INSIDE A PRIVATE GALLERY
THE ’QUIN HOUSE A TASTE OF SPAIN IN BEACON HILL
Davis Lombara and her two daughters run the local jewelry brand Colby Davis of Boston.
The Gallery Behind Closed Doors
’Quin House private social club on Commonwealth Avenue houses a beautiful, diverse art collection.
Leclerc of the School of
GROWING UP IN Eastern Europe, March was a month we celebrated women. Since early childhood, I have been making greeting cards with flowers, hearts and the letters MDZ, the Czech abbreviation for International Women’s Day. For our school choir, performing for women working in the factories and offices during March was a must. And every woman of any age could expect to receive red carnations or daffodils (these were the only flowers available). Everyone celebrates all day—it’s a national holiday! March 8 was chosen after Russian women demanded “bread and peace” during a wartime strike in 1917. Within days, the Tsar had abdicated, and women were granted the right to vote. International Women’s Day has been celebrated on March 8 ever since.
Our March issue celebrates International Women’s Day by paying tribute to strong local women. Before I invite you to dive in, I want to share how grateful I am for the support of this
community. We celebrated the launch of MyBoston magazine last month in the chic setting of Doyle Boston. It was a lovely evening, filled with amazing people, jazz, drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Seeing our community of sponsors come together to celebrate local stories, businesses and voices was truly inspiring.
Thank you to our readers, contributors and local businesses who have supported us from the start. Your encouragement and participation make this magazine possible. This is just the beginning! We look forward to featuring more of what makes our neighborhoods special and keeping this wonderful conversation going.
With gratitude,
Renata Coker Publisher, MyBoston
www.mybostonmag.com @mybostonmag
Publisher
Renata Coker
Renata.Coker@mybostonmag.com
Editor Celina Colby editor@mybostonmag.com
Contributing
Writer Ellen Mooradian
Lead Photographer
Ben Flythe
Creative Director
Kijoo Kim
Advisory Board
Collin Bray
Robert Dimmick
Leigh Harrington
Lisa Mulman
Sharin Schober
David Sharff
Cindy Sullivan
WAINSCOT MEDIA
Chairman
Carroll V. Dowden
President and CEO
Mark Dowden
VP, Group Publisher, Regional
Thomas Flannery
VP, Content Strategy
Maria Regan
VP, Director of Digital Media
Nigel Edelshain
Art Director
Rosemary O´Connell
Associate Editor
Sophia Carlisle
Advertising Services Director
Jacquelynn Fischer
Operations Director
Catherine Rosario
Production Designer
Chris Ferrante
Print Production Manager
Fern Meshulam
Circulation Manager
Kathy Wenzler
Advertising Production Associate
Griff Dowden
MyBoston
While you anticipate the coming of spring, enjoy moving classical concerts, fascinating author talks, probing exhibitions and more events happening in Back Bay and Beacon Hill this month.
Mar. 1
Jason Moran—Duke Ellington: My Heart Sings
Musician Jason Moran takes to the piano to honor the legacy of jazz great Duke Ellington, playing a concert of songs from Ellington’s repertoire. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Mass Ave., 617-747-2261.
Mar. 1-15
Processing Place: How Computers and Cartographers Redrew Our World
This exhibition at the Leventhal Map & Education Center explores how maps and mapmaking technology have evolved with the dawn of computers. Boston Public Library Central Branch, 700 Boylston St.
Mar. 1-16
ART
When three friends disagree on their feelings about a modern art piece, they find there’s much more than taste that divides them. Lyric Stage, 140 Clarendon St., 617-585-5678.
Mar. 1-31 Wednesdays-Sundays
TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition
Receive a replica boarding pass and explore the Titanic in this immersive exhibition featuring a fullscale recreation of the famous ship. The Castle at Park Plaza, 130 Columbus Ave., 800-943-4327.
Mar. 5
The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union
Renowned local author Stephen Puleo will discuss his latest book about Charles Sumner and his abolitionist work during the Civil War. Boston Public Library Central Branch, 700 Boylston St., 617-859-2129.
Mar. 5
“Boutwell: Radical Republican and Champion of Democracy,” author Jeffrey Boutwell with Robert D. Putnam
Nineteenth-century statesman George Boutwell fought for racial and economic equality alongside Presidents Lincoln and Grant. His biographer, Jeffrey Boutwell, discusses this remarkable figure with Harvard professor Robert Putnam. American Ancestors, 97 Newbury St., 888-296-3447.
Mar. 5-26 Wednesdays
Kundalini Yoga
Learn fun poses, mindful meditations, chanting and deep breathing exercises at this yoga class in the beautiful Arlington Street Church. Arlington Street Church, 351 Boylston St., 617-536-7050.
Mar. 11
March Game Club: Pictionary Night
Head to the French Library for an evening of game-night fun en français and in English. Refreshments will be served. No need to come with a team, they’ll be created during the game. French Library, 53 Marlborough St., 617-912-0400.
Mar. 13
Noa Blumer’s Senior Recital
Israeli jazz singer and songwriter Noa Blumer will perform a moving set of original music and classic jazz standards inspired by Quincy Jones, Carole King and Michael Brecker. Red Room at Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St., 617-747-2261.
Mar. 21-22
New England Cannabis Convention
Engage with more than 100 licensed cultivators, retailers and brands exhibiting at the convention. Network, walk the floor, discover new products and more. Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., 617-954-2000.
Mar. 22
Quiet Reading Party for ADHD & Neurodiverse Adults
This group reading session provides a quiet space where adults can read with others, a method called “body doubling” which helps keep readers on task. Boston Public Library Central Branch, 700 Boylston St., 617-859-2129.
Mar. 23
Calidore String Quartet
Enjoy a powerful concert by the Calidore String Quartet. The vibrant young group will perform four different works ranging from Beethoven to Schubert. NEC’s Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St., 617-747-2261.
Mar. 24
Dungeons and Dragons Night
Fight The Exposition will host a pop-up Dungeons and Dragons game for both beginners and experienced players with as much or as little guidance as needed. Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury St., 617-267-8688.
Mar. 25
20s and 30s March Book Club
Join like-minded readers in their 20s and 30s for a book club at the historic Trinity Church. This month’s book is “Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve loved” by Kate Bowler. Trinity Church, 206 Clarendon St., 617-536-0944.
Mar. 28 and 30
Handel and Haydn Society: Haydn and Beethoven
Manifest spring at this light, bright and beautiful concert from the Handel and Haydn Society performing melodies by both Haydn and Beethoven. Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., 617-266-1492.
Attend a book club geared toward readers in their 20s and 30s in the
BY CELINA COLBY
James Beard Award-winning chef Jamie Bissonnette opens Zurito, a Basque pintxo bar and restaurant on Charles Street.
JAMIE BISSONNETTE has been dreaming about the Basque region of Spain for nearly a decade. It was love at first sight between the famed local chef and this northern region of the country, known for its beaches, architecture and local cuisine. Now, that love has been translated to the plate at Zurito, a Basque pintxo bar and restaurant on Charles Street in Beacon Hill.
“I started to get to know people, talk and travel and eat around this town and around all of the Basque region,” says Bissonnette. “Everybody was so food focused. Every bite had such impact; the flavor combinations were so unique. It was one step into love after one step into love.”
Located in the former Bin 26 space, Zurito is named after a small pour of beer
you would typically order during a pintxos crawl. Pintxos are small bites native to the Basque region. They’re similar to tapas but usually eaten by hand. It’s typical in that area of Spain for diners to hop to different pintxos bars having a few bites and a small beverage at each one.
At Zurito, that feeling is recreated in the bar area, where a few standing tables and high-tops allow diners to enjoy a more casual vibe. The back dining room offers a more traditional sit-down experience.
2024 was a big year for Bissonnette, who also opened Somaek, Temple Records and Sushi @ Temple Records across the Common with partners Andy Cartin and Babak Bina—collectively BCB3 Restaurant Group. Now, he hopes to rest and enjoy the concept that he dreamed so long about.
Bissonnette explains that pintxos allow for very vivid flavor combinations because they’re just one or two bites. On the Zurito menu, you’ll find items like a salt-cod-stuffed piquillo pepper, surimi baby eel with garlic, quail egg and parsley and a mini croissant with jamon Ibérico paleta.
“Something that you’re only going to eat two bites of can be saltier and more acidic, because you’re not going to eat a lot of it and the salt doesn’t build, the acidity doesn’t build, and it makes those two bites more dynamic,” he says. “It’s not just the ingredient combinations, it’s the construction and flavor.”
There are also a variety of charcuterie offerings and larger, shareable plates, like a goat cheese risotto with orzo, squid ink and celery root or grilled foie gras with pork sausage, lentils and piquillo peppers.
The restaurant is a boon for local diners, who can pop in regularly to try the new specials that Bissonnette frequently adds to the menu. He says many neighborhood foodies have already started stopping in for a tiny glass of wine and a quick bite, Basque-style. Who knew Beacon Hillers and Spaniards had so much in common?
“To me, Beacon Hill is the most old-world neighborhood in Boston,” he says. “When you walk up a street, close your eyes and open them, you could say you’re in Notting Hill, or you’re in Spain, or you’re in France, or you’re in Portugal. So pintxos feel at home here.”
A WINTER STROLL through the Public Garden and Beacon Hill is all it takes to honor and explore five impressive local women. The first made Boston more beautiful; the second created a house museum; the third, with her friends, saved our historic brick sidewalks; the fourth is a symbol for religious freedom; and the fifth was a poet who earned the title “first published African American.”
Begin on a bench near the corners of Charles and Beacon streets in the Boston Public Garden, the oldest botanical garden in America. Take in Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Oack, Pack and Quack, the beloved bronze sculptures of the Caldecott Award-winning children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings,” written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey. The story was penned by a talented man but immortalized by 96-year-old sculptor Nancy Schön, who trained at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.
The Nichols House Museum, at 55 Mount Vernon Street, is just a short walk away. Rose Standish Nichols (1872-1960) was one of America’s first female landscape architects, an accomplished wood-carver and a beloved niece of the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The museum highlights the history of the Nichols sisters, all trailblazing women who championed progressive causes and were deeply involved in their communities.
BY ELLEN MOORADIAN
Next up, the compelling story of Rose’s sister Margaret Homer Shurcliff and her Beacon Hill female friends who saved the historic brick sidewalks of Boston in 1947. Mayor James Michael Curley wanted to tear up the sidewalks and replace them with concrete. The women of Beacon Hill, including Shurcliff, organized a sit-in to block the work, and a delegation of women confronted the mayor. Curley is quoted as saying, “Let them have bricks. You can’t sweep back an ocean with a broom.”
Bottom
Down Beacon Street on Massachusetts State House property is the statue of Anne Hutchinson. Hutchinson was born in England in 1591, settled in Boston in 1634 and was banished from Boston in 1638. She was a spiritual leader in a world where women were not allowed to hold that power, holding Bible studies in her home that attracted up to 60 people. Her views and popularity were considered a threat to the community. Tried, found guilty, banished and then killed in a raid in 1643, today she is considered one of America’s first feminists. The sculpture was created by Cyrus Dallin, of Lincoln Memorial fame, and installed in 1922.
Last stop is the Boston Athenaeum at 101/2 Beacon Street, a member-supported library dating to 1807. Here we can appreciate the writings of Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784). Wheatley was born in West Africa, brought to Boston on the slave ship The Phillis and enslaved by John and Susanna Wheatley as a house girl. She was taught to read and write. Her book of poetry “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral” was the first published book by an African American. To see the first edition, make an appointment 24 hours in advance.
Ellen Mooradian has been a historical walking tour guide in Boston since 2015. She offers a Remember the Ladies tour, as well as two Freedom Trail tours and three neighborhood tours. Bostonbyellen.com
Lia Davis Lombara and her two daughters run the local jewelry brand Colby Davis of Boston.
tBY CELINA COLBY
corner at 33 Newbury Street sits Colby Davis of Boston, the flagship store of the familyowned jewelry brand. Colby Davis—celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year—is the result of the creativity, love and hard work of jewelry artist Lia Davis Lombara and her two daughters, Lexi Colby Lombara and Taylor Davis Lombara.
Lia was drawn to the jewelry art form from the beginning. She began metalsmithing in high school and won a Boston Globe Scholastic Art Award for one of her bracelets as a junior. She went on to channel that natural talent as a fine arts major at Boston College with a jewelry minor from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.
Though Lia has been making jewelry for decades, this motherdaughter brand was born during a group trip to Greece in 2014. The family has origins there, and it was Lexi and Taylor’s first time visiting their ancestral homeland.
“We found that the Greek culture was extremely familyoriented, and we wanted to design jewelry that every member of our family would love to wear, whether it be our grandmother, brother or cousin,” says Lexi.
The first piece the trio collectively conceptualized
was the compass rose pendant. The intricate circular pendant features an ornate but subtle compass rose on the front and is available in a series of color options, from a bold French blue to a more vintage-feeling oxidized silver. On the back is inscribed the phrase “Life brings us to unexpected places, love brings us home.”
From that trip to Greece and the original Colby Davis collection came dozens more designs, including a zodiacthemed collection, pieces for mothers, lovers and veterans, designs inspired by Boston and the New England seacoast, and many more.
One of the unique facets of the Colby Davis style is its use of enameled glass, an art form with a rich history that’s been used for centuries and was particularly popular among wealthy collectors in the early 1900s.
Most modern jewelry is made with cheaper enamels manufactured overseas. Lia chose instead to revitalize this artistic medium with fine sterling silver and gold vermeil jewelry made in the United States. All the pendants are made right here in Massachusetts, and the chains are made in Rhode Island.
“Glass enamel is a dying
art right now,” says Lia. “It’s timeless, and it’s something that you can wear for literally a lifetime.”
Quality is one important pillar of the business, but intention is another. Most Colby Davis pendants have inscriptions on the back. The phrases range from fun, like “The world is your oyster” inscribed on the back of an oyster pendant, to sentimental, like “Someone to watch over me” inscribed on the back of an angel pendant.
The idea of including the inscriptions began with a Saint Christopher pendant. “Safe travel, safe return” is a phrase commonly used to ask the saint for protection during a journey. It resonated with Lia, a travel lover, and started the tradition of inscribing the pendants with meaningful phrases.
The jewelry is meant to be layered to create a look with symbols and mottos that are meaningful to the wearer. Lia wears the compass rose, the lotus flower and the Byzantine cross designs almost every day. Lexi loves the zodiac collection.
The creative trio opened its first brick-and-mortar at the Newbury Street location in 2023. They’ve quickly become an integral part of the neighborhood with many local regulars. Down the road, the business may expand to other locations, but for now Lia is
enjoying the connectivity of their flagship store.
“People have been so kind and supportive,” says Lia. “Come on in, we’re very welcoming. I love talking to everybody in town as well as visitors from afar and getting to know their stories.”
Both daughters have ventured into their own careers but continue to stay involved in the brand. Lexi holds an advisory position assisting in the running of the business and seeking new growth opportunities, while Taylor supports the design team and was integral to the opening of the brick-and-mortar shop.
Lia is currently working on a new collection for spring, but in the meantime, she points jewelry lovers toward the Celtic knot design for Saint Patrick’s Day and the Boston pendant showcasing the swan boats in the Boston Public Garden for a graduation gift.
Colby Davis jewelry touches on many themes, including the spirit of adventure and the beauty of the New England coast. But the core of the brand is about love and family.
“Working with my mom and sister has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life,” says Lexi. “To create something meaningful and see how our jewelry makes others feel so happy, confident and loved is the most rewarding experience as a motherdaughter team.”
Celina Colby is the editor of MyBoston. She has been writing about culture, art and business in Boston for more than 10 years.
The ’Quin House private social club on Commonwealth Avenue houses a beautiful, diverse art collection.
BY CELINA COLBY
tTHE ’QUIN HOUSE, a private contemporary social club that was born from the historic Algonquin House on Commonwealth Avenue, has an air of mystery about it. There’s a no-photo policy, and nonmembers are left to wonder about the highpower dealings and intricate interiors inside. One element that’s not a mystery is the prestige of the world-class art collection resting on the interior walls.
Sandy and Paul Edgerley, owners of The ’Quin House, are lifelong art lovers with a robust collection of their own (many of their pieces are on display inside), so they knew art would be a priority when designing the club. To execute their vision, they teamed up with art consultant Kate Chertavian, who has crafted collections for David Bowie, Harvard
Business School and many other prestigious clients.
When the Edgerleys acquired the historic McKim, Mead & Whitedesigned Commonwealth Avenue building in 2018, they also inherited its art collection.
“The core collection was, you know, men on horses, old white men, pastoral scenes, menus,” says Chertavian. “Now these spaces are very playful. I think it should appeal to anyone who comes in here.”
Pieces from that core collection of about 100 works are hung throughout the club, but they’re interspersed among a strong and diverse contemporary collection that better represents a global world. Art lovers will spot a painting by local artist Robert Freeman, known for his dynamic paintings of African American
Opposite page: Art lovers examine “Couples” by Robert Freeman (center).
Photographs courtesy of The ’Quin House
life, in the stairwell, bird sculptures by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante in the Lunasol restaurant and a stunning, tiny Kehinde Wiley portrait in the Reading Room.
But the diversity of the collection extends to artistic medium as much as to artists’ backgrounds. Chertavian was committed to championing prints in the space.
“As a medium, print making is often misunderstood,” she says. “It’s like blindfolding me and asking me to draw whilst walking backwards. It is such a difficult thing to do, and the complete sophistication of the artist who can produce a great print is rare.”
The Reading Room is a particularly notable example of using prints to create a dynamic display. This room
reflects much of The ’Quin House’s original decorating style. It’s dark and ornate, with a roaring fireplace and intricate woodwork. Originally, this room held only portraits of members and prominent figures. In its new iteration, one historic portrait remains of President Calvin Coolidge. That’s juxtaposed with contemporary works like a bold red-and-white figurative print titled “Mother and Child” by Louise Bourgeois.
There are no labels on the walls to identify the artwork. Chertavian says she prefers to let viewers engage with and enjoy the work in their own way rather than making pronouncements about its meaning. But there are QR codes throughout that lead to a website with information
about each and every piece.
There’s a lot to see in the collection, but Chertavian also orchestrates three to five temporary exhibitions each year, and there are plenty of arts-related programs on the club calendar.
Each environment in The ’Quin House is intensely immersive, and the artwork is an essential part of that feeling. For example, the Dive Bar, an elegant midfloor bar that slings pre-dinner drinks, is decorated with diving-related prints. In one, Nino Migliori captures a male diver completely horizontal, mid-dive. In another by Sebastião Salgado, a line of penguins take turns diving off an iceberg into the ocean. The effect is cheeky and fun.
In the Living Room, one wall features bookshelves full of records. Each member contributes one of their favorite records, and they can pop in and listen to it whenever the mood strikes. Across the room is “Paul and Sandy’s Top Twenty,” a large acrylicon-paper piece by Dave Muller in which the couple is depicted through individual stacks of their favorite records. It’s a subtle love letter, a Valentine’s Day present from Paul to Sandy.
Some of the artwork in The ’Quin House was made specifically for the unique environment. Perhaps the most jaw-dropping example is the massive chandelier sculpture by Donald Lipski that dominates the ceiling of the Japanese restaurant Bondo.
More than 2,500 Swarovski crystals dangle from the intricate artwork, creating a glittering, reflective twinkle throughout the space. Lipski was inspired by the iconic trees lining Commonwealth Avenue right outside The ’Quin House’s windows. The sculpture was made using rubber molds from a real oak tree.
There are many standout pieces on The ’Quin House’s walls, like the Picasso above the fireplace in the lobby, the Rodin discreetly tucked onto an entryway table and the Banksy hung in the elevator. But the real beauty of the collection isn’t in its rarity or its market value, it’s in the way local artists mingle with old masters, and classic New England boat scenes hang next to vibrant works by Black painters.
Chertavian hates to be called a curator, saying museum curation is a different beast than the kind of collections she puts together, but she has succeeded here in creating a space any curator would dream of.
The art collection at The ’Quin House is a vision of the best of all possible worlds, one in which art of all styles, backgrounds and places of origin is hung at the same level—albeit behind closed doors.
Jennifer Leclerc has been working at the School of Fashion Design for 16 years and was recently appointed executive director.
Photograph by Kim Conant
Jennifer Leclerc takes over as the new executive director of the School of Fashion Design in Back Bay.
BY CELINA COLBY
THE SCHOOL OF Fashion Design has been teaching technical fashion skills in Back Bay for 90 years. For 16 of those years, Jennifer Leclerc has been on the team, first as associate director and now as the new executive director of the school. Leclerc plans to usher the school into a new era in which even more students can be trained, from full-time certification students looking to work in the industry to neighborhood residents hoping to get crafty.
What does this new position entail that’s different from your role as associate director?
The biggest difference would be that, in September, our board adopted a new strategic plan, taken on as a result of a post-COVID recovery environment and a move to a new location in the Back Bay. And so my repositioning into this
leadership role comes with the rollout and implementation of this three-tofive-year strategic plan.
And what does the strategic plan entail?
There are four pillars the plan is focused on. One is the continued brand strength of our professional certificate. The second is opening our doors to a wider community. We have a goal of being the place in Greater Boston for all things fashion and textiles. The third pillar is increasing our community of donors, supporters and collaborators. And the fourth pillar is looking at strengthening our sustainability throughout our teaching and our operations.
We want to continue to grow our capacity to be a trusted partner and integral part of the fabric of the Greater Boston community. Pun intended.
How have you seen the school evolve during your time there?
Consumers are paying a lot more attention to how things are made and how things are sourced, the value and the artistry and the sustainability that’s behind smaller-batch local clothing.
What makes the School of Fashion Design so special?
One of the things that we like to try to communicate to any of our students, including our certificate students, is that we really try to break down any barriers to entry to what we’re teaching. We don’t require a portfolio for admission because we start from the beginning. We believe that this is a learned skill. You have to have the creativity and the talent, of course, but apparel design and construction
is a learned skill, and it’s our job to teach you. So we have students who had never sat at a sewing machine who have now completed our full certificate program and are working in the field.
Why is Back Bay the right location for a school of this kind?
Back Bay has always been our home. This has been our neighborhood for our full 90 years. Back Bay, particularly the Newbury Street area, has a long history of being the epicenter of Boston fashion. Our alumni have a pretty strong presence here, too. Daniela Corte has a boutique in the neighborhood. She’s an alum. Candice Wu and Gina DeWolfe are also alumnae of the school, and they’re working and practicing in Boston.
Local real estate expert Collin Bray reflects on the brownstones of Back Bay and Beacon Hill.
BY COLLIN BRAY
From brick, limestone or brownstone facades to curated front gardens, chimneys, iron railings, marble fireplace mantels, bow windows, curved staircases—and, oh, let’s not forget ornate woodwork!
Back Bay, spanning from Arlington Street to Charlesgate East and including Beacon Street, Marlborough Street and Commonwealth Avenue, has a total of 1,100 buildings. Out of this number, there are only 114 single-family townhomes. Beacon Hill, in contrast, has 429 single-family townhomes.
Each brownstone has unique features—like humans, buildings have their own DNA. And, together with location, those features impact each home’s value.
The alphabetical cross streets have always dictated value, A, B and C commanding higher prices due to their proximity to the Public Garden. The reimagined ‘Quin House social club has made blocks D, E and F more
vibrant. G, H and beyond Mass Avenue have increased in desirability due to Fenway’s development of restaurants and other lifestyle attractions.
On Commonwealth Avenue and Marlborough Street, the sunny side is the odd-numbers side. On Beacon Street, it swaps to even numbers, water side. For homes that face south, natural light illuminates doorways and windows each morning. Even-numbered properties on Commonwealth Avenue and Marlborough Street receive that same southern light but on the rear side of the buildings.
This is a key factor in real estate pricing. A common townhome size is 20 to 22 feet wide. Anything wider—23, 24 or 25 feet—can be a game changer in value. Double width means two buildings put together to create one, which is a rare find.
Garages are rare. Having walked every alleyway, I can tell you that the exact count is 183 buildings with a garage. Garages only make up about 15 percent of the buildings, including apartments and condos. I once sold the townhome at 352 Marlborough Street. Adding a garage was not possible, so the developer installed a heated brick driveway. A creative solution for an
urban dweller who wants to avoid shoveling snow.
Well-designed front gardens are a way to demonstrate pride of ownership and increase curb appeal. My favorite example can be found on the first block of Commonwealth Avenue. An observant passerby will spot a hidden bronze statue of a black Labrador retriever. Her nose is peeking out from the front garden, next to her favorite tennis ball. It’s the owners’ way of acknowledging their beloved dog, Piper, who has now passed away.
We love a lift! Elevators are uncommon due to the 19th-century construction, but some have been added since then. An elevator is a unique amenity in any Back Bay building.
Back Bay was a body of water until 1857, when it was filled with dirt, sand and homes. BackBayHouses.org, which tells the history of the houses in the neighborhood, comments that “the Back Bay is a miracle of preservation.” I agree and would add that each neighbor’s commitment to community is the true art form that brings us together.
Collin Bray is a Back Bay resident and local brownstone real estate expert with 20 years of experience. CollinBray.com
Celebrate your milestone in the most iconic setting! Graduate in Style at Rochambeau!
Where unforgettable nights begin. Gather your friends and family for a stylish graduation party at Alibi, complete with exclusive perks to make the night even sweeter. Raise a glass, strike a pose, and toast to new beginnings. Secure your celebration now and make it a night to remember!
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215 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114 857-241-1144
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Celebrate your milestone with an unforgettable graduation party at Rochambeau. With stunning private dining spaces and a lively atmosphere, we’ll make your special day one to remember.
Book by April 1st, with the name of your school and we’ll include complimentary floral arrangements to elevate your celebration.
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Your Graduate in Style!
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900 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02115 617-247-0400
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867 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116 617-247-3200
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Elevate Your Graduation Celebration at Scampo!
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Celebrate & Savor with Harvard Gardens Catering! A Toast to New Beginnings!
Graduation season is here—let us handle the food while you enjoy the moment! From crowd-pleasing bites to hearty meals, our catering menu is designed to make your celebration effortless and delicious.
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Whether you’re a proud graduate or a parent planning the perfect celebration, Sonsie sets the stage for an unforgettable gathering. Enjoy delicious cuisine, a lively ambiance, and a special touch to make the occasion even more memorable.
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Celebrate Women’s History Month with these classics by female authors.
WOMEN ARE DOMINATING the contemporary book business, according to a study by Joel Waldfogel, an economist at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. Since 2020, women are writing the majority of all new books in both the fiction and nonfiction categories. Female authors are also seeing greater sales, larger readership and higher metrics of engagement than their male counterparts, the study says.
Celebrate these industry strides (and Women’s History Month) with these classic novels by female authors.
by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s 1969 autobiography is a stirring account of her youth, including the trauma and racism that she had to overcome to become the world-renowned author we all know and love. The book was the result of a challenge from Angelou’s close friend James Baldwin, who felt an autobiography couldn’t also be a piece of literature. She proved him wrong big-time.
by Margaret Atwood
This dystopian novel, set right here in Cambridge, follows characters in a patriarchal, totalitarian state in which women are forced to procreate for the ruling class. The exploration of suppressed reproductive rights, a loss of female agency and the right of independence continues to strike a strong chord with women today.
by Isabel Allende
“The House of the Spirits” remains one of the mostloved books by prolific Chilean author Isabel Allende. It follows the Trueba family through three generations and a century of Latin American history. The story is interwoven with magical realism.
Local book clubs!
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by Amy Tan
This novel follows four immigrant Chinese families in San Francisco who start a mah-jongg club known as the Joy Luck Club. The book is structured in a similar manner to a mah-jongg game with four parts each divided into four sections. Throughout those sections, three mothers and four daughters share their stories in short vignettes.
by
Joan Didion
Joan Didion wrote “The Year of Magical Thinking” about the year following her husband’s death. She recounts the days before and after the death and the way the grieving process impacted her emotionally and physically as she tried to care for her ill daughter. Her personal narrative is interspersed with medical and psychological research about grief.
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The accuracy of the statistical data in this table is not guaranteed by MyBoston magazine. The listings broadly represent the local real estate market rather than the listings of any single agent or agency. MLSP in condo and single-family sales in Beacon Hill and Back Bay from 1.1.25-1.31.25.
As you consider next steps, let’s have a conversation and discuss your options.
As you consider next steps, let’s have a conversation and discuss your options.
I provide individuals, families, organizations, and investors with strong, ethical, discreet, sophisticated, and solutions-oriented real estate advice.
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When you’re ready, I am here for you.
When you’re ready, I am here for you.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
LARA SHUQOM
AMY MEYERS OF MRS. MEYERS Etiquette gave an entertaining and informative talk in January at the College Club of Boston. Inspired by “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” the talk on relationship etiquette ranged from how to navigate work relationships to how to be polite to those you’d rather not be polite to. This was the first event in a series hosted by Mindelynn Young Godbout of the Instagram account @readfarandwide and Mrs. Meyers Etiquette.
This Beacon Hill resident walks us through her typical Sunday in the neighborhood.
THERE REALLY IS NOTHING better than the perfect Sunday. As a busy healthcare professional, I savor any truly free Sunday. I usually sleep in a bit and then love to start my day with a full-body workout. My favorite instructor is Cheryl Geiser at the Equinox on Dartmouth Street. All her classes are killer, but her Barre Burn always leaves my muscles quivering. I usually pregame my workouts sipping coffee on the way to the gym, while strolling through the Boston Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue. I love how the walk changes with the passing seasons.
In the afternoon, one can never go wrong with a little retail therapy on Charles Street. Of late, 25 Willow Boutique has been one of my favorite shops—I really like that they carry Pistola denim and Varley. Crush Boutique is another current favorite. I have enjoyed their statement and timeless pieces from L’Agence. For my art fix, I adore stopping into DTR Modern Galleries on Newbury Street, which sells a variety of unique modern art. They are constantly changing their displayed art, and it’s
always fun and inspiring to see what new artists they are featuring.
A cozy meal is the best antidote to ward off the Sunday scaries. Ma Maison has become my favorite local spot. For a nightcap or a pre-dinner cocktail, 1928 is a staple. Since it’s often packed with patrons during the week, it’s nice to stop in on Sunday evenings when it’s a little quieter.
Sundays always end curled up on my couch. My living room is consistently made happier thanks to my subscription for monthly bouquets from Rouvalis Flowers, by far my favorite florist in Boston.
Grace E. Baldwin has lived in Boston for over eight years and considers it home. She graduated from Harvard Medical School and is currently completing her residency in eye surgery.
Bottom:
Photographs by Grace E. Baldwin
THE BOSTON WOMEN’S MEMORIAL was added to the Commonwealth Avenue Mall in 2003. Abigail Adams, Lucy Stone and Phillis Wheatley are depicted in life-size bronze statues by New York sculptor and poet Meredith Bergmann, celebrating their literary prowess and representing the strong women of Boston’s history.
Currently, the Friends of the Public Garden is fundraising to update the lighting around the memorial and make other improvements to the site, including repairing damaged pavement and vehicle ruts around the memorial. These improvements would allow the statues to be seen and appreciated properly in the evening, like many of the other artworks along the mall.
“I think that the time is right to make these women shine brightly, just like the men on the mall do now,” says Margaret Pokorny, a board member of the Friends of the Public Garden and chair of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee.
Please reach out to Pokorny (mpok384@gmail.com) for more information about contributing to the project.
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ANNA PETROPOULOS MD, FRCS
Meet Peter Hill. An agent with scads of experience, the negotiating skills of a world leader, the work ethic of a California firefighter, and a personality that makes friends wherever he goes. And let’s face it, if you’re looking to buy or sell, having a super smart pal who knows the real estate landscape, makes it a whole lot less stressful and a whole lot more enjoyable. Having grown up here, Peter knows the ins and outs of every town, from the best schools to the most sublime cup of coffee. And as part of MGS Group Real Estate, he has a whole team of savvy agents who have his back, and a long and extraordinary list of vetted resources and connections available to help clients with virtually any issue they have along the way. So, if this is the year you’re ready to find a new home, or sell the old one, call Peter Hill, your about-to-be brand new trustworthy pal.
Meet Peter Hill. An agent with scads of experience, the negotiating skills of a world leader, the work ethic of a California firefighter, and a personality that makes friends wherever he goes. And let’s face it, if you’re looking to buy or sell, having a super smart pal who knows the real estate landscape, makes it a whole lot less stressful and a whole lot more enjoyable. Having grown up here, Peter knows the ins and outs of every town, from the best schools to the most sublime cup of coffee. And as part of MGS Group Real Estate, he has a whole team of savvy agents who have his back, and a long and extraordinary list of vetted resources and connections available to help clients with virtually any issue they have along the way. So, if this is the year you’re ready to find a new home, or sell the old one, call Peter Hill, your about-to-be brand new trustworthy pal.
Call (or text!) Peter at (508) 353-9721, or email him at peter@mgsgrouprealestate.com.