Sophisticated Living Lexington March/April 2020

{Lexington’s Finest}

Mar/Apr 2020 five dollars

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BITTNERS

.c o m

Intimate, untamed adventure

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Quattroporte

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A perfect combination of design, sports performance and comfort.

MASERATI LOUISVILLE 4710 BOWLING BLVD., LOUISVILLE, KY 40207 / 502.894.3929 / www.MaseratiLouisville.com

Š2019 Maserati North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Maserati and the Trident logo are registered trademarks of SpA. Maserati urges you to obey all posted speed limits.

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MEET THE ALFA ROMEO FAMILY Each Alfa Romeo model finds its own way to truly impress those who demand a harmonious blend of luxury and performance. Drivers will appreciate the way our vehicles handle contours found both inside and out. With special attention paid to fluid lines and muscular proportion, there is true strength in Alfa Romeo’s simplicity and craftsmanship. Stop by Alfa Romeo Louisville today and see for yourself!

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Š2020 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. ALFA ROMEO is a registered trademark of FCA Group Marketing S.p.A., used with permission

{Lexington’s Finest}

Mar/Apr 2020

Mar/Apr 2020

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38 Animal Instinct

A herd of Eames Elephants from Vitra ($330 each; vitra.com)

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five dollars

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on the cover: Horsing Around Keeneland 2020 painting by Liesl Long Chaintreuil.

Photo by Ron Perrin courtesy of the artist. For purchase information visit artbyliesl.com.

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Sophisticated Society

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Candyland Dreams

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Kaden’s Dance

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Eagle Gala

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Sweat4Surgeries

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Restaurateur’s Gala

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Sophisticated Sidekicks

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Horsing Around

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Sophisticated Stars

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Magic Kingdom

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Of Note... Animal Instinct

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A Slice of Swiss

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The Vines That Bind

Mar/Apr 2020

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On an Adventures by Disney Seine River cruise, travelers experience a privately-guided tour of the gardens where French painter Claude Monet found his inspiration in Giverny, France. Photo by Boris Stern.

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Bibliotaph... Hedge Fun

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Over the Moon(stone)

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Of Note... Raising Cane

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Making Waves

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Organic Chemistry

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BuzzWorthy

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Kentucky Proud

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Greening the Bluegrass

Top Steakhouse in Kentucky - Tasting Table

Best Steakhouse in Lexington - Threebestrated.com

EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Bridget Williams ______________________________________________ ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kay Matton ART DIRECTOR Jason Yann CONTRIBUTORS Writers Patti Bailey Victoria Chase Colin Dennis Chloe Gellar Elliott Greene Andre James Amelia Jeffers Caylee Keto Photographers Tony Bailey Chad Henle Andrew Kung Daniel Roberts EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Claire Williams ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE 502.582.6563 ______________________________________________ CEO/PUBLISHER Eric Williams

Sophisticated Living is published by Sophisticated Living, LLC, P.O. BOX 1229, Prospect, Kentucky 40059 USA. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of Sophisticated Living, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Annual subscription fees are $25.00; please add $5 for subscriptions outside the US. Single copies may be purchased for $5 at select fine retail outlets. Address all subscription inquiries to: Sophisticated Living, PO Box 1229, Prospect, KY 40059. To order back issues or reprints of 100 or more, call 502.582.6563.

SLMAG.NET

CINCINNATI 513.677.TONY(8669)

LEXINGTON 859.955.TONY(8669)

INDIANAPOLIS 317.638.TONY(8669)

From the Editor-In-Chief This image of me eating breakfast with my dad during a family camping trip is 45-years-old. The sweet simplicity of this scene makes it one of my all-time favorite photos. If a similar snap were composed today, the odds are good that the little girl would be hunched over a phone or iPad rather than a bowl of cereal. Contrasting this photo with the barrage of wonderful, weird and wacky technology on display at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (see related story starting on page 58) made me wonder about the impact, both good and bad, of technology on our daily lives. w At CES, connectivity was all the buzz, but how much is too much? So much cconnecting nnecting and sharing eventually leads to thoughts of security, both at home and iin the digital world. Lots of other companies had the same notion, with scores of products p oducts hyping peace of mind with the purchase of their wares. I was struck by jjust st how much was focused on keeping things out— hackers, burglars, and even rreality—with ality—with myriad ways to escape into virtual worlds.

I am glad that Smart Phones didn't enter the scene until my daughter was well into elementary school. My only regret, as a ceaseless photo capturer, iis that I would have enjoyed the ease of my phone’s camera to create a more ccomplete mplete compendium of her early day-to-day life.

Technology can be a tempting pacifier. As a working mother, I was guilty oof using Gene Kelley as a babysitter during deadline time after discovering my daughter's d ughter's keen interest in movie musicals. Sometimes I wonder if her personality would be radically different if I'd allowed her to tune out by tuning into whatever was de rigueur among the toddler set at that time, instead of teaching her how to act appropriately in different settings. At the risk of sounding like an old ccurmudgeon, rmudgeon, I can't help but think she's better off for making it through the ooccasional casional boredom of a board meeting.

Traditional media is my wheelhouse, but I also have to keep a foot firmly planted in the digital world. Print will always remain the heart and soul of Sophisticated Living, and research bears out that magazines sit at the apex among the most trusted forms of media. To remain relevant, our team is always on the lookout for ways to grow not only our brand but also that of our advertisers. E-newsletters, Facebook, Instagram, and blogs are just a few of the tools in our burgeoning digital toolbox, and I have come to enjoy working in these mediums as well.

In a quest to better understand the world of social media influencers, I recently experimented with participation in an "Instagram Fam," in which invited members reciprocate likes and comments. There are so many rules of engagement associated with these endeavors that I gained a newfound respect for anyone who can manage involvement in multiples. For several days my "likes" and comments spiked; still, I couldn't help but feel somewhat disingenuous for being required to post comments on images that would otherwise not prompt a response. On a more philosophical scale, there was a hollowness to this "connecting" that made me question our need for validation from strangers.

Ultimately, the exercise led me to believe that the key to my technological nirvana lies in knowing when to pull the plug. Maybe there's an app for that.

Bridget Williams Editor-In-Chief

bridget@slmag.net

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Unplug and play.

Experience true electrified performance.

The all new Taycan.

Blue Grass Motorsport 4720 Bowling Blvd.

Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 894-3428 porschelouisville.com

Š2020 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times.

For additional information see your participating authorized Porsche dealer or visit Porsche.com/usa.

SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY March 1 5 6 6 6-8 7 13-14 14 14-15 27 28

15th annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, 2pm, Singletary Center for the Arts BGT Antiques & Garden Show Preview Party, 6pm, Alltech Arena; bluegrasstrust.org Tails and Ales, 7pm, The Campbell House; lexingtonhumanesociety.org Frankel Cocktails & Casino Night, 7:30pm, The Carrick House; lhscky.org The Blue Grass Trust Antiques & Garden Show, Alltech Arena; bluegrasstrust.org Central KY Heart Ball, 6pm, Lexington Center; ahalexington.ejoinme.org Future of Fashion 2020, 7pm, The Thoroughbred Center; soreyda.com Shamrock Shuffle 3K, 8am, downtown Lexington; shamrockshuffle3k.com The Kentucky Crafted Market, Alltech Arena; artscouncil.ky.gov Lexington At League Exhibition Opening, 5pm; Lexingtonartleague.org Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon; runthebluegrass.org

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Keeneland Spring Meet; keeneland.com Bluegrass Land Conservancy 20th Annual Farmland Conservation Celebration & Auction, 5:30pm, Fasig-Tipton; bluegrasslandconservancy.org EEI Charity Fundraising Dinner & Auction for Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, 6:30pm, Spy Coast Farm; kentuckythreedayevent.com/fundraisingdinner/ Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Kentucky Horse Park; kentuckythreedayevent.com Lexington Art League Northside Festival, 10am, 209 Castlewood Dr.; lexingtonartleague.org KY United Methodist Children’s Homes Epicurean Experience; kyumh.org A Night of Champagne & Stars for Montessori High School, 7:30pm; montessorihighkentucky.org Kentucky Bluegrass Wine Auction & Derby Gala, Donamire Farm; lexingtoncancerfoundation.org

Photography by Daniel Roberts

CANDYLAND DREAMS

Local dads brought their little sweethearts to a Candylandthemed father-dance presented by Beau Ideal Events and held at the Signature Club.

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1) Harrington & Tylali Walker 2) Aaron & Giselle Rhodes 3) Travis, Jhasmine & Maliah Bowman 4) Nia Chaman, Yvonne Hunter, Diamond Grier, Andrea Lambert, Adriana Negron, Charr’’liees Anderson, Reginal “Chevy” Curtis 5) Derek Brown with Zoey Washington & Ireland Brown 6) Jimmy & Gabby Holder 7) Steve & Amelee Conlee 8) David & Kara Stacey

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Photography by Daniel Roberts

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KADEN’S DANCE

Presented by Kaden’s Cause, a nonprofit founded by the parents of Kaden Layne, who died before her second birthday from SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood), proceeds from the 3rd annual Kaden’s Dance will help support research and awareness related to SUDC as well as outreach for families affected by it.

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1) Corey Brown & Ramsey Keaton 2) Kara, Brian, Layne, Jack & Millie Harris 3) Lisa Bramlage, Gina Preston 4) United Talent Dancers 5) Angelica South, Ashley Rickman, Cassidy Moss, Tess Campbell 6) Ashley, Eli, & Emmett Rickman 7) Ronnie, Madison, Cameron & Kelly Fulton 8) Kimberly Vasileva, Justina Rice

Photo by Mary Speers

Photos by Claudio Vergara Henriquez and Roberto Lopez

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EAGLE GALA

Lexington Christian Academy held their annual Eagle Gala in the Woodford Reserve Room at Kroger Field.

During the event Brett Setzer was named the TOP Eagle Dad for garnering the most votes and money as part of the friendly fundraiser.

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1) Bill & Judi Strong, Patrick & Andrea Strong 2) Steve & Terri Murrical 3) Samuel & Laura Penton 4) Ron & Barb Zimmer, Arianne & Tyler Johnson 5) Krissy Landon, Gala Rodriguez 6) Daniel & Alison Wrenne

Photography by Daniel Roberts

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EAGLE GALA

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7) Cory & Julie Baker 8) Nikki Jackson, Jennie Hurst, Rebecca Weaver, Britney Moughamian, Rachel Watts, Danielle Eckman 9) Missy & Adam Spiller 10) Lisa Johnson, Cara Workman 11) Tommy & Becky Haggard 12) Brain Engle, Veronica Cornette, Paula Amentrout, Stacy Downing 13) Danielle & Dusty Bonner

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Photography by Daniel Roberts

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SWEAT4SURGERIES

Aspire Fitness hosted the kickoff for Sweat4Surgeries, a 25-hour community fitness event to raise funds in support of Surgery on Sunday. The non-profit organization provides outpatient surgeries to the uninsured and underinsured who “fall through the cracks� of healthcare services.

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1) Amber Byard, Slater Curtis 2) Nathan Epstein, Kylan Nelson, Alli Hartness, Evan Larson 3) Caroline Kaplan, Adam Price, Brooke Myers, Slater Curtis 4) Allen Jackson, Colleen Gaethals, Britney Hamilton 5) Morgan Wall, Dillon Haughton, Bailey Cremeans, Madison Litchfield 6) Josh Bowen, Amanda Ferguson

Photography by Daniel Roberts

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RESTAURATEUR’S GALA

The Kentucky Restaurant Association hosted its annual gala at Savor at River House in Louisville. Jared Matthews of Equus, Jack’s, Lou Lou Food + Drink, Diamonds, and Diamonds Street Grub in Louisville was named Restaurateur of the Year, while Kayla Elliott a student at the Lexington campus of Sullivan University was named the Culinary Student of the Year.

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1) Marla Dungan, Jennifer Melloan, Jack Clark, Amiee Colvin 2) Joel & Grace Boole, Josh & Lindsay Moore 3) Sarah Crismore, Sara Strothman, Hailey Hall, Robbin Chapman, Allie Goatley 4) Jessica Smith, Sheryl Webb, Mary Stebbins, Janet Sewell 5) Hannah Wurth, Jacob Wiseman 6) David Smith, Bernie Kaelin, Stan Moore 7) Amanda & Austin Dickerson 8) kourtney Moody, Lee Harris 9) Erin Jerdon, Riley Jerdon

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Photo by Andy Hyslop

SOPHISTICATED SIDEKICKS Written by Bridget Williams / Photography courtesy of Kim Morris

Kim Morris’ defines four-legged friendship as “trust and love.” A consummate outdoorswoman, whether she’s trail riding in Costa Rica or fox hunting in the Kentucky countryside, rare is the moment when a dogg is not clippingg at her heels, or the hooves of a horse are w not ot clopping beneath her.

An infectious enthusiasm for sporting pursuits extends to Kim’s children, who occasionally accompany her on hunts.

Always looking perfectly polished no matter what Mother Nature throws her way, Kim says, “Nothing, and I mean nothing, is better than the outdoor life.”

Meet Lady! This cute girl is mostly beagle, and all sweetness and love. At five-years-old, Lady is all grown up, but she still has tons of energy and a puppy-like enthusiasm she can’t wait to share with the world! Lady has never n ver met a person she didn’t like, and seems eager to make friends with her canine companions too. If you’re llooking oking for a dog with a heart of gold and a little training under her belt already, head to Woodford Humane SSociety ciety (265 Thomas Lane in Versailles) to meet Lady today! Call 859.873.5491 to find out more about her.

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HORSING AROUND Artist Liesl Long Chaintreuil’s paintings creatively capture the air and fashion of Thoroughbred racing in Kentucky.

Written by Bridget Williams

Huntsmen from the Long Run Woodford Hounds joined Liesl and Andre on their wedding day.

Photo by Tomas Flint Photography

Liesl in her studio.

For as long as she can remember, Liesl Long Chaintreuil has been a doodler. As a young child, she recalls bike rides through her St. Matthews neighborhood with her mother and sister, after which she'd rush inside to sketch homes and their occupants.

Her dalliance with drawing persisted into elementary school. Liesl credits supportive teachers, who, rather than being annoyed by her scribbles on every surface, encouraged her budding talent. As a fourth-grader, presented an original artwork to the owners of Derby winner Silver Charm after winning a Presidential Art Award for the Churchill Downs "Horsin' Around with Art" competition.

She won the award again in high school, and her creation was gifted to the owners of Funny Cide. While her career as an artist would go on to flourish outside the world of equestrian art, these early experiences with the world's most famous horserace would continue to fuel her creative fire.

As a student at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, Liesl discovered that her penchant and perspective for drawing figures was conducive to fashion illustration, where the human form is elongated and

"Old Fashioned".

Painting photographed by Ron Perrin.

stylized to showcase the clothing. Once again, she cites the influence of encouraging teachers. In this case it was Nancy Riegelman, who literally wrote the book on fashion illustration.

Liesl went on to obtain a degree in textile design, which she parlayed into work designing textiles for notable brands in the worlds of fashion and interior design.

Proving the six-degrees of separation theory, a Louisville connection led to her next big career break during her tenure in California. The hunt for a place to store her stuff between moves led to a meeting with Colleen Karis, whose company licenses artwork to big-box retailers, including HomeGoods and Marshalls. Impressed with Liesl's work, she was contracted to create a character for a series of children's art, which included having the globetrotting girl visit Paris. "I haven't been out of the United States, but creating these paintings makes me feel like I have," said Liesl. Citing Audrey Hepburn's "classic look" as her benchmark, Liesl credits her ongoing affiliation with Colleen Karis Designs for keeping her up-to-date on what's au courant in home and fashion design. slmag.net

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Keeneland 2015.

Photo of Liesl's painting

by Chuck Phelps.

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Liesl's vibrant painting of roses and Churchill Down's famous spires brightens up the winter landscape at her family's farm.

Photo Andre Chaintreuil.

In contrast to her quiet nature, Liesl's artwork is defined by bold color, whimsy, and palpable vivacity. Roses and swirls are a recurring theme, the latter of which she includes in every artwork for their symbolization of everlasting energy. Moving back to Louisville in 2011 prompted her return to capturing the excitement of horseracing. In 2013 she released a Kentucky Derby painting, the first of what has gone on to become an annual celebration of racing at both Churchill Downs and Keeneland. A departure from prior year's artworks, in which fashionably dressed trackgoers are prominent, Liesl's 2020 painting of Keeneland depicts horses springing forth from the starting gate. "I am always on the lookout for a fresh perspective," she explained.

Working from photographs and memory, Liesl will spend three-to-four months perfecting a piece, often moving between several works-in-progress, which also includes commissioned paintings. These days she balances her artistic endeavors with life as a mother of two young girls and working alongside her husband Andre to restore a farmhouse on a 73-acre plot in Oldham County, not far from where her mother's family farm is

located. Andre, a University of Kentucky alumni who worked in the film industry, happened to rent the home next door to Liesl's parents when he relocated to Louisville from California. Seizing on the California connection, Liesl said her parents were quick to play the role of cupid.

Agrarian life has long been a source of inspiration for Liesl. Her senior art show at Manual High School included paintings of barns, and she and Andre were married on a farm.

Attributes of the couple's historic former dairy farm—interesting outbuildings of various sizes, undulating arable acreage intersected by woodlands, and the meandering of Floyd's Fork demarcating their little slice of heaven from standard subdivisions—makes enthusiasm about their ambitious endeavor understandable.

For now, Liesl is content with stolen moments behind the easel, sharing her exciting and unique perspective on the beauty she sees in people, events, and nature.

For more information about Liesl's original paintings, prints and greeting cards, as well as a list of retailers throughout Kentucky that stock her work, visit artbyliesl.com. sl slmag.net

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SOPHISTICATED STARS Written by Joy Yascone Elms MA

Happy Birthday Pisces and Aries! This month’s Sophisticated Star is Aries Andrew Kung, founder of Andrew Kung Group and Vision Spire, born on April 10th. In March, we have a lovely full moon in Virgo on the 9th that will be a bright part of the month for each sign in a different way. With a New Moon in Aries on March 24th, each sign will have a fresh start in a different sector of life as well.

Let’s welcome the Sun and warmth of spring with the Mars energy of inspiring fire starter Aries!

ANDREW KUNG Andrew Kung has a Sagittarius rising, Moon in Taurus, and Mercury in Aries. Andrew’s Sun in Aries gives him a fierce entrepreneurial spirit and fortitude to charge ahead and make any vision a reality. Aries is the vital energy of survival and is likened to Sparta, as in 300! There is no vision impossible for Aries, and if you’ve seen Andrew’s awe-inspiring work, you understand exactly what I am referring to.

With Andrew’s Sagittarius rising, he can make undeniable magic happen for his clients. Andrew’s Sagittarius rising is governed

by Jupiter, the planet that brings out the best in others. Andrew’s Moon in Taurus gives him a love for the divinely beautiful and his eye the gift of capturing that vision. Andrew has an exceptional spring ahead with Jupiter, the planet of blessings inching towards his 10th house of professional status and acclaim. This is a beautiful transit that happens once every 12 years for a full year. Andrew will enjoy the spring as the Full Moon in Virgo sees him finishing up a creative project to enjoy time in nature and embracing its beauty.

ARIES March 21st – April 19th Happy Birthday Aries! March opens with a beautiful Full Moon on March 9th in Virgo bringing to fruition a work-related or fitness goal. A friendly New Moon in Aries on March 24th gives you the force, energy, and favor to make a fresh and exciting start in any area of life you choose.

This New Moon will help you begin a new vision or plan you’ve had up your sleeve for some time. This is your time, so utilize this energy well. In April, the Full Moon in Libra on April 7th ruling your sign of marriage and partnership may see you discussing an alliance in business or in your personal life. What an exciting birthday the stars have in store!

TAURUS April 20th – May 20th With the Full Moon March 9th in Virgo, March starts out with excellent news regarding a romantic relationship, creative project, or your children. If you don’t have children, you may get confirmation that you are expecting a little one or word about an impending adoption. These don’t have to be an either/or circumstances, and you may get news in all these areas of life Taurus. In April, at the Full Moon in Libra on April 7th, you’ll start a new fitness routine and potentially accept a new client or work opportunity.

GEMINI May 21st – June 20th Gemini, what a great month the Stars have in store for you. With the kind Full Moon in Virgo on March 9th, you’ll crystalize an exciting change to your living situation. You’ll purchase a new property or see a renovation dream come to fruition. This same Full Moon can evidence a happy development in your family as well. The New Moon on April 7th in fellow air sign Libra falls in your house of romance and love. You’ll decide whether or not to move forward in a romantic relationship, welcome news from the stork, or other child-related tidings within two weeks of April 7th.

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CANCER June 21st – July 22nd Cancer, you may be reviewing a new and exciting contract or agreement at the Full Moon on March 9th that you’ll celebrate. Later in March, at the New Moon in Aries March 24th, you’ll hear excellent news regarding a career opportunity that will have your name in lights. You’ll welcome a promotion or start a new venture that will be very happy and exciting.

LEO July 23rd – August 22nd Leo has a fabulous month ahead at the cusp of spring, with the beautiful Full Moon March 9th in Virgo landing in your house of earned income.

You’ll welcome a new income-earning opportunity that you will absolutely adore. Later in March and into the first week of April, the New Moon in Aries on March 24th will present an opportunity to travel abroad, pursue higher education, or a publishing opportunity.

VIRGO August 23rd - September 22nd Virgo, this is an outstanding month for you, as March begins on a sweet note with one of the best Full Moons of 2020 landing in your sign!

The Full Moon in Virgo on March 9th is absolutely benevolent and beautiful and will usher in a very happy romantic development for you.

This Full Moon will ultimately bring a deeply held dream to fruition for you dear Virgo! Be sure to know what you’d like to realize. I would recommend doing a vision board before this date so you are certain of exactly what you desire to nurture and crystalize with this Full Moon.

The New Moon in Aries on March 24th brings an excellent investment or financial opportunity to your doorstep that will make you exceedingly prosperous, bringing in more cha-ching in the coming year.

LIBRA September 23rd - October 22nd Libra, I absolutely love the stars for you as we welcome spring! Your March starts with a beautiful Full Moon landing in your house of wellness. It’s an excellent time to hone in on your wellness, and I recommend checking out the Goop series by fellow Libra, Gwyneth Paltrow on Netflix. You’ll discover new regimens you may choose to embrace in your daily life to optimize your wellbeing. On March 24th, you’ll enjoy the New Moon in Aries, bringing a potential engagement or a move closer to your one and only within two weeks of this New Moon. If you are single, this New Moon may instead bring a fabulous new business partnership or love that quickly progresses to something serious and committed. If partnered up or married, you’ll enjoy new plans together that will delight you. On the Full Moon in Libra on April 7th, you’ll see a project or plan come to fruition. Yes, you’re going to love spring Libra!

SCORPIO October 23rd - November 21st Scorpio, you’ll welcome March spending time with dear friends, enjoying beautiful galas, humanitarian causes, and social events! The Full Moon on March 9th in Virgo sees you ushering in a superb start to spring with opportunities to get involved in a charitable effort that is near and dear to your heart. You may instead be focusing on releasing a new website or app that has you beyond excited. Following the spring equinox on March

24th, the New Moon in Aries will see you committing to a new fitness routine and seeing results you love as you prep for summer. Also, at this time, you may accept a new role or work opportunity.

SAGITTARIUS November 22nd December 21st Sagittarius, life is about to get very exciting for you, as the Full Moon in Virgo on March 9th delivers a long-awaited career victory! Within five days of that date, you’ll have news to celebrate regarding an offer, a promotion, or another career victory that will put your name in lights!

Sagittarius, you have awaited this news for so long, and the time is now.

The New Moon in Aries on March 24th—after the spring equinox and lasting into the first week of April—will bring forth a romance or creative project that will bring you joy and happy news to celebrate.

CAPRICORN December 22nd -January 19th Capricorn, this spring ushers in so much happiness for you! With the Full Moon in Virgo on March 9th, you’ll be excited to finalize a creative project or publicity campaign. You may also be working with people overseas or on the East or West Coasts. Alternatively, you may be traveling to distant shores for business or pleasure. The beautiful Full Moon in Virgo may prompt you to pursue an MBA or another educational opportunity. You will be successful at whatever endeavors crystalize at this lovely Full Moon in Virgo! The New Moon on March 24th in Aries sees you starting a pleasant new path in regards to home and family. This may include home renovations, making an offer on your dream pad, or closing on a new home. This New Moon may also signal a joyous start regarding your family within two weeks, taking us into the first week of April.

AQUARIUS January 20th – February 18th Aquarius, what a fabulous month the stars have in store for you! The Full Moon on March 9th will assist you in bringing to light a terrific new financial dream. This is a great time to invest in stocks, apply for a mortgage, or make a financial plan. At this Full Moon, look to invest, invest, invest! This Full Moon can also mark a time in which you close a plethora of sales, add new clients, or finalize a significant new client order. Good for you Aquarius! At the New Moon in Aries on March 24th, you’ll welcome a new satisfying contract or agreement. You may also hear happy news from a sibling.

PISCES February 19th - March 20th Happy Birthday Pisces! The Moon in Virgo on March 9th falls in your opposite sign of Virgo, ruling your house of partnership and marriage.

At this Full Moon, you’ll potentially welcome a partnership or marriage proposal. This Full Moon is such a benevolent and merry one Pisces, that you will have happy news to celebrate within five days of this Full Moon! The Aries New Moon will see a new income-earning opportunity gifted to you. If you are planning to start a business or apply for a new role with a company, this is an excellent time to start.

Be sure to do so within two weeks of this Aries New Moon Pisces. sl

Sophisticated Stars Astrologist Joy Yascone Elms MA is the author and founder of The Power of Divine Timing; an annual sign by sign guide based on astrological timing helping readers to find and nurture their blessings and starve their challenges! Joy also offers Divine Timing coaching programs that help clients stay accountable to manifesting their goals and dreams based on their personal divine timing. Visit www.thepowerofdivinetiming.com for more info or email Joy at thepowerofdivinetiming@gmail.com.

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View of the AmaLyra, docked in Les Andelys, from a medieval castle.

MAGIC KINGDOM

It's a small world after all when traveling with Adventures by Disney.

Written and photographed by Bridget Williams While there is something to be said for the adrenaline rush that can come from inserting oneself into slightly contentious situations in far-flung places, it is not the ideal experience most are looking for in a holiday. Increasingly I've heard of acquaintances who have canceled travel plans based on threats both real and purported. Language barriers, dietary restrictions, physical limitations, and a general fear of the unknown all have the potential to prompt would-be globetrotters to restrict their adventuring to more familiar places that don't require a passport.

Enter Adventures by Disney (ABD). Founded in 2005 with just a pair of US destinations, today, this luxury tour arm of the Walt Disney Company now offers full-service trips on six continents. "We're all about creating exceptional experiences for families and couples that go beyond the parks to bring the magic into the larger world," said Yolanda Cade, who directs public relations for Adventures by Disney. A growing number of partnerships, including one with National Geographic

Expeditions, means that Disney's legendary customer service and attention to detail are attainable at every imaginable destination.

Curious about experiencing the Disney difference, we joined one of two adult-exclusive Seine River Cruise departures offered in 2019 as part of Adventures by Disney's growing roster of adultonly vacations. For its European river cruises, ABD has partnered with luxury operator AmaWaterways—the first cruise line to be offered membership into the private and prestigious La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gastronomic society—to ensure guests have a topnotch, ship-shape experience.

A care package arrived a few weeks before we set off for France. Along with logoed travel bags of various sizes, there was a spiral-bound, purse-sized travel guide outlining the complete itinerary, along with background information on each destination, a comprehensive packing guide, and answers to frequently asked questions. The latter is a prime example of ABD's ability to stay one step ahead in anticipating guests' needs. slmag.net

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Rouen is one of Normandy's most engaging and historically rich destinations.

Claude Monet's house in Giverny

Claude Monet's garden in Giverny

During adults-only trips, don't look for Mickey and Minnie to show up at breakfast (which was a relief for me as a non-dyedin-the-wool Disney person). There is a concerted effort to make the destination the star. Still, there was a palpable Disney presence, most notably among fellow travelers. Identifiable by varying degrees of Disney garb, their enthusiasm was infectious as they gushed about their past experiences on Disney-led trips and crushed less ardent devotees during trivia and name-that-tune contests.

Amply taking the places of costumed critters are the charming, colorful characters that comprise the Disney Adventure Guides. As many as four-thousand applications culled from around the globe are screened to fill less than a dozen trip leader positions. Often young enough to be the children or even grandchildren of guests on board, our Adventure Guides were poised, patient, and possessed leadership, storytelling, and service skills way beyond their years. "Our goal is to make the trip worry-free so guests can immerse themselves in the culture, and Disney allows us the freedom to think outside-the-box to surprise guests," said Adventure Guide Veronika.

Our 10-day adventure commenced with an optional two-night Paris Escape before seven nights aboard the AmaLyra. Whether on ship or shore, each day's "Daily Adventurer" provided a detailed look 34 slmag.net

at what to expect, along with destination information, emergency phone numbers, and the theme of the daily photo contest, an exercise many tackled with the aplomb of a pro athlete.

There are certainly plenty of tour operators that can take you to the beaches of Normandy or Monet's garden in Giverny, and this is where the Disney difference is most palpable. At Normandy, our guide for the day was none other than Dr. Jean-Pierre Benamou, OBE, founder of the D-Day Academy. His knowledge of and reverence for the sacrifices made on that hallowed ground was genuinely soul-stirring.

One of many tearful moments that day occurred when Dr. Benamou spied a WWII veteran. "I owe you my life‌I may not have been here without your service," he said as he gave the man a warm embrace. Disney guests who lost a relative during D-Day were invited to participate in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony.

After taking a moment to compose ourselves, we were chauffeured to the beaches in meticulously restored WWII-era military vehicles.

Standing on the rocky coastline while Dr. Benamou's colleagues held up photos of fallen soldiers on the very same spot was a powerful reminder of why these brave souls are considered the Greatest Generation.

A member of the D-Day Academy shared poignant photos during a visit to the beaches of Normandy.

Porte d'Aval arch in the town of Étretat.

Left: Construction on Rouen's famous cathedral began in the 12th century.

Below: The harbor in Honfleur is lined with townhouses that date back to the 16th century.

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An exclusive afternoon at the Château de Bizy in Vernon included oldfashioned carnival games, tour guides attired in period costumes, and ample time to explore the vast gardens.

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Vincent van Gogh's final resting place in Auvers-sur-Oise.

Walking in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh at Auvers-sur-Oise.

Experts in less somber subjects—from champagne to castles—greeted us at other stops, which included a mix of planned excursions and free time. In Vernon, we were first through the gates at Monet's garden, allowing us time to appreciate the beauty and serenity of the space before the packed tour buses started rolling in. Later that day, after bobbing for apples and playing traditional French lawn games at the grand Château de Bizy, we were free to enjoy the peace and quiet found in roaming the vast gardens.

In Rouen, we walked in the footsteps of Joan of Arc. Climbing a creaky staircase in Auvers-sur-Oise lead to a sparse room in the boarding house where Vincent Van Gogh took his last breath. The steep climb to the ruins of a medieval castle constructed by Richard the Lionheart didn't leave me breathless, but the sweeping views of Les Andelys did, along with the steep drops along the cliff line in the seaside town of Étretat.

Back on the boat each day by the late afternoon, we were enticed by a cocktail du jour, to attend a pre-dinner briefing in the lounge. Our troop of six perennially perky Adventure Guides doled out accolades and coveted collectible pins to repeat guests and those celebrating milestones and accomplishments before sharing information about the next day's adventures. A hub of activity, the lounge was the site of cooking demonstrations, post-dinner entertainment and dancing, and talks on culture and history.

Caramels are a speciality in Honfleur, a town situated on an estuary where the Seine meets the English Channel.

Gourmet macaroons by Yannick Lefort were sampled during a walking tour of the SaintGermain-des-Près area.

Dining was a delight, with meals featuring both familiar and foreign specialties. Those with dietary restrictions were amply accommodated. Guests have the option of reserving a space for dinner at the Chef's Table, an intimate glass-walled dining room at the ship's stern where a six-course pre-fixe dinner is mated with elevated French wine pairings.

Most mornings, as dawn began to break, I pulled back the curtains in my stateroom to watch the boat glide past charming towns. The shoreline was a marvelous milieu of mostly modest cottages and the occasional grand château with a manicured lawn that lapped at the water's edge. It's safe to say that I wasn't the only one prompted by the idyllic scenery to wonder about what it would be like to move to the French countryside.

Disney magic extended to the final moments of our voyage, where our return to Paris was timed to coincide with the hourly evening illumination of the Eiffel Tower. Getting us as close to the iconic monument as possible prompted everyone on the top deck to duck as we passed beneath Pont Mirabeau. The boat paused in a picturesque spot just before the quarter-scale replica of the Statue of Liberty that resides on the Île aux Cygnes. It was a special moment where the lights from the Eiffel Tower seemed to meld into the effervescent bubbles raised high in unison to toast the conclusion of a memorable adventure. sl For more information visit adventuresbydisney.com.

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Of Note... Animal Instinct

Compiled by Colin Dennis

Clockwise from top left: X-Bench in ScalamandrĂŠ Desert Cheetah upholstery from The Inside ($329; ($32 TheInside.com). Il Pavone armchair designed g

by Los Angeles-based g artist and designer g Marcc Ange for Visionnaire. Photo by Andrea Ansalone (price upon request; visionnaire-home.com). Haute House Peacock cube ottoman ($650; hautehousehome.com). Seletti Wears Toiletpaper Snakes armchair ($1,350; seletti.us/shop/). Renovatio chair from Hancock & Moore (to the trade; hancockandmoore.com). Bronze fawn leg side table from Global Views (to the trade; globalviews.com).

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Clockwise from top left: The Tiger rug from Mineheart ($968; mineheart.com). Monkey table lamp with blue velvet shade from Audenza ($150; audenza.com). Cheval wall sconce from Jonathan Adler ($695; jonathanadler.com). Antelope AX carpet in Cocoa from STARK (starkcarpet.com). Falcon tub chair from Egg Designs ($3,295; eggdesigns.com). Pet Light Purr from Moooi ($523; moooi.com). Limited-edition Dove commemorative sculpture from Michael Aram ($350; michaelaram.com).

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Matterhorn

A SLICE OF SWISS Written by Michael John

When the SwissAir flight pulled away from the jet bridge at exactly its scheduled departure time, it was a subtle yet significant indication of the experience that would unfold over the next seven days in Switzerland—absolute precision.

Soon after the wheels went up, the multilingual SwissAir staff ’s seamless and stealthy service began. In anticipation of a full itinerary, I took advantage of the lay-flat business class arrangements and prioritized rest for the flight, after dinner and a glass or two of Swiss wine, of course.

Upon touching down in this modest and peaceful country, the first stop was the train station in Zürich (Hauptbahnhof ) for a rail trip to the quaint alpine town of Zermatt. Shortly after connections in Bern and Visp, the remarkable efficiency of the Swiss, specifically the train system, became readily apparent.

For travelers who appreciate reliable schedules and impeccable timekeeping, it’s difficult to imagine a more dependable mode of transport.

Winding through the picturesque countryside, the panoramic glass windows of the clean and quiet first-class cabin afforded unobstructed views of naturally made wonders and impressive feats of human engineering. Upon disembarking in Zermatt, the mountain air was brisk and the golden sun warm. The scene could easily have been a movie set, but this was simply the center of the historic mountaineering town.

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A tuxedoed chauffer and his beautifully adorned horse and carriage guided a memorable ascension up main street, Bahnhofstrasse, on the way to the iconic Mont Cervin Palace.

Shoppers entering and exiting celebrated Swiss boutiques stopped and stared at this special ride. Perhaps it was because of the stylish chariot or because the only other vehicles traveling Zermatt are zeroemission custom-built miniature electric vans assembled nearby.

A few moments later the almost-cinematic experience ended upon arrival at the hotel where the director of sales and unofficial town historian, Petra Ellmeier, staged a grand welcome. As I was ushered passed the enchanting fireplace that warmed the discerningly appointed lobby I arrived to my authentic chalet-style suite. The balcony doors were opened so I could behold the breathtaking Matterhorn. This sun-drenched peak pierced the sky, dwarfing dozens of rooftops between my balcony and the hillside.

Departing this inviting vista, I strolled the tight cobblestone streets, starting in the old village where 16th century structures built from stone and larch wood timbers were tightly packed together. Every turn gave way to a new vantage point of the glorious Matterhorn, and each bend served up a surprise shot of floral landscapes bursting with color. The civic pride runs deep (or high) in Zermatt, as does a sense of community and stewardship to the planet—each palpable in the random encounters with the guide’s neighbors and friends. As the sun fell behind the mountainside, the chill induced a quick end to the tour.

Mount Cervin Palace

Mount Cervin Palace

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Beau Rivage

The warmth of the fire and the rustic refinement of the Mont Cervin Palace awaited. I was ready for a comforting and well-constructed meal and the Grill was superb - the selection of Swiss wines excellent and the wood-fired meats perfect. Maybe it was the long day of travel or Zermatt’s mile-high elevation (5,310 feet above sea level), but the cozy suite beckoned. I ended this surreal day beside a fire crackling, with the moon illuminating this wondrous gem of the Alps.

At dawn the beauty of the Matterhorn transformed into a glowing pyramidal peak, as two of its faces caught the sun’s rays before any other corner of this picturesque town. With a long train ride down the mountain and no margin for error in Swiss rail schedules, I made haste to the main station for the next stop, Lausanne.

Speeding toward Lake Geneva’s second-largest city provided a visual and unexpected lesson in Swiss winemaking. The train raced along the terraced vineyards of nearby Lavaux, one of only a few UNESCO world heritage vineyards on the planet. For about 20 miles along the lake’s shores, a unique varietal of Chasselas grape grows and is still harvested by hand. This local wine was about to become far more prevalent on the trip.

A short taxi ride from Lausanne Station, the Beau-Rivage Palace in Ouchy is a remarkable example of Art Nouveau and Neo-Baroque architectural styles. The historic landmark rose prominently from the manicured grounds amid rare species of flora and fauna. Pauline Lioté, public relations and partnership coordinator, provided a brief reception in the grand lobby.

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Highly sought lunch reservations awaited, but a tastefully styled suite made it nearly impossible to depart. The inspired and newly renovated room had a palette of calming blues and greens, the mirrored walls reflected the lake beyond a private patio and the upholstered headboard topped a cloud of alluring white linens.

The elevator to ground level, one floor below the famed rotundas, led to a veritable hall of fame with images of dignitaries and celebrities who have stayed in this storied place. Café Beau Rivage was another master class in refinement. The floor-to-ceiling windows framed the natural beauty beyond the glass and complemented the enveloping bespoke décor. The coveted corner booth provided a perfect view of the dining room and deftly designed space. Nothing disappointed from that moment on—the baguette, wine, rockfish soup, fresh caught perch. Everything was delectable, down to a signature tart.

In the afternoon, the tranquil lakefront path enticed me and I strolled along the water’s edge past charming cottages, striking estates and the rousing Olympic Museum. After only hours in this town and a short hike across the gorgeous grounds of the Capitale Olympique—I knew why the International Olympic Committee has called Lausanne home for more than 100 years.

I later meandered the halls and common areas of this Grande Dame hotel on the way to dinner at L´Accademia, an Italiancentric offering just a few steps away at a sister hotel. After I enjoyed inventive takes on classic pasta dishes, I finished the evening with a nightcap at the prestigious BAR.

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Baur au Lac

Early-morning coffee on the breathtaking waterfront balcony and pampering at the hotel’s Spa Cinque Monde greeted the new day.

After a relaxing treatment I set off to explore life in the center of town and experience luxury at a different grand hotel, Lausanne Palace, and never lost view of the lake. I made a point to lunch at the bustling Brasserie Grande Chêne, which was reminiscent of a historic Parisian power spot. The green chairs and white tablecloths set against the dark mahogany wood paired perfectly with brass accents. Over Dover sole, pomme frites and more delicious wine from Lavaux, Odile Vogel-Reynaud, director of sales and marketing at Sandoz Foundation Hotels, offered a peek at the famed Coco Chanel suite, overlooking the town with unobstructed views of the water.

With Swiss efficiency, after staring at the next destination across the shores of Lake Geneva, a plush railcar whisked me to Zurich.

A cobblestone road brimming with boutiques led to the Widder Hotel. This extraordinary enclave was an unexpected departure from previous accommodations: a collection of nine medieval homes combined, restored and reimagined as a modern refuge of historic luxury. This unique lobby and the inviting library showcased a blending of new materials with salvaged architectural elements.

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The suite exuded more of the same contrasts. Original timber beams topped modern amenities, and vintage wall coverings countered plush leather and state-of-the-art technology. Wood inlay trompe l’oeil detailed doors adorned a maze of hallways back to the lobby. Different species of wood or various types of stone transitioned from one structure to another.

This was a technique the architect deployed to distinguished each home. I learned later the ambitious project lasted a decade and required more than 1,000 conservation experts to complete.

Surrounding church bells occasionally punctured the silence of the early morning. Next on the agenda was a half-day excursion to a hillside resort on the edge of the Adlisberg forest— the magical Dolder Grand Hotel. The impressive castle-like destination hotel is perched above the waterfront cityscape, and Anna Siroka, director of marketing, awaited at the front entry.

The epitome of hospitality since 1899, the Dolder Grand Hotel’s rich history, beautiful natural surroundings and purposeful past were present in each detail. From the iconic architecture to the impressive modern art collection accentuating it, the hotel is an unrivaled oasis. Every aspect of the building was thoughtful,

Widder Hotel

Dolder Grand

Widder Hotel

and each element felt measured. This gorgeous sanctuary was carefully restored in 2008 to achieve today’s highest standards.

The Saltz restaurant’s creative cuisine has been honored with 14 GaultMillau points. The space, designed by Rolf Sachs, emanates a unique atmosphere full of color and clean lines. The bright blue banquettes and the punching red neon light installation directed attention to grand windows with views of a sprawling landscape beyond. Siroka recommended her favorites from the menu and recounted the rich history of this hillside treasure. The cauliflower froth soup and patiently cooked black cod were delightful. Precisely chilled Swiss wines were refreshing.

No trip to the Dolder Grand is complete without a visit to the 43,000-square-foot spa, boasting an aqua zone, with a swimming pool, mixed sauna, steam bath, spa, whirlpool terrace, samarium, library, fitness area and relaxation room. After a 60-minute organic facial and a tote full of Amala products, I began to make my way back down the road to Zurich.

Baur au Lac Hotel, the next and final stop of the trip, is just off the water’s edge, where main street, Baunhofstrasse, meets Lake Geneva. This 175-year-old palace sparkled in the sun and

its private gardens dazzled against quiet canals, producing an atmosphere that seemed miles away from Zurich’s busier districts, while sitting merely steps from it all.

Le Hall is the renowned and romantic social epicenter of this building. The glass dome and indoor foliage added to the idyllic space for libations and conversation. Three hours disappeared over canapés and tea, then hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Afternoon turned to evening, and I prepared for one last slice of Switzerland.

The eponymous Baur’s is the town’s newest hot spot. This scene maker certainly did not disappoint, and the kitchen turned out hit after hit. The only thing as enjoyable as the food was the engaging company, Christiane Lanz, head of corporate office for Swiss Deluxe Hotel and of course two (alright, maybe three) chilled glasses of that crisp Swiss wine.

Satisfied on several levels, I retired to the room for one last night along the shores of Lake Geneva. The morning came sooner than I would have preferred, but with more memories (and meals) than most could possibly imagine, I made my way from Le Terrace for coffee and croissants to Zurich’s main station for one final, impeccably timed train ride. This time it would be to the airport. sl slmag.net

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THE VINES THAT BIND The legendary legacy of Grgich Hills is a family affair.

Written by Chloe Gellar / Photos courtesy of Grgich Hills Estate If not for a lone reporter who turned up to the now-legendary "Judgement of Paris" in 1976, Miljenko "Mike" Grgich's career might have taken a very different trajectory. The resulting article in Time Magazine by rookie reporter George Taber detailed how wine from two California upstarts—a 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay made by Grgich, and Warren Winiarski's 1973 Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon—bested France's finest wines. Awarded 132 points by the vaunted French judges, Grgich's Chardonnay earned the highest total score of any of the wines, red or white, in the tasting. It wasn't until a reporter from the New York Times called Grgich for a follow-up story did he learn of his remarkable achievement.

The victory was the culmination of Grgich's indefatigable work ethic and constant quest for knowledge to improve his craft. The youngest of 11 children, Mike was born in Desne, Croatia in 1923, becoming part of a family with a long legacy of growing grapes and making wine. He recounts that his first taste of wine came around the age of two-and-a-half, when his mother weaned him from breastmilk to a combination of water and wine, a common practice in areas where water was often scarce and its potability questionable.

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While studying enology and viticulture at the University of Zagreb in communist-controlled Croatia, Mike had a professor remark in confidence that California was a winemaker's paradise.

Inspired by this vision and knowing that he could not realize his potential as a winemaker under communist rule, Mike took $32 he'd saved up over a decade and had a cobbler make a false bottom for his shoes to prevent the foreign currency from being confiscated at the border. He arrived in Canada in 1954 and made it to the Napa Valley four years later with just a single small suitcase filled with agriculture and winemaking books. A symbol of his impact on the world of wine, Mike's portmanteau went on to be part of an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution.

Taking his father's advice to heart that knowledge is more valuable than property, as soon as he arrived in Napa, Mike sought out the most respected winemakers of the era. His mentors included Lee Stewart, founder of Souverain Winery, and legendary Russian winemaker André Tchelistcheff. Mike made his first Cabernet for Robert Mondavi in 1969 and joined Chateau Montelena as a winemaker and limited partner in 1972.

Miljenko "Mike" Grgich, Violet Grgich, and Ivo Jeramaz

Riding the fortuitous headwind provided by the historic win at the Paris tarting, Grgich partnered with Austin Hills of the Hills Bros. Coffee Company to break ground on Grgich Hills Cellars on July 4, 1977. Mike specifically chose that date as a celebration of freedom, independence, and his realization of the American Dream. Proving that he wasn't a one-hit-wonder as a winemaker, Mike's first bottling under the Grgich label, a 1977 Chardonnay, bested 221 entrants from around the world at 1980's "Great Chicago Chardonnay Showdown."

In 2007 Grgich Hills became entirely estate grown and changed its name to Grgich Hills Estate. Today, there are five distinct vineyards spread out over 366 acres. The winery is solarpowered, and the vineyards are certified organic. This is a point of pride for Mike, his daughter Violet, who serves as president of the family business, and Mike's nephew and winemaker Ivo Jeramaz, who came to Napa from Croatia in 1986. Both Violet and Ivo worked their way up the ladder of responsibility—Violet starting on the bottling line and Ivo washing barrels—to attain their respective leadership roles in the family business.

Continuing the Grgich legacy is of paramount importance to the family, and Ivo continues the Old World-style and foodfriendly approach to winemaking implemented by Mike. At Grgich Hills, the grape grower is also the winemaker. This intimate level of ground-to-glass involvement is crucial to Ivo, who says that it is the quality of the vineyard that ultimately determines the quality of the wine. "There is only so much you can do in the cellar," he explained. Grgich Hills wines are characterized by no malolactic fermentation, which imparts bright acidity that provides structure and stimulates the palate.

Provenance plays a role in the enduring popularity of Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay, which is widely accessible, along with their Zinfandel, Fume Blanc, and Cabernet.

However, a visit to their Rutherford tasting room is a must to sample Miljenko's Selections and their Legacy bottlings.

Memorable among the latter is a Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay, which showcases the Wente clone, Grgich Hill's oldest block of Chardonnay, planted in 1989. Its vibrancy is a taste of history in a glass. sl slmag.net

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Bibliotaph... Hedge Fun

Compiled by Victoria Chase Capitalizing on current trends to live smaller and with less stuff, garden designer Isa Hendry Eaton and lifestyle writer Jennifer Blaise Kramer outline sound design principles demonstrating how to create a compact yet elegant and exciting outdoor living space for entertaining or relaxing. Isa Hendry Eaton and Jennifer Blaise Kramer—Small Garden Style: A Design Guide for Outdoor Rooms and Containers— hardcover, 192 pages, Ten Speed Press (crownpublishing.com) This hefty, large-format tome features more than 550 detailed quill-pen illustrations of 212 tree species, each drawn to a scale of 1:100. First published in 1982, and out of print for two decades, this is the first English-language edition of a study by Italian architects Cesare Leonardi and Franca Stagi that took more than twenty years to complete.

Cesare Leonardi and Franca Stagi—The Architecture of Trees— hardcover, 424 pages, Princeton Architectural Press (papress.com) A passionate edible gardener and locavore advocate, Jack Staub takes readers on an intimate tour of more than twenty stunning private gardens in Virginia, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Jack Staub (writer) and Rob Cardillo (photographer)— Private Edens: Beautiful Country Gardens— hardcover, 256 pages, Gibbs Smith (gibbs-smith.com)

The thirty gardens profiled encompass everything from grandiose displays at Versailles to a tiny terrace in the Marais. Zahid Sardar (writer) and Marion Brenner (photographer)—In & Out Paris: Gardens of Secret Delights—hardcover, 264 pages, Gibbs Smith (gibbs-smith.com)

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bib 'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf ]: a person who caches or hoards books Editor Carl Dellatore's compilation of essays by foremost garden designers working in the present era presents a comprehensive education on all facets of creating a garden. Ample photography accompanying each designer's article makes this an impactful visual reference book. Carl Dellatore (editor)—Garden Design Master Class: 100 Lessons from The World's Finest Designers on the Art of the Garden—hardcover, 288 pages, Rizzoli (rizzoliusa.com)

Designed by Michael Van Valkenburg, the intimate walled Monk's Garden at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is notable for its meandering paths through a dreamlike woodland.

In his own words, the prominent landscape architect shares the background of the Monk's Garden, focusing on the experimental nature of the design, along with the uniqueness of working on a small scale within a broader historical and cultural context.

Michael Van Valkenburg— Designing A Garden—hardcover, 208 pages, The Monacelli Press (monacellipress.com)

A testament to his global popularity, books by Israeli author Meir Shalev are published in more than twentyfive languages. In this colorfully illustrated book, Shalev shares his deep appreciation for his beloved garden, situated on the perimeter of Israel's Jezreel Valley, which he writes is, "neither neatly organized nor well kept." Meir Shalev—My Wild Garden: Notes from a Writer's Eden— hardcover, 304 pages, Schrocken Press, (penguinrandomhouse.com) In addition to commissions from some of the world's most famous fashion houses and well-known brands in tech and spirits, Olaf Hajek's illustrations have also appeared in The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, GQ, and Architectural Digest, among others. Here he lends his formidable talents to educating children about the health benefits of flowers. Christine Paxmann (writer), Olaf Hajek (illustrator)—Flower Power: The Magic of Nature's Healers— hardcover, 40 pages, Prestel Junior (penguinrandomhouse.com) Bestselling author, flower farmer, and floral designer Erin Benzakein offers advice on every phase of working with cut flowers plucked from your own garden or purchased at the market. The twenty-five how-to projects encompass everything from eye-popping centerpieces to festive wreaths. Erin Benzakein, Chris Benzakein, Jill Jorgensen, and Julie Chai—Floret Farm's A Year In Flowers: Designing Gorgeous Arrangements for Every Season—hardcover, 312 pages, Chronicle Books (chroniclebooks.com)

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OVER THE MOON(stone) Compiled by Bridget Williams

Boasting an internal structure that scatters light as strikes it (an optical phenomenon known as adularescence), it is not hard to fathom why Hindu mythology refers to moonstone as solidified moonbeams. Because of its lunar link, lore and legend have long ascribed moonstone with many helpful and healing attributes. Whether you are looking for a celestial boost or simply prefer the stone's ethereal aesthetic, these of-the-moment moonstone adornments certainly fit the bill.

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Clockwise from f topp left f opposite pp page: p g Pamela P Zamore sterlingg silver Lotus us necklace with moonstone m ($145; pamelazamore.com). Kassandra Nicholson Jewelry moonstone pendant ($910; kassandranicholson.com). Adel Chefridi rectangle g moonstone pendant nt in 18K yellow gold ($5,185; chefridi.com). Elizabeth Locke "Farnese" link necklace ($17,575) and cerulean Venetian glass intaglio and moonstone pendant ($6,200; elizabethlocke.com). Ara Vartanian moonstone and diamond ring ($5,700; aravartanian.com). Mary MacGill one-of-a-kind moonstone "Form" cuff ($2,100; marymacgill.com). Rush Jewelry Designs "Draper" ring with moonstone and lapis in 18K yellow gold ($6,750; rushjewelrydesign.com). LMJ "My Colorful Legacy" pearl and moonstone open ring in 14K yellow gold-plated sterling silver ($369; luvmyjewelry.com). David Yurman Solari 18K gold bead bracelet with white moonstone ($1,350; davidyurman.com). Rush Jewelry Design "Kinetic" moonstone earrings ($4,200; rushjewelrydesign.com). Diamond and moonstone "Gala" chandelier earrings from Mindi Mond New York (price upon request; mindimondny.com). Brent Neale earrings with malachite "vase" and amethyst, citrine, natural red coral, mother-of-pearl, and moonstone "flowers" ($12,150; brentneale.com) Opposite page: Omi PrivĂŠ moonstone, aquamarine, and diamond ring ($14,000; omiprive.com).

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Of Note... Raising Cane Ca

C Compiled l d by b Colin l Denniss

Clockwise from top left: Sunnylands Palm wallpaper in Onyx from Wallshoppe ($149/roll; wallshoppe.com). Evers woven sea grass pendant from Arteriors ($780; arteriorshome.com). Boffi LUI 5/A caned armchair with gold leaf ($6,848; 1stdibs.com). Beauvier French cane bed from Frontgate (from $2,399; frontgate.com). Cane I Join You dining chair from Caracole ($866; caracole.com). AERIN cane coaster set ($250; aerin.com).

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Interior designer Bobby Berk with pieces from his collection for A.R.T. Furniture. Woven cane detailing is found on the Moller dining chairs and the Bauer cabinet. (arthomefurnishings.com)

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MAKING WAVES Fisker debuts its Ocean all-electric SUV Written by Andre James “Our mission is to become the number-one e-mobility service provider on Earth, featuring the world’s most desirable and sustainable vehicles while shaking up the old automotive industry model,” said Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc. The California-based automotive company made a splash with the world debut of their Ocean all-electric SUV at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Paying homage to the brand’s roots, Fisker exhibited the Ocean’s California Mode, a standard feature across all option packages except for the base model. With the touch of a button, nine glass windows/panels lower to create an airy feeling while maintaining the full “roll cage” safety structure around passengers.

The Ocean’s standard four-wheel drive configuration will deliver an output of more than 225 kilowatts (300+ horsepower), with an ultra-high performance version targeting the zero-to -60 mph sprint in less than three seconds. The +80 kWh capacity battery provides a range of up to 300 miles. Electrify America’s 150 kW chargers can charge capable vehicles up to 20 miles per minute.

A full-length solar roof supports the car’s electric power source; the company reports that solar energy could contribute as many as 1,000 free miles annually.

Inside the cabin, a state-of-the-art heads-up display integrated into the windshield accompanies a sizeable 16-inch 54 slmag.net

center touch screen and a 9.8-inch cluster screen. Sustainable features include carpeting made from abandoned fishing net waste and vegan and eco-suede surfaces. The company has pledged to utilize discarded rubber waste generated during tire manufacturing to prevent it from being sent to landfills.

The Fisker mobile app and website are central to the company’s interaction with consumers. A $250 reservation covers either the full purchase option or the flexible lease program. In advance of the first high-volume deliveries projected for 2022, customers will receive exclusive invites to Fisker experience centers and test-drives.

Multiple industry firsts have arrived with the Fisker app to create an innovative customer experience, from a flexible lease program, maintenance and repair on demand, insurance purchase to simplified finance options. Fisker says that in the future, the mobile app platform may also include mobility options like green ride-hailing, carpooling, and vehicle sharing.

“As the world’s first all-digital car company, we’re humbled and delighted at the overwhelmingly positive response to the Fisker Ocean,” remarked Fisker. “In addition, we look forward to sharing more developments on the Fisker Ocean with the world soon, including the first public footage of the full production-intent prototype’s road tests – showcasing the durability and readiness of the vehicle’s fully-engineered platform.” sl For more information, visit fiskerinc.com.

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ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Like bears to honey, we’re sweet on these ďŹ ne jewelry and accessory pieces that draw insp inspiration from the natural world.

Compiled by Bridget Williams

Clockwise from top left this page: Ruchi New York Butterfly brooch set with slice diamonds and round diamonds (price upon request; ruchinewyork.com). Sylva & Cie 18K yellow gold, diamond and ruby earrings ($5,250; sylvacie.com). 18K Resting Bee ring from Temple St. Clair ($1,950; templestclair.com). Tabbah Reptilia two-finger rose gold and diamond ring (price upon request; tabbah.com). Edward Avedis leaf earrings (price upon request; edwardavedis.com).

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Clockwise from top left this page: Pamela Love Aegean pendant necklace ($210; pamelalove.com). Van Cleef & Arpels Lucky Animals Lion clip ($8,050; vancleefarpels.com). Laura Caspi articulated Lobster necklace with black diamonds ($1,475; lauracaspi.com). Bibi van der Velden Bear necklace carved from 60,000-year-old mammoth tusk ($4,133; bibivandervelden.com). Kassandra Nicholson Jewelry Wave pendant in 14K yellow gold ($620; kassandranicholson.com). Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon – Four Seasons, Summer (price upon request; vacheron-constantin.com). Monkeydeo sardonyx shell cameo earrings with tsavorites from AMEDEO ($7,500; amedeo. shop/). From Piaget, this limited-edition timepiece with diamond bezel and cloisonnÊ enamel dial, commemorates the Year of the Rat (piaget.com). Nicole Rose Jewelry baguette and round diamond Large Flower earrings ($5,995; nicolerosejewelry.com).

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BUZZWORTHY

What caught our eye at the Consumer Electronics Show Compiled by Andre James and Bridget Williams

LIFX filament bulb

One of the largest gatherings for those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies, the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this past January drew more than 4,500 exhibiting companies and 175,000 attendees, representing 160 countries. First held in New York City in 1967, some 700,000 products have been launched at the show in the ensuing decades. From the VCR in 1970 to this year, where Tokyo debuted plans for a "Woven City" at the base of Mount Fuji, technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed. With 2.9-million-square-feet of companies vying for our attention, for our CES roundup, we eschewed the outlandish in favor of technology most likely to make it into daily life.

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Crescent speaker

CookingPal Julia

WHAT'S COOKING CookingPal Julia is an intelligent autonomous cooking system. Its voice-enabled tablet suggests meals and provides step-by-step recipe guidance and works in tandem with a Smart Kitchen Appliance that handles every element of prepping a meal, from chopping and kneading to stirring and steaming. It even cleans up after itself! With a built-in camera and AI food recognition capabilities, it can suggest what to make based on what you have. Available in late 2020, Julia is expected to retail for under $1,000 (cookingpal.com).

The Kitchen Hub from GE Appliances is a first-of-itskind, over-the-range interactive smart kitchen and ventilation system. The second-generation iteration includes a built-in microwave with a camera inside that syncs with AI computer vision cooking technology, to create a cutting-edge digital cooking experience. Available in late 2020, pricing is yet to be announced (geappliances.com).

Drinking beverages from plastic bottles uses up to 32 times more greenhouse gas emissions than drinking from your tap. Designed to eliminate single-use plastic bottles, the Rocean One is a stylish countertop device that filters, flavors,

GE Appliances Kitchen Hub

and carbonates water directly from the tap. You can sign up for the waitlist at rocean.com.

For Weber's debut at CES, the barbecue grill brand showcased its Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub. This firstof-its-kind grilling assistant sends notifications directly to a smartphone on everything from grill set up, to when food is ready to flip, serve, and eat ($130; weber.com) SOUND DECISIONS Upstart Cleer Audio is challenging the notion of boxy sounders with its Crescent range, an array of eight custom 40mm full-range drivers, and two 3.3" subwoofers (cleeraudio.com).

Altec Lansing unveiled new speaker models for its line of Everything-Proof Bluetooth speakers. "Play Your Way" technology allows users to play the device vertically, for true 360 omnidirectional sound, or horizontally, for front-facing stereo sound (from $40; alteclansing.com).

AfterShokz showcased bone conduction headphones. Their military-grade technology keeps the eardrum open to ambient noise, giving the wearer situational awareness that traditional headphones lack (from $80; aftershokz.com). slmag.net

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zLight

FIT BITS Technology is often blamed for making us sedentary.

At CES, it had big plans to get us to move more and keep us apprised of our health stats with noninvasive wearable tech.

Circular is a lightweight, seamless, and comfortable hybrid smart ring with interchangeable shells that uses cross-correlation, precise captors, and machine learning for laboratory-level accuracy. It has six features, an artificial assistant and an intuitive mobile app that analyzes users' day and night data for personalized wellness suggestions.

Amazfit HomeStudio is a connected fitness treadmill mated with a 43" HD screen (called the GLASS), and surround-sound JBL speakers to provide an immersive and highly personal boutique fitness experience. Amazfit HomeStudio utilizes AI-powered computer vision to detect and help correct form (pricing yet to be announced; en.amazfit.com).

Withings ScanWatch is the world's first clinically validated hybrid smartwatch to detect both risks of AFib and sleep apnea – all from the wrist (from $249; withings.com).

Tonal is a sleekly designed, at-home workout machine that combines cutting edge tech with personalized, expert-led fitness programs. Tonal's AI. Coach software is intuitive and learns from users to adapt guidance in real-time and provide a highlypersonalized workout ($2,995; Tonal.com).

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Power Plate demoed their new Power Plate MOVE. This lightweight and portable vibration trainer boasts a large platform area and six variable frequency modes to accommodate exercises from weight training to HIIT workouts ($2,995; powerplate.com).

The Muse S meditation headband utilizes passive advanced signal processing used by neuroscience researchers to interpret mental activity. Working in tandem with the Muse Meditation app, once you've finished your session, you can access real-time data to track your progress ($210; choosemuse.com).

SEE THE LIGHT Developed by Mark Zuckerberg for his wife, the zLight functions as a sleep box that emits a faint light at a set time to let you know whether it's time to get up or fall back asleep. zLight can also be used as an audio sound system, a minimalistic wireless charger, and an environment controller with temperature, humidity, and CO2 sensors to guarantee top air quality in any bedroom. (preorder at indiegogo.com).

The Nanoleaf Learning Series includes hexagon-shaped Unified Light Panels, the first-ever modular smart lights with shape interconnectivity. Available in summer 2020 (nanoleaf.me) LIFX Filament represents the growing trend towards vintage Edison-type smart lights. Available in smoky, amber and clear glass versions, the bulbs support all voice assistants, cloud connectivity and remote on/off and dimming functionality (lifx.com).

Tonal

Muse S Withings ScanWatch

Power Plate MOVE Circular

Amazfit HomeStudio

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Manta5 Hydrofoil eBike LG Signature OLED 8K TV

InFocus 4K HDR smart TV

SpotOn

Y-Brush The W81 series from Skyworth

Samsung Sero

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Opte

Brunswick SLX-R 400e Outboard

SEA WORTHY Brunswick unveiled its SLX-R 400e Outboard.

The "e" designates a first-of-its-kind boat electrification feature—the Fathom e-Power system. Developed by Brunswick, the high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack with an intuitive power management system is capable of powering all of the boat's accessory systems to enjoy a longer, quieter, and more eco-friendly day on the water.

The Manta5 Hydrofoil eBike replicates the intuitive cycling experience on water using carbon fiber foils (the wings) and a fully waterproof eBike battery and motor. With variable pedal assist, cyclists can reach speeds of up to 12 mph ($7,495; manta5.com) Waydoo took the wraps off of its updated e-Foil "flying surfboard."

The carbon-fiber Waydoo Flyer has a 6,000W battery that gives users a steady ride of up to 75 minutes on a full charge and a top speed of 28mph. It's controlled by a wireless Bluetooth hand-held controller with five-speed and proficiency modes ($6,495; waydootech.com).

DOGGONE SMART SpotOn Virtual Fence gives dogs the freedom to be dogs and owners the peace of mind to let them. The only genuinely wireless containment solution, SpotOn replaces buried wires and base stations with GPS technology. Simply use the collar to walk a perimeter anywhere, creating an instant containment area. SpotOn's satellite tracking notifies owners via the phone app when a dog leaves the area and allows them to locate their dog in realtime with turn-by-turn directions (spotoncollar.com).

ABOUT FACE Opte from P&G Ventures scans, detects, and corrects hyper-pigmentation with precision application of an Optimizing Serum that reduces the appearance of spots over time.

Join the waitlist at opteskin.com.

IONIQ showcased the first smart skincare sprayer. Using magnetic skin technology, users can spray skincare products, such as sunscreen, onto their whole body without the need to rub-it-in.

The product is scheduled to launch in June 2020 (ioniqskin.com) Y-Brush, an auto-cleaning electronic toothbrush, claims to simultaneously deep-clean all of your teeth in just 10 seconds using sonic vibration technology (from $125; us.y-brush.com).

WATCH LIST The W81 series from Skyworth, China's leading TV brand, created quite a stir with their paper-thin OLED TV (4.6mm at its slimmest point) in 65" and 77". The screen seamlessly attaches to the wall with help from a powerful magnetic fixture and an invisible wall mount for added stability (from $3,599; skyworthusa.com) Infinity announced a new line of InFocus 4K HDR smart TV with a slim, frameless infinity screen. They will be available in retail stores across the US in March (infocustvs.com).

Eight of the 13 TVs on display at the LG booth were Real 8K TV models. A new Filmmaker Mode disables certain postprocessing effects while preserving correct aspect ratios, colors and frame rates to faithfully replicate the original vision of the director (lg.com).

Samsung growing its portfolio of Lifestyle TVs with an expanded rollout of The Sero. The Sero, which means “vertical” in Korean, has the ability to pivot between horizontal and vertical orientations – just like a smartphone or tablet.

Following its initial rollout in South Korea last year, Samsung is set to expand The Sero’s availability to several global markets in 2020 (Samsung.com). slmag.net

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Lingolet

Toto Flotation Tub

Dux Element

NOT LOST IN TRANSLATION The Lingolet One is an industry-first smart translation device offering both AI-based machine translation between 12 languages in near real-time with 97% accuracy and on-demand human interpretation service (starting at $59 on amazon.com) CONNECTED DISCONNECTION TOTO's Flotation Tub simulates zero gravity by eliminating the mechanical energy/ load on joints. The experience is enhanced by specialized massage jets that produce a therapeutic flow of warm air bubbles ($18,799; totousa.com).

Swedish luxury bedmaker DUX launched its new Element bed. Its DUX Smart Module encompasses an integrated 64 slmag.net

WineStation Cellar

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled speaker that is Amazon Alexa compatible. Users can tap into their home's IoT system to play music and make other adjustments to create an optimal sleep environment (duxiana.com).

SOMETHING TO WINE ABOUT Designed for the serious wine enthusiast and collection, the WineStation Cellar combined the powerful WineStation Intelligent Dispensing System with a high capacity wine cooler, allowing collectors to keep their stored wines in pristine condition for years to come. Able to store up to 80 bottles in a temperature-controlled environment, an argon gas preservation system can keep open bottles fresh for 60 days inside the unit and 14 days outside (napatechnology.com). sl

2020 DISCOVERY

NEVER STOP DISCOVERING

With available seating for seven, the Land Rover Discovery is up for adventures large and small. Plenty of storage and towing capacity† mean you won’t have to leave anything—or anyone— behind. Take a test drive at your Land Rover Louisville today.

Land Rover Louisville 4700 Bowling Boulevard 502.895.2451 landroverlouisville.com

Vehicle shown: 2020 Discovery HSE Luxury with optional equipment. See Land Rover Louisville, visit LANDROVERUSA.COM or call (800) FIND-4WD / 1-800-346-3493 for qualifications and complete details. © 2019 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC

KENTUCKY PROUD Ashbourne Farms elevates and celebrates rural life.

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Andy Hyslop Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place. This utterance, often attributed to Daniel Boone, comes to mind each time I’m lucky enough to visit Ashbourne Farms in Oldham County, a scenic 25-mile drive from downtown Louisville. This is a family farm in the truest sense, with an enduring love of the land serving as the anchoring root for endeavors carried out by subsequent generations of ownership.

Austin Musselman, who owns Ashbourne Farms with his wife Janie, has spent nearly a decade restoring the property and expanding it by 1,400-acres. His original intent was to make it a sustainable working organic farm with produce and livestock that also offered a healthy and diverse habitat for wildlife. Over time, he realized from a business standpoint that achieving sustainability would mean opening it up to the public on a limited basis. “Our vision was to create a platform for people to see what we loved about the farm and celebrate interests related to rural

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life, Kentucky culture, and working farms in a sophisticated way,” Austin explained. An avid sportsman, he is also keen on showcasing the sporting side of the Commonwealth. The resulting carefully cultivated conception is a true celebration of the Bluegrass State.

The showpiece of the property is a 15,000-square-foot, twostory show barn-turned-event space. An attached silo has been repurposed to function as one of the most unique wine cellars you’ve likely ever seen. Within the barn’s original footprint, there is a careful balance of intimate seating areas and grand celebration spaces.

Interior designer Chenault James is credited with the deft layering of earthy colors and natural textures to create the rustic-chic aesthetic.

The barn, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is sited to offer unobstructed views of seemingly endless acreage. A walled terrace surrounding the structure provides ample room for guests to mingle and admire the dreamy landscape.

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In addition to hosting weddings and corporate gatherings, Ashbourne Farms will produce four signature events in 2020. Each of these has a unique center of attraction, with a shared focus on the bounty of Kentucky farms and producers, bourbon, sporting pursuits, a charitable partner, and bluegrass music.

Bluegrass originated in Appalachia in the 1940s, around the time that Ashbourne Farms was hitting its stride as the country’s premier Shorthorn breeder. Austin, a long-time fan of the genre, is keen to pick up his guitar and join a band onstage. Calling it “authentically Kentucky,” he added that, “The words and lyrics are haunting, timeless, and represent rural life. I get tired of all other music but never tired of traditional bluegrass.”

Ashbourne Farms partnered with Gilda’s Club of Kentuckiana for its first All-Star Bluegrass Bash this past January. Expertly executed, the evening served as an ideal representation of the unique cultural and culinary experiences afforded by their in-house productions. The Hunting Band, a group of Grammy-award winning musicians who come together once-a-year to play for charity, headlined the event.

Julian P. Van Winkle, III, president of the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, and Campbell Brown, President and Managing Director of Old Forester, were both on hand to provide guided bourbon tastings.

Ashbourne’s culinary team shone with a delectable cornucopia of house-made delights, both sweet and savory.

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producers, and chefs, allowing guests to meet and learn from tastemakers around the Commonwealth.

The Kentucky Sporting Social will debut in September.

Highlights of this something-for-everyone farm-chic fête include shooting Ashbourne’s world-class 12-station sporting clays course; an upland hunt; fly casting lessons from Big Horn Fly Shop of Wyoming; an equine exhibition; an over-the-top cocktail reception with live-fire cooking; and, a performance by Town Mountain, who play bluegrass with a honky-tonk edge.

Produced in partnership with Woodford Reserve, The Blend Series will return for a second year in October. The 2019 event starred Timothy Hollingsworth, the Chef de Cuisine at Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry, who left that position to open Otium in Los Angeles. As of press time, the 2020 chef was yet to be announced.

Before The Blend dinner, the team from Ashbourne hosts the star chef for four days. The entourage tours Kentucky to familiarize the chef and his team with regional food culture. The visit culminates with the chef participating in Woodford Reserve’s Personal Selection program. One of the two resulting barrels of bourbon goes home with the guest chef; the other is bottled with commemorative labels that are given to guests of The Blend dinner. “The series is intended to be a cultural sharing,” explained Annie Cobetto, Ashbourne’s Sales and Events Director. “We aim to share the best Kentucky ingredients with the guest chef, who can then incorporate them into the menu using his personal culinary perspective.”

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Austin Musselman (center left) performing with The Hunting Band at the All-Star Bluegrass Bash.

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The cocktail program at Ashbourne is evidence of this sharing.

Chris Amirault, head bartender of Otium, now consults with the culinary staff at Ashbourne to create of-the-moment, farm-based cocktails. “He has catapulted our beverage program to the next level,” said Rodney Wedge, COO of Ashbourne Farms.

For a property that caps its roster of annual events to manage impact (there are just 25 on the books for 2020), Ashbourne’s culinary and beverage programs are quite robust. Under the direction of Executive Chef Patrick Roney—a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and an alumnus of Harvest Restaurant and the Oakroom at the Seelbach— guests are treated to next-level farm-to-table dining, with menus informed directly by what’s grown on the farm. Rodney said that the culinary program is unique to the region in that there is an ongoing collaboration between the kitchen and farm teams to plan menus six months in advance and then plant accordingly.

Austin grew up exploring Ashbourne Farms with his grandmother Sally Brown, who owned the property at that time.

“She taught me how it was more interesting to look around you and know the names of trees, wildflowers, and birds,” he said. Austin recalls working hard to impress his grandmother with his knowledge or trying to stump her with something she didn’t know. “That was very hard!” he said of the latter. Today, Austin carries on her teaching

tradition by walking the farm with the culinary team, teaching them to identify wild watercress, ramps, and morels that can be incorporated into menus. They also tap maple trees and have a welldeveloped preservation program to extend the growing season’s bounty into the winter months. “There’s an innate desire to do things right, and that’s not always the easiest route,” said Rodney.

The events program at Ashbourne Farms is the continuation of a legacy of hospitality that began with modest intents and has endured for more than eight decades. Shortly after their marriage in 1935, Austin’s grandparents, W.L. Lyons Brown and Sally Brown were gifted with a few prized cows and a bull from Sally’s father Ashton Shallenberger, the 15th governor of Nebraska and the United States’ preeminent breeder of Scottish Shorthorn Cattle. With no land of their own and little disposable income in a post-depression economy, the couple leased 150 acres along Harrods Creek, which would eventually become the heart of Ashbourne Farms.

As the economy improved, the Browns purchased the leased land and expanded their farm operation. They named their endeavor Ashbourne Farms in homage to Sally’s father’s farm, also named Ashbourne, derived from a town in Derbyshire, England, where his family originated. “They both fell in love with the farm: my Grandfather with the farming and my Grandmother with nature, where she could paint, birdwatch, etc.,” said Austin.

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The 1940s were a booming time for Ashbourne Farms, with Lyons and his brother George Garvin Brown, II dually running Brown-Forman and becoming regarded Shorthorn breeders in their own right. High-profile auctions drew people from across the country to the show barn. Consummate hosts, Sally and Lyons opened the Ashbourne Inn on U.S. 42, the only road connecting Cincinnati to Louisville before interstate highways. Likely the Louisville area’s first farm-to-table restaurant long before it was a culinary phenomenon, a copy of a menu from the Ashbourne Inn lists “Mrs. Shallenberger’s almond perfection candy” for sale in the gift shop along with a selection of Hadley pottery.

Throughout her life, in Louisville and beyond, Sally’s efforts were crucial in protecting and conserving not only wildlands and green spaces but also historical structures and properties of significance.

“She was a conservationist before most anyone even knew what the word meant,” Austin remarked. Sally retained 850-acres of the nearly 72 slmag.net

5,000 she and Lyons had acquired and placed it under a conservation easement to protect it from development in perpetuity.

When the farm’s upkeep became too much for Sally, the idea of a sale was proposed. Austin, who grew up exploring every acre of Ashbourne, and devoted his summers in high school and college doing needed maintenance work at the farm, begged his mother to buy it. She heeded his pleadings, and Austin went on to purchase the land from his mother. Today, a restored circa 1882 farmhouse near the show barn is painted pale yellow in homage to Sally and her favorite color. It’s a subtle gesture that speaks volumes about what Ashbourne Farms means to Austin and his family. “Beyond raising my own family, it has been the biggest work of my life, and has brought all my interests together in one place,” he said.

For more information about Artisans and Epicures, The Kentucky Sporting Social, and The Blend dinner, visit ashbournefarms.com/collections/events. sl

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B our b on

M a r k e t p lac e

Lunch & Dinner • Grab & Go • Cocktails & Coffee 2 7 0 8 F r a n k f o r t Av e n u e | L o u i s v i l l e , K y 4 0 2 0 6 Menu Online at Bourbonbarrelfoods.com

GREENING THE BLUEGRASS Interior designer Isabel Ladd brings a touch of the tropics to a second home located in the heart of horse country.

Written by Bridget Williams // Photography by Rachel Lutz/Andrew Kung Group

The foyer is enveloped in vibrant bird-of-paradise wallpaper that transports you to a vacation state-of-mind as soon as you cross the threshold.

Interior designer Isabel Ladd understands the importance of making an entrance.

When tasked with designing a rural second home retreat for a Lexington native and his wife, who primarily reside in the Northeast megapolis, she ran with a tropical getaway theme. Isabel happily obliged the couples’ request for “an explosion of color and pattern.” Capitalizing on their pledge to not reign in her creativity, she enveloped the foyer in vibrant bird-of-paradise wallpaper that transports you to a vacation state-of-mind as soon as you cross the threshold.

This bold opening statement is also a result of the homeowners’ desire to confine changes to cosmetics. Working with the home’s existing dark-stained wood trim freed up funds for other splurges, such as the wallpaper mentioned above. Together, the trim and wallpaper conjure thoughts of traditional British colonial design, with a tiered fringe chandelier adding a youthful spin.

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Wearing a caftan of her own creation, interior designer Isabel Ladd is dressed to impress in the dining room. The custompainted wall treatment is the artist’s interpretation of a wallpaper pattern.

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In the living room, a pair of armchairs are kicked up a notch with orange Schumacher fringe.

An eclectic mix of furnishings includes an Indian wedding table used as a coffee table.

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A sunlit eat-in area was given a lift with lively drapery, a tulipstyle dining table, and Palm Springs-inspired art.

Playful pattern continues in the dining room. When the initial wallpaper Isabel selected was found to be on backorder, she brought in a decorative painter to create the same effect in the artisan’s own fashion. “Just like my amazing clients let me take the lead as a professional, I do the same with the pros I use, telling them ‘you do you,’” Isabel explained. Employing her triedand-true high-low style, Isabel paired an antique dining table with bench seating from Target. Firmly believing that “beige is not a color,” Ladd had the offending hue on the bench seat replaced with colorful upholstery reminiscent of a Mexican blanket.

In the living room, a pair of armchairs are kicked up a notch with orange Schumacher fringe. An eclectic mix of furnishings includes a malachite side table, a blue velvet sofa, and an Indian wedding table used as a coffee table. A bergère positioned near a unique emerald green console cabinet is upholstered in what Isabel refers to as her “signature tiger-print velvet.”

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Photorealistic wallpaper designed by Matthew Williamson for Osborne & Little brings an accent wall to life in the master bedroom.

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A bergère positioned near a unique emerald green console cabinet in the living room is upholstered in what Isabel refers to as her “signature tigerprint velvet.”

The existing kitchen was left as-is for now, so Isabel added new pendant lighting over the island to bring the space into compliance with the prevailing touch-of-the-tropics theme. A sunlit eat-in area was given a lift with lively drapery, a tulip-style dining table, and Palm Springs-inspired art.

Photorealistic wallpaper designed by Matthew Williamson for Osborne & Little brings an accent wall to life in the master bedroom. Rattan pendants hover above colorful campaign-style side tables on either side of the bed.

Touches of magic are also found in each of the children’s rooms, spaces this mother of two is particularly fond of designing.

As much as a designer delights in having no-limits placed on their ingenuity, rarely does it come with the luxury of a similarly unfettered budget. In this instance, Isabel governed her gift for penny-wise panache to create a staycationworthy showplace that mirrors the vibrant young family who lives there. sl

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2020 JAGUAR F-PACE, I-PACE AND E-PACE

PERFORMANCE RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Like the legendary vehicles that came before them, the F-PACE, E-PACE and I-PACE were bred for agility, power and precision. Combine that with stunning design and the capability of an SUV, and you’ve got a family of vehicles unlike anything else on the road. Visit Jaguar Louisville to experience the 2020 F-PACE, E-PACE and I-PACE. Jaguar Louisville 4700 Bowling Blvd.

Louisville, KY 40207 502.895.2451 jaguarlouisville.com

Vehicles shown: 2019 Jaguar F-PACE S, E-PACE R-DYNAMIC HSE and I-PACE HSE. †All prices shown are Base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price.

Excludes destination/handling, tax, title, license, retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary.