Sophisticated Living Louisville May/June 2026

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The Trove

Kaia Gerber modeling Repetto’s the Pina ($530; repetto.com)), which pays tribute to choreographer Pina Bausch, known for dressing her dancers in Mary Janes. The image was taken during the fiming of Repetto’s ” In Bloom" campaign, which takes the form of a poetic short film directed by Neels Castillon and choreographed by Fanny Sage, exploring a dialogue between body, emotion, and expression. Image courtesy of Repetto.

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Beautiful Spaces For a Better Life

From

This month’s missive was begun during a three-hour layover in the Centurian Lounge at ATL, the first leg of a five-day solo trip encompassing 10 flights, 8 boat transfers, and a sizeable time difference. I found myself wistful for the days when my daughter was young, and marathon Uno games, complete with my ESPN-style play-by-play commentary, would make the time fly by. The not-so-glamorous side of travel writing is that you are almost always cramming what would likely be a leisurely two-week trip for most into half that time (and sometimes even less!). Given the state of the world these days, I am fully aware that my little lamentation is most definitely a first-world problem that, not unlike most of our seemingly insufferable in-the-moment travel woes, will fade into a footnote of the overall experience.

Travel features have long been a mainstay of the magazine, and what I am most asked about when someone learns what I “do”. Our readers’ insatiable wanderlust has prompted us to dedicate a growing number of pages to the pursuit of interesting destinations. As I’ve written before, I grew up camping, which has made me amenable to all types of accommodations, although I admit that by the end of my last wilderness adventure I could relate to Parker Posey’s now infamous line as Victoria Ratliff in Season 3 of HBO’s The White Lotus: “I just don't think, at this age, that I'm meant to live an uncomfortable life.”

Recently, I was reminded that a hankering for the finer things doesn’t have to come at the cost of adventure. You’ll read about this in “The Sweet Spot,” featuring Lamangata Luxury Surf Resort in Costa Rica. Missing the years when I was regularly training to compete in something, I spent several weeks leading up to the trip focused on surf-specific exercises and, in the process, gained a new understanding of why surfers have such amazing physiques. I’ll be honest: learning a new skill in midlife isn’t easy, but it’s so very rewarding. The experience has prompted me to casually poke around Costa Rican real estate sites, pining for a little retreat near Playa Linda that allows us to relish the feeling of being kids again every day by enjoying the simple pleasure of playing in the waves.

As we get closer to summer travel season, let me know the places you’ve been that would make for a great read, or where you’d like to see us head next. In the coming issues, we’ll be adding new voices to our travel features to reflect the diversity of our readers and their interests.

I had a lot of fun putting this issue together, and I hope you enjoy it too!

Bridget Cottrell, Editor-In-Chief bridget@slmag.net

Scan the QR code for a playlist inspired by this issue!

STABLE TO STUNNING

The gradual transformation of an historic carriage house into an elegant, eclectic, and enviable abode.

Written

There are homes to be lived in and homes that live within us. This is a story about the latter.

“As soon as I saw it, I thought ’that’s our house,” remarked the wife about the circa 1910 carriage-house-turned-residence in Cherokee Gardens, even though her husband wasn’t initially quite as enthusiastic. Loaded with architectural gravitas, the exterior reflects a blend of historic styles, including the Arts and Crafts movement. Although the era of the carriage house’s construction coincided with the start of Ford’s mass production of its Model T, signaling the beginning of the end for the “horse-drawn era,” the attention to detail and investment in this substantial structure speak to the value the original builder placed on the care of horses and carriages.

“They’ve touched every surface,” said Amy Cimba, Vice President of Residential Design at Bittners. She has worked with the homeowners for years, helping them restore original details and make thoughtful additions and renovations. The result is an eclectic and elegant abode, perfect for modern life and gracious entertaining. The wife, who likes to rearrange furniture, jokes that their long collaboration is also due to Cimba’s willingness to help with the heavy lifting. “My husband will never let her go because of it!” she said. “The benefit of buying lovely pieces is that they can work in multiple spaces,” said Cimba.

The full-on charm offensive begins as soon as one crosses the threshold and enters the double-height foyer. Laid atop the

floors

runner from Anabel’s Oriental Rugs. A verdigris French Quarter-style copper lantern is suspended above an antique rosewood center table procured from the Bittners showroom. It is flanked, front and back, by iron Excalibur benches from Maitland Smith, with zebra-patterned hair-on-hide upholstery. Cimba had the Bittners woodworking shop add a wood fleur-de-lis mount to the antique three-arm sconces to better match the scale of the space. In the powder room, the custom vanity resembles a polished huntergreen tack truck with snaffle-bit drawer pulls.

Original, distinctive double crossbuck brace sliding doors define the entrance to the dining room. The beadboard detail on the doors carries over to the coffered ceiling. Comfortable seating areas on either side of the banquet-sized dining tables allow the space to be used for pre- and post-dinner entertaining. Cimba said they worked closely with antiquarian Steve Tipton to source art and antiques, including a large hunt scene hung on the opposite end of the room from a vintage advertising poster for Longines watches, created by the renowned artist Leonetto Cappiello, roughly a decade after the carriage house was built. Cimba added Ralph Lauren raw silk to the room’s drapery, which carried over from the homeowners’ previous residence to compensate for the higher ceilings.

Throughout the home, there’s a Wunderkammer vibe, with varied and interesting art, accessories, and furniture spanning eras and continents, creating endlessly beguiling spaces and alluding to the interesting lives of its occupants. Nothing seems too precious, as underscored by fine art casually leaning against the wall in the dining room or sitting atop the mantle in the hearth room, along with a high-low mélange of collected objects. Cimba also allows the architecture to take center stage by limiting loud patterns and favoring a layered approach, adding visual interest through accent pillows, rugs, and carefully considered vignettes. “It’s a good lesson that you don’t need busyness to create impactful spaces,” explained Cimba.

Across the foyer from the dining room is a casual multipurpose sitting room that leads to the husband’s office and a stylish full bath, formerly a livestock pen. The wife said they were reminded of the home’s former life when hay rained from the ceiling during renovation. Defined by a hand-hewn beam and original brick walls, an original harness case that was relocated from another space now serves as a cabinet of curiosities. A waxed-bamboo, polished-nickel chandelier hangs above the library table. Harris Tweed upholstery on the armchairs accentuates the room’s country house aesthetic.

An earlier addition at the rear of the home encompasses the kitchen, casual dining area, and a hearth room opening to a large walled terrace. Reclaimed wood floors finished with a French polish accentuate the wood’s natural grain beneath a glass-like finish. Classic recessed wainscoting around the windows counters a predominance of dark wood tones, while the deep coffered ceiling matches the architectural heft of the original steel and wood beams, including one in the kitchen that still bears the pencil markings of a craftsman. Anchored by a vibrant Heriz rug from Anabel’s Oriental Rugs, four English-style leather library armchairs with a leisurely reclined back from Ralph Lauren surround a textured brass coffee table from Baker in the hearth room.

Designed by architect Tommy Kute, the thoughtful design of a recently added sunroom appears to be original to the home. Cimba remarked that the sinuous lines of the Hickory Chair sofa nestled into the bank of windows “adds a little touch of drama,” along with vintage Fortuny pillows, and an antique Italian table.

Even for the casual visitor, impressions of this special home endure. A touch of envy creates an emotional anchor, leaving behind the quiet, lasting feeling of having visited somewhere deeply personal and authentic. sl

YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN A HEALTH DIAGNOSIS. NOW WHAT?

By Dr. Carl Paige, Medical Transformation Center

It’s likely to happen to you or someone you love at some point - they are given a less-than-healthy diagnosis. We’re all different. Some of us may ignore it. Others may get a second, third, or even a fourth opinion or drop down into an AI rabbit hole.

To ascertain a credible set of next steps, we turned to an expert who has been a recurring voice on our pages for two years - Dr. Carl Paige of Medical Transformation Center. Based in Louisville, MTC is a respected, regional hub in integrative cellular and regenerative medicine. Dr. Paige’s four decades of practice have made him a leading voice on groundbreaking treatment modalities such as peptide therapy and research-based regenerative medicine techniques.

Carl Paige, MD, is CMO and co-founder of Medical Transformation Center with his wife, Terri Paige. After 25-plus years in traditional practice, he recognized the substantial need for a more proactive approach to wellness and began exploring Cellular Medicine, which strengthens and optimizes individual cells to support the whole body from its most basic unit up. The Kentucky-based MTC is now a respected leader in integrative Cellular and Regenerative Medicine. Continuing to pioneer research-based techniques and advances in his field, Dr. Paige is an original member of the Seeds Scientific Research and Performance Institute (SSRP), where, when not practicing at MTC, he now trains other physicians on applications of Cellular Medicine in healthcare. Dr. Paige is a respected, leading voice on groundbreaking treatment modalities, research-based techniques, and advances. Grounded in experience and extensive training, Dr. Paige looks at each patient holistically, considering factors such as lifestyle, genetics, environment, and more to determine the best, most personalized way to maximize overall wellness and boost healthspan. medicaltransformationcenter.com

Dr. Paige, if someone has just been given a diagnosis and feels incredibly overwhelmed, what coping mechanisms do you suggest?

That’s a very common experience, and it is overwhelming. One of the first things we try to do is help patients step back and see the bigger picture. Instead of focusing solely on the diagnosis, we look at the underlying factors that may have contributed to where they are today. That shift alone can give people a sense of direction and control.

From there, I like to focus on simple interventions that can help patients feel better relatively quickly. Early wins matter. They build confidence and momentum.

Sometimes that might include targeted tools like ketone esters to support energy in someone dealing with persistent fatigue, or something like the peptide Selank to help take the edge off anxiety that often accompanies chronic illness. These are not addictive solutions. They’re supportive tools that help patients begin to feel a shift as we address the deeper issues.

Equally important is setting realistic expectations. I’ll often walk patients through a timeline: what they might expect in three to six months, and what could take closer to a year or more. Those guideposts are critical. If something makes you feel dramatically better in a week, it’s often not a long-term solution. Sustainable recovery takes time, and patients need to understand that from the beginning.

What are the basic things that anyone with a diagnosis can or should do to improve their health right off the bat?

In Cellular Medicine, we always come back to a simple question: what makes the cell function well? When patients understand that, it becomes much easier to translate into everyday decisions.

For most people, that starts with cleaning up nutrition. That means minimizing toxins, reducing excessive carbohydrates, and focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods. As we do that, we also work to reduce visceral body fat, increase movement, and support muscle mass. This could mean optimizing hormone levels when appropriate or simply enhancing the body’s natural systems.

One approach we’ve found to be both effective and sustainable is the Paleo-Mediterranean lifestyle. It combines the Paleo focus on whole, unprocessed foods with the Mediterranean diet focus on plantbased items, healthy fats, and fish. Together, those approaches create a powerful framework for sending your cells the best information.

We also pay very close attention to inflammation. If there’s an underlying inflammatory or autoimmune process, we want to understand what’s driving it. That might involve lab work, but it also involves lifestyle. This means things like nutrition, stress, sleep, and, when appropriate, targeted therapies such as peptides.

And then there’s gut health, which is foundational. The gut is the primary interface between your body and the outside world. When that barrier becomes disrupted, it can affect everything - from immune function to energy levels to mood and brain chemistry. When we restore gut integrity and balance, many downstream systems begin to regulate more effectively, including metabolism and appetite signaling.

How does MTC partner with patients once their condition/illness is known/determined?

The first step is always identifying root causes. Many patients come to us with diagnoses that are tied, in some way, to metabolic

dysfunction. That often means excess body fat, but it may also manifest as elevated blood sugar, hormone imbalances, or other endocrine system issues. These conditions are frequently lifestyledriven, which is actually encouraging, because it means they are modifiable.

Our role is to educate, guide, and support. We build a structured plan and then provide consistent follow-up, using the right tools to help patients realign those key variables.

A common question we hear is, “How do I get off these medications?” And the answer is: carefully, and with a plan. When patients reduce visceral fat, improve metabolic health, build muscle, and clean up their diet, it’s often possible to reduce or even eliminate medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar.

But we do that in coordination with their primary care physician or specialist. This isn’t about working in isolation. We need patients to understand their options and the timeline required to safely move in that direction.

I assume you probably have a lot of people who come into your office who say, “Oh, they told me I had this. I Googled it.” What do you tell people who do that?

We actually encourage patients to be informed. This isn’t the old model of medicine where you’re told what to do and sent on your way. The more engaged and educated a patient is, the more successful they tend to be.

That said, there’s a balance. With the amount of information available today - especially with AI tools - it’s easy to come across content that is incomplete, misleading, or taken out of context.

In my experience, these tools can be very helpful for organizing and summarizing large amounts of information. But when it comes to medical decision-making, context matters. You need a framework to interpret what you’re reading and to recognize when something doesn’t quite fit.

So I tell patients: stay curious, stay engaged, but do bring what you find into the conversation. That’s where we can help separate what’s useful from what may not apply to their specific situation.

Do you have any success stories of helping somebody manage a diagnosis?

That’s really the most rewarding part of what we do.Many of the conditions we see are managed in a traditional setting with medications alone. And while medications have their place, our goal is to help patients restore their underlying metabolic health.

We see a lot of individuals who feel like they’ve crossed a line where they’re overweight, out of shape, managing multiple conditions, and they begin to believe that being on medication for the rest of their lives is inevitable.

What’s powerful is helping them realize that’s not always the case.

When patients make the right changes and improve body composition, build strength, stabilize blood sugar, and reduce inflammation, they often experience a shift not just physically, but mentally. They move from a mindset of “I’m sick, and this is my new normal” to “I’m well, and I have control over my health again.”

That transition is what success really looks like to us. sl

SOPHISTICATED WEDDING

DR. JOHN & KRISTIN SNELL

SL: How and where did you first meet? What were your first impressions of each other?

Kristin: We met 15 years ago when I was a new nurse on the floor, and John was a new attending doctor. I thought he was the smartest and cutest doctor on the floor.

John: I thought she was bright, energetic, and passionate about patient care.

SL: When and where did you get engaged? Was it a surprise?

Kristin: John proposed in Sedona, Arizona, in April 2025, on a hiking trail when we first landed. I had a feeling a proposal might come at some point, but I didn’t know when, so it was still a surprise. It was simple, beautiful, and one of those moments I’ll always remember.

SL: What was the overall vision for your wedding day?

Kristin: We wanted a beautiful, yet relaxed, wedding focused on family. Since we’re blending our families, it was important to us that the whole weekend feel meaningful and special for everyone, not just the two of us. We wanted something elegant but still laid-back, where everyone could enjoy being together. We wanted an atmosphere of celebration with our closest friends and family.

SL: Why did you opt for a destination wedding?

Kristin: We chose Key Largo Lighthouse because we wanted a quaint beach wedding. The venue felt intimate and peaceful, and all our

guests could stay on-site together. We loved the idea of turning the wedding into a weekend where our family and friends could relax, spend time together, and celebrate with us in a beautiful place.

SL: What were some of your favorite aspects of the day?

Kristin: The flowers and décor were some of my favorite details. Akalia at Linens and More did an amazing job creating the perfect beach setting, perfectly without feeling overdone. We also loved that our daughter created a chair for the Elves on the Shelves that came all the way from Kentucky to celebrate the wedding.

SL: Did you incorporate any family traditions or cultural customs?

Kristin: Our wedding was more about bringing the families together. We created and said our own vows. Which brought most of our guests to tears

SL: What was your “yes” to the dress moment?

Kristin: I found my dress at Rebecca’s Boutique, and as soon as I tried it on, I knew it was the one. It felt timeless and perfect for a beach wedding. John and I went and shopped for this together, which was not traditional, but we had the best time picking it out and celebrating with a glass of champagne. John found his attire at the Him and Her boutique. It was also just the two of us shopping for his attire, which made it feel so intimate. John kept things classic and simple, which fit the setting perfectly.

SL: How did you choose your processional and first dance song?

Kristin: I walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of a Taylor Swift song, since we both love her music. Our first dance was to “Still Falling for You.” This was a song early on in our relationship and felt perfect for the first dance as a married couple.

SL: What ended up being your favorite part of the day?

Kristin: Outside of standing next to the love of my life in front of our favorite people was getting pushed into the pool! Our kiddos pushed both of us into the pool while we were wearing our wedding attire. My other favorite part was the rawness and vulnerability during the ceremony.

SL: Is there anything you would have done differently?

Kristin: Nothing, it was perfect!

SL: Were there any surprises?

Kristin: The biggest surprise for John was his overwhelming sense of love and connection to the point of a trembling voice and his inability to say vows without such emotion. We were both so overwhelmed by the happiness.

SL: Where did you honeymoon?

Kristin: We immediately went to Disney with the kids after Key Largo. Then we spent a week at our beach house while we planned our destination honeymoon this summer to Bora Bora. sl

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THE BEST LITTLE HOTEL IN TEXAS

Rough, refined, and the anchor of one of San Antonio’s most dynamic cultural districts, Hotel Emma pays homage to a visionary woman.

Written by Bridget Cottrell / Photos Courtesy of Hotel Emma and Pearl

It’s quite the origin story.

Three Emmas, a murder, and a twice-scorned wife who rose above to become a powerful businesswoman in a peerless era. It’s safe to say you won’t likely find another hotel with a more made-for-TV backstory and where truth is stranger than fiction.

After Emma Koehler (b. 1858) was severely injured in an automobile accident, her husband, Otto, the President of Pearl Brewery in San Antonio, Texas, hired Emma "Emmi" Duke as a live-in nurse. The polyamorous Otto began an affair with Ms. Dumke and later with her friend, also hired as a caregiver, who also happened to be named Emma. Otto’s indiscretions ended up costing him his life, with the third Emma, Ms. Burgemeister, fatally

shooting him during a confrontation (she was later acquitted by an all-male jury – one of whom she later married).

After her husband’s death, Emma Koehler took charge of Pearl Brewery. She kept it running through Prohibition—the only brewery in San Antonio to do so—by expanding into dry-cleaning, auto repair, ice, soft drinks, and near beer. According to Michael C. Hennech of the Texas State Historical Association, “Within fifteen minutes after prohibition ended in Texas on September 15, 1933, 100 trucks and twenty-five boxcars loaded with Pearl beer rolled out of the brewery grounds.” Emma later guided the brewery through the Great Depression, retired in 1933, and continued to advise behind the scenes until her death in 1943.

Production at the 22-acre distillery—whose handsome original circa 1894 structure, designed by Chicago architect August Maritzen in a distinctive Second Empire style with detailed brickwork and a prominent tower crowned with a cupola—ceased in 2001. The brewery, with all its original machinery in situ, was in disrepair when it was purchased by Silver Ventures, owned by San Antonio businessman Christopher “Kit” Goldsbury. Rather than raze the site and start from scratch, the project’s master plan took great pains to preserve the historic structures, highlighting the beauty to be found in the imperfections of earned hardscrabble excellence.

Today, Hotel Emma, which opened in 2015, sits at the heart of the larger and vibrant pedestrian-friendly, eco-forward, and multiple award winning Pearl community, which includes a campus of the Culinary Institute of America, Stable Hall, a performance venue created out of the original horse stables, sprawling farmers and makers markets, more than two dozen food and beverage concepts, the Pullman Market, an elevated, hyper-local Whole Foods. boutiques, upscale apartments, ample greenspace, Latin American and European-inspired plazas, and

more, with direct access to the San Antonio River Walk. Perusing Pearl’s eclectic mix of shops, like The Tiny Finch (thetinyfinch.com) and Dos Carolinas (doscarolinas.com), is a delight, with scores of stuff I don’t need but really want because it’s merchandised so beautifully, making me regret that I am a carry-on only girl.

The intimate vestibule where check-in takes place makes the initial transition into the “industrial maximalism” of the lobby (formerly the brewery’s engine room), where extravagance lies in materials and scale, an awe-inducing moment. There is a palpable soul to the place, discernible in the preserved patina, including original machinery repurposed as décor and the Redondo cement tile floors that replicate the original. The guests milling about in the soaring ceilinged lobby are quite diverse, from gearheads geeking out over an old compressor, to a student quietly reading at a communal table near the entrance to a two-story library holding a curated selection of 3,700 books, and a couple cozied up in front of the fireplace enjoying a welcome La Babia margarita. After finishing my own, I couldn’t resist picking up a set of the handmade turquoise etched glasses they’re served in at the gift shop.

Hotel Emma boasts 146 guestrooms, including 11 distinctive suites. After staying in the two-story Emma Koehler suite, one of seven on the top floor, Cher is reported to have said she’d love to play its namesake in a biopic. The juxtaposition of high-low continues in the spacious accommodations, with hand-crafted furniture and accents, and preserved historical elements. A Poolside Provisions food truck is situated next to the rooftop pool, offering light bites and refreshments.

As strident as Hotel Emma’s commitment to historic preservation is their emphasis on elevating artists and makers. From blacksmith Robert Diaz de Leon of FLUX metal studio, tasked with creating pieces from monumental to demure and decorative, to Kevin Elkins of Soular Therapy, who was tasked with creating a signature scent for the hotel, every nook and cranny is treated as a chapter in a cohesive, compelling story. And, once your eyes are trained to delight in the details, you notice tooled leather panels in the elevator, hand-made glazed tiles in bathrooms, blown-glass sconces, and thoughtfully sourced vintage furniture and fixtures. While Spanish influences were expected, I was surprised to learn that Germanic references harken back to the late 19th century, when German immigrants constituted one-third of San Antonio’s population.

Thoughtful touches extend beyond the interior design. I appreciated the refined ritual of having morning slow-pour coffee delivered rather than fumbling around with an in-room machine. A daily text outlines the goings-on in the hotel in the larger Pearl district. A Culinary Concierge is on-site to help organize everything from a guest chef-led dinner in a private suite to escorting guests to pop-up dinners.

San Antonio was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2017, with Hotel Emma and Pearl fortifying this gastronomic legacy, via a thriving ecosystem where nationally recognized James Beard Award semifinalists and winners, such as Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin (Best Quality Daughter and Jue Let) and Nicola Blaque (Freight Chicken), continue to elevate San Antonio’s culinary profile.

Foodies and home gourmands shouldn’t miss the opportunity to rub elbows with the world-class instructors at the Culinary Institute of America, with programs ranging from an afternoon to five days. During our fire-roasted guacamole-making extravaganza, we enjoyed a playful ribbing from the toque-topped French and Mexican instructors about the cleanliness (or lack thereof) of our stations and our subpar knife skills.

At Hotel Emma, the industrial-chic aesthetic at the Sternewerth tavern projects Steampunk vibes with repurposed cast-iron fermentation tanks used as intimate seating alcoves, original steel beams, a staircase and stone pillars, whipstitched buffalo leather sofas, and a chandelier made from an old bottle-labeling machine. Sip on the witty “Three Emmas” cocktail, a blend of lager beer and rose cordial, Amontillado sherry, gin, grapefruit, and lemon, while the mixologist spins a gossipy yarn.

A pair of specially commissioned still life paintings by Lloyd Walsh gracing the dining room at Supper imagine Emma’s and Otto’s dinner tables. Chef John Brand offers seasonally driven, reimagined American classics that meld comfort food with global influence. In the adjacent Swiggle Key private dining room, a sideboard holds vintage China designated specifically for this space.

Led by Galvaston native Jeff Balfour, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery features an on-site brewery, an oyster bar, and elevated Texas’ cross-cultural cuisine like fried snapper throats and crab-spiked mac and cheese. Jeff and his wife, Allison, who co-founded Southerleigh Hospitality Group along with Frenchmen Jerome Serot and Philippe Placé, were named Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year at the 2025 Texas Restaurant Association Awards. The group also operates

the French restaurant Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, located near the motor court entrance to Hotel Emma. At the start of our meal, Serot explained that the concept was designed as a “palate cleanser” to counter the predominance of Tex-Mex cuisine in the area. “Our beautiful adventure begins with Chef Laurent Réa, a native of Alsace, whose cuisine looks, feels, and tastes like home,” he commented.

One of the most unique dining experiences at Pearl is found at Nicosi, an intimate eight-course dessert experience that unfolds like culinary theatre. Guests queue outside the door, where an attendant provides a camera cover for cellphones. A black curtain pulls back, and guests sit at an elevated counter lining a central staging area where all manner of gastronomic wizardry is performed, pushing the boundaries of acid, umami, bitterness, and sweetness in desserts.

Thoughtful touches extend to departure, when guests are given a silver elephant Milagro, created by metalsmith Alejandro Sifuentes and inspired by the hotel’s Elephant Cellar, an event space where the original towering beer tanks with upraised pipe “trunks” once reminded brewery workers of elephants. While Hotel Emma is hard to forget, this good-luck charm and symbol of remembrance inspire me to never look at a piece of industrial machinery or scrap the same way again. sl For more information, visit thehotelemma.com

Trove

Compiled by Bridget Cottrell and Lee Milward Fresh Finds for Spring

Paris x Olimpia Zagnoli Cap Camarat Eau de Parfum ($340; us.memoparis.com)

CharmingPrints

Compiled by Bridget Cottrell

A collaboration in the truest sense, Fromental x Harris Reed began in Harris's personal apartment, where Fromental helped bring Reed’s interior vision to life with custom wallcoverings (Ambiguous Tiger in Nuanced Copper is shown). That work evolved into a creative partnership spanning three runway collections. The SS26 collection last September served as the creative foundation for a recent homewares launch that includes wallcovering designs with hand-painted and handembroidered detailing, cushions, and a throw in a tiger print (fromental.com/en-us/collections/harris-reed-wallcoverings).

Artist Hunt Slonem, renowned for his signature bunnies, butterflies, and bold brushstrokes, recently debuted Belle Terrre, a wallcovering and textile collection with Lee Jofa Modern (kravet.com/lee-jofa-modern).

Unveiled at Milan Design Week Belgian brand Arte’s latest collection, created in collaboration with Sagarminaga Atelier, transforms natural fibers into architectural artworks (arte-international.com).

Brunschwig & Fils partnered with a renowned English mill to bring their Les Paysages Mural collection to life, transforming a master scenic painter’s hand-painted visions into digitally printed murals that capture every subtle detail of the original art (kravet.com/brunschwig-fils).

Inspired by his Spanish roots and a lifetime of discovery, Alfredo Paredes infused the Cocuyo collection for Kravet Couture with the spirit of his journeys. The collection’s earthy palette and tactile surfaces celebrate the beauty of weathered textures, handcrafted artistry, and the understated charm found in well-loved spaces. (kravet.com).

Launched at Milan Design Week, Bonbon from Kastall was designed with international design studio Barber Osgerby. In hues like Berry, Rhubarb, Lemon, and Damson (shown), the rug layers tone-on-tone yarns for depth, ending in a triple-shuttle looped edge that feels tailored and tactile. Designed to energise architectural interiors, Bonbon brings a touch of play to personal spaces, or as Edward Barber suggests, would make “the perfect rug for a kids’ room.”(kasthall.com)

The Tela collection, designed by Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa Modern explores the interplay between structure and movement, resulting in fabrics that feel both grounded and kinetic (kravet.com/lee-jofa-modern).

New from Innovations, Torino’s towering grasses are rendered in stunning detail in this four-panel mural, using a combination of etching and laser cutting on wood veneer to create layered depth and rich texture (innovationsusa.com).

Available in a polished

and elegant mineral-style veining (xtone-surface.com)

French brand Métaphores unveils Belle Étoile, a collection crafted by Émilie Paralitici, Director of Creation and Image, who draws on celestial inspiration to weave the tale of a world journeying through the cosmos (metaphores.com/en).

Inspired by 19th and 20th century documentary textiles,

A NEW ERA FOR OREGON BUBBLES

Written by Bridget Cottrell

In March, a growing coalition of Oregon sparkling wine producers came together to launch Method Oregon, a nonprofit focused on making Oregon known for top-quality traditionalmethod sparkling wine and sharing the story of the state’s fast-growing bubbles scene.

Method Oregon was created by sparkling winemakers for sparkling winemakers, uniting over 45 wineries from across the state. The group includes both longtime producers and new brands, all dedicated to making outstanding traditional-method sparkling wine. Their goal is to highlight great wines, sustainable farming, and the unique character that sets Oregon sparkling wine apart.

“Oregon sparkling wine has reached a tipping point,” said Andrew Davis, a founding board member for Method Oregon, winemaker for Lytle-Barnett, and the founder of Radiant Sparkling Wine Co. “After decades of experimentation and innovation,

producers across the state are crafting traditional method wines that stand confidently among the best sparkling wines in the world.”

At the heart of this effort is the Method Oregon mark, a symbol that shows which wines meet some of the strictest standards for traditional-method sparkling wine production worldwide. Wines bearing the Method Oregon mark must use only Oregon-grown grapes from the Willamette Valley, Columbia Gorge, or Southern Oregon AVAs, be made using the traditional method with a second fermentation in the bottle, and age for at least 24 months en tirage and list a disgorgement date on every bottle. These rules are stricter than those in many famous sparkling wine regions.

Starting in 2029, Method Oregon wines must use grapes grown with only OMRI-approved organic inputs or come from LIVE-certified vineyards that do not use synthetic herbicides. Labels will also need to show disgorgement dates and AVA information for more transparency.

Oregon’s climate and landscape are ideal for making traditionalmethod sparkling wine. The Willamette Valley’s cool weather, long growing season, and marine influence help grapes keep their natural acidity and ripen slowly. Southern Oregon and the Columbia Gorge also have great spots for sparkling wine, thanks to higher elevations, wind, and cooler conditions. Big temperature swings and different soils let grapes develop rich flavors while keeping the bright acidity needed for sparkling wines that age well.

Pinot noir and chardonnay, Oregon’s most common grapes and the classic base for traditional-method sparkling wine, have grown well there for over 60 years. This has led to sparkling wines that are fresh, structured, and feature a unique Oregon fruit character that ages well and wins awards. For instance, in 2024, five Oregon traditional-method wines made Wine Enthusiast’ s Top 100 list.

To help people discover Oregon’s sparkling wines, Method Oregon offers the Method Oregon Trail Map (methodoregon.com/

trail), an interactive guide to tasting rooms across the state. You can filter wineries by region and experience type.

This summer, Method Oregon will hold its second annual Grand Tasting Weekend, an annual event in the Willamette Valley celebrating Oregon’s traditional-method sparkling wine. The 2026 event is set for July 24 to 26 and will feature an educational panel led by Ray Isle, Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine , guided tastings, tours of production facilities, a “Bubbles Block Party” with food trucks and music, a Grand Tasting with over 40 top Oregon sparkling producers, and a day of special winery events across the region.

“Oregon has always thrived through collaboration,” said Andy Lytle, a founding board member of Method Oregon and co-founder of Lytle-Barnett. “Method Oregon reflects that same spirit—winemakers coming together to tell the story of a region that is redefining American sparkling wine.” sl For more information, visit methodoregon.com.

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BOTTLE SERVICE

Hi there, Sophisticated Living! It’s a big month for me, as this April marks one full year as the magazine’s wine correspondent — cheers to many great issues of raising glasses together! Recently, I’ve discovered a handful of new wines that I’m excited to share with you here. Check them out below and feel free to follow my personal travel / tasting journeys at @vickidenig on Instagram or at www.vickidenig.com.

JM Sélèque Solessence Pour Augustine Extra Brut 2021 (Champagne, France – SRP: $70.00)

While many wine lovers tend to pull back on bubbles during the early months of the year, I firmly believe that sparkling wine is the gift that keeps on giving—especially when it’s Champagne. I recently checked out the new Printemps department store in downtown New York, which is home to a number of food and beverage concepts; my particular favorite? The hidden Champagne bar is tucked away in the back of the store. While there, I sprang for a pour of JM Sélèque’s Solessence Pour Augustine cuvée, made from a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 40% Meunier, and 10% Pinot Noir. The wine ages for two years sur-lie in bottle prior to release, yielding a creamy, textured final wine balanced by ample brisk acidity and a saline finish. Sipping a Grower Champagne like this is always a treat, especially when surrounded by equally luxurious skincare and garments!

Italy – SRP: $20.00)

Great wine can be found at all price points, even between the $15 and $20 mark—it’s simply a matter of knowing where to look. Fattoria San Lorenzo is a family-owned winery located in the coastal Marche region of Italy. Here, third-generation winemaker Natalino Crogaletti produces a lineup of biodynamically-farmed wines from local grape varieties, including this incredibly easy-drinking Verdicchio. Post-harvest, Natalino allows spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in concrete vats, then lets the wine age for six months sur-lie (followed by three months in bottle) prior to release. Snappy and refreshing, the wine’s notes of citrus, ripe peach, and white flowers promise to satisfy fans of Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc alike. Trust me, reach for the lesser-known Italian grapes— they’ll likely overdeliver for the price point!

Kruger-Rumpf Riesling Münsterer Rheinberg Kabinett 2024 (Nahe, Germany – SRP: $25.00)

Although mentalities are beginning to change, Riesling still gets stereotyped as an ultra-sweet wine—and while it certainly can be, the majority is actually vinified dry. This Kabinett bottling from KrugerRumpf is somewhat of a Goldilocks bottling; it’s not totally dry, but not super sweet. In other words, it’s simply just right—especially if

spicy takeout is on the menu. Produced in Germany’s Nahe region, the fruit for this wine was organically farmed, fermented with native yeasts, and vinified in stainless steel. However, rather than letting the wine ferment completely dry, the producer cooled the fermentation to halt it, resulting in a tiny amount of residual sugar in the final wine. I enjoyed this bottle with a group of Italian winemakers at a BYOB Chinese restaurant, and the wine’s juicy flavors of peach, apple, and orange blossom—coupled with its lemony acidity and off-dry finish—couldn’t have been a better fit for the food.

Evening Land 'Seven Springs Vineyard' Gamay Noir 2023

(Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon, USA – SRP: $41.00)

Oregon has become synonymous with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, though Gamay is proving to be an equally interesting variety for the area’s soils—especially when produced at the hands of winemakers like Sashi Moorman. In addition to working with some of the region’s most lauded sites, Moorman’s passion for organic and responsible farming brings Evening Land’s wines to a whole other level. Following the traditional vinification regimen of France’s Beaujolais—which is home to some of the best examples of Gamay in the world—this delicious wine undergoes carbonic fermentation with whole clusters and is aged in neutral French oak for four months prior to bottling. Vibrant and

energetic, the wine’s flavors of cranberry, strawberry, and white pepper are perfect for enjoying during the early days of spring.

Claire Naudin Côte de Nuits-Villages ‘Viola Odorata’ 2022 (Burgundy, France – SRP: $92.00)

Claire Naudin is one of Burgundy’s most respected winemakers. She’s helmed her family estate, Domaine Naudin-Ferrand, since 1994, which straddles the border between the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits and the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune. This particular wine, which is named after a local wildflower, is produced from grapes from five different lieux-its around the village of Corgoloin. In the cellar, élevage takes place for 14-18 months in oak, a small percentage of which is new, prior to bottling without fining or filtration. In terms of vintage, 2022 was a rather warm year in Burgundy, which is definitely reflected in this wine; contrary to the leaner 2021s, this ripe and expressive bottling offers notes of dark berries and violet with well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Serve it slightly chilled and enjoy with your next roast chicken or mushroom-based dish at home. sl

Vicki Denig is a wine / travel journalist based between New York and Paris. Her work regularly appears in various industry publications, including Decanter, Food & Wine, and WineSearcher. In addition to journalism, Vicki also works with a handful of wine-focused clients, including Paris Wine Company, High Road Wine & Spirits, and more. When not writing, she enjoys running, indoor cycling classes, petting dogs, and popping bottles on her rooftop with friends.

THE SWEET SPOT

Lamangata

Luxury Surf Resort in Costa Rica offers the perfect blend of adventure and luxury.

Written by Bridget Cottrell

Love hits differently later in life. Passion, though still palpable, is filtered through the earned wisdom of age. This lends a reassuring steadiness, which often takes young love’s roiling boil down to a gentle simmer. I was bitten by the love bug twice in my 50s. With apologies to my husband, about whom I could wax poetic for pages, this story is about the second nip—an amplification of amorousness brought about by discovering a latent love of surfing.

Desiring to scratch an itch I picked up in Hawaii a little over a year ago, I was keen on finding a place where I could get expert coaching while also enjoying a well-rounded trip with my husband outside of time spent in the water. Many places I looked into were too focused on surfing (my aspirations are fairly modest), or too rustic (there’s certain creature comforts I want at my age), so when I came across Lamangata, situated near Dominical in the Puntarenas Province of Costa Rica, I knew I’d found the sweet spot and a kindred spirit in owner Debbie Toll Gruelle.

A fellow adventuresome and globetrotting fifty-something, Debbie, an experienced wakesurfer, fell in with wave surfing at a camp in Costa Rica. Shortly thereafter, she found the perfect piece of land, perched high above the Pacific, to build her very own luxury, sustainable surf camp. “I built it to feel like home,” said Debbie,

who often brings her Sharpei (and shadow) Lupe with her during extended visits. “I conceived the whole experience based on things that are important to me when I travel—environmentally friendly, comfortable, and stylish.”

While hospitality is a new plume in Debbie’s proverbial feathered cap, luxury building is in her blood. Her late father, Robert Toll, was the co-founder and former Chairman of the luxury homebuilding company, Toll Brothers, Inc., and Debbie was the only one of her siblings to work in the family business. Later, she and her husband collaborated to build custom luxury homes in Southern California.

At Lamangata—derived from the Swedish word Mångata, which refers to the shimmering, road-like reflection of the moon on water—Debbie drew on her educational background in environmental studies and her formidable building chops to design and construct the six-room boutique hotel, positioned on the precipice of a steep hillside with sweeping, unobstructed ocean views. The property’s previous owner was a notorious expat forced to sell after years of having a bit too much fun caught up with him. Debbie razed the existing home but kept and refurbished the infinity-edge lap pool and Balinese-style pavilion. The pavilion now includes a secondfloor massage room with a triangle-shaped opening framing the view.

The maximum head count at full capacity is 15; even so, as an all-inclusive resort, there are a ton of moving parts, and Debbie credits her good business intuition for assembling a top-notch team. The experience begins before arrival, with guests filling out a comprehensive form detailing dietary preferences, desired activities, and the like. The resort provides transportation from Juan Santamaría International Airport, though I’d highly recommend cutting the three-ish-hour ride to approximately 45 minutes by taking a connecting flight to Quepos La Managua Airport. Our driver came prepared with a backseat “picnic”, and after one lipsmacking bite of an overstuffed burrito, we were excited to see what palette pleasers were in store for us at the resort.

The first floor of the main building feels more like an aspirational abode than a boutique hotel. It comprises the kitchen, which is always stocked with refreshments and both sweet and savory snacks for between-meal noshing. There is a large living room, a long communal dining table, a yoga room, and a cantilevered deck with a firepit and hanging day beds.

The second-floor guest rooms are supremely spacious, with scores of custom pieces made on-site from locally sourced wood, including the bedroom furniture and fitted closet. I was particularly

fond of the bathroom’s live-edge vanity with bow-tie joints, topped with a natural stone vessel sink. From our balcony, I swayed in the hanging chair and listened to the deep, booming roars of howler monkeys, screeching macaws, yapping toucans, and the R2D2-like bleeps and chirps of Montezuma oropendola, while enjoying the cool breezes at the elevation.

Framed by vibrant, papery bracts of bougainvillea, a bank of solar panels powering the property resting just beneath the terminus of a clipped lawn near the pool stand in testament to Debbie’s staunch commitment to Lamangata’s sustainability. They collect, filter, and clean rainwater as their primary water source, and reuse wastewater for irrigation and maintenance. An on-site garden provides an assortment of herbs and vegetables for the kitchen.

Chef Yuri Antonio “Tony” Candray Marenco, assisted by Kenneth, prepares meals rivaling those of a 5-star resort. From a beach acai bowl breakfast to grilled whole fish at dinner, everything is beautifully plated, hearty, and bursting with flavor. Working closely with Debbie on menu development, including incorporating recipes procured from some of her favorite restaurants around the world, Chef Tony makes everything in-house, including bread and ice cream. Meals are accompanied by inventive, freshly squeezed juices infused

with lemongrass, ginger, mint, and basil to add depth of flavor. Guests' preferences and dietary restrictions can be amply accommodated.

Each day’s schedule and menus are posted on a chalkboard near the kitchen. On our first full day, after a hearty Desayuno Típico breakfast, we met Junior “Chagüe” Vargas Salazar, Lamangata’s lead surf instructor. As newbies, our first lesson was in the pool, which helped us hit the waves with confidence. A 2024 longboard champion, Junior offers expert, patient guidance and video analysis, helping even advanced shredders level up.

We headed to the long, wide, and virtually empty beach at Playa Linda for our first ocean session. “We’re going out there?” I asked with some trepidation, seeing the foamy whitewater of the barreling waves out in the distance. “Yup, barrels all day for us,” said the everupbeat Junior without missing a beat. “Vámonos!”

Having experienced bare-bones surf instruction, I was blown away by the thoughtfulness of the beach setup. A pop-up tent provided respite from the sun and a place to sit for breakfast or lunch. There were towels, an assortment of sunscreens, a thoughtfully curated “surfy” playlist, and a photographer/videographer to capture every triumph and wipeout. When we took a break, a freshly cracked coconut awaited, so we could rehydrate.

The surfing was exhilarating and humbling. Spending a morning getting pounded by the surf is Mother Nature’s ultimate ego check. No matter how powerful you think you are, it's no match for the feeling of a wave crashing on your head. By the end of our second session, and with Junior’s help, I reached the goal I’d set: catching and riding waves unassisted, with photo and video proof to boot!

Costa Rica’s varied landscape provides the ultimate playground when you aren’t surfing. There are waterfall, beach, and nature hikes (where you can visit your houseplants’ wild kin), whitewater rafting, ziplining, whale-watching boat tours, rappelling, kayaking, and fishing, to name a few. We were impressed by the beaches' cleanliness, with my husband remarking that we saw more trash in the Galápagos. There’s also the simple bliss of enjoying a poolside afternoon back at the resort or scheduling a private yoga session or a massage.

The trip marked our first to Costa Rica, but most definitely not our last. To quote singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, often referred to as the modern “patron saint” of surf culture (and who figured prominently on Lamangata’s beach day playlists), “Every time I get a chance to be out in the ocean, it's like hitting a reset button for me where I just feel alive again, in perfect balance.” sl

BOTANICAL BIJOUTERIE

One-of-a-kind Flora Fauna earrings from Eden Presley. Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis and edenpresley.com.

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DANCING WITH THE DEAD

Fairmont Mayakoba celebrates the rich culture of Mexico Year-Round

Written by Bridget Cottrell / Photos courtesy of Fairmont Mayakoba

The dead danced in my dreams. Not in a scary, wake up in a cold sweat kind of way, but rather à la Tim Burton: dark yet intriguing. Mis sueños, filled with sugar skulls, candlelight, Catrinas, fire, feathers, and Mesoamerican symbolism, served as a souvenir after engrossing myself in the all-encompassing celebration of Día de Muertos at the Fairmont Mayakoba in the Yucatán Peninsula.

The nearly 600-acre property, 100 of which are oceanfront, encompasses four luxury hotels, residences, a world-class golf course, beach clubs, and El Pueblito, an authentic replica of a traditional Mexican town, complete with a central plaza, shops, and a small church. Within this luxury ecosystem, the festivities for Mexico’s most vibrant holiday, which unfold over several days, are equally outsized. The property-wide collaborative celebration kicked off with an evening canal boat journey featuring choreographed vignettes that revealed themselves like fever dreams, complete with whirling dancers, glow-inthe-dark costumes, skeletonized faces, and live music. “It’s a good thing we’re not on drugs,” joked one of my fellow boat passengers.

The subsequent days were filled with immersive altar exhibits, live performances, crafts, children’s activities, cooking classes, and themed culinary experiences, including 30 different specialty menus at restaurants across the Mayakoba portfolio. At evening events, adults (me included) queued up with the excitement of children at a birthday party to get their face painted like a Catrina or el Catrín.

During a celebratory dinner marking the opening night of the festivities, Luis Duran, CEO of Mayakoba’s parent company RLH Properties, remarked, “The Day of the Dead is the soul of Mexican culture and a celebration of life. We hope to bring to our guests the authentic experience and nuance of our incredible Mexican Culture.” While the candlelight of evening activities amped up the drama, during the day, marigolds, with their bright orange color and strong scent thought to help guide the spirits of the dead home, were the stars of the show, appearing everywhere, strung into garlands and gracing the ofrendas alongside baskets of sweet breads, photographs, and a plethora of pillar candles.

Visiting Fairmont Mayakoba outside this celebratory season is equally beguiling, as the AAA Five Diamond awardee, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, offers an all-encompassing experience. While the property boasts 401 rooms and suites, it never feels crowded. I lodged in one of the casitas nestled in the dense jungle vegetation of the Mayakoba reserve, fronting a canal that snakes through the property (don’t miss the regularly scheduled boat rides through the canal system to learn more about the local flora and fauna).

My second-floor room was spacious and minimalist in its décor, with glass doors to the terrace framing the view and allowing it to hold its own as the room’s sole artwork. Guests staying in the resort’s Signature Casitas and above are assigned a personal Balam butler, and mine remained in regular contact, reminding me of reservations and complimentary events throughout the property. After learning of my keen interest in Día De Muertos, he was a fountain of knowledge, recommending several fascinating documentaries that deepened my affinity for this holiday, particularly on the evening of October 27, when the souls of lomitos (dogs) and michis (cats) come calling.

Scattered throughout the property are pickup stations where you can be chauffeured via golf cart to the beach, spa, restaurants, and the canal-front pool. I preferred to hop on one of the ample beach cruisers

placed around the property to help me get in some sneaky exercise in between my indulgent culinary journeys. The quiet of a pre-sunrise pedal through the jungle en route to the beach amplifies the cacophony of more than 500 bird species endemic to the region.

There are 10 pools on the property. The “quiet pool” near my room lived up to its name as I was often the only one there, indulging in the sweet silence to ditch my phone for some quality reading time. The lagoon pool is as oversized as the property itself, with its zig-zag layout providing plenty of quiet alcoves if one desires. Head to the far end, near the La Laguna Mexican restaurant, and you’re almost assuredly guaranteed serenity as families tend to congregate around the waterslide. Or venture a few steps further to the adults-only infinity pool at the water’s edge that offers elevated lounge seating. There are three pools at the beach, with a not-so-wide stretch of sand being the only thing separating the smallest one from the ocean.

Fairmont Mayakoba’s 12 restaurants and bars encompass culinary traditions from around the world. Steps from the ocean, Fuego offers toe-in-the-sand dining. True to its name, nearly every dish, including traditional Mayan offerings, benefits from a kiss of fire. An exploration of Mexican cuisine continues at La Laguna, where it’s hard to resist

overindulging at the breakfast buffet. Tauro Steakhouse in the main building is a chic, dinner-only American-style steakhouse boasting the largest in-house dry-aging program in Latin America and bartenders who craft matchless martinis. The ocean’s bounty is celebrated at Gaia; classic Italian cuisine is served at Bassano; and Asian-inspired offerings are found at Hix in the lobby.

If you aren’t content with being well fed, you can sign up to do your own cooking at the Mayakoba Cooking School located within the charming El Pueblito. In our immersive class, we cooked with all our senses; it was the first time I used sound to “feel” when something was ready.

As we made Pan de muerto ("Bread of the Dead") decorated with dough "bones" and a central knob, symbolizing the cycle of life and death, one instructor shared that on the holiday, he heads to the ocean, where his father’s ashes were scattered. “Each year we swim together,” he said. Other instructors remarked that they head to their local graveyard, where shots of tequila “thrown” at headstones allow them to celebrate with the dearly departed, offering the opportunity to talk about and “talk” to loved ones, keeping them present by tending to cherished memories. It’s a way of looking at death that I find comforting, making the gap feel more like a cracked door rather than an impassable abyss.

As I approached the Fairmont Spa Mayakoba, I pondered what the Mayans, whose ornate monumental pyramid temples dot the region, would think of this two-story, 36,000-square-foot facility built solely for the pursuit of pleasure. They most assuredly would have been disappointed that I couldn’t finish the traditional temazcal sweat lodge ceremony, held in a dome-shaped structure in the spa garden. Instead, I chose to trade steam heat for the cool waters of the rooftop pool. Equally oversized is the spa’s 24-hour fitness center, with separate spaces for cardio and weights.

Guests of Fairmont Mayakoba have access to the amenities at their sister hotels: Alila, Banyan Tree, and Rosewood. El Camaleón is Mayakoba’s Greg Norman-designed 7,024-yard, Par 72 masterpiece. It has the distinction of being the only course in the world to host a PGA, LPGA, and LIV tour event. The Jim McLean Golf School offers a state-of-the-art practice and learning center. The facility features a 350-yard double-sided tee, a short game area, and a 40-yard-wide putting green.

While Mexico’s vibrant culture shines a bit brighter during Día de Muertos, Fairmont Mayakoba’s unique programming, emphasis on Mayan culture, nature, and authentic culinary options make it palpable year-round. sl For more information, visit fairmont-mayakoba.com.

Bibliotaph

Compiled by Victoria Chase

A collection of rare photographs and personal letters/diary entries from photographer Sam Shaw, a close friend and confidant of Monroe, the book offers an intimate look at Monroe’s life, career, and the story behind Shaw’s iconic Seven Year Itch images. Sam Shaw - Dear Marilyn: The Unseen Letters and PhotographerHardcover, 240 pages, ACC Art Books (accartbooks.com).

Amid the chaos wrought by COVID-19, acclaimed photographer Andy Katz set off on A three-year journey in a four-wheeled camper to capture the beauty of 63 stunning U.S. National Parks. The 100 images featured in the book provide an immersive visual journey through some of our country’s greatest treasures. Andy Katz - A Walk in the Park: America’s National Parks - Hardcover, 160 pages (andykatzphotography.com).

bib 'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf]: a person who caches or hoards books

Renowned for the organic beauty and poetic clarity of his architecture, Jeffrey Dungan presents a curated collection of his most recent residential projects, an evolving body of work across diverse landscapes from the Pacific coast to Nova Scotia, and down through Pennsylvania, the Southern States, and the Caribbean. For Dungan’s second book, he penned essays on topics including balance and form, the inspirations for his craft, and the guiding principles that define his vision. Jeffrey Dungan - The Soulful HouseHardcover, 272 pages, Rizzoli (rizzolibookstore.com)

Epic in scale, Horse Country ($60) is a sprawling, cinematic tribute to the world of horses around the globe—from tack room to saddle, British dressage to Western cowboys—and everywhere in between. Kathyrn O’Shea-Evans with a foreward by India Hicks - Horse Country - Hardcover, 240 pages, Gibbs Smith (gibbs-smith.com).

THE BEAD BRIGADE

How to do a Krewe for Mardi Gras

By Bridget Cottrell

Riding on a Sheraton New Orleans-sponsored float in the 2026 Orpheus Parade on the eve of Fat Tuesday felt like being on the receiving end of a long bear hug from the entire population of the Crescent City. As we set off from the convention center, I was already punch-drunk from a full day of hurry-up-and-wait in preparation for the festivities. Inching along the parade route, I absorbed the cadence of the marching bands bookending our float, felt dwarfed in the float’s garden of oversized, vibrant papier-mâché flowers illuminated by even brighter lights, and relished the power trip that comes from being on the throwing side of beads and other goodies. Combined, this sensory overload created an experience like no other that I won’t soon forget.

How can you get in on this action, you might ask? The thing to do is join a krewe. While the exact number of krewes fluctuates from year-to-year, there are dozens of these social clubs in New Orleans, ranging in size from large historic organizations to small walking clubs. Combined, they staged more than 80 parades during the 2026 Mardi Gras season, which began on January 6th and continued through February 17.

Co-founded by Harry Connick, Jr., one of New Orleans most favored sons, the Krewe of Orpheus made history in 1994 when its parade debuted with 700 members, garnering it instant “super krewe” status. Taking its name from Zeus and Calliope’s musically inclined son, Orpheus was one of the first big parades to allow both male and female riders, and it was the first to use fiber optic lighting on its Leviathan float. Connick calls upon his star power to recruit an array of celeb friends to serve as Monarch. Noah Wylie and his wife, Sara Wells, headlined the Lundi Gras parade this year, leading 35 “All the World’s a Stage”themed floats and 1,500 krewe members. Speaking to the event's popularity, Wylie and Wells were joined by several past monarchs, including Will Forte, Jonathan Silverman, and NSYNC's Joey Fatone, who performed with Connick, Jr. at the post-parade Orpheuscapade, a blowout black-tie celebration at the convention center. Individuals interested in joining the Krewe of Orpheus for 2027 are required to pay a one-time new member initiation fee of $500 and an additional $1,425 to be on a themed float or $1,625 to be part of one of the signature floats. In addition to securing

your spot, the fee covers the mask (required by law since the 1800s), a sparkly, boxy costume, the parade-day luncheon, and admission to the Orpheuscapade, where the beat goes on until the early morning hours. Krewe members also receive invites to several special events and meetings scheduled throughout the year (kreweoforpheus.com).

A few additional krewes currently accepting new members as of press time include the women’s only Krewe of Nefertiti ($1,300 for a Jewel membership; kreweofnefertiti.org); the Krewe of Krampus, which follows the model of a true European Krampuslauf and focuses on sustainable throws ($265 to become a member; kreweofkrampus.com); the Star Wars-focused Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus (membership starts at $42; chewbacchus.org); the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale, which incorporates a mentorship program and service projects outside of parade season (mkfemmefatale.org); the Krewe of Pontchartrain, which kicks off the season with a Coronation Ball ($525; kopf. org); the Krewe of Dolly, where registration opens to new members

every year on 9 to 5 Day, September 5 (thekreweofdolly.org); and the food and wine focused walking Krewe of Cork ($530 for membership; thekreweofcork.com). You can hop on the waiting list for several other krewes, including the Krewe of Muses, famous for its charitable initiatives, philanthropic works, satirical floats, and bedazzled shoe throws (kreweofmuses.org).

If you prefer to be on the receiving end of the throws, buying a ticket to access the VIP elevated viewing platform outside the Sheraton New Orleans on Canal Street is a surefire way to find yourself with beaucoup bibelots, particularly during the Krewe of Bacchus parade, during which the Celebrity King float stops directly in front of the hotel (the official hotel of the Orpheus krewe) for a celebratory toast from Orpheus VIPs assembled on the hotel’s balcony. It was amusing to watch fully grown adults jockey for socks, hats, towels, stuffed animals, and more like five-year-olds sent scrambling when a birthday piñata breaks open. By the end of the Bacchus parade, our necks were laden with so many blinking beads, great and small, that someone joked we could be seen from space.

Not every catch is a keeper, and that’s where RecycleDAT! comes in. During the 2026 Carnival season, the initiative successfully diverted 61,219 pounds of recyclable materials from landfills. Once we stuffed our carry-ons to the brim with our favorite catches, we placed the leftovers in the conveniently located recycling bins outside the elevator bank in our hotel.

Outside of being a primo parade-watching locale, both the New Orleans Marriott and the Sheraton New Orleans provide easy access to the Big Easy’s greatest hits at any time of year. At the 4-star Marriott, which recently rolled out renovated guest rooms, the floor-to-ceiling window in our room gave us a bird’s eye view of the goings on along Bourbon Street and beyond. We started the day with breakfast at the M Club Lounge (also recently reimagined), where we unapologetically packed a to-go bag of beignets and bacon to snack on while waiting in our staked-out spot in the hopes of snagging a coveted coconut from krewe members marching in the morning Zulu Parade (we did, thanks to a friendly local who gave us theirs). While the property is a popular choice for meeting and convention planners, it offers

a range of seasonal events and specials for leisure travelers, from a bourbon-themed package to live DJ sets at the pool in the summer. See them all at Marriott.com/MSYLA.

As the Marriott puts the finishing touches on its room renovation project, work is progressing in the rooms across the street at the Sheraton New Orleans. The property’s soaring lobby serves as the city’s gathering space, with programs like the weekly “Gatherings by Sheraton” keeping the atmosphere lively year-round (learn about current packages at Marriott.com/MSYIS).

What I appreciated most about interacting with the New Orleans Marriott and Sheraton New Orleans’ teams throughout our visit was their year-round enthusiasm for the city and a sincere desire to highlight what makes it great, both in and out of Carnival season. This palpable positivity carries over into every aspect of the guest experience. In true laissez les bon temps rouler fashion, during a parade-day breakfast, Frank Zumbo, Area General Manager of the New Orleans Marriott, remarked, “New Orleans is an incredibly vibrant city, and I will keep riding on a Mardi Gras float as long as I can stand.”. sl

Discover how getting away can bring you together.

The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa offers a picturesque backdrop for creating lasting memories. With stunning natural scenery and a range of activities, including golf, hiking, and a luxurious spa, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Evenings by the fire pit, sharing stories under the stars, or discovering the resort’s history enrich the family experience. Every moment at

The Omni Homestead becomes a cherished memory.

KENTUCKY PROUD

The latest exhibition at the Headley Whitney Museum of Art honors two iconic Kentucky artists.

Written by Bridget Cottrell

On view through June 28th, Lexington’s Headley Whitney Museum of Art is staging a retrospective exhibition celebrating and honoring the 50-year careers of two acclaimed Kentucky artists, Rodney Hatfield and Lynn Sweet, who are also long-time friends. “Rodney and Lynn are two of Kentucky's iconic artists that have dedicated their lives to creating art and we are thrilled to honor their remarkable works” said Christina Bell, Executive Director and Curator at the Museum.

A multi-hyphenate descended from the mythic Hatfields and McCoys, Louisville-based musician and artist Rodney Hatfield grew up in a working-class Eastern Kentucky family, rich with diverse lifestyles and characters that deeply influenced his music and visual arts careers. A read-through of his bio conjures the chorus of the Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker.”

Although he’s been making art for as long as he can remember and won a drawing contest in first grade, long before his paintings popped up in galleries and private collections around the world, Hatfield expressed his creativity through music. He has been a mainstay of the blues scene since the 1960s as a vocalist and harmonica player, fronting notable touring bands such as The Hatfield Clan, the Metropolitan Blues Allstars, and Tin Can Buddha.

Entirely self-taught, Hatfield says it took many years for him to muster up the courage to display his paintings in a public fashion; encouragement from friends spurred him to participate in an exhibition at the Lexington restaurant, Alfalfa. To create a clear

delineation between his public persona as a musician and the more private practice of painting, he created the pseudonym “Art Snake”, derived from a playful mumbling of the phrase “art for art’s sake.”

Defying succinct characterization, constantly evolving, and not shying away from experimentation, Hatfield’s paintings are original, unique, and uninhibited figurative and abstract works. Early on, he drew inspiration from the likes of Marc Chagal and Joan Miró and later from Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, and Rufino Tamayo. Carrying over an improvisational style that’s central to blues music to his paintings, Hatfield’s spontaneous approach allows the artwork to reveal itself organically, relinquishing control in favor of authentic storytelling. By avoiding adherence to preconceived, rigid concepts, Hatfield’s “primal” approach eschews traditional brushes in favor of rollers, sticks, palette knives, sponges, and rags, and incorporates found objects into mixed-media pieces. His uninhibited paintings, which straddle the line between recognizable and surreal, abstract to figurative, elicit strong reactions. The experience is akin to being granted access to a still from an immersive, vivid REM dream.

As if artist and musician weren’t enough, Hatfield’s oeuvre also includes acting, most notably playing the role of Hollis in the 1989 action-thriller Next of Kin, starring Liam Neeson and Patrick Swayze. The Hollywood connection has led to his artwork being in the collections of both Neeson and Gene Hackman. Outside of Kentucky, Hatfield's work is represented by galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Ecuador.

Lynn Sweet’s body of work is equally diverse, created amid a four-decade career as the facilities manager for the University of Kentucky's art studio and as a woodworking joinery instructor at the college's Fine Arts Institute. Sweet’s foray into furniture-making began in 1970, when he was a college student at the University of Kentucky. Charles Kelly hired him to create replicas of 17thand 18th-century furniture for his Woodford County antique shop. “I would dismantle the often badly distressed originals, make mechanical drawings of their parts, copy them in his wood shop, then repair and reassemble the originals,” recalled Sweet, adding, “I am grateful to those who helped me start.”

Working at UK, Sweet was surrounded by a talented cadre of artists and professionals, who provided inspiration to move his work in new directions. “I made a large body of furniture pieces that have used advanced techniques and a wide array of materials that have come a long way from the antiques that informed my initial inquiries,” he explained. Pieces in the Headley Whitney retrospective encompass colorful, Suess-like side tables evoking the Memphis design movement, a 1980s Italian postmodern design collective founded by Ettore Sottsass in Milan, and more clean-lined neomodern pieces in which he experimented with bentlamination, veneering, and material manipulation techniques.

During one of his regular visits to Santa Fe, Sweet encountered the abstract work of the late Texas artist Marcia Myers, renowned for large-scale Color Field abstractions using traditional Italian Buon fresco techniques, often featuring marble dust and pigments on canvas or linen. Intrigued, he researched her methods and developed a unique take on tradition using a concoction of materials inspired by Myers. “As opposed to Michelangelo and Raphael's Buon fresco process, I mixed marble dust, earth pigments, and oxides with acrylic artist medium, so that when the acrylic coalesced, the colorants were locked in the plaster, again, not on it.” A 2012 commission to paint five fresco panels for the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center led Sweet to try his hand at representational landscapes, which have remained a focus since.

Initially, Sweet used pallet knives to apply one acrylic color at a time to a plywood panel; eight years ago, a cake-decorating friend brought him a piping bag, which he began using to apply each color as part of his polymer masonry process. It’s a process he likens to the work of a woodblock print artist. After a layer of acrylic paint coalesces, he flattens the plaster piping with wet sandpaper and a rubber block to create a glass-like finish that imbues the works with inviting texture and depth. A defining characteristic of his fresco pieces is the scene extending to the sides of the plywood box canvas, making each piece equally engaging from all angles. It’s an extremely labor-intensive process, taking anywhere from 60 to 100 hours to complete, not including the time he spends sketching and making watercolor studies.

“After working for 15 years with this to my mounting satisfaction, it became clear to me that the manipulation of the plaster and 45 years of woodworking were the final insults to my poor, overused thumbs,” Lynn said. Terrified of being forced to abandon his life’s work, he once again pivoted, enrolling in an acrylic tube and brush painting class. “My initial attempts to paint with acrylics convinced me that I was better equipped for this technique than I feared, and I've enjoyed considerable success painting the landscapes of rural Kentucky,” he explained. Evidence of his deep well of talent, his most recent works, some created specifically for the exhibition, display meticulous detail and intricate complexity rivaling his frescoes.

Hatfield and Sweet first met in the 1970s at the University of Kentucky, sparking a creative friendship that has flourished for decades. Their joint exhibit is a heartfelt reunion, celebrating years of shared inspiration. Among the highlights are collaborative wood screens from the 1990s, crafted by Sweet and brought to life with Hatfield’s brushwork. The exhibit features over 200 works on loan from private collections, alongside fresh pieces available for purchase. sl

For me, real estate has never just been about buying and selling houses — it’s about helping people find where their life unfolds. The kitchen where mornings begin. The porch where conversations linger. The neighborhood that simply feels right.

With a deep appreciation for architecture, design, and the character of Louisville’s most beloved neighborhoods, I guide my clients through each step with care, knowledge, and attention to detail. Whether you’re searching for your first home, your forever home, or preparing to pass one along, my goal is to make the experience thoughtful, seamless, and even a little fun.

Because finding the right house is important — but finding home is what truly matters.

NEW LOOK AT AN OLD HOUSE

Jessica Dawkins brings fresh energy to Historic Locust Grove.

Written by Bridget Cottrell / Photos by Ashley Stinson

“I’m not like most museum directors,” remarked Jessica Dawkins, who assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and President of Historic Locust Grove in January 2025 during a recent interview in the library, housed in a circa 1800s log building at the Visitor’s Center. To say Dawkins is passionate about history is a gross understatement; the way it pulses through every fiber of her being is palpable and contagious. Depending on who is on the receiving end, walking away from a conversation with her elicits an array of emotions ranging from challenged to invigorated, and that suits her just fine.

Among the library’s materials, largely focused on the people and history of the site, is a copy of a book about Louisville's history. Dawkins recounts that while “trespassing” in a dark and dusty closed section of the Seminary Building as a 26-year-old freshman at Jefferson Community College, the gilded lettering on the spine of a leather-bound book caught her eye. In a madefor-TV “lightbulb” moment, she pulled it off the shelf and opened to a section detailing a Thanksgiving held by the first settlers of Corn Island when Louisville was founded. “I was immediately enthralled and decided in that moment to become a Louisville historian,” recounted Dawkins.

Not one to do anything halfway, Dawkins secured a highly competitive scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation in Washington, D.C., that fully funded her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In a Courier-Journal article about the scholarship, Dawkins mentioned Tom Owen, a renowned Louisville historian, archivist at the University of Louisville, and former Metro Councilman, as a role model. Owen reached out, offering advice that ultimately guided Dawkin’s career path away from academia and into public museum work through a business degree in Organizational Leadership, and, in the process, mirroring Owen’s zeal and enthusiasm for bringing history to the populace.

Early in her Locust Grove tenure, Dawkins removed velvet ropes that kept visitors at a distance, helping activate the 55-acre campus—a Louisville Metro Park and National Historic Landmark. “Historic homes are full of life,” she explained. “Wood, clay, and stone absorb memories, and closing them off deadens the energy.”

Last fall’s progressive “Soiree” dinner marked the first fundraiser held inside the 18th-century home in decades. “Our community currency is social experiences, and I want Locust Grove to be part of that,” Dawkins said. She is expanding programming through

collaborations that reimagine how a historic home can engage. An example is the third annual “Afrobeats in the Gardens” on June 20th, created by Andrea Meriwether, who will become the first person of color to serve as Board Chair in August 2026. The event features Afrofusion cuisine, wine pairings, and DJ sets, with guests encouraged to wear all-white attire. “Dreams were made, and freedom was sought here, and that needs to be celebrated,” Dawkins added.

While the home is a longtime elementary school field trip destination, Dawkins says the site’s 30 acres of urban forest are equally valuable. She is developing new programming, including a partnership with the Eastern Shawnee Nation, to highlight Indigenous histories often overlooked in Kentucky’s frontier story. Dawkins does not shy away from giving voice to difficult truths, including the narrative of enslaved persons at Locust Grove and George Rogers Clark’s complicated legacy. “You can admire Clark’s bravado as a young explorer and Revolutionary War hero while recognizing he perpetrated violence against indigenous populations,” she said, noting her role as a historian is to relay complex stories.

As our enthralling conversation bounced along from topic to topic like a ping pong ball, Jessica relayed that “The Last of

the Mohicans,” based on James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel of the same name, was inspired by the 1776 kidnapping of 13-yearold Jemima Boone and two friends by a Cherokee-Shawnee party near Boonesborough. She relayed the anecdote to underscore the importance of Kentucky in the origin story of the United States, adding that, as part of Virginia before separating to become the 15th state on June 1, 1792, Kentucky was within the territorial extent of the 13 colonies.

“Locust Grove is where Louisville begins,” Dawkins said. Timed with celebrations of the United States’ 250th birthday in 2026, she launched the 250 for 250 campaign to raise $250,000 by July 4 for LouiVirtue, a civics education pilot for local teens aimed at instilling individual virtue as a means of civic engagement, and a land stewardship program rooted in indigenous practices. In place of its annual July 4th naturalization ceremony (now in September), Locust Grove will host “Dawn’s Early Light,” an interfaith ceremony and breakfast.

Louisville will mark its 250th birthday in 2028, and Dawkins expects Locust Grove to serve as the hub of celebrations. “Louisville is a magical place full of incredible stories,” she said. To learn more and keep up to date with upcoming events, visit locustgrove.org. sl

THE TWINE THAT BINDS

From prep to presentation, Elderberry Provisions is a family affair.

Written by Bridget Cottrell / Photos by Tony Bailey

In the Dulac family, a love of cooking passes down through the generations with the same care as a beloved heirloom. However, unlike physical treasures that are often locked away for safekeeping, their family’s culinary inheritance has been generously shared with family and friends. Luckily for Louisvillians, since Tim and Brittany Dulac, a father-daughter duo, opened Elderberry Provisions in Chenoweth Square, we can all experience what it’s like to eat at their table.

Tim, who hadn’t originally planned to go into business with his daughter, commenced his culinary education at his mother’s elbow, igniting a passion that spurred him to attain an associate’s degree in culinary arts and a bachelor’s degree in food service management from Johnson and Wales University. After working in the hotel restaurant industry throughout New England, becoming a father led Tim to seek a better work-life balance, and he switched gears, earning his MBA while leading operations for hospital systems and surgery centers.

Throughout his three-decade corporate career, the time Tim spent in the kitchen at home was not without impact, as Brittany

cites cooking alongside her father as a core memory, not just learning, but absorbing every nuance, from proper prep to final presentation, something that carried over into even the most ordinary meals. “I remember having the most beautifully packed lunches in grade school,” recounted Brittany.

After relocating to Louisville in 2019 with his husband, Tate Reynolds, an interior designer and Louisville native, Tim gradually inched back to his culinary roots, launching Elderberry Provisions (named after the street his parents lived on) in 2023 from his home as a catering company while still consulting. He utilized his Instagram feed to tempt would-be customers with delectable pies and sumptuously set tables. In addition to encouragement from Tate, Tim credits Ben Palmer-Ball, owner of Digs Home & Garden in Chenoweth Square, for the final push he needed to jump into his second-act career with both feet when he let him know that Nancy Tarrant, owner of the Cheddar Box, was retiring after nearly fifty years in business and the space would be available.

Around this time, Brittany, who lived in California, was considering a major life change. Like her father, after the pandemic, she dabbled in private cheffing for a select group of clients while holding down a corporate job.

When she came to Louisville to help her father cater an engagement party, the idea of working together took root. “We’d already been cooking together my entire life, so it wasn’t that big of a leap,” Brittany commented.

As 50-50 partners in the business, Tim jokes that while he occasionally laments losing his “parental voice” in this professional setting, the upside is having a business partner he trusts 100%. Brittany, who said with a touch of sarcasm that even tense interactions are “underscored with love,” is quick to point out that their minds work in completely different ways, granting them distinct lanes in which to apply their talents. While they both are active in the kitchen, putting in up to 12-hour days, Tim enjoys focusing on “the vibe,” while Brittany, who worked as a corporate recruiter, was keen to attend to nuts-and-bolts items like creating the logo and developing the website.

Renovations to transform the former Cheddar Box space into more of an épicerie were extensive, with Tate lending his designer’s eye to the interior design. Timeless, classic forest-green shaker cabinetry serves as a nod to their former lives in New England. Artfully arranged in the larder on the wall across from the bakery case is a selection of global goodies, many of which, including Hal’s New York kettle chips and organic teas from LA-based Flowerhead Tea, have a personal connection to the owners.

While Tim is quick to cite the benefit of locals’ “muscle memory” that made it easier for them to embrace a new carryout and catering spot in a familiar place, overcoming what he calls a “casserole mentality” took more time. Rather than try to recreate the past, Brittany, who calls herself a “cerebral chef,” adopted the flavor profiles of oft-requested Cheddar Box classics to create new, elevated options, reflected in the gift-like presentation: bags and parcels tied with twine to which a dried orange slice and a sprig of thyme are attached. This small, special touch has made Elderberry Provisions a go-to for host gifts (such as the banana bread) or bringing dinner to a friend who is under the weather. The gesture also underscores a high

level of attention to detail that's interwoven throughout all aspects of the business. “The appreciation blows my mind,” said Tim. Almost as if on cue, a smiling customer interrupted our interview at a café table outside the shop, raising her twine-tied bags and exclaiming, “I always leave happy!”

In the all-scratch kitchen, which aims to stay as close as possible to the whole form of the ingredients, family recipes are interwoven throughout the daily offerings, including an orzo salad that Brittany has been making since childhood. The duo sampled scores of different breads to find the ones just right for the ten sandwiches on offer. “If we can’t make it great, we’re not going to make it,” said Brittany.

Serving as a “showroom” for their catering arm, pretty platters laden with mouth-watering offerings in the case, from standbys like roasted salmon, grilled shrimp, chicken piccata, and crabcakes, to side dishes, and seasonal and vegetarian offerings are identified in Brittany’s calligraphic hand directly on the glass. The grab-and-go case stocks a selection of dips, along with a soup and salad of the day. Brittany, who has a nut allergy, points out that nuts only come into play twice a year for Derby and Thanksgiving menus.

The business has doubled its staff since opening, with all being paid a living wage. “We’re proud to have a business built on good people, and we don’t want our staff to have to rely on tips to survive,” Brittany stated, adding that “an inclusive atmosphere, clear communication, and competitive compensation serve as the foundation that allows us to build something richer.”

During our recent visit, two days before their second anniversary, Tim was excited about the recent debut of coconut macaroon he’d made that he was sure would become a customer favorite. The delicate mounds were carefully staked on a cake stand atop the bakery case to tempt customers as they check out.

Despite the long hours, both Tim and Brittany maintain an infectious enthusiasm for their shared endeavor. “As we’ve grown, we continue to challenge each other to get better and create variety as we move through the seasons,” said Brittany. Tim ended our lovely conversation on a high note, adding, “At the end of the day, hospitality is a beautiful transaction in trust and service, and we’re just enjoying the moment.” sl

Elderberry Provisions is located at 3909 Chenoweth Square. Visit elderberryprovisions.com

SOPHISTICATED EATS

Vincenzo's

Celebrating an impressive 40 years of culinary excellence, Vincenzo’s Italian Restaurant in downtown Louisville stands as a timeless destination for refined dining and unforgettable experiences. Known for its elegant atmosphere and impeccable attention to detail, Vincenzo’s offers beautifully appointed private dining rooms perfect for intimate gatherings, celebrations, and business occasions alike. Under the careful direction of Sicilian-born brothers Vincenzo Gabriele in the front of house and Chef Agostino Gabriele in the kitchen, the true hallmark of the Vincenzo’s experience lies in its old-world charm, where tuxedo-clad table captains provide gracious, tableside service, transforming each meal into a performance of hospitality and tradition. From the first sip of wine to desserts made in-house from scratch, every moment at Vincenzo’s is thoughtfully curated, inviting guests to savor not just exceptional Italian cuisine but a legacy of sophistication and warmth. 150 S. Fifth Street, Louisville, KY 40202 / vincenzositalianrestaurant.com / 502.580.1350

Scan to view this month’s collection of featured properties

SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY

May

7 Bluegrass Land Conservancy’s Conservation Awards Dinner, 5:30pm,Yew Dell Botanical Gardens

8 Stroke of Luck, 11:30am, Churchill Downs; strokekyin.org/stroke-of-luck

8 Red Tulip Gala Experience, Louisville Mega Caverns; soloist.ai/redtulipgalaexperience

9 Walk MS, 8:30am,Waterfront Park; events.nationalmssociety.org/2715

9 Louisville Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis, 9am, Broad Run Park; fundraise.cff.org/louisvilleky2026

9 Throo the Zoo 5k Run/Walk, 8am; louisvillezoo.org/event/roarchestra-2026/

14 Animal Care Society Barkin’ Through the Decades. 6:30pm, Germantown Gables; animalcaresociety.org/event/barkin-thru-the-decades/

14 Metro United Way Your Community.Your United Way., 11:30am; metrounitedway.org/events/

15 Night at the Frazier, 5:30pm; fraziermuseum.org/night-at-the-frazier

18 Buddies for Life Golf Outing, Big Spring Country Club; supportbaptisthealth.org/initiatives/our-foundations/louisville/events

18 Cedar Lake Golf Tournament, Hurstbourne Country Club; cedarlake.org/annual-events-raffles/golf-tournament/ 21-25 Abbey Road on the River, Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville, Indiana; arotr.com

27 Center for Women and Families Breakfast of Brilliance, 8am,The Foundry in Jeffersonville, IN; thecenteronline.org/calendar-of-events

29-31 Bonsai Weekend at Waterfront Botanical Gardens

30 Louisville H.E.R.O Run/Walk/Ruck, 8am, University of Louisville Track Stadium; runsignup.com/Race/Info/KY/Louisville/LouisvilleHERORunWalkRuck5K

June

1 Norton Healthcare Foundation Golf Classic, Lake Forest Country Club; nortonhealthcare.com/ways-to-help/norton-healthcare-foundation/foundation-events

3-5 Metro United Way Days of Action; metrounitedway.org/events/

4 Bourbon & Bowties, 6:30pm, Fleur de Lis Farm; nortonchildrens.com/foundation/events/bourbon-bowties/

6 Stroll & Roll for Epilepsy, 9am, Lynn Family Stadium; efky.org/events/walk

6 Louisville Fire Foundation Gala, 7pm, The Crowne Plaza; Louisvillefirefoundation.org

7 Waggin’ Tail on the Waterfront, Noon, Waterfront Park’s Festival Plaza; kyhumane.org/waggintail/

13 Let’s Dance Louisville, Galt House Ballroom; letsdancelouisville.org

14 Louisville Pride 5k Run/Walk, Iroquois Park; runsignup.com/Race/KY/Louisville/LouisvillePride5K

20 Afrobeats in the Gardens, Locust Grove

22 Sproutlings Charity Golf Scramble, 12pm, Valhalla Golf Club; masonichomesky.com/events/sproutlings-scramble/

KENTUCKIANA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME AWARDS

The 2026 Kentuckiana Business Hall of Fame awards, hosted by Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana, honored outstanding local business leaders—including 2026 inductees Chris Dischinger (LDG Development), Allan Latts and Kate Shapira Latts (Heaven Hill Brands), and Allan Parnell (Mister “P” Express Inc.)—for their excellence, innovation, and community impact. The evening included a reception and dinner to celebrate these leaders and to support JA’s mission to provide financial literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurship education to local youth.

HEART BALL

The 2026 Kentuckiana Heart Ball transformed the Galt House Hotel in Louisville into a dazzling celebration in support of the American Heart Association. Guests in elegant attire enjoyed a lively cocktail hour, an exciting silent auction, gourmet dining, and vibrant live music, all while uniting community leaders to champion cardiovascular research, advocacy, and education.

STORY FEST

On April 2nd, StoryFest Louisville — sponsored by The Tommy Elliott Fund for Community Leadership — awarded six local nonprofit leaders grants totaling $56,000. After being named the grand prize winner, Karen “Wren” Morrison of Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana announced from the podium that the cohort had decided to split the total prize money evenly among all six members: La Casita Center, The Center for Women & Families, Hip Hop Into Learning, Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana, Louisville, Metro Police Foundation, and Family & Children’s Place. Now in its second year, StoryFest is a unique event designed to increase the ability of nonprofit leaders to be exceptional storytellers of their missions, fostering deeper community connections and wider support.

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BREAKTHROUGH T1D GALA

The Breakthrough T1D Louisville Gala, held at the Seelbach Hilton, brought together the Kentucky type 1 diabetes community for a night of fundraising, education, and celebration. This premier event honored Ford Motor Company for its decades-long commitment to T1D research and showcased pioneering advancements in disease-modifying therapies, aiming to turn type one into type none. Guests enjoyed an evening of live entertainment by Stretta, a silent auction, and a dedicated Fund A Cure program to accelerate research and improve lives.

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SPEED MUSEUM BALL

The 2026 Speed Art Museum Ball fundraiser ignited inspiration, championed education, and celebrated the preservation of art. This year’s theme, "An Evening in the Garden," was inspired by Hubert Robert’s A Hermit in a Garden, inviting guests to immerse themselves in a realm of refined

The

and a

HATS ON FOR HEALING

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THE BLUEPRINT

Lenihan Sotheby's International Realty marked the debut of their expansive 6,400-square-foot St. Matthews headquarters with a lively two-day event called “The Blueprint.” The ribbon-cutting ceremony showcased the firm's commitment to elegance, unveiling a thoughtfully designed space by Clare Miller adorned with striking local art from Tyler Robertson and Trace Mayer, all with the goal of enriching their luxury real estate community.

LVA HONORS GALA

In March, the Mellwood Arts Center came alive for the 2026 LVA Honors Gala, a dazzling tribute to Louisville's creative spirit. Hosted by Dawne Gee, the night spotlighted visionaries like Legacy Award winner Tom Pfannerstill, inspiring educator Ying Kit Chan, and rising star Robyn Gibson. Guests mingled among vibrant artwork and cheered as Fong Choo's custom ceramic awards were presented, all while supporting Louisville Visual Art and the city's thriving cultural

Presented by

Bourbon & Bowties restaurant raffle is sponsored by

Enter to win a $100 gift card to these restaurants ($2,600 value):

Alchemy Restaurant

Bae’s Baekery

Biscuit Belly

Bourbons Bistro

Brasserie Provence

CASK Southern Kitchen & Bar

Con Huevos

Crust & Crumb Bakery & Café

Drake’s

Four Pegs

Gustavo’s Mexican Grill

The House of Marigold

LouVino

Proceeds support Norton Children’s Hospital through the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The Manhattan Project

Martini Italian Bistro

Mesh

Morning Fork

Osteria Italian Seafood

Penny & Pearl’s Bakeshop

The Red Yeti

Repeal Oak Fired

Steakhouse

River House

Steakhouse Bourré Bonne

TANA Restaurant

Volare Italian Ristorante

Watch Hill Proper

The winner will be drawn June 4, 2026, at 9 p.m., during Bourbon & Bowties. Need not be present to win. $25 per ticket; only 1,000 will be sold. Void where prohibited. Charitable gaming license # ORG: 0000851.

Koon Family Charitable Foundation Leighton-Oare Foundation

The Gettelfinger Family

KENTUCKY DERBY MUSEUM HAT SHOW

Once again, the Kentucky Derby Museum Hat Show served as the ultimate, high-spirited launch to Derby season in Louisville, dazzling guests with a parade of bold, fashion-forward millinery accessorized with fine jewelry from Davis Jewelers. Acclaimed Featured Milliners unveiled their curated creations on a walkable runway, sparking fresh style inspiration at every turn. Amid the buzz of brunch and cocktails, guests mingled in a vibrant setting and seized the rare chance to collaborate with designers on custom, show-stopping hats for their race-day ensembles.

by Tony

FILLIES BALL

KMAC COUTURE

Main Street pulsed with energy as the 14th annual KMAC Couture turned the city into a living gallery, where wearable art inspired by the theme "Ancestor" took center stage. More than 70 daring, high-fashion creations from local designers dazzled the crowd, weaving together craft, community, and cultural heritage. With a lively cocktail reception, a mesmerizing runway show, and a spirited afterparty, the evening offered guests an unforgettable, immersive celebration in support of KMAC’s education and exhibition programs.

The new Audi A6

The all-new 2026 Audi A6 at Audi Louisville delivers a bold take on modern luxury, with its signature Singleframe® grille, sleek aerodynamic lines, and striking LED and available OLED lighting. Inside, an 11.9” digital cockpit and 14.5” MMI® display create a seamless, intuitive driving experience, while available Sport plus enhancements add a performance-inspired edge with distinctive design and advanced handling. 4730 Bowling Blvd, Louisville, KY 40207 | (502) 324-8056 Visit Audi Louisville to discover the all-new A6

AN EVENING AT CHESTNUT HALL

The Kentucky Derby Museum and Davis Jewelers teamed up to host a private cocktail reception at Chestnut Hall, Bill and Julia Carstanjen’s 25-acre Thoroughbred sanctuary in Prospect, for board members and special guests. During the casually elegant event, jewelry designer Doron Paloma of Dove’s Jewelry was on hand to discuss the creative process behind several of his collections on display, including chic equestrian pieces. Meanwhile, equine artist Jaime Corum shared her immense talent through a live painting demonstration. To complete the experience, representatives from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation introduced guests to a few of the 10 very happy retired racehorses that call the farm home.

What began as an intimate gathering of 20 women two decades ago has grown into a signature event drawing more than 500 attendees. As part of the 20th anniversary celebration, all past honorees will be recognized, highlighting the event’s legacy of impact. Over the past two decades, Derby Divas has raised more than $2.37 million to support breast health initiatives for Norton Cancer Institute. Funds have helped launch a new Mobile Prevention Center and expanded access to mammograms and health screenings in underserved areas.

VIE LAVELLE SMILE DESIGN LADIES' NETWORKING EVENT

Guided by Dr.

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Mother’s Day

HEALTHSPAN OPENING

This March, Medical Transformation Center unveiled its expansive 4,200-square-foot HealthSpan Center right next door to its Anchorage location at 13109 Eastpoint Park Blvd. Under the guidance of CEO Terri Paige and Dr. Carl Paige, the center marks an exciting evolution in their cellular medicine journey, offering immersive support for lifestyle transformation. Visitors can access everything from nutritional counseling and personal training to diagnostic benchmarking. With innovative offerings like infrared saunas and red light therapy, the HealthSpan Center empowers guests to turn healthy intentions into daily routines.

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Last Call Rhona Kamar

Rhona Kamar, founder of Feed Louisville, didn’t set out to start a non-profit; rather, giving credit to the “divine timing” of an “innocent conversation” during the first two weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dedicated to providing hearty, flavorful, and “nutrient-dense” meals to those in need, Feed Louisville relies on surplus food donations from more than 200 local hospitality industry partners. The organization’s culinary staff is made up of former restaurant chefs – many of whom started as volunteers during restaurant shut-downs in 2020. “No one understands the urgency of hunger like people who love to feed people!” said Kamar. To support the initiative, Kamar also founded Zest, a line of grab-and-go, vegetable-focused meals prepared in the Feed Louisville kitchen and sold through local vendors like Rainbow Blossom and seven other businesses. “It’s our way of leveraging our kitchen, our culinary passion, and our distribution system to create long-term sustainability for our hunger relief work,” she explained. To learn how you can help, including volunteer opportunities, visit feedlouisville.org.

What is your earliest food-related memory? Sitting in my grandmother’s garden in rural Kentucky, picking strawberries. It was always one for the basket, one in the mouth. Then we would bring our harvest into the house, wash them, and cover them in sugar. She made the best strawberry jam, too. What was your most memorable meal? I will always remember the first time I had my mother-in-law’s Idreh dish in her house in Jerusalem. It’s lamb, chickpeas, rice, and garlic cloves in a special copper pot (the “Idreh”) that is sent out to cook all day in the baker’s wood-fired oven. It’s finished with butter melted with spices like cardamom, cumin, and cinnamon, and roasted pine nuts. This is a dish for celebrating life and family. If you could have any other career than your current one, what would it be? A journalist – my original chosen profession. If you could live anywhere else, where would it be? On a farm in southern France. What is your idea of perfect happiness? There is no happiness I can imagine more than the three of my adult children deciding to live in the same city and raise their children near each other and me. What is your greatest fear? My three children will live in different cities when they get older. What do you most value in your friends?

Depth. But with a good sense of humor. What is your greatest regret? Not becoming fluent in Arabic, a language I studied for many years. What is your greatest extravagance?

Particular notebooks and pens. I can’t function without them. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Lately, it’s

words like infrastructure, systemic, and “at the end of the day.”Which talent would you most like to have? I would love to have the skills to grow a beautiful flower garden. I am trying, but it does not come easily. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?I would really love to stop overthinking everything. What do you consider your most outstanding achievement? Launching three really amazing humans out into the world. Everything after that is just play. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Temperance. “Life is a passionate love affair, or nothing at all.”If you could be reincarnated and could come back as a person or thing, what would it be? A bird. I think it would be amazing to experience life flying from tree to tree. What is your most treasured possession? A painting my great uncle painted of his wife. He greatly influenced my life. Who are your heroes in real life? Farmers. What a courageous profession. What is your favorite adult beverage? Tequila, silver, chilled. sl