GETTY SUCCULENTS

It was an unseasonably warm Los Angeles day in early March, at least compared to the chill rainy week since I had arrived. Phèdre and I cruised aimlessly in the tour van, our day off full of possibilities as long as they were free and outdoors. We settled on the Getty Center after deliberating on a $15 parking fee that would cut into our budget for beer and tacos later that night.

Phèdre - my longtime pals Lee Paradise and Apey Oh - had visited the eccentric hilltop museum before. From the parking lot, we boarded a three-car, cable-pulled hovertrain funicular that transported us up to the campus designed by architect George Meier. We were dropped off at a plaza and strolled through a photography exhibit together before wandering off on our own exploratory meditations.

Emerging into a sprawling courtyard, I headed towards a twisting garden path and found myself drawn through the large central garden designed by Robert Irwin, filled with an incredible assortment of succulents. 

I could spot a separate garden of cactus jutting out from the side of one of the buildings, and it took some investigating to find the way. They were contained within an incredible coned pedestal with a south facing view. I had no idea that most cactus are classified as succulents, simply defined as having thickened, fleshy parts adapted to store water. As the plants and I soaked in the same California sun, I gazed towards the hazy horizon and ruminated on this strange temple of human achievement in visual splendour. 

Henri Fabergé

STEWART JONES AND REBECCA HUNT : WELLINGTON

I met the painter Stewart Jones a few years ago in Toronto; fancy finding him running an open mic night in Prince Edward County. Turns out he and his wife Rebecca Hunt sold their home on Greenlaw Ave in Toronto, decamping to Wellington's Main Street. They now run a guest house and are becoming entrenched in the growing pre-retirement community.

I dropped in one morning, finding Stew busy preparing canvases for new paintings, Rebecca enjoying a relaxing birthday coffee and the newest edition to their family -- Kenney (a kitten) -- immediately breaking my heart.  Kenney was found by the side of the road.  He became an overnight phenomenon when Scott McGillivray (of the TV program Income Property), who was hosting a show following Stew and Rebecca's renovation of their guest house, posted a video of the kitten.  You can watch it here.  

The lifestyle adopted by this couple serves as lure for county living.  Rebecca is able to continue her work in television documentary production from a home office, where she is currently production managing a project for CBC's Doc Zone.  Her office is central to their stunning Georgian-style house that backs onto a vast yard and pool.  You can see the proximity of the house to Lake Ontario in an old postcard below.  The community of Wellington is slowly changing as younger couples move in to live year 'round.  With Stew planning weekly events like his open mic night -- Memphis Tuesday -- and a Friday life drawing session at the Devonshire, he is energizing the long winter nights.

Stewart Jones will be exhibiting his paintings at LoveArt, Toronto this April 17-19 with Canadian Art Collective.  You can view some of his dramatic cityscapes here.  I'm excited to see the influence of the country landscape on his work.

DRAKE DEVONSHIRE : WELLINGTON

The Drake Devonshire opened its doors in Wellington, Prince Edward County in 2014 for an extended preview of their guest rooms, lakeside restaurant, fireside lounge and glass cube recreation room.  Although the hotel has not officially opened, they are already boasting a strong local turnout for weekly events and many city visitors.  I stayed in the "Stargazer" room last week and Naomi and Afie joined me for a final day of county rambling.

The property was first developed as a foundry back in 1860 and in the late 1800's it was expanded and converted into a home by W.P. Niles.  Many features from his Victorian-era renovation are still present today including the oak staircase and stained glass windows.  The 20th century saw the house serve as bed and breakfast, nursing home and mink breeding business. In 1974, Larry and Karen Arbuckle christened the place Devonshire Inn, a name maintained by the Drake when they purchased the property in 2012. 

The renovation and expansion of this historic building has been executed with care and precision. The mandate of the Drake was to meld the city into county style and this they have accomplished while respecting and referencing original features. I was particularly taken with the variety of floor treatments, especially the wool carpeting set into the hardwood.  The extensive art collection on display was curated by Mia Nielsen, and we were thrilled to see a large piece by Jennifer Murphy in pride of place.