Located inOakville, in the Napa Valley, the home was built in the 1860s by H.W. "That's such a specific moment in life and time. We keep the valleys mechanics quite busy, Trevor admits. Elizabeths favorite place to entertain is a 1904 utility barn on her property, which she describes as Marie Antoinettes poor sisters ballroom, complete with a special perfume thanks to the henhouse thats attached to it. From Napa With Love by Alexis Swanson Traina From Napa With Love , Traina's book is a small (97 inches) paperback tome meant to be easy to throw into a suitcase for a quick trip to the Valley. In the magnolia-scented heights of San Francisco's Gold Coast, the air seems more rarefied. Trevor Traina has not been divorced. How to Throw the Ultimate Silicon Valley Dinner Party - Town & Country Traina, 50, is the son of Dede Wilsey, longtime president of the board of trustees of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco. The scion of one of San Francisco's grandest families, Trevor Traina was born into a family that arrived here during the Gold Rush. Needless to say, we were immediately smitten. "The house is the embodiment of that commitment to each other. It never ceases to amaze me.. We interviewed and photographed peoplesome of whom appear in my book, some of whom dontwhose spirit, innovation, and creative gifts we think define this magical place today. This fall, Claiborne and I shared an amazing story,inspired by my book for Town & CountrysNovemberissue, where she shot all the portraits and that was super special for us both. "Eventually my father said, 'You have a dozen employees now--it's time to get an office.' It is a perfect gift for this holiday season. Downstairs in the green-and-white conservatory filled with lush trees, a Richard Serra circle painting and a giant skylight. There's also a philanthropic component to the business. I wasnt quite sure what that meant, just that I wanted to work with them.. It also helped that Getty "runs a true atelier, filled with acres of ancient textiles, books, and furniture from every corner of the Earth." He commissioned Venice-based textile maven Sabina Fay Braxton to create a stamped crimson velvet and, in the tradition of grand eighteenth- and nineteenth-century establishments, "bathed the whole thing in itwalls, curtains, sofas, the works." Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. With cheeky wine labels like Help Is Here, Expensive and Mazel Tov, Modern House Wines epitomizes Alexis oenophile ambition to take away the stuffiness and formality around wine culture. And living in a house like this, you realize that a great big kitchen and a great big porch are really where you want to be., For his part, Trevor adds that even the houses indoor living can feel somewhat alfresco: I joke that were camping here, because we have 18th-century wallpaper. Though they both grew up in high-style households, Trevor says, were very casual and we arent at all fancy here., Trevor and Alexis are undoubtedly the chicest couple I know, says design impresario Ken Fulk, a close friend. Alexis Swanson Traina | HuffPost Since 2005, C Magazine has been the leading luxury and lifestyle magazine, website, and e-commerce platform on the West Coast. Traina and his wife, Alexis, packed up their two children and moved to Vienna. Alexis Traina, "Gigi Burris makes insane hats all year round, but Im particularly fond of this straw stetson with an extra broad rim." Here, the eighteenth-century Portuguese chairs and seventeenth-century Chinese shrine set on a dramatic black-and-white marble checkerboard floor are brought vividly into the twenty-first century with the bold vertical stripes of Keith Tyson's monumental History Painting (Baden-Baden, 1942). Alexis and Trevor Traina: Ode To Joy | Vogue Haute Living 2023 - All content and source 2019 Haute Living |, Social Media Management for Interior Designers, Social Media Management for Real Estate Developers, How Tennis Star Caroline Wozniacki Is Acing Life On And Off, 6 Skin Myths Debunked Courtesy Of The Red Door Spa, Haute Living Celebrates Rob Lowe At Grant Cardones, Haute Living Celebrates Chef Pierre Gagnaire With The, Haute Living Celebrates Katie Holmes & Her New IFC, A Celebration Of Cover Star Emily Hampshire With The, The Karl Lagerfeld Hotel Will Open Its Illustrious, Lenny Kravitz Is The New Face of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cooking For A Cause: Out Of The Kitchen South Florida, How Padma Lakshmi Is Stirring The Pot In The Second. Everything awesome about summer in Napa Valley can be traced back to a glass of rosepeople sip it like water here. Michael Taylor decorated Trevors parents homes, and his grandmothers house in Newport, Rhode Island, was done in the 1960s by Valerian Rybar; Thomas Britt decorated the homes of Alexis parents. My fantasy was to be a gentleman farmer with three grapevines and art. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. This story appears in the November 2017 issue of Town & Country. Trevor Traina Celebrates 50th Birthday In Vienna - Haute Living Alexis Traina Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Alexis Traina opens the doors to the best of wine country living, Words by KELSEY McKINNON Photography by DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN. It. Since her family moved to Northern California in 1985, Alexis has shuffled between her city home in San Francisco and her idyllic vineyard spread in the Valley. She chronicled it all in a blog, Alexis Napa for the Curious and Eccentric. All I knew about Napa was what I learned watching Falcon Crest. From Napa with Love: Who to Know, Where to Go, and What Not to Miss gh-low. When I first arrived at the French Laundry, Napa Valleys iconic images of vineyard-latticed hills dotted with chateaus and bountiful farms and orchards resonated with me. With unparalleled photography, insightful journalism and sophisticated wit, it is the arbiter of Californias taste and trends. "During the days, we'd work on little painted-rabbit tables and pack everything away when the kids had to go to bed," Traina says. From there, he and his wife, Alexis Swanson Traina, hopped over to the Hamptons, joining designer Oscar de la Renta and director Baz Luhrmann at a soiree hosted by Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour. It was here that Trevor Traina and Alexis Swanson, gilded children of the city (he a dashing Internet entrepreneur, she a dynamic beauty who works with her family's self-titled Napa winery), set about house-hunting. Thats when I thought, how is it possible that in a world of so much color, we were operating in blue text bubbles and emojis, or modern caveman hieroglyphics as I call them." Shop Our Favorite Saks Friends & Family Deals, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. . Their life at the time was a whirlwind, as Trevor recalls. He says, In 1975, I bought an old cabin, put a cupola on the top, and called it Tucker Farm Schoolhouse to make it sound legit-ish. The Trainas also sought out furniture makers, designers, and decorative painters who could realize their schemes. He is a general assignment reporter with a focus on writing feature-length obituaries. The dining-room table belonged to my great-grandmother, as did the sideboard next to it, and [the nearby] secretary belonged to my mother., Though theres no denying his familys pedigree, Trevor cant help but make fun of some of the houses inherited features: It reminds me of that great comment by Marella Agnellimade after the socialite toured Sid and Mercedes Bass apartment in New Yorkwhen she said, It will take her another lifetime to understand wicker! Theres nothing more WASP-y than lattice and wicker. What's Your Fancy? Alexis Traina Shares Her Summer Essentials. Pictured from left to right: Alexis Swanson Traina, Claiborne Swanson Frank, Veronica Swanson Beard; photo by Trevor Traina. "I was 30," he says. Lanier Residence was a stunning, historical backdrop for our cover shoot with Katie Holmes More, The St. Regis New York Debuts a Chevalier Suite, Kelvin Harrison Jr. Is Riding the Fame Wave, Dont Miss The VeuveClicquot Polo Classic, Cartier Design: A Living Legacy Opens at Museo Jumex, Julia Roberts Expands Her Role As Chopards Global Ambassador, Were Over The Moon About This New Travel Registry, Our Favorite New Tech Gadgets and Devices Right Now, Carbone Opens in The Dallas Design District, Stylish New Reads From Louis Vuitton and YSL, Get behind-the-scenes pictures on Instagram. "Philanthropy has always been very important to my family, and I firmly believe in giving back," he says. "We have specialists for our categories to reach out to luminaries," he explains. , $25) released in September, takes readers on a whimsical armchair tour of the valley through the eyes of some of its most notable denizens (filmmaker Roman Coppola, wine proprietress Ann Colgin, artist Ira Yeager and the like) with scrapbook-style itineraries, entertaining tips and a glimpse inside Alexis magical life at the end of a private road off Highway 29. Wedding Registry Search and Website Finder - TheKnot My whole life I have wanted to be an ambassador because it was what my grandfather did, Traina told The Chronicle before his departure. Whats Your Fancy? "It just glows.". Raise a glass to the artists, rebels, and dreamers who call this storied California paradise home. Two years ago, his collection was exhibited at the de Young Museum, where he is a board member. Elizabeths favorite place to entertain is a 1904 utility barn on her property, which she describes as Marie Antoinettes poor sisters ballroom, complete with a special perfume thanks to the henhouse thats attached to it. He chose Nicholas Nixon's View West from Park Avenue and 55th Street, New York City, and when the photograph came up for auction years later Traina acquired ittogether with a Weegee that had hung in the hall outside his office. Some of my annual favorites include the spectacular homemade fudge from our favorite nun; the sweet, seedless Satsuma oranges from our neighbors; the addictive salted Virginia HUBS peanuts from good friends; and lastly, the Enstroms world-famous dark chocolate almond toffee from my aunt. (Trevor found a Proustian double-peacock bench at Steinitz in Paris to set against it.) ", After Seagram's, Traina returned to the Bay Area to attend Berkeley's Haas School of Business. Trevor Trania and Alexis Swanson Trania Napa Valley Home Photos - DuJour We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Christopher Kostow, seen herewith his wife Martina and their two daughters, grew up near Chicago in a food-forward family that, he says, traveled to eat. After working in some of the best kitchens in the world, he opened the Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena, which has been awarded three Michelin stars. His passion for philanthropy, business and adventure converged in 2012 while he was looking for a Christmas present for his younger brother, film producer Todd Traina, a tennis fanatic. These little collections tell the story of a person, their taste and sense of humor, but more importantly, what kind of fantasy they are creating.. Instagram feedswere inundated with pictures from the over-the-top events. The Art Of Living: Inside Trevor Traina's Pacific Heights Home - Forbes Theyre not necessarily light weight or modern but they say: Ive arrived, and Im ready for some serious fun. Weekends in Oakville are generally spent sans guests and are passed mostly outsideby the pool or on the tennis courtsin the company of the Trainas two children, Johnny and Delphina, and their Jack Russell terrier, Honey. 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He started as a feature writer in the People section, which was anchored by Herb Caen's column, and has written about people ever since. "The possibilities are endless," says Traina, who has already sold 2,000 experiences. To decorate his office while at Seagram's, Traina had chosen from the company's extensive collection a Nicholas Nixon photograph, "View West from Park Avenue and 55th Street, New York City." Both Trevor and Alexis grew up absorbing exuberant taste as a baba soaks up rum. After Swanson Vineyards was sold in 2016, Traina continued to pursue her connection to the winery world, publishing her lifestyle guide From Napa With Love, which features coveted insight into. By the time the company was sold, a few years ago, I was its longest-serving employee. 22 Black-Tie Wedding Guest . ". "Over the years I've reached out to the people I care about and recruited them to colonize the coolest and best part of the city," says Traina, who matches friends and nearby real estate with the enthusiasm of a high-commission broker. [16] The Trainas also looked to some iconic tastemaking neighbors for inspiration. You may opt-out by. I was at boarding school when my parents (pictured here) called to say, We just bought a vineyard in Napa Valley! Fantasy environments are certainly a leitmotif in the couple's life together; Trevor proposed in the handbag rotunda of Bergdorf Goodman. Now comes our first glimpse into their glamorous new lives in Europe. The drive from San Francisco to the Napa Valley takes only a little more than an hour, but for tech entrepreneur and IfOnly CEO Trevor Traina and his wife, Swanson Vineyards creative director Alexis Swanson Traina, the two places feel as far away from each other as possible. by Alexis Swanson Traina (Author) 68 ratings See all formats and editions Kindle $2.99 Read with Our Free App Paperback $26.94 Other new and used from $4.25 Napa Valley is a wonderland boasting beautiful weather, exquisite vistas, bespoke hotels, Michelin-rated restaurants, and world-class wineries. Plus, there are our daily edits of the hottest openings, tables and tickets, as well as our coverage of the most glamorous events in what is the most stylish state in the USA. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Alexis, meanwhile, grew up in a series of homes that were the bravura handiwork of her godfather, the decorator Thomas Britt, working with her mother, Elizabeth Swanson, whom he describes as "high-octane creative. Inside Alexis Traina's 'From Napa With Love' Book Launch - Haute Living Alexis Traina Hosts a Cocktail and Dinner for Veronica Beard This story appears in the April 13, 2014 issue of ForbesLife. of the instant wedding, the instant summer cellar, the instant pantry necessities, the instant dinner for two and the instant Half of IfOnly's business is now bespoke. For tech entrepreneur Trevor Traina and his wife Alexis Swanson Traina, a historic Napa Valley home is an ideal respite from city life Written by David Nash Read the Full Story ≫ Photographed by Douglas Friedman. Alexis Traina was reunited with her familyher sisters, fashion designer Veronica Swanson Beard and photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank, and parents were in Austria for the celebration. Theres an appreciation for simple pleasures, like swimming at sunset, water-balloon fights, cookie baking and bike rides. And the thing is, we come from wicker. (Well, almost. The ceremony took a half-hour, according to Daniel S. Mattern, public affairs official with the American embassy. Wishes are delivered via cleverly devised themed packaging--a quarterback experience with Joe Montana ($43,000) will arrive in a box with a note resting on a piece of turf. We keep the valleys mechanics quite busy, Trevor admits. Many of the guests stayed at the super-luxe Hotel Sacher Vienna, the birthplace of the famed chocolate and apricot cake, the sachertorte. Happy birthday to Mr. "I suddenly realized that that's what people ultimately want when they've filled their closets with baubles: experiences. An interior designer and event wizard, Ken Fulk first visited the valley in 1994, and says We came to Napa on our very first trip to California. Alexis inherited her fanciful joie de vivre from her Cuban mother, Elizabeth Swanson, who is fondly referred to as the madam of ceremonies and the Wizardress of Oz.. Aside from her professional title, she is also the wife of My sisters and I each found our creative passions early in life. Trevor Traina - Wikipedia Trevor Traina has been married once. Cory Empting got his first job at a vineyard at 15 and immediately became obsessed. I could often be found doing business at my roll-top desk, shuffling papers and stamping voided checks; flipping through Harpers Hideaway Reports researching my parents travels; or at my mothers knee in dusty antique shops, that always played quiet AM radio. The HiNote CEO, wine connoisseur, and travel lover shares all her summer must-haves. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I opened the French Laundry to celebrate the work of the farmers, fishermen, winemakers, foragers, and other purveyors who work directly with the land of this beautiful place. I worked late at night, on plane rides, or whenever I could find the time, and designed the book with my longtime graphic designer, Alyssa. . "The house became a case study for all of us," Alexis explains, "asking the question, How do we live with young children, romance, and fantasy with all of this art?" Tooling around in old cars is something of a family tradition and acutely reflective of the kind of idyllic, nostalgic existence Alexis and her husband, Trevor, the founder and CEO of the charity site IfOnly, and their two children, Johnny and Delphina, lead in the valley. She's the modern face of Napa Valley luxury. Hair and makeup by Sherrie Long (Molly Chappellet and Thomas Keller) and Bianca Rubi (all others). "He thinks on a much grander scale!". Meet Alexis Swanson Traina - archive.beautyandwellbeing.com Alexis and Trevor Traina tapped into San Francisco's design historyand the talents of iconic family friendsto create a dramatic setting for their young family. All rights reserved. Right now some 150 charities--including Meals on Wheels and Stand Up to Cancer--are benefiting from IfOnly. That's the ultimate luxury.". I wrote andproduced the book infive months. It wasn't all work. Those who can't find their dream experience in Traina's impressive lineup can fill out a "wish list." From Hollywood talents to art-world tastemakers to tech titans, each month we interview the leading lights who make this state the creative and entrepreneurial center of the country. "I started hanging out in the computer lab and never once visited career services. "Who wouldn't want to be surrounded by the brightest and best minds that they know?". "We worked with a brilliant, motley crew of talent," says Alexis. HiNote was birthed during the pandemic in a time of such uncertainty, when we were all turning to our phones for communication and connection, says Traina. Today, it is all chintz and chinoiserie, bright colours and white wicker, lovely lattice walls and chic perfection . Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Trevor Traina taps rich vein of experience at IfOnly (Photo by Darryl Nitke). I thought that if we could give people that information online, we could control what to buy and we could influence where to buy. Alexis and Trevor Traina tapped into San Francisco's design historyand the talents of iconic family friendsto create a dramatic setting for their young family. Theres an appreciation for simple pleasures, like swimming at sunset, water-balloon fights, cookie baking and bike rides. Wine: Alexis Swanson Traina and Target launch Modern House A life-size black-and-white Hiroshi Sugimoto photo of Queen Elizabeth rules over the Cool Britannia red hand-blocked velvet-lined living room. The Trainas friends were treated to several parties, including a sit-down dinner with live accordion players, and tours of Viennas top attractions like the Palais Liechtenstein as well as a glimpse of the famed Lipizzaner stallions. 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Alexis Traina considers the vintage cars at her familys weekend home in Napa Valley to be perfectly acceptable home offices. .css-188hsmf{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#fff;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;display:inline-block;background-color:#9a0500;font-family:Termina,Termina-bold-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.75rem;line-height:1;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:0.02rem;padding:0.6rem 0.7rem;text-transform:uppercase;width:auto;}.css-188hsmf:hover{color:#fff;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:#030929;}.css-188hsmf:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}Subscribe Now, .css-1fgik18{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,NewParis-fallback,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1fgik18:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}The Best Luxury Luggage for Traveling in Style, The Best Room at Tuscany's Augustus Hotel, A New Bemelmans Gallery Is Opening at Ocean House, 29 Getaway Spas for Every Type of Retreat, The Perfect Honeymoon Isn't All Over InstagramYet, The Best Carry-On Backpacks for Every Traveler, The Best Rolling Luggage for Your Travels, Inside the 60th Anniversary of the Ocean Club. HiNote provides a reimagined alternative to digital communication, offering a vast collection of personalized templates that can be used to send messages. Instead of counting his inheritance or riding the express lane to Wall Street like so many of his peers, Traina transformed his silver spoon into a full platinum table setting through a series of Internet startups. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. To accommodate the photography, Trevor boldly decided to dynamite the granite rock on which the house was built to excavate 3,000 square feet of subterranean space that would prove perfect for the light-sensitive prints. Advertisement . A writer and filmmaker (Golden Globe for, By Alexis Traina. It looked like a beautiful time was had by all. The wife and mother of two also runs a carefully curated Its the idea of multigenerational families, farmers, winemakers, artists and chefs all coming together, bound by a love of creativity and the pursuit of magic, Alexis says. Says, Bill, pictured here with Deborah, Ultimately were building a culture around wine and hospitality that we all hope will last for generations. Photo: Photographed by Drew Alter. Search for either member of the lucky couple. Now theyre reinventing the narrative of wineand doing a good job at it.