


INTERIOR DESIGN
ENDURING INTERIORS
Covenant Health treats the most hearts in East Tennessee. With advanced tech & treatments, more convenient locations, and the most providers for the strongest personalized care, we get you back to everyday life faster.
Let Our Strength Be Yours.
By Mital D. Patel
Personal injury cases arise when an individual su ers harm due to someone else’s negligence or intentional actions. ese cases are common in a variety of situations, from car accidents to slip-and-fall incidents, medical malpractice, or workplace injuries. e injured party can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and su ering, and other damages.
To initiate a personal injury claim, the plainti (the person filing the lawsuit) must prove that the defendant (the person or entity being sued) was legally responsible for the injury. is typically involves demonstrating negligence, meaning the defendant failed to act with the reasonable care expected in a given situation. For example, in a car accident, a driver who runs a red light and causes an accident may be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Once liability is established, the injured party can pursue compensation. e types of damages sought o en include:
Economic: ese cover tangible losses like medical expenses, lost income, and property damage.
Non-economic: ese compensate for intangible losses, such as pain, su ering, and emotional distress.
Punitive: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, a court may award additional punitive damages to punish the defendant.
In Tennessee, it’s important to note that you have one year from the date of the accident or injury to file a lawsuit. Failing to meet this deadline can result in losing your right to seek compensation.
Many personal injury cases are resolved through se lement before reaching trial. Se ling allows both parties to agree on an amount of compensation without going through the lengthy and o en costly process of litigation. However, if a fair se lement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to court, where a judge or jury will determine the outcome, it is important to consult with an a orney to ensure you are properly compensated for the damages incurred.
Like many of our readers, when not busy with work, our family, community efforts, and taking care of our critters, Marc and I spend a lot of time dreaming, planning, and renovating the rooms in our home. We’re always looking to be inspired with expert advice on how to do tasks we can do ourselves, or how to hire a design/remodel professional for jobs we can’t, or how to decide which updates are worth our investment. Sound familiar?
Most homeowners, at one time or another, find themselves with the daunting task of repainting the interior of one or more rooms and replacing window treatments. The options are endless, so where do you start? Interior design professionals Natalie Clayman and Sandy Kozar have savvy advice based upon years of experience working in the East Tennessee residential market.
Find out more about innovation bringing together function, fashion, and flow to the heart of every home, our kitchen. Zoning is a culinary strategy with limitless possibilities for improving efficiency, making everyday multitasking easier and more enjoyable, while pulling together a cohesive look that reflects your lifestyle.
Our PYA Waltman partner Aaron Nolan shares an incredibly relatable and insightful lesson about packing up and putting away most of the ‘needful things’ in his home, and then discovering actually how needful they are in his everyday life.
Meet a pair of hometown heroes who are brothers. If you’re new to Knoxville, you may not know we proudly claim one of early rock n’ roll’s most beloved duos – the Everly Brothers. Knoxville History Project takes us back to the 1950s by way of the Bearden park that memorializes Phil and Don’s years in West Knoxville as they pursued music, and the global music icons who pay tribute to them today.
Anything homegrown gets my attention. This past January, I got to spend a winter afternoon at the home of Blackberry Farm Master Gardener and proud seed saver John Coykendall. We continued our conversation on the living art of preserving heirloom seeds and the annual pleasure of starting a spring garden.
We think you’ll find some comfortable rooms in this Home and Design issue where you can pull up a seat and take some time to consider the possibilities. After all, home is where the people who know you best will encourage you to realize your dreams. Our Partners love the opportunity to get to know you better and discover how they can make your home or your life better with their products and services. So do we!
PUBLISHER
Marc Rochelson | marc.rochelson@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Amy Campbell | amy.campbell@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jennie Treadway-Miller, Patricia Storm Broyles, Paul James, Jack Neely, Amy Campbell, Aaron Nolan, CFP®
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shawn Poynter, Ben Finch, Hannah Brawley, MoxCar, Knoxville History Project, and Wilson Special Collections Library, University of North Carolina
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Showcasing Trends from Design Experts
Natalie Clayman and Sandy Kozar on Creating Timeless Appeal How Much is Enough?
Aaron Nolan, CFP® Shares a
Expert Advice from Blackberry Farm Master Gardener John Coykendall
Knoxville’s John Coykendall, master gardener, artist, seed, and story saver.
Shawn Poynter
1: Clayton Center for the Arts audience during performance of Chanticleer, Jan. 30 2: Opening remarks from Clayton Center Advisory Board Chair Amy Morton Vaughn 3:
during intermission
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t y p e s o f e v e n t s a n d g a t h e r i n g s . O u r c a t e r i n g c o m p a n y , C i t y C a t e r i n g , e x c e l s i n c r e a t i n g e x c e p t i o n a l f o o d a n d
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The Knoxville Museum of Art announces the reopening of its interactive play area for children of all ages. The uniquely renovated space, featuring a new name and signage, debuts commissioned work by Knoxville-based artists, a scavenger hunt, and new interactive art-making activities. Made possible by Randy and Melissa Burleson in honor of their daughter, Aubrey Jaye. Ages 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Free to the public. Open during regular museum hours. KnoxArt.org
Celebrate the 10th Annual Fleming-Morrow Distinguished Lecture in African American History & Symposium, Mar. 6, 8:15 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., UT Student Union, Room 169. Two morning panels of scholars discuss their latest research on African American history. A luncheon conversation features the lecture’s namesakes, Drs. Cynthia Griggs Fleming and John H. Morrow, Jr. Limited to 100, free and open to the public, the day-long symposium requires registration. Visit ArtSci.utk.edu/African-American-History
Clayton Center for the Arts presents This World is Not my Own on Mar. 11, 7 p.m., as part of the South Arts Film Series, funded by the South Arts and National Endowment for the Arts. The film reimagines self-taught artist Nellie Mae Rowe’s world spanning the 20th century with Uzo Aduba as the animated version of the artist. Q&A with directors follows. $10 admission or purchase the entire series for $45. Visit ClaytonArtsCenter.com
The struggle for women’s right to vote spans over 70 years and culminates in the passage of the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920. The national movement was supported locally by Knoxville women who have a proud heritage of misbehaving in the cause of justice. Meet the stalwarts of suffrage. Proceeds help support The Knoxville History Project. Reservations required. Adults: $20 Children 6-12: $14 Group rates available. Pictured Guide Laura Still. KnoxvilleWalkingTours. com/misbehaving-women/
In honor of Dr. Tom Gallaher’s farm, The Iron Shamrock Farm in Waynesboro, TN, Gallaher Plastic Surgery and Spa MD is offering St. Patrick’s Day specials Mar. 17-22. Each of the treatments: Facial, Injectable Package, and Massage will feature a special element that pays tribute to an aspect of Dr. Gallaher’s farm. These holiday specials are available at all three locations. Knoxville, Powell, and Tellico Village. Visit GallaherPlasticSurgery.com/current-cosmetic-specials/
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Join the Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, Apr. 23, 1-6 p.m. at the Business EXPO 2025, presented by Slamdot. Meet, network, and learn about the many unique brands, services, and stories behind businesses in our region. Rothchild Catering & Conference Center. Members: Preregistered attendance included in membership. Non-Members: Pre-purchased tickets are two (2) for $5 At the door: $5/each without pre-registration. Visit FarragutChamber.com/Events
Elevate your home and your community! KARM Stores offers a wide selection of furniture and décor to suit every taste and style. You can discover distinctive pieces you won’t find anywhere else, and create a beautiful space that makes a difference. 100% of our profits go to Knox Area Rescue Ministries, so while you’re decorating your home, you’re helping the homeless get on a path to their own home.
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital understands that time is precious, which is why our urgent care locations are open nights and weekends. Let our pediatric experts help your child get back to pillow fights and good times. Learn more at ETCH.com.
ARTICLE BY PATRICIA STORM BROYLES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF JONES, AND SANDY KOZAR, DECORATING DEN INTERIORS
NATALIE CLAYMAN AND SANDY KOZAR EXPLORE HOW FUNCTION AND FASHION IN PAINT COLORS AND WINDOW TREATMENTS OFFER A MORE TIMELESS APPEAL
For our annual Home and Design issue, we turned to two interior design professionals and West Knoxville Lifestyle Partners for insights and recommendations on two home design challenges every homeowner faces.
Owner/Principal Designer Natalie Clayman, Natalie Clayman Interior Design
A Knoxville native, Natalie started her full-service interior design and decorating firm in 2011, specializing in primary and vacation homes, as well as boutique commercial setting projects (hotel/salon/retail). NCID is known for a touch of the unexpected combined with beautiful textures and bold patterns that wave with the perfect amount of sophistication, innovation, warmth, style and approachability.
Owner/Principal Designer Sandy Kozar, Decorating Den Interiors Kozar Design Team
Sandy is an award-winning interior designer, Decorating Den Interiors Certified Interior Designer, and Hunter Douglas® Certified Consultant. Sandy and her husband, Jim Kozar, have owned their full-service design firm for 15 years. The Kozar Design Team has designed many homes throughout
East Tennessee and beyond, are published in numerous shelter magazines and books, and have won numerous international design and customer service awards.
To begin with, I don’t love the word ‘trend’ because it doesn’t have longevity and it can scare people away from color. There’s a difference between something being classic and popular because it is good and classic, versus just being trendy. I think people want to live with color, but if they don’t know how, they paint everything white or gray.
That’s where trends come in, such as the modern farmhouse trend with white walls and black fixtures and accents. If people still are afraid of introducing rich tones, instead of white, I like to use tried-and-true neutrals–bone, off-white, cream–that have such depth. But we really try to help people see how color enhances everything. You walk into the room and feel better and you get to enjoy that every day because your home is a sanctuary. Color evokes feelings, often full of nostalgia, like “I grew up with this color!” or, “Our beach house had that color and it felt so good.”
Some people have an innate talent for using color in their home. Some do not. We encourage people to hire a designer or a decorator—take that leap and trust!
Instead of painting swatches on walls, we use large peel and stick samples. You can move the color all over the room because each corner is different, depending on house position and how light comes in. You can lighten the paint or go darker–it’s a pivotal process and samples just make it easier.
House style makes a difference. In open concept floor plans, you don’t have a definite cut-off—as you do in classic architecture where you have walls, doors, separate nooks, cubbies, intimate spaces so we have to accommodate that open floor plan in bringing color. I don’t believe in accent walls in homes. There’s no flow to it; it’s an abrupt, stark cut-off. If you have an open floor home, there are creative ways to bring in color–with kitchen cabinets, for example, which can always be repainted in 10 years. Otherwise, we are always thinking of 15-20 years out for clients before redecorating is needed. That’s why we stay away from trendy colors and choose a more classic palette. With classic architecture, once you close the door, anything beyond that door can be its own entity. It will all flow but you can let loose with color behind each door.
“Color drenching, which we love, is very rich and high-end. If you’re on a budget, it adds great depth to the space.” — Natalie Clayman
We’ve been doing color drenching for a long time—painting the walls, trim, doors, baseboards, crown, moldings, window frames, and sometimes the ceiling, all the same color. I rarely do a white ceiling. Instead, I often tint the wall color by 50 percent or choose a color or two down on the paint wheel. Color drenching is very rich and high-end, so if you’re on a budget, it adds great depth to the space. For finish, we prefer matte for walls and semi-gloss or satin for trim.
If you prefer high gloss or lacquer, which is another beautiful way to incorporate color into your decorating scheme, hire professional painters. It’s a fine art, a multi-step process, and worth every penny because you’re hiring an artisan. It’s very enduring with the kind of sheen and tones that gives your room longevity. Sometimes when we color drench the walls, we use contrast wallpaper on the ceiling which is so interesting and luxe, adding another layer and more personality.
Color, contrast, texture, pattern. It all evokes emotions. Sometimes, it’s not for the faint of heart, but color is very powerful! It’s very gratifying when clients react, “I didn’t realize I could have my house the way I want it, special, catered and designed just for me!”
To schedule a consultation or discovery call, visit NatalieClayman.com
We’re seeing more homeowners installing whole home motorization solutions with the convenience of remotes and smartphone apps. Power options let you set schedules when you’re not home and want it to look occupied, or to open and close shades upon waking and sleeping, or certain times of the day when you want to let the sun in or keep it out for energy efficiency. Motorization is not just a luxury option. If a window is very high up or hard to reach, or offers privacy (over a stand-alone tub, for example), that’s a safety necessity.
Our approach to customizing is to create timeless looks and the quality your window deserves. When designing the room, we consider the look you want
“We’re seeing a shift away from minimalist window treatments to a richer, layered approach.” — Sandy Kozar
with the function you need. We base the design on the shape, length and scale of your window and what room it will be in (i.e., a living room treatment might be different in style/function than one in a bedroom). Decorating preferences are transitioning to a more ageless appeal with longevity in mind–less of a constant need to change trends.
We’re seeing a shift away from minimalist window treatments to a richer, layered approach with more colors, patterns, unique textures, and unique trims such as leather, embroidery, glass beads, shells, and intricate braids. Border trims, a tape sewn on top of the leading edge of a drapery panel, often with intricate hand-embroidered details, can truly upscale a custom window treatment. A big part of custom window treatments often overlooked is the hardware (rods, rings, finials) that can be both functional and beautiful, including acrylics, custom colors and designs, in any size.
Products used in combination, like a Hunter Douglas® product (who are innovators in shades, blinds, woven woods, shutters, etc.) with a custom decorative window treatment are sometimes the best and most beautiful function of any window.
Layering is coming back, for example, stationary panels with perhaps a shade, or blind or woven wood underneath. We might use a functional shade
to filter light, with draperies and then another treatment on top of that. A cornice board, or valance, or a scarf on top of the panel that brings in another kind of fabric, or trim on the bottom. Options are limitless to layer for depth and richness. There are so many ways to frame the window without obstructing the view and yet beautifully transform the light in a room.
During our complimentary consultation on the first visit, we ask questions to get to know you, your project, your preferences and priorities in style and function. When doing any design, we actually consider function before doing anything beautiful. Is the view important to you? Are there certain colors you lean toward? Improve energy-efficiency? Absorb sound? Prevent harmful UV effects on furniture, fabrics and floors? Create ambiance?
Sometimes we can surprise our clients with options we present, like, “We did this stationary drape in a beautiful linen, but we just found this lovely trim that might take it to the next level. How would you feel about that?” Sometimes, until they see it, they don’t know. But if they tell me it’s not their taste, I’m listening! And that’s the direction we take to give them the beautiful window treatment they’re seeking.
To schedule a complimentary consultation, visit SandyKozar.DecoratingDen.com
Moving is one of the most miserable tasks known to man.
You don’t know where anything is. All your free time goes to packing/unpacking boxes. Your whole body aches from moving things around.
Even when the end destination is a positive one, the actual act of moving is not fun. At All.
My wife and I went through this over the summer, and while I have a fresh perspective on how miserable the whole thing is, I also have a positive takeaway that will stick with me forever.
We don’t need 90% of the things that we own.
Prior to putting our house on the market, we had to make it as presentable as possible for prospective buyers. This process involved taking most things off the walls, clearing out closets/storage space, and scrubbing the whole thing from top to bottom. The goal was to give a potential buyer the feel of a blank canvas that they could transform into whatever they wanted.
Maybe we took it a bit too far, but by the time the house was photographed we had close to 75% of our things boxed in the garage. They stayed there for 6 ½ weeks before we moved out.
When we first put so many of our things in the garage, I was pretty irritated by the idea of going out to the garage and sorting through boxes every time we needed something.
Do you know how many times I had to actually do that during those six weeks? Exactly zero.
As we inched closer to moving, 90-95% of our things made it out to the garage. Every time a box became fully packed, we continued to stack them in the garage.
The final week before moving was strange. The only things that weren’t boxed up were a few clothing items and our necessities.
Yet, my life was 99% the same as before.
I still had my sneakers to go on a walk after work. I still had a pan to make food with. I still had a TV to watch movies on. I had a couch to sit on. I had a bed to sleep in.
ARTICLE BY AARON NOLAN, CFP® PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN FINCH
Realizing that my life that final week was no different than it was every other week of the year was a bizarre mix of refreshing and depressing. Refreshing because of how nice it felt to only need a few material things in my life. Depressing because of how fixated we get on material things, yet we use so few of them on a daily basis. Does this mean you should get rid of everything and live an ultra-minimalist lifestyle? Probably not.
However, it does mean you should at least think about how many items you actually need in your life compared to items that serve no purpose in your day-to-day life.
How much is enough? Most likely it is way less than you already have.
PYA Waltman Capital, LLC (“PYAW”) is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about PYAW’s investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request. PYA-25-02
ARTICLE BY AMY CAMPBELL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAWN POYNTER
Q: Where do we start?
A: Plan where you are going to plant things. If you’ve had, say, beans or tomatoes growing in a certain area for more than two years, you want to rotate those crops within a new area so that you avoid pest and disease build-up and depletion of the soil. In other words, you would grow beans, say, and tomatoes (just as examples) and have those two years on an area and then three years off. They would go somewhere else for another cycle. And on the ground that you just got finished growing those on, you're either doing a cover crop–letting the soil rest for a year or you are planting other types of vegetables on that area. So it’s a constant process of moving crops around so you don’t overtax the soil in one given area.
Q: If a new garden is mostly red clay soil, how can it be improved?
A: First of all, for clay soils there’s nothing wrong with clay soil, it’s rich in nutrients and it’ll also hold moisture, but it will also bake into bricks in the summer. So composting is very, very important. Adding good organic composted material to that soil and working it in. You keep doing this over time and the texture of the soil will totally change. Plus, you’re adding good nutrients to it. So it’s a constant process. Always adding to it. It reminds me of eating. You know, we have to eat three times a day, and that garden needs to eat too. It needs nourishment to feed the crops that are planted in it.
Q: So much of the life of the garden is really underground?
A: It’s a big cycle. If you drew an illustration of it, you’d have the carrot tops above and carrot roots below, and you’d see all the organisms in the soil at work. And the more you add compost to that soil, the more you’ll attract worms, beneficial insects, and beneficial qualities to that soil. It makes a big difference in your gardens.
Q: For a Springtime Garden, do you like to start seeds inside or direct plant?
A: It depends on the size of your garden. Now if you’re doing, say, raised beds, or just have a small area, I like to just direct seed that. Or, if you can only, say, have room for ten or twelve lettuce plants, you might just want to buy those at your garden center and put them in. But if you are growing a good amount, I think it’s great to use trays. What we use at the farm–we have these black seeding trays and we’ll buy a sterile seed starting mixture. It is not soil-based, it is completely sterile so there are not any pathogens getting introduced to the plant when it’s seeded and comes up. And once those get up to six or eight inches tall, if they are lettuce you begin to set those out into the garden. You can do the same with parsley or any herbs that you want to grow. It is much easier to start those in a sterile setting like that than it is to try to sow something as fine as oregano seed out into the open soil. You have total control of it. You’re not fighting weeds or any other conditions. It's kind of like when a baby is born in the hospital, it’s in that totally sterile environment until it’s ready to get out into the world. It’s the same with those plants.
Q: Where do you find Heirloom seeds?
A: The Granddaddy of them all is the Seed Saver’s Exchange located in Decorah, Iowa. They’ve been around since 1975, and they have a vast range of different varieties. Tomatoes, beans, squash, pumpkins, peppers. I think their catalog has about eight pages of just color photographs of tomatoes alone. All of these are open pollinated varieties. Anything you buy from them, you can save the seed of. Now, another good one for the Southeast region is the Southern Seed Exchange.
Q: John, we were both born and raised here. The last frost used to be April 16th. When is it safe to plant?
A: It has changed tremendously. Totally unpredictable. An old farmer told me once -
“Plant it when you want, boys, but it’s not going to do anything until that soil warms up.”
In other words your days are steady; as far as warmth goes, your nights are not too cold. And the soil itself is warmed up. That’s when it’s time to get those plants out. The exception to that is spinach, lettuce, spring onions, your cold weather crops. You can have those out earlier. But your general crops – beans, tomatoes, squash –you’ve got to have good warm days, warm nights and warm soil.
Q: John, here we are in the early part of the year. In planning for future tomato sandwiches, when do you start those seeds?
A: You don’t want to start those plants inside too early or they get long and spindly. They won’t hold up when you put them out in the garden. The stalks are thin and weak. You want to start those seeds in seed trays right about now when you can have strong plants with thick stalks that are ready to place into the ground after the ground has warmed up. Around here, that is about mid-May, when the ground is good and warm. That is a good time to get your tomato plants out into the open soil.
Q: What types of tomato seed do you recommend for the best tomato sandwiches?
A: Several varieties make for excellent tomatoes. It depends on your taste. You want to go with an heirloom variety, say, a Cherokee Purple, or the German Pink are a couple of recommendations. I would recommend finding your seed from Seed Savers Exchange for a variety of excellent slicing tomatoes for your tomato sandwiches. Of course they also have pages of other varieties for making tomato sauce, and for cherry tomato varieties for salads and snacking tomatoes.
“Plant it when you want, boys, but it’s not going to do anything until that soil warms up.”
Q: How do you like your tomato sandwich?
A: That is one of the pure delights of summer. A good, ripe home-grown heirloom tomato, oh, maybe a Cherokee purple, plenty of soft white bread and Duke’s mayonnaise. Only one time of the year is the soft white bread really good and that is for tomato sandwiches.
John Coykendall is a frequent contributor to West Knoxville Magazine, and we welcome you to send your gardening questions for John to Amy.Campbell@ CityLifestyle.com. We will do our very best to answer your questions in upcoming articles.
John Coykendall is a Knoxville native, Farmer, Seed Saver, and Master Gardener at Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN. John owns a farm in Bybee, Tennessee, and is passionate about saving and sharing heirloom seeds and stories of the people who have saved them. In addition to farming, John is a talented artist and story saver. He has decades of journals with stories and drawings of the people and places he visits.
Kitchen design has entered a transformative era, where innovation meets artistry to create spaces that are not only functional but also personal and sustainable. With advancements in technology, materials and craftsmanship, today’s kitchens are tailored to meet the evolving needs and tastes of homeowners.
According to interior designer Laura McCroskey, kitchens today are about more than just cooking—they’re an expression of personal lifestyle.
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“Kitchen design has entered an exciting time where the possibilities feel limitless,” says McCroskey. “For me, the design process starts before lines are ever drawn on a construction document. I believe in creating spaces that enhance life, both functionally and aesthetically. The design process begins with a discussion about what a space needs to do, and what aesthetic will bring a spark to the homeowner. I also firmly believe that when designing a kitchen, one should walk out a recipe to make sure everything is in the right place to suit one’s lifestyle. Cooking zones are imperative to a well-designed kitchen.”
Modern kitchens emphasize zoning, or the creation of dedicated areas for preparation, cooking and storage, to enhance workflow and functionality. These zones not only improve efficiency but also contribute to a cohesive and visually appealing aesthetic.
Cutting-edge rendering software, utilizing technology similar to that used in gaming, allows homeowners to visualize their dream kitchens in hyper-realistic detail. While these tools inspire creativity, McCroskey advises balancing ambitious ideas with practical implementation to achieve the best results.
Technology, sustainability and customization are driving the revolution in kitchen design. Advanced appliances are at the forefront, enhancing convenience while aligning with a growing emphasis on eco-friendliness.
“From vacuum-sealing drawers that preserve food and reduce waste to smart appliances controlled by your phone, the emphasis is on efficiency and sustainability. Functional storage built seamlessly into marble countertops and oversized workstation sinks are making daily tasks easier and more enjoyable. Thoughtful features like composting compartments and advanced food preservation methods reflect a broader effort to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact.”
Custom cabinetry that maximizes every inch of space minimizes waste while optimizing functionality.
“Forget the limits of traditional cabinetry. Blind corners, tiny nooks and hidden areas are now designed to maximize storage. Automated drawers and pop-up outlets are becoming increasingly common, marrying convenience with sleek aesthetics.”
Design trends have also evolved, becoming more flexible to reflect individual tastes.
“While white kitchens remain timeless and black adds drama, bleached woods continue to be popular. Style trends are no longer as rigid—whether you prefer modern, transitional, or traditional designs, you can create a kitchen tailored to your unique vision. There’s no limit to what you can achieve with today’s tools and technologies. The goal is to create spaces that resonate deeply with the people who live in them.”
The kitchen is the heart of every home and represents a space of endless possibility. Whether your aesthetic leans modern, farmhouse or somewhere in between, the tools and technologies available today make it easier than ever to bring your vision to life.
If you haven’t noticed, there is a small pocket park in Bearden that celebrates two of the most cherished performers of rock and roll history.
It’s no hyperbole to say that without the Everly Brothers there might have been no Beatles, Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel and a host of other legendary bands and musicians. You don’t have to take my word for it. You can visit this public space, formerly the site of a gas station and before that a short-lived roadside amusement park, at the corner of Kingston Pike and Forest Park Boulevard. You’ll find inscriptions by stars testifying how the Everlys influenced their songwriting and careers. It’s a genuine “Who’s Who” of the music world.
The park’s champion has been Duane Grieve, a local architect, director of the East Tennessee Community Design Center, and a former City Councilman. Grieve was graciously helped by fellow Bearden Village Council members Terry Faulkner and Dennis Owen, as well as Legacy Parks Foundation, and others.
The park idea took a momentous step forward when Grieve befriended Graham Nash, the British singer and songwriter with Crosby, Stills & Nash, when he performed at the Bijou Theatre several years ago. Citing the Everly Brothers as a pivotal influence, Nash said, “their vocal harmonies changed my life unbelievably so. I wanted to honor that feeling and I am still honoring that feeling.”
Nash pledged to help with the project by contacting friends and fellow musicians to pen personal tributes that would form permanent features of the park. Amazingly, within a few weeks heartfelt tributes came flooding into Grieve’s email box.
In all, 14 tributes are now embedded in granite on the park’s walkway, comprising a staggering list of iconic performers: Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Joan Baez, Carole King, Brian Wilson, Elton John, Dolly Parton, and others.
So, how does a tribute park for the Everly Brothers end up in Bearden of all places? Originally from Kentucky, Ike and Margaret Everly and their two boys, Don (1937-2021) and Phil (1939-2014), grew up in Iowa, but moved to Knoxville in early 1953. Learning to become a barber here, Ike still played guitar while Margaret got a job at a beauty shop on Chambliss Street in Bearden. She also played stand-up bass. As a family band, they were attracted here by the reputation of WROL radio.
The Everlys chose to live on the west side of town, briefly in a small house on Sutherland Avenue, and then in a house divided into apartments on Scenic Drive in Sequoyah Hills. The boys attended West High School, where they were noticed for their distinctive dress sense and style (apparently, Don once ran into trouble with the football coach for wearing his hair too long). The brothers were outgoing and appeared in several social newspaper columns during their time there. However, only a photo of Phil made it into the school yearbook.
Under the stage name of The Everly Family, they played together locally a few times. In December 1953, they performed at the Milk Fund, an event organized by the Knoxville Journal, featuring “Cas Walker’s
day on the street for charity.” They played on the sidewalk outside the Journal Building on Gay Street during the daytime, as support for an evening concert featuring the Pride of the Southland and Archie Campbell at the Tennessee Theatre. Soon after, with encouragement by their parents, Don and Phil began performing locally as a duo.
A trip down to Dugout Doug’s, the self-styled “Campus Record Store” on Cumberland Avenue proved to be memorable. They later said that they discovered rock and roll there after buying a Bo Diddly record. One day at the Tennessee Valley Fair, they also met former Knoxville guitarist Chet Atkins, who by then was already established as an influential producer in Nashville. With his encouragement, it wouldn’t be long before they moved to the state capital and began their recording career.
But before they did, one Knoxvillian was less impressed with their conversion to the new craze of rock and roll. Music impresario Cas Walker reportedly fired them from performing their new songs on WROL radio. It may have been pivotal in the brothers’ decision to leave Knoxville.
The duo began recording songs in Nashville 1956, but that summer they were back in East Tennessee playing at Maryville’s annual Hillbilly Homecoming
celebration, billed as “country music recording artists” from Kentucky. Their first recorded first single, “Bye Bye Love,” written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant (who also wrote “Rocky Top”) topped several charts the following year.
The Everlys also penned their own songs – their biggest single hit, "Cathy's Clown," written by Don in 1960, was based on his memory of a disappointing romance at West High School. Their last show in Knoxville appears to have been at the Tennessee Theatre in 1998.
In addition to music luminaries such as Graham Nash, Everly Brothers Park, which opened in 2019, has also been visited by Phil Everly’s widow, Patty, and the couple’s children. During a special ceremony in 2022, the family joined in the unveiling of a new sign when the park became a site on the Tennessee Music Pathways program.
The nonprofit Knoxville History Project tells the city’s stories, focusing on those that have not been previously told and those that connect the city to the world. Donations to support the work of the Knoxville History Project, an educational nonprofit, are always welcomed and appreciated. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org
Local, Family-Owned Salons for Over 45 years
Weird question, but we wanted your attention! We have some ideas we’d like for you to contemplate while you’re sitting here, open to ideas. So:
• Spring is coming! Even with the fluctuating cold and grey skies, we encourage you to enjoy those brief moments of sunshine. If they seem far away, have hope. (It goes a long way.)
• Your phone was created with the intention of connection! Use it for its original purpose. Call someone and make plans to hang out or encourage someone! (And stop bringing it into the bathroom…too much “screen time” is bad for you!)
• Your hair is a way to express yourself! Wear it with confidence!
Our salon isn’t just about hair care, but about hair AND care. We’re here to make you look good and feel great. We want you to know you are cared for when you walk in our doors. It’s never just been about your hair.
GRATITUDE IS GOOD MEDICINE. FIND SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR TODAY.
We have more to say, but we don’t want to overwhelm you. So, if the first part is true, then before you flush, wash, and walk, keep the following in mind:
1. Life is beautiful in every season and
2. We want your hair to be beautiful in every season, too! So, enjoy the tips, and give us a call!
MARCH 1ST
Young-Williams Animal Center 18th Annual Mardi Growl
World's Fair Site | 11:00 AM
Calling all pet owners, animal welfare advocates, and people searching for a fun, family-friendly time! This famous pet parade and party will kick off in the Old City at 11 a.m. and travel on foot to World’s Fair Park. Register your pet for the parade. Pet-loving vendors, food trucks, live music, games, and more.Young-williams.org
MARCH 1ST
Mill & Mine | 6:00 PM
Knoxville Whiskey Festival comes to the Mill & Mine with distillers pouring samples of premier whiskeys, bourbon, and scotch and providing education. With live music, local eats, photo ops, a cigar lounge, and more. Purchase VIP tickets for early access to the event, access to premium, rare, and experimental whiskey offerings, and complimentary light bites. Strictly 21+ Benefits the TennGreen Land Conservancy. KnoxvilleWhiskeyFestival.com
MARCH 4TH
Knoxville Civic Auditorium | 7:00 PM
Jim Gaffigan, American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer whose material often addresses fatherhood, laziness, food, religion, and general observations, brings his Everything is Wonderful! Tour to Knoxville Civic Auditorium. For tickets, visit KnoxvilleColiseum.com
MARCH 4TH
Bijou Theatre | 7:00 PM
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra Presents! Clarinetist, saxophonist & composer Anat Cohen. Anat Cohen is a native of Tel Aviv whose music effortlessly blends Jazz and Brazilian Choro with influences from Africa and the Middle East into an infectiously charismatic sound that blurs the lines between cultures and genres. A must-see event for any lover of great music. KnoxBijou.org
MARCH 5TH
Tennessee Theatre | 7:00 PM
The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian, and actors from the Clarence Brown Theatre, in partnership with the Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School, bring stories of injustice, suffering, resilience and survival to life. The Violins of Hope are a collection of historic violins, once played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, that symbolize the enduring power of music. TennesseeTheatre.com
MARCH 7TH
Alton Brown Live: Last Bite
Tennessee Theatre | 7:00 PM
The famed foodist Alton Brown reflects on his decades in food media, presents several of his favorite culinary mega-hacks, sings some of his funny food songs, and in general offers a culinary variety show the likes of which human eyes have never seen. TennesseeTheatre.com
MARCH 15TH
Gay Street | 1:00 PM
Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Celebrate in Downtown Knoxville at the best family-friendly St. Paddy’s parade in the South! The 2024 Knox St. Patrick’s Parade brought nearly 5,000 visitors to Downtown Knoxville. KnoxStPatricksParade.com
MARCH 15TH
World’s Fair Park – Performance Lawn | 10:00 AM
The Lucky Kidney Run is a HYBRID event to benefit the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation. You have the option to participate live/ in-person or virtually. The race will begin & end at the Performance Lawn at the World's Fair Park. RunSignUp.com/Race/Info/TN/ Knoxville/LuckyKidneyRun
MARCH 22ND
Tennessee Theatre | 7:00 PM
With five GRAMMY® Awards, 14 Blues Foundation Awards, and a groundbreaking career spanning more than 50 years under his belt, Keb’ Mo’s got nothing left to prove. In an era when female singer-songwriters are ever more ubiquitous, Shawn Colvin stands out as a singular and enduring talent. TennesseeTheatre.com
MARCH 24TH
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Bijou Theatre | 7:00 PM
Embark on an extraordinary cinematic adventure at the Bijou Theatre as the Banff Mountain Film Festival returns for two nights, Mar. 24-25! Renowned as the world’s largest and most prestigious mountain festival, Banff showcases the very best in adventure, exploration, and environmental storytelling. This year, we welcome back the Banff Road Warrior from Canada—a beloved feature of the Bijou screenings. KnoxBijou.org
MARCH 27TH
Various Downtown Locations | 5:00 PM
Big Ears Festival, Mar. 27- 30, is a dynamic, interactive experience that explores connections between musicians and artists, crossing all musical genres while interfacing with film, performance, and the visual arts. For festival lineup and tickets, visit Bigearsfestival.org
MARCH 28TH
Thompson Boling Arena at Food City Center | 8:00 PM
See the legendary rock band Heart live in concert on the Royal Flush Tour 2025 at Thompson Boling Arena at Food City Center. Led by sisters Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson, this trail-blazing rock group has sold millions of records and have put out hit after hit such as “Alone,” “Barracuda,” and “These Dreams.” For tickets, visit FoodCityCenter.com
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