reading my book each evening while stretched out on my Roman couch. The soaking tub was perfect for an evening of relaxation, and each night I found a new scented bath bomb to enhance my bathing experience.

Suites at Solage feature one or two bedrooms; many offer a soaking tub or jetted hot tub, an outdoor shower, and a fire pit. A few units have a plunge pool.

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SPA EXPERIENCES AT SOLAGE The spa at Solage encompasses the treatment rooms, relaxation room, boutique shop, bathhouse, and bathhouse bar.

BATHHOUSE OPTIONS The bathhouse at Solage features five different co-ed geothermal pools. The Vitality Plunge Pool reduces inflammation and swelling. The hot Tranquility Saline Pool features powerful jets that immerse bathers in a therapeutic massage. The Restorative Mineral Jetted Pool helps joints and muscles to move freely, and the Relaxation Pool is the perfect place to float and linger. Finally, the Magnesium Rich Pool filled with ambient temperature water and magnesium sulfate helps to calm the body and mind.

Soaking in this pool can also improve a bather’s sleep quality.

FITNESS CENTER Solage guests and club members can participate in a variety of fitness classes. These include T-rex, Pilates, yoga, HIIT, and boot camps. The

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robust schedule comprises three to five classes daily. There are also special “event” classes where the resort invites a well-known local yoga instructor to lead a lesson or two. All sessions take place in a well-equipped workout facility.

The side doors open wide giving the space a spectacular indoor/outdoor feel. The fitness center has a membership component, and many locals participate in the classes.

The second fitness building, located across the pathway from the first, features Precor cardio machines, free weights, and Paramount strength training equipment.

SOLBAR Solbar is the long-standing restaurant at Solage, and it is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The restaurant’s design is comfortable yet stylish and has a chic living room vibe. Area Marketing Manager Melissa Douma said, “We don’t want to be known as a stuffy or unapproachable location, and we have a great reputation with the locals for having delicious upscale comfort food that makes you feel good.”

PICOBAR Executive Chef Gustavo Rios took some time away from Solage and returned to work on his passion project, Picobar. Melissa shared, “He was here from the beginning, and the restaurant has been about two years in the making. He is so good at what he does in terms of bringing all kinds of flavors together. Chef Gustavo has taken things from his coastal home in Ensenada, Mexico, along with its traditions, and infused them with local ingredients from Napa. He has successfully blended the cuisines from his two homes.”

I started my dinner at Picobar with a Green Flash from the bar, a tasty margarita with cimarron tequila, house-made jalapeño herb syrup, and lime. The “glow-in-the-dark” color was fun, and the drink was refreshing with a slight bit of heat at the finish. Melissa suggested I order the Whipped Avocado, and I am so glad I did. I love guacamole, and this was what I would call elevated guac on steroids. The avocado was creamy and flavorful, topped with cilantro oil, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, crumbled goat cheese, and fresh micro herbs. It was divine.

and I understand why they are a traditional staple on both the Solbar and Picobar menus.

The menu had numerous delicious options, so I ordered the Quesa Tacos with short rib, ham, bacon, Monterey jack cheese, grilled onions, and a tomatillo-type salsa. These tacos were rich, and it only took a few bites to satisfy my tastebuds.

Everything had been so flavorful that I was not about to skip dessert. I chose the Fresas Con Crema, poached strawberries mixed with vanilla whipped Chantilly all covered in a meringue shell. Chef Gustavo outdid himself. Not only was this dessert tasty, but also the soft, creamy, and crispy textures pulled the dish together to create a party in my mouth.

ACTIVITIES Calistoga offers plenty of things to do. Spend a day at one of the world-famous geothermal hot spring pools, visit impressive wineries, shop in the town’s boutique stores, or read a book poolside at the resort.

The Solage concierge is always happy to make reservations for dinners and wine tastings or to book a cycling tour, horseback riding trip, or hot air balloon ride. The person at the desk can also point out the area’s best trails for hiking, biking, and running. Bicycles of different sizes are available for guest use.

Just a couple of miles from Solage is one of my favorite wineries, Schramsberg Winery.

Schramsberg is the second oldest winery in Napa Valley, and they make delicious sparkling wine; their Davies Vineyards collection boasts some incredibly delicious Napa Valley reds.

Book a reservation for a tour of this stunning property and a delectable tasting at one of the shaded picnic tables.

SOLAGE IN CALISTOGA Solage is a high-end, family-friendly member of the Auberge Resorts Collection. Each affiliate in the collection offers quality accommodations, stellar service, and impeccable amenities. Book a stay at Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection for your next Napa Valley adventure.

I also ordered The Sol Original, two tacos with crispy petrale sole, cilantro, spicy aioli, and sweet and sour cabbage. These were delicious, 79 | UPSCALELIVINGMAG.COM | FALL 2022

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Elegance on the Open Seas

SEABOURN VENTURE | BY H E LÉ N E R A M AC KE RS

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eabourn, the ultra-luxury ocean and expedition line, has ushered in a new era of expedition travel with the launch of Seabourn Venture, its first ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ship that embarked on its first voyage July 27, 2022, to Norway and the Arctic. While natural beauty, wildlife, and culture are at the heart of every expedition itinerary, guests will also find plenty to admire on board thanks to the ship’s stunning design

by Seabourn partner and iconic hospitality interiors atelier, Tihany Design.

Led by Founder Adam D. Tihany and Managing Partner Alessia Genova, the boutique design atelier has crafted hotel and dining interiors for some of the most iconic and luxurious hospitality brands around the globe. Seabourn Venture is the third vessel that Tihany Design has fashioned for Seabourn from its New Yorkbased studio. Their vision was to give purposeful, global exploration “a spectacular allure,” capturing the romanticism of early explorers while lifting the hearts of Seabourn guests and its dedicated crew who works with tremendous pride throughout the journey.

“We are so proud and delighted with Seabourn Venture and the creative energy and input of Tihany Design,” said Seabourn President Josh Leibowitz. “We asked them to create and present designs that would be world-class and to set a new standard for expedition travel. Adam and Alessia have brought forward a vision of

creating luxurious interior spaces that reflect the beauty of nature inside and outside the ship by using natural materials, colors and textures.

They have established Seabourn Venture as the world’s most beautiful and luxurious expedition ship ever created.”

GATHERING SPACES INSPIRED BY THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE Tihany Design shaped a dozen public spaces throughout Seabourn Venture, each with a narrative of its own; some areas will be familiar to guests who have previously traveled with Seabourn, while others are brand new and contribute to the expeditionary ambiance and spirit of the ship.

Conceived with artistry and innovation, the interiors create an ambiance of relaxed sophistication and elegance, yet emanate the potent allure of the natural world. Hence, materials are intentionally tactile and elemental to evoke ruggedness, a spirit of adventure and the thrill of discovery, while artfully complementing Seabourn’s signature luxury and comfort. So, too, does the vessel’s bespoke custom furniture line, developed by Tihany Product Design, which sets a new precedent for the next generation of design in the expedition cruise market.

SUITES DESIGNED FOR SWEET DREAMS

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Nothing prepares a Seabourn guest for an adventure like a luxurious night’s sleep, and to further that goal, the suite collection of Seabourn Venture is designed to comfort and inspire. Each of the 132 contemporary-style oceanfront suites feature thoughtfully crafted furniture, tactile materials, and bespoke details that capture the timeless luxury of travel and elevate the experience.

Parchment-inspired wall panels finished with digitally printed wall laminate material and curvilinear arch design elements reflect bygone maritime craftsmanship. Custom bedside panels have toggle switches, an analog clock, and a foldaway reading lamp, while carpeting displays organic shapes and furniture features wood frames, exposed rivet details, and bronze inlays. Wool blankets are also custom-designed, and throws on couches are made of soft, fine-textured, sustainably-sourced cashmere of the highest quality. The wardrobe is a “heat jacket,” for drying outdoor parkas speedily, and spacious bathrooms have a separate shower and bathtub with bronze fittings.

Seabourn Venture is the first of two new purpose-built ultra-luxury expedition ships for Seabourn. Launched in July 2022, the ship will sail to a number of far-flung and remote destinations in the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, the Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, South America, Antarctica the Amazon and more. The ship was designed

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and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and will include a plethora of modern hardware and technology that will extend the ships global deployment and capabilities. Seabourn Venture provides the same luxury small-ship experience with the addition of world-class equipment that allows the line to offer its widest range of expedition activities led by an expert 26-person team of scientists, scholars, naturalists, and more. The voyages offer complimentary Seabourn Expedition offerings such as Zodiac cruises, hikes, nature walks, scuba diving, and snorkeling, as well as optional shore excursions and optional Seabourn Expeditions with kayaking and two custom-built submarines at select destinations.

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TRAVEL

Say Hello or Welcome, Cheers or Good Health in Beautiful FIJI | BY JARONE ASHKENASHI

Located in the heart of the South Pacific, lies the tropical paradise of Fiji. More than a beautiful destination, Fiji is a serene and relaxing archipelago where happiness finds you. Fijians are eager to welcome all with a warm “Bula!’ – which means hello, welcome, cheers or good health in Fijian – and share their home, culture and traditions. It is easy to understand why Fijians are known as the friendliest people in the world.

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rom their crystal-clear azure waters, perfect for breathtaking diving experiences, to miles of pristine beaches, for casting away your cares, to the ideal South Sea tropical climate, for year-round mid-60s to high-80s temperature – Fiji presents the perfect yearround vacation experience. Whether you are seeking romance, relaxation, cultural immersion, or a sea cruise, a trip to Fiji will immerse you in its many wonders and you will easily begin your journey to happiness.

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Fiji has something for every traveler searching for the ultimate vacation experience. The exotic destination can be easily reached with the island’s flag carrier airline, Fiji Airways, which offers nonstop, overnight flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Honolulu. Fiji Airways is a One World Alliance Partner and has several codeshare partners – including American Airlines and Alaska Airlines – making connections

easy from anywhere in the US. Business class is available on all the nonstop flights to Fiji and the airline has a fleet of new A350 planes with business class seats that lay completely flat.

Fiji Airways offers attentive service to their guests. In the air, travelers are offered up to three courses of fine dining along a range of curated wines, spirits and a selection of gourmet cheeses, along with a full range of in-flight entertainment on individual screens.

Depending on your route, other extras include complimentary lounge access and amenity kits (including Pure Fiji toiletries and other travel necessities), plus premium mattress toppers for a layer of added comfort and a good night’s sleep. Fiji Airways will also begin to offer a new nonstop flight route from Vancouver to Fiji starting November 25, which will operate twice a week.

KAVA_CEREMONY Upon touching down at Nadi International Airport, the main international airport of Fiji, you are immediately welcomed with a warm “Bula!” The staff are eager to share their home, culture and traditions. This multiracial, multicultural island nation has certain customs that should be followed as a gesture of respect, but these practices also add another aspect to your Fiji holiday. When entering a traditional Fijian village, visitors should present a Sevusevu, which is a gift or offering, extended to the community as a ‘thank you’ for their hospitality. The root crop yaqona, otherwise known as kava, is a common gift that is well enjoyed by the village. When in a Fijian village, remove your sunglasses and hat, and always take off your shoes when entering a home. These small efforts go a long way. They will enhance your experience and these generous locals will treat

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you like you are one of their own.

TAVOLA 1 While there are numerous five-star hotels and exclusive resorts in Fiji, Tavola Villa is a must-experience on the second largest island of Vanua Levu. The luxe and private eightacre estate on the shores of Savusavu Bay can be reached via scenic helicopter transfer from mainland Nadi (approximately 75 minutes), or via private car transfer from the Savusavu Airport (approximately 15 minutes). Monica Laurence, an American entrepreneur who fell in love with Savusavu, transformed Tavola Villa into a chic, alluring oasis for international travelers. The family-operated retreat allows guests to design their own all-inclusive resort experience which includes continental breakfast, kayaking, snorkeling, yoga and daily housekeeping. Additional add-ons take the retreat to another level of luxury, such as private chef dinners, a custom stocked full bar, captained boat excursions, seaside massages and more.

Accepting just one reservation at a time, the seven-building villa boasts three suites with five bedrooms and can comfortably sleep up to 10 guests. The villa even has an infinity pool with 270-degree views of Savusavu Bay. Surrounded by a verdant jungle full of frangipani, hibiscus and red ginger, the villa is a sanctuary of minimalist design. The amazing and attentive staff, like Captain Jack who has tended to the property for more than five years, tailors your experience to match your desires.

Offering a truly intimate and tranquil escape – the closest neighbor is a quarter mile away and the town of Savusavu is a 10-minute drive away – guests at the villa can enjoy lazy days on the manicured lawn or spend an afternoon playing at the villa beach. Dip in the sparkling infinity

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pool, then discover nearby hiking trails and waterfalls in the lush jungle.

TAVOLA 2 While booking your stay at the villa, Monica and her team truly care to create a special experience for each guest. They will assist and coordinate your customized itinerary. You have your pick of activities on site at Tavola, including coconut bocce, volleyball, edible landscape hikes for local fruit and more. Start your morning with yoga at the villa on the native vesi hardwood decks, then join Captain Jack on the private boat to snorkel pristine reefs in Savusavu Bay and marvel at the colorful sky as the sun sets on the horizon.

Following check-in and settling into your vacation oasis, go on a tour of Savusavu town - affectionately known as the Hidden Paradise throughout Fiji - and the fresh air farmer’s market to pick up some extra supplies for your stay.

One of the truly special experiences was having

tea with 99-year-old Savusavu resident and historian Jean Brown. It was fascinating to hear from Jean about the town’s early days of copra farming to the present day identity as a global destination for adventure tourism. The vintage charm of Savusavu is still evident, and the land and its people carry many stories.

TAVOLA 3 You’ll love to explore and experience all that Vanua Levu has to offer. The team at Tavola is delighted to arrange a variety of exclusive private experiences with local tour operators.

Try stand-up paddle boarding, horseback riding on the beach and a volcanic hot springs tour. Then explore the KokoMana Chocolate Farm, hike the Vuadomo Waterfall and go for many leisurely swims. Relax at the Salt Lake and float on the incoming tide as you forget all your worries. Picnic at the Blue Lagoon or dive with Ocean Ventures in Natewa Bay to spot whales, dolphins, manta rays and exquisite coral gardens.

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While Tavola Villa offers a serene, personalized environment, Nadi is the gateway to bustling tourism in Fiji. Home to Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami, a Hindu temple, and The Garden of the Sleeping Giant, a 20-hectare garden with more than two thousand different kinds of orchids, the mainland city also provides a launching pad to several other exhilarating adventures. Head over to the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool, one of Fiji’s hidden jewels and natural treasures.

Go to Sigatoka Sand Dunes to see dunes between 65 and 200-feet tall in one of the world’s smallest national parks. And if time permits on your trip and you are looking to fully immerse yourself in the culture of the island, experience a Kava ceremony or fire-walking ceremony.

If there is adventure in your soul, Fiji is the place to indulge it! | photos courtesy of Fiji Tourism

TRAVEL

BELIZE

AN ADVENTURER’S PARADISE | BY JARONE ASHKENASHI

On the eastern coast of Central America, Belize offers a mix of a dense jungle along with beautiful sandy beaches. Home to Mayan ruins, the Belize Barrier Reef (the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere) and an abundance of adrenaline-packed activities, the warm client and friendly atmosphere, has made it a go-to spot for adventure travel. From the scenic beauty, amazing wildlife, incredible land and sea adventures, the enormous variety of cultures, traditions and cuisine, Belize truly is a burgeoning tourist destination.

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lying into Belize City, the first stop on the trip was San Ignacio. The host for the trip, the Belize Tourism Board, accompanied along the nearly two-hour drive inland towards San Ignacio. Stopping along the way for a quick bite, we chatted with locals at Amigos Restaurant Where Friends Meet, who welcomed us like family while sipping their cold bottles of Belikin. The journey took us through dense, lush scenery with greenery as far as the eye could see and an abundance of speed bumps. Ramon, the driver, shared that these bumps not only mark the delineation between towns, but they also act as pedestrian crossings and offer the opportunity to stop for fresh fruits, vegetables and spices, along with tacos, salbutes, empanadas, rice and beans, burritos, bar-be-que (roasted meat), meat pies and conch fritters.

SAN IGNACIO RESORT HOTEL (credit: San Ignacio Resort Hotel)

We arrived in San Ignacio, just past downtown and the open market, and then drove up the steep hill to the truly majestic San Ignacio Resort Hotel. Upon arrival, Elito a butler who has been at the resort for four years, greeted with a huge smile and a refreshing fresh glass of ginger, mint and lime. The passion for his craft immediately came through as he began sharing the history of the hotel (the queen visited in 1994, along with Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2022) along with pointing out Bradford, the iguana, on the large palm when sharing more about the wildlife and surrounding fauna. After settling in the room, the Green Iguana Conservation Project is one of the several on-site activities which can be booked through the resort. Here is where the guide shared the role that Green Iguanas play in the ecosystem as well as presenting an interactive experience from feeding the iguanas as well as having the two-month-old iguanas being placed on shoulders and heads for a special photo opportunity.

ATM CAVE PHOTO (credit: Belize Tourism Board) The next morning presented a special cave adventure with the sage of caving in the area, tour guide Renan Castellanos. While Renan was short in stature, his presence and knowledge of the history of the country and the cave itself (more on that shortly) made him appear as a giant. It was quickly evident the reverence the younger tour guides had for Renan, as when we arrived at the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Caves, they all showed him the respect and reverence the 54-year-old guide deserves, following his 24 years of guiding at the ATM Caves. This tour started with a 45-minute walk crossing three river channels, where Renan explained about the history of the region and the plants

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and animals that lived in the surrounding area.

Upon entrance to the front of the cave, Renan shared about the cultural significance of caves in Mayan culture and that at the turning-point of our journey in the cave, that we’d see historical artifacts and learn more about ceremonies of the past. Walking, wading through the cave was truly spectacular. Armed with only a headlamp and flashlight, the surrounding formations and colors just were a marvel. Before entering the preserved area of the cave, our shoes were removed and we walked along the guided path to see ancient Mayan ceramics and stoneware, along with even human remains. The eye-opening experience was just truly unbelievable. We passed by several artifacts, learned about the bloodletting rituals and saw two skulls and the full skeletal remains of a seeming teenager.

CAHAL PECH (credit: Belize Tourism Board) After a near full-day experience with Renan at the ATM caves, Elito greeted us upon return and shared that there are some Mayan ruins just near the resort that are must-see. The 20-miunte walk to the Cahal Pech Archeological Site was the first time on the journey where walking through the town, you saw the warm, welcoming and friendly nature of locals. The sprawling site was a palatial, hilltop home for an elite Maya family and presented an opportunity to visually walk the path of ancient Mayans and see the grand 25-meter temple along with a total of 34 total structures.

Upon returning to the resort and laying in the hammock by the pool, the chef at Running W Restaurant prepared a lovely meal with a special fried jacks desert. The night called us in early as there was an early wake up for the next day’s adventure.

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BOCAWINA (credit: Belize Tourism Board) Greeted by Cruz, we set off on the journey through the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, over countless speedbumps, to the Sittee River Forest Reserve in Southern Belize. We arrived at Bocawina, a 7,000-acre park, which offers numerous hikes as well as rappelling and ziplining. Local guides Andres and Hersan led us through the dense rainforest, explaining the significance of plants and trees along the way, to the Lower Bocawina Falls (it is one of two falls where adventurers can rappel from) for our rappelling experience. The thrilling descent down the 100-ft cascading waterfall ended with a relaxing swim in the natural pools before heading out to their nine-line, two-and-a-half mile zipline course. Hungry after a full morning of adventure, lunch was prepared at onsite Wild Fig Restaurant, where Cruz further shared insight into the cultural history of the area and how the region came to be. After the two-hour drive back to the resort, there was Elito again.

Ever-present with that same welcoming smile shown when we first met. He was eager to hear more about the journey and advised that before leaving the next day, to head to Pops for a true Belizean breakfast.

stepping down from the 14-seater plane, before a quick 10-minute golf cart ride to Victoria House Resort & Spa. Featuring 42 rooms a spa and two pools, the resort is the perfect venue for total relaxation and comfort. Located in Belize on Ambergris Caye, the resort offers a taste of barefoot elegance along the sandy shores of San Pedro, La Isla Bonita. Steps from its own 300-foot private beach, guests can be seen playing lawn games and relaxing under the palm trees where staff were cutting down fresh coconuts to serve to all guests.

BLUE HOLE (credit: Belize Tourism Board) Next adventure led us back to the airport to meet Tropic Air’s guide where the pilot and guide took us for a mesmerizing fly over of the Great Blue Hole, several atolls and even a sunken ship. Lasting just over an hour, the highlight of the experience was diving down and flying around the giant marine sinkhole (it measures 318m across and 124m deep). Part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, the guide explained the history of its creation and before jetting off to flyover multiple other world-class dive spots and small atolls before touching back down in San Pedro.

VICTORIA HOUSE RESORT & SPA (credit: Victoria House Resort & Spa)

SHARK RAY ALLEY (credit: Belize Tourism Board)

After some fried jacks and johnny cakes with beans (and of course Marie Sharp’s Habanero Hot Sauce), the next stop on the trip was Maya Flats for the short flight to San Pedro.

The friendly Tropic Air crew greeted us upon

Following the morning in the air, a lovely fresh lunch (with a fresh coconut of course) was prepared at Victoria House before the quick five-minute taxi ride to Ramon’s Village. It is here where guides Joshua and Dominic took us

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out 15 miles to Hol Chan Marine Reserve to snorkel through the reef and see some beautiful marine life including schools of snappers, groupers, jacks and blue tang, turtles, moray eel, eagle rays, nurse sharks, southern stingrays and barracudas. The tour continued to Shark Ray Alley, a place where fishermen would clean their catches, and the penultimate adventure to end the amazing trip. Beside sting rays and other groups of fish, Joshua and Dominic fed small sardines to the nurse sharks and told all guests who were brave enough to jump out the other side to swim with the four- to six-foot sharks. The experience was one not to be missed. Up close to these slower-moving sharks, we were fingertips away to these marvelous creatures who thrilled and awed with every movement.

The Belize Tourism Board, in collaboration with the Central American Promotion Tourism Agency (CATA), are both aiming to provide visiting journalists with a first-hand experience and enjoyment of Belize’s tourism product. To wow and mesmerize travelers with the rainforest, beach and ancient wonders of the coun-try and offer unique adventurers that will be remembered for a lifetime. 

BOOK REVIEW

Our Favorite Reads for the Fall | BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS

In his brand-new release, Jamie Oliver thrills fans once again with his book entitled ONE. For those of us who prefer to spend less time in the kitchen, this beautifully photographed book features 120 simple, delicious, one-pan recipes. It’s every novice or seasoned cook’s dream, cooking a family meal with only eight or more ingredients, with a minimum number of dishes to clean afterwards.

Tower Bower’s extensive research and exclusive insider interviews has made him one of Britain’s leading investigative biographers. In his book, Revenge, he delves into the broken relationship between the Windsors and The Sussexes.

Following their departure from royal life and their subsequent move across the pond, has the fairytale come to an end?

Read all about it in this spill-the-beans book on what really transpired between the two families.

Containing nearly 2000 color photographs and the latest information on all 991 bird species in Southern Africa, VELD Birds of Southern Africa: The complete photographic guide is an essential collector’s item for all twitchers and birdwatchers. Compiled by Burger Cillie, Trevor Hardaker, Karen Wiesler, Niel Cillie and Phil Penlington, this guide focuses on dentification, behavior, possible confusion and habitat, as well as color-coded distribution maps reflecting each bird’s status and abundance.

In Style: The Art of Creating a Beautiful Home, author and renowned stylist Natalie Walton shows readers how to create a beautiful home with confidence, thus deciphering the creative process of styling.

Connecting with your own personal style, the book shows the intricacies of design principles, transforming spaces, visual storytelling and nurturing your craft.

Providing expert insider insights, Natalie combines her interior expertise with fabulous photography by Chris Warnes.

Tswalu, A New Beginning, tells the story of one of the most ambitious conservation projects in South Africa, the purpose of which is to restore the astonishing biodiversity of the Kalahari to its former glory. The stunning cover photograph by Nicky Souness encapsulates the essence of Tswalu – the most incredible scenery – a combination of arid savannah and undulating dunes, with the Korrannaberg mountains adding to the dramatic landscape.

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WINE + SPIRITS

TOP CALIFORNIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON WINES | BY SOMNATH CHATERJEE

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alifornia Cabernet Sauvignon wine is much revered and loved by collectors along with wine lovers since it has a distinct appeal which stems from its complexity and dark fruit notes. Hence, it is not a surprise that Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular wines in America along with Chardonnay of course.

These wines also pair perfectly with many dishes which further lends them more popularity along with the fact that they age extremely well.

SHAFER CABERNET SAUVIGNON HILLSIDE SELECT Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon is highly recommended for showcasing all the classic attributes for a perfect Cabernet Sauvignon. They also age very well while giving

aromas of blackberry, black cherry, warm earth, and spice. Then you get the summer briar fruit, berry compote, cinnamon, lively red and black plums, and mocha.

HALL CABERNET SAUVIGNON It is deeper in color and layered with a stronger aroma of crème de cassis, dark plum, anise and dried herbs. The palate is lush and layered with fine-grained tannin supporting flavors of dark berry, cocoa, and a hint of freshly turned earth.

CAYMUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON This full-bodied wine and comprise of dark berries, warmed vanilla, and melted licorice while being darker in color along with as approachable in youth as in maturity. A typical Caymus trait is the depth that this wine provides.

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DAOU CABERNET SAUVIGNON Here is another bold red wine which has a layered/rich nose of blackberry, cassis, smoky leather, and dried herbs while also having plum and cherry, cocoa and sandalwood. It is a full-bodied wine for wine lovers with its complexity, style, and rich taste.

BERINGER FOUNDERS’ ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON A more medium-bodied wine with a more nuanced flavor with fruit flavors, vanilla, and blackberry. It is easy to drink and goes very well with popular dishes like a steak.