January 2012

FOR YOU • YOUR HOME • YOUR LIFESTYLE

the WEDDING ISSUE FASHION:

Warm & Stylish Sweaters

Beauty:

PICTURE PERFECT SKIN/ WEDDING DAY ESSENTIALS

Community:

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville

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A little more

FUN IN THE SUN EXPLORE OUR VARIETY OF TROPICAL CHARMS

Experience at:

James Middleton Jewelers Memphis, TN 901.755.5075 jamesmiddletonjewelers.com

More Than Words Germantown, TN 901.755.4388 morethanwords.com

Robert’s Jewelers Jackson, TN 731.664.2257 roberts@aeneas.com

Reeds Jewelers The Avenue Collierville Collierville, TN 38017 901.861.1560

Reeds Jewelers Wolfchase Galleria Memphis, TN 38133 901.937.1774

Rone Regency Jewelers Chattanooga, TN 423.894.1188 roneregencyjewelers.com

contents

January 2012

82

31

56 22 44

DECEMBER 2011

22 | beauty: PICTURE PERFECT YOU

• YOUR LIFESTYLE FOR YOU • YOUR HOME

We’ve pulled together a few great products that you cannot go without on your special day.

• YOUR LIFESTYLE FOR YOU • YOUR HOME

31 | special: the WEDDING ISSUE FASHion:

weddings

At Home met with five Tennessee couples who shared their special day with us.

Beauty:

Warm & Stylish Sweaters

PICTURE PERFECT SKIN/ TIALS WEDDING DAY ESSEN

ATHOMETN.COM

Community:

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge

& Sevierville

ON THE COVER

Interior designer Cheryl Lee Smith puts a lot of color into this beautifully designed midtown Memphis home.

See page 56 Photography by MIKE BOATMAN

44 | community: GATLINBURG, PIGEON FORGE AND SEVIERVILLE

56 | home feature: LIVING IN COLOR

TEXT BY CARA SieVERS

Designer Cheryl Lee Smith turns one homeowner’s eclectic art collection and love for lush color into a vivid and vibrant habitat of many hues.

82 | entertaining:

6 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Nestled in the picturesque Smoky Mountains, three East Tennessee towns offer something for everyone.

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS TEXT BY MICHELLE HOPE

Skilled event planners made sure a Memphis couple had the wedding of their dreams, complete with unique personalized touches.

contents

January 2012 20 | fashion WARM & STYLISH SWEATERS

Stay warm and in style with these trendy knits.

26 | health NEW YEAR—NEW YOU

48 86

text by JONNA DANIS and Stephenie Ward

Two experts give At Home nutrition and fitness tips to get healthy this year.

48 | travel ST. MARTIN—A TOUCH OF FRANCE IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN

Europe meets Caribbean in this lush island paradise.

54 | at home with MICHAEL BATY

The co-owner of Germantown’s Chestnut Hall talks shop this month.

64 | design OLD WORLD OR NEW AGE

74 | garden COLD WEATHER CLEAN-UP

text BY BONNIE GROSSHANS

A downtown Memphis restaurant expands a long-standing concept in wine service to wow both locals and out-of-towners.

88 | cooking THE JOLTS OF JANUARY

20

text BY Jane Gaither

The holidays and eating rich food are over—time to start eating healthier.

90 | finance BANKING ON VALUE

TEXT BY Andrew Pulte

You’ll be a step ahead come spring with these winter clean-up pointers.

86 | cuisine flight

text BY KRISTEN WADDELL

A Tennessee expert shares with At Home how to design a wine room to match your home’s unique character.

text BY JIM SCHMITZ

The new economic climate begs both financial institutions and consumers to examine the value of the bank account.

94 | see & do 30a songwriters festival

Three days at the beach and performances by outstanding artists beckon music lovers to the beaches of South Walton this month.

98 | books BRIDAL INSPIRATIONS

text BY Shana Raley-Lusk

Inspirations abound in these two books full of helpful information for a bride in need of creative direction.

In Every Issue 12 | Publisher’s Note 14 | contributors 68 | style marketplace 76 | by invitation—the social pages 92 | Happenings 97 | Sources 8 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

January 2012 • Vol. 10 No. 10 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Margaret Monger | mmonger@athometn.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Donna Hopgood | dhopgood@athometn.com

EDITORIAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Melissa Bishop | mbishop@athometn.com

COPY EDITOR TerrI Glazer

SOCIETY EDITOR

Lesley Colvett | lcolvett@athometn.com

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Jeremy Crowe, Jane Gaither, BONNIE GROSSHANS, MICHELLE HOPE, BILL KOFOED, Shana Raley-Lusk, JAIME NEWSOME, Andrew Pulte, CARA SIEVERS, KRISTEN MYERS WADDELL, KARIN WOODWARD

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS jay adkins, MIke boatman, Annabella CHARLES, DEDE EDWARDS, BEN FINCH, PAIGE PEYTON, HEATHER SIZEMORE, John Terry, ELIZABETH WIGGS

IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT Charles Reynolds | cr@colorretouching.com

ADVERTISING REGIONAL SALES

Melissa Hosp | mhosp@athometn.com

REGIONAL DIRECTOR–MIDDLE TENNESSEE Stacy Sullivan-Karrels | ssullivankarrels@athometn.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Virginia Davis | vdavis@athometn.com DEEDEE FOWLER | dfowler@athometn.com Hilary Frankel | hfrankel@athometn.com

BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Trip Monger | tmonger@athometn.com

HOW TO REACH US 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200 | Cordova, TN 38018 TOLL FREE 877.684.4155 | FAX 866.354.4886 WEBSITE: athometn.com BEAUTY INQUIRIES: beauty@athometn.com WEBSITE INQUIRIES: web@athometn.com At Home Tennessee does not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Managing Editor, At Home Tennessee: 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 877.684.4155 or subscribe online at athometn.com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Tennessee is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Tennessee, 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Donna Hopgood; At Home Tennessee, 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018 or by e-mail to dhopgood@athometn.com.

10 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

publisher’s note

Happy NewYear 1954 Brooks Bend • Collierville • $419,900

5346 Wildbrook Cv • East Memphis • $499,000

3151 Devonshire Way • Germantown • $789,000

7358 McVay Rd • Germantown • $860,000

(901) 754-4358, (901) 756-8900

www.judymac.com judy@judymac.com

12 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

O

ur January issue not only marks the beginning of a new year, it also celebrates the beginning of a lifetime together for several couples whose weddings we are highlighting. For my husband and me this new year will be special, as we celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary on January 3rd. While reading over the six newlyweds’ stories, I couldn’t help but wonder what the next 25 years will bring them and how the way they celebrate the new year will change over the years.

The first few years of marriage, New Year’s is most likely spent dressed up, not going out until 10 p.m., celebrating with a large crowd and home around 3 or 4 a.m. That continues until you have kids and finally talk a grandparent into keeping them for the entire night, which takes some persuading. Then you realize you don’t have a child to get up with all through the night and wonder if you should just stay home and sleep. Somehow you get talked into going out, only to remember the next morning why you don’t do that anymore.

As the children get older, the adults start to gather at one home. With children in pj’s the grown-ups cook out and bribe the little ones with Happy Meals. The years pass and those once happy-with-a-Happy-Meal little ones become teenagers who have big plans of their own for bringing in the new year. They talk you into letting them have “a few” people over.

Word gets out, feelings get hurt and 10 teenagers turns into 25, but that is fine because at least they are in your house and not out driving around somewhere. That is, until a few years later, when your New Year’s Eve is spent praying that God returns them home to you safely after watching them back out of the driveway with your heart in your throat.

Yes, New Year’s celebrations have changed quite a bit over the past 25 years but with the family, friends and children with whom we are blessed, they have always been special.

Whether we were all dressed up for a night on the town or at home in our jeans and fleeces, celebrating with a few close friends and trying to decide whose turn it was to pick up the Happy Meals, it was always good. My New Year’s wish is simple. I pray that these next 25 years will be just as wonderful as the last have been. Happy Anniversary, Trip, and Happy New Year to you all.

January Sale

huge selection of diamond engagement rings • rare estate pieces Stop in & “expect to be impressed” with our large inventory of unique and stunning jewelry Jewelry appraisals while you wait with appointment. Buying diamonds, swiss watches, gold and silver.

FaBulouS DeSignerS: Simon g • ruDolF FrieDmann • Demarco • FreDeric Sage • Tycoon

9837 poplar ave. | germantown, tn 38138 | 901.758.8605 | www.dorismclendon.com

contributors LESLEY COLVETT

attends some of the most fabulous parties throughout the state as social editor for At Home Tennessee magazine. Colvett’s 10-year career in magazines began promptly after she graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism with her first job as editor of Memphis’ RSVP magazine. If you would like At Home Tennessee to attend your upcoming event contact Lesley at lcolvett@athometn.com.

Jonna Danis

is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council of Exercise (ACE), specializing in weight loss and running training programs. With nearly a decade in the fitness industry, Jonna is an avid runner herself and mother of three boys. Jonna is a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer at the Germantown Athletic Club. See “New Year —New You” on page 26 for tips on healthy changes for the long haul.

Bonnie Grosshans

PHOTO BY ED RODE

JANE GAITHER

is as entertaining as the dishes she prepares. Columnist, kitchen guru and quite possibly the next Food Network Star, Gaither shares insightful columns and inventive recipes each month to bring us one step closer to mastering the Julia Child in all of us.

Check out “The Jolts of January” on page 88 to see what our kitchen connoisseur has cooked up this month.

explores one of downtown Memphis’ upscale restaurants in this month’s “Cuisine” on page 86. As a regular contributor to At Home Tennessee, Grosshans covers tantalizing cuisine and dining hot spots throughout the state. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Memphis. Her writing career began at The Commercial Appeal and she gained more experience working for VIP Memphis Magazine. Grosshans is also a PR consultant for the Memphis Botanic Gardens.

SHANA RALEY-LUSK

is a freelance writer and regular contributor for At Home Tennessee magazine. Lusk is a lifelong reader who has a diverse background and education in fine arts, interior design and literature. Shana writes “Bridal Inspirations” on page 98.

14 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

To Benefit the Education and Outreach Programs of The Jackson Symphony Honoring The Jackson Symphony’s 2012 Senior Symphony Ambassadors

Saturday, January 28, 2012 6:00 pm to Midnight Carl Perkins Civic Center Music by Magi Catering by Gourmet your Way DĂŠcor by J. Kent Freeman Floral Design & Gift Co. Champagne Reception by Mary Lynn Sparks and Friends $125 per person Black Tie Optional Cash Bar

Sponsors Dr. Dennis and Debbie Read, Gold First South Bank , Silver

Champagne Reception Sponsor ING Financial Partners, Steve Little and Brad Little Media Sponsors Forever Communication VIP Magazine

contributors MICHELLE HOPE, JAIME NEWSOM & KARIN WOODWARD

show off their creative skills in this month’s entertaining feature “Details, Details, Details” on page 82. Hope and Newsom are the owners and lead designers of Social Butterflies, LLC, and have a combined 19 years of experience in the wedding and special events industry. They have planned numerous notable events including celebrity weddings and Super Sweet 16’s for the hit show on MTV. Woodward works closely with Hope and Newsom through her floral design business, Haute Horticulture, and has been featured in various magazines and national wedding blogs.

ANDREW PULTE

is a gardening expert and internationally certified arborist who teaches at the University of Tennessee, contributes to several gardening publications and hosts a radio show, “Garden Talk.” Originally from Nebraska, Pulte now gardens and resides in Knoxville with his wife Beccy and son Theo. For this month’s issue of At Home Tennessee, Pulte shares tips for maintaining your winter garden on page 74.

CARA SIEVERS

is a regular contributor to At Home Tennessee magazine where she specializes in, among other topics, home design. This month, Sievers covers “Living In Color” on page 56. Cara earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree from Auburn University (both in communications), then pursued a career in trade journalism. Following several years as a magazine writer and editor, Seviers returned to corporate communications. Sievers is a member of the Junior League of Memphis and Give365.

STEPHENIE WARD

is a registered dietitian who partners with clients of various medical and fitness backgrounds at Germantown Athletic Club. Her clinical experience includes pediatrics, cardiovascular disease, lifecycle changes, diabetes, obesity, eating disorders, osteoporosis and athletes desiring improved athletic performance. See “New Year —New You” on page 26 where she teams up with Jonna Danis on the topic of healthy New Year’s resolutions.

KRISTEN MYERS WADDELL

writes “Old World or New Age ” on page 64 where she talks with Lou Kerns of Kerns-Wilcheck about how to design a wine cellar/room to match your home’s unique character. Previously a contributor, Waddell is rejoining At Home Tennessee writing features for home, art and design.

She is a member of the MidSouth chapter of Public Relations Society of America, MPACT Memphis and the Arts Memphis BRAVO Memphis program.

16 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Visit Viking Cooking School today and create the perfect kitchen registry. Featuring a premium selection of cookware, electrics and gourmet kitchen tools.

Looking for the perfect place for your bridal event? From bridal showers and bachelorette parties to bridesmaids’ luncheons – let the culinary experts at Viking Cooking School design an event to meet your needs.

VIKINGCOOKINGSCHOOL.COM FOLLOW US: 1215 Ridgeway Road, Park Place Centre | Memphis | 901.763.3747

January 2012 • athometn.com | 17

R u s s e l l H . P A T T e R s o n , I I I , M . D . , F. A . C . s . / T H e W e s T C l I n I C

Expert hands. Compassionate Care.

A 30-year veteran in the fight against cancer, Dr. Russell Patterson was one of the first breast surgeons to perform lumpectomies and the first in our area to offer less invasive lymph node biopsies. Respected by peers and beloved by patients, Dr. Patterson is an invaluable member of The West Clinic Comprehensive Breast Center. The Center is the first of its kind regionally offering state-of-the-art screening, surgery and advanced treatments. Dr. Patterson’s commitment to providing excellent care is surpassed only by his compassion for each and every patient he treats.

901.683.0055 | www.westclinic.com

fashion

Warm & Stylish Sweaters Stay warm and in style with these trendy knits

1

2

3

5

6

7

20 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

4

Before your Wedding Day, Escape for a Girlfriend’s Getaway!

Grab a friend and escape for two nights to the Mississippi Delta.

A cosmopolitan boutique hotel deep in the Delta 318 Howard Street Greenwood, Mississippi 866.600.5201 thealluvian.com

8

On the Historic Oxford Square 662.281.1111 265 N. Lamar OxfOrd, mS

1) Blush Kimono Sweater, $228, www. anthropologie. com 2) Grey Meyer Sweater, $248, Mam’Selle 731.668.2420 • Jackson 3) Alpharetz Sweater, $178, www.anthropologie.com 4) Purple Cartise, $159, Seriously Fun 901.754.0018 • Germantown 5) The Dita Sweater, $178, Mam’Selle 731.668.2420 • Jackson 6) Taupe Cartise, $175, Seriously Fun 901.754.0018 • Germantown 7) Sunset and Smoke Cardi, $198, www. anthropologie.com 8) Tommy Hilfiger Sweater, $89.50, www.macys.com

HigH POinT COffEE

THE COURTHOUSE

Pink & PROPER

January 2012 • athometn.com | 21

beauty

Pictureperfect You wedding day essentials every bride needs NP Set Brightening Pre-Foundation Primer, $29, www.target.com

Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator, $58 www.macys.com

June Jacobs Radiant Brightening Masque, $62, www.junejacobs.com YBF Brighten Hide & Sculpt Concealer, $28.50 www.ybfstacey.com

Purity One-Step Facial Cleanser by Philosophy, 16.8 fl. oz., $32 www.philosophy.com

Bare Minerals Prime Time Foundation Primer, $22; Original SPF 15 Foundation, $26 www.bareescentuals.com

Pixi Line Relax Serum, $32 www.pixibeauty.com

Miss Oops Headshot, $30 www.missoops.com

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer, $42; Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder, $59; Powder Brush #1, $48 www.smashbox.com

Umberto Beverly Hills Shimmer Shine Spray, $9 www.target.com

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Flawless Wear Concealer SPF 10, $22; Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup for Face and Body SPF 15, $32 www.esteelauder.com Estee Lauder Pure Color Eye Shadow Palette in Enchanted Berries, $45, www.macys.com

22 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Evolv Sunless Tanning Spray, $39 Tan-N-Go, Memphis, TN

Bare Minerals Ready Eye Shadow 4.0 in “The Afterparty,” $30; Flawless Definition Mascara in black, $18, www.barescentuals.com

Essie Nail Polish in “Brooch The Subject” and “Bangle Jangle,” $8 each, www.essie.com

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Thing, T-Zone Pore Tightening Memory Gel, $45 www.sephora.com

Ready

Set

Own

Finance Your Dream Home Today!

With the help of a home loan from First State, you can own your dream house. For more than 120 years, we have been financing dream homes of every shape and size. Stop in today! We offer many different options for financing a home and one of them will be the perfect home loan for you. Visit us online to find the First State office nearest you or apply online.

With offices throughout Tennessee, we look forward to serving you!

www.first-state.net Rembrandt 2-hour Whitening Kit, $23 rembrandtboutique.com

January 2012 • athometn.com | 23

It’s all in the details...

DESIGNER

CHERYL LEE SMITH INTERIORS

W W W. Q U A L I T E I N T E R I O R S . C O M

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MEMPHIS

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901.327.4942

Save the Date February 5, 2012

Pickwick Bridal Show

January 2012 • athometn.com | 25

health

NEW YEAR—NEW YOU Happy New Year! January is here again and it’s a wonderful time to take inventory and make decisions about what you will do in the coming months. Millions of people decide every January that this will be the year that they pursue better diet and fitness, only to fall off the wagon a few short weeks later. How can you be sure that your resolution sticks in 2012?

The first step is to make a commitment. Once you have decided becoming healthy is truly important to you, it becomes a high-priority item. Here are a few tips from experts in fitness and nutrition that will help you develop a “no excuses” attitude about your personal goals for the new year.

Fitness Change your mindset and do not obsess over weight loss. Instead, concentrate on getting fit.

Fitness is a way of life, not merely a number on a scale. Change your lifestyle and your body will respond.

26 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Do not go on a diet. You cannot live your life on a “diet.” DO make nutritious choices.

What are you fueling your body with? Is the food you eat natural and packed with nutrients, or is it processed and loaded with chemicals? Be aware, read labels, eat smart and know approximately how many calories you really need. This, you can live with.

List the reasons exercise is important to you. It strengthens your heart, hardens your bones, decreases your stress, elevates your mood and increases your energy level.

Concentrate on these things. While pounds may come off slowly, you will notice the change in energy and mood quickly. Focus on how you feel.

Make it fun! Choose an activity that you like – bike riding, hiking, swimming. If you belong to a gym try classes like Zumba, boot camp or indoor cycling. Once you find something you enjoy, it’s not a chore.

Block out time to exercise. If you include workout time on your calendar, exercise will

text by JONNA DANIS and Stephenie Ward

become another appointment in your day and you will do it. Remember: it’s important to you.

Find an exercise buddy. Is there someone reliable and positive with whom you can share this journey? Having a partner to motivate you will be helpful if you begin to waver. Be their motivator as well.

Hire a certified, experienced personal trainer, especially if you don’t know where to begin, have any health or framework issues, or simply need the accountability. A trainer will help you get started, keep you motivated, and deliver a balanced, safe and effective workout program that meets your individual needs. It’s well worth the investment!

Nutrition To start the new year with healthy eating habits, keep your goals realistic to avoid disappointment and increase your chance of succeeding.

80/20 approach. If you go overboard making changes in your diet, you can set yourself up for failure for a variety of reasons.

It really is not necessary – you can enjoy all foods and still stay on a healthy eating plan.

Being too strict can also lead to unnecessary guilt and cravings for larger portions. Pay attention to how often you select higher calorie and higher fat items. Eat healthy 80 percent of the time to leave leeway for the remaining 20 percent.

Pay attention to portions. For most meals, try to fill half of your plate with vegetables, one-fourth with lean meat and one-fourth with whole grains. Incorporate low-fat dairy and fruit into your meals, too.

Follow the 100-to-150-calorie snack rule. Snacks should include at least two food groups. Pre-measure the correct serving size into bags to prevent overeating.

• 150 calories: Half a cup of canned peaches in light syrup. Half a cup of low-fat cottage cheese • 106 calories: One cup of baby carrots with two tablespoons of hummus • Other snacks to consider: whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, half an ounce of nuts Eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to realize your body is getting food.

Enjoy each meal by keeping distractions to a minimum. Don’t engage in activities such as watching television, working on the computer or talking on the phone. You will eat more than you realize if you eat while distracted.

Floral needs Gifts

Home Accessories Bridal Registry and more!

1103 Jefferson Avenue • Oxford, Mississippi (662) 234-2515 • oxfordoral.com

Leave food on your plate. Being a member of the “clean plate club” does not offer any benefits. Stop eating when you are full, and box up leftovers.

Avoid highly processed foods. Choose whole foods. When looking at ingredient lists, avoid products with ingredients you can’t pronounce. Stick with what you know – whole grains, fresh veggies, fruits and dairy products.

Eat healthy. Choose grilled over fried. Have high-calorie condiments on the side. Forgo fat-laden dressings and make healthier choices, like oil and vinegar. Visit www.mypyramid. gov for general nutrition guidelines and meet with a registered dietitian for a customized nutrition plan for the new year.

Follow these tips and those New Year’s resolutions will be a breeze. You’ll be seeing a healthier, stronger, more energetic you before you know it. Happy 2012!

January 2012 • athometn.com | 27

APRIL 13 -15, 2012

Tours of Antebellum Homes Historic Churches Guided Cemetery Tours One-of-a-kind Arts & Crafts Hoop Skirt 5K and so much more just 45 minutes from Memphis!

For more information: 888-687-4765 www.visithollysprings.com

Margaret Metz, Family Cancer Center Patient Since she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in 2006, Margaret has Ridden a camel in Morocco, Bicycled through tulip fields in Holland,

Gone ballooning in France, Shopped for antique kimonos in Japan, Hiked on Roman roads in Tunisia.

what’s your story? www.familycancercenter.com 901.747.9081

It’s not what we treat, it’s who.

Beautiful Wedding Gowns for Every Style Thousands of Gowns in Sizes 2-32 Special Plus Size Boutique Area Personal Consultant for Each Bride

Semi- Annual 1/2 Price Sale December 26, 2011 until January 28, 2012 July 7, 2012 until August 4, 2012

870.734.3244

www.lowsbridal.com

WEDDINGS January 2012 • athometn.com | 31

weddings

Nicholl Diaz and Kyle Vincent April 15, 2011 | memphis, tn

32| At Home Tennessee • Special Feature

weddings

Eye-catching pops of red and black added a sense of big city flair to the downtown Memphis event, from a sash on Nicholl’s Vera Wang bridal gown to her attendants’ dresses and crimson shoes to the wedding cake created by Kay Bakery.

Photographer Paige Peyton’s unique style illustrated both the people and the emotion of the wedding with traditional as well as contemporary, casual shots.

With a Little Help from Our Friends How They Met: Nicholl and Kyle have a friend to thank for helping their relationship get started. The couple initially met at a concert at The Life Church of Memphis. Their mutual friend realized that Kyle was too shy to ask for Nicholl’s phone number, so she made sure the two were both included in group plans to go out to eat. Knowing that Nicholl had a crush on Kyle, the friend later went the extra mile and contacted him to give him the nudge he needed to call Nicholl and eventually ask her out.

The Proposal: “Best surprise ever!” says Nicholl of the day her husband-to-be popped the question. Again with help from one of Nicholl’s friends, Kyle set up a surprise visit to Los Angeles, where Nicholl was living at the time. The would-be groom and his accomplice even arranged it so that the unsuspecting Nicholl would be at the Griffith Observatory (the spot where he had first said “I love you” to

her) at the appointed time. A stranger pressed into service by Kyle handed Nicholl a rose and a note that instructed her to turn around.

When she did Kyle was there on one knee.

The Dress: The bride had very definite ideas about her gown for quite some time before the wedding. “I always knew I wanted the dress Kate Hudson wore in Bride Wars,” Nicholl says. Luckily the must-have gown was part of Vera Wang’s bridal line. When Nicholl found the strapless, drop-waist ball gown with Lyon and Chantilly lace, an appliquéd keyhole bodice and a layered tulle skirt, she had to have it.

The Big Day: Nicholl describes their wedding day as “enchanted.” She arrived at Memphis’ Balinese Ballroom, the site of both the ceremony and the reception, in a white carriage and after a perfect evening the couple departed in the same way. The bride and groom loved

the urban loft feel of the Balinese Ballroom with its tall windows facing the Mississippi River and the city’s iconic Pyramid.

Bakery Kay Bakery 667 Avon Rd. Memphis, TN 38122 901.767.0780 Venue Balinese Ballroom 330 N. Main St. Memphis, TN 901.522.1144 Photography Paige Peyton Photography 901.337.6790 paigepayton.com Dress Vera Wang January 2012 • athometn.com | 33

weddings

Jamie Hennessee and

Michael Mayfield Sept. 10, 2011 | athens, tn

34| At Home Tennessee • Special Feature

weddings

Golden sunlight bathes the scene as the bride and groom pause for pictures after the ceremony under the canopy of a massive tree on Mayfield Farm.

Homespun, personal touches were everywhere. Sunflowers used in bridesmaids’ bouquets fashioned by the Mayfield family and friends and at the reception were grown on the farm, as were the berries used to make jam for the wedding favors.

Home-Grown Romance How They Met: Jamie’s best friend had wanted her to meet Michael for quite some time, but Jamie had declined, that is until she attended a birthday party for a mutual friend and finally ended up in the same place at the same time as her future spouse. Little did they know that night would change their lives forever.

The Proposal: She was completely shocked when Michael took her out to the strawberry field at Mayfield Farm and Nursery, part of his family’s business, Mayfield Dairy in Athens, and he knelt to ask for Jamie’s hand in marriage. Before he could get a word out she tackled him with an enthusiastic “yes!”

Michael had more surprises up his sleeve, though. After the couple shared champagne and strawberries in the field, he took his new fiancée to a special spot on the farm, a huge oak tree. It was identical to the location Jamie had imagined months earlier; she had pictured the two of them saying their vows beneath a big tree in a field. Following the ceremony the wedding party gathered under the same tree for champagne and photos.

Where They Wed: Jamie and Michael were married in the vintage-1932 Barn #2 at Mayfield Dairy. In 1999 Scottie and Lisa Mayfield, Michael’s parents, built a new home on the farm and renovated the barn. Its image has since become the symbol of the dairy, an East Tennessee fixture for over 100 years. No longer home to milk cows, the barn now hosts events for family and friends.

The Big Day: Every aspect of the wedding had a decidedly personal flair for the couple.

Lisa Mayfield fashioned Jamie’s bridal bouquet from a variety of flowers including sunflowers grown by Michael at Mayfield Farm. Friends and family members joined in the floral fun, making the bouquets and boutonnieres for the rest of the wedding party during a luncheon just prior to the big event. The food at the reception included dishes made from family recipes and, of course, Mayfield ice cream was on the dessert menu! Guests even took home favors of blackberry and strawberry jam made from fruit grown on Mayfield Farm.

Caterer Restaurant Concepts Athens, TN 423.507.5980 Photography Ben Finch Photography 1111 Guille St. Athens, TN 37303 901.569.8031 www.benfinchphotography.com Videography Life Productions Shane Zerangue, Owner Tim Banks, Videographer 423.432.2471 www.lifeproductions.net Invitations and All Paper Products Shadowbox Paperie 46 E. Main St. Chattanooga, TN 37408 423.266.4877 Dress Sottero & Midgeley Haute Couture January 2012 • athometn.com | 35

January 2012 • athometn.com | 37

weddings

Rebekah Stevens and

Dayton O’Brien October 8, 2011

38| At Home Tennessee • January 2012

weddings

The stunning scenery of Alys Beach provided an exquisite setting for an October wedding.

A lighter moment occurred when the bride and groom unknowingly sawed into and fed each other bites of the Styrofoam base layer as they paused for the traditional cake cutting.

Gul f Coa st Beach Bl is s

How They Met: Rebekah and Dayton first met in high school through mutual friends, although it wasn’t until Rebekah returned home from Auburn University that they started hanging out. After building a friendship and eight months of dating the two were married on October 8, 2011.

The Proposal: Dayton asked Rebekah to be his wife while visiting her and her family the day after Christmas in Alys Beach, Florida.

After exchanging a few Christmas presents Dayton gave Rebekah clues to find her big gift. Assuming the surprise was a necklace she had wanted, Rebekah followed Dayton’s hints down to the beach. As suspected, Dayton presented her with the necklace and after many hugs and kisses of thanks unexpectedly dropped to one knee and proposed.

The Ceremony: The couple exchanged vows on the beach in front of her parents’ home in Alys Beach and at the exact spot where Dayton

proposed. “My favorite part was when I came off the boardwalk and saw Dayton for the first time,” says Rebekah. “He had the biggest smile on his face and it immediately put me at ease.

We didn’t stop smiling the entire time.”

What She Wore: Rebekah wore a dress by Allure which was picked out by her motherin-law and purchased at Low’s Bridal Shop in Brinkley, Arkansas. Following the tradition of “something new and something borrowed,” the bride wore a princess-style headpiece and wrapped a vintage handkerchief from her grandmother around the stem of her bouquet.

The Reception: The couple said “I do” surrounded by their closest friends and family.

A reception at the Bay Point Wyndham in Panama City, Florida, followed the ceremony.

“When it was time to cut the cake, no one told us what to do,” says Rebekah. “I just assumed you start at the bottom layer. The cake seemed really dry but we proceeded to feed each other

the little piece we were able to cut off. Turns out, the bottom layer was a fake layer used for support and we actually had eaten a small piece of styrofoam. After everyone had a good laugh, we cut the next layer and had our first bite of the real cake.”

Dress:

by Allure Low’s Bridal Shop Brinkley, Arkansas 870.734.3244 www.lowsbridal.com Venue: Windham Bay Point Resort Panama City, FL 850.236.6000 Flowers: Botaniq Floral Studio Santa Rosa Beach, FL 850.368.7471 January 2012 • athometn.com | 39

weddings

Katie Moynihan and Will Tashie April 23, 2011

40| At Home Tennessee • January 2012

weddings

A super-sized wedding party and a guest list of 800 witnessed Katie and Will’s traditional ceremony at Memphis’ First Evangelical Church.

The bride’s “something borrowed” was an heirloom garter with family initials and wedding dates embroidered inside.

Young Love Lasts How They Met: Young love blossomed for this Memphis couple. Katie and Will met in study hall at Evangelical Christian School when she was 16. Will has never lived down the fact that he didn’t actually “pick up” Katie for their first date, since he was only 15 at the time and not yet driving. They dated for three years in high school, and although they broke up when Katie left for college in California, the two remained close friends. After college Katie returned to Memphis and Will wasted no time. “It only took Will one week before he asked me out on what would be our first official date since high school…and the rest is history,” says Katie.

gown. The day after she became engaged the bride-to-be visited All About Weddings in Germantown with her mother and sister. She tried on about 20 dresses and narrowed the choices down to four top picks. The following weekend she returned to the store; this time her future mother-in-law and sisters-in-law joined the group. She tried on the first three of her favorite dresses to favorable reviews, but when she came out in the fourth one, everyone knew it was “the one.” Katie says, “People always talk about that special feeling you get when you find ‘the’ dress, and I thought that was a bit of a cliché…until I experienced it for myself!”

The Proposal: The evening started out like a typical date night, with Will picking Katie up for dinner and a movie. Will quickly invented an excuse to stop by his parents’ house, though, and big surprises awaited Katie there. The patio was adorned with white lights, flowers, candles and a table for two. The couple enjoyed Katie’s favorite meal, served to them by Will’s younger brother, who was even decked out in waiter’s attire. As dinner concluded Will presented Katie with a gift. When she opened the box and saw a Bible with “Katie Tashie” inscribed in the cover, Katie got chills. As his older brother stepped in to videotape the event, Will kneeled to propose.

The Ceremony: Though Katie and Will opted for a traditional wedding with a guest list of about 800 at Memphis’ First Evangelical Church, the ceremony was not without some lighter moments. Will and his brothers and cousins have been responsible for pranks at each other’s nuptials and this one was no exception. When the bride and groom rose after kneeling for prayer they wondered why the congregation was laughing. It wasn’t until his father, the best man, began to brush something white off the knees of Will’s pants that they realized the groomsmen had doused the kneeler with baby powder.

Everyone laughed it off, says Katie, “but it did make for some unforgettable pictures!”

The Dress: Katie had a quintessential Say Yes to the Dress experience when choosing her wedding

Traditions: A big fan of the “something old,

something new…” tradition, the bride borrowed her mother’s wedding garter. Hand stitched into the garter by her maternal grandmother were the initials and wedding date of Katie’s parents along with those of Katie and Will. “It is a special keepsake I hope to pass on to my daughters one day,” Katie shares. For something blue, Katie was honored to wear a pair of sapphire earrings worn

by Will’s grandmother and many other women in his family on their wedding days.

Reception and Catering Woodland Hills Event Center 10000 Woodland Hills Drive Cordova, TN 38018 901.754.2000 Photography Elizabeth Wiggs Photography Elizabethwiggsphotography.com Cake Cakes by Mom and Me 501 Missouri St. West Memphis, AR 72301 870.735.4646 Cakesbymomandme.com Dress All About Weddings 1992 Exeter Rd. Germantown, TN 38138 901.755.1358

January 2012 • athometn.com |41

weddings

Brittney Piper and Austin Thomas June 26, 2010

42 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

weddings

From the preparations to the ceremony in a quaint Franklin chapel to the pavilion reception that culminated with a fireworks display which, incidentally, came as a complete surprise to the groom, Brittney and Austin’s summer wedding was a day to remember.

The bride made sure her groom’s preferences were taken into consideration in the wedding design. His favorite color, orange, appeared in the flowers and throughout the event’s color palette.

Fireworks in Franklin How They Met: Austin and Brittney attended the same college and had a class together, but it wasn’t until the next year that they officially “met” through a mutual friend.

The Proposal: Austin’s baby nephew played a big part in the proposal, which took place on Valentine’s Day while the two were babysitting.

Brittney was thrilled when Austin gave her flowers and chocolates as a Valentine gift, and she thought nothing of it when Austin’s mother brought her the baby and asked her to feed him. The big surprise came when she noticed the baby was holding a teddy bear with Austin’s grandmother’s ring tied to it.

The Big Day: Brittney and Austin were married in a quaint chapel in downtown Franklin, Austin’s hometown. “I wanted

everything we did to be a true reflection of who we are as a couple,” says Brittney. She achieved that goal through small, personal touches like using orange, the groom’s favorite color, as an accent throughout the event. The couple and their guests gathered after the ceremony for an outdoor reception in a pavilion at Austin’s parents’ home. “The day couldn’t have gone much better!” says Brittney, adding that the highlight of the evening was a fireworks show – a surprise gift from her new father-in-law.

Dress:

by Val Stefani Flowers: Whimsical Gatherings Nashville, TN 865.256.0701 www.whimsicalgatherings.com Venue: Parish Presbyterian Church Franklin, TN

Photographer Heather Sizemore, Waldorf Photographic Art 11235 West Point Dr. Knoxville, TN 37934 865.567.5755 waldorfphotographicart.com January 2012 • athometn.com |43

community

GATLINBURG IN OCTOBER

SHOPPING OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS

CHRISTMAS AT THE VILLAGE

FAMIILES ENJOY THE SCENERY

GATLINBURG TEXT by JIM DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE GATLINBURG DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

Gatlinburg is a quaint, mountain getaway nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. The primary gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the town presents visitors a wide range of options for family trips, romantic getaways or outdoor adventures.

Gatlinburg is home to one of the country’s most naturally beautiful settings, and from the rustic to the luxurious, the city offers a wide range of lodging choices to experience it all.

Rent a cabin in the mountains, congregate at a chalet with a large group or an intimate party of two, or stay at an amenity-packed hotel near the downtown Parkway — there are plenty of accommodations to fit any vacation style.

There is no shortage of fun in Gatlinburg!

Have an undersea adventure at the world-class Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, discover the interesting, odd and unusual at the many museums, or journey to new vantage points via the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway or the Gatlinburg Sky Lift. There are larger-than44 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

life thrills and surprises everywhere you turn.

of pleasure, Gatlinburg will satisfy your palate.

Entertainment in this mountain resort is anything but run-of-the-mill. Get your picture taken with an iconic car from your favorite movie, marvel at the most bizarre oddities, or navigate your way out of a tight squeeze in a mirror maze. No visit to Gatlinburg would be complete without a little outdoor fun.

From miniature golf to ziplines, hiking to biking, whitewater rafting to snowboarding, or even horseback riding, there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to be amazed, impressed, challenged, thrilled, shaken or scared, there’s an attraction awaiting you in Gatlinburg.

And then there’s the shopping...Gatlinburg’s over 400 unique specialty stores are the perfect place to shop til you drop, but you won’t have to look far to find a personalized keepsake, collectible or unique treasure. Most stores and galleries are within easy walking distance, so shopping is leisurely and stressfree. Stroll along the brick paths as you explore The Village, find something fabulous at The Maples’ Tree or Jim Gray Gallery, or cruise along the eight-mile loop and visit some of the 100-plus shops in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, where the creative spirit of the early mountain settlers has been passed down through generations.

After you’ve worked up a mountain-sized appetite absorbing all the action you’ll be sure to find something to satisfy your hunger. The town’s dining options are practically endless and run the gamut from seafood to Southern cuisine, pancake houses to steakhouses, and everything in between. Whether you're craving fine dining, a hearty meal or a stack

Get back to nature amid the most beautiful scenery in the Southeast, have a high-energy adventure exploring all the entertaining attractions, or try a little of both. Gatlinburg truly has it all.

community

PIGEON FORGE TEXT by DONETTE ENGEBRECHT PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE PIGEON FORGE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

Pigeon Forge, the Center of Fun in the Smokies, is home to year-round music, attractions, shopping and special events.

With a dozen theaters, there’s plenty of singing, dancing and entertainment for the whole family. A number of outstanding dinner theaters combine top-notch performances with mouth-watering meals.

When it comes to food, the options are endless in Pigeon Forge. From down-home Southern favorites to menus with an international flair, diners are certain to find the perfect meal to satisfy even the most discriminating appetite.

The Old Mill Restaurant has been a favorite dining spot among Pigeon Forge visitors for decades, and with its historic water wheel, the Old Mill remains one of the most picturesque locations in town.

From fully equipped campgrounds to cabins, condos and luxury hotels, the town offers a

variety of lodging options. It’s Yuletide all the time at Pigeon Forge’s unique Inn at Christmas Place. The 145-room hotel features Bavarian architecture accented by holiday decorations year round.

Variety describes the city’s shopping opportunities as well. With more than 300 outlet and specialty stores, and unparalleled shopping areas like Walden’s Landing, Pigeon Forge is a haven for savvy shoppers.

The beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains first brought sightseers to Pigeon Forge. Today, the city is filled with exciting destinations for the whole family. Go-carts and minigolf are long-time favorites, and more recent attractions including WonderWorks and the Titanic Museum have quickly become mustsee stops for the Pigeon Forge visitor. No visit to the area would be complete without spending time at Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country.

Pigeon Forge hosts a number of awardwinning special events each year. January’s Wilderness Wildlife Week pays tribute to the area’s Smoky Mountain heritage, and in February Saddle Up brings cowboy entertainment to town for a salute to the American West. March is the month for A Mountain Quiltfest, a celebration of a true American art form.

The city marks America’s birthday in July with Patriot Festival and kicks off Winterfest each November with five million lights illuminating the Center of Fun in the Smokies.

For more information about all there is to see and do in Pigeon Forge, visit MyPigeonForge. com.

January 2012 • athometn.com |45

community

THE SMOKIES PLAY AT TENNESSEE SMOKIES PARK

DOLLY PARTON STATUE, SEVIER COUNTY COURTHOUSE

SEVIERVILLE TEXT BY AMANDA MARR PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SEVIERVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville is the latest of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountain cities to enter the tourism industry in a big way. Unique lodging options, unparalleled shopping, entertainment and attractions have transformed the once-sleepy town in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains into a bigtime vacation destination.

Major lodging properties like water park/ resort Wilderness at the Smokies with over 700 units situated around its indoor and outdoor water parks, have added plenty of splash to Sevierville’s already alluring location.

The resort plans to open a 30,000-squarefoot expansion called Adventure Forest in the spring which will feature a ropes course, black-light mini golf and more. For information or reservations go to www. wildernessatthesmokies.com. Find a complete 46 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

list of lodging options in Sevierville including hotels, cabin resorts, condos and more at www. visitsevierville.com/vswheretostay.aspx.

In a town that has become famous for shopping Sevierville’s Tanger Five Oaks Factory Outlet Center is the crown jewel.

The complex features more than 100 highend, name-brand outlets and draws shoppers from all over the country to purchase Coach purses, Juicy Couture velour, Lenox China and more at up to 40 percent off retail every day. Visit www.tangeroutlet.com/sevierville for a complete listing of stores.

Sevierville’s attractions are unconventional and amazing. The newest show in the area, Cirque de Chine, features China’s top acrobatic troupes showcasing feats of strength, balance and grace in a two-hour performance appropriate for all ages. Those who find history

more appealing will enjoy the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. This AAA GEM-rated attraction houses two of the remaining seven airworthy P-47 aircraft in the world as well as the Jimmy Doolittle Medal of Honor.

Sports fans enjoy watching the Smokies, a Minor League Baseball class AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, play at Tennessee Smokies Park (www.smokiesbaseball.com).

As Dolly’s hometown, Sevierville celebrates the legendary singer and all she has done for Sevier County residents. From providing jobs and improving health care to promoting literacy through her Imagination Library program, the superstar has gone above and beyond to give back to the area. A bronze statue of Dolly Parton on the Sevier County Courthouse lawn is a popular photo spot for many visitors. The lawn also serves as the

Put your personality in your plans.

Traditional or funky–we have a variety of venues for engagement parties, bridesmaid luncheons, rehearsal dinners, and wedding receptions. From the beautiful and historic to wide-open character, we have the settings to match whichever direction you choose.

Clarksdale, Mississippi • p 662.627.7337 or 800.626.3764 • visitclarksdale.com

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SHOPPERS AT SEVIERVILLE’S TANGER FIVE OAKS FACTORY OUTLET CENTER

location of the annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition which invites singers to belt out one of the 3,500+ songs written by Dolly in their own style. This entertaining contest takes place each May and prizes include cash and a recording session in Nashville. The deadline to enter the 2012 competition is April 6. Go to www.bloominbbq.com for details. Only a short five-minute drive from the courthouse lawn is Ms. Parton’s renowned theme park. Dollywood visitors rave about the award-winning rides, multiple live shows daily and traditional Appalachian arts, crafts and music.

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Call 888.SEVIERVILLE (738.4378) or go to www.VisitSevierville.com to learn more about the town and all it has to offer.

January 2012 • athometn.com | 47

travel

ST. MARTIN—

A touch of France in the Caribbean Text by Bill Kofoed

January weather in Tennessee can make a would-be traveler’s thoughts turn to tropical destinations.

If sun, sand, beautiful scenery and superb cuisine sound like a perfect respite from the winter blues, read on to learn more about a Caribbean island paradise.

48 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

S

t. Martin shares a 37-square-mile island in the eastern Caribbean with Dutch St. Maarten. The character of France remains strong in St. Martin, where trendy European-style boutiques with dutyfree shopping abound, along with lush, mountainous scenery and captivating resorts.

The heavy French influence means that as far as food is concerned, “very good” translates into a short life for a restaurant. It must be outstanding. The culinary center of the island is Grand Case Village, about a 15-minute drive from Marigot, the capital. Grand Case (a Creole word meaning “Big House” ) was a sleepy little place with the main road built in the days of horses, mules and carriages. As the cotton plantations, shrimping operations and salt ponds shut down, homeowners began to convert their houses into restaurants. Despite being completely renovated inside, the structures still retain their yesteryear exterior appearance.

January 2012 • athometn.com | 49

travel

50 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Today, Grand Case is a microcosm of world dining, with restaurants featuring American, Asian, Caribbean, Mexican, seafood and of course, French cuisine. They run the gamut from internationally known to lolos, small outdoor places where local ladies barbecue fresh lobsters, chicken, fish and spareribs.

Highly recommended restaurants include Ti Provencal, L’Auberge Gourmand, Spicy, Taste A Vin, Bistro Caraibes, L’Escapade, and the Fish Pot. The Grand Case Beach Club is a 71-unit oceanfront resort which has won countless awards for its service and hospitality. The resort’s Sunset Cafe, located only a stone’s throw from the water, is noted for its fine gourmet cuisine. Chef Alexandre and his wife Chantal make sure that there is something for everyone, however, with many value entrees on the daily menu.

Popular with Beach Club guests are the chaise lounges on the property’s boardwalk, which wraps around a hill overlooking the Caribbean and connects to the Sunset Cafe.

Visitors relax and watch the swimmers and boaters, usually while sipping a cocktail.

The oversize rooms, much larger than any standard hotel rooms on the island, are a big attraction. Because the resort was originally built as a condominium, every unit has a full kitchen and flat-screen satellite TV. The resort has completed nearly a $2 million upgrading program which has been well-received by guests. Visitors experience island hospitality from the moment they arrive at the Beach Club – Grand Case provides a bottle of either red or white wine upon check-in to each guest.

The resort is teeming with unique features such as the birdhouses which attract hummingbirds, bananaquits and other species. The extensive tropical landscaping features colorful bougainvilleas, flamboyants, silver tips, jasmine and palms. “The resort basically appeals to those who want to relax, enjoy the beach and the nearby fine restaurants,” says general manager Steve Wright. “The convenience of Dutchside casinos and shopping gives guests a pleasurable alternative when they want it.

Sometimes the newest shirt in the closet is not necessarily the most comfortable. We’re like that favorite shirt that makes you feel good.”

Rental cars are on premises for those who want to plan their own island-wide excursions.

Beach Club room rates include continental breakfast and use of all non-motorized water sports equipment. The resort also features a swimming pool, water sports and fitness centers and island boutique. Check the newly updated website, www.grandcasebeachclub. com, for more details and rates.

January 2012 • athometn.com | 51

travel

52 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Snorkeling sites abound on St. Martin and some, like Creole Rock, are only a short boat ride from the Grand Case Beach Club.

Others are accessed by sightseeing boats that transport guests for half-day and day cruises to Tintamarre Island, Pinel and Happy Bay Beach, where they can snorkel, relax on the beach and at Pinel, dine on fabulous seafood.

Princess Juliana Airport in Dutch St. Maarten is where most international visitors deplane. They then take a taxi to the French side resorts. With no border formalities, visitors and locals alike crisscross whenever they want with no documentation required.

English is spoken everywhere. Despite sharing the island, there are strong contrasts between the two sides which visitors enjoy.

French St. Martin is more laid back and upscale, especially the shops in Marigot. Its resorts tend to be smaller, with no building over three stories. The Dutch side has large resorts, high rises and the port at Philipsburg, where as many as 8,000 cruise passengers converge on busy days on Front, Back and Old streets to buy jewelry, perfume, clothing and souvenirs. To enjoy a pleasurable visit to Philipsburg, visitors should check with their hotel’s front desk to learn when the ships are not in port.

Plan to spend at least a week in St. Martin to really savor the island and beat those winter weather woes, but be sure that whatever the length of stay, it is certain to be a memorable one.

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January 2012 • athometn.com | 53

at home with

MICHAEL BATY TEXT BY KERRI GUYTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN TERRY

Michael Baty is the co-owner and general manager of Chestnut Hall Furniture and Interiors, a fine home furnishings and interior design store in Germantown, which he operates with his sister, Memphis interior designer Karen Baty Rice.

At Home Tennessee: What made you decide to go into the furniture and interior design business with your sister, Karen Baty Rice?

Michael Baty: Karen and I both share a passion for home furnishings and the idea of creating a store where we would have loved 54 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

to shop was really the motivating factor. We wanted our store to have an inspiring yet reassuring “feel” when you walked in the door.

I think we did that, or at least got pretty close.

Our customers tell us regularly how good the store makes them feel and that is what we wanted to achieve.

AHT: What would you say is the key to running a successful business with family?

MB: At the outset, probably the most essential ingredient in running a business with family – and perhaps non-family partners, as well – is to share the same values, morals and business

ethics. To become a mature business achieve the longevity associated with success, family members must share same vision for the business’ growth development.

and true the and

AHT: What do you think makes Chestnut Hall the store of choice for your customers?

MB: Honor and integrity have always been more important to us than any profit on a given transaction. I think a majority of our customers know that and as a result, have a great deal of confidence in the way we conduct our business affairs.

AHT: You recently returned from the furniture market in High Point, N.C. Tell us about what you saw and what we can expect to see in furniture trends in 2012.

MB: I am starting to see more traditional styles seep back into the marketplace, which is good for Mid-Southerners, as we are historically a pretty traditional demographic.

The significance of this trend, if it indeed takes hold, will be that more of the new offerings we will be seeing will blend with the pieces Mid-Southerners already have in their homes and love.

AHT: What is your favorite piece of furniture?

MB: I have a number of pieces that are my favorites, and as it turns out, they are all chairs. I see them somewhat like house shoes, in that you “wear” them around the house when you are doing certain things: a good reading chair, a good chair for morning coffee, a good fireside chair when it feels so good to be inside, a good desk chair for doing the work of your family or household. Chairs are very friendly in a home, and they seem to say “let’s sit for a spell and chat about the day or life or both.” To me, chairs create the mood for the room. I like masculine chairs.

I like mohair, leather and rich tapestries and plaids. I like chairs that are low slung like the seats in a 1930’s roadster, though wing chairs also have their place, as do carved chairs. I love wooden pull-up chairs, particularly antiques that are well worn. What the hands do to the arms of chairs over time really elicits a strong emotional response from me. They wear away the varnish and replace it with oil from the skin and I like that patina much better.

January 2012 • athometn.com | 55

feature

A unique Murano-style glass chandelier drips candy purple into a pool of color in this sensational Memphis villa.

feature

LIVING IN

Color TEXT BY CARA SIEVERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE BOATMAN

S

Designer Cheryl Lee Smith turns one homeowner’s eclectic art collection and love for lush color into a vivid and vibrant habitat of many hues.

tepping into this unique midtown Memphis home can be likened to a scene with which most of us are very familiar. Imagine how Dorothy felt when she emerged from her mangled, monochromatic house into the wonderful Land of Oz. This rich, bright fantasy land was very different from Dorothy’s black and white world – everywhere she looked she encountered the lusciously exaggerated tints of a Technicolor landscape.

This 2,800-square-foot Mediterranean villa echoes the beautiful bold colors and whimsy of Oz. After 10 months of renovation and design, the home was completed in early 2011 by Cheryl Lee Smith, who served as the general manager of the design, architectural and contracting processes.

“Being able to fashion and create an entirely new environment that would house my client’s possessions and reflect her playful and generous spirit was my favorite part of this design process,” says Smith. “On this project,

I used saturated colors that were beautiful and had lush qualities. The purpose was to create an exciting background in which all the colors of wood, carpets, artwork and furniture would stand out yet be harmonious.”

Lighthearted from the start, the home’s foyer features a special guest. A life-size mannequin, handmade by SICIS/Italy and purchased locally from Henry Tile, wears hundreds of tiny, quarter-inch, cabernet-colored mosaic tiles. Light bounces all around this long, narrow passage – from the polished black marble tile floors to the harlequin mirror on one end of the hall to the contemporary mirrored drawer chest on the other end.

Moving into the brilliant yellow living room, one can get a glimpse of the starting point of the home’s layout and design through the French doors and window at the back of the room. Framed in the glass is a Four Seasons Fountain from Waterworks, designed in the spirit of European fountains.

The water feature brings the outside into an already sunny room. Candy purples, clear teal blues and touches of black and bright white are brought together by kaleidoscopeprint couches flanked by two black fretwork armchairs with loose purple pillows trimmed in teal Houles fringe.

It’s challenging to decide where to look first in the room as it boasts many eye-catching aspects. A custom-designed fireplace mantle in the shape of a roaring face framed with loose hair was inspired by the renowned man-like carving “The Mouth of Truth” on the portico of The Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin in Rome, Italy. The mouth surrounds the open fire and the light of the flames dances off the shadows of the marble-like stone face.

Next to the fireplace, “Sonny Boy Williamson,” a three-dimensional piece by Memphis artist George Hunt, reflects the homeowner’s love of the Mississippi Delta and the blues music that is rooted there. An oil painting of a Chicago theatre marquis by January 2012 • athometn.com | 57

feature

another Memphis artist, Cindy Blair, adds smooth movement to the opposite side of the room. The crown jewel of the living room hangs from the ceiling – a luminous, purple, Murano-style glass chandelier purchased from a design house in Florida.

Vivid teal tones move into the dining room, which houses a bold tribal triptych by Chicago artist Jonathan Franklin. The silver leaf-finished chandelier with teal crystal leaves provides the perfect light for appreciating the beauty and movement of the butterfly fabric on the dining chairs. The fabric is a handembroidered silk from India and incorporates all of the homeowner’s favorite colors.

In the kitchen, red glass accent pieces sit atop black pearl river-washed granite countertops. Sleek black walls and a sparkling backsplash made from tiny tiles comprised of glass, stainless steel, quartzite, and white and black marble add excitement to the space.

Drama continues in the master suite with walls painted in a crisp chartreuse and a grand headboard upholstered in a succulent red velvet. In the corner stands a gorgeous red silk damask dressing screen from the early 1800s, and on the opposite side of the room, a bibliotheque houses an assemblage of the homeowner’s books and collectibles.

(Mixed amongst the treasures are Dorothy’s ruby slippers.) The suite continues into a glamorous master bath, which is delicately appointed with floral and crystal accents.

“Being able to fashion and create an entirely new environment that would house my client’s possessions and reflect her playful and generous spirit was my favorite part of this design process,” says Smith.

Opposite page: This bright garden room, which showcases the homeowner’s collection of festive and unique circus memorabilia, looks out onto a stunning patio and European-style fountain. This page: Top: Circus figurines fill the nooks and crannies of the garden room. Middle and bottom: The dining room’s bright clear blue is the perfect background for the crescendo of color in the homeowner’s artwork collection.

feature

feature

“I love color. It energizes and thrills me every time I enter a room.” – the homeowner

The garden room – or as it is sometimes called, “the circus room” – is the homeowner’s favorite part of the home and holds one of her most interesting collections. Every day is a carnival in this colorful space. The bookcases and niches that showcase circus collectibles were designed around the massive trapeze print that inspired the room. Multiprint carpetbagger-style armchairs become a conversation piece in their own right in the sitting area grounded by a remarkable Turkish rug and book-ended by sofas in a bold peacock blue. To top it off, the distinctive ceiling fan with clear plastic blades reminded the designer of a circus tight wire, and looks like waves when turning.

“This room is beautiful and warm, night and day,” the homeowner says. “The joyous nature of the colors combined with my circus collection makes me happy every time I enter the room.”

She admits that she is “so in love” with her house and is thankful for a designer who could bring together a beautiful, colorful, cohesive result. “I love color. It energizes and thrills me every time I enter a room,” she says. “Cheryl Lee has an amazing color sense and was able to meld the strong paintings and patterns in a way that was not overpowering but retained the energy.”

“Color is in. Drab is over. People need to feel good again,” says Smith. “We know that lovely, clear colors have an effect on people’s mental state. It’s really important to have somewhere to go back to that is your sanctuary and makes you happy. Beautiful, vibrant color has a voice and it communicates so much to all the senses.”

Left top: Bathed in chartreuse and lush red velvet, this master suite wakes up the senses while still providing a calm, relaxing vibe. Left bottom: Creative touches and pops of color personalize the spaces in the home’s foyer, master bedroom and powder room. Right top: The kitchen sparkles in sleek black with red accents, showing a flair for the dramatic while keeping things classy. Middle: This unassuming, simple and clean exterior houses an unmatched eclectic and superbly colorful living space. Bottom: An early evening in the backyard provides a glimpse of the stunning color palette and its movement through the house.

feature

January 2012 • athometn.com | 63

design

Old World or New Age :

Design a Wine Room to Match Your Home’s Unique Character text by Kristen Waddell | photography by john terry

64 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

feature

Lou Kerns, of Kerns-Wilcheck, gives us some tips and techniques to help with designing and utilizing a wine room in your home. Operating since 1986, his business became Kerns-Wilcheck in 1989 when Frank Wilcheck joined him. Kerns-Wilcheck has a 3,000 square foot showroom at 667 Union Avenue, which displays architectural products including vanities, cabinetry, mantels, doors, panelling, etc.

At Home Tennessee: Is there a specific location in the home best to design a wine “cellar” and what are the most important features of the space to consider?

Lou Kerns: I think most of the wine cellars that I have designed have been referred to as wine rooms, not cellars. Maybe “wine cellar” is somewhat archaic or a romanticized term, but so few houses have basements in this area. Almost any room can become a wine room by controlling the temperature and ambient moisture/humidity. There are several ways to keep a room at the desired temperature, ranging from portable systems to window type units up to remote systems. Dealing with the system’s condensation and ease of running ductwork are key to this decision. Proper insulation in walls, ceilings and floors is very important, plus a door that seals like an exterior door with weather stripping is also necessary. Attic spaces are the least desirable due to temperature issues, and daylight/UV rays are not good for wine storing, so no windows is recommended.

AHT: What is the optimal temperature for the wine room? Can the space be used as a functional storage facility as well as for dining and entertaining simultaneously?

LK: Wine rooms can store all varieties at that ideal 54-ish degrees, but since many whites are preferred much cooler, some rooms have an additional wine chiller for some storage of white wines. Or the chiller is just outside in the tasting area, if there is one. Dining in your wine room may become a problem since the temperature is too cool for entertaining. I try to design wine rooms with an adjacent Tasting Room that is on the same comfort settings as the rest of the house. I feel that this area adds to the overall effect of making the wine tasting a more special activity when sharing some really great wines. Doing the requisite “theme” in this space is a must, I think!

AHT: What are some architectural or interior design elements that are trending in wine cellar design?

LK: Even though the space is often not below ground, the trend is to make the space feel

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design

“Even though the space is often not below ground, the trend is to make the space feel ‘cellar-esque’ with stone or paver floors and stone or stucco walls.”

66 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

‘cellar-esque’ with stone or paver floors and stone or stucco walls. Wrought iron is heavily used as well, especially at doors in front of the insulated glass. I use beams and/or groinvault treatments for the ceilings as well for the overall feel. The typical and least expensive storage racks are ubiquitously online, but I prefer to design furniture-type pieces or racks with hand-carved elements that are unique to each client’s space. Most wine aficionados specify using all heart redwood for their racks and definitely forbid using any plywood or other materials that off-gas inorganic compounds that can actually infiltrate wine through its cork and ruin it.

Lighting is very important for the right ambience, plus music, of course! Also, keeping up with the inventory and which wines need to be served sooner than later is very important for the serious collector.

AHT: Can you tell us a little about the two homes’ wine rooms pictured?

LK: The one with the groin vaulted ceiling is in an actual “cellar”. I was given the house plans that showed a rectangular space with cinder block walls. I divided the space into two areas: the wine room and the tasting room. The spaces were perfect for doing the groin vaulted ceiling with stone columns in the corners. I have been in many cellars in Europe and the older buildings use the groin vault as a structural component and really makes a classic ‘olde world’ statement. I wanted up-lighting on the columns, but it would have been very difficult to retrofit the slab, so the landscape designer came up with the perfect lighting that is used with exterior stone walls. The racks are redwood with handcarved details. The builder was Doyle Ricks and Ellen Riney was the interior designer.

The other is in a semi-basement due to the lot dropping nicely--again, cinder block walls to start with, but the ceiling was extra low so in order to get more height, I wrapped the floor joists to mimic beams (with the insulation concealed with tongue and groove ceiling material). I created the recessed niches to convey its “olde world” theme with the furniture type rack systems with handcarved details as well. The space is right next to a semi-enclosed hearth room that the client uses year round as his tasting and entertaining room. That builder was John Manser and Beth Almond was the interior designer.

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January 2012 • athometn.com | 67

styleMARKETPLACE

Wine Tools to Toast

The right accessory can bring out the best in any wine— these choices will maximize your enjoyment no matter the vintage.

Assorted Ceramic Bottle Stoppers, $5 www.pier1.com

Emerson Electric Wine Bottle Opener $20, www.target.com

Umbra U+ Collection Cru Wine Rack $150.00, www.velocityartanddesign.com

Chalk Note Glassware, $3–$10 www.pier1.com

Amber Crackle Stemware, $7 each www.pier1.com

Cuisinart 8-Bottle Wine Cellar, $300 www.crateandbarrel.com

Vinotemp 2-Bottle Wine Dispenser $480, www.kohls.com

Old Dutch Antiqued Copper 4-Bottle Wine Chiller $200, www.kohls.com

68 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Rabbit Wine Bottle Opener Set, $45 www.crateandbarrel.com

Digital Wine Thermometer, $20 www.crateandbarrel.com

Old Dutch Antiqued Pewter 2-Bottle Wine Chiller $120, www.kohls.com

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January 2012 • athometn.com | 69

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garden

72 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

garden

In bloom: Bloodtwig Dogwood text by Susan Hamilton, Director, University of Tennessee Gardens

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire', commonly called bloodtwig dogwood, is a hard plant to beat for colorful show in the winter landscape.

Midwinter Fire is a multi-stemmed, suckering, deciduous shrub that grows to five feet tall and six feet wide. Its standout features include golden fall foliage followed by branches and stems that start out yellow in color at the base and gradually turn bright orange to red toward the tip of the plant. Small white flowers similar to Queen Anne’s Lace appear in late spring.

The flowers give way to clusters of dark purple berries in summer that are good for attracting birds. No insect or disease problems are common.

This shrub-type dogwood is tolerant of a variety of soil types from dry, well-drained soil to consistently moist, bog-like conditions. The root suckers freely to form a dense colony, but it can easily be root pruned if suckers are not

desired. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, and pruning is not required. However, the best winter stem color occurs on young, new growth. Many gardeners prune back all stems to about one foot in late winter each year to rejuvenate the shrub and promote the best winter stem color the following year. Another pruning option is to remove one quarter to one third of the oldest stems in early spring each year, promoting new, colorful branches for winter show. Any loss of flowers through spring pruning is not significant since the small blooms of this dogwood are not showy or really noticeable.

Bloodtwig dogwood should be placed where its colorful branches can be enjoyed during the winter. For a striking display, plant it massed in groups of three or more. This plant is also ideal for pairing in a shrub border with colorful conifers that are dark green, blue or yellow to

contrast against Midwinter Fire’s stems. The cultivar is also nice when paired with hollies loaded with complementary-colored berries.

Susan Hamilton is on the faculty in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences and also serves as Director of the UT Gardens. The University of Tennessee Gardens located in Knoxville and Jackson are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Their mission is to foster appreciation, education and stewardship of plants through garden displays, collections, educational programs and research trials. The gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public. See http:// utgardens.tennessee.edu and westtennessee.tennessee. edu/ornamentals for more information.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSAN HAMILTON, DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE GARDENS

January | 2012 • athometn.com | 73

garden

Don’t let a little cold weather keep you from getting out into the garden.

Cold Weather Clean-up Text by Andrew Pulte

J

anuary often brings some of the coldest temperatures of the year to Tennessee.

You might choose to spend your Saturdays sipping a warm drink watching the birds at the feeder. However, there are a few things you can get done this month to make life even better for you when spring comes.

will help extend their life. Additionally, any planting container that can be moved out of the elements should be protected. Most glazed and terracotta pots and containers will last many more seasons if kept from freezing and thawing.

Store:

Take a good look at the tools you own that help make your gardening life easier. Are they all piled up in a corner still caked with summer soil? January is a great time to get your tools

If you haven’t done it yet, bring in all of your hoses from outside. Rolling them up and placing them in your garage or basement 74 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Take Care of Tools:

cleaned and organized. Take inventory of which tools have been good partners and which have not. Discard or fix broken tools. Sharpen your pruners and other metal implements.

Give rough spots on wooden-handled tools a quick sanding and apply a light coat of linseed oil. Drain or run out any remaining gasoline from lawnmowers and power tools.

Prune: Don’t make the mistake of pruning spring blooming trees and shrubs this time of year;

they are best pruned just after flowering (not in mid-winter). Stick to pruning summer flowering trees and shrubs and evergreens like hollies and boxwoods. Perennials and grasses you feel are looking unsightly can now have last year’s growth removed. Some perennials like purple coneflower can attract birds to your yard so let them get picked clean before you cut them back. Before you begin any pruning project ask yourself “Why do I want to prune this plant?” If size, personal taste, encroachment or other factors come to mind, research each plant to confirm when to prune. Remember, different types of plants have individual requirements. Getting to know the plants in your garden will help you understand how and when to prune.

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Plant: We are lucky in this region of the country that our ground doesn’t typically freeze solid this time of year. This means that January can be a good time to get trees and shrubs in the ground. Many nurseries and independent garden centers will still have a good selection.

Newly planted trees and shrubs must be watered in very well to insure they get firmly established in their new home.

Odds and Ends: If your winter landscape is a bit dull, consider adding plants to make it more interesting.

Plants with berries can brighten a winter landscape, and some also have interesting bark and foliage. If you are thinking of embellishing your landscape, make sure you look for plants that can provide interest in every season.

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knowing what to priune and when to prune is an important part of managing any landscape.

January 2012 • athometn.com | 75

invitation Tennessee

Deborah Cotney & Greta Coger

Charlotte Neal & Marguerite Piazza

Delores Kinsolving & Lee Streater

Mayor A.C. Wharton

Connie Lampen, Gale Jones Carson & TJ Searcy

Melodie Moore

Ida Anderson Photos by Christina Trask

C Lynn Bishop, Valerie Calhoun, Carol Prentiss, Ceniyah Dotson, Morgan Shaw & Savanna Chappell 76 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Tiara Tea Society

Carol Prentiss was recently inducted into the Circle of Grande Dames of the Tiara Tea Society, which sponsors little girls in dire need. Friends, dignitaries, Tiara Tea Society members, and leaders of the many organizations that she has helped, filled the Shelby Center Ballroom to honor Ms. Prentiss. Her awards were presented by TTS sponsored children Savanna Chappell, Ceniyah Dotson, and Morgan Shaw. Harpist Melodie Moore provided musical entertainment in addition to a flute and string ensemble. Valerie Calhoun of Fox 13’s Good Morning Memphis was Mistress of Ceremonies, and the guest speaker was Honorable Mayor of Memphis, A.C. Wharton. Chef Ed Nawakowski elegantly set the moment with carved ice sculptures and tea delectables.

invitation Tennessee Photography by Tyra Haag

Tinsel & Treasure 2011

T

This year's Junior League of Knoxville's

Tinsel & Treasure event was a huge success, raising nearly $95,000 to support JLK's community projects. Comedy and Cocktails

Katie Kinzer, Stevie Hayes, Ashley Jones, Andrea Langley, Erin Howland & Suzanne Elder

with Leanne Morgan kicked off the festivities with more than 150 guests. The hilarious dialogue on family and humor in the everyday was a great time for all in attendance. The Tinsel & Treasure luncheon featured guest speaker Linda Armstrong Kelly, mother of Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong. Her discussion centered on perseverance and the role it played in helping her work her way from a high school dropout to an executive level position with a Fortune 500 company -- all while being a single mom. The weekend-long shopping

Kelli DeRieux & Linda Armstrong Kelly

Leanne Morgan & Tracy Morrow

extravaganza gave an opportunity for guests to shop from a variety of merchants. Shoppers found a little of everything from Christmas decor to hair bows and jewelry.

Among the favorite merchants this year were Kohlston Designs, Berry Chic, and Val's Boutique. Even Santa came to join the fun and posed for pictures taken by Amber Brown Photography. Special entertainment included performances by Releve, The Backstage Dance Company, Akima Singers and the Carter High School Chorus.

Staci Kohlbusch & Kelly Huddleston January 2012 • athometn.com | 77

invitation Tennessee Red Cross The 2011 annual Boa Ball was a fun night for a wonderful cause - the Red Cross. Held at the Columns in downtown Memphis, Boa Ball offered a fabulous silent auction featuring a variety of artwork and décor, accessories such as a Rebecca Minkoff purse from Oak Hall, and children’s items including a Mercedes Benz pedal car. Delicious cuisine was provided by several Memphis restaurants including Pete & Sam's, The Rendezvous and Interim. Emcee for the evening was John Bryant and Party Co-Chairs were Catherine Harris and Alice Higdon.

Dr. Vance Shappley & Robbie Shappley

River Oaks Garden Club Founding Members JJ Krauch, Pam Montesi, Sherrye Winford, Janice Akins & Betty Green

Alice Higdon & Catherine Harris

Jayne Whittington & Debbie Binswanger

Rusty Shappley, Beth Bomarito & Ricky Harris 78 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Mary Anne Machin & Kari Leatherman

River Oaks Garden Club President Paula Buttross, with luncheon Co-Chairs Cathy Weil & Elma Schnapp

invitation Tennessee River Oaks Garden Club Holiday Luncheon The River Oaks Garden Club of Memphis hosted its annual Holiday Luncheon Thursday, December 15th, at the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club. Guests enjoyed a lovely afternoon of merriment and good fellowship during this busy time of the year. The festive affair featured plenty of holiday cheer as the table decorations elegantly reflected the season. Attendees were asked to bring an unwrapped toy for a child, which benefited Toys for Tots.

January 2012 • athometn.com | 79

invitation Tennessee

Ginger Stoves, Stephanie McLarty, Connie Snavely & Wendy Chase

Lindsey Pilat, Wes Beal & Nancy Walker

Sheryl Spencer, Alan Waddell & Eunice Quiroz

Woodhouse Day Spa

W

Woodhouse Day Spa in Franklin, Tennessee hosted their annual open house.

Guests enjoyed delicious food catered from Bosco’s, with Southern Comfort Eggnog cocktails and organic wines: Lote 44 Malbec and Rascal Pinot Gris. Guests were invited to walk through the spa and enjoy free mini manicures, mini pedicures, and mini massages. Woodhouse also gave away three of their Christmas gift packages as door prizes. Truly getting into the giving spirit of Christmas, the spa also donated 10 percent of all of the evening’s sales to the Nashville Rescue Mission.

Jennie Alley 80 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

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invitation Tennessee January 2012 • athometn.com | 81

entertaining

Details, Details, Details….

Special Touches Make a Wedding Unforgettable Text By Michelle Hope | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CREATion STUDIOS

Most of today’s brides want special attention paid to every last detail when it comes to customizing their big day.

Organizing a wedding to the “nth” degree requires a lot of time and creativity; so many couples involve a wedding planner or event designer. The professionals at Social Butterflies, LLC, in Memphis recently orchestrated a wedding with a magical theme, and all the details to go along with it.

82 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

entertaining

Theme: The clients, Casey and Tracy Dugan, requested a Disney theme for their wedding last October. (This was only fitting since the pair became engaged during a family vacation at Disney World.) “Vintage, romance, Disney and family were themes I wanted tied together,” says bride Tracy. “I didn’t want people to feel like they were at a wedding, but a place with friends having a good time.”

The designers at Social Butterflies knew Tracy wanted every element to work together, but not in a “matchy-matchy” way. “No monochromatic color scheme here!” says Michelle Hope, one of Social Butterflies’ owners and lead designers. “So we began designing the event in shades of blush pink, 84 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

ivory and champagne with pops of peacock blue and marigold.”

Ceremony and Reception: The ceremony and reception took place at Hillwood on the grounds of Davies Manor Plantation east of Memphis. Valet parking attendants greeted guests and gave each one a custom program that held a ribbon wand (handmade by the bride and her mother) with instructions to “wave at the kiss.” The bride arrived for the ceremony in a white horsedrawn carriage while “When You Wish Upon a Star” played.

Following the vows guests headed to the reception area while sipping a signature cocktail, “Pirates of the Caribbean,” complete

with sword-skewered fruit garnish. Alice in Wonderland provided the backdrop for the “Mad Hatter Cocktail Party,” a whimsical start to the evening complete with games for guests to enjoy.

After signing a quilt made by the bride and her mother, an alternative to the traditional guest book, family and friends made their way inside for the family-style reception. Natalie Chang Designs custom maps, inspired by Disney park guides, showed the event’s layout and the way to various food stations. Long tables dressed in burlap linens with handmade vintage fabric runners gave the reception a homespun, casual flair.

Haute Horticulture designed romantic flower, cotton, moss and succulent centerpieces in vintage-style containers including milk glasses, garden boxes and silver vases.

Details like enhanced lighting, including a custom light of the wedding monogram on the dance floor, set the ambiance for the reception. The monogram also appeared on the game boards for cocktail hour, napkins, invitations and photo sleeves guests took home with their picture taken during evening.

Food: The customization carried over into the food

by Ziparo’s Catering as well. Food stations named after Disney restaurants included “Mama Melrose” pasta, “Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn” entrees, “Tamu Tamu Refreshments” fruit and cheese, and “Boulangerie Patisserie” desserts. The Magic Kingdom reigned supreme as the groom’s cake depicted the happy couple aboard their favorite ride, Big Thunder Mountain.

And one final Disney-themed detail awaited guests as they left for home at the end of the evening. Valets placed in each car a small pumpkin with a note including a poem written by the bride: “As the clock strikes twelve and the magic ends, Cinderella’s carriage becomes a pumpkin again.What a magical time and it’s all because of you.

—With love from the Dugans…Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Boo.” see page 97 for sources.

entertaining

cuisine

Flight Res ta u r a n t & Wi n e Ba r TEXT BY BONNIE GROSSHANS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAY ADKINS

L

ocated at the corner of Main and Monroe, Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar is officially a downtown Memphis hot spot.

With its unique concept of allowing patrons to create their own dining experience, this elegant restaurant really focuses on customer service – which is what owners Russ Graham and Tom Powers had in mind. According to managing partner Matt Williams, the owners sought to replicate the concept of a wine flight – small pours of three different wines instead of one standard six-ounce glass – across the restaurant’s entire menu. “They thought, ‘We can do the same thing with soups, salads and entrees,’” explains Williams. Thus the idea of Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar emerged and since April 13, 2009, this establishment with large windows and a chic outdoor patio has been packed.

“Our goal is to be a Memphis mainstay. We hear tourists say, ‘We love this place. Please bring this restaurant to our city.’ It’s a big compliment,” says Williams. Diners enjoy Flight because they can try several different

86 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

entree items. Seafood choices ranging from gulf shrimp to seared sea scallops to biscuits and gravy (lobster, sweet corn, asparagus and lobster cream gravy on a buttermilk biscuit) can be paired with filet of beef, New Zealand Wapiti Elk or the cut of the day. The flight concept also extends to the appetizers, soups, salads and even desserts. “Guests are excited to be able to try new things like the elk and ostrich. You usually can’t order three or four entrees at a restaurant, but here guests have the opportunity to sample things they want to try,” says Williams.

Memphis to run the kitchen at Flight about a year ago after having worked in restaurants in several cities across the country.

The concept of preparing numerous small entrees per diner presents a unique challenge to the restaurant’s staff, however. Multi-tasking is crucial and everything must be “done carefully with everyone doing their part, from the front door to the back door,” says Williams.

The key person in accomplishing this feat is Charles Zeran, Flight’s chef. A divorce lawyer for six years before his culinary dream came true, Zeran started his second career as a cook and worked his way up to chef. He arrived in

But at Flight, diners don’t need much encouraging. “If we get you in once, you will definitely come back,” promises Williams.

Reservations are highly recommended and complimentary valet parking is available.

Lunch is served Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m.2:00 p.m. Dinner hours are Sunday-Thursday 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 5:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

The innovative “flight” concept carries over into the bar with wine and even liquor flights.

All wine flights are accompanied by cards with winemaker’s notes outlining the finer points of each selection. “Guests can get educated about wines and can even take the cards home with them. That way, if they find a wine they like they can take the card with them to the liquor store. This also leads to great word-of-mouth promoting for the restaurant,” says Williams.

39 South Main, Memphis, 901.521.8005

cuisine

Pictured are just a few of the delicious ‘flight’ options that diners can enjoy at this finedining establishment.

CHEF CHARLES ZERAN

Pan Seared Scallops with White Pepper Vanilla Sauce and Forest Mushrooms Ingredients:

12 large scallops (size U-15 or larger), or more if using smaller scallops 2 vanilla beans, split and scraped 2 shallots, minced 2 limes 1 cup dry white wine or champagne white pepper salt sugar 1 quart heavy cream 1 pound assorted mushrooms (shiitakes, oyster mushrooms, maitakes, chanterelles, etc.) ½ red bell pepper, cut into thin julienne strips 1 bunch green onions, cut into ¼-inch pieces, green part only

Vanilla sauce:

Scallops:

Combine vanilla bean pods and seeds, wine or champagne, and shallots in a sauce pot and reduce liquid to ¼ cup. Add cream, juice of 1 lime, ¾ teaspoon white pepper,1 teaspoon sugar and ½ teaspoon salt. Reduce to about 1 cup. Adjust salt, sugar and white pepper to taste. Strain through a fine strainer.

Keep warm.

Heat a saute pan large enough to hold the scallops without crowding. Season scallops with salt and black pepper. When pan is very hot add enough oil to coat bottom of pan. Add scallops to pan and saute for about 2 minutes on each side, just until golden brown but still translucent in the center. Do not disturb the scallops except to turn them or you will lose the crust. Exact cooking time will be determined by the size of the scallops used.

Mushrooms:

Slice mushrooms if large or cut into bitesized pieces. Saute in a small amount of oil for about 3 minutes or until tender. Add red pepper and saute 1 additional minute. Add juice of 1 lime and salt and white pepper to taste. Add green onions. Toss and keep warm. (This is a quick saute and can be done while the scallops are cooking if ingredients are prepared ahead.)

To serve:

Place a mound of the mushrooms in the center of 4 warm plates. Spoon the sauce around the mushrooms. Place 3 scallops on the sauce (more if using small scallops).

January 2012 • athometn.com | 87

cooking

The Jolts of January TEXT BY JANE GAITHER

FOR MORE RECIPES, GO TO GOURMETGADGETGAL.COM

If you are like me then January means you are sick to death of even thinking about rich food.

After weeks of flipping through cookbooks, swapping cookies and eating more than your share of party appetizers you roll out of bed one winter morning and realize your favorite jeans shrunk in the dryer.

January days are filled with little jolts: for instance, swimsuit catalogs start arriving.

You’re astounded. It can’t possibly be that time yet! You check the calendar. Eight weeks until spring break – the same number of weeks as sticks of butter you ate in December. Your grocery list now reads like this: grapefruit, tomato juice, cabbage, tuna fish (the waterpacked kind), rice cakes and cottage cheese.

The children melt like snow puddles when they see their snack is celery and low-fat ranch dressing. Your husband wears that hunted look he gets when you start smelling him for quickie hamburgers eaten on the drive home from work before sitting down to a dinner of broiled chicken. Worst of all, you walk around town angry for no reason except that catching your reflection in the windows you realize that the only clothes that still fit you are your shoes and socks.

As my great-grandmother said on how to lose weight, “If it tastes good – spit it out.”

to basics but, you know, you can’t eliminate everything. If you do you won’t be able to maintain your discipline and you’ll eat every bit of junk in sight – leftovers from Sunday School doughnuts, crusts from children’s lunches, samples of things you don’t even like at the grocery. Instead, opt for foods that are satisfying and tasty, like salmon. It’s rich in flavor, easy to prepare, nutritious and most children will eat it. If the kids don’t like the artichokes in this recipe add some peas or broccoli to their plates.

So I muddle through January missing the bread basket, the gift box of chocolates and the cheese tray before dinner. I resolve to get back 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes 4 cups fresh spinach salt and fresh ground black pepper 4 cups cooked garden fettuccine (tri-colored pasta) fresh Parmesan cheese

Directions: 1. Salt and pepper each salmon fillet, dredge each in flour.

2. Heat water for pasta and cook until done– about 10 minutes.

3. While pasta is cooking, add olive oil to a large skillet and heat to medium-high, 3 to 4 minutes.

4. When oil is hot, add salmon and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Turn over and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes.

Pan-Seared Salmon with Artichokes and Garden Fettuccine Prep time: 15 minutes Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets (4), skin and bones removed 1/4 cup all purpose flour 2 Tablespoons olive oil

88 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

1 6-ounce jar marinated artichokes, drained with marinade reserved 1/4 cup dry white wine 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup chicken broth 1 clove garlic, minced 1 Tablespoon butter

5. Remove to platter. To skillet add the artichoke marinade, wine, lemon juice and chicken broth and stir to loosen flavorful bits in bottom of pan. Simmer 3 minutes.

6. Add garlic and butter and stir until melted.

7. Add artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach and cook just until spinach wilts.

8. Toss pasta with vegetables and add salt and pepper to taste. Plate pasta, shave Parmesan to taste and top with salmon.

Find Your Inner

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January 2012 • athometn.com | 89

finance

BANKING ON VALUE TEXT BY JIM SCHMITZ

Many economists now argue that we are in the midst of a change in consumer behavior.

We’re all conscious of value, but there is more to value than price. As it applies to products for managing your finances, just how valuable is a bank account?

New regulations, a new economy and other factors are causing major changes – maybe even unintended changes in the business of banking – including the end of the free checking account we have grown accustomed to over the last decade.

During the past 20 years or so, the financial services industry approached a checking account as an introductory, necessary product with slim, if any, profit on its own. Checking accounts were often presented as “free” even though they might be the most vital and valuable banking service a person can have.

The benefit of this idea of free checking was that it allowed more people to participate in the banking system. The flip side was that many people never understood the true benefits and associated costs banks incur providing such a vital service. So, what might be one of the most complicated business processes in existence today came to have little or no perceived value.

As a rule of thumb, it costs a bank around $150 to establish a new checking account relationship. The annual cost of the connected services and access provided to that account is in the neighborhood of $300 per year. But that “cost” only begins to shine a light on the “value” of a bank account and the larger banking system. What is the value of being able to swipe a debit card to make a payment?

What is the value of having a branch or ATM 90 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

close to you? How valuable is it to know you can make a payment or transfer money at any time, with the click of a mouse or the push of a button on your smart phone? What is the value of the peace of mind knowing that your bank is a first line of defense against identity theft and fraud?

Just as we’ve seen a shift in consumer behavior, banks are experiencing a sea of change as well.

For example, legislation recently changed how you pay for the services provided by banks. The income that banks make from debit card transactions, called interchange, goes toward paying for the basic computer power needed to run the system, sophisticated fraud protection services that are constantly updated to stay ahead of cyber criminals, customer service centers, 24-hour availability – even the plastic the card was printed on. Since the implementation of the Dodd Frank Act, banks are now limited on the level of interchange fees they may charge. This legislative move limits the revenue stream that allowed banks to provide consumers with free checking services.

a responsibility to insure that customers are in the right types of accounts for their situation and not something that just meets the needs of the bank. Financial institutions have a duty to help their customers understand the products they have, how they work, what the bank will provide, and what the customer’s responsibility will be in using the service.

The focus on serving customers and communities likely will only increase in significance as new legislation is defined.

If this is indeed the future of banking then the ultimate beneficiaries of regulatory reform may be consumers . . . because the overwhelming incentive for banks will be to serve each customer and each community well.

The recent economic turmoil has also brought about some soul-searching on the part of banks and our customers. What should consumers expect of banks? How, as a business, should banks fund their operations? And how can banks better demonstrate the value they bring consumers through the products and services they provide?

At this crucial times banks should seek to assure their customers that they will assist them in finding the financial products and services that best meet their needs and goals. It really is all about the relationship. Banks have

James (Jim) Schmitz oversees banking operations in the Middle Tennessee region for Regions Financial Corporation. He is a 16-year veteran with Regions, a top U.S. bank-holding company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, with $140 billion in assets, operating over 1,900 branches in 16 states.

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January 2012 • athometn.com | 91

Jan

happenings

SUN 1

MON TUES 2

3

Jan. 3–8

The Addams Family Musical

Tennessee Performing Arts Center | Nashville 615.782.4040 | tpac.org

WED 4

Jan. 4–31

THUR 5

Incognito Art Event

Memphis Botanic Garden 901.636.4131

8 9 10 11 12 The Civil Wars

Germantown Performing Arts Centre www.GPACweb.com 901.751.7500

15 16 17 18 19 ELVIS LIVES: The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Event

Chattanooga Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium 423.642.TIXS

22 23 24 25 26 The Pink Bridal Show Chattanooga

Chattanooga Convention Center www.chattanoogapinkbridal shows.com

29

30

31

Jeff Dunham

Knoxville Civic Coliseum www.knoxvillecoliseum. com 865.215.8999

Future Events:

Feb.20

The Band Perry

Ryman Auditorium Nashville www.ryman.com 92 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

uar y

January 2012

FRI SAT 6 7

21

photo courtesy of Nashville Zoo

4–31

photo courtesy of Memphis Botanic Gardens

13 14

20

21

21

The ZOO RUN RUN Nashville Zoo www.nashvillezoo.org/ events/zoo-run-run Hollywood Casino - St. Jude Red Carpet Bash benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Hollywood Casino | Tunica 901.373.5051

27 28 The 5 Browns

Germantown Performing Arts Centre www.GPACweb.com 901.751.7500

TRI-CITIES BRIDAL SHOW The Culp Center at ETSU Johnson City www.tricitiesbridalshow.com

The Magic School Bus: LIVE! The Orpheum Theatre www.orpheum-memphis.com 901.525.3000

423.383.7577 or 423.612.3758

To submit an event to be included in At Home Tennessee Happenings, please email editorial@athometn.com

27

photo courtesy of GPAC

January 2012 • athometn.com | 93

see & do

CROWD AT 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL

Chely Wright PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF 30A Songwriters Festival/Shelly Swanger Photography

EMILY SALIERS AND REED WADDLE AT WATERCOLOR

30A Songwriters Festival Jan. 13-15

text by Tracy Louthain

The stage is set for the third annual 30A Songwriters Festival, scheduled for Jan. 1315 in the charming South Walton beach neighborhoods along Scenic Highway 30A in Northwest Florida. Tennessee songwriters will join artists from around the nation for a music extravaganza that celebrates the inspiration behind the lyrics.

The three-day festival will spotlight more than 125 musicians and over 250 performances in venues ranging from intimate listening rooms to spacious outdoor amphitheaters against a backdrop of brilliant white sand beaches, turquoise waters and stunning architecture.

Featuring a wide range of genres from folk and country to rock and alternative, the 2012 festival will include performances by Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, David Wilcox, Mary Gauthier, Shawn Mullins and Corey Smith, among many others.

The Bangles’ Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson and Debbi Peterson will bring their pop-rock 94 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

harmonies to 30A and share the stories behind some of their most popular classics as well as selections from the group’s new criticallyacclaimed studio album, Sweetheart of the Sun. Native Memphian songwriter Joe Leathers will heat up the stage with the stories behind his lyrics, which have been recorded by some of the biggest names in country music, including Tim McGraw, Craig Morgan and Trace Adkins. Leathers will be accompanied by other Tennesseans including Chely Wright, Tommy Womack, Nicole Witt, Jeffrey Steele, Suzi Ragsdale, Brian Kennedy, Tim Nichols and Brigitte DeMeyer. Additionally, Nashville’s Sam Bush and Rodney Crowell will perform with their full bands in a spacious outdoor setting at Gulf Place Amphitheatre.

Matthew Sweet and his band will present his platinum album Girlfriend in its entirety as part of a 20th-anniversary tribute. Known for her number one hit “One Of Us,” the versatile Joan Osborne will take the stage showcasing her righteous voice and stories from her career,

including her performance in the documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown and stints on the road as lead singer for The Dead. Other highlights will include John Hopkins, bass player and co-writer for the Zac Brown Band; David Ryan Harris, guitarist for John Mayer; and Steve Forbert.

With the new mobile festival guide, created by presenting sponsor 30A.com, attendees will be able to access festival news, schedules, songwriter bios, photos, weather updates and more from their smartphone.

This app will be available for download at www.30asongwritersfestival.com.

The 30A Songwriters Festival is produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, presented by Visit South Walton and sponsored by Seaside and 30A.com. For a current list of participating artists, lodging packages and to purchase tickets, visit www.30asongwritersfestival.com.

sources 54 | At Home With: Photography–Forest Hill Photography John Terry, 901.737.0114, foresthillphoto.com Michael Baty–At The Cabin 901.753.8515, www.atthecabin.com 56 | Home Feature: Creative Designer–Cheryl Lee Smith Interiors 901.327.4942 Photographer–Mike Boatman 901.619.6294 General Contractor–Shawn Wood 901.497.2346 Architect–Hord Architects Lisa Hord, 901.527.9085 Flooring–Flooring Solutions 901.755.5574 Kitchen & Bath Cabinetry–Gallery Kitchens 901.761.4600 Appliances–Ferguson Enterprises 901.759.3820 Landscape–Leslie Aldridge Designs 901.755.9206 Water Fountain–Memphis Waterworks 901.276.3806 Custom Glass & Mirrors–Addison Glass 901.276.1699 Lighting–Graham’s Lighting Fixtures 901.274.6780 Floral–Garden District 901.761.3277 Painting–George Finney, 901.351.0541 & Geoff Benson of Benson Builders, 901.605.6116

It’s Happening at GPAC THe

5 BroWns FrIday, JaNuary 27 • 8 p.m.

Tickets: $25 • $35 • $45 (plus handling fee)

Joey DeFrancesco TrIo Saturday, February 4 • 8 p.m.

Tickets: $25 • $35 • $45 (plus handling fee)

Show Sponsor:

Show Sponsor:

Hotel Sponsor:

Media Sponsor:

Winston Wolfe

Jazz Series Sponsor:

GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE Call 901-751-7500 or visit www.GPACweb.com

Scheidt Family Foundation Delores Kinsolving

Milton Schaeffer

64 | Design: Kerns-Wilcheck 667 Union Avenue, 901.527.8429 kwvanity@bellsouth.net, www.kernswilcheck.com 82 | Entertaining: Wedding Planner & Event Design–Social Butterflies, LLC, 901.828.9321, sb-events.com Wedding gown–Blu by Mori Lee/Ballew Bridal ballewbridal.com Cake Balls–Gretchen Tayloe of Dulcitas Gourmet Treats–dulcitasgourmetsweets.com Ceremony/Reception–Hillwood @Davies Manor Bartlett TN, daviesmanorplantation.org/hillwood Band–Almost Famous www.almostfamousmemphis.com Caterer–Ziparo’s ziparos.com Invitations/All Paper & Signage–Natalie Chang Designs, 618.499.0433, natalie-chang.com Photography & Videography–Creation Studios 901.283.3902, creationstudiosgallery.com Cakes–Oh My Ganache Bakery ohmyganachebakery.com, 901.854.7022 Rentals–Classic Party Rentals 901.366.0670 & Mahaffey Tent & Party 901.363.6511 Floral Design– Haute Horticulture 901.834.2883 hautehorticulture.com 86 | Cuisine: Restaurant–Flight Matthew Williams, General Manager, 901.521.8005 Photographer–Jay Adkins jay@jayadkinsphoto.com

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Brentwood, TN 615.370.0111 brentwood.hilton.com January 2012 • athometn.com | 97

books

Bridal Inspirations Text By Shana Raley-Lusk

When it comes to expressing personal style, perhaps there is no more important day than one’s wedding day. But, as any bride or brideto-be can tell you, the stylistic options can feel endless in the wedding planning process.

From the dress and the flowers to the favors and the cakes, every bride hopes to make the choices that will result in a truly magical and unforgettable wedding day. If you are looking for a little bridal inspiration, this month’s books should do just the trick.

Vintage Weddings: One Hundred Years of Bridal Fashion and Style (Lark Crafts/Amazon. com $19.37) by Marnie Fogg: If you are on the lookout for the perfect wedding gown or if you are a lover of fashion or history (or both!), this new release is a fabulous find. The book guides readers through bridal history complete with an array of photographs that are sure to inspire. Ranging from 1900 through present day, Vintage Weddings explains and explores the various styles and trends of each decade.

98 | At Home Tennessee • January 2012

Designers and cultural influences are discussed in each chapter and memorable royal and Hollywood nuptials are also recapped. Vintage Weddings even includes a wedding planner to help brides create a period-style event as well as glossaries and a shopping guide. From the short hemlines of the 20’s to the frills of the 80’s and beyond, this book can help you discover your own personal bridal style.

Matthew Robbins’ Inspired Weddings: Designing Your Big Day with Favorite Objects & Family Treasures (Stewart Tabori & Chang/ Amazon. com $26.49) by Matthew Robbins: This gorgeously photographed book is full of unique ideas for planning your big day. Robbins shows brides-to-be how to craft their wedding design based on a sentimental or meaningful object. For example, one chapter of the book is devoted to basing the design scheme on a Portuguese bead. Robbins explains that this particular bead is an object of sentimental importance to him, as it was given to him by

a dear friend during his travels. The chapter shows readers how they may use the color palette of such an object to begin to create the overall design plan for their wedding day. The green and white color scheme as the exotic and lush feeling of the motif on the bead are elements that lend themselves to inspiring a beautiful design. Other chapters of the book are devoted to designs planned around objects such as a vintage tin, an English pitcher, seashells, and much more. This book aims to show brides-to-be a creative and fresh way to add a personal touch to their wedding day.

One of the most stunning aspects of the book is the photography, particularly the wide array of floral ideas it showcases. Inspired Weddings is a great resource for anyone planning a wedding in the near future.

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