SETTING THE SCENE

SETTING THE SCENE

by | Apr 29, 2021 | 2021 May June, Feature Three

When lifestyle expert Kimberly Schlegel Whitman creates, people take notice. Her elevated point of view is flawless. Here, Lance Avery Morgan gets up close and personal about her brand, ShopKSW, and how she inspires others so beautifully.

Photography by John Cain Sargent

When Kimberly Schlegel Whitman creates, people take notice. The author of eight books devoted to entertaining, she leads a beautiful life in Dallas with her husband, Justin Whitman (the son of 50s and 60s movie star Stuart Whitman) and their two children. The life she leads is the perfect subject for her tomes devoted to well, living the good life. Not only is she a genuinely warm and caring friend, she is an inspiration with her tips and insight on how we can all live our best life. A delight to be around for decades, it’s a treat to see her on-going success due to the robust efforts she gives to all she endeavors and triumphs doing. In an exclusive to Society Texas, get to know this dynamic woman in her own words…

ELEVATED P.O.V.

Lance Avery Morgan: Kim, I’ve known your great style as long as I’ve known you, for decades now–in fact, and you’ve always had great style. How did it all start?

Kimberly Schlegel Whitman: That is so sweet, but I’m not sure it is true. I know I have made style-mistakes before, but I like to try new things and experiment. I’m also “moody” in my style, so sometimes it changes. I’ve always been drawn to the classics…and I like to give them a little twist.

LAM: One thing that many other folks and I know is that your entire family has amazing style. How has that helped you hone your own stylish point of view?

KSW: This is what my next book is about–celebrating the things we learned from the women in our lives and thinking about how we incorporate those things into our entertaining and personal style in a modern way. We are featuring 25 women who embody this respect for tradition but have their own take on it.  For me, it was all about being bold and vivacious. My mother, as you know, doesn’t shy away from bright colors or dramatic statements in her fashion and in the way she decorates and entertains. She is always looking for fun, festive, new ways to celebrate, yet has a great appreciation for the traditions that are meaningful to her. I’m so lucky that she remains a strong influence on my family and me.

LAM: You’ve been such a successful, entertaining author, and a busy wife and mother. Tell me why you decided to move into tableware and home goods?

KW: I love setting the table, and I wanted to make it fun and easy for everyone. My book, Tablescapes, was my favorite one to write and style because I find setting the table so relaxing and joyful. I posted photos of my simple family tablescapes almost every day during the early parts of the pandemic. Although it felt frilly when there was so much going on in the world, it gave me comfort to be a little bit creative every day and set a place for my family to sit down together. It was a small part of the day that I could control when so much seemed out of control.

I received so many questions on my social media about table settings and people asking if I could help them coordinate something to match things they had or help them pick out something new. It dawned on me, with some nudging from my husband, Justin, that I could be selling my favorite curated items directly. That’s when I launched the digital platform, ShopKSW, to make it simple to find a curated tablescape that could be ordered, collected, and set easily. My favorite thing about the site is that I get so many messages from viewers who send me a photo of a set of china or glassware or linen they inherited, and we work on finding them additional pieces to give those antique treasures a fresh look.

TIMELY TRADITIONS

LAM: I love the heritage point of view you have incorporated, combining the older with the new. What are some of your personal favorite pieces?

KSW: Everything on ShopKSW is a favorite, or I wouldn’t have it on there!  I will say that when a set of Herend multi-colored Chinese Bouquet Dinner Plates was shipped off to a client in New Orleans, I was a little bit sad to say goodbye to them, so I immediately ordered more. I have always loved linens from D. Porthault, and I’m thrilled to be able to offer their unique products on the site. I’m also crazy about the traditional patterns such as Tobacco Leaf, Blue Canton, and Famille Verte by Mottahedeh. I love setting them in unexpected ways. The resurgence of Gio Ponti’s design for Ginori, Oriente Italiano, has been so exciting too. It is so much fun to set a table with all of those wonderful colors at my fingertips. I could go on and on about my favorites, but, actually, I love it all.

LAM: Your taste certainly reflects how you live on a daily basis. I always love seeing the beautiful environments you create for yourself and your family. What are some of your personal favorite tableware themes?

KSW: I always love a blue and white table. It reminds me of home and my mother’s blue and white breakfast room that I find so very comforting.

LAM: Beyond color, does tableware have a seasonal theme?

KSW: Absolutely. I think that cold, weary winters call for cozy and comforting settings while the vibrancy of spring calls for a vivid and colorful mix.

LAM: For spring, so our readers can be inspired by you even more, what are you loving most within your product line offerings?

KSW: This spring, I’m planning some tablescapes that all seem to have a lot of green, which represents new life. I think we all long for a colorful, joyful, and refreshed season ahead. I have quite a bit of Bordallo Pinhero’s Cabbage Leaf, Mottahedeh’s Famille Verte, and all of the vibrant colors from D. Porthault and Ginori 1735.

 

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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

LAM: I know you also love and offer vintage pieces. Tell me about the appeal of pieces that have a story behind them and why this is attractive to buyers?

KSW: We have a wonderful exclusive with Opaline Atelier, two Canadian artists who describe their pieces as re-enhanced glass. I love that word for vintage and antique pieces, re-enhanced. Whether they are altered, as Opaline Atelier does or simply set in a new way, I love that we can bring new life to items that were treasured by someone before. We have an exquisite collection of vintage Gucci, Hermes, and Dior on the site as well. They are so unique and special, and I am thrilled to be able to offer them. 

LAM: You really do offer an array of selections for anyone’s refined tastes. How do you source for new products to offer on your platform?

KSW: I only offer products that I do or would use, myself, so most of the products are from brands that I use regularly.  When I find something unique that I want to try, I always give it a test run before purchasing it for ShopKSW.

LAM: Do your travels inspire you? I recall you found some great pieces in Paris when we were there at the same time for Becca Cason Thrash’s American Friends of the Louvre gala.

KSW: Great memory, and yes, travel has always been an inspiration. When I was young, my parents took my siblings and me on a trip around the world.  We learned so much and met so many wonderful people along the way. Among other things, we saw how others entertained and dined in different parts of the world, and that was very inspiring to me. I am sure it shaped the way I love to entertain more than I realized it would, even as a child.

LAM: Never underestimate the power of a stylish child, I say. What advice would you give to any budding lifestyle expert, based on what you have learned so far?

KSW: Don’t be afraid to try something unique, and remember that there is so much to learn from traditions. I think a mix of the two is always best.

LAM: I know how important philanthropy is to you and your family.

KSW: Working with NorthPark Center on their incredible Ambassador Program has been such an honor for me.  The program has been an excellent way for NorthPark Center to make the most of its resources to help the community. As its chair for the last five years, I have had the privilege to work with so many inspiring community volunteers and non-profit professionals. Beyond the financial support that NorthPark Center often provides, there are so many other ways that they can lift up these worthy causes. From exhibitions in the shopping center to in-store events to hosting gatherings, the incredible team at NorthPark makes the most of the resources they are able to share.

This year, I also continue to serve on the Children’s Cancer Fund’s advisory board. We are working on ways to continue raising funds for support and research. As so many galas and fundraising events have been canceled, it is so heartwarming to see all of the creative ways that non-profits continue to meet the needs of their beneficiaries. I also am the owner, once again, of the RSVPCalendar.com. The previous owners returned the website to me in January of 2020, and I’m working on other ways to support the non-profits that we are designed to lift up through our blog and social media.

Plus, I am doing some corporate collaborations. The Kimberly Schlegel Whitman in collaboration with Antonio Melani for Dillard’s–the dress and footwear collaboration launched on May 14th.Then, there is the Kimberly Schlegel Whitman in collaboration with CasaMia. CasaMia curates tablescapes in a box. The is for a garden party and features the Bordallo Pinhiero plates.

LAM: Fantastic. Part of your entertaining finesse includes your cuisine that is such a crowd-pleaser. Any favorite recipes that you’d like to share?

KSW: I would be happy to share a couple. These have always been a success….

SIDEBAR: FROM KIM’S TABLE

Parties Around A Punch Bowl

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SAVORY TOMATO TART

I love to serve my guests comfort food, and this take on a tart is just that. I guess you could call it the cousin to a pizza, but the buttery and flaky phyllo dough makes it feel fancy!

1 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 sheets phyllo dough
1/3 cup melted butter or olive oil,

For brushing
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese 1 cup grated Swiss cheese,

Divided
4 tomatoes, sliced 1 egg
1/4 cup milk
10 basil leaves

MAKES A 9 X 13-INCH TART

In a large skillet, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 400° F. Layer the phyllo sheets flat in a jelly roll pan, brushing the top of each sheet with butter or olive oil. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Swiss cheeses over the pie crust, reserving 1/4 cup cheese. Next, spread on the onion and garlic mixture. Then place tomato slices side by side, covering the tart completely with tomatoes.

Whisk the egg and milk together and paint the edges of the tart with this mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese over the tomatoes and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Remove tart from the oven and sprinkle the basil leaves over the tart. Cut into mini squares.

TIPS:

  • This tart is extremely easy and very versatile. At the end of a long week, when you don’t know what to do with your leftover tomatoes, this tart is the perfect answer for a supper at home.
  • Don’t be afraid to try different cheeses if Swiss isn’t your favorite. • Use any variety of tomatoes with this tart.
  • For an alternative that is more pick-up friendly, try filling phyllo shells with the ingredients instead of layering phyllo sheets.

 

PINEAPPLE SPICE BARS

I have many happy recollections of my grandmothers opening Tupperware containers filled with a variety of “squares” that they would set out on beautiful silver trays or tiered tea stands. I had so many favorites and loved their small size and precise cuts because I knew that I could sample a few! For an adult party, the rum glaze is a scrumptious alternative.

3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup crushed pineapple 1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt

GLAZE:

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar 3 tablespoons milk
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

 

RUM GLAZE:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar 1/4 cup dark rum
Grated zest of 1 lemon

MAKES A 9 X 13-INCH PAN, OR THINNER BARS IN A JELLY ROLL PAN

Preheat oven to 350° F.

In a bowl, cream the sugar and shortening together. Stir in the crushed pineapple and molasses. Add the egg, beating well.

Mix the soda, spices, flour, and salt together in a separate bowl, then add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. If your mixture appears too dry, add a scant amount of milk until just moistened. Spread batter into a
9 x 13-inch pan (for thicker bars) or a jelly roll pan (for thinner bites). Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from oven and let cool about 1 hour before glazing with one of the two options.

For the glaze, melt the butter, brown sugar, and milk together over medium heat, whisking constantly until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; whisk until smooth. Pour glaze over the cake, adjusting the thickness of the glaze by adding milk or confectioners’ sugar as needed.

For the rum glaze, mix all ingredients until you have a pourable glaze. Drizzle over the spice bars.

TIPS:

  • For an extra flavor of the islands, try adding 2 teaspoons of dark rum to the bar recipe along with the wet ingredients.
  • These bars are an easy transition into fall and Christmas if you substitute the pineapple for brown sugar.
  • We like our bars extra soft. For a firmer bar, bake a bit longer.
  • If you don’t have a strong sweet tooth, I recommend the thinner Rum Glaze alternative, which includes an extra kick.
  • Flowers stuck into a leafy pineapple top makes a festive decoration.
ALL ACCESS PASS

ALL ACCESS PASS

by | Apr 29, 2021 | 2021 May June, Pursue

Where to go and what to do right now around the state and beyond? Look no further since we’ve assembled the new and different to try and enjoy, according to our cool culture hunter, Lance Avery Morgan.

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE…

Sotheby’s presents the private collection from the estate of one of America’s greatest philanthropists, Anne Marion of Fort Worth. Estimated to fetch over $150 million, the American Visionary: Fine Jewels from the Collection of Mrs. John L. Marion sale reflects a gathering of objects that range from coveted modern and contemporary art to Old Master paintings, sculpture, and important jewelry. Born into the Four Sixes ranching and oil fortune in King County, Marion’s largesse was responsible for the distribution of more than $600 million worth of grants to a variety of institutions and causes, many of them in her native Texas. May 10-18, 2021.

At Sotheby’s.com.

BOXT & READY

BOXT luxe table wine, the Austin-based and female-owned by Sarah Puil, has launched into the new hot craze of premium boxed wines. The three red and three white varietals use Napa winemaking techniques, are eco-friendly, and are sourced from the best grapes in the world. BOXT is available through a subscription service, with free shipping of its wines direct to doorsteps. Plus, a concierge is available to assist customers with selecting wines based on flavor profiles, and each box has a 100 percent happiness guarantee.

At DrinkBOXT.com.

Courtesy of Haute Hostess
Courtesy of Virgin Dallas

RARIFIED AIR

The Texas-based health and lifestyle brand, Meli Hands, founded by Maria Sideris and Vanessa Thanos, has launched a new collection of diffusers and hand sanitizers with two new delectable scents: Lemoni and Aegean Sea Salt. Enjoy a fresh and clean-smelling home with these scents in sustainable glass bottles with the cheery bright yellow and blue design.

$10.99–$38.99. At MeliHands.com

FOLLOW THE SILK ROAD

Want to create your own wearable fashion statement? After a year-and-a-half of e-commerce and successful workshops with beloved local brands like FleaStyle, Dallas Silk Art has opened its first-ever brick-and-mortar location in the Homestead section of Grandscape in Dallas. It offers safe, socially-distanced yet intimate workshops. And,  for the first time, they sell one-of-a-kind retail products such as marbled silk scarves, coasters, and more.

At DallasSilkArt.com.

Courtesy of Discovery Green

MORE…

Courtesy of Restore 180

HOME-STYLED FASHION

NorthPark Center’s south wing will sit back and relax when The University of North Texas presents Fashion in Residence: At-Home Styles from the Texas Fashion Collection… The exhibition will present selected pieces from its collection of over 20,000 garments that have been curated to represent fashion’s greatest casual moments.

Through June 6. At TFC.CVAD.UNT.edu.

BUSINESS SENSE

A briefcase for any professional makes a statement. Why not make a colorful and creative one while you’re at it, with a new Franki Ray piece? Dallas-based founders Stacey George and Sasha Spivey are setting the style world on fire with their bags and accessories for both women and men.

Prices vary. At FrankiRay.com.  

Courtesy of Discovery Green
SISTERS WHO SOARED

SISTERS WHO SOARED

by | Apr 29, 2021 | Recall, 2021 May June, Style

Texas, always known for its spirited fashion sense, led the way in how women dressed in another era. In fact, at an important time of their lives, most of those stylish women dressed and looked as if they had walked off a runway just like movie stars. That was thanks to Dallas-based Page Boy Maternity Fashions, founded by three dynamic Frankfurt sisters. Here’s a look at how their entrepreneurial spirit created an entire industry, according to our ardent Texas style chronicler,  Lance Avery Morgan.

 

Photography courtesy of archival collection

DALLAS STYLE STAR

It was a combination of entrepreneurial success and engineering that made Page Boy Maternity Fashions, based in Dallas, a tremendous success. In fact, film stars like Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor, Loretta Young, Princess Grace of Monaco, as well as future First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy, were just a few of the famous Page Boy clients. They also happened to be public figures who had to carry on with their busy, pre-natal public lives looking gorgeous.

In 1937, when Page Boy Maternity Fashions went into business, the term pregnant was rarely used. Instead, soft idioms like with child, in a family way, or the more exotic, enceinte were often enlisted. Whatever it was called, the previously hidden component was a fact of life before and during the Baby Boom years after the Second World War. Now, fitted mother-to-be clothing is the norm for women, but then a pregnancy was thought to be something to camouflage. It was a different world then…when working women unfortunately often had to quit their jobs in the professional realm once their maternity state started to show.  

 

Enter the Page Boy founders Elsie Frankfurt, Edna Frankfurt, and Louise Frank­furt–three sisters who set out to design and mar­ket their attrac­tive, com­fort­able, and afford­able mater­ni­ty clothes with just a $500 investment (less than $10,000 in 2021 dollars, adjusted for inflation). According to legend, in 1937, Elsie told her sister, a pregnant Dallas secretary Edna Frankfurt Ravkind, that she looked like “a beach ball in an unmade bed.” Elsie had studied accounting and design at Southern Methodist University, so she used her ingenuity to dissect one of Edna’s pre-pregnancy suits and remade it as a maternity ensemble in a more flattering, slimmer silhouette of the day. 

They felt their beau­ti­ful­ly fash­ioned dress­es could enable women to main­tain their pub­lic and pro­fes­sion­al lives, even while preg­nant. They were right. Their initial stroke of genius was opening the first shop on the ground floor of an OB-GYN doctors’ building, so the exposure to the targeted market going in and out of the offices daily was ideal. The youngest of the trio, Louise, was a fashion design major who joined the family firm in 1941. With her, she brought the engineering skills to streamline the Page Boy line. Engineering had plenty to do with the brand’s success. Thanks to sister Elsie’s patented skirt design; it fit snugly around the hips without hiking up in front. The scooped-out window in the front accommodated the expanding abdomen, and a long jacket covered that, so flexibility and comfort could be had at any stage of a pregnancy. 

LADIES FIRST                                                                                                                                                                 

Ads of the era promoted Page Boy’s skirts as “not wrap-around”. Plus, for the first time, maternity clothes resembled current fashion trends. As Elsie Frankfurt was fond of saying: “You can’t hide the fact that you’re expecting a child.” With the catchy name and logo, the Frankfurt sisters were bound for success. According to Kay Goldman’s Dressing Modern Maternity: The Frankfurt Sisters of Dallas and the Page Boy Label (Costume Society of America Series), “The company’s name came from its logo of a page boy blowing a trumpet to announce the birth of an heir to the throne.” Although many of the children who were pre-natal while in a Page Boy outfit would not be born to aristocracy, company’s the customer client base grew to include all women who wanted moderately and well-made clothing.

For five decades, chic design and strong business practices propelled the brand to the top of the heap in the specialty fashion world. The sisters wisely focused on offering maternity clothing incorporating the latest trends in their line rather than setting them. Changing attitudes regarding fashion trends, the rise and fall of hemlines and birth rates, and employment trends for women affected the business venture. Outspoken in terms of women’s rights, Elsie focused on the professional woman and providing clothing for the working woman, the most significant employment trend of the twentieth century. It was a woman they knew well since the Page Boy factory was owned by the three sisters, and a majority of workers were female. The congenial workplace even had an innovative daily factory-wide yoga break.

CHANGING TIMES

Even though the sisters’ individual commitments varied over the course of the business, Elsie was the most dominant sister in the company by actively studying fashion trends and being the company’s public face. Not only was she the president of the company, but she also was the first woman admitted to the Young Presidents’ Organization in 1952. She became a celebrity of sorts appearing in magazines and on television as the primary spokeswoman for Page Boy. Sophisticated as the day was long, and thanks to her trips to the fashion capitals of Europe to keep up with the latest style changes and new fabrics, Elsie provided valuable design insights, which propelled their high style maternity line well into the ’70s.

Like all businesses, Page Boy Maternity Fashions evolved with the times. Within five years after its founding, the company owned shops from coast to coast and was selling in fine clothing stores. During World War II, the company maintained a low profile due to fabric rationing. They managed to continue manufacturing, and by the time the firm was ten years old in 1947, they were a household name and dressing Hollywood stars. It was eventually sold to Mothers Work in 1994, closing the chapter on an everlasting time in history. Looking back at Page Boy Maternity ads and catalogues, the Frankfurt sisters–and the company’s primary goal of making women look and feel beautiful for several generations was accomplished. And it all happened here in Texas as a close-knit family business. 

Gallery

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AFTERNOON OF STYLE

AFTERNOON OF STYLE

by | Apr 29, 2021 | R.S.V.P. SAN ANTONIO, 2021 May June, Parties

San Antonio Gardenia Club Luncheon Celebrates With Mozart And Margaritas Theme

 

By Jake Gaines   Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde

THE SETTING: With social distancing protocol in place, Mozart & Margaritas served as the fashionable theme that inspireda current event to support the San Antonio Gardenia Club. The fundraising luncheon, colorfully decorated by Feather Fluff and Flings, and style show, featured Julian Gold models adorned in fashions from the elegant boutique as they paraded down the catwalk, inspiring guests for their future stylish looks. In fact, this luncheon was the last Julian Gold style show in 2020 before the pandemic, and this is the first style show they did in 2021.

THE STYLE: The San Antonio Country Club was the setting for the event where guests were transported back to the days of Mozart, minuets, wigged styles, and glorious music. Victorian glamour and decadent floral centerpieces, along with mini margaritas, greeted the masked guests while the symphonic harmonies of Mozart’s piano concertos filled the ballroom. Then, the costumed Melissa Gonzalez channeled her inner diva, and serenaded the audience while accompanied by the Woodlawn Theater Academy performers, ushering the lucky guests back to the days of the Majestic Opera House.

 

THE PURPOSE: This year’s annual luncheon was chaired by Sharron Batchelor and Christi Tidwell, with Laura Humphries serving as the president of the non-profit organization. Emcee Siobhain Buckley helped to steward the event’s proceedings. The proceeds of the annual fundraiser raise funds for local fine arts students. The San Antonio Gardenia Club was founded in 1960, with the mission of providing fine arts scholarships to deserving students who graduate from Bexar County schools, enabling young scholars to  continue their education at local colleges. The club also participates in the annual Fiesta Battle of Flowers, Texas Cavaliers River Parade, the Annual Holiday Parade, and the King William Parade.

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SHELF LIVES

SHELF LIVES

by | Apr 29, 2021 | 2021 May June, Browse

Summer reading is something we all look forward to this time of year…at home, on the beach, or anywhere there is a quiet space. May we suggest these to pique your interests, according to our bibliophile, Lance Avery Morgan?

CHARLOTTE MOSS FLOWERS

HOTEL DU CAP-EDEN-ROC: A TIMELESS LEGEND ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA

By Alexandra Campbell

The secluded resort, located between Nice and Cannes, has always been a favorite haven on the French Riviera for A-list celebrities and private Jet Set family holidays. The hotel’s storied history is full of romance, humor, mystery, and legend.

$85. At RizzoliUSA.com.

SCARVES

By Nicky Albrechtsen and Fola Solanke

Indispensable accessories and sought-after collectors’ items, scarves were an important innovation in twentieth-century fashion. From Art-Deco through 1950s Hollywood, the Swinging Sixties, and beyond, scarves have been represented in every major decorative arts movement and personal style.

$40. At ThamesAndHudsonUSA.com.

DESIGNING INTERIORS
THE BEAUTY BRIEF

NATY ABASCAL: THE ETERNAL MUSE

By Suzy Menkes, Mario Testino, Christian Lacroix, Valentino Garavani, and Vicente Gallart

This delightfully chronicles the styles and stories of the boundary-breaking Spanish socialite, model, and muse of couturiers such as Valentino and Oscar de la Renta and former duchess of Feria…demonstrating the making of a fashion icon.

$50. At RizzoliUSA.com.

A ROOM OF HER OWN

By Robyn Lea

Go inside the homes and lives of creative women who are making a difference in the world. Their lives are a canvas for their artistry, and it can be fully seen in their homes and studios, on their tables, and in their wardrobes.

$45. At ThamesAndHudsonUSA.com.

INVITING INTERIORS
FASHION IN THE 90S

THE PERFECT GENTLEMAN

By James Sherwood

Now in a compact edition, this lavish publication celebrates the gentleman’s search for the perfect sartorial detail or ideal accessory. It features and inspires with six historical chapters, from the Regency period to the present.

$39.95. At ThamesAndHudsonUSA.com.

COME FLY WITH ME: FLYING IN STYLE

By Jodi Peckman

From Frank Sinatra dressed to the nines in the golden age of Pan Am to celebrities snapped in luxury leisurewear in the lounges of today, airports have always afforded the most glamorous glimpses into that most enviable aspect of celebrity life—jet-setting in style, as seen here.

$29.95. At RizzoliUSA.com.

MID-CENTURY TRIM WHITE BORDER
ISLAND WHIMSY

A CENTURY OF COLOR IN DESIGN
By David Harrison

From the Bauhaus to Memphis and beyond, this tome explores the origins and rationale behind the design and use of color in the most iconic furniture and objects of the 20th century.

$34.95. At ThamesAndHudsonUSA.com.

LITTLE TARTS

By Meike Schaling

Discovering the joy of homemade tarts has never been more effortless. Even the most rudimentary of bakers can learn the skills to create beautiful tarts in an endless variety of colors and flavors, all with just one core recipe.

$19.95. At RizzoliUSA.com.

STAMPS STAMPS
TOP DOWN FUN

TOP DOWN FUN

by | Apr 29, 2021 | Drive, 2021 May June

When it comes to the open road, summer is the best time to pop the top, aim for your future destination, and enjoy the sunny skies from above, according to our man-about-globe, Michael Satterfield of TheGentlemanRacer.com, who shares the exhilaration of the new Mazda MX-5. 

Photography by TheGentelmanRacer.com Michael Satterfield and Joshua Martin

THE SUMMER WIND

There is nothing like exploring a winding coast road in an open-top sports car, the smell of the sea air, wind in your hair, and the joy of a purely visceral driving experience. You may have noticed that the sports car has been slowly disappearing since the 1970s and each year there are fewer and fewer of the impractical two-seat, smile-generators, from which buyers can choose. Forty years ago, buyers had a wide range of affordable choices when it came to sports cars, MG, Triumph, Alfa Romeo, and many more. Nearly every manufacturer had at least a small sporty drop-top for two. But today the affordable two-seat sports car is all but dead…except for the Mazda MX-5.

 

To really experience the MX-5, Mazda invited me out to San Francisco to take the MX-5 on some of the greatest driving roads in the world along California’s coast. The MX-5 is offered in two styles: the soft-top roadster and the RF with a power targa hardtop. Both come with the same 181 hp four-cylinder engine and are offered with a six-speed manual or automatic with paddle shift. There were several other automotive writers who were invited on this trip, but surprisingly, some writers can still only drive a manual transmission. So, I was given a White Pearl Mica MX-5 RF with a 6-speed manual gearbox and Brembo/BBS/Recaro package. If I was going to order an RF, this is exactly how I would spec it.

The $4,670 Brembo/BBS/Recaro option is a deal–with it–the RF is elevated to the level of sports cars that cost far more, featuring Brembo brakes, lightweight BBS wheels, Bridgestone Potenza S001 performance tires, and beautifully trimmed leather Recaro sports bucket seats. It is the most expensive option on the list, yet well worth it. To put it in perspective, a base model Porsche Boxster starts at over $23,000 more than the fully optioned MX-5 RF.

Driving the RF through the twisty roads in the mountains, I really felt the Mazda philosophy of “a horse and rider as one,” connecting to the road through the car. From the way the Recaro seats kept me firmly in place, to the throw of the shifter as I downshifted into a corner, I could feel that the car was designed around creating an incredible diving experience.

THE OPEN ROAD

Pulling out of downtown San Francisco and heading across the Golden Gate Bridge is always magical, but it is even more special with the top open since the sun burns its way through the fog. My plan was to stay on the Pacific Coast Highway through Point Reyes, stopping along the way to take in the sights and snap some pictures before stopping for lunch in Mendocino.

 

At this point, I was able to switch over to the MX-5 Roadster, still with a manual transmission, to explore more of Northern California. The Roadster is one of the purist sports cars on the market today, simple, fun, with a manual soft top, and starting MSRP of just $26,830. With that price point many pick up an MX-5 for a weekend car, or a second or third vehicle.

Ripping along the coast with the top down the Roadster is more akin to the classic sports car experience, more wind, more noise, but all in a good way. At under 2400 lbs., and with near-perfect weight distribution, the roadster was built for canyon carving and is a joy to drive. Unlike the RF, the Roadster is offered in three trim levels: Sport, Club, and Grand Touring. The Grand Touring version is the most well-appointed and there are a few more options from which to choose.

After spending the rest of the day in the Roadster, I must admit I am torn over which one I like more. I find the RF is more pleasant to drive with the roof up and is more quiet and refined. The soft top, when down, is more exciting and brings back fond memories of my classic sports cars. In both cars, the trunk space is adequate for a road trip for two, so long as you have soft luggage, all’s well. I think that the RF looks sportier with the top closed than the roadster. The creature comforts are nice as well: including heated seats, a Bose premium sound system, and Mazda’s excellent infotainment system all make the cockpit a nice place to be. It comes down to deciding if the RF is worth over $6,000 more than the soft top.

While the MX-5 might not be the fastest sports car on the market, in the real world with speed limits and traffic, the MX-5 has plenty of power. After a spirited drive in the canyons, the MX-5 settles down and becomes a comfortable cruiser. Pulling back out on Pacific Coast Highway, top open, music playing, it is hard to think of a better place to be than the open road enjoying the sunshine.   

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