10 minute read
Summerland Buzz
A third-generation Californian, Leslie, currently resides in Carpinteria but called Summerland home for 30 years. The award-winning writer assists clients sell fine art, antiques and collectibles at auction houses around the globe. She can be reached at LeslieAWestbrook@gmail.com or www.auctionliaison.com
Itching to Re-Open
deliveries – the food chain – it didn’t make sense if we are trying to slow the spread down,” Kyle noted.
That being said, I did see Meg Ryan picking up take-out on one of my many visits (Austin’s black porridge is orgasmically good).
“In a very short period of time, we built a team and a culture that doesn’t exist many places. All of this was really, really important to us. We feel so grateful to have the team that we have,” said Bechtel, “We were committed up front to putting together a really extraordinary team to provide a level of service that you don’t typically find in places like this.”
Acknowledging that there is so much that is still unknown about COVID-19 and how the future bodes for retail, Kyle and Susie are nonetheless preparing for brighter days and gearing up to re-open with an expansion into the building next door (the former Gentleman Antiquarians space) to showcase pieces privately to clients and designers. A container of pieces from Europe recently arrived, and pieces stacked in their Carpinteria warehouse will be moved here as well.
“W e’re itching to get open and…” said Kyle Irwin, “Welcome everybody back!” business partner Susie Bechtel chimed in, finishing her business partner’s sentence. The duo opened their highly anticipated Field + Fort design shop and café in Summerland just this past November to great acclaim – only to shutter the doors some four months later, thanks to circumstances beyond everyone’s control. “We’ll be back and better than before! That’s the plan,” Irwin cheerfully promised on our recent Zoom chat.
Their design showroom features carefully curated “essentials for elevated living” that include beautiful, high-end antiques and home furnishings – many pieces sourced from Europe – as well as tasty pantry and tasteful gift items. But more than that, Summerlandians (and others) were anxious for a place to gather and nosh in the ‘hood. Field + Fort not only provided a beautiful space with indoor and outdoor seating and a communal dining table, but a stellar breakfast/brunch menu from kick-ass chef Austin Moore, a native Santa Barbarian who returned to his Santa Barbara roots after cooking stints in Portland, Oregon.
When COVID-19 hit, Kyle and Susie decided it would be safest to protect their “terrific” staff of 25 employees, whom they continue to keep on the payroll. A few are still working in Irwin’s interior design side of the business. Field + Fort is California cottage chic (photos by Leslie Westbrook)
Spread the News: ‘Fort Is Stopping the Spread
“We made the bold decision on the 15th of March to close,” said Bechtel. The next day the California order came from the Governor. I asked if they thought about pivoting to take-out food, but the café was a small part of the business and the logistics were too complicated – especially with so many “unknowns” about the virus.
“We weren’t set up to do take-out, since we don’t do dinner. Our thought on take-out was that it still required so much of our staff to be there – and then
Close partners Irwin and Bechtel remain socially distant
Field + Fort’s Grand Re-Opening Will Be Bigger and Better Than Ever
“The new showroom will be another thing to open up with!” said Kyle, adding, “Yesterday we were at the store, spacing tables out and removing tables with the thought – and in preparation of – what’s to come. We want to be able to hit the ground running on Day One.”
In the meantime, Irwin, a talented designer, is keeping busy with two interior design projects in Los Angeles and in Santa Barbara.
“It’s been crazy! It’s hard to move furniture and keep social distancing,” he admits, acknowledging other challenging logistics such as an upholsterer and a critical metal shop that had closed.
Things at Field + Fort might look and feel a bit different when they reopen, per Gavin Newsom’s predictions for restaurants and retail, including fewer chairs at the communal table.
To hear them tell it, Irwin and Bechtel’s “thing” was all about community and bringing people together. They admit that they have to figure out the quandary of how to bring people together – while keeping them physically distanced.
“Talk about a place where hugs are a part of the interaction! That habit alone is going to be hard to break,” said Bechtel, concluding, “Kyle and I love Summerland. It’s such a special little community and we’ve always felt that way. Since opening, and being there every single day, we have even more appreciation for it.”
Socially Distant but Very Much Socially Conscious and Engaged
Even after just a few months in business, Field + Fort is missed in Summerland and although many can’t wait for the showroom, café, and life in general to reopen, a big bravo to Kyle Irwin and Susie Bechtel for taking care of their employees’ wages during the interim, thanks to those successful first few opening months. It sure will be swell to see Chef Austin and the entire terrific team sooner, rather than later – in masks and gloves, if required – as well as friends and neighbors for a great big embrace, in whatever form it may take.
Air hug anyone?
A Final Thought
Adam’s Angels has expanded beyond delivering grocery and essential supplies to those who are housebound – they are now distributing clothing to the homeless as well as others in need. A new website has been launched courtesy of other “awesome citizens” David Dart and Melissa Malayna. Sign up to volunteer, register for assistance, or donate funds for supplies at www. AdamsAngels.life. This an easy way to help your neighbors and founder Adam McKaig – who has been footing a lot of the out-of-pocket costs – in addition to doing yeoman’s labor. •MJ
SEEN (Continued from page 14) purchased the Theatre des Champs Elysees in Paris as a venue for her. In 1931 she refused to leave Paris to live with her husband in Chicago so he divorced her on the grounds of desertion.
Ganna Walska Pivots
By this time Ganna was no longer young, her singing career less than ideal, and her fourth marriage over. It was time for a change and her “Truth” and “Great Purpose” of her life was reinvigorated. She gave up fancy parties and declared there would be “no more waiting for Prince Charming!” But she drew men like a magnet. Next she met Harry GrindellMatthews, inventor of a supposed “Death Ray” – an experimental device that could disable car engines, in theory, by remote control. Ganna and Harry shared a love of opera, but she thought him quite unattractive. He became depressed and stopped working. The government intervened because “her indifference might kill him before his invention for detecting submarines and defending London could get to the War Ministry.” He turned out to be another jealous husband so Ganna left him for America because of the impending World War II. Ganna later learned by telegram
One of the many topiaries at Lotusland
that Matthews died of a heart attack in 1941. Whether or not his Death Ray was involved is unknown.
Always Room at the Top
While in New York, Ganna began to write her memoirs, called Always Room at the Top. She was still doing spiritual seminars and yoga lessons with Theos Bernard, known as “The White Lama.” He was called that because of
his experiences in Tibet. Even though he was 20 years younger he became Ganna’s main interest. He’s the one that encouraged her to purchase an estate in California known as Cuesta Linda, and the newlyweds renamed it “Tibetland.” Ganna paid $40,000 for it in 1941. Ganna and Bernard eventually married in a secret Las Vegas ceremony. But he still had fierce mood swings (apparently he never found his inner peace through yoga). So after a contentious divorce Walska was finally able to declare her independence and renamed her estate “Lotusland” named after the rare Indian flowers in her lotus pond. Where they bloom used to be the swimming pool for the estate. They symbolize spiritual renewal, a perfect symbol for Madame.
Ganna lived in the big house on the Cuesta Linda estate (designed by architect Reginald Johnson who did the Santa Barbara Biltmore) but eventually moved next door to the George Washington Smith designed pavilion using its Moorish-style patio as an outdoor living room. Smith is also the one who constructed the pink wall around the perimeter. Ganna kept a room in the main residence for her beloved cockatiels. And then she spent the next 43 years making this 37-acre estate into a botanical wonder. One of her landscape designers explained, “Madame Walska has an artist’s feeling, using plants instead of paints for stage settings.” She died there on March 2, 1984 leaving her entire estate as a legacy for the public to see. Lotusland has recently completed a $6 million makeover to its Japanese Garden as time marches on. I think Ganna would approve. •MJ
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is pleased to congratulate KELLY MAHAN HERRICK AND THE CALCAGNO & HAMILTON TEAM on the successful representation of the sellers of 422 Alan Road at Hendry’s Beach. Sold for $1,630,000
Kelly Mahan Herrick (805) 208-1451 Kelly@HomesInSantaBarbara.com www.HomesInSantaBarbara.com
©2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. DRE 01499736/01129919/01974836
Because We Care... Santa Barbara’s Premier
Make
Your Choice
Montecito isn't just where we are, it's who we are. We share our love of this community with the incredible people who both live in and visit our little paradise. Connecting face to face with our friends and clients both old and new is why we do what we do. Words could never express how grateful we are to those on the front lines sacrificing so very much to restore our community and save lives.
We can’t wait to see you in the store again, but until then to get your fashion fix or to just say “hey” please email kevinfrank@kfrankstyle.com or katiefrank@kfrankstyle.com or call or text 805-722-0194 to shop new Spring and Summer arrivals. Free local delivery, free shipping and curbside pick up available. Shop daily looks on Instagram @kfrankstyle.
SHOP ONLINE MAISONKSTYLE.COM
We Miss Seeing You
As always, our goal is to Inspire, Delight and Serve Our beloved community and friends near and far
TAKE CARE KEEP IN TOUCH
FOLLOW US @MAISONKSTYLE
