Just a taste of the fabulous collection at Ma(i)sonry
A couple of weekends ago, I hopped in the car and headed to Napa where I picked up my aunt and mom, then headed up to Yountville for a girls' day at
Ma(i)sonry. There was a very special event that we all were looking forward to, and Ma(i)sonry was just the place to enjoy it all. For those of you unfamiliar, Ma(i)sonry is the brainchild of
Michael Polenske, a man dedicated to the "business of leisure". He has an interest in preserving one of the original stone structures in historic Yountville. He set out to "preserve the historic integrity and modernize a stylized backdrop for 'a life aesthetic' ". Michael has had his hand in high finance, where he realized that investments are best when they involve the things you love. So, he has invested in the wine industry, art and design with great style bringing us Ma(i)sonry,
Blackbird Vineyards wine and the
I. Wolk Gallery in St. Helena.
The reason for visiting Ma(i)onry on the day in question was an invitation from
Diane Dorrans Saeks, doyenne of design, prolific author, and popular blog editor of
The Style Saloniste. Diane invited us to join her in a conversation with
Llisa Demetrios, sculptress and granddaughter of
Charles and Rae Eames.
The party was hopping when we arrived.
As soon as we arrived, we hopped upstairs and sampled the delicious wines of Blackbird Vineyards, and took in the sights. Art and antiques met us at every turn. It was hard to stay focused on any one thing for very long before some new fantastic thing caught my attention. We took our time wandering, finally making our way out to the beautiful garden.
Llisa Demetrios shows her work in the garden at Ma(i)sonry, and we had a chance to see her work throughout the garden.
Llisa Demetrios with one of her sculptures
The garden at Ma(i)sonry
Then we sat down and relaxed while sipping our wine and listening to Diane and Llisa's conversation which was centered around Llisa's beautiful work as well as her involvement with the
Eames Foundation and their many upcoming events.
Llisa Demetrios, Diane Dorrans Saeks and Michael Polenske
Diane led the conversation into the lives of Charles and Rae Eames, and what it was like to follow in such well renowned footsteps.
It was a beautiful day filled with creative people, wonderful wine, art and antiques. A better way to spend a day? Can't think of one.
Had to share the stuff of Ma(i)sonry......
Art by Adam Shaw
My favorite photo of the day
Art by Andreas Reimann
Art by Lizabeth Rossof
Sculpture by Damon Hyldreth
For more information about any of the items at Ma(i)sonry, AND to find out why Ma(i)sonry is spelled the way it is.... click
HERE.
For more information about how to get involved or attend upcoming events by the Eames Foundation click
HERE.
P.S......I just read
HERE that Ma(i)sonry has been selected to do a room at the San Francisco Designer Showcase. Bravo! And if you hop on over, you will see a sketch of the space they have presented for the Showcase.....you might see something familiar. ;)