Unexpected Love: Tupelo Designer Falls For Her Home Mid-Flip
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CONTENTS MARCH 2018
24 HOME:
After starting “flip” on a simple four-bedroom, four-bath house in Tupelo, Mississippi, Blairhaus Interiors owner Traci Lewis soon realized it would be perfect for her own family.
36 DESIGN:
Germantown designer Anne Turner gives At Home Memphis & Mid South all the details on her recent garage-to-guest-space transformation. 8 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
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CONTENTS MARCH 2018
56. F O R YO U
84.
16 healthy you Eating for Energy: Macro and Micronutrients 98 on a good note Dorothy Day House
HOME & DESIGN 20 at home with Tricia Hunt 24 home feature Unexpected Love 36 design Company's Coming: Smart Designs for Guest Retreats 42 style marketplace Guest Room Decor 44 home trends Berries in Your Backyard
78.
T R AV E L & C U L T U R E 48 getaway Stone Mountain Park 56 travel Puglia: The Road Less Traveled 64 experience this Carolina Watershed 68 social Mid South Happenings 74 wedding Goforth/Reed 76 arts Art by Design
FOOD & DRINK 78 entertaining Easter Brunch Elegance 88 dining out The Gray Canary 92 happy hour Orange Airplane 94 in the kitchen Peanut-y Chicken Tenders 10 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
20. IN EVERY ISSUE 14 | PUBLISHER'S NOTE 81 | SOURCES
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MARCH 2018 • VOL. 16 NO. 12 PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com
ART DIRECTOR ANNA HALEY | aleppert@athomemms.com
EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION MANAGER GINNI JONES | gjones@athomemms.com
COPY EDITOR TERRI GLAZER
IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT CHARLES REYNOLDS | cr@colorretouching.com
ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE HILARY FRANKEL | hafrankel@comcast.net
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES MEGAN EIDT | meidt@gmail.com BRITTANY MCDONALD | brmcdonald45@gmail.com GAIL HARRELL | gharrell@athomemms.com
BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TRIP MONGER | tmonger@athomemms.com
MARKETING AND CIRCULATION HARRIET W. DEATON | hdeaton@athomemms.com
HOW TO REACH US 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11 | Cordova, TN 38018 901.684.4155 | FAX 901.684.4156 WEBSITE: athomemms.com
At Home Memphis & Mid South doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Editor, At Home Memphis & Mid South: 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 901.684.4155 or subscribe at athomemms. com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Memphis & Mid South is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Memphis & Mid South, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, 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 Memphis & Mid South, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018 or to tmonger@athomemms.com.
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publisher’s note I thought we would never get to spring forward but March has finally arrived! February was a bit of a blur for us. Even though we receive the shot, the flu invaded our home and decided to stay for a few weeks. I did say “our” home meaning the husband got it too. We all know the differences between a "man flu" and a "female flu". You girls know what I am taking about and you men, well just bless your hearts. We are excited to bring you this first of spring issue and I hope you are inspired by it as much as I am. From the beautiful home renovation in Tupelo to the incredibly designed guest retreat in Eads, the endless ideas energized me to start my own spring cleaning. Maybe a few new projects are up my sleeve as well! I love to mention new projects to my husband Trip and watch him twitch and sweat. Remember to set those clocks forward and get ready to enjoy some sunshine and spring time fun in our wonderful City of Memphis and the Mid South area!
Publisher
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healthy you
Eating for Energy Macro
&Micronutrients Text By Michelle Johns
T
he popularity of diet fads, specifically those that encourage eliminating fats or carbs, gives me reason to reflect and consider the concerns of leaving any major nutrient group out of our diet. It’s interesting, really, when you consider ancient times and one of my favorite relatable references, the Bible. If you consider the dietary intake based on scripture reading it’s obvious diets included honey, milk, fruit, bread and meats. Hence a complete picture of inclusion, not exclusion, leads me to believe the creator fashioned a body meant to responsibly consume a bit of everything. The body and brain need a healthy intake of both macro and micronutrients. The food we eat breaks down in our digestive tract, enters our bloodstream and creates change in the behavior of neurotransmitters, thus impacting our energy. When we eat, we assimilate the energy of the food through the nutrients of the food. The relationship we have with food is one of our most intimate in life. As you hone in on your awareness of how food affects your body and mind, it should become easier to realize and incorporate the right portions of everything in your diet. Macronutrients are referred to as the Big 3: fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The body needs all three to create energy and increase the metabolism. Fats: The body needs fat—it’s a major energy source and helps absorb vitamins and nutrients. The recommended 16 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
intake is 20 to 35 percent of your daily calories. The body needs a combination of poly and monounsaturated fats; polyunsaturated fats in the form of Omega 3s and 6s. Polyunsaturated is an essential fat required for normal body functions; the body does not manufacture these fats so you must get them from food. They help build cell membranes vital to blood clotting, muscle movement and inflammation. These healthy fats are found in fish, seeds, nuts and oils. Carbohydrates: The right carbs are good for the body. The daily recommended intake is 45 to 65 percent of calories. Healthy carbs have a lower glycemic index and take longer to digest in the body, keeping you satisfied longer. It really comes down to choices. Instead of potatoes, eat sweet potatoes. Instead of white bread, eat sprouted whole-grains bread. Other healthy foods rich in natural sugars and carbs include oats, brown rice, fruits and vegetables. Proteins: Protein is everywhere in the body; in muscles, organs, bone, skin and tissues.The body needs a daily supply of amino acids to make new proteins and the supply comes from food. The recommended intake of proteins is 20 to 35 percent of daily calories. Proteins come from plants, grains and animals. A few healthy sources of protein include fish, dark, leafy greens (kale and spinach), beans (kidney beans and chickpeas), whole grains (quinoa and oats), chicken, and vegetables (broccoli).
healthy you Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are also essential to healthy functioning of the body. They are called micro because the body only needs tiny amounts to function optimally. Micronutrients play a key role is staving off chronic diseases. A complete healthy diet consuming all the colors of the rainbow by eating fruits and vegetables is the best source of vitamins and minerals. The body needs at least 30 vitamins and minerals on a daily basis to perform at its best. Following is a list of some important vitamins and minerals and their benefits to the body: Vitamin Bs – Help stabilize homocysteine levels. If homocysteine is high the risk for Alzheimer’s, broken bones and blood clots increases. Vitamin D – Helps the body maintain levels of calcium and phosphorous. Folic acid – Helps with cell creation. Zinc – Helps the body utilize glucose and amino acids. Iron – Helps carry oxygen through the blood. Potassium – Helps balance fluids in the blood, keeping the body hydrated. To provide feedback or ask questions, email mjohns@transforming-wellness.com. Michelle Johns is a corporate onsite health promotion specialist, integrative health and wellness educator, yoga teacher, food literacy educator and a green smoothie connoisseur. She graduated from the University of Memphis with a B.S. in psychology, is a certified health coach from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition and an RYT 200 yoga teacher. Her approach to well being and living your best life every day focuses on the foundations of self-awareness, self-care and self-discovery through whole mind, body and spirit nutrition. Johns educates clients through a journey focused on the way the whole self is nourished through food, career, relationships, exercise and spirituality. Her ultimate goal is to help clients discover not only how to live longer, but to live better by honoring the unique individual with compassion and self-love as they were created.
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at home with
At Home With
Tricia Hunt Text by Ginni Jones Photo courtesy of Whitney McNeil
Spring is in the air!
With blue skies and warmer temperatures on the horizon, At Home Memphis & Mid South visited with Tricia Hunt, owner of Millstone Market & Nursery.
Q&A
At Home Memphis & MidSouth: Tell us a little about your background, both personally and professionally. Tricia Hunt: Over 31 years ago I started my gardening career out of my own home, finishing ornamental cast stone containers. Soon my clientele base grew and I began to become more involved with plant design and installations for container gardening. My specialization began to evolve into using containers, statuary and fountains. Now, my finishing patinas are used by Campania, the nation’s leading supplier of cast stone statuary and containers. Millstone Market and Nursery was created as a hobby and passion. It turned into a business and I have been supported by my family the entire time. I have been married to my husband, Dade, for 34 years; I am a 20 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
mother to three as well as a grandmother to three. My hobby and love of gardening turned into a business because of my mother, Twila. She inspired me with her passion for gardening and landscape design. AHMMS: What’s your favorite thing about your work? TH: In no particular order, my favorite aspects of my job would include being surrounded by beauty and plants, my amazing employee family I am supported by every day, and the customers. I have made friends, reconnected with old friends and made relationships with customers, which has been a very rewarding part of the business. Also, I maintain all of our social media (@millstonenursery), taking every picture we share… for me, as crazy as it sounds, it has become a valued scrapbook of my everyday life!
at home with AHMMS: What inspires you? TH: I visited an exhibit on the Cone Sisters, Claribel and Etta, in Baltimore, Maryland. Their collection of artwork is so rich in beauty, and the showcase ended with a quote I think perfectly describes why I love my job and am inspired by beauty. “It is the craving for beauty that is such a vital function of the human soul…” Dr. Claribel Cone. It describes why I feel the way I do about beauty, not to just hoard beautiful things, but fulfilling a deeper need— it's the balance between the heart and the eye. AHMMS: What advice would you give to people who want to succeed in their dreams? TH: Looking back, I have realized that you don’t have to be in a hurry. Sometimes you have to go through the process of life to get where you are going, and then you realize it is about the journey you took to get there, not the final destination. Also, I have learned that life can be messy and complicated. So my advice would be to enjoy the journey — and just know it will get a bit messy at times, but success is more about the process and the journey. Also, everyone defines success differently. I always put my faith, my husband and my children first before I could turn my hobby into a job. You can’t compare your dreams to someone else’s; when it happens it will happen. AHMMS: What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t working? TH: When I am rarely not working I love to spend time with my three grandchildren. Also, my youngest is in
college, so if at any point I’m not working, I am with my family. AHMMS: What are your favorite places in the Mid South? TH: My husband and I love Shelby Farms—it is incredible what it has turned into. Also, we have the best zoo around. And when we get the chance we love to support local restaurants. AHMMS: What exciting things are happening this spring at Millstone Market & Nursery? TH: We are excited to have added new staff for Spring. Also, we have our spring speaker series coming up. It is a six-week program with a new speaker each week. We are also hosting two weddings this spring. Further down the calendar will host an event called Outdoors in October where local vendors and craftsmen can come set up shop in our booths free of charge. We do all the advertising for the event and it is a really fun way to support other local vendors all together in one space. We are also really big on community support. That is something that has been important to me since I created a business that can financially support organizations around the community. We are always involving various nonprofits in our activities and operations. Madonna Learning Center, Salvation Army, Books From Birth, Church Health and the Exceptional Foundation are just a few we have supported in the past and will continue to support this year!
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home feature
Unexpected Love: Text by Jordana White | Photography by Jo Worthem Photography
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home feature
A Mississippi designer falls for her home mid-flip, making the renovation project personal
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home feature
W
hen Traci Lewis, owner of Blairhaus Interiors in Tupelo, MS, first purchased her home on North Parc Circle she had one intention: “Our plan was to flip this house,” she explains. As renovations began on the 6,000-square-foot split-level, there were plenty of positives: four bedrooms—two main floor masters and two upstairs bedrooms, each with its own bath. The basic space was pretty appealing; Lewis’s intent was simply “to correct some entrance and egress issues and update the fixtures and finishes.” Simple, right? Well, it would have been, except for one small issue. “After we got rolling on the remodel, we became emotionally invested in the house,” Lewis admits. That’s when everything started to change. What had been intended as a simple remodel now had an entirely different scope, since the home would soon house Traci, her husband Jim, children Jamie and Sydni and their two dogs, Kadee and Sophie—“they run the house,” Lewis notes with not as much humor as you might expect for such an observation.
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home feature
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home feature
First things first: once they knew the house would become home, the family put their existing residence on the market. Then it was game on. “Every room of the house was changed in some manner, specifically for our likes and needs,” says Lewis. The main orders of business in the new plan were, “to redirect traffic flow, open up the common areas and personalize the home for our family,” Lewis recalls. “In order to do this, we added a new double garage, moved the staircase from the front foyer to the back hallway and we redesigned and resized our chosen master suite.” The work also included opening up walls and enlarging case openings, all to archieve the family’s desired flow and feel.
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home feature
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home feature While open concept was an ultimate goal of the redesign, Lewis hoped to reserve the ability to revert to a more traditional layout in the main living areas. “We opened up walls but wanted the option to close off the living room, dining room or family room if needed,” so she installed a set of sliding barn doors where the walls had once been. “By closing all the doors we can create a very cozy environment for small dinner parties in the dining room; a private, formal entertaining room in the living room; or a warm backdrop behind the sofa in the family room. We gave ourselves options,” she explains. An added bonus of the installation? “The doors created another layer of texture and warmed the very cool interior,” which is decorated mostly in a neutral palette of whites, grays, blues and greens. To build on that effect, “we layered organic textures throughout the home—stone, wood, metals, natural textiles like leather, hides, cotton velvet and linens, then added some faux fur for warmth and dimension.” The next part of the plan involved lighting—“I spent months working on the lighting design,” Lewis reveals. “I love contemporary light fixtures and I wanted the hanging fixtures to work together to tell a story but also to be interesting on their own and in their own space. It can get tricky in an open floor plan. Because I knew that many of my furniture and decor accent pieces were going to be in gold, I elected to go with silver finishes on my light fixtures,” Lewis notes, a decision that also added a layer of visual interest by mixing metals. “The exception to this plan was in the dining room—we call it the bird’s nest light. In that space, the deep bronze metal was needed to balance the warmth of the wood floors and chairs with the cool tones of the paint color, metallic ceiling and lacquer table.”
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home feature
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designfeature home
With the lighting selected, furnishing began, all with a very specific theme. Although more prevalent in some rooms than others, the overall scheme was very clear. “My favorite design style is mid-century modern,” says Lewis. “Every room has some element or characteristic of this style.” As the house design came together, Lewis could finally turn her attention to the final aspect of the concept: the artwork. “With only a few exceptions, the art pieces are original works,” she says. Two pieces were commissioned from Germantown artist Beth Winterburn through Blairhaus and one from Rick Anderson through the Caron Gallery, with the remaining pieces coming from artists and vendors represented by Lewis’ design firm and from the homeowners’ existing collection. Despite a few kinks in the process—the family’s original home sold six weeks before the new place was move-in ready, forcing a hasty relocation to not-so-nearby Oxford—Lewis is, by all accounts, thrilled with the outcome of the renovation. “We’ve actually remodeled five homes prior to this,” she says, “but this is our favorite one so far. It was designed and implemented just for us and we’re astounded by how wonderfully peaceful we feel living here!”
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home feature design
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design
Company’s Coming: Smart Designs for Guest Retreats Text by Jordana White | Photography by Jamie Seessel
Homeowners want guests to feel welcome, but it can be hard to achieve that goal without sacrificing the utility of spaces that full-time residents need. What to do? At Home Memphis & Mid South sat down with Germantown designer Anne Turner to discuss her recent garage-to-guest-room renovation and snag some smart design tips for those extra spaces in your home. 36 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
design home feature After
At Home Memphis & Mid South: What features make a
great guest retreat?
Anne Turner: Hospitality is at its heart, and planning ahead is the key. I suggest: • Having designated places for guests to put their belongings, such as luggage racks and hanging spaces. • Providing lighting for reading at night. • Having entertainment options ready—games for children, magazines for adults and television access. • Providing convenient places to plug in phones/devices. • Adding an extra welcoming item. For children, put a special stuffed animal/toy on their bed. For adults, a flower in a vase beside the bed is a nice touch.
Before
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design After
After
After
Before
Before 38 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
Before
After
AHMMS: What was the scope of your recent renovation project for the Raines family? AT: It all started with an unused garage and a vision. After extensive renovation, the first floor of the garage became a home gym. The top floor transformed into a destination for the Raines’s children and grandchildren. The true standout in the project is the Nashwood Furniture Designs customized, functional and versatile built-in furniture. On the first floor, owner Scott Nashwood built a custom exercise rack to house dumbbells, yoga mats and exercise equipment. On the second floor, he used barn wood to build three twin Murphy beds that fold out sideways and two window seats to hide twin beds. The barn wood in the upstairs renovation is beautifully paired with white shiplap walls to create a winning combination. AHMMS: What suggestions do you have to make a guest space useable year round? AT: The best way to ensure that a room is multi-purpose is to make it possible to transform its function in a matter of minutes. Two great tools to make this happen are Murphy beds and barn doors. The Raines’s “hangout space” on the first floor is a great example. Much of the time, it is used as a game area. When the need for a guest room arises, the ping-pong table is folded up, a Murphy bed folds out of a bookcase, the barn doors close, and a drapery panel slides across the exterior door. In a matter of minutes, the “hang-out space” is now a guest room. The second floor of the Raines’s garage provides another prime example: it’s an open room divided into three defined spaces: an office for the owner, seating for TV watching, and a play nook. This room also has five twin-size Murphy beds that can be folded out at bedtime. Two of the Murphy beds are hidden in window seats and three are hidden in custom barn wood cabinets. March 2018 • athomemms.com | 39
design
Before
Before
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AHMMS: What kind of space is necessary for a home gym? AT: A home gym can be a variety of sizes, depending on the amount of equipment and the amount of open floor space desired. The one that we designed is about 24 by 27 feet and has five machines, a weight bench, a weight storage rack and open floor space. AHMMS: What’s the best way to decorate spaces that will be used for multiple purposes? AT: If you want to decorate a room in a way that will not limit its future appeal, use neutral, timeless colors, materials, art and accessories that are not personalized or unchangeable. AHMMS: What design trends are you seeing right now in guest spaces and home gyms? AT: In guest rooms the trend is casual over formal. A relaxed environment can be accomplished in a variety of ways—through wall and floor finishes, bedding, furniture and artwork. Another popular trend is the efficient utility of guest rooms so that the space “lives large” even when guests are not present. Two ways to accomplish this objective are to convert an unused attic into guest space or to outfit a room for dual use as guest room/home office. Home gyms appeal to people who are committed to regular exercise, have space available in their home and want to avoid a daily commute to the local gym. These people are creating gyms in their basements, spare bedrooms or extra garages. The best gyms are those that are inviting and not crowded with too much equipment. Your gym should be a space where you want to spend time—natural light and mirrors can help create an open, inviting space. A distraction such as a television or music system is a helpful diversion when exercising. March 2018 • athomemms.com | 41
style marketplace
GOT COMPANY? Our Top Six Guest Retreat Essentials for All Ages
1. TURKISH INSPIRED BATH LINENS Fouta Bath Collection, $8 to $48 Serena and Lily serenaandlily.com
2. SINGLE-SERVE COFFEE MAKER Nespresso Vertuo Coffee & Espresso Maker with Milk Frother, $199 Williams Sonoma williams-sonoma.com
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3. LUGGAGE RACK Gaspar Luggage Rack, $149 Ballard Designs ballarddesigns.com
trends style home marketplace
4. FRESH-SCENTED DIFFUSER Aromatique Reed Diffuser Set, $36 Upstairs Closet, Senatobia, MS aromatique.com
Trolley Tour
5. COFFEE TABLE BOOK FOR EVERYONE Atlas of Adventures, $30 Anthropologie.com Target.com
6. COZY THROW BLANKET Bree Knit Aqua Throw Blanket, $37.99 Bed, Bath & Beyond bedbathandbeyond.com
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hometrends
Growing Berries in Your Backyard Text by P. Allen Smith | Photography by Mark Fonville and Donna Evans
To my delight, more and more people have started growing their own food in recent years. Backyard gardens are springing to life as the trend grows, and my research shows berry plants are one of the top selections. This may be because store-bought berries are often expensive, and the non-organic versions can carry traces of chemicals and pesticides. Most of us would rather avoid those, but may not be willing or able to pay the price of organics. Fortunately, berries are easy to grow and don’t require much space. With a little know-how and careful preparation, you can enjoy raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries throughout the growing season. The first step is to know your growing zone; then you can begin shopping. Here are a few helpful hints I’ve learned over the years. 44 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
home trends El CosmicoBlueberries:
Blueberry shrubs are easy to grow, and there’s a type suitable for nearly every climate or garden space. In fact, you don’t necessarily need a garden; many dwarf varieties will thrive in containers. However, when choosing a blueberry shrub for your garden there are a few characteristics to consider. Some require a companion blueberry plant for pollination in order to produce berries. This means you need to plant two of the same type. Other blueberries are self-pollinating, so one shrub alone will produce a good amount of berries. Blueberries require a period of “chilling time” to produce fruits. Northern Highbush, Half-High and Lowbush blueberries are best suited for climates where winters are long and cold. Rabbiteye blueberries hail from the southeastern U.S. so will thrive in zones 7-9. Southern Highbush blueberries need even less chilling time and will thrive as far south as zone 10.
Raspberries: Raspberries are sweet, flavorful and a welcome addition to the garden. Gardeners who want to grow them should consider that there are two types—everbearing and summer-bearing. Everbearing raspberries produce from early summer into fall on first- and second-year canes. The summer-bearing types bear fruit on first-year canes once during the growing season. Aside from fruit production, raspberry pruning techniques vary on the two types, as well, a fact that is important to keep in mind when selecting varieties and at pruning time. In my Mid South location I grow ‘Heritage’ and ‘Dorman Red,’ but a few other reliable selections are ‘Encore’ and ‘Latham Red.’ Check with your local county extension service or a trusted garden center before you go all in. Be sure to confirm the age of the plant you purchase. I like to start with two-year-old, bare-root plants and plant them in very early spring.
Strawberries: The most common backyard berry for good reason—it’s often the most productive. During its relatively short growing season, a strawberry plant can produce a rewarding amount of fruit and, as such, offers a sense of satisfaction for beginning growers. I would recommend Bonnie Plants ‘Allstar’ strawberry. The name says it all. It’s a June-bearing plant that yields large, juicy, sweet berries perfect to enjoy immediately in lemonade or shortcake or to freeze for a taste of summer in the throes of winter. These plants love rich soil with lots of compost, leaf mold and well-rotted manure, as well as fertilizer, of course. Keep the soil loose and make sure they get plenty of sun!
Blackberries: I think a large part of the Southern experience is picking wild blackberries on the side of the road. However, the ‘domesticated’ varieties of this fruit will provide sweeter yields and bigger fruits. Plus, the thornless varieties can make harvesting a little less painful. As evidenced by roadside blackberry patches, this plant likes to spread! In your yard, it can grow on a trellis or in a garden bed with a few feet in between plants. The fruit-producing canes should be pruned during the season to encourage new growth. Though growing berries successfully may involve some trial and error, it can be highly rewarding. Try planting one of each type to see how it goes. It’s a learning experience the first time around, but if you are disappointed the first year, don’t be discouraged! These plants will return next year and offer more berries for your morning cereal or snacks, so keep at it! If you’re interested in learning more about planting fruits and vegetables, why not take a tour of Moss Mountain Farm in Little Rock? Spring tours are available now. Check dates at pallensmith.com/tours. March 2018 • athomemms.com | 45
Goose Feathers Cafe 46 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
Prada Marfa
getaway
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getaway
Stone Mountain Park &
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area Text By Frances J. Folsom Photography courtesy of Atlanta CVB | DeKalb County CVB | Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area Alliance
Atlanta, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the South, is a great place to visit. It’s alive with theaters, museums, restaurants, cafes and shops. As a business and commerce hub the downtown is abuzz with people and traffic. When your business is completed or you’ve had your fill of museums and shopping, Atlanta has no shortage of easily accessible green spaces to enjoy. In less than an hour’s drive you can be in DeKalb County, home to two bucolic natural areas. Stone Mountain Park is 45 minutes from downtown via I-78 East. The other wonderful escape is the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, 40 minutes from Forsyth Fountain Atlanta on I-20 East to Lithonia. 48 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
getaway
Stone Mountain Park Stone Mountain Park offers 15 miles of walking or hiking trails through 3,200 acres. For terrific views of Atlanta take the one-mile Walk Up Trail to the top of the mountain. The history of how the area developed from 12,000 years ago to the present day unfolds during a visit to the Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall. On view are artifacts pertaining to the civilizations that have inhabited the area through the centuries. The museum’s film, The Men Who Carved the Mountain, is about the creation of the Confederate Memorial which can be viewed from the museum. The Summit Skyride, a high-speed cable car, towers 825 feet above ground, bringing passengers close to the Confederate Memorial. This carved relief depicts Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson and Confederate President Jefferson Davis. At the farmyard trainers show children how to get a herd of goats to do rodeo tricks such as barrel and fence jumping and weaving in and out of cones. Set amid manicured gardens, Stone Mountain’s Historic Square is ringed with beautiful houses dating to the 18th and 19th centuries (1793 to 1875). The structures, moved here from other parts of Georgia, have been carefully restored and contain furnishings from those periods. A ride on the park’s circa 1940 locomotive is a step back in time; the railroad’s five-mile loop features unobstructed views of Stone Mountain. Skyhike provides fun for adventurers of all ages in the form of rope bridge courses through the trees. The quarter-mile course is perfect for young Lauderette children, while teens and adults can check their level of courage on 24- or 40-foot high trails.
Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial Carving of Generals
The whole family will love Geyser Towers. Whether kids choose to stay at the bottom or climb the tunnels and bridges to the top platforms, they will surely get wet when the geyser erupts, spewing water. Babies and toddlers can join the fun splashing in the creek. The Dinotorium makes learning about dinosaurs fun. Interactive activities explain how these giants roamed the earth thousands of years ago, what they ate and how they became extinct. After learning about their favorite prehistoric creatures, aspiring paleontologists can get up close and personal with large interactive models of them at Dinosaur Explore. In a setting reminiscent of Jurassic Park they’ll find a 20-foot tall tyrannosaurus rex, a brachiosaurus, a triceratops and an allosaurus, just a few of the various species that roam the exhibit. Dinosaur Explore
Summit Skyride at Stone Mountain Park
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getaway
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area 50 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
Archaeologists have discovered that this area was 400 million years in the making. It’s geologically famous for having two monadnocks (isolated and exposed rock hills) that dominate the surroundings. Arabia Mountain, in the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, calls to mind the surface of the moon. The area is known for the granite that was once quarried here, as well as its forests, wetlands, and flora and fauna. Intertwined through the preserve are miles of hiking trails. The most popular of these is the Arabia Mountain Path a multi-use (cycling or walking) trail that starts in the town of Lithonia and runs through countryside and past streams.
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
Monastery of the Holy Spirit
Monastery of the Holy Spirit Only a 15-minute drive from Lithonia on I-20 lies the town of Conyers, home to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, a community of 35 monks. The monastery was founded in 1944 by a group Trappist monks from Kentucky. On tours of the monastery visitors hear how the first group of monks designed and built the Abbey Church using granite quarried on the grounds. The church’s beautiful stained glass windows were designed and created by monks in their glass factory. The Monastic Heritage Center is home to a wealth of exhibits and artifacts detailing monastic life. The monks are known for growing and nurturing the beautiful Bonsai plants that are on view at the Abbey Garden Center. Part of the Arabia Mountain Path, a network of wooded walking, hiking and biking trails crisscrosses the monastery grounds. Abbey Church at Monastery of the Holy Spirit
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getaway
Bonsai Exhibit at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit
For Further Information Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau 404.521.6600 www.atlanta.net/acvb/ Discover DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau 770.492.5000 discoverdekalb.com/ Stone Mountain Park www.stonemountainpark.com Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area arabiaalliance.org/ Exhibits at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit
Monastery of the Holy Spirit www.trappist.net
When It’s Time to Eat Running through the nearby towns of Chamblee, Brookhaven, Doraville and Norcross is Buford Highway (State Road 13), also known as the DeKalb International Corridor for the many ethnic restaurants lining it. Travelers are sure to find a cuisine to please among the Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian and Mexican eateries along the three-mile strip of road.
A Day in the Life of a Monk Exhibit at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit 52 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
getaway
Abbey Church at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit Abbey Church at Monastery of the Holy Spirit
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travel
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PUGLIA
travel
Text by Glenda Owen
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THE ROADS LESS TRAVELED
travel
Puglia, the “heel” of Italy’s boot, is truly a region less traveled, but that is changing as today’s travelers seek new destinations to explore. Italy has always been a favorite country for tourists. Important cities like Rome, Florence and Venice, as well as charming regions such as the Veneto, Tuscany, Umbria and the Amalfi Coast have been visited for generations, however, travelers are now venturing out to experience lesser-known areas of Italy.
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travel
Bari This unique destination is exciting—home to historic cities like Bari and Lecce as well as interesting villages and beautiful beaches. Along with fabulous food and delicious wines, Puglia provides the delightful experiences of mozzarella and burrata cheese making, and olive oil and wine tastings. Nowhere else in Italy can visitors find inhabited cave houses and trulli homes!  Bari, the capital of Puglia and an agricultural and industrial center, is first and foremost a port with a major airport, making it the entrance to this intriguing area of Italy. Bari was a prosperous city in the Middle Ages due partly to its role as a pilgrimage center to the St. Nicholas Shrine and as a port of embarkation for the Crusades. The tomb of St. Nicholas lies in the crypt of the 11th-century Basilica of San Nicola, which is in the center of the Old Town. (Of interest, St. Nicholas is known as the patron of children, and presents are given to them on behalf of St. Nicholas on December 6, not on December 25.) Old Town is an interesting area to explore. Besides the basilica and other historic buildings, it holds an interesting fish market and offers a view into the day-to-day lives of southern Italians.
Basilica of San Nicola
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Basilica of San Nicola
Another important city is Lecce, a town with more than 2,000 years of history. In Roman times, it was the prosperous town of Lupiae. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, Lecce experienced a period of great splendor, for it was then that it was embellished with Renaissance, Rococo and Baroque buildings and monuments. The town’s numerous Baroque structures are remarkable and earned the city the nickname of “the Baroque Florence.”
The Basilica of Santa Croce The inventive artists from the Zimbalo family contributed much in churches and palaces of Lecce. The Basilica of Santa Croce offers the best example of the Baroque style; its façade is beautifully decorated without being overbearing. Adjoining the basilica is the Palazzo del Governo, a former Celestine monastery which has intricately decorated windows, a contribution of the Zimbalo family. The Sant’Oronzo Square, dominated by an imposing statue of the saint, was built in the 1600s of marble from the ancient Roman columns along with Appian Way. Other important sites are the second-century AD Roman amphitheater and the Adorna Palace. Be sure to walk the Via Libertine, lined with churches and palaces decorated in the Lecce Baroque style. It ends at the Rudiae Gate, the ancient entrance to the city. Conclude your time in Lecce by visiting the Palazzo del Duomo, which is completely enclosed by Baroque buildings. It is where many of the locals congregate for coffee, lunch and dinner. March 2018 • athomemms.com | 59
travel
Along with these two historic cities, Puglia has charming and fascinating towns which provide unique sites. In Matera visitors find Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is situated on the crest of a deep ravine, with overhanging rocks under which ancient peoples constructed a series of cave dwellings in the Paleolithic times. The numerous grottoes in the deep canyon made perfect homes for the prehistoric community. The ancient inhabitants built cave homes and cave churches in the easily worked tufa stone. The roofs of some caves serve as walkways with the white-ash houses and stairways overlapping and hanging over one another in a labyrinth which is difficult to unravel. Matera was used as a shooting location for Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ. Since then, much interest has developed in these cave dwellings; the area is being restored with people returning to the caves to live, operate restaurants and attend church services. There is also a deluxe hotel in a cave. What an interesting stay that would be! Sant’Oronzo Square
Matera
Another one of Puglia’s spectacular towns is Alberobello, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this unique community there are hundreds of trulli houses, mortarless, limestone dwellings with coned tops. As early as the 15th century, local farmers built the unique whitewashed trulli houses with overlapping boulders to create domed roofs embellished with decorative pinnacles. Today, people still live in many of the structures and a few have been prepared and opened for tourists. Alberobello and the trulli houses are a fascinating site to see. 60 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
Matera
Alberobello
Locorotondo Nearby is Locorotondo, renowned as one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Italy. A short distance away is Cisternino, another architectural jewel with historic Medieval and Renaissance-era buildings. Ostuni is an extraordinary seaside town with its whitewashed houses, uneven stairways, low arches and narrow, winding alleys, all of which evoke hints of the Middle Ages at every turn. The streets lead to the late 15-century cathedral that has a fascinating façade and a beautiful rose window. An elegant, deluxe hotel is located in Ostuni, perfect for visitors to immerse themselves in this charming town and feel the history of the region. Ostuni
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travel Castel Del Monte is a third UNESCO World Heritage Site in Puglia. Standing proud and solitary on the summit of one of the Murge Hills, the 13th-century castle is one of the best preserved in southern Italy. Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen built this powerful, octagon-shaped structure in 1240. Combining balance, logic and strict planning, it is an architectural masterpiece. The rooms are arranged in a seemingly illogical sequence through eight towers around a central courtyard. Some interpretations suggest it was an elaborate cultural center conceived by Frederick to study scientific disciplines of both the Western and the Arabic worlds. Field after field of olive trees adorn Puglia’s sun-soaked land—the region accounts for 40 percent of Italy’s olive oil production. In fact, some of the olive trees are over 1,000 years old. In the fall, farmers pick the olives and press them into green oil, which is an interesting process to witness. Near Castel Del Monte there is an excellent olive oil factory which provides the opportunity to sample and purchase wonderful Italian olive oil. At the nearby cooking school a guest can try their hand at preparing the local signature pasta, Orecchiette. Enjoying a fabulous farm-to-table meal makes a perfect ending to a visit to the region. Castel Del Monte
Olive Tree
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Castel Del Monte
Puglia produces some of Italy’s finest cheese, and travelers can learn firsthand how mozzarella and burrata are made. Also famous for excellent bread, Puglia’s bakers knead and wood-fire the dough the old-fashioned way. The heart of the Primitivo wine district is in Manduria, near Lecce. Enjoy a wine tasting and a delicious lunch paired with wine at a 17-century farmhouse. In addition to wine tasting and dining opportunities in local family-run facilities, travelers can also stay in a 17thcentury farmhouse called a masseria. Most are estates which were constructed between 1500 and the 1600s when Spain ruled southern Italy. The working farms also had to be elegant to satisfy the refined tastes of Spanish noblemen. The land barons as well as the peasants lived within these complexes with all of their possessions. In addition, all of the farm animals were kept within, along with crops that had been harvested and stored. Today, many of the units have been transformed into charming and comfortable tourist accommodations. Stay in a masseria and experience the feel of a working farm and the local region, with the comfort and luxury of a country estate. Puglia not only offers historical, fascinating cities and sites, but also opportunities to participate and be immersed in local activities known only in the southern tip of Italy. This region is an undiscovered gem on the verge of awaking, perfect for the adventurous traveler!
travel Manduria Vineyards For information about a vacation in Puglia, call the travel advisors at Regency Travel, Inc., at 901.682.9065 or visit www.regencytravel.net.
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experience this
arolina C Watershed Text by Lee McAlister Photos courtesy of the Carolina Watershed
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The South Main district is Memphis’s current favorite gathering place, and its newest hot spot is the Carolina Watershed. Named for its street address and its gullied landscape, this cozy watering hole features corrugated steel grain bins, snug nooks, waterfalls and stage areas for live music. These unique indoor and outdoor features make it feel like a childhood clubhouse fantasy come to life.
Eat Andy Knight, formerly of Loflin Yard, has crafted a menu with something for everyone. The lunch and dinner menu features traditional comfort food with a Southern twist; think cheese grits, black-eyed peas, and a grilled pimento cheese sandwich complete with a fried green tomato. Satisfy your burger craving with the signature Watershed Burger made from locally sourced beef with all the fixings. Night owls are in luck—the late-night menu features bar food staples including Loaded Pulled Pork Cheese Fries, served with house smoked bacon, a fried egg and scallion cream. March 2018 • athomemms.com | 65
experience this
Brunch The Southern-classic-meets-modern theme continues for weekend brunch. The menu includes favorites like biscuits and gravy, fried chicken livers and waffles, and steak and eggs, as well as innovative choices like a breakfast flatbread and a charred romaine salad. Brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Drink
Listen The outdoor stage is primed and ready for bands to entertain patrons with live music. Although it’s been a little chilly for al fresco performances, Carolina Watershed has already hosted local band the Will Lang Trio. Look forward to more live, unplugged and acoustic performances as the weather warms.
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Two on-site grain silos house Carolina Watershed’s indoor and outdoor bars. Each has a variety of local beers on tap as well as a full wine list. The real stars of the beverage show are the signature cocktails like the Coal Miner’s Daughter, gin with lemon juice and sweet muddled blackberries. Featuring Old Dominick Toddy, sweet tea and lavender lemonade, the Jolene is quintessentially Memphis.
Socialize The setting provides plenty of places to gather and socialize. With two bars, traditional indoor seating and outdoor picnic tables you can eat, drink and be merry wherever you want. Cheer on the Grizzlies or the Tigers from the unique circular bar. Until the weather warms, the fire pit is the perfect spot to cozy up.
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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social
BIG GREEN KITCHEN COMMUNITY The second annual Garden Gala presented by Orion Federal Credit Union benefiting Big Green Memphis (formerly The Kitchen Community) was held on Feb. 9 at the Crosstown Concourse. Guests enjoyed the Garden Galaxy theme with stellar cocktails by Next Door American Eatery and a heavenly feast by local chefs Will Byrd, Steven Howell, David Krog and Patrick Reilly. Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars entertained guests before and after dinner in the beautiful Crosstown Arts space. After a delicious dinner and exciting live auction, attendees were treated to spectacular desserts by Konrad Spitzbart. Big Green builds Learning Gardens in schools across Memphis, teaching children to taste, eat and love real food. Big Green has built 100 Learning Gardens in Memphis and all funds raised will support their programming in local schools. Text courtesy of Lisa Heros Ellis | Photography by Justin Fox Burks and Don Perry
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social social
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social
CIRQUE DU CMOM Over 900 guests joined enjoyed the festivities at the 2018 Cirque du CMOM presented by IBERIABANK in the Children's Museum's new Grand Carousel Pavilion and Ballroom. It was an over-the-top night as guests enjoyed food from more than 20 food vendors and watched circus entertainers including jugglers and aerialists. Musical entertainment came from Atlanta-based band Rhythm Nation, silent disco and late-night DJ Jordan Rogers. Over $200K was raised. Cirque du CMOM ris CMON's largest annual fundraiser and has been around for over 27 years. Text courtesy of Ramona Johnson | Photography by Andrea Zucker and Franck Chin
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social social
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social
LEE LOVES LOCAL: SUMMERHOUSE OXFORD, MS LEE Industries has been handcrafting American-made upholstery in North Carolina since 1969. Lee Loves Local is the company's way to show support for brick-and-mortar shops and encourage people to shop locally. On Sat. Feb. 10 SummerHouse Oxford (SHOX) held its Lee Loves Local event. Even though the weather was less than desirable, the event went off without a hitch! The Jackson location closed for the day to allow that design team to join the rest of the staff and owner and principal designer Lisa Palmer for the event. Jean Allsop, the editor and photographer of the book 30A Living was on hand signing copies. Whit Geary of View Gallery in Jackson, was in attendance. She brought with her a variety of artwork for the View Gallery Pop-Up including works artists Paul Edelstein, Sarah Trundle, Catie Radney, Sophia, and Brooke Hoogendoorn, just to name a few. The event was catered by Wine Bar Oxford. WithCo from Nashville provided drinks made with their own artisanal cocktail mixers. Text and Photos courtesy of Chad Holman
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social social
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wedding
Kathryn Goforth
James Reed October 28, 2017 Red Banks, Mississippi
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wedding
SOURCES Wedding & Reception: Hedge Farm Rehearsal Dinner: Jim’s Place Grille Photographers: Snap Happy & Bill Kabel Florist: Deedra Stone Designs Caterer: Cindy Krag Catering Baker: The Flour Garden Wedding Dress: Maggie Louise Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Hair: Karl Smith Makeup: Kasey Acuff Rings: Robert S McDow, Jeweler Invitations: Paper Source Band: Gary Escoe’s Atomic Dance Machine/Lori Gilbert String Quartet Wedding Day Coordinator: Lisa Keppen
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arts
Art by Design
Text by Ginni Jones | Photography by Sarah Rossi
For a third consecutive year, the Memphis design community is teaming up to benefit ArtsMemphis. Art by Design is one of the city’s most unique and anticipated design events, highlighting local talent in “vignettes” within a chic gallery showroom. Created by Greg Baudoin of Greg Baudoin Interior Design in 2016, the event has raised substantial financial resources for ArtsMemphis, inspired over 1,100 attendees and participants, and deepened partnerships with dozens of local businesses and nonprofits. Elizabeth Rouse, president of ArtsMemphis says, “This incredible event has raised roughly $250,000 over the last two years, helping ArtsMemphis make grants to 80 local arts groups and artists. Our cultural investments encompass everything from the Metal Museum to Indie Memphis to the Stax Music Academy. Attendees at this year’s events will have the opportunity to experience some of the organizations they are helping support and view work from some of the artists we support.” 76 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
This year’s showcase will take place at the historic Pipkin Building at the Memphis Fairgrounds. “We’re thrilled to have IBERIABANK standing behind this event for a third year in a row. They really understand the ArtsMemphis mission, and they care deeply about sustaining the vitality of our local arts community,” says Rouse. Led by co-chairs Ann Parker of Parker Design Studio, Becca Gaines of B. Gaines Interior Design, and a steering committee, the three-day event will take place Apr. 6-8. Featured designers include A. Shaw Antiques and Jewelry, Allyson James Interior Design, Blu D’or Interiors, Cameron Howell Interior Design/ Sarah Spinosa Interior Design, Cindy McCord Design, Elizabeth Malmo Interior Design, The Garden District, Diane Martin of Greg Baudoin Interior Design, Jill Hertz Interior Design, Kitchens Unlimited, Lindley Martens Design, Lisa Mallory Interior Design, Nubi Interiors, Rhea Crenshaw Interior Design and Warner Moore Interior Design. Text and photo courtesy of Brad Pitts
Tickets are available for purchase through the ArtsMemphis website, artsmemphis.org. The 2018 schedule of events includes a VIP Preview Dinner on Thur., Apr. 5, an Opening Day Cocktail Party on Fri., Apr. 6, and three days of general admission to the showroom. New to the event this year will be a host of different tours and programs during the general admission days. Rouse says there will be something for everyone, from a presentation on The Art of Entertaining by lifestyle expert JJ Keras to a book talk by nationally acclaimed interior designer Marshall Watson (co-hosted by the Decorative Arts Trust).
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entertaining
EasterBrunch Elegance
Text by Ginni Jones | Photography by Hal Jaffe 78 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
entertaining
Angela Mazanti does it again! No Easter brunch is complete without festive linens and a beautiful centerpiece of spring owers. Read below to score some tips from the professional on how to accomplish a truly elegant Easter brunch. March 2018 • athomemms.com | 79
entertaining
The Inspiration
The inspiration behind the brunch was celebrating Easter and all it means—new birth, life, a changing of the seasons, the anticipation of new adventures and the beauty and splendor of the rebirth of nature in beautiful and delicate blooms and greens.
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entertaining
The Decor
Mazanti anchored the decor in the tabletop design and food presentation. “You can't go wrong when you are hosting an event that is centered around a beautiful and bountiful meal, to use the food as part of the decor,” she explains. “You should utilize everything supporting the meal in your decor, such as beautiful china, antique napkin rings and napkins, julep cups and heirloom serving platters.”
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entertaining
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The Flowers
The flowers were a combination of blooms in spring colors: pastel blue and pink hydrangeas, blush ranunculus, blush and white roses, and hellebores foraged from the hostess’s garden. As containers for the centerpiece Mazanti mixed the hostess’s antique crystal vases and rustic birch boxes. The tablescape also included seasonal favorites. “I love Easter decor that includes bunnies, carrots and moss!” the designer admits.
The Menu
The menu included traditional Southern fare—asparagus soup, Holiday Ham, bacon and goat cheese Brussels sprouts, roasted carrots, Pimento cheese grits, deviled eggs and homemade yeast rolls. Comfort food at its finest. March 2018 • athomemms.com | 83
entertaining
Create Your Own
Decide whether you want it to be more formal or casual. For a casual event, create seating areas both inside and out. To create a more formal feel make sure you have ample seating indoors with linens for your table or tables and enough flatware and china. Order flowers a couple of weeks in advance, or if you are fortunate enough to have beautiful blooms sprouting in your garden, clip them and put them in special containers on your table. Decide what you will provide, perhaps the main dish, drinks and a dessert, and ask your family/guests to bring their favorite items to complete the meal. Ask a few weeks in advance so that they have time to prepare. Mazanti suggests setting up a beautiful buffet of sweets and desserts. “As with most Southern holidays, our meals tend to have a plethora of delicious desserts, but Easter definitely requires some extra special sweet treats,” she says. “My grandmother always made the cutest coconut cake in the shape of a bunny rabbit with jelly bean eyes. Get creative, have fun and be joyful—remember why we celebrate! Happy planning!”
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entertaining
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entertaining
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Mazanti’s Tips on Hosting Easter Brunch • Don’t try to do everything yourself. Ask your family/ guests to prepare their favorite special dish that would complement the meal. • Purchase ingredients as far in advance as possible. • Clean out your refrigerator to allow room for storage before and after the meal. • Make sure you have plenty of plastic bags, paper plates, aluminum foil and plastic wrap for guests to take leftovers home.
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dining out The South Main district is booming, and its newest addition, The Gray Canary, is the latest creation of award-winning local chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman. Located in the Old Dominick Distillery, The Gray Canary’s highly anticipated opening took place in late January. Although it’s only been a few weeks, the restaurant has already started collecting accolades of its own, including being named one of Vogue Magazine’s Most Anticipated American Restaurant Openings.
“Vogue was an incredible nod and made us all the more eager to open our doors,” says Praveena Anadraj, who came to Memphis from Los Angeles to become The Gray Canary’s general manager. “As a city, Memphis is on the cusp of something really special; you can feel the momentum in downtown Memphis.” It’s no surprise that word got out. With all-star executive chefs and owners Ticer and Hudman on board there’s much to be excited about. Longtime Chef de Cuisine Ryan Jennings and Chef Ysaac Ramirez, who comes from Ticer and Hudman’s New Orleans restaurant Josephine Estelle, are in charge of the kitchen. “Truly, we’re grateful for the reception we’ve received, it’s been incredible,” Anadraj says.
River,” Hudman and Ticer say. “Memphis inspires us and we love this city, so those views are a big part of what inspired this restaurant. There’s something playful and serious when you walk in, which we love.” Part of what sets Hudman and Ticer’s latest joint venture apart is the attention to detail that the longtime friends turned business partners put into every aspect of the restaurant. The two meticulously thought out the dining experience they want every patron to have from the beginning to the end of a meal.
“The Gray Canary is a direct reflection of how we love to dine right now— from the atmosphere to “We’ve had guests from Germantown the menus,” they say. to two blocks away. Most guests have “We wanted a restaurant been following us on social media in downtown Memphis and have been eagerly awaiting our that encompassed energy, opening, and others have seen our excitement and fire, and lights on and stopped in out of that’s exactly what The curiosity.” Gray Canary delivers. The The interior of the restaurant wood fire hearth allows reflects its modern concept with us to experiment with sleek decor. An open-concept kitchen and raw bar allow new techniques and think about food in new ways. We patrons to have a more interactive experience. The city have a raw bar offering different oysters every night and of Memphis itself plays a huge role in the aesthetics of they’re always changing. Ryan Radish curates the wine the restaurant. list around the menu, focusing on flavor profiles of “The space is very narrative with distinct downtown the dishes, and the cocktail list was crafted in the same views of street level, the skyline and the Mississippi vein.” 88 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
dining out
The menu is technique driven and the chefs are constantly experimenting with cooking on their wood fire hearth. “We love the effect fire has on food, and the way it can bring out the unique flavors,” Hudman and Ticer say. “For our kohlrabi dish, we char and thinly slice it, and the texture is similar to hamachi with a subtle, smoky flavor. Served over a celery root puree and garnished with seasonal local citrus—right now that’s our satsumas. Finally, we finish the plate with sliced serrano peppers, brown butter and sorghum-toasted buckwheat.” The oysters on The Gray Canary’s raw bar are sourced from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast as well as the Gulf Coast. While this isn’t what diners might be used to from Hudman and Ticer, Anadraj says they’ve already been a big hit. “We've got guests coming back already two to three times a week just to see what new oysters we have.”
No meal at the new restaurant is complete without one of beverage director Nick Talarico’s meticulously crafted cocktails. The Gray Canary’s specialty is taking historical cocktails and reworking them to fit the flavor profile of the menu. “We wanted to do something that began with mixing interesting flavors and doing something playful,” says Talarico. “You'll see a lot of mixed-based drinks that have rum, bourbon, tequila and gin, And of course, we feature Old Dominick in one of our sparkling cocktails. You'll see a lot more tequila and rum than you would at most of our other restaurants, and, of course, a great variety of Amari to finish the night.”
At press time The Gray Canary’s hours were: happy hour 4-6 p.m. TuesdaysSaturdays, and dinner 5-10 p.m. (expanded until 11 p.m. on weekends and Grizzlies home game nights). Ticer and Hudman say they plan to open for weekend brunch as well as Sunday night dinner soon. Text by Lee McAlister Photos courtesy of The Gray Canary March 2018 • athomemms.com | 89
dining out
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happy hour
Orange Airplane
Recipe and photo courtesy of Brad Pitts
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happy hour Of the many classic cocktails, the very basic Whiskey Sour is all too often overlooked. There was a time when you walked into a bar and ordered a Whiskey Sour, you received for your request a shot of cheap well bourbon over ice with a splash of (usually) even cheaper “sour” mix made from ingredients that were decidedly not lemon in any form. Sadly, this was the quick and dirty version for many years that needlessly lead to a drink that always fell short of expectations. Modern mixologists are here to change that. This riff on the classic Paper Plane by Sam Ross is simple and elegant served up or down. It’s a bourbon sour that’s next level, simple to reproduce and open to creativity.
Ingriedents
• 1 oz. Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey • 1 oz. Averna Amaro • 1 oz. Peychaud’s Aperitivo • 1 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice Directions
Combine all ingredients in a metal cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Double strain into a cocktail coupe or highball with a 2x-inch ice cube or ice ball mold. No garnish
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in the kitchen
Peanut-y Chicken Tenders with Maple-Dijon Dipping Sauce
March is National Peanut Month! Looking for a fun way to enjoy the South’s favorite nut? Try these Peanut-y Chicken Tenders.The crunchy, Jennifer Chandler nutty crust of these chicken tenders raises theBy from bar! Excerpted The Southern Pantry Cookbook by Jennifer Chandler Photo by Justin Fox Burks. Food These are sure to become a family favorite. Styling by Jennifer Chandler. 94 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
in the kitchen
For the Maple-Dijon Dipping Sauce: Directions
Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard and maple syrup.
• ½ cup mayonnaise • 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• ¼ cup real maple syrup
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the chicken: Directions
Ingredients • 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs • 1 ½ cups cocktail peanuts • ½ cup all-purpose flour • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds) • Vegetable oil, for frying
Serves 4 to 6. Cooking Tip: Mixed cocktail nuts can be substituted for the peanuts. Freezes well: The prepared but uncooked chicken fingers freeze well. To prevent sticking, freeze the chicken fingers in a single layer on a baking sheet before placing them in a container or freezer bag. When you are ready to cook the chicken fingers, no need to thaw. You can fry them frozen.
By Jennifer Chandler Excerpted from Simply Grilling by Jennifer Chandler Photo by Justin Fox Burks Food Styling by Jennifer Chandler
Preheat the oven to 350 °. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the bread crumbs and peanuts in a food processor and process until finely ground. Place the mixture in a shallow bowl. Place the flour in another shallow bowl and season generously with salt and pepper. Place the beaten egg in a third shallow bowl. Rinse the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Slice each chicken breast lengthwise into 4 or 5 strips. Generously season the chicken with salt and pepper. Working in small batches, lightly dredge both sides of the chicken in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess. Next dip the chicken in the egg wash to coat completely, letting the excess drip off. Then dredge the chicken through the peanut mixture, evenly coating on all sides. Place the prepared chicken on a baking sheet or cutting board. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven pour enough oil so that there is approximately a 1-inch layer of oil. Over medium-high heat, warm the oil until a few droplets of water sizzle when carefully sprinkled in the pot. In batches so as not to over crowd the pot, cook the chicken until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Transfer to the oven and bake until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm with the dipping sauce on the side. March 2018 • athomemms.com | 95
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Sources
16 | HEALTHY YOU Special thanks - Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com 20 | AT HOME WITH Special thanks - Tricia Hunt Millstone Market and Nursery 6993 Poplar Avenue Germantown, TN 38138 901.730.1183 www.millstonenursery.com 24 | HOME FEATURE Special thanks -Traci Lewis Owner, BlairHaus 208 Main Street Tupelo, MS 38804 662.269.2513 www.blairhaus.com 36 | DESIGN Special thanks - Anne Turner President, Interior Designer ATDesign www.atinteriordesign.net 64 | EXPERIENCE THIS Special thanks - Carolina Watershed 141 E. Carolina Avenue Memphis, TN 38126 901.321.5553 www.carolinawatershed.com 78 | ENTERTAINING Special thanks - Angela Mazanti Angela Mazanti Event Design www.angelamazantidesign.com 88 | DINING OUT Special thanks - The Gray Canary 301 S. Front Street Memphis, TN 38103 901.249.2932 www.thegraycanary.com 92 | HAPPY HOUR Special thanks - Brad Pitts 98 | ON A GOOD NOTE Special thanks - Dorothy Day House 1429 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 901.726.6760 www.dorothydaymemphis.org March 2018 • athomemms.com | 97
on a good note
The DorothyHouse Day D
orothy Day, the namesake of the Dorothy Day House, was a writer and social justice advocate who helped open “houses of hospitality.” In her honor the Dorothy Day House provides shelter for families experiencing homelessness. In 2006, the organization’s small group of founders discovered the dire need for a shelter that would allow families to stay together. “They learned that families were separated in emergency shelter options,” says Tracy Burges, director of development and communications for the Dorothy Day House. Locally, men are typically housed at the Union Mission Shelter, while women and children are placed in the Salvation Army Shelter. In 2016 the Community Alliance for the Homeless reported that about 130 families in the Memphis area were living in shelters or uninhabitable places. Burgess says for many the concept of homeless families is surprising. “[Some] people we have met through the years have a stereotypical image of homelessness. When you say ‘homeless,’ they automatically think of the man or woman standing on the street corner with a sign, begging for money or food. They don’t realize that their server at a restaurant or a cashier at a store might be homeless. Many people are working two and three jobs just to keep a roof over their head.” “We are made aware of the many homeless families in our city because we turn away 15-20 families a week due to lack of space,” Burgess says. “Currently we house three families at a time. Since 2006, we have housed 52 families and have helped dozens of families who have asked for emergency help in the form of food, bus fare, diapers, clothing and more.” Plans are in place to open a second Dorothy Day House this year and a third in 2019. Until then, the staff and volunteers are doing everything in their power to help families in need by lessening the trauma of homelessness. “Families live together in a homelike environment and receive support and encouragement from the staff, ministry team and volunteers,” Burgess says. “Because of the home atmosphere, we hope that the young children don’t even realize that they are homeless.” 98 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018
Text by Lee McAlister Photos courtesy of The Dorothy Day House
Unlike other facilities in the Memphis area, the Dorothy Day House is not an emergency shelter. This means that families stay five to six months on average. “Families can stay as long as necessary,” Burgess says, “provided that they are working on their goals and following the house rules.” During the day the adults are either at their job, attending school, or looking for work while children are in school or daycare. “Additionally, depending on their circumstances,” Burgess says, “we connect them with services provided by other organizations such as medical services, counseling, job training, educational services and more.” Volunteers help in a variety of ways: by providing transportation; looking after children while parents go to appointments or job interviews; and supplying meals, basic necessities like toiletries, work and school uniforms, gas money and bus fare. They work alongside residents to create a comfortable atmosphere and to bond by taking turns cooking, helping with childcare and participating in family routines like birthday celebrations and homework help. Burgess says the best way to help is to donate money, food, cleaning supplies or toiletries. They are also always in need of volunteers. “We believe that most Memphians want to do something about the homeless population, they just don’t know what to do. We hope that more people will reach out to homeless families through us.” Through an ongoing capital campaign, the Dorothy Day House has already raised $2 million of the $5 million needed to expand to four homes that will enable the organization to care for 12 families at a time. Burgess and other supporters operate Lucy J’s, a pop-up bakery and coffee bar in the West Atrium of Crosstown Concourse. Proceeds benefit the Dorothy Day House. On Sat., May 5, the Rotary Club of Memphis will stage Café du Memphis, a fundraiser for the Dorothy Day House, at Tiger Lane from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event will feature beignets, shrimp and grits, and family activities. Tickets are $10 and $20 and can be purchased at www.cafedumemphis.com.
March 2018 • athomemms.com | 99
100 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2018