By Cathy Boudreau and Sandra Miller
Beacon Hill Times
Not too soon after she said her goodbyes to her friends and fellow Beacon Hill activists, the fiery activist Billie Lawrence was gone.
Billie Rose (Lambert) Lawrence, 74, had just decided to scale back her work with the Suffolk University Task Force due to her battle with terminal cancer, when she died Nov. 26.
Most people knew her as a community activist, although she was also an educator, editor, and television personality.
“Billie was a tireless and fearless advocate for upper Beacon Hill,” said Representative Martha M. Walz. “She asked the hard questions and would insist on answers, even when developers and others didn’t want to give them. I admired her tenacity, and I will miss her.”
Born in Huntington, West Virginia, she moved with her family to Erlanger, Kentucky, when she a young girl. Lawrence was a child prodigy, playing Mozart at the age of five.
Lawrence was actively involved since she was a little girl, she told our reporter recently. “If I didn’t like the answer, I would try to do something about it.” An anti-war activist during World War II, she ran a training program for those trying to avoid the draft. She also worked to preserve Kentucky’s Red River Gorge from development.
She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BA in Education, with a focus on psycho-linguistics.
In the 1950s, “Billie Savely” starred as Miss Nancy Lee, of “Jellybean Acres," a children’s educational television show in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she also wrote TV and radio jingles. In the 1960’s while teaching at a Cincinnati inner city school, she became frustrated because police routinely removed her students for theft. In response, she decided to teach her students the importance of earning their own money and helped them produce and sell a successful Appalachian cookbook. Years later many of her students cited this as a major turning point in their lives.
From a young age, Billie was involved in many social and charitable organizations. She was the first president of the Junior Board for Crippled Children in Cincinnati.
Lawrence moved to Indiana as a contract designer for MAC’s Family Restaurants, supervising the design and construction of interiors for 16 steak houses and 27 hamburger restaurants, as well as handling press and public relations. Billie returned to TV/film/attractions in the 1970s when she moved to Key Biscayne, Florida, and handled public relations for Miami Seaquarium, home of “Flipper” and “Salty the Sea Lion.”
Coming to Boston 27 years ago to receive treatment at Mass General, she fell in love with Boston and stayed.
She was a faculty assistant at the Harvard Business School, where she also did editing and wrote speeches, moved onto the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the JFK School of Government, where she handled logistics for international speakers and guests in areas of Arms Control, the Aspen Institution, National Science Foundation and the Science Fellows Program.
She became the building manager and system designer for 30 offices at the JFK School of Government. After leaving Harvard, she worked for The Beacon Group as a manuscript editor for a variety of authors, as well as working privately for more than 20 clients.
In 1982, Lawrence joined the Massachusetts Teachers Association, for 15 years in the Human Resources Division until three days prior to her death. “Billie was a very unique and a very special person,” said MTA President Anne Wass. “She touched many lives in the MTA. She always brought humor and a colorful flair to MTA gathering. She will be deeply missed.”
As a local activist, Lawrence fought against what she called “hit and run development.” Lawrence was a force to be reckoned with, since her activism was not about her; it was for those whose voices could not heard, for maintaining the character of the city she grew to love, and for her commitment that Boston “shouldn’t just look like anyplace. We took our beautiful old City Hall and put a chain steakhouse in it. We have faceless buildings going up all over the place.”
She founded the Upper Beacon Hill Civic Association to direct attention to Suffolk’s 20 Somerset Street project, helping to scale back the number of dorms originally proposed.
"I really feel a sense of personal loss with Billie's passing,” said John Nucci, Vice President for External Affairs at Suffolk University. “We could sometimes disagree on certain things, but at the end of the day, we'd sit and talk about life and family like best of friends. Those were special moments for me. She was a fighter, often with a loud bark, sometimes a painful bite, but always with a heart of gold and the best interests of her neighbors in mind."
She battled liquor licenses on the Hill, protected limited-income elderly residents from being pushed out of the neighborhood, and most recently opposed a proposed restaurant on Boston Common.
She was also interested in the significance of her own apartment building, formerly the historic Hotel Bellevue, and the home, at times, of John F. “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, and his grandson, President John F. Kennedy.
In 1999, Lawrence planned and hosted the 100th anniversary celebration of the Hotel. The reception was held on the rooftop overlooking the State House and Boston Commons, and Senator Edward M. Kennedy was the keynote speaker.
You could find Ms. Lawrence most nights at 5:15, next door to her condo, at Fifteen Beacon’s Moo restaurant—one martini, shaken 50 times, and one cup of black coffee, surrounded by friends and, most often, talking politics and current affairs.
In lieu of a memorial service, last night a celebration of Lawrence’s life was held at her old watering hole. In her honor, Mooo created a signature Martini in her honor. “Billie was a like a member of our family,” said Mooo Restaurant General Manager Alexa Demarco. “We have her signature martini on our drink list called the Billie Lawrence Martini.” All the proceeds will be donated to Billie’s favorite charity, the Autism Society of American-Massachusetts Chapter, said DeMarco, who added, “She will be deeply missed, and it was an honor for all of us to be part of this unique’s person’s life.”
Billie is survived by four children: Sandra (Shane) Nickell of Barbourville, KY; Suzanne (Dacre) Hancock of Wakefield, MA; Jay (Lea) Savely of Andover, MA; Stephanie Lind of Mariemont, OH; a brother Leslie Lambert, of Erlanger, KY; sisters Judith (Thomas) Hodge of Florence, KY and Donna (Arnold) Lively of Cocoa Beach, FL; eight grandchildren; and many more friends and admirers. Lawrence was an active member of the Women’s City Club of Boston and the Boston Atheneum. She was a member of King’s Chapel, and belonged to a group of weekly bridge players.
Donations in her memory can be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts, 1420 Providence Highway, Norwood, MA 02062 or The Autism Society of America-Massachusetts Chapter, c/o Autism Services Association, 47 Walnut Street, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Black Friday in Back Bay
By Sandra MIller
While many watched anxiously as to whether shoppers would complete their shopping the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday in Boston is a more genteel affair. While our suburban friends dealt with snarled traffic, Bostonians simply walked to their stores.
Yes, there were crowds at the likes of Filene’s Basement and shoppers wielding bargains from the major chains, while others simply walked the malls, Newbury Street, and other shopping districts in the city to get some ideas.
It’s not about how much Back Bay businesses made on Friday, though.
“We’re predicting local retail will be stronger than expected,” said Alexander Cooper, the Back Bay Association’s (BBA) director of membership and marketing. “Back Bay has always been a destination for those looking for world-class luxury brands and independent boutiques.”
The BBA is working on a “shop locally” marketing campaign to remind the neighborhood to support their local merchants.
According to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2008 Black Friday Weekend survey, more than 172 million shoppers visited stores and websites over Black Friday weekend, up from 147 million shoppers last year. Shoppers spent an average of $372.57 this weekend, up 7.2 percent over last year's $347.55. The NRF credited pent-up demand on electronics and clothing, plus bargains on the season's hottest items, and predicted that holiday sales aren’t expected to continue at this pace.
For savvy shoppers, retail insiders say the real bargains on Black Friday are at publicly traded companies who are under pressure to improve upon last year's sales. Smaller boutiques, along with large, privately owned companies such as Crate and Barrel, don't offer Black Friday discounts because they can look at profits for the quarter, not a day.
The Boylston Street Crate and Barrel, closed from a recent fire, opened Friday for business, with only its furniture line unavailable for anything other than online orders. The cause of the fire is still being investigated, said Crate and Barrel spokespersonVicki Lang, who confirmed \there were no special “doorbuster” sales. “We’re just happy to have the doors open,” said Lang.
Lux Bond and Green on Boylston Street didn’t have discounts, but hosted celebrity stylist Steve London, national jewelry stylist for the John Hardy brand, who offered fashion tips and introduced new pieces. Customers were also treated to a free light lunch and refreshments.
Macy’s, among other stores, reported light lines in the morning, while Filene’s Basement on Newbury Street was crowded. Some may have been scared off by threats of rain, but shoppers going to the boutiques on Friday appeared a little more leisurely, assembling their ideas and just enjoying the day.
While during the day sales seemed light, one resident said most of his friends were spending that day driving out to the malls to grab big ticket items such as TVs at the Big Boxes, and would be shopping at the smaller stores throughout December.
“I’m kind of a procrastinator,” said Bruce Edgehill of Commonwealth Avenue, who was wandering Newbury Street, bagless, poking around the stores and burning off some Thanksgiving turkey. “I’ll buy some things online, but I like to pick up cute things that I can see and touch, things that are unique.” He said he’d do a lot of his shopping locally.
While a few boutiques around town have shut their doors, others continue to open. Gucci opened its new store at the Mandarin Oriental, in a spacious 6750 square-foot spot.
Nationwide,, many celebrated “Buy Nothing Day,” sponsored by AdBusters, meant to identify ways to reduce overall consumption habits. StoryCorps, an independent nonprofit organization supported by National Public Radio and others, suggested using November 28 as the day to record someone you know to talk about their lives. "This holiday season, ask the people around you about their lives -- it could be your grandmother, a teacher, or someone from the neighborhood," reads its web site. "By listening to their stories, you will be telling them that they matter and they won’t ever be forgotten. It may be the most meaningful time you spend this year.”
Others were saving themselves for yesterday’s “Cyber Monday,” surfing at home or at work for virtual coupons, special offer codes and e-mail alerts. The term was coined in 2005 for the Monday following Thanksgiving, which the National Retail Federation said is when "consumers have flooded Web sites on Cyber Monday and come to expect robust promotions and specials that day."
While many watched anxiously as to whether shoppers would complete their shopping the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday in Boston is a more genteel affair. While our suburban friends dealt with snarled traffic, Bostonians simply walked to their stores.
Yes, there were crowds at the likes of Filene’s Basement and shoppers wielding bargains from the major chains, while others simply walked the malls, Newbury Street, and other shopping districts in the city to get some ideas.
It’s not about how much Back Bay businesses made on Friday, though.
“We’re predicting local retail will be stronger than expected,” said Alexander Cooper, the Back Bay Association’s (BBA) director of membership and marketing. “Back Bay has always been a destination for those looking for world-class luxury brands and independent boutiques.”
The BBA is working on a “shop locally” marketing campaign to remind the neighborhood to support their local merchants.
According to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2008 Black Friday Weekend survey, more than 172 million shoppers visited stores and websites over Black Friday weekend, up from 147 million shoppers last year. Shoppers spent an average of $372.57 this weekend, up 7.2 percent over last year's $347.55. The NRF credited pent-up demand on electronics and clothing, plus bargains on the season's hottest items, and predicted that holiday sales aren’t expected to continue at this pace.
For savvy shoppers, retail insiders say the real bargains on Black Friday are at publicly traded companies who are under pressure to improve upon last year's sales. Smaller boutiques, along with large, privately owned companies such as Crate and Barrel, don't offer Black Friday discounts because they can look at profits for the quarter, not a day.
The Boylston Street Crate and Barrel, closed from a recent fire, opened Friday for business, with only its furniture line unavailable for anything other than online orders. The cause of the fire is still being investigated, said Crate and Barrel spokespersonVicki Lang, who confirmed \there were no special “doorbuster” sales. “We’re just happy to have the doors open,” said Lang.
Lux Bond and Green on Boylston Street didn’t have discounts, but hosted celebrity stylist Steve London, national jewelry stylist for the John Hardy brand, who offered fashion tips and introduced new pieces. Customers were also treated to a free light lunch and refreshments.
Macy’s, among other stores, reported light lines in the morning, while Filene’s Basement on Newbury Street was crowded. Some may have been scared off by threats of rain, but shoppers going to the boutiques on Friday appeared a little more leisurely, assembling their ideas and just enjoying the day.
While during the day sales seemed light, one resident said most of his friends were spending that day driving out to the malls to grab big ticket items such as TVs at the Big Boxes, and would be shopping at the smaller stores throughout December.
“I’m kind of a procrastinator,” said Bruce Edgehill of Commonwealth Avenue, who was wandering Newbury Street, bagless, poking around the stores and burning off some Thanksgiving turkey. “I’ll buy some things online, but I like to pick up cute things that I can see and touch, things that are unique.” He said he’d do a lot of his shopping locally.
While a few boutiques around town have shut their doors, others continue to open. Gucci opened its new store at the Mandarin Oriental, in a spacious 6750 square-foot spot.
Nationwide,, many celebrated “Buy Nothing Day,” sponsored by AdBusters, meant to identify ways to reduce overall consumption habits. StoryCorps, an independent nonprofit organization supported by National Public Radio and others, suggested using November 28 as the day to record someone you know to talk about their lives. "This holiday season, ask the people around you about their lives -- it could be your grandmother, a teacher, or someone from the neighborhood," reads its web site. "By listening to their stories, you will be telling them that they matter and they won’t ever be forgotten. It may be the most meaningful time you spend this year.”
Others were saving themselves for yesterday’s “Cyber Monday,” surfing at home or at work for virtual coupons, special offer codes and e-mail alerts. The term was coined in 2005 for the Monday following Thanksgiving, which the National Retail Federation said is when "consumers have flooded Web sites on Cyber Monday and come to expect robust promotions and specials that day."
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Modern to get Suffolk-style facelift
By Sandra Miller
Beacon Hill Times
City and Suffolk University officials and students crowded into a tent set up Friday to celebrate the official start of the $42 million redevelopment of Washington Street’s historic Modern Theatre.
In what is heralded by many as another key in the revitalization of Downtown Crossing, the Modern will enjoy the renovation of its façade, with its decrepit interior filled with a new LEED-certified, 184-seat black box theater, gallery space, and 12-story, 200-bed dorm.
The façade of the historic building will be taken apart stone by stone and sent to a masonry restoration expert before the remainder of the structure is torn down. When the residence hall/theater opens in fall 2010, it will be a completely new building with a fully restored face. Architects worked with Suffolk to design a building that will meet students’ needs, be environmentally sustainable and preserve the historic landmark. Menino also noted that the project will pursue green design and sustainability; The Modern project will use building materials recycled from a construction site.
“This is going to be a preservation project above all,” said Suffolk’s external affairs Vice President John Nucci. “This building was built with a keen awareness of sustainability.”
The Modern was built in 1876 to house two storefronts and furniture and carpet showrooms and storage. It was renovated in 1913 to accommodate the first Boston movie house, and later became a performing arts center. The last attempt to restore the building was made in the late 1970s, and has been vacant for nearly 20 years. The 4,266 square foot parcel is bounded by Washington, West, Mason and Avery Streets.
“The inside of it is really bad,” said Jane Forrestall, a member of several area task forces, including for Suffolk. “It’s was going to take someone very innovative to pull it off. I am very excited about this.”
VHB consultant Darlene Winn took little over a year to help Suffolk with the permits, a relatively easy process for this project since it didn’t involve any parking, transportation issues or aesthetics issues, she says. “Community groups will have an opportunity to use the theater. They went to the public early to figure it out. This was an easy one, since it’s a win-win for the city.”
Area residents and community activists noted that with Suffolk students comes more foot traffic downtown, along with increased security that will boost area safety.
The university’s police force will staff the building 24/7. Students living in the residence hall in the new building at the Modern and the one in the 10 West Street building will use one main entrance on West Street where a security desk will be located.
“Suffolk has a wonderful security force,” said Downtown Crossing Partnership president Rosemary Sansone, who is Suffolk’s former public affairs director. “The visibility of their officers and their vehicles is just a welcome addition to the neighborhood.”
The community asked Suffolk to explore the possibility of redeveloping the Modern after supporting their plans to purchase and develop the adjacent 10 West Street property.
MaryAnn Ponti, a Downtown Crossing Partnership member and a member of the Suffolk Task Force as well as a Washington Street resident, is also looking forward to “more culture and diversity.” Ponti has watched the area undergo a slow but steady revitalization that started with the Ritz Carlton, and the addition of hotels, a high-rise apartment, the Filenes project, and other developments. “In between it all there’s been a reawaking of the ladder streets. There’s more to come.”
Menino cited the project as key in the revitalization of downtown. “A lot of those so-called professional people say that Downtown neighborhood is dead… but the best things are to come,” said Menino, saying that the Filene’s building project will “be on again soon.”
“Soon we will be back to watching a movie at the theater,” said Menino. “You’ll see in the next couple years that Downtown Crossing will be the place to be for shopping and entertainment. We continue to have faith.”
“It is exciting to be part of the rebirth of the Downtown Crossing area,” said Sargent. “Restoring the handsome façade of the Modern Theatre will help with the continuing revitalization of Washington Street, and the new residence hall will allow more of our students to take advantage of a full residential college experience.”
Suffolk’s push for more housing is part of Menino’s emphasis on Boston universities housing their students, in order to free up apartments around Beacon Hill and other neighborhoods for families.
Suffolk president David Sargent oversaw the addition of Suffolk’s first dorm halls in the 1990s, a new law school and library, campuses in Madrid and Senegal, and soon, its 20 Somerset building.
“It is particularly sweet to (benefit the economy) and benefit our home city,” he said. Among other benefits, the project will create 120 construction jobs in a time where other area projects have slowed or even halted due to the economy.
The Modern is the last of the three Landmark theatres in this area targeted for preservation by Mayor Thomas Menino. The Opera House opened in 2004 following a $31 million restoration, and the Paramount Theatre is under construction for Emerson College, which plans a new theatre, classroom, restaurant and dorm space for the school.
Beacon Hill Times
City and Suffolk University officials and students crowded into a tent set up Friday to celebrate the official start of the $42 million redevelopment of Washington Street’s historic Modern Theatre.
In what is heralded by many as another key in the revitalization of Downtown Crossing, the Modern will enjoy the renovation of its façade, with its decrepit interior filled with a new LEED-certified, 184-seat black box theater, gallery space, and 12-story, 200-bed dorm.
The façade of the historic building will be taken apart stone by stone and sent to a masonry restoration expert before the remainder of the structure is torn down. When the residence hall/theater opens in fall 2010, it will be a completely new building with a fully restored face. Architects worked with Suffolk to design a building that will meet students’ needs, be environmentally sustainable and preserve the historic landmark. Menino also noted that the project will pursue green design and sustainability; The Modern project will use building materials recycled from a construction site.
“This is going to be a preservation project above all,” said Suffolk’s external affairs Vice President John Nucci. “This building was built with a keen awareness of sustainability.”
The Modern was built in 1876 to house two storefronts and furniture and carpet showrooms and storage. It was renovated in 1913 to accommodate the first Boston movie house, and later became a performing arts center. The last attempt to restore the building was made in the late 1970s, and has been vacant for nearly 20 years. The 4,266 square foot parcel is bounded by Washington, West, Mason and Avery Streets.
“The inside of it is really bad,” said Jane Forrestall, a member of several area task forces, including for Suffolk. “It’s was going to take someone very innovative to pull it off. I am very excited about this.”
VHB consultant Darlene Winn took little over a year to help Suffolk with the permits, a relatively easy process for this project since it didn’t involve any parking, transportation issues or aesthetics issues, she says. “Community groups will have an opportunity to use the theater. They went to the public early to figure it out. This was an easy one, since it’s a win-win for the city.”
Area residents and community activists noted that with Suffolk students comes more foot traffic downtown, along with increased security that will boost area safety.
The university’s police force will staff the building 24/7. Students living in the residence hall in the new building at the Modern and the one in the 10 West Street building will use one main entrance on West Street where a security desk will be located.
“Suffolk has a wonderful security force,” said Downtown Crossing Partnership president Rosemary Sansone, who is Suffolk’s former public affairs director. “The visibility of their officers and their vehicles is just a welcome addition to the neighborhood.”
The community asked Suffolk to explore the possibility of redeveloping the Modern after supporting their plans to purchase and develop the adjacent 10 West Street property.
MaryAnn Ponti, a Downtown Crossing Partnership member and a member of the Suffolk Task Force as well as a Washington Street resident, is also looking forward to “more culture and diversity.” Ponti has watched the area undergo a slow but steady revitalization that started with the Ritz Carlton, and the addition of hotels, a high-rise apartment, the Filenes project, and other developments. “In between it all there’s been a reawaking of the ladder streets. There’s more to come.”
Menino cited the project as key in the revitalization of downtown. “A lot of those so-called professional people say that Downtown neighborhood is dead… but the best things are to come,” said Menino, saying that the Filene’s building project will “be on again soon.”
“Soon we will be back to watching a movie at the theater,” said Menino. “You’ll see in the next couple years that Downtown Crossing will be the place to be for shopping and entertainment. We continue to have faith.”
“It is exciting to be part of the rebirth of the Downtown Crossing area,” said Sargent. “Restoring the handsome façade of the Modern Theatre will help with the continuing revitalization of Washington Street, and the new residence hall will allow more of our students to take advantage of a full residential college experience.”
Suffolk’s push for more housing is part of Menino’s emphasis on Boston universities housing their students, in order to free up apartments around Beacon Hill and other neighborhoods for families.
Suffolk president David Sargent oversaw the addition of Suffolk’s first dorm halls in the 1990s, a new law school and library, campuses in Madrid and Senegal, and soon, its 20 Somerset building.
“It is particularly sweet to (benefit the economy) and benefit our home city,” he said. Among other benefits, the project will create 120 construction jobs in a time where other area projects have slowed or even halted due to the economy.
The Modern is the last of the three Landmark theatres in this area targeted for preservation by Mayor Thomas Menino. The Opera House opened in 2004 following a $31 million restoration, and the Paramount Theatre is under construction for Emerson College, which plans a new theatre, classroom, restaurant and dorm space for the school.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Designer Apple's flavor is singularly unique
by Sandra Miller
Beacon Hill Times
When you’re the daughter of a famous interior designer, the Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
May Appleton “Apple” Parish Bartlett lives in a flat overlooking the Charles with her golden doodle Billy, along with collections of carved wooden animals, a half-dozen antique bird cages, wooden nods to her name -- apples and pears -- and other touches unique to her taste, a sort of Shabby Chic meets folk art.
“I don’t care what people think,” says Bartlett, who also sells “pure whimsy” at her Maine store, Apple’s, as well as her decoupage artworks. But she knows her mother would approve of her home decor, the same way she approved of her former Back Bay apartment.
“She would have loved it,” said Bartlett.
Bartlett is the daughter of Sister Parish, the legendary American interior decorator, who is known as the Martha Stewart of the Upper Class. The former Dorothy May Kinnicutt was born into a patrician New York family in 1910, and during the Depression put her design ability to work, her “American country” style inspired by the family’s Maine summer house. Her firm, Parish-Hadley, was filled with a client list that eventually included the Rockefellers, Astors, and Whitneys, and transformed Jackie Kennedy’s White House into American elegance.
With her daughter, Susan Bartlett Crater, Apple Parish Bartlett wrote a biography about her mother, “Sister: The Life of Legendary American Interior Designer Mrs. Henry Parish II.” Bartlett recently regaled attendees at a recent book night at the Beacon Hill Civic Association with tales of her mother’s flair and the drama that surrounded her.
“What seems important to me is permanence, comfort, and a look of continuity in the design and decoration of a house,” said Sister Parish. Among the things she believed in was: buy the best bed you can afford; invest in a quality sofa; and start a collection of items that you love. She fell in love with painted French furniture, and enjoyed creating a homey undecorated look.
Apple’s home is filled with collections of items she picked up at flea markets and antiques stores. Like her mother, she doesn’t believe in throwing out things to follow the latest trend every couple of years. “The influence my mother has on me, it’s subconscious,” she said. “She really just wanted people to be comfortable. Every house should be a happy one.”
Along her bedroom wall she has a dozen framed paintings, some of which she describes as “crappy,” but that’s the charm, she said. “It makes it more interesting.”
Some of her walls are lined with intricately designed and oftentimes fun wallpaper designed by her daughter, Susan Crater, who launched Sister Parish Design in New York.
Her home is a steady accumulation of loved things, some which she inherited from her mother, others that she picked up along the way at flea markets. Some items she’ll repaint or refinish, others, like the ancient coffee table, is peeling gesso paint, but she loves the look.
To some, the look may be “cluttered,” she admitted, but her home is clean. “I’ve never seen an apartment as goofy looking as this.” She then added, “I do what I do, which makes me really happy.”
Beacon Hill Times
When you’re the daughter of a famous interior designer, the Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
May Appleton “Apple” Parish Bartlett lives in a flat overlooking the Charles with her golden doodle Billy, along with collections of carved wooden animals, a half-dozen antique bird cages, wooden nods to her name -- apples and pears -- and other touches unique to her taste, a sort of Shabby Chic meets folk art.
“I don’t care what people think,” says Bartlett, who also sells “pure whimsy” at her Maine store, Apple’s, as well as her decoupage artworks. But she knows her mother would approve of her home decor, the same way she approved of her former Back Bay apartment.
“She would have loved it,” said Bartlett.
Bartlett is the daughter of Sister Parish, the legendary American interior decorator, who is known as the Martha Stewart of the Upper Class. The former Dorothy May Kinnicutt was born into a patrician New York family in 1910, and during the Depression put her design ability to work, her “American country” style inspired by the family’s Maine summer house. Her firm, Parish-Hadley, was filled with a client list that eventually included the Rockefellers, Astors, and Whitneys, and transformed Jackie Kennedy’s White House into American elegance.
With her daughter, Susan Bartlett Crater, Apple Parish Bartlett wrote a biography about her mother, “Sister: The Life of Legendary American Interior Designer Mrs. Henry Parish II.” Bartlett recently regaled attendees at a recent book night at the Beacon Hill Civic Association with tales of her mother’s flair and the drama that surrounded her.
“What seems important to me is permanence, comfort, and a look of continuity in the design and decoration of a house,” said Sister Parish. Among the things she believed in was: buy the best bed you can afford; invest in a quality sofa; and start a collection of items that you love. She fell in love with painted French furniture, and enjoyed creating a homey undecorated look.
Apple’s home is filled with collections of items she picked up at flea markets and antiques stores. Like her mother, she doesn’t believe in throwing out things to follow the latest trend every couple of years. “The influence my mother has on me, it’s subconscious,” she said. “She really just wanted people to be comfortable. Every house should be a happy one.”
Along her bedroom wall she has a dozen framed paintings, some of which she describes as “crappy,” but that’s the charm, she said. “It makes it more interesting.”
Some of her walls are lined with intricately designed and oftentimes fun wallpaper designed by her daughter, Susan Crater, who launched Sister Parish Design in New York.
Her home is a steady accumulation of loved things, some which she inherited from her mother, others that she picked up along the way at flea markets. Some items she’ll repaint or refinish, others, like the ancient coffee table, is peeling gesso paint, but she loves the look.
To some, the look may be “cluttered,” she admitted, but her home is clean. “I’ve never seen an apartment as goofy looking as this.” She then added, “I do what I do, which makes me really happy.”
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Sonsie is the Apple of the Back Bay’s Eye
By Sandra Miller
Back Bay Sun
The Thanksgiving table is filled with lots of high-maintenance dishes. Here’s an easy but decorative salad for the Turkey Table, as well as year round.
Sonsie’s Stacked Apple Spinach Salad is easy to make and looks fabulous, with slices of apple alternating with spinach leaves, and sprinkled with walnuts, blue cheese, oil and vinegar, and and grilled pepper bacon. It’s quick to make, and perfect for the Thanksgiving table.
The salad is on Sonsie’s executive chef Bill Poirier’s new apple-tizer menu, which features five items made with their seasonal ingredient, apples. “It’s kind of like Iron Chef,” he says. In the summer, they did the same with crab, and in the spring it was asparagus.
The French onion soup is made with apple cider, apple brandy, and some julienned apples sharing the bowl with carmelized onions. It’s sweet mixed with the topper of gruyere on toast, hearty yet bright. Another appetizer features four sea scallops browned in a buerre blanc/apple cider sauce, paired with granny smith sliced and spiced with cinnamon, clove and curry. The smoked shrimp is brined in apple cider, and paired with with a vanilla bean and endive salad. And even the pork cheeks are seared and braised in pork stock and cider for three hours until tender.
Poirier learned how to cook from his Italian grandmother, and later at Johnson and Wales; he was one of the famous alumni chefs, along with Gordon Hamersley, Jasper White, and Lydia Shire at the Bostonian Hotel’s Seasons. He’s also cooked in Providence, Washington DC, Florida, and Tokyo, until opening Sonsie with Lyons Group’s Patrick Lyons and CEO Ed Sparks 15 years ago.
He’s still making local favorite steak au poive and spicy thai stirfry noodles, but he and his crew area always looking to keep things fresh by offering a mix of comfort items and more complex offerings. “Over the years, the customer base have changed,” says Poirier. People are more educated. We have to keep pace.” He says the prices are lower than a high-end restaurant, suiting its café atmosphere they describe as “relaxed yet sophisticated.”
He loves that Sonsie has become the neighborhood spot for Back Bay. “We get foodies, Berklee students, tourists, and repeat customers. I try to keep them coming back. I want them to find something on the menu that will make them happy.”
Sonsie will also be working to make Thanksgiving happy for locals. They’ll be open on Thanksgiving; the day before, they’re making dinner for the nearby firehouse crew.
Stacked Apple Spinach Salad with Walnuts, Blue Cheese and Pepper Bacon
Ingredients
(for each serving -- adjust for your number of guests)
1 small apple, core removed but unpeeled (preferably a red apple for drama – Cortland, mac, fuji) (You can also use a pear.)
1 cup baby spinach leaves
2 tb toasted walnut halves (toss with olive oil and salt, place on cookie sheet in 350-degree oven until golden throughout)
3 Tb crumbled blue cheese (high quality, such as Great Hill from Marion, Mass, or gorgonzola or Roquefort)
1 Tb julienne red onion
2 Tb extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp cider vinegar, (chef first reduced cider, and blended with more cider for more punch)
salt and pepper to taste
2 strips pepper bacon, grilled. (If you can’t find peppered bacon, buy whole double-smoked or cobb-smoked bacon, slice it yourself and add pepper. Grill, not fry, bacon.)
Method:
Thinly slice apples to 1/8 “ thickness horizontally. Keep together to retain apple shape. (Chef used a mandolin, but a sharp French knife will work.)
Arrange, alternately layering apple with spinach leaves, to reform the apple stack.
Sprinkle salad with remaining ingredients.
“It’s such a simple salad,” says Poirier. “The freshness of the ingredients will shine through.” He suggested such variations as using Asian fruit with soy dressing, and adding grilled shrimp or scallops. “Simple can go in any direction.”
Poirier says this recipe gets pretty popular. “We sell so many of these it’s off the hook. Once one or two goes out (into the restaurant), others see it and we get a run on them.”
Back Bay Sun
The Thanksgiving table is filled with lots of high-maintenance dishes. Here’s an easy but decorative salad for the Turkey Table, as well as year round.
Sonsie’s Stacked Apple Spinach Salad is easy to make and looks fabulous, with slices of apple alternating with spinach leaves, and sprinkled with walnuts, blue cheese, oil and vinegar, and and grilled pepper bacon. It’s quick to make, and perfect for the Thanksgiving table.
The salad is on Sonsie’s executive chef Bill Poirier’s new apple-tizer menu, which features five items made with their seasonal ingredient, apples. “It’s kind of like Iron Chef,” he says. In the summer, they did the same with crab, and in the spring it was asparagus.
The French onion soup is made with apple cider, apple brandy, and some julienned apples sharing the bowl with carmelized onions. It’s sweet mixed with the topper of gruyere on toast, hearty yet bright. Another appetizer features four sea scallops browned in a buerre blanc/apple cider sauce, paired with granny smith sliced and spiced with cinnamon, clove and curry. The smoked shrimp is brined in apple cider, and paired with with a vanilla bean and endive salad. And even the pork cheeks are seared and braised in pork stock and cider for three hours until tender.
Poirier learned how to cook from his Italian grandmother, and later at Johnson and Wales; he was one of the famous alumni chefs, along with Gordon Hamersley, Jasper White, and Lydia Shire at the Bostonian Hotel’s Seasons. He’s also cooked in Providence, Washington DC, Florida, and Tokyo, until opening Sonsie with Lyons Group’s Patrick Lyons and CEO Ed Sparks 15 years ago.
He’s still making local favorite steak au poive and spicy thai stirfry noodles, but he and his crew area always looking to keep things fresh by offering a mix of comfort items and more complex offerings. “Over the years, the customer base have changed,” says Poirier. People are more educated. We have to keep pace.” He says the prices are lower than a high-end restaurant, suiting its café atmosphere they describe as “relaxed yet sophisticated.”
He loves that Sonsie has become the neighborhood spot for Back Bay. “We get foodies, Berklee students, tourists, and repeat customers. I try to keep them coming back. I want them to find something on the menu that will make them happy.”
Sonsie will also be working to make Thanksgiving happy for locals. They’ll be open on Thanksgiving; the day before, they’re making dinner for the nearby firehouse crew.
Stacked Apple Spinach Salad with Walnuts, Blue Cheese and Pepper Bacon
Ingredients
(for each serving -- adjust for your number of guests)
1 small apple, core removed but unpeeled (preferably a red apple for drama – Cortland, mac, fuji) (You can also use a pear.)
1 cup baby spinach leaves
2 tb toasted walnut halves (toss with olive oil and salt, place on cookie sheet in 350-degree oven until golden throughout)
3 Tb crumbled blue cheese (high quality, such as Great Hill from Marion, Mass, or gorgonzola or Roquefort)
1 Tb julienne red onion
2 Tb extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp cider vinegar, (chef first reduced cider, and blended with more cider for more punch)
salt and pepper to taste
2 strips pepper bacon, grilled. (If you can’t find peppered bacon, buy whole double-smoked or cobb-smoked bacon, slice it yourself and add pepper. Grill, not fry, bacon.)
Method:
Thinly slice apples to 1/8 “ thickness horizontally. Keep together to retain apple shape. (Chef used a mandolin, but a sharp French knife will work.)
Arrange, alternately layering apple with spinach leaves, to reform the apple stack.
Sprinkle salad with remaining ingredients.
“It’s such a simple salad,” says Poirier. “The freshness of the ingredients will shine through.” He suggested such variations as using Asian fruit with soy dressing, and adding grilled shrimp or scallops. “Simple can go in any direction.”
Poirier says this recipe gets pretty popular. “We sell so many of these it’s off the hook. Once one or two goes out (into the restaurant), others see it and we get a run on them.”
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Councilor Ross among those who helped ensure integrity of presidential election
by Sandra Miller
Beacon Hill Times/Back Bay Sun
Councilor Michael Ross recently returned from Florida, where he joined a volunteer crew of lawyers nationwide who arrived armed to protect voters rights at the polls. His efforts were part of a huge outpouring from all levels of Democrats who turned out at key states to keep things clean.
“We wanted to make sure that 2004 and 2000 didn’t happen again,” he said, referring to the Voter Protection program.
Actually, nothing out of sorts happened, he said. Instead, he answered several questions from young voters who had no idea how the process worked, from his Northwest Miami spot in a largely Jamaican community.
“There was a first-time voter, 19 years old, who clearly was not aware of how to or even where to vote,” he recalled. “I said, ‘Walk through the doors, you’ll be fine.’ “ Concerned about the strict regulations many states have enacted to match voter registrations to voter identifications, Ross became impatient. “Look, the people who want to defraud the election system will be able to defraud if they want to. When you put up barriers to voting, you hurt first-time voters, you make it harder for people who want to vote. There’s a lot of people who are underhoused or lost their home or are transient, or college students. A lot of people who had moved were discouraged from the polls.”
Ross was happy to be part of the process, but he was also aware of his role in a strong democracy.
“I felt like I was a part of history,” he said. “Most of all it was an opportunity to watch a swing state that was previously Republican the last couple of elections to watch that state become a Democratic state.”
An early Obama supporter, Ross was in awe of the huge organizational fete. “It was great. If the Obama administration is run half as good as the way they executed his campaign, they will be great,” he said.
Ross noted thousands of others lawyers were organized via numerous conference calls. “Hundred went to Florida, doing what I was doing,” he said, noting strong organizer Cheryl Cronin, a Back Bay resident who recruited Ross.
He noticed a lot of other Massachusetts volunteers in Florida and around the country, including many of his constituents. “They knew their vote was far more useful and their work was far more useful outside of Massachusetts, in a swing state,” he said.
As for his friends on the John McCain side, he said, “I don’t think the Republicans were impressed, and they had come to terms with the way Obama conducted himself with dignity, and how he ran a good campaign.”
Ross is pretty active as a Democrat, traveling to the primaries to cast his vote at the Democratic Convention, and otherwise campaigning for Obama.
“It’s a great experience every four years,” he said, noting that the past few years weren’t great for Democrats. “I was glad to be able to say I voted for Barack Obama in January 2007. … when he spoke at the convention in 2000, I had an opportunity to meet him. I felt up front and close to a historic moment.”
Beacon Hill Times/Back Bay Sun
Councilor Michael Ross recently returned from Florida, where he joined a volunteer crew of lawyers nationwide who arrived armed to protect voters rights at the polls. His efforts were part of a huge outpouring from all levels of Democrats who turned out at key states to keep things clean.
“We wanted to make sure that 2004 and 2000 didn’t happen again,” he said, referring to the Voter Protection program.
Actually, nothing out of sorts happened, he said. Instead, he answered several questions from young voters who had no idea how the process worked, from his Northwest Miami spot in a largely Jamaican community.
“There was a first-time voter, 19 years old, who clearly was not aware of how to or even where to vote,” he recalled. “I said, ‘Walk through the doors, you’ll be fine.’ “ Concerned about the strict regulations many states have enacted to match voter registrations to voter identifications, Ross became impatient. “Look, the people who want to defraud the election system will be able to defraud if they want to. When you put up barriers to voting, you hurt first-time voters, you make it harder for people who want to vote. There’s a lot of people who are underhoused or lost their home or are transient, or college students. A lot of people who had moved were discouraged from the polls.”
Ross was happy to be part of the process, but he was also aware of his role in a strong democracy.
“I felt like I was a part of history,” he said. “Most of all it was an opportunity to watch a swing state that was previously Republican the last couple of elections to watch that state become a Democratic state.”
An early Obama supporter, Ross was in awe of the huge organizational fete. “It was great. If the Obama administration is run half as good as the way they executed his campaign, they will be great,” he said.
Ross noted thousands of others lawyers were organized via numerous conference calls. “Hundred went to Florida, doing what I was doing,” he said, noting strong organizer Cheryl Cronin, a Back Bay resident who recruited Ross.
He noticed a lot of other Massachusetts volunteers in Florida and around the country, including many of his constituents. “They knew their vote was far more useful and their work was far more useful outside of Massachusetts, in a swing state,” he said.
As for his friends on the John McCain side, he said, “I don’t think the Republicans were impressed, and they had come to terms with the way Obama conducted himself with dignity, and how he ran a good campaign.”
Ross is pretty active as a Democrat, traveling to the primaries to cast his vote at the Democratic Convention, and otherwise campaigning for Obama.
“It’s a great experience every four years,” he said, noting that the past few years weren’t great for Democrats. “I was glad to be able to say I voted for Barack Obama in January 2007. … when he spoke at the convention in 2000, I had an opportunity to meet him. I felt up front and close to a historic moment.”
Antiques sound financial investment - that look nice, too
by Sandra Miller
Back Bay Sun
When stocks tank and your real estate value is underwater, maybe it’s time to pay attention to what’s in your attic - or in others’ attics.
In what may be the oldest recycling movement known to man, investors have long been practicing “reduce, reuse and recycle.”
By many accounts, investment-grade antiques are an investment that hold, if not increase, in value. It’s risky, but there’s also the thrill of the hunt, and unlike, say, a stock, you can put an antique to work around your home. Just keep the grandkids away from the vase and the dog off the sofa.
“Buy something new, and it’s not worth anything,” says Marc s. Glasberg, of Marcoz Antiques at 173 Newbury St. “It’s like ten cents on the dollar. Antiques hold their value, plus they are beautiful examples of craftsmanship. The quality of wood is much better in an antique.”
Some things just hold their value better. The more unusual pieces can still go up in value, despite the economy, since there are always speculators who are waiting for this type of soft market to scout for bargains.
A watercolor portrait miniature on ivory of George Washington, created by Robert Field in 1801, was estimated at $10,000 and sold for $303,000.
“There are always buyers for things that don’t often come up,” says Skinner Vice President Kerry Shrives, who notes excitement over an upcoming sale on November 16 of rare 16th century manuscripts at their Park Plaza location.
Skinner’s site lists Aubry Beardsley (1872-1898) and Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), “The Climax,” Important original illustration for “Salome: A Tragedy in One Act,” published in 1894 -- Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.
“They are examples of book illustrations that’s been in Boston families for a long time,” adds Shrives.
That’s what Shrives loves about working in Boston - there are so many treasures being held by longtime Back Bay families, and there are so many enthusiasts.
“The core reason why we have had a presence in the Back Bay since 1980 is that it’s a great place for buying and selling art,” says Shrives. “We still have a devoted core of Boston customers. It’s business we don’t see in the other parts of the country.”
In this area, residents are constantly moving, which means a lot of new inventory for auction houses and shops. There are students moving in, and many parents also choose to set up a local apartment for visits. Businesses see lots of employee turnover. There are a lot of old Boston families, and not a lot of space in their homes.
“Many are downsizing their estates,” says Shrives. “Some estates need to be settled. There are always people who need to make a move. There are always people who need to make purchases.”
And yes, perhaps a few are in need of some quick cash due to the economy.
Shrives has been with Skinner since the 1980s, and in that time, she’s seen several economic fluctuations. “I’ve seen turbulence through the years,” says Shrives.
Lately, she’s noticed that the lower end of the market, the more common pieces, are creating a buyer’s market. For speculators, this could be an ideal time to buy.
“Things that usually are in the tens of millions of dollars, there are signs of softening,” she says. But for investors and speculators, she adds, “It’s not been battered as much as other sectors.”
The Newbury Street antiques scene, however, is a bit weathered. It used to be home to dozens of antiques shops, a number that’s dwindled to a handful: Marcoz Antiques, Brodney Antiques & Jewelry at 145 Newbury, and Small Pleasures at 142 Newbury St. There are paintings and other artworks at the many galleries here, and Charles Street still has about a dozen antique shops, too.
For some antiques dealers, it may be easier to just go to the antiques shows or sell online. But for a certain customer, they have to see the item up close before they buy. They want to develop a relationship with a dealer who will keep an eye out for items they are looking for.
“I’ve never purchased anything on eBay,” says Glasberg, who opened Marcoz Antiques in 1972. “I am one of those people who have to touch it. The patina is everything. You can’t judge quality by a photo.”
He recalled one customer who saw something she liked in his store, then found a similar item on eBay. “The condition wasn’t good,” he said. He didn’t know how much the customer paid for it, but he was certain she was embarrassed about the purchase and covered up by saying that they didn’t pay a lot for it.
In the thrill of the antiques hunt, sometimes what some consider trash is another person’s treasure; other times, you just buy trash. That’s what makes antiques an exciting trade.
But for residents, it’s not only about investments, it’s buying pieces that match their equally antique homes that have preserved moldings, fireplaces and other detail that just doesn’t match well with today’s modern decor.
In the Back Bay, residents who are interested in antiques vary, from the families moving here from other countries who have an appreciation of classic pieces, to young couples looking for china, young professionals looking for unique items that will hold value. For those empty nesters moving from the suburbs, an antique may be a more appropriate type of furniture to place in a historic home.
“People still need to furnish their nests, even if it’s a sofa or a ceiling fixture,” says Glasberg, who sits next to a striking Bagatelle game table, with a custom stand. It formerly was a parlor bowling game, with a hinged top, but it’s been converted over to a more useful side table that boasts useful storage, for $4,250.
“The Back Bay is a wonderful community of people who live here and are very tasteful. These apartments or homes are into centerpieces. If there are restored moldings and fireplaces, they want a certain amount of antiques in the home. If you’re in the suburbs in a home with lower ceilings, it’s different - you can’t have a big armoire there. Here, it’s a big, European kind of city.”
This “European kind of city” also attracts people from Europe, who are in town to work, or sending their kids to school. “A lot of people who come here are from Central and South America and Mexico, and they like a lot of European items,” Glasberg notes. “Sometimes, the parents buy apartments and stay here when they visit. The dollar is weak. They can buy nice things to put in them.”
For those wishing to dabble in buying antiques, many experts recommend buying what you love, and buy the best examples of it, whether it be art glass, period furniture, paintings and sculpture, “and what you can afford,” adds Shrives. “Some items keep their value, while other pieces continue to grow. At least with arts and antiques, it’s an investment you can live with and enjoy.”
back to top...
The Marcoz way by Sandra Miller
Marcoz Antiques of 173 Newbury St. is a well-organized, clean store - .no mustiness, no dustiness, you’re not tripping over items or squeezing into narrow spaces to check out the inventory.
The store, which opened in 1972, specializes in European pieces from the 18th century and up. Clients have ranged from the Back Bay to around the world. Famous customers have included the Kennedys, Meryl Streep, Ralph Lauren, Donna Summer, Bryant Gumbel, and Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.
Marc S. Glasberg started Marcoz 36 years ago, along with many other Newbury Street antiques shops.
Glasberg received a business degree from Suffolk University, and tried his hand at retail - at Lord & Taylor and Filene’s - until he decided to give in to what he loved, and he opened a one-room shop in 1972. He served tea, which drew a lot of interesting people who liked to do nothing much but gab and sip. “During the off-season, people would talk to me, we’d have tea. I didn’t make a lot of money back then, but it was nice to get to know my customers,” he said.
In the beginning, he was interested in all sorts of antiques. “Everything was of interest to me. I bought all around the board. There was so much stuff back then. It was hard to go wrong. I had a good eye for things,” he said.
Today, a lot of those good pieces just aren’t available any more. Neither are most of the Newbury Street antique stores. Many have gone online or on the show or auction circuit. He’s seen 10-12 other antique stores close on Newbury Street. “Rents got very high,” he said.
Glasberg keeps going by staying on top of the trends. He works in the shop with Jon Diamond, an interior designer, and also does custom picture framing and lamp shades, interior design, lamp rewiring, restorates ceramics, furniture and glassware, and some upholstery. A longtime member of the Newbury Street League, Glasberg last year earned the Fay Rotenberg Public Service Award.
Glasberg has a long history of relationships with international collectors and antique specialists, and travels around the world to find just the right pieces for his clients. Some of his pieces he buys for long-term investments, although much of his items don’t stay in the store longer than a few months.
Marcoz specializes in 18th to 20th century European furnishings, but he also loves dealing with accessories, such as candlesticks and ceramics. “Marcoz specializes in highly decorative centerpieces that make a room,” said Glasberg. “Things don’t hang around very long.”
Glasberg recently moved from his longtime spot a few doors down, when his building was sold. He loves the space, and saw it as a chance to move away from the French antiques that he loves – think dark woods, carved items and tapestries -- to what more customers are looking for - furniture and accessories with cleaner lines: lighter-colored woods like sycamore, satin wood, light cherry and walnut painted finishes, less elaborate frames; and more Asian pieces.
“We’ve been buying things that are simpler, more angular. People’s tastes are changing to straighter lines,” he said
When you enter his new shop, one of the first pieces is a Japanese folding horseshoe-back chair, from the 18th century, and he’s still researching to obtain its value. Nearby is an industrial table from a factory, the metal frame in a dark gray patina and topped with glass, selling for $2,375. “An architect looking at it said it was made to hold a lot of weight,” he said.
In the window is an armillary sphere, a model of the earth, with encircling iron bands that represent the outer sphere of fixed stars. The iron and stone piece was originally for the garden, and sells for $3,800.
However, Glasberg’s favorite antique is his dog Phoebe, a happy Cavalier King Charles spaniel who has spent many years in the shop and getting walked along Newbury Street.
Like his store, Glasberg tries to keep his home well-stocked but uncluttered.
“My home is pretty clean,” he said, adding he has shutter-style window treatments and solid carpets and bare floors in his fifth floor Commonwealth Avenue condo, to balance the antiques-filled home. “I didn’t want it to get too fussy,” he added.
In Glasberg’s family, a love of antiques was something that skipped a generation. He grew up in Newton, in a home that was a response to his mother’s own upbringing, when her home was filled with heavy, antique furniture. She reacted by decorating her own home with “modern lines” and “monochromatic colors,” said Glasberg. But he was drawn to the home of his great-aunt, whose home was filled with classic antiques. His aunt picked up on his interest by refusing to give him a ballpoint pen or handkerchief that was the usual birthday gift. Instead, she’d give him one of her antiques. He still has her cloisonné ginger jar that she filled with pennies, which she gave to him when he was a teen. “It was black, not like most cloisonné, with red and yellow flowers,” he said. “It’s unusual, a big fat ginger jar with a dome top. It’s dramatic looking.
“She didn’t succumb to trends,” he said. “Going into her home was a different world.” His aunt would invite her family over to Newton on the weekend for a long dinner, served on antique china, and everyone had to arrive with a good joke for the table. “It was a good time,” he said. “I got to see someone I loved, using these things.”
Taking a cue from her, Glasberg loves hosting dinners in his dining room. This year, his Thanksgiving dinner for friends will be served on his Meissen porcelain, Tiffany silver, and Baccarat crystal. He’ll set up his porcelain menus that he writes on with wax pencil.
Among his guests will be Dottie Stewart, sister of his longtime employee, Dan Murphy, who died a few years ago. Murphy worked three decades at Marcoz, but many locals knew him as the guy who would walk Glasberg’s dogs up and down the street. Last year, Glasberg and others planted a tree in his memory. “He was part of the scene,” he recalled. “He had a caustic sense of humor. You either hated or loved him.”
Glasberg has a good idea of how to stoke a person’s love of antiques. He boasts, “I’ve turned people into ardent collectors.” He recalled a collector in the western suburbs whom he turned onto French furniture, and today they’re trolling for pieces each weekend and keeping up with what Marcoz gets. “They have a little museum,” he said. “They don’t have children, so it’s like their kids. Their life has changed.”
Some of his customers are avid collectors of creamware; another loves leather books and miniatures.
A common request is from young couples looking for gifts for their wedding party, for which he suggests picture frames, a decanter, and other small but unique items.
“The fun part is the hunt, to search for these pieces,” he said, recalling one customer who fell in love with his Japanese Imari porcelain plate with iron red and cobalt blue, from the 1880s, and bought it for a friend whose daughter was getting married. But while the daughter was away, her mom took the plate out to admire it again, lying it on the bed. The dog jumped up and quickly crushed it. Heartbroken, she begged for another one to give to her friend’s daughter before the girl returned from her honeymoon. Glasberg insisted that it was a pretty rare plate, but the next weekend, while he was on his regular forays through New York City, he was at a street fair on Third Avenue, and found the very plate. “I was extremely lucky,” he said. He couldn’t have found it if he searched for 10 years, he thought, and he just lucked into this plate within days. “I didn’t make any money on that deal, and I’m sure she was thinking, ‘Oh, right, he said it was so rare, he was trying to sell me a bill of goods…’” But, he said, that’s the thrill of the hunt that keeps him going.
Back Bay Sun
When stocks tank and your real estate value is underwater, maybe it’s time to pay attention to what’s in your attic - or in others’ attics.
In what may be the oldest recycling movement known to man, investors have long been practicing “reduce, reuse and recycle.”
By many accounts, investment-grade antiques are an investment that hold, if not increase, in value. It’s risky, but there’s also the thrill of the hunt, and unlike, say, a stock, you can put an antique to work around your home. Just keep the grandkids away from the vase and the dog off the sofa.
“Buy something new, and it’s not worth anything,” says Marc s. Glasberg, of Marcoz Antiques at 173 Newbury St. “It’s like ten cents on the dollar. Antiques hold their value, plus they are beautiful examples of craftsmanship. The quality of wood is much better in an antique.”
Some things just hold their value better. The more unusual pieces can still go up in value, despite the economy, since there are always speculators who are waiting for this type of soft market to scout for bargains.
A watercolor portrait miniature on ivory of George Washington, created by Robert Field in 1801, was estimated at $10,000 and sold for $303,000.
“There are always buyers for things that don’t often come up,” says Skinner Vice President Kerry Shrives, who notes excitement over an upcoming sale on November 16 of rare 16th century manuscripts at their Park Plaza location.
Skinner’s site lists Aubry Beardsley (1872-1898) and Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), “The Climax,” Important original illustration for “Salome: A Tragedy in One Act,” published in 1894 -- Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.
“They are examples of book illustrations that’s been in Boston families for a long time,” adds Shrives.
That’s what Shrives loves about working in Boston - there are so many treasures being held by longtime Back Bay families, and there are so many enthusiasts.
“The core reason why we have had a presence in the Back Bay since 1980 is that it’s a great place for buying and selling art,” says Shrives. “We still have a devoted core of Boston customers. It’s business we don’t see in the other parts of the country.”
In this area, residents are constantly moving, which means a lot of new inventory for auction houses and shops. There are students moving in, and many parents also choose to set up a local apartment for visits. Businesses see lots of employee turnover. There are a lot of old Boston families, and not a lot of space in their homes.
“Many are downsizing their estates,” says Shrives. “Some estates need to be settled. There are always people who need to make a move. There are always people who need to make purchases.”
And yes, perhaps a few are in need of some quick cash due to the economy.
Shrives has been with Skinner since the 1980s, and in that time, she’s seen several economic fluctuations. “I’ve seen turbulence through the years,” says Shrives.
Lately, she’s noticed that the lower end of the market, the more common pieces, are creating a buyer’s market. For speculators, this could be an ideal time to buy.
“Things that usually are in the tens of millions of dollars, there are signs of softening,” she says. But for investors and speculators, she adds, “It’s not been battered as much as other sectors.”
The Newbury Street antiques scene, however, is a bit weathered. It used to be home to dozens of antiques shops, a number that’s dwindled to a handful: Marcoz Antiques, Brodney Antiques & Jewelry at 145 Newbury, and Small Pleasures at 142 Newbury St. There are paintings and other artworks at the many galleries here, and Charles Street still has about a dozen antique shops, too.
For some antiques dealers, it may be easier to just go to the antiques shows or sell online. But for a certain customer, they have to see the item up close before they buy. They want to develop a relationship with a dealer who will keep an eye out for items they are looking for.
“I’ve never purchased anything on eBay,” says Glasberg, who opened Marcoz Antiques in 1972. “I am one of those people who have to touch it. The patina is everything. You can’t judge quality by a photo.”
He recalled one customer who saw something she liked in his store, then found a similar item on eBay. “The condition wasn’t good,” he said. He didn’t know how much the customer paid for it, but he was certain she was embarrassed about the purchase and covered up by saying that they didn’t pay a lot for it.
In the thrill of the antiques hunt, sometimes what some consider trash is another person’s treasure; other times, you just buy trash. That’s what makes antiques an exciting trade.
But for residents, it’s not only about investments, it’s buying pieces that match their equally antique homes that have preserved moldings, fireplaces and other detail that just doesn’t match well with today’s modern decor.
In the Back Bay, residents who are interested in antiques vary, from the families moving here from other countries who have an appreciation of classic pieces, to young couples looking for china, young professionals looking for unique items that will hold value. For those empty nesters moving from the suburbs, an antique may be a more appropriate type of furniture to place in a historic home.
“People still need to furnish their nests, even if it’s a sofa or a ceiling fixture,” says Glasberg, who sits next to a striking Bagatelle game table, with a custom stand. It formerly was a parlor bowling game, with a hinged top, but it’s been converted over to a more useful side table that boasts useful storage, for $4,250.
“The Back Bay is a wonderful community of people who live here and are very tasteful. These apartments or homes are into centerpieces. If there are restored moldings and fireplaces, they want a certain amount of antiques in the home. If you’re in the suburbs in a home with lower ceilings, it’s different - you can’t have a big armoire there. Here, it’s a big, European kind of city.”
This “European kind of city” also attracts people from Europe, who are in town to work, or sending their kids to school. “A lot of people who come here are from Central and South America and Mexico, and they like a lot of European items,” Glasberg notes. “Sometimes, the parents buy apartments and stay here when they visit. The dollar is weak. They can buy nice things to put in them.”
For those wishing to dabble in buying antiques, many experts recommend buying what you love, and buy the best examples of it, whether it be art glass, period furniture, paintings and sculpture, “and what you can afford,” adds Shrives. “Some items keep their value, while other pieces continue to grow. At least with arts and antiques, it’s an investment you can live with and enjoy.”
back to top...
The Marcoz way by Sandra Miller
Marcoz Antiques of 173 Newbury St. is a well-organized, clean store - .no mustiness, no dustiness, you’re not tripping over items or squeezing into narrow spaces to check out the inventory.
The store, which opened in 1972, specializes in European pieces from the 18th century and up. Clients have ranged from the Back Bay to around the world. Famous customers have included the Kennedys, Meryl Streep, Ralph Lauren, Donna Summer, Bryant Gumbel, and Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.
Marc S. Glasberg started Marcoz 36 years ago, along with many other Newbury Street antiques shops.
Glasberg received a business degree from Suffolk University, and tried his hand at retail - at Lord & Taylor and Filene’s - until he decided to give in to what he loved, and he opened a one-room shop in 1972. He served tea, which drew a lot of interesting people who liked to do nothing much but gab and sip. “During the off-season, people would talk to me, we’d have tea. I didn’t make a lot of money back then, but it was nice to get to know my customers,” he said.
In the beginning, he was interested in all sorts of antiques. “Everything was of interest to me. I bought all around the board. There was so much stuff back then. It was hard to go wrong. I had a good eye for things,” he said.
Today, a lot of those good pieces just aren’t available any more. Neither are most of the Newbury Street antique stores. Many have gone online or on the show or auction circuit. He’s seen 10-12 other antique stores close on Newbury Street. “Rents got very high,” he said.
Glasberg keeps going by staying on top of the trends. He works in the shop with Jon Diamond, an interior designer, and also does custom picture framing and lamp shades, interior design, lamp rewiring, restorates ceramics, furniture and glassware, and some upholstery. A longtime member of the Newbury Street League, Glasberg last year earned the Fay Rotenberg Public Service Award.
Glasberg has a long history of relationships with international collectors and antique specialists, and travels around the world to find just the right pieces for his clients. Some of his pieces he buys for long-term investments, although much of his items don’t stay in the store longer than a few months.
Marcoz specializes in 18th to 20th century European furnishings, but he also loves dealing with accessories, such as candlesticks and ceramics. “Marcoz specializes in highly decorative centerpieces that make a room,” said Glasberg. “Things don’t hang around very long.”
Glasberg recently moved from his longtime spot a few doors down, when his building was sold. He loves the space, and saw it as a chance to move away from the French antiques that he loves – think dark woods, carved items and tapestries -- to what more customers are looking for - furniture and accessories with cleaner lines: lighter-colored woods like sycamore, satin wood, light cherry and walnut painted finishes, less elaborate frames; and more Asian pieces.
“We’ve been buying things that are simpler, more angular. People’s tastes are changing to straighter lines,” he said
When you enter his new shop, one of the first pieces is a Japanese folding horseshoe-back chair, from the 18th century, and he’s still researching to obtain its value. Nearby is an industrial table from a factory, the metal frame in a dark gray patina and topped with glass, selling for $2,375. “An architect looking at it said it was made to hold a lot of weight,” he said.
In the window is an armillary sphere, a model of the earth, with encircling iron bands that represent the outer sphere of fixed stars. The iron and stone piece was originally for the garden, and sells for $3,800.
However, Glasberg’s favorite antique is his dog Phoebe, a happy Cavalier King Charles spaniel who has spent many years in the shop and getting walked along Newbury Street.
Like his store, Glasberg tries to keep his home well-stocked but uncluttered.
“My home is pretty clean,” he said, adding he has shutter-style window treatments and solid carpets and bare floors in his fifth floor Commonwealth Avenue condo, to balance the antiques-filled home. “I didn’t want it to get too fussy,” he added.
In Glasberg’s family, a love of antiques was something that skipped a generation. He grew up in Newton, in a home that was a response to his mother’s own upbringing, when her home was filled with heavy, antique furniture. She reacted by decorating her own home with “modern lines” and “monochromatic colors,” said Glasberg. But he was drawn to the home of his great-aunt, whose home was filled with classic antiques. His aunt picked up on his interest by refusing to give him a ballpoint pen or handkerchief that was the usual birthday gift. Instead, she’d give him one of her antiques. He still has her cloisonné ginger jar that she filled with pennies, which she gave to him when he was a teen. “It was black, not like most cloisonné, with red and yellow flowers,” he said. “It’s unusual, a big fat ginger jar with a dome top. It’s dramatic looking.
“She didn’t succumb to trends,” he said. “Going into her home was a different world.” His aunt would invite her family over to Newton on the weekend for a long dinner, served on antique china, and everyone had to arrive with a good joke for the table. “It was a good time,” he said. “I got to see someone I loved, using these things.”
Taking a cue from her, Glasberg loves hosting dinners in his dining room. This year, his Thanksgiving dinner for friends will be served on his Meissen porcelain, Tiffany silver, and Baccarat crystal. He’ll set up his porcelain menus that he writes on with wax pencil.
Among his guests will be Dottie Stewart, sister of his longtime employee, Dan Murphy, who died a few years ago. Murphy worked three decades at Marcoz, but many locals knew him as the guy who would walk Glasberg’s dogs up and down the street. Last year, Glasberg and others planted a tree in his memory. “He was part of the scene,” he recalled. “He had a caustic sense of humor. You either hated or loved him.”
Glasberg has a good idea of how to stoke a person’s love of antiques. He boasts, “I’ve turned people into ardent collectors.” He recalled a collector in the western suburbs whom he turned onto French furniture, and today they’re trolling for pieces each weekend and keeping up with what Marcoz gets. “They have a little museum,” he said. “They don’t have children, so it’s like their kids. Their life has changed.”
Some of his customers are avid collectors of creamware; another loves leather books and miniatures.
A common request is from young couples looking for gifts for their wedding party, for which he suggests picture frames, a decanter, and other small but unique items.
“The fun part is the hunt, to search for these pieces,” he said, recalling one customer who fell in love with his Japanese Imari porcelain plate with iron red and cobalt blue, from the 1880s, and bought it for a friend whose daughter was getting married. But while the daughter was away, her mom took the plate out to admire it again, lying it on the bed. The dog jumped up and quickly crushed it. Heartbroken, she begged for another one to give to her friend’s daughter before the girl returned from her honeymoon. Glasberg insisted that it was a pretty rare plate, but the next weekend, while he was on his regular forays through New York City, he was at a street fair on Third Avenue, and found the very plate. “I was extremely lucky,” he said. He couldn’t have found it if he searched for 10 years, he thought, and he just lucked into this plate within days. “I didn’t make any money on that deal, and I’m sure she was thinking, ‘Oh, right, he said it was so rare, he was trying to sell me a bill of goods…’” But, he said, that’s the thrill of the hunt that keeps him going.
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