5.30.2014
Design Martha's Halloween Costume!
The flowers may have only just bloomed, but at Martha Stewart Living magazine the editors are right in the midst of autumn, developing fall recipes, crafts and Halloween ideas for future issues. For its annual special Halloween issue (on stands in late August) the magazine has sent out an open call to "monster makers and fairy fabricators" who may want to create Martha's Halloween costume this year! If you’re a current student or recent graduate in art, costume design, fashion design, or a related field, and you think you’ve got what it takes, Martha Stewart Living wants to hear from you. You must be at least 18 years of age and willing to travel to New York City - at your expense - between July 18th and the end of August to work with Martha and the MSLO team. Click here to learn more or to enter!
Martha's Fortune Teller costume from 2010 was one of my all-time favourites. Click here to see more of her costumes.
5.27.2014
Martha's Bright Beach Essentials
A recent explosion of hot, steamy summer weather in the northeast has me thinking about swimming and those long afternoons at the beach, weekends at the cottage or summer picnics with friends. The Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's has a new line of beach totes, towels and accessories to liven up your summer excursions - and they are as bright as the sunny days that inspired them. (I love the use of bold colour during the summer months.) I've selected some pieces from the new beach line. Among my favourites is the big, durable beach blanket that folds up into a totable square. It measures 60" by 72" - perfect for two lounging beach goers! I also love the tote bags and the assortment of beach towels in exuberant prints and colours. All towels are made of soft Turkish cotton and measure 38" x 68" to facilitate an outdoor summer siesta on a sandy beach or the backyard grass. Click here to find out more.
Fun in the sun! Classic stripes in bright lime, blue or red create a bold look in the Basic Stripe Beach Towel from the Martha Stewart Collection, a must-have for the beach or backyard.
Under the sea! A bold starfish design in cool blue, yellow & green (or pink, orange and yellow) enhance the appeal of this beach towel, the perfect accessory for a fun day at the beach. This is my favourite print. I want one of each!
With a fun, dot-tastic design, the Dots Beach Towel from Martha Stewart Collection is as bright as it comes. A more subdued, but no-less spunky design in sweet circles and spiraled dots in blue or red.
5.22.2014
A Recommendation: Food & Wine Cocktails 2014
Just in time for summer-entertaining season, Food & Wine magazine has released its latest annual collection of the world's greatest cocktails. It is the magazine's 10th Anniversary edition and it is more of a pocket book than a magazine with 220 pages of excellent cocktail recipes and photographs. I am not a big drinker, really, but I have wanted to have a basic guide to cocktails in my repertoire for a long time. This little booklet meets that need perfectly.
The book is beautifully designed and exceptionally organized. The content is broken down into eleven chapters: Apertifs, Vodka, Gin, Tequila, Rum, Whiskey, Brandy, Nightcaps, Big-Batch Drinks, Mocktails and Bar Food. There is also a glossary about glassware and barware, a guide to essential spirits, a "Bar Lexicon," a section on homemade mixers, a measurement conversion chart and a guide to the best watering holes in the largest U.S. cities. Each recipe also has a flavour chart, denoting how the drink will taste: sweet, strong, tart, bitter, fruity, floral or smokey. Each recipe also has an image of the type of glass it should be served in. Very helpful! This is an indespensible book for anyone who entertains frequently and wants to 'shake things up' with some exciting new flavours from the bar. I highly recommend it. You can find it on newsstands and where ever books are sold.
5.18.2014
Newport's Historic Mansions
I'm always impressed by the talents and interests of the people who read this blog. One such talented reader is photographer Anthony Picozzi. I've featured Anthony on Martha Moments before when he shared his beautifully-decorated home in Newport, Rhode Island, with us before the holidays. Anthony is a skilled photographer who also has a deep interest in historical residential architecture. One of his ongoing projects is photographing and documenting the historic mansions of Newport. I asked Anthony to share ten of his favourite photographs of these grand and fascinating homes: palaces of the founders of American industrialism. Some are still private residences while others have been converted into museums. You can see them and learn about them below. Visit Anthony's website to learn more. You can also buy some of Anthony's prints at his Etsy store.
***
Newport, Rhode Island is probably most well known as the summer resort of America’s wealthiest families during the Gilded Age (approximately 1870-1920). Businessmen like Cornelius Vanderbilt II and Edward Julius Berwind commissioned spectacular summer “cottages” in Newport, only to be used approximately 3-4 weeks per year. I was first drawn to the beauty of these opulent summer retreats at a young age. Living only 20 minutes from Newport, I visit often and love to photograph the spectacular architecture. Here are a few of my favorites. - Anthony Picozzi
Seafair was the summer residence of Verner Zavola Reed, Jr. Designed by architect William MacKenzie, construction was completed in 1935. Mr. Reed was heir to the Cripple Creek, Colorado gold mining fortune who later became a vice-president at Chase Manhattan Bank. In 1981 President Reagan appointed him Ambassador to Morocco. The house remains a private residence.
Champ Soleil was built in 1929 as the summer residence of Lucy Drexel Dahlgren. Architects Polhemus & Coffin were inspired by the hunting lodge at Versailles called La Lanterne. The house remains a private residence.
CLARENDON COURT
Clarendon Court was built in 1904 by architect Horace Trumbauer for Edward Collins Knight, Jr., son of a Philadelphia sugar refiner and director of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The house is notoriously known as the former residence of Sunny & Claus von Bulow. The house remains a private residence.
Gooseneck, now called Ocean Bay House, was completed in 1917 as the summer residence of Mr. Jerome C. Borden. The house remains a private residence.
MARBLE HOUSE
Marble House, completed in 1892, was the summer home of Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. Richard Morris Hunt was the architect. The house is presently owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County and open to the public as a museum.
ROSECLIFF
Rosecliff was commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899. Architect Stanford White modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles. The house is host to the Newport Flower Show each year and is currently owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County and open to the public as a museum.
NORMANDIE
Normandie was the summer residence of Lucy Wortham James. Architects Delano & Aldrich designed the home in the Norman mode with a narrow rectangular-plan gatehouse near the road in 1914. The house remains a private residence.
Seaweed is a spectacular oceanfront estate situated on Newport’s famed Cliff Walk. Completed in 1861 for Mr. Henry Howard, the house was later altered in 1867 by architect George Champlin Mason and again in 1904 by architect Horace Trumbauer. The house remains a private residence.
The Breakers was the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt, the 70-room mansion has approximately 65,000 sq ft of living space. The home was constructed between 1893 and 1895 and is presently owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Vanderbilt heirs maintain summer residence on the third floor. The house is open to the public as a museum.
The Elms was the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind of Philadelphia and New York. Mr. Berwind made his fortune in the Pennsylvania coal industry. In 1898, the Berwinds engaged Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer to design a house modeled after the mid-18th century French chateau d’Asnieres outside Paris. Presently owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County, the house is open to the public as a museum.
5.13.2014
Book of the Month: Eat Your (Heirloom) Vegetables!
My friends Brent and Josh are back in book stores with their latest cookbook, which is out today: The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Vegetable Cookbook. It features 100 recipes that were developed by Brent, Josh and their food-editor Sandy Gluck, formerly the editor in chief of Everyday Food magazine. The book is the third cookbook in their "Heirloom" series (the Heirloom Cookbook and the Heirloom Dessert Cookbook were both smash hits) and 'the boys' say this is their best book yet. Like the others, this cookbook is divided by season, ensuring that the home cook can find what she is looking for at the supermarket or the farmer's market - or in her own backyard - while it is in season and at its freshest. Most of the recipes are vegetarian, some are vegan and there is the occasional recipe that does contain meat - but rest assured, the veggies are the stars of this show! You can order a personalized and autographed copy of the book here. Below is the cover and several photographs from the book, which were once again provided by art photographer Paulette Tavormina.
5.12.2014
The June Issue
The June issue of Martha Stewart Living is making the rounds. Newsstand readers will find it on sale Monday, May 19th, a week from today. This is the annual Food Issue and promises to deliver 71 new recipes for both the grill and the ice box: new takes on Italian classics, fried chicken and no-churn homemade ice cream. Plus, the Martha Stewart Living food editors share their best tricks and shortcuts to getting dinner on the table fast! And how about that Fizzy Fresh-Berry Float on the cover? Yes please!
5.11.2014
Domestic Insight: Kitchenware Icons
Recent
trips to several flea markets and consignment shops have given me pause to
ponder my love of vintage kitchenware. Swooping down like a magpie, I can’t
seem to resist the mid-century modern designs and patterns that conjure up all
kinds of nostalgia for me: memories of my grandmother mixing cake batter in her
big Pyrex bowls, or her huge cast-iron pots on the stove coated in enamel in shades of avocado
and popsicle-orange. It seems I’m not alone, either. Numerous friends of mine
in the 30-something demographic are obsessed with these design icons of the
past, snapping them up where and when we can for use in our own kitchens. I’ve
selected five of my favourite vintage kitchenware brands and styles and have
gathered some interesting information about their origins for this month's Domestic Insight column. What are some of
your favourites?
CATHRINEHOLM: Cathrineholm
was an ironworks, located near the town of Halden in Norway, which started
production in 1907. Originally the ironworks manufactured wrought iron products
and agricultural equipment, but due to changing economic circumstances it later
evolved into producing enamel kitchenware. The company closed in 1970. Cathrineholm enamelware can be difficult
to find and most people build up their collection by buying on Ebay. Even on
Ebay, there can sometimes only be a handful of items up for sale at any one
time. A useful tip when searching for Cathrineholm on Ebay is to be aware that
a huge number of people spell it incorrectly - so make sure that you also
search for Cathrineholme, Cathrinehome, Catherineholm, Catherineholme,
Catherinehome, Catherine holm, Catherine holme, Catherine home etc! The vibrant
colors and charming printed patterns on Cathrineholme pieces are what make it
so collectible today. They are strikingly modern.
DANSK KOBENSTYLE: Dansk
Kobenstyle Enamelware was originally manufactured by the Danish company Glud
& Marstrand, but by 1966 had been sold to a French manufacturer. The
cookware is most often compared to the French cookware brand Le Creuset,
although it is lighter and more modern. The most sought-after examples are of
Danish origin, exhibiting Dansk's original "Four Ducks" logo. The initials "IHQ" are the mark of
Designer Jens Quistgaard. Among its unique features are the specially-designed
lids, with criss-cross handles that can be safely lifted by a spoon and that
allow a collection of cookware to stack beautifully. Lovers of this style of
cookware will be delighted to know that it is being manufactured again in three
colours: red, white and blue enamel. It was sold exclusively at Crate &
Barrel at first, but other retailers have begun to carry it. Anthropologie has recently added it to its home product line.
JADEITE: Personally, I find it difficult to think of Jadeite without thinking of Martha Stewart. Martha was an early champion of this now very-collectible form of pressed glass kitchenware and a portion of her personal collection is shown above, photographed in the pantry at Skylands, her home in Maine. Jadeite was
made mostly during the 1920s and '30s and was popularized by the Jeannette
Glass company in the 1930s as inexpensive Depression Era glassware. The term
Jadeite refers to the colour (a milky, minty green) not a particular brand. A
number of glassware companies in the U.S. and abroad made items in varying
colors of Jadeite during this time period. The types of Jadeite vary depending on the
company that produced the item, and they are usually identified by company
marks. Companies like McKee and Fire King made glassware in Jadeite and can be
identified by their logos on the bottoms of the pieces. Many other companies, both
from the U.S. and abroad, manufactured Jadeite and there are books available
with more detail for collectors. Modern variations on Jadeite are currently
made by several brands, including Martha Stewart, and are often hand-pressed
using the original molds. For most collectors the color is the draw, although
unique examples, such as hen-shaped casserole dishes, slender cake stands and
unique salt-and-pepper shakers add to the allure.
RUSSELL WRIGHT: American industrial designer Russell Wright (1904 – 1976) was best known for his colorful ceramic and plastic dinnerware, manufactured between 1939 and 1959b y Steubenville Pottery in Steubenville, Ohio. Wright also designed furniture, spun aluminum dining accessories and textiles and is celebrated for his influential contributions to American-modern design. The simple, clean lines in his designs, saturated color palettes and sturdy practicality made his dinnerware highly sought-after by middle-class families eager to embrace the new, modern aesthetic. Even during the period of manufacture, his pieces were relatively costly compared to other brands, marketed to consumers who valued quality craftsmanship and design. Russell Wright collections are highly collectible today, due in part to the limited period of time his pieces were produced.
5.07.2014
Mother's Day Clip-Art
On the cover of the May issue of Martha Stewart Living there is a trio of backyard bouquets, wrapped in beautifully-patterned vellum cones. A closer inspection of the issue reveals that these patterns can be downloaded at marthastewart.com and then printed to make the cones or to use as stationery. I have long been an admirer (and collector) of these free PDF downloads and I have a disc full of dozens of them from past issues. Click here to download the six floral patterns available for Mother's Day and start getting crafty!
5.05.2014
A Special DVD: "My Mother's Recipes"
For Mother's Day, Martha has brought a very special DVD collection of television material to eBay, part of the Martha Stewart American Made initiative. The DVD is called My Mother's Recipes and it is only available exclusively through eBay. The 2-hour DVD is a compilation of Martha Stewart's mother's favourite recipes and also contains segments showing Martha and her mom (Martha Kostyra, or Big Martha, as she was known) crafting and entertaining together. It makes a perfect Mother's Day gift or a birthday gift for any time of year. Martha initially put the DVD together for her family and close friends as a tribute to her mom after her death in 2007. Be sure to order your copy since supplies are limited! It is only $10 and will surely be a collectible treasure! Order here! (CURRENTLY SOLD OUT)
DVD DESCRIPTION:
This Martha Stewart Collection DVD, "My Mother's Recipes," contains approximately 2 hours of video content of Martha Stewart and cooking with her mother, Martha Kostyra. Affectionately known as "Big Martha," this DVD highlights some of her favorite recipes, each one prepared with her daughter. This exclusive guide will teach you how to make 16 delicious dishes from Mac & Cheese to The Perfect White Cake. A testament to how much we learn from our mothers, it is a perfect gift for Mother's Day and a resource to use all year long.
- Bonus features also include ideas for organizing closets, decorating tips, and how to arrange tulips.
- Includes one 2-hour DVD
- Featured recipes include: Polish Mushroom Soup, Cabbage Pierogi, Mac & Cheese, Country Cheesecake, Roast Loin of Pork, Hot Cross Buns, Pecan Pie, Tomato Jam, Meatloaf, Blueberry Buckle, Sauerbraten, Stollen Wreath Bread, Beef Roll-ups, Stuffed Peppers, Spice Cake, and The Perfect White Cake
- Packaged with a personal Mother's Day note from Martha Stewart
- American Made in New York, NY
5.03.2014
Clean Slate: A Cookbook and Guide
The editors of Martha Stewart Living have two cookbooks on the way. One Pot will be released on September 23 and will be followed-up by Clean Slate: A Cookbook and Guide on December 30th. Both books will be paperback and will retail for $26.00. The cover of Clean Slate is quite a departure from the typical Martha Stewart book design but is in keeping with the more modern look of Martha Stewart Living magazine. I quite like the spare, pared-down look. The book promises to provide recipes and helpful how-tos for healthy cooking and eating with plenty of information about nutrition. Its release date is perfectly timed, right on the cusp of the New Year, when there is a rush to the gym and the healthfood store!
Congratulations to the Cooking School Team!
Martha Stewart's Cooking School has won the 2014 James Beard Award for Best Television Program in a Studio or Fixed Location! It's little surprise, to me, that a program that delivers so much excellent information in such a beautiful and educational way has been recognized with this award. The James Beard Foundation is a national, non-profit organization based in New York City that honours America's culinary professionals. James Beard was an American cookbook author and cooking instructor devoted to developing American cuisine and mentoring professional chefs. Each year the foundation honours American cooking professionals with awards in several categories, including books, television and journalism. I'm so happy that Cooking School won this award. It is a classic show that teaches timeless, tested and trusted cooking methods and recipes for the home cook. It is in the midst of broadcasting its third season on PBS. Congratulations to the Martha Stewart team!
Remembering: Glorious Glossaries
One of my favourite things about Martha Stewart Living is its layout and its very carefully-designed pages. Among the most popular features of the magazine is the photographic glossary, an idea that was developed by Martha Stewart and Gael Towey when the magazine first began. Nearly each issue would contain a glossary of one subject or another: rice, peonies, tomatoes, peas, tulips, spices, etc. It's a feature that continues to this day. "Our Glossaries are the perfect confluence of information and inspiration," Gael Towey writes on her website. "They work like visual encyclopedias. We endeavored to be as comprehensive as a scientific journal, conceiving of our Glossaries as a sensuous marriage of words and photographs. Glossaries put us in touch with growers across the country and it was a privilege to meet them. The photography for our Glossaries has a heroic simplicity and coveys the respect and awe the photo team felt for the farmers who grew these treasures." You can see more of these glossaries, plus much more of Gael's design work with the magazine, by clicking here. Below are some of my favourites.
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