cover
contents 20
april 2012
34
40 20 | fashion:
54
graceland in the spring
Showing off the latest fashion styles of the season, Elvis-style
34 | community: The Art of nashville
40 | travel: best of the big apple
text BY Janna f. herbison
Catching up with New York’s latest and greatest treasures.
54 | home feature:
architectural masterpiece
English manor-inspired home in Nashville fit for royality.
An inside look at the modern architecture and design of a traditional British-style dream home in Nashville. See page 54
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 6 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
text BY Jenny steuber
The visual, culinary and performing arts scenes are booming in Music City.
text BY linda benton
contents 86
APRIL 2012
26 | beauty: good for the environment
Eco-friendly hair and makeup products for spring.
28 | feature: partnering for progress in skin care
text by janna f. herbison
Local mother and daughter team up to bring cutting-edge products to Tennessee.
30 | health: preventing heart attacks
Early treatment and knowledge of warning signs can make a life-or-death difference.
32 | fitness: gym memberships
text by amy larusso
Making the most of your membership can maximize benefits and help keep resolutions.
46 | at home with: hutton hotel in nashville
82
50 | arts: arts memphis
TEXT BY kristen waddell
The organization’s new program brings art and culture to underserved areas.
52 | technology: the case for home control
text BY Janna f. herbison
What’s trending: serious makeovers for the formerly hidden rooms of the house.
72 | garden: best and beautiful annuals
TEXT BY Andrew Pulte
From petunias to geraniums, these plants will catch your eye this spring.
74 | in bloom: lungwort
TEXT BY scott fuelling
Today’s technology can secure your entire home with the touch of a button.
64 | design: the new mud room
Text by damon bagwell
The hotel’s head of marketing talks about its boutique flair and why Nashville is so unique.
TEXT BY jason reeves
The previously problem plant makes a comeback.
82 | entertaining: kentucky derby spectacular!
26
86 | cuisine: back inn cafÉ - Chattanooga
TEXT BY linda benton
Old World charm meets globally-inspired cuisine.
88 | cooking: School lunch nostalgia
text BY Jane Gaither
Peanut butter bar recipe conjures cafeteria memories.
89 | chef ’s corner: spring into healthy eating
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 • April 2012
TEXT BY MICHELLE HOPE & jamie newsom
A picnic inspiration straight from Churchill Downs.
TEXT BY chef charles phillips
A new recipe to help keep your diet fresh and light this spring.
90 | finance: harry AND sally and vacation homes
94 | see & do: double decker
TEXT BY hayden hiter
Oxford’s annual festival is a highlight of the spring in North Mississippi.
98 | books: living the green life
text BY jimmy dickey, jr.
Tips for owning and financing a second home - and the tax considerations that go with it.
Tips for an eco-friendly lifestyle.
text BY Shana Raley-Lusk
APRIL 2012 • Vol. 11 No. 1 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Margaret Monger | mmonger@athometn.com
EDITOR janna fite herbison | jherbison@athometn.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
BRITTANY WALLER | bwaller@athometn.com
EDITORIAL COPY EDITOR TerrI Glazer
SOCIETY EDITOR
Lesley Colvett | lcolvett@athometn.com
IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT Charles Reynolds | cr@colorretouching.com
ADVERTISING SENIOR REGIONAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Melissa Hosp | mhosp@athometn.com
senior ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Hilary Frankel | hfrankel@athometn.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES SUZANNE BOYD | sboyd@athometn.com DEEDEE FOWLER | dfowler@athometn.com ONEAL LEATHERS | oleathers@athometn.com donna roland | droland@athometn.com
BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Trip Monger | tmonger@athometn.com
CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Jenny Steuber, Linda Benton, Damon Bagwell, Jason Reeves, Charles Phillips, Jimmy Dickey, Jr., Mary Kathryn Harrington, Amy Larusso
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Mike Boatman, annabella charles, Sarah Dobbins, John Terry, JOE WOOLHEAD
INTERNS AMANDA GAHAN, SIMMS ROGERS, LAURIE ANN SUMMERS, megan hauver
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—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 Trip Monger; At Home Tennessee, 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018 or by e-mail to tmonger@athometn. com
10 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
publisher’s note
Spring Cleaning
W
hile preparing my closet and bedroom to have hardwood flooring installed, I was forced to tackle the job of removing everything from my closet, down to the bare walls. I’ll have to admit that when cleaning my children’s closets out I have become a bit frustrated with all the mess and strange items I found out of place. I have often wondered why it is so hard for them just to keep their closets straight and not let the clutter take over. Don’t get me wrong, I clean my closet out twice a year when I switch over the new season’s clothing, but I have not totally removed the contents in over 18 years. While mounting this task, I quickly realized that my children’s closets were not the only ones with stray items. Despite the risk of totally embarrassing myself, I feel I must share with you a few items I found. At the least, it should make you feel better about your own organizational skills. I found two maternity dresses still hanging in place. My youngest child is 18 and I have no clue how I missed removing those. There was also and bag of thank you notes written, addressed and stamped from an event in 1995. I guess it’s too late to send those now… sorry y’all! Besides several articles of clothing that wouldn’t fit my right leg now, some other interesting discoveries were: a Walgreens bag containing a full bottle of cough medicine and pack of gum from 1996; numerous expired gift cards; three cell phones; an un-cashed check from Christmas of 1994; and six umbrellas. I started to take a photo of the chaotic mess for my Facebook friends, but they don’t need any more reasons to question my sanity. On a happy note, I did manage to find about $40 in bills and change that I will use to purchase a book on how to organize a closet! With this task behind me, I am taking on the laundry room next and can’t wait to discover what I will find there. Our design section this month shows beautifully decorated and organized laundry and mud rooms; mine is far from there but hopefully not for long. I wish you a joyful spring filled with wonderful surprises, unlike the ones that lurked in my closet!
12 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
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.
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. This month, Jane reflects on school lunch memories on page 88.
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. Plute talks about the resurgence of Lungwort this month on page 72.
SHANA RALEY-LUSK
is a freelance writer and regular contributor to At Home Tennessee magazine. Lusk is a lifelong reader who has a diverse background and education in fine arts, interior design and literature. Shana features several books this month on living an eco-friendly life on page 98
MICHELLE HOPE, JAIME NEWSOM & KARIN WOODWARD
show how to entertain Kentucky Derby-Style 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.
KRISTEN MYERS WADDELL
spotlights a new community program by ArtsMemphis on page 50. She is a member of the MidSouth Chapter of Public Relations Society of America, MPACT Memphis and the Arts Memphis BRAVO Memphis program.
14 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
fashion PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN TERRY FOREST HILL PHOTOGRAPHY
WE’RE BRINGING YOU THE LATEST LOOKS OF THE SEASON, SHOWCASED THROUGHOUT THE LEGENDARY HOUSE THAT ELVIS CALLED HOME
Graceland in the Spring
Armani Collezioni dress, Carol Lipworth Necklace, Gillian Jullius Bracelet, Sue Surdi Earrings, Levy's; Michael Korsariana Tangerine Ostrich Wedge, Dillards 20 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
Miracle Body Jeans in Natural Color, XCVI Turquoise and Natural Peasant Top, Open-end Mother of Pearl Necklace, Seriously Fun; Vince Camuto Tropical Teal Heel, Dillard's
April 2012 • athometn.com | 21
fashion
Cut 25 Top, Cut 25 Skirt, Becca Belz Earring and Bracelet, Oak Hall; BCBG Paeyton Heel, Dillards
Muse Dress, Edenton Etc. Boutique, Jackson; Katie Kalsi Handbag, Belk; BCBG Black Napalux Heel, Dillards
Else Jeans, Vince Camuto Jacket, Kensi Top, Macy's The Green Hills Mall Nashville; Gianni Bini Pop Multi Heel, Dillards
10 Crosby Derek Lam Striped Halter Maxi Dress, Oak Hall April 2012 • athometn.com | 23
fashion
Gianni Bini Jumpsuit, Dillard's Wolfchase Galleria; Gianni Bini Katie Wedge, Dillards 24 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
Haute Hippie One Shoulder Dress, Kenneth Jay Lane Necklace, Kenneth Jay Lane Cuff, Oak Hall; Vince Camuto: V.C Rivka/Nat-Pearl Sling Back Peep Toes, Dillard's
beauty
Eco-friendly products for
spring Argan Lip Gloss
Josie Maran, $18 Sephora www.sephora.com www.josiemarancosmetics.com
Eye Shadow Palette
NVEY ECO Organic Makeup, $63 Mona Spa & Laser Center www.shopnveyeco.com
Asian Pear & Red Tea Shampoo and Conditioner Nature’s Gate, $8 www.natures-gate.com
26 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
Volumizing Mascara
NVEY ECO Organic Makeup, $25 Mona Spa & Laser Center www.shopnveyeco.com
French Clary Sage Bracelet with Fragrance Beads Lisa Hoffman Beauty, $65 www.lisahoffmanbeauty.com
Luminous Crème Lipstick BITE, $24 Sephora, Green Hills Mall Nashville www.sephora.com
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque Kiehl’s, $23 www.kiehls.com
April 2012 • athometn.com | 27
beauty
New Skin Care Advances Lead to Mother/Daughter Partnership Text by Janna f. herbison
Breakthrough technology brings unique line of beauty products to Tennessee A recent technological method developed by New York-based company Cellure creates a unique and pure protein complex through the use of medical stem cells. These same cells are normally used in life-saving disease therapy for degenerative diseases, but this latest technique is an example of how the technology can also improve skin care through powerful proteins and the re-growth of cells. The process multiplies the stem cells that excrete powerful proteins, which in turn, helps to counteract aging, sun damage and blemishes, among other skin conditions. The product helps advance the skin’s radiance, along with overall tone and texture.
28 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
Cultivating and using only stem cells from adults, the technology shuns animal-based or artificial cells. The proteins in the patented stem cell extract, called Lipotien, are the very same ones found in the body; this helps to promote unusually fast absorption. The products developed with this technology are specifically designed to marry the skin’s normal functions to dispatch powerful growth factors and proteins from a formula derived from a proprietary process by biomedical company RNL Bio. Native Memphian Jessica Sappenfield recently signed on to work with Cellure, headquartered in New York’s Soho district.
She then shared the technology and products with her mother, Mona Sappenfield, owner of Mona Spa and Laser Center in Memphis. In March, the local spa launched its partnership with Cellure to provide the product technology in the Memphis area, becoming one of the first locations in the Southeast to carry the new line. From serum booster to eye treatments, products developed using the new technology represent an array of current advancements that combine cutting edge medical research with everyday beauty.
health
EARLY TREATMENT IS CRUCIAL FOR
HEART ATTACKS Courtesy of Saint Francis Hospital Chest Pain Emergency Center.
Chest pain is one of the most characteristic symptoms of a heart attack and also one of the most common reasons people visit emergency rooms. Each year more than one million Americans suffer heart attacks, and nearly half of those attacks are fatal. Emergency room physicians advise that if a heart attack is to be treated effectively, the treatments must begin within one hour from when the symptoms start. Symptoms of a Heart Attack • When it comes to heart attacks, knowing the symptoms and getting prompt medical attention can make a critical difference in the outcome: • Chest pain or discomfort. The pain is usually in the center of the chest and may last for a few minutes or it can come and go. People describe the feeling as uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. • Pain or discomfort in the upper body. Other pain may occur in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or even stomach. • Shortness of breath. This may accompany chest pain or begin before the pain starts. 30| At Home Tennessee • April 2012
• Other symptoms may include a cold sweat, nausea and fainting or feeling lightheaded. Women are more likely to experience less common symptoms such as feeling short of breath, nausea or vomiting, and pain in the back and jaw. If you or someone you know has any symptoms of a heart attack, it’s very important to seek immediate emergency treatment. Call 9-1-1 for emergency care instead of driving to the hospital in the midst of a heart attack. Rapid Treatment Important The main heart attack treatments are thrombolytic or clot-busting drugs, aspirin, nitrates and beta blockers. Aspirin is now given to all patients who arrive at the hospital with a suspected heart attack, since it helps thin the blood and reduces the size of the clot that is blocking one of the blood vessels in the heart. A number of special procedures are available that doctors can use to treat heart attacks. Coronary angioplasty uses a very small catheter threaded through an artery (usually from the groin area) into the narrowed artery. At the end
of the catheter is a tiny balloon that is opened and closed in the narrowed area to stretch it out. Doctors also can insert a tiny mesh tube called a stent to help keep the artery open. For blocked arteries, doctors may need to perform a bypass. In a coronary artery bypass graft operation, surgeons take a healthy section of artery (usually from the leg) and use it to route around the blockage. Improving Heart Attack Care Saint Francis Hospital is a dedicated chest pain center, an accreditation which ensures that patients with cardiac symptoms receive the most advanced care available. A study published in the July 2008 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology found that hospitals accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers perform better on the heart attack measures (established by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) compared with non-accredited facilities. These centers meet or exceed quality-of-care measures associated with diagnosing and treating heart attacks. Over 30 hospitals across Tennessee have accredited chest pain centers. For a list, go to www.scpcp.org
health/fitness
DON’T LET YOUR
RESOLVE WANE GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR GYM MEMBERSHIP Text by AMY LARUSSO FITNESS AND PROGRAMS COORDINATOR, GERMANTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB
So you made a New Year’s resolution to get fit in 2012 and then joined a health club. Kudos to you! By now, however, your resolve is waning and it’s getting harder to make that trek to the gym. This is the danger time, between eight and 12 weeks after joining a gym, when many people fall off the wagon and abandon their new fitness goals until next year. How can you maintain your momentum and get over the hump? Take some additional steps to be sure that you are getting the most from your membership. These tips can make the difference between success and failure – and the best part: they will also make your gym experience much more enjoyable and productive! • Talk with your membership services representative and schedule a full tour of the facility to acquaint yourself with all of the programs and amenities your gym has to offer. • Check with your club’s staff to see if they offer a fitness evaluation. This will help you establish a baseline for your current conditioning level so that you can benchmark against it and evaluate your progress. • If you have never been a member of a gym, it has been a long time since you followed an exercise program, or if you have previous injuries that warrant caution, consider scheduling a few sessions with a personal trainer to get you started. In addition to helping you set up your exercise regimen, trainers will make sure you are using proper form to avoid future injury. They will also offer great suggestions on how to maximize the results of your workout. • Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It can be intimidating to walk into a room filled with foreign equipment or start a new class, but the staff is there to help you – they are ready and willing to assist. • Get involved in a variety of programs – the more variety, the less boredom. Now is a great time to step out of your box and try some things you may not have tried before. Get off the treadmill and 32| At Home Tennessee • April 2012
take a Zumba® or dance fitness class for your cardio workout – it’s exhilarating! If you have arthritis or like low-impact exercise, a Tai Chi or water aerobics class is just the ticket. Tired of stretching on the fitness area mat? How about some yoga? In most gyms and clubs, you can talk with the instructor prior to a class or even observe it to see if it’s a good fit. • Make exercise a regular part of your day. Block out time for it on your calendar, just as you would for an important meeting. You will be less likely to skip your workout if it is a scheduled part of your life. • DON’T go on a strict diet – you can’t live on a diet. Instead, make healthy choices and watch portion sizes. That you CAN live with. • Stay focused and keep your long-term goal in mind. Don’t become discouraged if you don’t see immediate weight loss. Muscle does weigh more than fat. Concentrate instead on inches lost and body fat percentage – and of course, on how good you feel after your workout! • Try to exercise with friends, family or co-workers – it makes your workout a lot more fun and also makes you much more likely to show up. • Don’t just go through the motions – set a goal for yourself and stick to it.v • Once you start a workout regimen, don’t allow yourself to backslide. It’s so easy to skip a day here and a day there and so hard to get back on track. • As with many things in life, you get out of your workout what you put into it. Make a commitment to your health and make it happen! Use these tips to mix up your workout; you’ll feel energized and stay motivated to reach your ultimate health and weight loss goals!
community
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
The Art of
Nashville Text by Jenny steuber
The visual, culinary and performing arts scenes are booming in Music City. 34| At Home Tennessee • April 2012
Nashville has long been known for its expansive music scene, but it’s the talent and creativity of its arts scene that are starting to make waves. Music City’s recent emergence of world-class fine arts, performing arts options, and even the culinary arts is putting Nashville on the map as an artistic and culturally rich destination. The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is a strong anchor for Nashville’s rapidly expanding visual arts scene. Housed in a magnificent art deco building, the Frist has no permanent collections, but instead hosts temporary exhibitions from around the world in its three galleries, meaning there is new art to see every six to eight weeks. Many of the exhibits on display are compiled exclusively for the Frist Center and cannot be seen in any other location. Two noteworthy exhibitions heading to the Frist this season are Bill Traylor: Drawings from the Collections of the High Museum of Art and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts opening May 25, and Constable: Oil Sketches from the Victoria and Albert Museum opening June 22. The newly coined “5th Avenue of the Arts” located downtown offers nearly 20 unique galleries, including those located in the eclectic Arcade and expanding 5th Avenue art district. The Arts Company, Rymer Gallery and Tinney Contemporary serve as the anchor galleries along this unique art row. The popular First Saturday Art Crawl is the perfect event in which to stroll through the galleries, enjoy a cocktail and take in a more cosmopolitan side of Music City than you might expect. “5th Avenue of the Arts” showcases the vibrant visual arts scene in downtown Nashville and continues to grow in popularity with programs such as the Art Crawl, Collectors Art Night, and performance platforms on the street. With events such as these on such an artistic block, Nashville attracts increasingly large crowds of visitors and locals alike who head downtown to encounter original artwork in an urban setting. “The collaborative energy of the galleries, other businesses and civic leadership promises even more dynamic development in the near future,” says Anne Brown, owner of The Arts Company. A somewhat hidden gem of the city (and the art world in general) is Fisk University’s Carl Van Vechten Gallery. Renowned painter Georgia O’Keeffe gifted the university with pieces from her late husband, Alfred Stieglitz’ private collection, including works by Picasso, Cézanne, Renoir, O’Keeffe and Stieglitz himself. More impressively, the museum is free and open to the public.
RIVER GORGE
April 2012 • athometn.com | 35
community Watermark Restaurant
CatBird Seat
1808 Grille
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
community
The Tennessee Performing Arts Center “Mary Poppins”
If you haven’t visited The Parthenon, originally built as part of the state’s centennial celebration, it is a must-see in Nashville. An exact replica of the ancient Greek Parthenon, the Centennial Park structure is home to Athena, the largest indoor sculpture in the western hemisphere. After your visit, drive a few minutes down the road to the LeQuire Gallery & Studio. Allen LeQuire, the sculptor of Athena, runs a unique contemporary art gallery, and offers open studio sculpting classes every Tuesday evening. Finally, an arts tour of Nashville wouldn’t be 36| At Home Tennessee • April 2012
The Tennessee Performing Arts Center “Memphis”
complete without visiting Hatch Show Print, one of the oldest letterpress poster shops in America. Walking in the small shop is like entering a museum of music history. Old concert posters from Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Roy Acuff cover the walls, and thousands of wooden typefaces are stocked and piled throughout the space. Today’s clientele includes Bob Dylan, the band Coldplay and B.B. King. The performing arts in Nashville have certainly also earned their fair share of the spotlight throughout this artistic town.
The Tennessee Performing Arts Center “The Addams Family”
Performers from actors to dancers and musicians have found a welcoming audience in Music City. The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) serves as the hub for the performing arts scene and presents a series of Broadway shows and special engagements throughout the year. Coming this May, TPAC will feature a very special performance of “Rain, A Tribute to the Beatles.” Additionally, TPAC serves as the home to three resident performing arts organizations: the Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera and the Tennessee Repertory Theatre.
The Nashville Ballet, the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee, consists of 22 professional dancers from around the world, and presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works. The Nashville Opera typically produces four main-stage performances at TPAC each year, and the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Tennessee’s largest professional theatre company, performs five main-stage and three off-Broadway productions annually. The GRAMMY® award winning Nashville Symphony is one of the most recorded symphonies in the country, and it’s easy to understand this fact during a performance. The 85-member orchestra, led by dynamic Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, performs in the spectacular Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This acoustic masterpiece boasts 1,872 seats on three levels and features 30 soundproof windows, making it one of the few major concert halls in North America with natural light. With 140 performances annually, the Nashville Symphony offers a broad range of classical, pops and jazz concerts, special events and children’s concerts. It’s not surprising that the creative energy that runs through the city impacts everyone in the community. Nashville chefs are no exception, as they are considered some of the most innovative in their field. Their passion and ingenuity are so evident, well – you can literally taste it. Recently named one of the “Top Ten Best New Restaurants by GQ Magazine,” The Catbird Seat brings a dining novel concept to Nashville. Local restaurateur brothers Ben and Max Goldberg opened the 34-seat eatery in October, which features an ever-changing seven-course menu of seasonally inspired dishes, prepared by acclaimed chefs Josh Habiger and Erik Anderson. Together they cook in a U-shaped kitchen surrounded by countertop seating, giving patrons the opportunity to observe and interact with the chefs as their food is prepared. The historic Hermitage Hotel’s Capitol Grille goes beyond sourcing local food by actually growing their own ingredients at the Farm at Glen Leven, just five miles from the restaurant. Executive Chef Tyler Brown creates a menu that shifts with the seasons, is based on the freshest and best selections available, and pays homage to historic Southern cuisine. 1808 Grille, located in the hip Hutton Hotel, features New American cuisine with a global twist. Executive Chef Charles Phillips creates sensational dishes such as the lamb t-bone and fennel dusted scallops using local produce and sustainable seafood. April 2012 • athometn.com | 37
community
The Catbird Seat
Tayst
Watermark Restaurant
38| At Home Tennessee • April 2012
M Street Entertainment runs some of the hottest restaurants in town, including Kayne Prime, Virago, Whiskey Kitchen and Tavern. The group takes an unusual and artful approach to their menus. Robbie Wilson, the culinary director for these properties, explains: “Most of the time when I execute a dish, I look to the plate as an actual canvas. Since I will never be paid real dollars to paint, this is my only chance to live the life as an artist vicariously through my food.” It is easy to see his artistic mind at work in such dishes as the Wagyu brisket at Virago with its playful textures and geometric forms, or the baby octopus at Kayne Prime that is set against the vibrant colors of heirloom cauliflower and chorizo vinaigrette. Watermark recently welcomed James Beard-nominated chef Bob Waggoner as their executive chef. Waggoner, who studied in France and was the first American chef to own his own restaurant in the country, brings his eclectic tastes to Nashville through the newly reinvigorated Watermark menu. Some of his more popular dishes include the baked grit soufflé and hickory grilled Colorado lamb tenderloin. While Tayst, Nashville’s greenest restaurant, features a chalkboard that lists the farms from which that particular evening’s menu items originate, Chef Jeremy Barlow goes even further to maintain an eco-friendly establishment. He nearly eliminates waste through recycling and composting, and decreases the restaurant’s footprint across the board, even using energy-efficient dishwashers. The result – not only incredibly superior flavor and more nutritious foods, but Tayst is now one of only a dozen restaurants in the country to be awarded a 3-Star certification from the Green Restaurant Association. The bottom line: While Nashville will always be Music City, it’s clear that the creative energy and talent in the area extend far beyond music, and into a burgeoning art scene that is worth a visit all on its own.
April 2012 • athometn.com | 39
travel
Spice Market
9/11 Memorial
9/11 Memorial
9/11 Memorial
REVISITING
NEW YORK CITY TEXT BY JANNA Fite HERBISON
From the new 9/11 Memorial to classic hotels and unrivaled cuisine, the Big Apple is still the ideal big city escape, and will easily steal your heart. 40 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
“It’ll be a great place if they ever finish it...” – O. Henry This classic quote epitomizes the everchanging, eclectic and versatile city known as New York. With its many boroughs, diverse eateries and myriad shops, New York offers its visitors – as well as its residents – endless possibilities and adventures. While Manhattan proper has long been known as the heart of the City, its sister neighborhoods in areas of Brooklyn, Queens, Harlem, the Bronx and Staten Island also boast amazing cuisine, along with rich, cultural destinations that are off the beaten path, but well worth the trip.
STAY Hotels, both classic and cutting-edge, abound in New York City. Whether you want the hustle-and-bustle of midtown Manhattan or a quiet boutique apartment rental, the City has hundreds of choices when it comes to hanging your hat. The biggest irony, however, in choosing a place to rest your head at night – New York is, of course, known as “the city that never sleeps.” The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel at 50th Street and Park Avenue has long been a famous fixture of New York. The fourstar luxury hotel occupies an entire block and is within walking distance of Central Park and the theater district. The rooms at the Waldorf feature marble bathrooms and Hilton Serenity beds. Adjacent to the lobby, guests can dine at the Bull & Bear Steakhouse & Bar or sip on a classic Manhattan at Sir Harry’s Lounge. The Box House Hotel in Brooklyn is a quiet, non-traditional hotel that offers designer loft apartments available for rental on a weekly or even monthly basis. All of the apartments feature queensize beds and pull out sofas, along with a full kitchen and dishware. The spaces also include private decks, hardwood floors throughout and an overall cozy, comfortable and discreet environment. Located in the heart of trendy SoHo, Hotel Azure is a unique, five-story hotel at the corner of the neighborhood’s shopping district. Its self-acclaimed modern Eurostyle design and high-quality amenities add up to the perfect, peaceful retreat for full relaxation. Also in the area, the Soho Grand Hotel is in full keeping with SoHo’s reputation for creativity and culture. Some of its most notable features include new private-floor suites and a trés chic Grand Bar & Lounge. The Grand Hotel was among the first of New York’s boutique hotels.
April 2012 • athometn.com |41
travel
Gotham Bar & Grill
Shake Shack
Soho Grand Hotel
Spice Market
Museum of Natural HIstory
42 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
Children’s Museum of Brooklyn
DINE Situated on quaint, cobblestone streets along Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, Spice Market restaurant will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to an exotic Asian locale. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten bases his unusual dishes on street food he once experienced while traveling in Southeast Asia.
Bloomingdale’s still finds modern ways to set itself apart from the rest.
Century 21 department store in the City’s financial district is a hidden shopping gem among New Yorkers. Located just across One World Trade Center, the store carries every fashion line imaginable. Be prepared to stay a while, however. It can take hours to peruse Century 21’s many stories full of clothes, The menu features such eclectic cuisine shoes and accessories. as chicken samosas with cilantro-infused yogurt, vinegar-infused pork vindaloo and The Chanel SoHo Boutique is just one Halibut Cha Ca La Vong. The food is served example of fine shopping in the district. Styled family-style, and arrives throughout the meal in keeping with SoHo’s artistic, downtown for all to share. The décor is reminiscent spirit, the boutique has iconic black and white of eastern luxury with its valuable artifacts décor and exposed tin ceilings. The store’s from South India and custom-made colonial gallery concept marries downtown luxury style furniture mixed with Oriental period with commissioned art works. Chanel SoHo pieces. Upbeat ambient music completes the also features a signature acrylic Chanel No. 5 experience of an “Oriental cocoon, worlds bottle that stands over 10 feet high. away from the neighborhood’s bustle.” And then – there’s Broadway. New York’s In the heart of Harlem, a restaurant theater district is bustling with classic musicals celebrating the area’s diverse culinary along with the latest Tony award-winning traditions sits on Lenox Avenue between favorites. Whether it’s Jersey Boys, Chicago 125th and 126th streets. Red Rooster serves or Wicked, or recent hits such as Memphis: up classic comfort food, with favorites such The Musical or Rock of Ages, the Broadway as Helga’s Meatballs, Peanut Soup and the experience is never one to miss. Off-Broadway ever-popular Devil’s Food Cupcake. The shows are also stage gems, with smaller, more eatery also features a three-course lunch and is intimate art-type venues and smaller ticket named after the legendary Harlem speakeasy. prices to go along with them. E.A.T. Café on the Upper East Side near Madison and 80th Street boasts delicious salad sampler plates and an enchanting window view, along with a good chance of celebrity sightings. Patrons can also enjoy an extensive wine list and take-out baked goods that rival your grandmother’s. For an upscale dinner on the town, Gotham Bar & Grill is located in New York’s classic Greenwich Village near Union Square. After enjoying a signature cocktail such as the Confused Traveler, dine on some of the restaurant’s famed dishes, including tuna tartare, seared foie gras, or miso-marinated black cod. The 28-day aged steak is also a classic, along with the delectable chocolate cake. Be sure to dress in your finest and bring a hefty checkbook – it’s pricey, but well worth the splurge.
One of the most inspirational locations in all of New York is the new 9/11 Memorial & Museum, which occupies half of the 16acre World Trade Site. The memorial opened on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a dedication ceremony, and serves to memorialize all the victims who lost their lives that day. It consists of two huge reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers, with 30-foot waterfalls cascading outside. The names of 2,983 are inscribed into bronze panels surrounding the pools. Not a sight to soon forget. When it comes to the visual arts, along with the legendary Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, two other museums are also worthy of a visit during any stay in New York. The Children’s Museum of Brooklyn was the first museum created just for kids in 1899. Founded in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the museum contains award-winning, handson exhibits and engages children of all ages in learning adventures. It was also the first “green” museum in New York City.
The Shake Shack began as a hot dog cart on Madison Square in 2004, and has grown to include several locations throughout the City. Deemed a modern-day roadside burger stand, the Shake Shack features everything from its “Shackburger” to hot dogs, frozen custard, The Museum of Natural History in Manhattan is one of the premier scientific and beer and wine. cultural institutions in the world. Founded in VISIT 1869, it is home to a wide-ranging program of The shopping scene in New York City scientific research, education and exhibition. stretches from Madison Avenue to trendy Rub shoulders with the dinosaurs or check downtown boutiques and beyond. One of the out a unique animal exhibit. most famous department stores in the City Whether planning a weekend getaway to is, of course, Bloomingdale’s at the corner of New York or an extended vacation, The Big 59th and Lexington. The store began in the Apple does not disappoint. While it may be 1800’s with a classic 19th century fad – the the fastest-paced city on earth, it will also hoop skirt – and by the 1970’s had evolved as make you want to slow down and take your one of the ultimate places to “see and be seen” time experiencing its many treasures, as if to in Manhattan. Known for its gala events and savor every bite. fashion shows along with upscale shopping,
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travel at home with
An Interview with
Lisa Bush Director of Sales & Marketing Hutton Hotel, Nashville TEXT BY dAMON BAGWELL
AT HOME TENNESSEE: How LB: There are so many things I love on the long have you been in your current position? 1808 Grille menu, but for dinner it is the Bronze Glazed Quail. My favorite lunch menu item, though, has to be the Flaked Char. LISA BUSH: I joined the Hutton Hotel in May 2008, as part of the pre-opening team. After six years in Southern California, I AHT:How do you convince people to visit returned to my home state to be close to family, Nashville? as well as for the rare opportunity to launch an independent luxury hotel. LB: Quite simply: there is something for everyone. AHT: What inspires you when talking to Music is a universal connector—and Nashville others about the Hutton Hotel? truly is Music City. It’s a mecca that is best known for country, of course, but you’ll find LB: The hotel is gorgeous, so that is definitely fantastic local artists of every genre here. an advantage. From the beginning, though, we Music is just the tip of the iceberg though: it knew we would be filling a niche in the market is genuinely a special place for everyone, from and would be welcomed with open arms by the families to the business traveler. Nashville community. The boutique feel of the property provides a welcoming environment—our frequent guests call us their “home away from home.” Our award-winning green initiatives have also been pivotal in promoting the hotel; it’s a point of pride for everyone involved, from the valet team to our general manager, to be leaders in this field. The best compliment we receive about the hotel, however, is the quality of our service. It is tried and true Southern hospitality, redefined for our modern lifestyles.
AHT: Tell us about your community
Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. This year, I am also proud to take on the role of Marketing Chair for the Steeplechase Lookbook Fashion Show, the proceeds of which benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
AHT: What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
LB: Painting is one of my favorite pastimes—I
find it very relaxing. In the summertime, I love spending time by the pool, grilling and socializing with friends.
AHT: What is your favorite Tennessee memory?
involvement — do you participate in local LB: As a Middle Tennessee native, I spent my philanthropic endeavors? fair share of days on the farm. My father raised cattle, and I loved quarter horses, spending the LB: I began partnering with the tremendous majority of my time riding on Ben Lomand T.J. Martell Foundation upon my return Mountain. It is one of the most peaceful places to Nashville. It has become such a rich and on earth. A large part of my childhood was also spent on Center Hill Lake, waterskiing and rewarding relationship. boating. After living in another state, I can I also serve on the Business Leaders Council, truly appreciate Tennessee and the comforts of which began in 2009 with the mission of home. engaging corporate decision makers in the AHT: What is your favorite dish in the community. This started with innovative cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston 1808 Grille at the Hutton? 46 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
arts
Behind the scenes at Curb Appeal:The Block
Art Around Town:
New Program Brings the Arts to Memphis’ Underserved Communities Text by KRISTEN WADDELL
Spring flowers aren’t the only things popping up this season. Thanks to ArtsMemphis’ Pop Up ArtFest Series, neighborhoods all over Memphis are being treated to one-day mini festivals featuring some of the city’s most prominent performing and visual artists. With funding from a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the local organization has produced a series of three free-admission events in communities where residents have little exposure to the cultural sector. The Pop Ups encourage creativity and interaction through hands-on art activities and live presentations by local performing groups. The first Pop Up in October of last year took place in Frayser with a variety of diverse arts groups participating. Attendees were treated to performances spanning a range of musical styles from Opera Memphis to local rapper Lil Chris. Playhouse on the Square, Tennessee 50 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
Shakespeare Company and several visual past a single-day event, ArtsMemphis has artists provided workshops, booths activities created the Arts Access card program. Eligible cardholders who may not otherwise be able to throughout the afternoon. afford admission prices receive free or reducedThe Hollywood/Springdale area was the site price tickets from over 30 participating arts of the second in the unique series last month. organizations in the Memphis area. Neighborhood children became artists for a day through hands-on activity booths while Through outreach efforts like Pop Up ArtsFest dancers from Project Motion and Collage and the Arts Access cards, ArtsMemphis is Dance Collective, as well as a variety of committed to engaging visual and performing theatrical and musical groups, entertained the arts entities in the city to provide continued access to the arts in underserved neighborhoods. crowd. The response has been positive and enthusiasm April 29 is the date for the third installment of continues to grow with each subsequent effort. the popular series, this time in Orange Mound. Performers confirmed at press time include ArtsMemphis is a fund-raising and grantAl Kapone with the Memphis Symphony making organization that supports nearly 60 Orchestra, and New Ballet Ensemble and groups. In 2011 ArtsMemphis funded local artistic endeavors to the tune of $2.8 million School. in grants to further cultural education and In an effort to create long-term impact and outreach. keep these communities engaged in the arts
technology
The Case for
Home Control Text by SCOTT FUELLING
Everyone dreams of a home that is as technologically advanced as George and Jane Jetson’s, a futuristic abode that operates with the touch of a button. The "smart home" has been a work in progress: many manufacturers have spent years attempting to perfect it using systems that would provide a total home solution. Unfortunately, many of these were poorly manufactured and unreliable, while reliable systems were stratospherically priced and out of reach for all but the wealthiest. Times have definitely changed…
way to use one device that can be activated easily by a technically-minded consumer or by a professional installer. These remotes can range from $100 to several hundred dollars and typically require line of sight with your equipment to work accurately.
Today’s consumer has a myriad of choices, ranging from the most basic universal remote control to an elaborate total home set-up. The good news is that there are reliable solutions for everyone and for every budget. An easy start, for example, is taming your entertainment system by eliminating the pile of remotes residing on your coffee table.
Total home control can provide benefits far beyond the individual components. Imagine arming your security system and letting your controls adjust automatically after you leave your home. Upon departure, your exterior doors lock, the lighting adjusts to any level desired, your entertainment systems power off and the thermostats adjust for energy management. When you return home, simply disarming your security system can turn the lights back on, reset the thermostats and welcome you into a comfortable environment. By implementing some of these basic functions, you can reduce your utility bills noticeably as these adjustments cause your home to become more energy efficient.
The bane of most people’s existence is trying to remember which remote to use and the setting each device requires to properly work together. If you have a basic television, service provider box and a Blu-Ray player, you are talking about three different remote controls. Today’s universal remotes offer a practical 52 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
One of the more elegant solutions actually turns your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad into the ultimate remote control. Some can even use your existing wireless network to relay control commands to your equipment, eliminating the need for line of sight control.
We are all busy these days and sometimes we need to check on our house while we are not there. With today’s updated control systems, you can check the status of your home and even view security cameras anywhere you have access to the Internet. At the same time, you can rest assured that no one will have the ability to “hack” your home. Competent, certified home electronics integrators specialize in meeting their clients’ technology needs. The biggest reward for those in this profession is to help people determine what technology is best for their needs, both now and in the future. The ultimate goal is for a homeowner to be able to pick up one remote control and operate everything easily and reliably. Implementing these systems can start as low as $1,000, and additions can be made over time, creating the ultimate set-up at the individual’s preferred pace. Look for an integration professional with the skills and knowledge to equip your home with a system that would even make the Jetsons envious.
HOMEfeature
HOMEfeature
Nashville Manor Home Fit for Royalty ESSENTIALLY ENGLISH
TEXT BY LINDA BENTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY sarah dobbins
When Nashville architect Sharon Pigott and interior designer Bethany Bartels were commissioned to design and build their clients’ dream home in the suburban neighborhood of Green Hills, they knew the first step was to help them realize and define their own personal style. “So many people know what they like when they see it, but they have a hard time visualizing spaces and dimensions from an architectural rendering,” says Pigott. “That’s why communication and trust are so important when it comes to designing a home. It is a very personal process.” Pigott’s inspiration came from a photo of a 400-year-old British manor home. The clients, self-admitted Anglophiles, fell in love with the idea of a home with English influence. “My clients were great to work with because they wanted 100 percent authenticity. Reproducing the historical style with true period details was a challenge, but a rewarding one,” says Pigott. She enlisted the help of Nashville builder Rogan Allen to make her clients’ dream home become a reality. Bartels, who already had an established relationship with the clients, was commissioned to complete the interior. Allen has established a reputation for creating elegant homes with Old World charm throughout his career in the business, which spans
almost 40 years. When asked if he could could recreate the authentic English manor, he knew he had the resources to make it happen. “From my framers to my cabinet makers to stone masons and metal workers, I depend on them to make a homeowner’s dream a reality.” The Green Hills residence exemplifies the fulfillment of such a dream, exuding European elegance both inside and out. Stepping into the manor home is like stepping back in time. Pigott’s floor plan flows seamlessly from room to room. Each living space possesses a special element that is uniquely British. The foyer’s architectural elements establish the English influence with warm, rustic beams, wrought iron light fixtures, and a unique trellis floor pattern that incorporates reclaimed English oak planks with travertine marble. “Bethany did a great job of collaborating with the homeowners, the builder and myself to finish each room in a way that complemented and highlighted the architectural details of the space,” says Pigott. With meticulous detail to the period, Bartels balanced the use of warm and dark woods with a color palette of classic creams, sunny yellows, dreamy blues and pale greens throughout the home. April 2012 • athometn.com | 55
HOMEfeature
“ From my framers to my cabinet makers to stone masons and metal workers, I depend on them to make a homeowner’s dream a reality. -Rogan allen, builder
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”
The formal living room, perhaps more aptly called the great room, is reminiscent of a castle. The space features 23-foot-high ceilings, an 18-foot-tall limestone fireplace flanked by two wrought-iron-railed “Juliet” balconies, and an expanse of glass that provides a stunning view of downtown Nashville. To simulate thick stone walls, an arched two-foot-wide opening connects the kitchen to the formal living room. Heavy oak pocket doors allow the formal living room to be closed off when not in use.
HOMEfeature
The kitchen is bright and cheery, with an abundance of white cabinets, quartz countertops and floors planked in reclaimed walnut. In lieu of the traditional butler’s pantry, the homeowners opted for a breakfast bar with a “HIS (coffee) and HERS (tea)” beverage prep counter. The corner of the kitchen is flooded with natural light and features a built-in banquette, perfect for a relaxing with a “spot of tea.” Perhaps no other area of the house speaks to the couple’s love of all things English than the pub room. Drenched in rich, warm oak, the pub is a cozy retreat for entertaining guests. With its abundance of built-in shelving, a curved counter bar and green leathertopped bar stools, one can almost taste a pint of ale. The homeowner delights in playing bartender, so a model train track was built into the bar counter, allowing drinks to arrive by toy train car. Heavy English oak sliding doors with frosted glass inserts etched with the word “pub” separate the entertainment space from the family room. While most of the home’s interior spaces are finished in understated elegance, the powder room on the main floor definitely makes a statement of style. Floor-to-ceiling gold leaf framed mirrors flank all four walls. Bartels found an antique cabinet that she had repurposed as a sink basin. Gold sconce light fixtures dripping with chunky crystals bounce light off the mirrors in all directions, creating a look that challenges the grandeur of the Hall of Mirrors at the Chateau Versailles. April 2012 • athometn.com | 57
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“ So many people
know what they like when they see it, but they have a hard time visualizing spaces and dimensions from an architectural rendering.
HOMEfeature
”
-sharon pigott, architect
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HOMEfeature
“Probably the biggest challenge in the construction of this home was the creation of an authentic English elevator, or ‘lift,’ as the Brits call it,” says Allen. The steel frame for the three-story mechanism was built offsite and had to be lowered by crane into the home before the roof could be installed. Although inspired by an old English elevator, this is a modern-day work of art with its dark steel frame, wood trim and use of glass on all four sides. To keep the space light and airy, skilled craftsmen constructed a curved staircase around the lift without the use of vertical support. The overall effect of the bold vertical elevator shaft and the floating staircase is nothing less than an architectural masterpiece. The high elevation of the property adds to the understated grandeur of the home. Carved into a hillside with a lovely surround of limestone retaining walls, the home’s scale is impressive without being overwhelming. Natural limestone, stucco, copper guttering and real slate shingles also give the house timeless appeal. “While the use of these materials matched the look of the period, they also provide a no-maintenance exterior,” says Allen. “We also went to great lengths to incorporate energy savings where we could.” The home is built with low-E insulated glass windows, a 20-SEER highefficiency heat and air system, closed cell insulation and an impressive water recovery system that takes runoff and rain water from the gutters and puts it into a 50,000-gallon holding tank for landscaping irrigation. In looking at the completed project and all its complexities, Allen says he is proud that he was able to complete the home on budget and on time. Though it was English-inspired, Pigott, Allen and Bartels agree this house is an all-American beauty. “Using local materials, local craftsmen and local design talent, we are proud of the results. It truly is a home worthy of the queen!” says Pigott. April 2012 • athometn.com | 61
design
the new
mud room TEXT BY JANNA F. HERBISON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE BOATMAN
Once considered the least attractive parts of the house, mud and laundry rooms are now getting major facelifts. 64 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
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design
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W
hen most of us think of mud and laundry rooms, cuttingedge style and renovation aren’t the first things that come to mind. For many, these rooms are traditionally places in the back of the house, at the entrance reserved solely for close friends and family members. The location is often a place full of dirty clothes, shoes, coats and maybe a few bats and ball caps. That perception, however, may soon be changing. In recent years, according to a number of designers, an increasing percentage of owners of high-end custom homes are looking to renovate these rooms with new and creative spaces. The trend often serves as an innovative way to help organize, clean and “run” the household in general. This is particularly the case for many families with school-aged children. The new mud room organizing niches create a more attractive and practical place for school books, coats, shoes and other items that would traditionally be scattered across the house. One new renovation trend along the same lines involves another aspect of the home – office nooks either in or next to the mud room for handling the “business of the house.” Nooks create a center of sorts to tend to the business of the household, one that is completely separate from any another office in the home. In this scenario, grocery and “to do” lists along with budget items and receipts no longer get jumbled up with professional documents that mom or dad brought home from the office. The addition of a dedicated laundry room is another trending asset to the home with such features as counters for folding clothes and cabinets to disguise cleaning chemicals, while also keeping them away from small children. The bottom line – even though it’s long been known as the dirtiest room in the house, when it comes to home renovation and design, the mud room (along with its laundry counterpart) is taking its rightful place as a spot worthy of designers’ attention.
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styleMARKETPLACE
Environmentally-Friendly best "green" products for the home
SOI Decorative Natural Soy Candle and Skin Moisturizer The SOI Company $25 www.thesoico.com
Organic Shea Butter Soap Bar Shea Moisture $4 each Target and Walgreens
Springwash Body Spray and Shower Gel DIRTY $20 - body spray $10 - shower gel www.lushusa.com
Herbal Soap Bars Sweet Creek Herbals Eidson, TN $5.50 each www.etsy.com 423.921.9409
Citrus Purifying Mist Jurlique $31 www.jurlique.com
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Tablecloth and Napkins Evolution $9 - $50 www.bedbathandbeyond.com
Hand Soap (Lavender & Aloe Vera) Ecover $8 www.ecover.alice.com
Gooseneck EcoPower Faucet TOTO $921.00 www.totousa.com
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garden
Best and Beautiful Annuals text by ANDrew PULTE
PETUNIA SUPERTUNIA® VISTA BUBBLEGUM
Every year the University of Tennessee Gardens in Knoxville and Jackson put together a list of some of the best plants that caught their eye the previous year. This list is perfect for gardeners who want to add a few plants to their landscape. April is a great month to try something new in the garden. Use this list to help get you started, or better yet, visit the UT Gardens sometime to see these and many other great plants in person. utgardens.tennessee.edu
Top Annuals to Add to Your Garden this Year Best in Show
Best New Variety
Best Repeat Variety
Lantana Luscious® Citrus Blend
Angelonia Sungelonia™ Deep Pink
Petunia Supertunia® Vista Bubblegum
Many gardeners are familiar with lantana. This group of plants has been popular for years and has been used to brighten up the hottest and driest garden locations. Many lantanas have been released over the last few years – Lantana Luscious® Citrus Blend is one of the best. At the UT Gardens we love this fantastic performer; its full, shrubby habit grows to over three feet tall with great foliage texture and masses of vibrant blooms in shades of red and orange. (Proven Winners)
During the 2011 trials season this new angelonia stopped many visitors in their tracks. Those who glanced too quickly might have thought they were looking at a snapdragon. This is no cool-season snapdragon – angelonia likes it hot! Non-stop summer blooms on plants just over two feet tall will light up any garden. However, this isn’t just a one-hit wonder; its dark purple stems and deep green foliage give it the full package. (Suntory Flowers)
If I were on a desert island and could only pick one petunia to plant under my coconut tree, this one would be it... mounding flowers on top of flowers with a softer color than the classic wave petunia. It’s a selection that never fails to impress with its vigorous growth, tall mounding habit (up to one and a half feet tall) and large, soft pink blooms that cover the plants. This one sets the standard for vegetative petunias. (Proven Winners)
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Other Top Annuals From UT Gardens 2011 • Snapdragon: Antirrhinum ‘Twinny Peach’ • Begonia ‘Whopper: Red Bronze Leaf ’ • Tickseed: Bidens ‘Sunbeam’ • Calibrachoa Superbells Coralberry Punch • Pepper: Capsicum ‘Black Pearl’ • Blanketflower: Gaillardia ‘Arizona’ series (Apricot and Red Shades) • Heliotrope: Heliotropium Simply Scentsational® • Hibiscus ‘Mahogany: Splendor’ • Sweet-potato: Ipomoea ‘Sweet Caroline’ series (Bewitched Improved, Bronze, Raven, Sweetheart Purple and Sweetheart Red) • Alyssum: Lobularia Snow Princess® • Axilflower: Mecardonia Gold Dust™ • Geranium: Pelargonium Presto® Dark Salmon • Fountain Grass: Pennisetum Graceful Grasses® Vertigo® • Petunia: Surfinia® Wild Plum • Fan Flower: Scaevola Surdiva® series (Light Blue and White) • Coleus: Solenostemon Lancelot™ Velvet Mocha™ • Wishbone Flower: Torenia ‘Kauai Lemon Drop’ and ‘Kauai Magenta’ • Verbena Aztec™ Burgundy • Zinnia ‘Double: Zahara Fire’
LANTANA LUSCIOUS® CITRUS BLEND ANGELONIA SUNGELONIA™ DEEP PINK
April Gardening Tasks Shrubs and trees You can prune summer flowering shrubs like Crepe Myrtle after the last extreme cold weather but before they leaf out significantly. Prune spring flowering shrubs like forsythia, weigela, Japanese quince and lilac within two to three weeks after the last flower petals have dropped.
Perennials, annuals and bulbs Prepare your annual planting beds now so they are ready when you want to plant. Choose well-rotted manure, processed manure, peat moss or compost to aid in building the soil. Plant tender bulbs and tubers (gladiola, lilies and dahlias). You may continue planting additional bulbs every two weeks until mid-June to ensure a continuous source of bloom. Deadhead or remove spent flowers from spring blooming bulbs. Don’t remove foliage until it yellows or freely pulls loose when slightly tugged.
Lawn care For warm season grasses such as Zoysia or Bermuda grass, April 15 means it’s time for your first application of fertilizer. Use one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. If you have not done so, it’s time to apply a combination of slow-release fertilizer and pre-emergent herbicide for crabgrass control to your coolseason (fescue) lawn. The fertilizer will boost the growth of your lawn and have it looking great for summer, and the herbicide will prevent crabgrass. Numerous brands are on the market and whichever you select, be sure to follow label directions. April 2012 • athometn.com | 73
garden
In bloom:
Plant of the Month: Lungwort text by JASON REEVES
Five years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined that I would one day write about lungwort. The plant had failed me too often in the past. In the fall of 2005, however, we received a tiny two-inch pot of lungwort in the mail. Reluctantly, I repotted it and placed it in the cold frame for winter. By spring it had grown somewhat and produced a few blue flowers. I then decided to give this lungwort a chance and planted it in the garden, a decision that eventually paid off. The following spring, I could not believe my eyes. Not only had the lungwort lived, but it had quadrupled in size and was covered with beautiful purplish blue flowers. I dug around it, found the label and Pulmonaria longifolia ‘Diana Clare’ then became my friend. I began to research Pulmonaria and learned that Diana Clare belongs to the species longifolia, whose hybrids are more heat tolerant than the ones more commonly sold. Based on this recent experience, I soon began seeking out longifolia cultivars and hybrids. Diana Clare is now thriving in the University of Tennessee Gardens-Jackson, along with ‘Raspberry Splash,’ with raspberry-coral flowers. ‘Trevi Fountain,’ with its cobaltblue flowers, and subspecies cevennensis, with its dark violet-blue blooms are also thriving. I am happy to report that we are now testing even more varieties. Pulmonaria longifolia produces long, narrow, hairy green leaves with showy silver-gray spots. A few leaves toward the crown remain evergreen throughout the winter, but the show comes in early spring when the plant sends up nineto 12-inch stems of purple-blue flowers followed by a flush 74 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
of vibrant new leaves. This clump-forming charmer multiplies slowly by creeping roots and will eventually reach 10 to 16 inches in height. Lungwort performs best in partial shade and with adequate moisture. However, it does not tolerate wet soil, especially during the winter months. Powdery mildew can sometimes be a problem but can be discouraged by not crowding the plant and by removing old foliage. The plant is hardy in Zones 3 to 8. Both the common and botanical names of lungwort come from the old belief that the outward appearance of a plant dictated its therapeutic virtues. Pulmonaria’s spotted leaves resemble a diseased lung, and the plant was once thought to be a cure for the ailment. Thank goodness for modern medicine! (Jason Reeves is a Horticulturist and Research Associate at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson. The UT Gardens located in Knoxville and Jackson are part of the University of Tennessee 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 utgardens.tennessee.edu and westtennessee. tennessee.edu/ornamentals for more information.) April 2012 • athometn.com | 75
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entertaining
Spectacular! Kentucky Derby
Text by michelle hope & jamie newsom PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNABELLA CHARLES
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entertaining
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entertaining
Every year, the first weekend in May is synonymous with one of the most famous sporting and fashion events in the country. Prized horses and distinctive hats have made the Kentucky Derby unparallelled on multiple levels. The traditions of this uniquely Southern experience inspired us to create our own Derby party. Complete with high stakes, high fashion and delectable cuisine in the mix, this celebration is a sure bet!
Menu:
If you can’t make it to Churchill Downs in time for the race, no worries! This fete will inspire you to design your own Derby party right where you are. The bold color scheme of kelly green and coral gave just the pop of color needed to enhance our venue at the Barn at Sidle Hill Farms near Memphis. The pastures provided a beautiful backdrop for the event. A spectacular floral mannequin made by Haute Horticulture draped the tablescape and was topped off with a fabulous derby hat, of course! The custom dupioni green silk chair covers and napkins mimicked the lush green infield of Churchill Downs, while whimsical pinstriped place cards reflected the fashion associated with the event.
• New Potato Salad with Green Onions and Pickled Okra
Photographers-Annabella Charles
• Layered Fruit Salad with Poppy-seed Dressing
Floral Designs- Haute Horticulture
• Grilled Swordfish with Pineapple Vanilla Butter Sauce
Stationary & Paper- Lemon Tree Paper
Derby traditions inspired the cuisine, provided by Ziparo's Catering, and an old wagon became the backdrop to one of many food stations.
• Ham with a Brown Sugar Maple Glaze • Shrimp and Grits with Red-Eye Gravy • Macaroni and Cheese topped with Southwest Lobster Medallions Served in a Lobster Tail • Jumbo Lump Crab Salad with WholeGrain Mustard-Tarragon Dressing
• Miniature Pecan and Chocolate Pie • Bourbon Cake • Blackberry-Bourbon Juleps
Along one barn wall was the champions table, complete with delectable champagne and desserts. Pinstriped flags skewered berries added a sophisticated pop to the champagne glasses. However, the Kentucky Bourbon Cake was the absolute hit of the day! The barn’s interior became an ultra lounge complete with white leather furniture and
white and kelly green fabric draping. A beautiful crystal chandelier suspended over the dance floor added ambiance. Guests stayed entertained as they placed their bets, awaiting "the greatest two minutes in sports!" Sources: Designer-Social Butterflies,LLC www.sb-events.com Venue- Sidle Hill Farms www.annabellacharles.com http://www.hautehorticulture.com/ http://www.lemontreepaper.com Caterer- Ziparo's http://ziparos.com Cake- Oh My Ganache Bakery http://www.ohmyganachebakery.com/ Rentals- Mahaffey Tent and Party http://www.mahaffeytent.com/ Linens/Chair Covers- Mosaic www.partymosaic.com Under Silde Hill Farms Mississippi, private residence
As Previously Seen in Southern Bride Magazine
April 2012 • athometn.com | 85
cuisine
Back Inn Café – Chattanooga Old World Charm Meets Globally-Inspired Cuisine TEXT BY LINDA BENTON | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE BACK INN CAFé
On a warm summer night, no other area of Chattanooga offers the al fresco dining experience like the Bluff View Art District. Perched high on the rocky bluffs of the Tennessee River and just steps from the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Bluff View Art District is a culinary oasis. The area contains such gems as Rembrant’s Coffee House, the Bluff View Bakery, Tony’s Pasta, and the Back Inn Cafe. The area’s ambience rivals that of a quaint European city with its historic architecture, lush gardens and outdoor dining patios. My family recently dined at the Back Inn Cafe, and while the weather was a bit too cool to take advantage of the outdoor dining, our table on the second floor sun porch afforded a spectacular view of both the river and the museum’s sculpture garden. With its whiteclothed tables, soft lighting and attentive yet low-key wait staff, the Back Inn Cafe provides fine dining at its best. The menu includes a wide variety of options with Italian, Asian and Southern-inspired dishes. The restaurant also provides a gluten-free menu upon request. The wine list is broad but not overwhelming, and Wednesday night is halfprice wine night, with bottles under $40 and all wine by the glass at half price. To start the meal, we ordered the seared scallops with roasted corn pico de gallo, a stack of fried green tomatoes with prosciutto, 86 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
and a baby green salad. All were beautifully plated and equally tasty. The scallops were sweet and succulent and the corn and pepper pico de gallo provided a nice juxtaposition of flavors. The stack of fried green tomatoes was practically a meal in itself. The crispy fried coating and the bitter arugula balanced nicely with the creamy goat cheese and slightly salty prosciutto. Even the baby green salad was beautifully presented in an edible salad bowl made from a fried crepe. While we waited on our entrees, the waiter served up a hearty slice of moist, cheesy foccacia bread, baked on the premises at the Bluff View Bakery. In lieu of standard issue butter, the bread was served with a creamy blue cheese spread. Choosing an entree was a challenge, as Back Inn’s menu is brimming with tempting choices. While I typically gravitate to seafood when dining out, the New York strip rubed with espresso from Bluff View’s own Rembrant Roasting Company served with truffle mashed poataoes sounded intriguing. My husband opted for the Jack Daniel’s maple-glazed pork chop with sweet potato cakes. Our daughter, who loves Asian food, ordered the Japanese Bento box. All arrived piping hot and artfully presented. The steak had a nice sear and a tender medium rare center – just the way I order it. The bone-in pork chop was a generous cowboy cut and while we could not discern the Jack Daniel’s bourbon, the chop
did have a delicate maple glaze that went well with the pork and the sweet potato cakes. The Bento box was almost a work of art with its many compartments filled with Asian delights including a volcano roll, teriyaki beef, squid salad, wasabi dumplings and sesame-crusted ahi tuna that was cooked to perfection. With the exception of the wasabi dumpling, which is not for the faint of heart, my daughter delighted in her unique and varied choice. Having saved absolutely no room for dessert, we did what any overindulgent Americans would do: we ordered it anyway! All desserts at the Back Inn are made by the pastry chefs at Rembrant’s. This fact gave me the certainty they would not disappoint. We finally decided to share the peanut butter pie and the hazelnut cheesecake. If you have ever eaten peanut butter pie, this version will likely not look familiar. With its dark chocolate cookie base, a six-inch tower of creamy peanut butter filling and a crown of chocolate ganache, it is worth every calorie. Truly, it was love at first bite. The hazelnut cheesecake was creamy and rich, loaded with crunchy golden hazelnuts. As if a delicious dinner weren’t enough, the venue provided one last parting gift to complete the evening. From our table, we could see the near full moon in the sky, casting a “good night” glow on the rippling and reflective water of the Tennessee River. It just doesn’t get much better than that.
Seared Scallops and Charred Corn Pico de Gallo CHEF: Michael Vasta RESTAURANT: Back Inn CafĂŠ
Chattanooga
INGREDIENTS:
two ears of corn, grilled and cut clean off cob 1/2 small red pepper, diced 1/2 small green pepper, diced green onion, diced cilantro to taste, minced mint to taste, minced lemon juice salt and pepper for seasoning fresh scallops olive oil salt and pepper to taste TO PREPARE:
Mix all veggies and herbs together in mixing bowl. Toss with lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside and chill for at least one hour. Sear scallops in pan of hot oil until cooked to preference. Salt and pepper to taste. Plate with chilled pico de gallo garnish and spritz lightly with lemon juice for a bright finish. April 2012 • athometn.com | 87
cooking
School Lunch Nostalgia TEXT BY JANE GAITHER
FOR MORE RECIPES, GO TO GOURMETGADGETGAL.COM
On the drive home from school yesterday my youngest asked me a question that instantly triggered both my motherly guilt and childhood nostalgia. “Why do school lunches taste so bad?” he asked. Most mornings I do pack lunches but occasionally it’s a grab-agranola-bar, dash-to-the-car, school lunch kind of day. While this saves me about five minutes in morning preparations, it generally tacks on five minutes of complaints during the drive home. My response: “I don’t know why they taste like that. Doesn’t anyone like the lunches?” “Nope,” my son stated flatly. “The janitors especially.” My own elementary school was very small and my entire class from kindergarten to eighth grade consisted of 23 children. It was a parochial school – each Wednesday the entire school would file into the church pews for chapel and listen to our earnest principal play the pipe organ while flipping reverberate and
chime levers in such a maniacal fashion that the apples – a lunchroom feast that cheered every music would fend off the very devil himself. little soul. Chapel was dreary beyond belief. The pastor would always give an interminably long sermon and, looking back, I know he used it as his dress rehearsal for the Sunday service. I don’t think a single child ever understood a thing he said. Being the smallest child in my class, my legs took years to reach the floor and I have strong memories of my feet going to sleep and of being scolded for squirming. The very best thing about Wednesdays was that you could depend on lunch to be delicious. The lunchroom ladies must have felt stirrings of sympathy for so many young children suffering the tiresomeness of chapel. Our school lunches were always homemade and generally quite good, but on Wednesdays they were a banquet. Roasted turkey and creamed potatoes, green beans seasoned with bacon, fresh yeast rolls with little pats of butter, skillet fried cinnamon
lunchroom lady peanut butter bars INGREDIENTS: Bars:
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter 2 sticks unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups self-rising flour 2 cups rolled oats
Frosting:
1 cup creamy peanut butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup milk
DIRECTIONS: Bars: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. With mixer beat peanut butter, softened butter and sugars together until well mixed. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until incorporated. 3. Add flour and oats. Mix until combined. 4. Spread into 9 x 13 pan. 5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Cool.
Frosting: 1. With stand or handheld mixer mix peanut butter, salt and vanilla. 2. Slowly add powdered sugar and milk alternating to mix.
Add a teaspoon or two of extra milk if the frosting needs to be thinner.
3. Spread on cooled bars. 88 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
While the main menu changed from turkey to pot roast to fried chicken, the special Wednesday dessert always remained the same: PEANUT BUTTER BARS. Those three words alone caused children to bounce with anticipation as we lined up for lunch. We loved nothing more than those creamy iced bar cookies. I spent 28 years after elementary school continuing to think about those peanut butter bars. I searched message boards and perused spiral-bound church cookbooks one after another to find this particular recipe. Finally, someone created a Facebook fan page for my old school and I immediately posted my desire to track down these cookies. Someone finally found the elderly lunchroom lady, and to the delight of many of us she posted the recipe.
chef ’s corner Spring Into Healthy Eating Habits TEXT BY charles phillips executive chef, 1808 grille at hutton hotel, nashville
When we look around this time of year, it’s obvious that the beauty of spring has arrived. With crispness in the air, warming sunshine and green popping up everywhere, nature is nudging us in a healthy direction when it comes to our diet. Transitioning to lighter foods, greens, fruit and healthy proteins helps to increase energy and promote vitality. This month’s delicious recipe does just that. The Arctic char (or wild salmon) is a good source of Omega-3 healthy fatty acids that our bodies need. The quinoa blend provides a great source of both protein and fiber. Greens are nutrient dense and complete this versatile dish. You can serve it casually any day of the week or dress it up a bit for a dinner party, as we’ve done here. Let us all take some time to cook, eat, and enjoy the company of friends and family this spring.
Arctic Char and Quinoa Salad Serves 4
4 5-oz. pieces of char or wild salmon 1 cup cooked wild rice, cooked according to directions and cooled 3 cups cooked quinoa, cooked according to directions and cooled 1 ½ cups medium cauliflower florets 5 scallions, sliced very thin ½ cup feta cheese, cut into small dice ½ cup nicoise olives, sliced (or your favorite) Zest of one lemon, chopped or micro plain grated ¼ cup chopped Italian parsley Cholula hot sauce (optional) Farmers market greens:
Spinach, green leaf, red oak (whatever looks crisp and fresh) Oregano vinaigrette:
4 shallots ½ cup champagne vinegar 1 1/2 cups olive oil 1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped Directions:
1. Toss cauliflower in vegetable oil, salt and pepper and roast at 425 degrees until golden. Put in refrigerator to stop cooking. 2. Mix the wild rice, quinoa, scallions, parsley and feta cubes in a non-reactive bowl and gently fold all ingredients together. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and Cholula if you choose. For the vinaigrette:
1. Lightly coat the shallots in oil and sauté on low heat until soft and slightly caramelized. 2. Blend all ingredients with hand blender or in blender. For the Arctic char:
1. Season with salt and pepper, sear in a non-stick pan on both sides (about 2-3 minute per side) to an internal temperature of about 120 degrees. Assemble your meal: Option One
1. Lightly coat the greens with the oregano vinaigrette. Place on the plate in a tight mound. 2. If you have a ring mold place the quinoa mix in the ring and press down. Remove the ring. 3. Place the Arctic char up against the greens and quinoa. 4. Drizzle a little of the dressing around the plate. 5. Add a crispy flatbread or tortilla if you’d like to add a crunch. Option Two
1. Serve everything separately, family-style. Quick, easy and tasty. April 2012 • athometn.com | 89
finance
Harry AND Sally and Vacation Home Taxes 101 TEXT BY James (Jimmy) S. Dickey, Jr., JD, MBA, CPA
After Harry met Sally, and after their first home, kids, a dog and before the recession, they decided to purchase a second home. Congratulations! They now have a place to escape from it all, relax, talk about their friends and maybe enjoy a few tax breaks as well.
same manner as interest paid on a principal residence. An owner can deduct 100 percent of the interest paid on a total of $1.1 million in debt secured by both first and second homes on amounts spent to acquire and improve the homes. Property taxes are fully deductible. On the other hand, repairs and such would not be Owning a second home involves all of deductible. the joys and burdens of owning a principal residence. So when considering a purchase, a What if Harry and Sally choose to rent their few basic questions must be asked. Can you second home? Doing so can help defray the afford to buy and maintain a second home? operating costs of ownership. It may also help Do not underestimate upkeep costs including pay for the cost of the home itself. While there management fees, special assessments are certainly economic and income tax benefits and maintenance fees if you purchase a that arise from renting, there are several things condominium or co-op. Location, location, to consider. If a second home is rented out location. Think resale: Is the area crowded or for 14 or fewer days during the year, then will it become crowded? Do you want to spend the cash received can be kept tax free. But if most of your vacation time in the same place? a homeowner rents for a period greater than What type of home is best – single residence or 14 days, all rental income must be reported. The good news is that rental expenses are now condominium? deductible. The bad news is that things get a The cost of a second home and how to pay for bit more complicated since the owner must it are, of course, other prime considerations. allocate costs based upon the amount of time Harry and Sally can pull together a down the property was rented out (versus that used payment and go to the bank in order to borrow for personal reasons). the rest. They may ask the seller to finance some portion of the purchase price. Would For example, let’s say that in 2011 Harry family members be willing to help out? If and Sally used their second home for a total of 30 days, and rented it out for 120 days. Sally's parents loan them the money, at least the Thus, 80 percent (120 days rented divided by interest paid stays within the family. Harry and the total of the days both used and rented – Sally may also team up with their friends and 150 days) of their mortgage interest, property split the cost by forming a partnership. If they taxes, insurance premiums, utilities and choose that route, a well-drafted partnership other expenses would be rental expenses. If a agreement is advised. property management fee was paid, that would Should our intrepid couple choose to use be fully deductible. They would also be able to their second home solely for their own benefit depreciate 80 percent of the cost of the house and never rent it, the income tax implications (not including land). Therefore, if their house are rather straightforward. Mortgage interest cost $400,000, a full year's depreciation on a second home is deductible in the deduction would be $11,600. A key point: 90 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
Rental expenses are deductible up to the rental income reported. Ah, but what if their expenses actually exceed their rental income, you ask? Well, the plot thickens. Should Harry and Sally use their second home for more than 14 days, or more than 10 percent of the total number of days it is rented (whichever is greater), their second home is considered a personal residence, and the loss cannot be deducted. However, if they limit personal use to only 14 days or 10 percent, their second home is considered a rental. In this scenario, up to $25,000 in excess rental expenses could then be deductible each year. Planning tip for our duo: They should limit their personal use and spend quality time maintaining their house. Days spent renovating the home do not count as personal use days. Here we must mention the concept of “passive losses.” In short, if our happy couple has more than $150,000 in adjusted gross income combined, any losses from renting will not be currently deductible. Such losses will, however, carry over year-to-year and be available to offset any gains (should they be so lucky) when their second home is finally sold. Now it’s time for the closing credits. We hope Harry and Sally gave their purchase a lot of thought and spent some time studying these rules, or they have a good CPA. Many additional considerations remain, however, such as deferring or even avoiding capital gains upon sale, estate tax planning considerations and more. But we’ll leave that for the sequel.
MARKETPLACE
April 2012 • athometn.com | 91
April
happenings
SUN MON TUES WED THUR 1 2 3 4 5 April 4-5 Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Signature Event: Invasions by Rail and River
615.741.9004
April 5-7 Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show Gatlinburg Convention Center 800.568.4748
8 9 10 11 12 Daniel Tosh with Special Guest Kyle Kinane The Orpheum Theatre
April 6-9 Rockabilly Music Festival Rockabilly Hall of Fame Jackson
www.orpheum-memphis.com 901.525.3000
www.rockabillyhall.org 731.265.1841
April 12-15 Southern Women’s Show Nashville Convention Center
Celebration of Craft Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville 931.372.3051
www.southernshows.com 800.849.0248
15 16 17 18 19 April 19-26 Nashville Film Festival Regal Green Hills Stadium 16
April 14-15 Bridges Arts Festival First Tennessee Pavilion, Chattanooga
www.4bridgesartsfestival.org
nashvillefilmfestival.org 615.742.2500
22 23 24 25 26 Diana Ross The Orpheum Theatre
www.orpheum-memphis.com 901.525.3000
April 21-22 Temple Arts Festival The Temple, Nashville www.templenashville.org 615.352.7620
29 Fiesta-Val Band & Chorus Competition Music Road Hotel & Convention Center Pigeon Forge
April 22-23 19th Annual Pink Ribbon Open Memphis Marriott Hotel www.pinkribbonopen.org 901.309.8701
30 Master Gardeners Show and Sale Sevier County Fairgrounds seviercountryfairgrounds.com 865.453.0770
1.804.264.8663 92 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
Downtown Crossville Cruise-In Downtown Crossville
April 24-29 The Addams Family The Orpheum Theatre
Ribfest, Wings & BBQ Downtown Gatlinburg
downtowncrossvilleinc.net 931.787.1324
www.orpheum-memphis.com 901.525.3000
865.436.4178
FRI SAT 6 7 April 6-7 EggstraSpecial Easter Celebration The Lucky Ladd Farms Eagleville 615.274.3786
April 6-7 Celtic Women Believe Tour The Orpheum Theatre
14-15
Cinderella at The Orpheum Theatre Memphis
www.orpheum-memphis.com
Oak Barrel Half Marathon Public Square, Lynchburg 931.759.4111
13 14 Brooks Uncorked Memphis Brooks Museum of Art www.brooksmuseum.org 901.544.6226
3rd Annual Dogapalooza Dogwood Park, Cookeville 931.520.4386
April 14-15 Cinderella The Orpheum Theatre www.orpheum-memphis.com 901.525.3000
20 21 April 19-21 Rivers & Spires Festival Downtown Clarksville
www.riversandspires.com 931.552.9006
8th Annual Old Glory Celebration Historic Jonesborough historicjonesborough.com
Pegasus of Germantown Spring Luncheon, Auction & Fashion Show Racquet Club of Memphis
27 28 April 26-28 The Lincoln Symposium Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate www.imunet.edu 800.325.0900
Country Music Marathon Centennial Park, Nashville nashvillecompetitor.com 800.311.1255
April 28-29 16th Annual National Cornbread Festival South Pittsburg
20
Little Big Town at Rivers & Spires Festival
6-7
Celtic Women Believe Tour
www.nationalcornbread.com
To submit an event to be included in At Home Tennessee Happenings, please email editorial@athometn.com April 2012 • athometn.com | 93
see & do
OXFORD’S
DOUBLE DECKER FESTIVAL courtesy of the oxford, ms convention & visitors bureau
Experience food, music and art at the 17th annual Oxford Double Decker Arts Festival presented by C Spire Wireless on April 2728. Taking its name from the town’s authentic double decker bus imported from England in 1994, the festival brings together visitors and residents alike for a celebration of music, food and the arts on the picturesque Courthouse Square. The 2012 event will again follow a two-day format that includes special music on Friday night and the traditional festival activities on Saturday. Friday’s concert featuring music from Charlie Mars, Deertick and Iron & Wine is a ticketed event, but the family activities on Saturday are open to the public. Music continues on Saturday on both the Caterpillar Stage and Oxford American Magazine’s 20th Anniversary Stage, and the festivities will wrap up Saturday night with musical legend Mavis Staples. 94 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
The festival also includes more than 150 art vendors from around the region who will display their creative wares for the anticipated 55,000 festival attendees. Selected by Oxford’s Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, the vendors include potters, glass craftsmen, woodworkers, painters and self-taught artists working in a variety of media.
prize, parade their dogs, cats, rabbits and even chickens decked out in elaborate costumes.
Attendees with an appetite can stroll through the “Taste of Oxford” food court, which features a sampling of culinary treats from 23 local restaurateurs. Whether a cup of spicy duck gumbo, a slice of pepperoni pizza, or a chocolate-filled croissant, there is something to satisfy everybody’s palate.
“The festival continues to grow each year, and we hope that this year will be the largest celebration ever,” said Mary-Kathryn Herrington, festival director, “We have made some improvements and really stepped up our game this year, and can’t wait to share it with all the people who love this festival.”
The Winchester Children’s Square Fair will again include face painting, storytelling and musicians to keep both children and their parents entertained. The highlight of the afternoon is the Best Dressed Pet Contest when participants, hoping to win the coveted first
For more information, visit www. doubledeckerfestival.com. Tickets for Friday night can be purchased from the Double Decker Facebook page or through the event website.
Saturday’s activities begin at 8 a.m. with the Double Decker Spring Run 5k and 10k Run/ Walks. Winding through the campus of Ole Miss and nearby Oxford neighborhoods, the two courses are fun for beginning joggers as well as experienced athletes.
sources 20 | Fashion: Photographer—John Terry, Forest Hill Photography 24 | Health: The Society of Chest Pain Centers St. Francis Hospital, Chest Pain Emergency Center 901.765.1000, www.saintfrancishosp.com 32 | Community: Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau 615.258.4730, www. visitmusiccity.com 40 | Travel: 9/11 Memorial Photography—Joe Woolhead 50 | Arts: ArtsMemphis www.aboutartsmemphis.org 52 | Technology: Phoenix Unequaled Home Entertainment 901.624.0940, www.phoenixcommcorp.com 54 | Home Feature: Builder—Rogan Allen Architect—Sharon Pigott Interior Designer—Bethany Bartels Photographer—Sarah Dobbins 64 | Design: Builder—Time DiSalvo Builder—Kitchens Unlimited Builder—Regency Home Interior Designer— Anna Lattimore Interior Designer—Lisa Mallory Photography—Mike Boatman 86 | Cuisine: Restaurant—Back Inn Cafe 423.265.5033 90 | Finanace: The Marston Group 901.683.7901, www.themarstongroup.com
corrections March 2012 issue: Photo Credit: John Terry with Forest Hill Photography, p.52 Photo Credit:: Sarah Dobbins, p.64 Beauty: Champney’s Foot Scrub web site: www.target.com April 2012 • athometn.com | 97
books
Living the
Green Life Text By Shana Raley-Lusk
“Many of us spend too much time at a computer all day, leading an indoor sedentary life.” This quote from Backyard Homesteading: A Back-to-Basics Guide to Self-Sufficiency may sound all too familiar. For a great number of people, the statement sums up the reality of modern living. The book’s premise stresses the fact that many of us find ourselves drifting away from true self-sufficiency these days, whether we like it or not. With the addition of each new modern convenience, today’s average person is drawn that much farther from a connection to the earth itself. The book offers ways to become more attuned to the planet in general and to get back to basics with food and lifestyle. The concept of producing your own food may seem both appealing and overwhelming. In this helpful guide, author David Toht 98 | At Home Tennessee • April 2012
aims to provide readers with the answers and information that they need to make informed decisions on just how deeply into the backyard homesteading world they may actually want to delve. Accordingly, the book is divided into seven handy sections with topics ranging from “Raising Vegetables and Herbs” to “Harvest Home,” which covers the preservation of your garden’s bounty. For more ambitious readers, there are indepth sections about topics such as how to raise chickens and goats in smaller spaces. The beginning of Backyard Homesteading addresses planning for this new venture, as well as municipal regulations of which you should be aware before getting started. “Kids also benefit from being involved in producing food for the family,” Toht writes. The advantages of a healthy lifestyle for the entire family are another focus of the book. “The flavor of homegrown fruit is a
revelation,” he begins in chapter three. At the same time, Toht acknowledges that there are challenges to take into account when considering these endeavors, such as finances. “The benefits are not in cost savings,” the author notes, “but in freshness, purity, and your food independence.” Certainly, backyard homesteading is a serious undertaking that requires a considerable amount of planning and commitment. However, for those of us looking to make a healthy change in both our diets and our outlook, Backyard Homesteading has a lot of helpful advice on getting started. Whether you want to create the ultimate urban minifarm in your own backyard, or you’d just just like to grow a few tomato plants this spring, this book has all the tips and tricks to give you a great head start. (Creative Homeowner/$16.95)
entertaining
entertaining