As fall is just ahead, our outdoor activities shift from beach days and barbecues to leaf-peeping and apple picking. While (soon) enjoying the crisp air and seasonal activities, we want to ensure that your home remains your haven, no matter the temperature outdoors.
We look forward to serving you and offering solutions to all your home’s needs, from plumbing problems, to indoor air quality concerns, to creating a smart and energy efficient home.
LIFESTYLE LETTER
I hope you are enjoying these final days of summer and are getting excited for September on the Seacoast. I am happy to write my first letter to you as the Editorial Coordinator for Portsmouth City Lifestyle. While I grew up in Connecticut, this month, I am celebrating 25 years of living in the area, almost all in Rye. I am married and have two teenagers who attend Portsmouth High School.
This time of year, many are back-to-school shopping as fall approaches, and we gear up for the return of classes. Whether you have kids in school or are just looking for something new to wear for the season, style is profoundly personal and evolves with the day’s trends and our unfolding lives. I grew up in the late 80s and early 90s with shoulder pads, puffy sleeves, mini-skirts, and mom jeans. But what is old is new again, as the clothing I loved as a teen and young adult is now in demand.
September 2024
PUBLISHER
Anne Moodey | anne.moodey@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Tara Phillips | tara.phillips@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Kim Piela | kim.piela@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Gail Huff, Lisa Leslie, Ann Kathryn Kelly
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Alyssa Duncan Photography, Kevin Edge, Peter Muchena
I see this with my teenage daughter. Dare I reveal I possess a small bin of “sentimental clothes” I have kept over the years. My daughter recently found my treasured style bin and now dons the black skirt I wore on my honeymoon and some of my other “old” clothes. She discovered her Junior Prom dress at Cotillion Bureau in downtown Portsmouth. Her “vintage” dress from “my time,” the 1990s, remains timeless. If you love recycled fashion, you’ll want to check out the article about this shop and others in Portsmouth.
Style is not limited to the clothes we choose to wear; it encompasses every aspect of our lives. From the music we enjoy to what car we drive or how we decorate our homes. Inside, you’ll meet the owner of a local furniture store who has a passion for the sleekness of mid-century design and its use in smaller living spaces. And a local business owner who can help you find an electric vehicle tailored for your lifestyle.
I hope you enjoy this style issue of Portsmouth City Lifestyle as much as I do. As we create the content each month, I am always amazed at what I learn about our area despite living here for so many years. I hope you, too, discover something new and that this latest issue inspires you to forge new paths or revisit familiar ones regarding your style choices.
Not receiving Portsmouth City Lifestyle at your home, you can find issues at the following locations: Portsmouth Public Library, The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, Rye Library, Rice Library in Kittery, and Golden Harvest Market. You can also subscribe at no cost for the digital version at citylifestyle.com/portsmouth
KIM PIELA, EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Josh Govero
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
1: Turner Reynolds, Sebastian Byron, Delia Brackett, Kensington Byron enjoy the Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea concert at Seacoast Science Center. 2: WSCA 106.1 FM Portsmouth Community Radio team celebrating their AARP grant to revitalize its Button Factory Stage. 3: Sisters Hannah and Erin Sullivan enjoying cotton candy at the Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea show. 4: I Got Bridged morning mixer with Don Mallett, Joy Morin, Skip Page and founder Freddy Petrone. 5: Summer cricket match on Rye Beach with Bishop Robert Hirschfeld and his mighty crew and fans. 6: Area Director Sarah Brais with Global Ambassador Joshua Felder and the Best Buddies Seacoast Friendship Walk team. 7:
Jewelers of America (JA) has named Sara Reisz Sargent, Owner of Summerwind Jewelers & Goldsmiths, to its 20 Under 40 for 2024. This program recognizes young professionals who exemplify leadership skills, innovative thinking, and a commitment to elevating jewelry retail for the next generation while adhering to a professional code of ethics. Summerwind is a second-generation, family-owned jeweler in downtown Portsmouth, specializing in fine jewelry, jewelry repair, and custom design. Visit summerwindjewelers.com or call 603-436-9188.
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Great Northern Builders, a South Berwick-based design-build firm, is pleased to announce the recent hire of Project Manager Jason Sirois. Jason brings over 25 years of experience in residential construction to the team at Great Northern Builders, and he has spent the last ten years focused specifically on high-end residential remodeling project management in the Kennebunkport region. Learn more at greatnorthernbuilders.com.
The Vibe Collective in Portsmouth offers hand-selected apparel and showcases artists and designers who share their creative genius with the world. Just Be, a branch of The Vibe, celebrates the healing arts with practitioners committed to nurturing the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. With our love of the arts, we also host events and retreats encouraging all to embody their unique essence and just be. Find us on Instagram @thevibe.collective and @thisisjustbe or visit thevibe.com.
Sapphires and diamonds the ultimate dream team! Picture this: we handpick the finest gemstones and timeless treasures that will leave you speechless. Dive in and experience the magic of September’s birthstone firsthand!
603-436-9188
@summerwindjewelers
summerwindjewelers com
49 Market St Portsmouth, NH 03801
Experience tailored wellness solutions designed just for you, integrating your medical history, lab work, lifestyle, and environmental factors. From rejuvenating IV infusions to personalized medical weight loss plans, we’re dedicated to optimizing your health journey. Discover vitality and renewed energy with us.
Book an appointment to begin your wellness journey today.
Picture yourself aging with style & grace, because you didn’t leave the details to chance . Since 1992, Longevity Planning has helped clients choose plans that minimize health care expenses in retirement and provide more choices when care is needed. In addition, there are tax advantages for business owners and the self-employed. Starting early ensures that you will have better options to put the right plans in place.
Learn more about protecting your assets and independence.
Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation
We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.
Nahcotta nahcotta.com/ | 603.433.1705
Off Piste iamoffpiste.com/ | 603.319.6910
Danforth Pewter danforthpewter.com/portsmouth-nh/ | 603.368.1001
FOLK shop-folk.com/ | 207.703.2526
Tayla Mac Boutique taylamacboutique.com/ | 207.703.2570
Circle Furniture circlefurniture.com/ | 603.441.2011
Weekender House weekenderhouse.com/ | 603.427.8658
Currier's Leather Furniture curriersleather.com/ | 603.926.0555
Want to suggest a monthly pick?
Summer House Furnishings summerhousefurnishings.com/ | 603.319.1655
Christine's christinesrye.com/ | 603.964.6063
What’s Old is New Again
ARTICLE BY GAIL HUFF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN EDGE
Walking into Michael Kierstead’s furniture store in Portsmouth feels like stepping into the 1950s. You can almost smell the cigarette smoke that wafted above the couch in your grandmother’s cluttered living room, where a reproduced painting of the White Mountains hung above you. But Seavey’s Marketplace is hardly old-fashioned.
“I’ve changed my perspective of what being aged means. Seventy is the new 50.”
The furniture is mid-century modern (MCM), and it’s what people are buying now to furnish their new homes.
“It’s very much in demand right now. Mid-century modern is a scale that’s very efficient and sleek and practical,” says Kierstead, who splits his time between selling furniture out of his West End shop and staging homes.
For decades, his father was an antique dealer in the seacoast area, buying and selling collectibles such as watches and coins. So, when seeking a change from his corporate finance career, Kierstead looked to his family roots and started selling refinished and used furniture. However, the process was time-consuming and not always profitable until he found that with the growing appetite for MCM design, he could create the living style and look he loved by offering new MCM furniture that was less expensive and more practical, especially for furnishing small spaces.
“Living spaces are getting smaller and smaller, especially here in Portsmouth with all the apartments and condominiums,” he insists.
The perfect fit for Kierstead’s style came from an invitation to decorate one of Wentworth Senior Living’s apartments. Wentworth’s newest residents are baby boomers who were teenagers in the 1950s.
According to Madison Abbott, Property Manager at Wentworth, boomers make up the latest generation of residents moving into retirement and assisted living communities.
"My perspective on what it means to age has changed drastically. Seventy is the new 50, and our active centennials challenge even that metric,” says Abbott, who assists residents in planning and visualizing living in their new space.
The Wentworth Mansion, built in 1763, was the home of Governor John Wentworth before the Revolutionary War. Privately owned, it’s been a home for seniors since 1911. The historic Georgian mansion boasts original wallpaper and decorations and still has bullet holes in the living room that, locals brag, came from Revolutionaries who chased the Governor away.
“It’s important to bring the outside in. When you mix the light wood and green plants, it feels less sterile and clinical. It’s more organic.”
Modern additions to the mansion have created space for sixty-four apartments off Pleasant Street in the historic district of Portsmouth, some of which overlook South Mill Pond. The challenge in furnishing and decorating lies in combining eighteenth-century New England Georgian style with functioning 2024 comfort.
Kierstead wanted to create a sense of nostalgia when decorating this studio apartment with pieces made popular by famous mid-century designers Florence Knoll and Eero Saarinen.
When furnishing small living spaces, Kierstead says having furniture that serves several purposes is essential. For the Wentworth project, he chose a bookcase that could function as a place for photos and memorabilia, a 40-inch television, and store dishware.
The 28-inch round dinette table is paired with lightweight chairs that residents can move with ease. Since there’s no space for a desk, the dining table and small tulip table double as space for computer use, paperwork, hobbies, or crafting.
The vegan leather chairs look and feel like genuine leather but are easier to clean. It’s the only kind Kierstead sells in his shop.
He likes to furnish small spaces with pieces made from sustainable light woods such as acacia and bamboo. The color choice for the walls is Fleur de Sel, a cool-toned gray. Adding plants as decor helps to bring out the lighter tones of the Danish-style furniture.
“It’s important to bring the outside in. When you see the light wood and green plants, it feels less sterile and clinical. It’s more organic,” he says.
That natural, organic feeling also takes residents back to a time before technology brought the internet and smartphones—when life felt simpler. At Wentworth, that’s exactly the atmosphere Kierstead loves.
Two Master Certified Picture Framers on Staff
FRAMED MIRRORS, ANY SIZE OR SHAPE INSTALLATION (PICTURE HANGING)
ANTIQUE MAPS & NAUTICAL CHARTS ART RESTORATION OF CANVAS & PAPER
ANTIQUE FRAME RESTORATION & GILDING PRINTING AND SCANNING
PHOTO RESTORATION COPYING & PRINTING ORIGINAL ART & PRINTS
100’S OF PRE-MADE FRAMES IN STOCK
Hours: Tue-Fri 10:30-5:30 | Sat 11-3 | Closed Sun-Mon
We support small businesses by guiding the way toward their financial goals. Our compassionate approach means that we take the time to understand our clients and find the best solution for the long-term. We invest in our clients by monitoring their business to help nurture growth to its fullest potential.
ARTICLE BY ANN KATHRYN KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALYSSA DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY
FOUR PORTSMOUTH BUSINESSES CHAMPION THE BEAUTY OF RECYCLED, ONE-OF-A-KIND FASHION FINDS
When was the last time you bought clothing with a story woven into its seams, something you would not see on your neighbor or, for that matter, several people in town? Unlike mass-produced fashion with rows of identical offerings, consignment boutiques offer a refreshing alternative: often one-of-a-kind, timeless treasures that support sustainable—and stylish—living.
One of the first things Rebecca Earle noticed when she moved to the Seacoast from Washington 11 years ago was fewer secondhand shops. “I’ve always been a thrift shopper,” she says. “The West Coast seemed to embrace it earlier, and it’s something I missed when I moved here.”
In 2016, Earle opened Cotillion Bureau to offer pristine vintage and designer vestments and upcycled and hand-dyed clothing for women and men. What makes Earle’s shop unique is that they use their own sizing metric. “We hand measure every item and include it on the tag, because the key to
knowing what will fit someone properly is to know their measurements,” Earle explains. Vintage clothing made with 100% cotton or linen does not stretch like today’s polyester or blends, which often causes disparity in a culture accustomed to vanity sizing. “Someone may be a mall size 6, but a size 8 or 10 in my shop,” she continues. “I tell them, forget the number. When it truly fits, it truly flatters.”
Esta Resale owner Vicki Turner offers upscale contemporary clothing and accessories at fashionably affordable prices. Esta Resale is known for quality handbags and a wide selection of dresses: maxi, casual, business attire, cocktail, and designer formal wear.
Turner says her boutique has become a destination. “The quality in my shop draws repeat clients,” she says. Turner often dresses from her own inventory, something her customers notice and compliment. Her best advice? “Dress the body you have.”
Angela Theos opened Wear House in 2011, and offers casual and classic apparel, shoes, accessories, and some vintage. Theos describes her inventory as “unique but wearable.”
Like Earle, Theos thrift shopped for years. “I thrifted as a child with my mom and grandmother. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love fashion and the adventure of what I’d find.” She enjoys people watching, studying them head to toe, almost by instinct. When they come into her shop, she has a strong sense of what will look good on someone— color, style, cut—and guides them, when needed. “I’m not a yes person,” she says. “An item shouldn’t be forced to work on someone. It should just work.”
The latest entrant to the Seacoast’s secondhand scene is Chic Boutique Consignments. With luxury brands for women and men, from petites to plus, Chic Boutique also provides an extensive online shopping experience.
Whether looking for a designer dress, vintage scarf, statement jewelry, or pair of jeans worn just enough to be perfectly broken in, it’s worth stopping by one—or all four!—of these downtown Portsmouth businesses to treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
The Alyssa Duncan Photography Senior Model program is a community partnership with local businesses and rising high school senior models across the Seacoast.
This program teaches models poise, responsibility, professionalism, and what it means to be part of a creative team. Through this collaboration, businesses expand their reach, and young models see themselves in a different and often unexpected light, building self-confidence and empowering them as they venture into the world post-high school.
The Class of 2025 Senior Models
Jocelyn Bancroft, Rye, Portsmouth High School
Isabelle “Izzy” Holland, Hampton, The Academy at Penguin Hall
Nina Little, Portsmouth, Portsmouth High School
Charlotte Phillips, Rye, Portsmouth High School
The Creative Team
Photography by Alyssa Duncan Photography | alyssaduncan.com
Makeup by Madeline Jude Beauty | madelinejudebeauty.com Hair by Jessica Bellanti
The Boutiques
Cotillion Bureau | 65 Bow Street | cotillionbureau.com
Esta Resale | 67 Bow Street | estaresale.com
Wear House | 101 Market Street | wearhouseportsmouth.com
Chic Boutique Consignments | 108 Penhallow Street | chicboutiqueconsignments.com
SEPTEMBER 7TH
Raymond Area Rotary Club Thunder Run
446 Raymond Road | Candia | 8:30 AM
Grab your running shoes and join the Raymond Area Rotary Club for Thunder Run, a unique 5K obstacle race in Candia. All proceeds from the yearly event benefit the local community and Rotary International’s worldwide projects. There are 20 different obstacles and a 5K of varied terrain. If you are ready for a challenge register at thunderrunnh.com.
SEPT 7TH, 15TH, 19TH & 21ST
Button Factory Stage offers Local Musical Artist performances
Button Factory Stage | 909 Islington Street | Portsmouth | 7:00 PM
The Button Factory Stage is a cozy nonprofit performance space for local and touring musical artists. The musical offerings are diverse with something for everyone. September brings 4 musical events: Fortune House on Sept 7th, Days of Summer and Nesey Gallons on Sept 15th, Bonnie on Sept 19th, and Isaac Rave and the Ravenettes on Sept 21st. For more check out wscafm.org/ the-button-factory-stage/.
SEPTEMBER 13TH
Portsmouth Athenaeum
Lecture “AI, the Technologies and the Challenges” with John Roese
Portsmouth Athenaeum | 9 Market Square | Portsmouth | 5:30 PM
The 2024 Portsmouth Athenaeum Current Event Series is bringing us a lecture, “AI, the Technologies and the Challenges” with John Roese on Sept 13th from 5:30 - 6:30. Seating is limited. Admission is $15.00 and is free for Subscribers, Proprietors, and Friends of the Athanaeum. To register, portsmouthathenaeum.org/event/ current-events-lecture-series-ai-thetechnologies-and-the-challenges-withjohn-roese/#rsvp-now.
SEPTEMBER 15TH
Rye Lions Club Car Show
Parsons Field | Washington Road | Rye | 11:00 AM
Car enthusiasts mark your calendars for the 41st annual Rye Lions Club car show. Car registration is from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It costs $10 per car and $3 per person. All proceeds raised go back to the Seacoast community. The Lions Club offers a medical equipment loaner program, vision screenings, scholarships, and more. Check out rye.nhlions. org for information.
SEPTEMBER 28TH
Alliance for Greater Good Lantern Festival
South Mill Pond | Portsmouth | 5:00 PM
Volunteers will light and float lanterns at the South Mill Pond as part of the Alliance for Greater Good’s Lantern Festival fundraiser. This year’s theme is “illuminating community kindness.” Money raised from the event will go to people experiencing housing insecurity and help prevent homelessness. The rain date is Sunday, September 29th. To buy a lantern or donate visit allianceforgreatergood. org/lantern-festival.
Jesse Lore Helps Drivers Find the Perfect EV
ARTICLE BY LISA LESLIE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER MUCHENA
Today’s drivers are raising the standards for what they want in a vehicle. While price and getting from point A to point B reliably remain top priorities, drivers increasingly want a car that facilitates their daily routines, matches their personality and aesthetic, and, for many, reduces their carbon footprint. Jesse Lore, Founder of Green Wave Electric Vehicles in North Hampton, explains why EVs are a better choice for your wallet and lifestyle.
WHERE DO YOU START WITH SOMEONE CONSIDERING AN EV?
First, we ask what they’re driving now and about their fuel economy. Next, we compare that to the cost of a similar electric vehicle per mile and show them the potential savings. Whether someone wants to switch to save money or the planet, we help them understand the full impact of their decision to go electric.
WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN OF SKEPTICS?
They won’t be able to travel as far as with a gas-powered vehicle. However, a 200-milerange vehicle will get most people where they need to go daily, and most of the EVs we offer have a range of over 220 miles, with some providing over 300 miles for high-mileage commuters. Drivers also have options for at-home charging, and for those concerned about powering up on weekend road trips or family vacations, we tap into plugshare.com to view the abundance of public chargers available nationwide.
We sell used EVs to make the switch more affordable. Many drivers will save approximately $200/month in fuel costs. And because most EVs are made of aluminum, which doesn’t rust, New England drivers benefit from longer-lasting vehicles with less maintenance. The advanced safety features also potentially lower insurance premiums, making EVs less expensive to own and operate.
Research shows that EVs are some of the safest and most technically advanced vehicles
on the road, living up to 5-star crash rating standards or better. Their better weight distribution minimizes their likelihood of flipping over. They also perform better in the snow due to their heavier weight and better torque, providing more traction and electronic limited-slip differentials that prevent slipping and sliding.
We offer everything from high-end performance models to spacious family vehicles with plenty of seating and cargo space to fit all the equipment needed for traveling to work, school, and weekend sports tournaments. For example, we have a Tesla Model X, with a seating capacity for six passengers and storage in the trunk and “frunk,” and a Mercedes Benz SUV with a 7-passenger capacity.
HOW DOES EV TECHNOLOGY COMPARE TO ITS GAS-POWERED
EVs offer the latest safety technology, like auto emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and all the navigation and entertainment bells and whistles you would expect from a modern vehicle today.
Most customers come in looking for an EV to save money–-or the planet; but once they own one, most say they’ll never return to a gas-powered vehicle. It is a better driving experience with a quieter, smoother ride and seamless acceleration. From the weekend adventurer to the daily commuter or the family chauffeur–there’s an electric vehicle to complement every lifestyle.
“MOST CUSTOMERS COME IN LOOKING FOR AN EV TO SAVE MONEY–-OR THE PLANET; BUT ONCE THEY OWN ONE, MOST SAY THEY’LL NEVER RETURN TO A GASPOWERED VEHICLE.”
