MAY 2010 FASHION FOR YOU • YOUR HOME • YOUR LIFESTYLE
City Living in Knoxville Knoxville in ATHOMETN.COM
Giving Back in Chattanooga Loft Living| Nashville’s Sweet Treats
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID ROBERTS
contents may 2010
COVER FEATURES 66 Loft Living 46 Giving Back in Chattanooga
WORKING WITH WIDE OPEN SPACES
BUILDING A HOUSE OF HOPE
Open spaces are often considered blank canvases but all that volume can seem like a challenge at first. Learn great tips about effectively designing your open space from Memphis’ Amelia Carkuff.
After losing their infant son Hatch to pediatric cancer, Amy Jo and Jim Osborn turned their grief into a Chattanoogabased foundation dedicated to helping others. “We don’t treat the cancer, we treat the effects of the cancer on all the members of the family,” explains Amy Jo.
48 City Style in Knoxville SMALL SPACE, BIG DESIGN
What it’s lacking in square footage, interior designer Chris Davis’ Knoxville condo makes up for in style and character. Located in the city’s historic Nicholas building, Davis’ space blends serene, thoughtful design and functionality for the ultimate calming retreat. 6 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
80 Nashville’s Sweet Treats THE SWEET LIFE
You may have sampled pastry chef Andrew Manchester’s work at the Hermitage Hotel’s Capitol Grille, but did you know that this Georgia native originally planned to pursue a career in medicine? Learn about the man behind the pastries (and how to whip up a sweet treat of your own) in this issue.
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SELF 20 GREAT MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS These gifts will help you say “thank you” to Mom in a thoughtful (and sometimes funny) way this May.
22 TRANSITION INTO SUMMER Say goodbye to spring and welcome the Southern heat with these great fashions.
24 SUMMER SKINCARE With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start prepping your skin. We’ve found this season’s best products to combat heat and sun.
26 TOTAL BODY TONING Swimming is the ultimate low-impact toning workout. Combine it with a healthy diet and this month’s ab workout and you’re well on your way to fit.
28 WHY YOU’RE WIDE AWAKE Sleep disturbances plague many women, but did you know there could be an underlying cause? Find out what you can change on your own and when you should call the doctor.
TRAVEL 32 MECCA OF STYLE: DALLAS, TEXAS There’s a reason you think “shopping” when Dallas is mentioned. This Texas 8 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
destination offers an impressive design and art district as well as upscale dining and accommodations.
38 SOUTHERN SPA RETREATS Don’t limit yourself to just one day at the spa. Plan your weekend getaway completely centered around spa treatments at these upscale resorts.
64 URBAN GARDENING There’s no reason city dwelling should suppress your green thumb. Find out just what you need to grow your own indoor herb garden.
FOOD
42 EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED IN PIGEON FORGE
84 PAMPERING SPA PARTY
From a village dedicated to Christmas all year round to a ride in the plastic Zorb ball, there’s a reason Pigeon Forge is such a popular destination.
Celebrate the women in your life by hosting a spa party in your home. From great recipes for snacks and masks to decor suggestions, At Home Tennessee’s Stephanie Alexander already has your event all planned out.
HOME & GARDEN 58 MAKING “MASTER’S TREE” Slated to debut this Christmas season, “Master ’s Tree” follows a notable cast on an adventure from the Mississippi Palmer Home for Children to Memphis’ Peabody hotel.
IN THIS ISSUE 12 PUBLISHER’S NOTE 70 by invitation—THE SOCIAL PAGES 78 COOKING CLASS
60 PHOTOGRAPHY 101 Get to know your camera with these quick tips from Tennessee photographer Sarah Dobbins.
62 LIVING LARGE IN A SMALL SPACE A wine-rack-turned-towel-rack? Yes, please. Get creative to make the most out of your small space.
90 SEE AND DO 92 BOOK REVIEW
94 HAPPENINGS 97 SOURCES 98 ESSAY
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May 2010 • Vol. 9 No. 2 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Margaret Monger - mmonger@athometn.com
EDITORIAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR Nikki Aviotti - naviotti@athometn.com MANAGING EDITOR Lindsey Phillips - lphillips@athometn.com SOCIETY EDITOR Lesley Colvett - lcolvett@athometn.com EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Andrew Abernathy, Alyssa Daven, Terri Glazer, Alex McAdams, Jenny Stickley CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Roberts COLOR MANAGEMENT Charles Reynolds - cr@colorretouching.com WEB MASTER Donna Donald - donna@donnadonalddesign.com INTERNS Lauren McDermott and Katja Zurcher
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Virginia Davis - vdavis@athometn.com Hilary Frankel - hfrankel@athometn.com Janna Herbison - jherbison@athometn.com Robert Philips - rphilips@athometn.com Carrie Russell - crussell@athometn.com Marcelle Schraer - mschraer@athometn.com Virginia Steele - vsteele@athometn.com Scharlene White - swhite@athometn.com REGIONAL SALES Melissa Hosp - mhosp@athometn.com
BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Trip Monger - tmonger@athometn.com
HOW TO REACH US 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018 TOLL FREE 877.684.4155, FAX 866.354.4886 WEBSITE athometn.com BEAUTY INQUIRIES beauty@athometn.com WEBSITE INQUIRIES web@athometn.com At Home Tennessee does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to - Lindsey Phillips, Managing Editor, At Home Tennessee; 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018.
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE Call 877.684.4155 or subscribe online at athometn.com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Tennessee is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Tennessee; 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Lindsey Phillips; At Home Tennessee; 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018 or by e-mail to lphillips@athometn.com.
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publisher’s note
Peace in Life’s Storms Recently, many of us watched our local TV weather stations while a series of devastating storms blew through our hometowns. Although these storms were more severe in some of our areas than others, many of us dodged what could have been a much worse situation. Watching our “storm trackers” and listening to the alert sirens going off, I was reminded of a similar storm series we encountered years ago when my children were little. I believe it was 1998 or so and my children would have been five and nine. They had not been out of school long that day, but it was long enough (five minutes or so) to start arguing about everything. (Very important arguments, of course, like “who is looking at whom” and “who is putting their foot on their side of the car” when we were on our way home from school.) I knew the weather was going to get bad and much of our night might be spent under our home’s stairway with two very moody children. I had put together two “goodie” bags with snacks, crayons and paper thinking that would keep them busy. Their arguing and irritability increased as the weather got worse and I was very much dreading being in that small space with such “happy” children. My husband made it home from work just before the storms hit and we all headed to the stairway with the sirens blaring for several hours. Two adults, two unhappy children, a dog, two cats, no electricity and overturned juice boxes were just a little more that I could handle so I decided to take my chances and go sit at the kitchen table for a breather. My husband was about two seconds behind me. I remember pouring a glass of “juice” for me and my husband when the most amazing thing happened. My children had stopped arguing and they were holding hands and praying. The sirens continued for about another 30 minutes and so did their prayers. They were telling each other how much they loved each other, us and their animals and asking God to keep us all safe. Of course my husband and I were touched but we couldn’t help wondering if we could get our city to set off the sirens from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. each night. The storms ended and our busy, high energy children were back to “normal” but that was an evening I will never forget. As Mother’s Day draws near, I am sure there are many moms out there feeling like I did that day. There is no doubt that being a mother has been both the hardest and most rewarding job I have ever had. The work day is 24 hours long, seven days a week but the reward is greater than any amount of money. Although some days seem like the storms keep getting stronger, there is always a bit of peace in there if you just sit still and listen past the sirens. Thanks to my mom and to all the special moms in my life and to Callie and Duncan for always showing me peace and love in the middle of our storms. Happy Mother’s Day!
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contributors’ page
www.haljaffe.com
Lesley Harris Colvett is pleased to rejoin At Home Tennessee magazine. Her 10-year career in magazines began promptly after graduating from the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Journalism as editor of RSVP magazine, where she covered countless parties in Memphis. Most recently, she was one of the founders of by invitation Kansas City, a social magazine in Kansas City. Lesley is proud to bring social pages to Tennessee!
Will Kolb is a nationally recognized longtime member of the design and sales community in addition to his duties as a freelance writer. He has served as the regional sales manager for Sherle Wagner International and the National Sales Manager of P.E. Guerin. Currently he works as the national sales manager for Hull Historical Millwork and continues to run his own company, InArch Public Relations and Sales Representation, which serves the design, architecture and contractor/ builder business across the country.
Marty Marbry is West Tennessee Regional Manager for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, a position she has held since 2005. She works with 21 counties developing tourism opportunities, creating and implementing strategic marketing plans and working with local, regional and national media to inform about the importance of tourism to the local and state economies. She also serves as the department liaison.
Mel Headley has owned Handyman Connection in Memphis since March of 2000. The business specializes in worryfree small-to-medium-size home improvement, repair and remodeling services performed by professional craftsmen who are licensed, bonded and insured and have a minimum of 10 years experience in trades such as carpentry, painting, window and door repair, tiling and remodeling work.
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contributors’ page
Sarah Dobbins
is an editorial, commercial and private family photographer based in Cookeville, Tennessee. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Child Photographers and regularly holds workshops to teach beginners how to use digital SLR cameras. See more of her work at sarahdobbins.com.
Stephenie Ward
is a registered dietitian who partners with clients of various medical and fitness backgrounds at Germantown Athletic Club. Her clinical experience includes pediatrics, cardiovascular disease, lifecycle changes, diabetes, obesity, eating disorders, osteoporosis and athletes desiring improved athletic performance. Outside of work, Ward enjoys training for triathlons, playing the violin, cooking and spending time with her family of five.
Becky Fox is a certified personal trainer, nutrition consultant and owner of the Knoxvillebased personal training and boot camp company, Fox Fitness. Becky enjoys helping individuals lose fat and tone their bodies through fun, efficient and challenging workouts. She has written for various publications including the Knoxville News Sentinel. Becky is an Optimum Nutrition sponsored fitness model who can be seen on the covers of Power Systems and Magazine Blu. You can learn more about Becky by visiting her sites at foxfitness.com or womenathomeworkout.com.
Stephanie Alexander
is a wedding and event planner and owner of You’re Invited Events in Nashville. Stephanie specializes in social events throughout the state of Tennessee. Helping her clients carry out their vision and truly making each event unique is her passion. She earned an MBA from the University of Memphis and a BBA in marketing and Spanish, and her extensive business background allows her to approach each event with the client’s budget and timeline in mind. Stephanie is also an avid entertainer, chef and baker and loves expressing her creativity through do-it-yourself projects. You can learn more about Stephanie by visiting her website at yistationery.com or her blog at yievents.blogspot.com. May 2010 • athometn.com | 15
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PHOTOS courtesy of dreamstime.com 18 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
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Great Mother’s Day Gifts Show your mother just how much you care this month with a gift she’ll love. From the gardener to the comedian, At Home Tennessee has tracked down products to fit any mother’s style.
Vicki Cowan oval casserole dish available at Terri Hannah Home and Garden 901.257.2965
Mindy Lam Fine Crystal Jewelry’s 5 strand Swarovski pearl necklace and Forrest Crystal Pin (attached to necklace) Available at Kittie Kyle, 901.452.2323
Suede-lined leather envelopes by Graphic Image Available at Menage Fine Stationary and Gifts, 901.683.6809
“Porn for New Moms” Available at uncommongoods.com 20 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
Slang Flash Cards Available at uncommongoods.com
5 piece Gardening Tools with Folding Chair Available at wrapables.com
Italian Herb Garden Available at RedEnvelope.com May 2010 • athometn.com | 21
Transition into Summer
Pink fluttery top and floral cotton skirt, both by Downeast Basics available at Bliss 888.809.2424, shopinbliss.com
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Pop Color tank by Linq available at Posh 615.269.6250, poshonline.com
Striped shirt dress by BCBG Generation available at Posh 615.269.6250, poshonline.com
Daisy Chain Dress French Connection fcuk.com
Assorted flower cocktail rings available at Wish 901.756.9671
Striped short sleeve shirt by Pixie Dust availble at Gin-O 615.591.8451, ginoboutique.com
White Denim Straight Leg Jeans available at Ann Taylor anntaylor.com May 2010 • athometn.com | 23
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GoldFaden Nanotech Lipbalm goldfaden.com
Estée Lauder “Bronze Goddess” sunscreen esteelauder.com
philosophy “Hope Springs Eternal” deep sea revitalizing mask philosophy.com
Summer Skincare The summer months are just around the corner, so now is the time to stock up on those ever-important skincare products. Don’t start the season without gloDaily Defense sunscreen or Estée Lauder “Bronze Goddess” sunscreen, each with SPF 30. Before hitting the beach or pool you’ll want freshly shaved legs of course, so try a bottle of Clean Shave by Ole Henriksen. And don’t forget about those lips! They need protection too and the one we suggest has SPF 30. Happy summer! TEXT Nikki Aviotti
glotherapeutics gloDaily Defense SPF 30 glotherapeutics.com
Envision Beauty “The Solution” facial moisturizer envision-beauty.com
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Ole Henriksen Clean Shave olehenriksen.com
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Total Body Toning As the weather continues to warm, you should have no problem hitting the pool. Tone from head to toe by incorporating swimming into your regimen, and fuel your exercise safely by opting not to cut energypacked, fiber-rich carbs from your diet.
Just Keep Swimming
Carbs: To Cut or Not to Cut? TEXT Stephenie Ward, Registered Dietitian, Germantown Athletic Club
Ageless Activity Because swimming is a low-impact exercise
Forget Fad Diets Fad diets proclaim the misleading message that carbs are fattening. Actually, carbohydrates are an important source of fuel for your body and when cut drastically from your diet, health risks may occur. Instead of cutting carbs, you should focus on cutting excess fat calories—butter on bread, oil on pasta, mayo on sandwiches and cheese on crackers. Carbs are also used to provide glucose during brain function. If your body is not getting glucose from carbohydrates, it breaks down muscle mass to perform physical and brain Different Strokes All four strokes—butterfly, backstroke, activity. Without adequate carbohydrates in the diet, not breaststroke and freestyle—incorporate kicking, so each works only will muscles fatigue more quickly during extended out the lower body, Alyssa says. “Each stroke definitely affects physical activity, but the diet is often low in other nutrients which part of the body is getting a workout, but all four are such as calcium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium total body exercises,” she explains. The butterfly, breaststroke and fiber. Over time, these deficiencies could lead to osteoand freestyle target the back, shoulders, arms, chest and core of porosis, high blood pressure and even kidney stones. the body, but each stroke’s unique kick has benefits as well. The butterfly’s wave-like kick focuses on the abs and core more so Complex Consumption than the others, Alyssa explains, while the breaststroke’s symThere are two types of carbohydrates, simple and complex. metrical scissor motion targets the hip flexors and the adductor Complex carbs are better for you because they take longer and abductor complexes. The standard kick used along with for the body to digest and are found in nearly all plantthe freestyle and backstroke works the hip flexors and hambased foods. They are most commonly found in whole strings, while the backstroke also targets back muscles, shoulwheat bread, whole grain pasta, brown rice and starchy ders, arms and the core of the body. vegetables. Simple carbohydrates are found in desserts, cookies and processed sugary snacks—anything with added Maximize Your Pool Time To get the most out of your aqua refined sugar such as soft drinks and candy. Simple carboactivities, invest in gear like a pull-buoy, a figure-eight-shaped hydrates should be consumed in moderation. foam float that supports the legs and allows for a focused upper body workout. For another excellent upper body workAmp up the Fiber out, Alyssa recommends strapping web-shaped plastic swim In addition to being nutrient rich, foods containing carbs paddles to the palms of your hands. “The paddles create a are a great source of fiber. Fiber is a substance found only in larger surface area and therefore cause the swimmer to have plants and grains and is an important part of your diet beto displace more water to propel forward,” she says. Ankle cause it helps prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticuweights and water bricks also work to increase effort while litis and irritable bowel syndrome. It also has been found treading water, yet another great aqua aerobic exercise. to play a role in helping protect against certain diseases that still builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness, people of any age can partake in it. “One of the greatest things about swimming is that it can be a lifetime sport,” says Alyssa Daven, a certified personal trainer and human movement specialist in Knoxville. “The aerobic benefits remain high, while the impact on bones and joints remain very low.” These qualities also make swimming a common form of physical therapy.
like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The recommended
Perfect Pairings While swimming is great for building cardio fiber intake for adults is 25-35 grams per day. For children
endurance and for toning muscles, Alyssa reminds that it is not the best exercise for losing weight. “While one does use a lot of calories, once out of the pool, most of the calorie burning stops,” she explains. This is because your body temperature rises more when participating in land-based exercises like running, so after your workout is complete, your body is still using energy to cool down. In the pool, your body temperature does not rise as much, so your body doesn’t have to work to cool down. However, swimming is one of the best ways to tone all the muscles of your body, so pair this sport with other forms of exercise. You can even use it as a warm-up or cool-down method before or after land-based exercise. Alyssa recommends trying to swim for about 20-30 minutes three times a week.
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ages three to 18, add “5” to their age in years. For example, a seven-year-old child needs at least 12 grams of fiber each day. When eating a diet high in fiber it is important to consume enough liquids—otherwise constipation may occur. It is also important to incorporate fiber slowly into your diet so as not to develop a crampy, bloated stomach.
Examples of High Fiber Foods: ½ c. baked beans = 11 grams 1 medium orange = 2 grams ½ c. cooked broccoli = 3 grams 1 medium pear = 5 grams 1 medium baked potato with skin = 5 grams
Excellent Ab Exercises
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If you’re tired of that extra weight centered around your stomach, keep reading. This month’s workout focuses on toning that tummy and getting rid of those love handles. Although crunches are great and definitely should be included in your flat belly program, they should not be your whole routine. You must include cardio and a clean diet. So follow this workout to stay on track! Cardio: If you want flat abs then don’t skip your cardio sessions! Get out there and run, bike ride, take an aerobics class or workout on the elliptical. Doing this 3-5 times per week for at least 30 minutes will help burn off that fat. And by including interval training you will notice changes even quicker. Diet: You’ll never see your abs if you aren’t eating clean. Stick to whole, nutritious fruits, veggies, grains, lean meats and low fat dairy. Stear clear of doughnuts, candy bars or soda drinks if you want to have a flat stomach. TEXT Becky Fox | MODEL Becky Fox
Ankle Wiggles Start with hands flat on the ground. Lift upper body into a crunch position with shoulder blades off the ground. Keeping this position reach your right hand toward your right ankle squeezing your oblique, hold for one second, and then repeat on the other side with your left hand and left ankle. Keep alternating side to side until you have completed 20-30 repetitions.
Weighted Crunch Start by holding a 5-10 pound dumbbell up in the air over your chest. Slowly lift your shoulder blades off the floor coming into a crunch position. Return back to start and repeat. This exercise can be done without the weight for beginners.
Double Crunch Start with hands behind the ears and with your elbows out to side and legs off the floor. Slowly lift your shoulder blades off the ground while also lifting your hips a few inches off the ground. Be sure to squeeze your belly tight. Lower back down, but only tap your feet on the ground, and repeat. May 2010 • athometn.com | 27
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Why You’re Wide Awake
Sleep deprivation is common, but did you know there might be an underlying factor contributing to this? May is Better Sleep Month, a great time to evaluate your sleep and take steps toward improving shut-eye. TEXT Virginia Steele | PHOTOS courtesy of dreamstime.com
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e all know regular sleep is as just as essential to our health as a nutritious diet and exercise. But research shows sleep deprivation is becoming a greater problem for women and is frequently going unreported and untreated. Many women are trying to manage sleep concerns on their own, without involving their physician. Obtaining the proper assessment and effective treatment to ensure a good night’s sleep is inseparable from having productive and happy days. It’s not just the quantity of sleep that is important, but also the quality. While the ideal amount of sleep per night should be seven or eight hours, the average American woman usually sleeps only five to six hours during the week. When those reduced hours are further compromised by sleep disturbances, the results can be devastating. Many factors can lead contribute to disrupted sleep and poor sleep quality. While environmental factors are the most common causes of sleep disturbances (see page 29), there are also some others to take into consideration. Anxiety and Stress Often an environmental factor may wake you, but stress and anxiety (both leading causes of poor sleep) prevent you from returning to sleep readily. Before going to bed, if possible, convince yourself not think about life issues during the night and select a peaceful “sleep thought” to
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ponder if you wake up. Write down to-dos and all action-related issues after dinner, including life issues and emotional stresses. If simple solutions do not help overcome nighttime anxiety, consider seeing a therapist who can help you resolve your troubles. Sleep apnea Sleep apnea is a serious disorder characterized by snoring, interrupted breathing and excessive daytime sleepiness. An estimated 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, including one in four women over age 65. Sleep problems are especially common in perimenopausal women; they typically increase after age 40 and plateau by age 50. Menopausal women are 3.5 times as likely to develop a sleep disorder because weight increase, hormonal change, elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular disease all increase insomnia for this age group. If any of these symptoms appear along with sleep disturbances, it is important to have them evaluated professionally. Blood Sugar Changes Avoid before-bed snacks, particularly grains and sugars. These will raise blood sugar and impede sleep. Later, if blood sugar drops too low (hypoglycemia), you might wake up and not be able to fall back asleep. Substances Stimulants and depressants often affect sleep regardless of age and you may be unknowingly ingesting
them. As we age we become more sensitive to substance-induced sleep disturbances. To ensure good sleep, limit alcohol consumption and avoid caffeine. If you do drink caffeine, be sure to restrict intake by mid afternoon. Over-the-counter medications can also be stimulants, so talk to your local pharmacist when purchasing cold and cough medications and similar remedies. Hormone Changes Women with endocrine disorders, such as thyroid or adrenal illness, or those experiencing hormonal changes are likely to have disturbed sleep. Sleep disturbances linked to lower estrogen levels become more common during perimenopause and progress in menopause. After menopause, women experience less deep sleep and are more likely to awaken at night. Extreme body temperature changes lead to periods of sweating and subsequent chilling. If these experiences are disturbing your sleep try the environment-related solutions on the opposite page, but move quickly to physician assistance for relief if needed. Other hormone illnesses, especially polycystic ovary syndrome which is likely to cause associated sleep apnea, definitely require clinical evaluation if women begin to experience sleep problems. Restless Leg Syndrome Restless leg syndrome is a disorder in which there is an urge or need to move the legs to stop unpleasant sensations. Mild RLS occurs with
self only a small disruption of sleep onset. In more advanced cases, symptoms occur once or twice a week but result in greater difficulty with sleep onset and cause sleep deprivation. In severe cases of RLS, symptoms occur frequently and result in significant disruption of sleep and impaired daytime function. Initial treatment targets reduction of stress and fatigue, as well as utilizing muscle relaxation techniques. If this is not successful, then a medical assessment for underlying causes such as peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson’s, pregnancy or anemia should be considered. The use of certain medications also causes RLS and should also be reviewed with your physician. Treatments The best solution for insomnia is to acknowledge, diagnose and correct the underlying problem. There are several behavioral approaches to insomnia that should be utilized before moving to the most common solution of sleep problems: medications. Medications should only be utilized in unusual circumstances making sleep understandably difficult or be prescribed after insomnia has been assessed by a professional, is chronic in nature and all other behavioral approaches have been exhausted. All hypnotics, or sleep medications, will induce sleep and some will help to maintain sleep. They work in areas of the brain believed to be involved in sleep promotion. It is important to talk with your physician about the potential side effects of taking hypnotics, such as sleep walking, morning grogginess, headaches and memory problems. Remember to use medication as a last resort and as a temporary solution to an understandable sleep problem and always under the guidance and direction of a physician.
Enhance your Environment Environment is the leading cause of sleep disturbances. Here are 15 changes you can make to improve your shut-eye now. 1. Eat a high-protein snack several hours before bed. 2. Avoid just-before-bed snacks, particularly grains and sugars. 3. Sleep in complete darkness or as close to it as possible. 4. Wear an eye mask to block out light and ear plugs for noise. 5. Try using melatonin. 6. Establish a consistent bedtime as early as possible. 7. Keep the temperature in the bedroom no higher than 70 degrees. 8. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed. 9. Cover alarm clocks and eliminate electrical light sources. 10. If you are prone to hot flashes, keep a fan and fresh nightgown near the bed. 11. Don’t drink fluids within two hours of going to bed. 12. Take a hot bath, shower or hit the sauna an hour in advance of bed. 13. Put your work away at least one hour, but preferably two, before bed. 14. Invest in a great mattress. 15. Love your linens! May 2010 • athometn.com | 29
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travel
Mecca of Style: Dallas, Texas Historic yet luxurious accommodations, upscale dining and unparalleled shopping make Dallas a fabulously stylish destination. And don’t miss the city’s art district—with miles of museums and sculpture gardens, it’s one of the largest contiguous districts in the country. TEXT Will Kolb | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of Mansion on Turtle Creek
I
n a speech by the former mayor of Dallas, Ron Kirk, he made a very valid point— Dallas shouldn’t exist. The city has no major river or ocean port. It sits on the middle of a dry plain, yet there it is, a city built by sheer willpower and guts with one of the most impressive skylines in the nation. For the designer or person of taste, no other Southern city can begin to compete. Just a few facts before you learn the real secrets of the city; Dallas has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the United States, more shopping per square foot and a fabulous design district. It is also home to more Fortune 500 companies than anywhere else in the world.
Where to Stay The charming, historic and celebrated Hotel St. Germain (hotelstgermain.com) sits on Maple Avenue surrounded by antique stores, art galleries and the very exclusive and 32 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
singular department store, Stanley Korshak (stanleykorshak.com). Hotel St. Germain has been named as one of the top 100 hotels in the U.S. by Conde’ Nast Traveler and was one of two hotels last year to receive the coveted Relais-Chapeux Award. It serves breakfast in bed delivered on silver trays by tuxedoed butlers. Dinner in the petite, gorgeous dining room is served Tuesday through Saturday and reservations and menu choices must be made at least one day in advance. For special occasions book the Porcelain Room, containing the proprietor’s exceptional collection of French and European porcelain, which is actually used for dinner service. The hotel is a former mansion with seven luxurious suites, all furnished in the most impressive French antiques collected by the owner. Another great choice is the Mansion on Turtle Creek (mansiononturtlecreek.com) one of the finest hotels in the world. The Mansion, as it is affectionately called in Dallas, is
built around a turn-of-the-century private estate. Its bar is an exclusive fixture in the city and is frequented by power brokers and social scions of Dallas. The restaurant is legendary; ask for a seat on the veranda.
Where to Eat The Hotel St. Germain and the Mansion are terrific options, but you also have two of the world’s most famous chefs (the creators of the style called New Southwestern Cuisine) based right in Dallas. Don’t miss Fearings (fearingsrestaurant. com) at the Ritz Carlton Hotel or Stephan Pyles (stephanpyles.com) where you are guaranteed a tasty meal. For a real Texas experience, try Y.O. Ranch (yoranch.com). Y.O. Ranch serves true Texas beef steaks but also specializes in the game Texas is famous for. Don’t miss the tender buffalo steak or exotic meats raised on the ranch like antelope and ostrich. By the way, the loaded baked potato is to die for!
travel
Where to Shop Amazingly enough, the very first planned shopping center in the U.S. is located in Dallas and is now a National Historic Landmark. Highland Park Village (hpvillage.com) features every store from Jimmy Choo, Armani, Calvin Klein, Chanel and Porthault to a signature and stunning Ralph Lauren. Northpark Mall (northparkcenter.com) is quite a glamorous shopping destination. Anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Macy’s and Barneys New York and with a huge variety of specialty stores, it is the true insider mall of Dallas. In addition, the flagship store of Neiman Marcus is located in downtown Dallas. Shop knowing all the bigwigs of the company are right above you in their offices.
Where to Play Dallas is home to the largest contiguous art district in the country. It boasts the Dallas Museum of Art (dm-art.org), the Nasher Sculpture Garden (nashersculpturecenter.org)—considered the finest in the world— the Meyerson Symphony Hall, the Crow Collection of Asian Art (crowcollection.com), the Winspear Opera House and the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts (attpac.org). All are in walking distance of each other. If you visit the Sixth Floor Museum (jfk.org), you can actually stand in the old Texas Book Depository (now renamed) and look out of the window from which Lee Harvey Oswald shot President Kennedy. The museum is loaded with Kennedy memorabilia and information. You’ll be amazed that the street and the area have changed very little and look very much like the films you have seen regarding the Kennedy assassination. Only 30 miles west of Dallas May 2010 • athometn.com | 33
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is Fort Worth, home to the nationally renowned and best small museum in the country, the Kimbell (kimbellart.org), the Modern Museum of Art (themodern.org), the respected Fort Worth Zoo (fortworthzoo. com) and the amazing Fort Worth Botanical Garden (fwbg. org) which prides itself on being home to the most beautiful Japanese garden in the U.S. In addition, the Bass Performance Hall (basshall.com) is a masterpiece and is regarded as the last fine performance space of the 20th century. Dining and fun certainly can be found in the lovely Fort Worth Sundance Square (sundancesquare.com).
Dallas Design No other city has a larger design district. Every fabric house, furniture manufacturer, accessory company and antique shop is right there. A fine antique showroom resides right in the city—Loyd Paxton (loydpaxton.com). Both Loyd and Paxton are 34 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
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designers, but their showroom is legendary. Loyd Taylor is a perfect host and as you are handed a glass of champagne he tours you through the most beautiful antiques you will ever see— 17th century chandeliers and furniture from palaces and great American estates all await your visit. Loyd Paxton alone is worth a visit to the city’s design district and many people from across the globe make the trip to Dallas just for a walkthrough. The designers recently donated back the clock that graced the foyer of the Breakers (the Vanderbilt estate in Rhode Island). If you are a bit more into the eclectic style, you should not miss Ceylon et Cie (ceylonetcie.com), owned by Elle Décor’s Top Five Designer in the World, Michelle Nussbaumer. Her shop is an absolute treasure trove; designers can complete a entire project with just one stop. If you’re lucky enough to find Michelle in the shop, she is always happy to walk you through and offer advice.
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Jackson, TN
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Westglow
Lake Austin Spa Resort
The Alluvian
Southern Spa Retreats This May, indulge your mother, your friends and yourself with a trip to one of these great Southern destination spas. From girlfriend getaway packages to soothing one-on-one treatments, a weekend at a spa resort is sure to renew and relax. TEXT Lauren McDermott and Katja Zurcher | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of Westglow Resort, Lake Austin Spa Resort and the Alluvian
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he only thing better than pampering yourself for just one day is an entire spa-themed getaway at a renewing Southern destination. From resorts offering yoga classes and spa cuisine to private, in-room treatments, prepare to lie back, relax and be pampered at some of these great destinations.
Tennessee Blackberry Farm Farmhouse Spa Located on a 4,200-acre estate in the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm looks more like a stylish country home than a hotel. Visit this property not just for a chance to stay in the 2004 Zagat Survey-rated Number One Small Hotel in America but also for a spa getaway. Recently renovated, the Farmhouse Spa menu includes manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and body treatments for complete pampering. Newly added services include hydrotherapy in a state-of-the-art wet treatment room with a heated tile floor, Scots hose and a seven-headed Vichy Shower. These luxurious water treatments are detoxifying, hydrating and intensely relaxing. Blackberry Farm also offers yoga classes from beginner to ad38 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
vanced, so pack your bags for a truly calming weekend.
North Carolina Old Edwards Inn & Spa The Old Edwards Inn is perched at the top of Highlands, North Carolina, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its atmosphere is one of total luxury and relaxation. Enjoy the stunning influences of European architecture and breathtaking views while at this spa destination. The inn’s renowned spa is 2,500 square feet of Old World charm. Imagine wood paneling, domed ceilings, heated limestone floors and crystal chandeliers. The spa offers many oneof-a-kind services including its ever popular Nap Room and Spa Café. Relax in the Rainforest Rejuvenation Room while enjoying steam and light therapy. Or visit the spa’s salon for hair and nail services. Visitors can book one of the spa suites and enjoy the benefits of a spa from the comfort of a private room. On Mother’s Day, enjoy a brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. along with a day of pampering.
Spa at Pinehurst For the ultimate spa experience, look no further than the Spa at Pine-
hurst nestled among the Sandhills of North Carolina. With more than 40 services to choose from, the large facility includes a full-service salon, indoor pool and whirlpool, fitness center and spa suites. The services at Pinehurst focus on natural aromas from the deep South. Be sure to try the Peach Nourisher, Holly Berry Back and Foot Treatment and Magnolia Facial for a signature Pinehurst experience. Locally harvested clay and sand make for divine body treatments. In addition, the spa provides guests with personalized weight management and training programs. The Pinehurst also offers fun and educational services for younger spagoers. The Teen Spa program is sure to please those 12 to 16 years of age and the Kid Spa offers guests six to 11 the joys of the spa experience with their parents.
Westglow Resort Located in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain, the Westglow Resort and Spa is the perfect destination for a self-indulging weekend filled with spa amenities tailored to every need. With its three-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, the Westglow takes pride in serving its guests’ needs to the utmost
travel extent. Indulge in signature treatments inspired by the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains such as the Mountain Body Salt Glow or Blue Ridge Body Wrap. The spa offers a variety of antioxidant and aromatherapy infused facials and massages, while the Life Enrichment Center features a full hair and nail salon, an indoor pool and whirlpool and state-of-the-art fitness equipment and classes. The resort also provides its guests with a truly unforgettable recreation experience, where visitors can enjoy various hiking, mountain biking or luxury camping excursions.
Arkansas Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa Turtle Cove Spa is hidden away in a quiet cove in the Mountain Harbor Resort. As soon as you enter, you are greeted by the friendly, professional staff and a cup of Turtle Tea—a blend of fresh ginger, tea and fruit juices. The full-service spa offers an extensive menu of signature treatments such as massages, facials, body work, holistic therapies, body therapies, spa manicures and pedicures and mineral makeup application and lessons. The Turtle Cove Spa even lists special spa services for kids, as well as a mother and child spa package for children younger than 17 years of age. And don’t forget to look into the Girls Night Out package for two. Enjoy the spa services and stay for two nights in one of the resort’s two-bedroom, two-bath cottages which include a fireplace and private deck with a grill and hot tub overlooking the lake.
Crescent Hotel & New Moon Spa Located on the garden level of the 1886 historic Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, the New Moon Spa and Salon is the largest destination spa resort in Northwest Arkansas. Living up to its reputation, New Moon is the whole package. Take your pick of traditional, specialty and hot stone massages, water therapy, relaxation and resurfacing facials, body wraps and polishes and treatment enhancements such as eye pads, self-heating mud and thermal packs. And don’t forget about all of the May 2010 • athometn.com |39
travel packages offered at New Moon. The Girlfriend Getaway packages include one or two nights in a premium room at the Crescent Hotel along with plenty of spa indulgence. If you are planning a wedding then look no further than the New Moon Spa for all of your pampering needs. The spa’s elegant and spacious bridal studio for the bride and bridal party provides drinks and light refreshments. The Aveda salon can take care of formal hair styles, French manicures and pedicures along with wedding makeup.
Texas Lake Austin Spa Resort On the shores of scenic Lake Austin in the historic Texas Hill Country, Lake Austin Spa Resort guests discover the luxury of a “world-class spa with the warmth of a best friend’s lake house.” The resort’s all-inclusive packages provide accommodations in one of 40 lakeside guest rooms, deliciously healthy spa cuisine and unlimited fitness and discovery programs all enhanced by the simplicity of the natural setting. For those seeking rejuvenation, the Lakehouse Spa offers more than 100 indulgent services developed to reduce stress, increase resilience and revitalize the mind and body. The expansive spa’s indoor and outdoor treatment areas include the Bamboo Room where one can share a treatment experience with a friend or significant other, and the outdoor Palm Pool surrounded by billowing cabanas. Voted a top 10 spa in the Travel +
Leisure World’s Best Awards, the Lake Austin Spa Resort is undeniably a perfect escape for a weekend of peace and tranquility.
Castle Rock Spa at Westin La Cantera Resort Located in the Texas Hill Country of San Antonio, the world class Castle Rock Health Club and Spa is your ticket to complete rejuvenation. A day at the spa is the perfect escape from the sweltering south Texas heat. The spa provides a vast array of treatments such as massage therapy, manicures, pedicures and facials. Massage services include basic back/neck/shoulder massage, Swedish massage, therapeutic, sport, aromatherapy and reflexology. Castle Rock also offers several packages such as the Journey to Relaxation, the Journey to Renewal and the Journey to Tranquility, all of which can be tailored to fit your needs. Begin your journey by slipping into a fluffy robe and relaxing with a glass of citrus water before your hot stone facial or treatment of choice. Be sure to book a room at the Westin and indulge in the In-Room Spa Service because, after all, what is better than a professional spa massage enjoyed from the comfort of your own room? Don’t forget to sample some of the resort’s delicious local cuisine while you’re there too—you’ll thank us later.
Georgia The Lodge and Spa at Callaway
travel A weekend getaway to the Lodge and Spa at Callaway in Pine Mountain, Georgia, will guarantee any rejuvenation-seeking vacationer the ultimate spa experience. Here, you will be treated to one of the best spas in Georgia. Facilities include 13 treatment rooms for massage and hydrotherapy as well as a fitness center, a yoga/Pilates studio and separate relaxation lounges for men, women and couples, featuring fireplaces, steam rooms and saunas. Signature to Callaway’s own style, the spa’s nature-based massages, nourishing facials, herbal and mineral wraps and relaxing bath treatments will more than satisfy any spa enthusiast. In the Lodge’s Image Center, guests can further their pampering experience with makeup, nail and hair services available from a staff of talented stylists. Pick from any of the 150 deluxe suites to stay in, where guests are exposed to a sweeping view of the surrounding forest from the balcony of their room.
Mississippi The Alluvian The 7,000-square-foot luxury Alluvian Spa is located in Greenwood, right in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. The menu features everything that you would expect from a high-class resort. Think facials, massage therapy, body masks and wraps, body scrubs and polishes, therapeutic baths, manicures, pedicures and finishing touches such as hair and makeup. The spa even has treatments specifically designed for men, targeting the wear created by the
stresses of work and sports. Couples can enjoy a choice of three different couple’s packages in a specially designed suite that includes dual massage beds and a fireplace. The Alluvian has some great May specials like the Margarita Salt Glow and the Margarita Manicure and Pedicure. The spa is also featuring specialty refining apple and pear skin treatments to make sure your skin is summer-ready. Be sure to book a room at the cosmopolitan hotel and make a weekend of it.
Spa at Beau Rivage After working hard at the Beau Rivage’s state-of-theart fitness center, you deserve to enjoy a day of pampering. The variety of the special packages at the spa is what makes this spa unique. You can choose from eight exceptionally created packages which include Day of Beauty, Special Occasion and Romantic Getaway, among others. You can even choose to create your own custom package. While there, try the spa’s new Pineapple Papaya Body Scrub or the European Stone Massage. If you spent too much time by the resort’s luxury pool and got too much sun, never fear! The soothing After-Sun Therapy is a blend of white water lily, green tea and chamomile designed specially to soothe reddened, burnt skin. See Sources for Details
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Expect the Unexpected in Pigeon Forge Unique adventures abound in Pigeon Forge. From a village dedicated to celebrating the Christmas holidays year-round to a three-story museum shaped like the Titanic, there’s always a surprise around the corner in this East Tennessee town. TEXT Marty Marbry | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
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here is the one place you can visit an ill-fated ocean liner, celebrate Christmas all year long and participate in a theme park’s silver anniversary activities? Pigeon Forge, of course. The new ZORB attraction, mouthwatering Southern meals and great shopping will round out your family’s trip to this unique mountain destination.
Where to Stay Bundle up and get ready to sing a chorus of Jingle Bells as you check in at the Inn at Christmas Place (innatchristmasplace.com). The 145-room hotel features Christmas-themed decor, inroom fireplaces, spectacular mountain views, an outdoor pool with a 95-foot figure eight waterslide and a deluxe continental breakfast. Walk outside the door and find yourself at the Incredible Christmas Place for holiday shopping no matter what the season. Opening this summer will be the newest addition to this charming Christmas village, the Partridge and Pear restaurant. The eatery will serve lunch and dinner with menus reminiscent of a festive Christmas dinner featuring a wide variety of regional, traditional and specialty dishes. Also new to the area is the 94-room Clarion Inn (clarionhotel.com) next to Walden’s Landing. This scenic prop42| At Home Tennessee • May 2010
erty offers a complimentary breakfast, indoor and outdoor pools and a lazy river attraction. In addition to standard amenities, all guest rooms are furnished with flat-screen televisions, microwaves, refrigerators, coffee makers, safes and cable television. Another new hotel is the SpringHill Suites (marriott. com).This 112-room Marriott property includes stylish and smartly designed suites perfectly situated in the heart of Pigeon Forge. If you’re planning to stay a while, check out the many choices of cabins, condos, hotel rooms and chalets. To help you plan your trip or vacation, go to mypigeonforge.com.
Where to Shop Walden’s Landing (waldenslanding. com) is a great choice for shopping, golf and grabbing a bite to eat. Specialty stores like Outback Leather, with its vast selection of Brighton jewelry and leather garments, and the Thomas Kinkade Gallery, featuring artwork by one of America’s most loved artists, give Walden’s Landing something for everyone. In the heart of all this great shopping sits Firehouse Golf, offering 36 holes of family fun. The Old Mill Square (old-mill.com) is a complex of restaurants, a bakery and pottery and craft shops. Be sure to stop by Old Mill Pigeon River Pottery and see the handiwork of the in-house potters. The Old
Mill Farmhouse Kitchen carries everything you need for an authentic country breakfast, lunch or dinner. Mixes include homemade soups, breads and more. The adjoining General Store is where you will find all of the Old Mill’s freshly ground grains, such as yellow and white grits or cornmeal, a variety of flours and the delicious pancake and specialty mixes. Your shopping adventure continues with factory outlets, specialty stores and attraction gift shops carrying the latest trends and everything Pigeon Forge.
Where to Eat From a unique microbrewery to terrific locally owned restaurants, Pigeon Forge’s choices are endless. One of the newest restaurants is Mama’s Farmhouse (mamasfarmhouse.com), located off of the Parkway. Serving up bountiful Southern cooking family style, this restaurant features all the goodies that the Johnson family’s great-grandmother (known as Mama to the family) prepared from scratch. There isn’t a menu; just sit down and enjoy Mama’s cooking for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Bullfish Grill (bullfishgrill.com) is a great choice for aged grand champion Angus beef. The seafood is delivered daily, offering you the freshest selections available. The restaurant’s wine, lagers and ales complement the fresh sea-
travel food and hand-cut steaks. If you want something a little lighter, go for the signature strawberry salad or the fried green tomato BLT. You simply haven’t experienced true Southern hospitality until you sit down to an old-fashioned breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Old Mill Restaurant (old-mill.com). Located adjacent to the historic Old Mill, this dining spot has a reputation as one of the top restaurants in the Smokies. The menu features hearty Southern classics like country-fried steak, sugar-cured ham, pot roast and gravy, chicken and dumplings and chicken potpie. The scratch-made biscuits, muffins and corn fritters from the bakery will melt in your mouth. The portions are more than generous and are served along with their signature corn chowder, salad, fresh vegetables and dessert. Don’t leave this restaurant until you have had a piece of the pecan pie.
Where to Play In a town full of attractions, the Titanic Museum (titanicpigeonforge. com) may take the prize for the most unexpected in Pigeon Forge. Against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains is a half-scale, permanent, three-deck reproduction of the ill-fated ship. Along with hundreds of priceless Titanic artifacts in more than 20 galleries, there are also exact replicas of the Grand Staircase, the bridge and a first-class suite. Additionally, Dollywood (dollywood.com) celebrates its 25th year during 2010 and you’ll want to be part of all the fun. New for Dollywood’s silver anniversary is Adventure Mountain, America’s largest challenge course. Adventure Mountain will challenge you to navigate rope trails, net ladders, swinging bridges, flying islands and more. And be sure to check out KidsFest—a new spin on this familiar favorite is in store as the headlining act changes each week from June 11 to August 1. Located at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and just down the road from Dollywood, ZORB Smoky Mountains (zorb.com) is one of the most unique adventure activities to hit Pigeon Forge. You’ll go head over heels for it, literally, rolling down a hillside track encased in a clear plastic globe.
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Building a House of Hope When Amy Jo and Jim Osborn lost their son Hatch to pediatric cancer at the age of nine weeks old, their lives changed completely. Here, learn how the couple turned their grief into a proactive foundation dedicated to helping others in the name of Hatch. TEXT Jenny Stickley PHOTO courtesy of Austin Hatcher Foundation
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s Amy Jo Osborn and her husband Jim welcomed their first child into the world on August 15, 2006, they had no idea of the path on which their infant son, Austin Hatcher, would lead them. Just three-and-a-half short years later, the couple’s life is dramatically different and filled with purpose. Amy Jo met Jim while working as a professional photographer on assignment for Southern Living. She was assigned to photograph Jim, an orthopedic surgeon and driver in the SPEED World Challenge Series, with his Chili Pepper racing team at their annual fundraiser for pediatric cancer charities. While dating, Amy Jo embraced Jim’s passion for racing, culminating each year at Road Atlanta with an event attended by pediatric cancer patients who received VIP treatment during the Petit Le Mans race weekend. It was at that event in September 2006 that Amy Jo introduced her newborn son “Hatch” to their racing colleagues and friends they 46 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
had made through h th the h years hosth t ing the fundraiser. The following Monday, after returning home to Chattanooga, Amy Jo noticed Hatch was fussier than usual. The family pediatrician diagnosed Hatch with a minor stomach virus, but three days later, Amy Jo noticed Hatch’s left eye had deviated. Nervous and scared, Jim and Amy Jo rushed their baby to the emergency room. Throughout a 24-hour period, the medical staff performed numerous tests with inconclusive results, until an MRI revealed tumors on Hatch’s brain. “Jim came into the recovery room as I was holding Hatch, and I could tell by the look on his face that something was wrong,” says Amy Jo. “I just didn’t realize how wrong. Jim fell to his knees as he told me that Hatch had three large brain tumors, and we both broke down in tears.” Hatch was immediately airlifted to the Children’s Hospital Cancer Center in Atlanta where his diagnosis was confirmed. He had a rare, aggressive and fatal
form f off pediatric di t i cancer th that h th had d manifested itself not only in his brain, but had taken over his entire central nervous system. After doctors told Amy Jo and Jim that there was nothing they could do to save Hatch, the stunned new parents made the difficult decision to take their son home. Seven days later, nine-week-old Hatch passed away at home in Chattanooga, enveloped in his parents’ love. Although his life on earth was short, thanks to the love of his parents and their determination to make a difference, Hatch has made a huge impact on hundreds of pediatric cancer patients across the country. Through a mother’s grief came a purpose, and the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, also known as the Austin Hatcher Foundation for a Carefree Childhood, was born. The foundation’s mission is to equip families with the tools necessary to cope at the onset of cancer and provide them with the educational and emotional framework to lead healthy, successful lives. “We don’t treat the cancer, we treat the effects of
at home with the cancer on all the members of the family,” says Amy Jo. “The survival rate of pediatric cancer has increased to 80 percent, which is encouraging, but the rigors of treatment, its side effects and the financial and time investments that come with it cause tremendous strain on a marriage and family resources. Our goal is to empower families and children, and teach them the skills they need to deal with the effects of pediatric cancer.” In an effort to help fund the foundation, Amy Jo formed “A Mother’s Arms,” an infant clothing line that donates all of its proceeds to pediatric cancer charities. She designs the clothes—onesies, day gowns and footed sleepers— and hand picks new soft pima cotton fabrics and trims each season. Along with managing the clothing line, Amy Jo has become well versed in the fundraising field, planning and hosting events as well as developing cause marketing strategies for the foundation and its business partners. During the three years since the loss of Hatch, she and Jim have also added two daughters to their family. The Austin Hatcher Foundation began its work in the footprint of Amy Jo and Jim’s annual racing fundraiser. They developed a network of drivers on the American Le Mans Series circuit, which makes stops across the country during its season to visit local children’s hospitals and host events at the track for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Called “diversionary therapy,” the foundation provides the means and support for the families to escape from the daily struggles associated with pediatric cancer and enjoy time together. The program has been a huge success, and the
foundation is now the official charity of the American Le Mans Series. One of the foundation’s biggest accomplishments is the opening of Hatch’s House of Hope. The Chattanooga facility, designed to fulfill the goal of giving families the tools they need to cope, boasts a long list of services; among them are marital and financial counseling, testing and educational programming to help the affected child overcome cognitive and learning deficits that often arise after treatment, as well as emotional counseling for the entire family. Hatch’s House provides support for psychological and academic testing as well as for educational and emotional empowerment programs. The staff recently received ProblemSolving Skills Training (PSST) from leaders of the Children’s Oncology Group, one of only four facilities in the country to receive such instruction. Skills taught to parents through PSST have been proven to dramatically reduce stress and enable them to function more effectively. “We continue to add services designed to provide the tools to help the families cope, reduce stress, anxiety and depression and help give them a feeling of control and hope during this period of chaos,” says Amy Jo. The Chattanooga house is the first of many the foundation plans to open across the country, and at the rate Amy Jo and Jim have turned the dreams inspired by their son into a reality, the Osborns are on a path to touching millions of lives. For more information on the Austin Hatcher Foundation or Hatch’s House of Hope, please visit hatcherfoundation.org and hatchshouse.org. May 2010 • athometn.com | 47
Davis’ water-inspired color scheme is evident in the living room. The space, painted Benjamin Moore “Revere Pewter,” features gray covered Christopher Guy chairs in a natural linen fabric as well as a cocktail table with a metal base by Knoxville’s Darren Roberts.
Small Space, Big Design Interior designer Chris Davis doesn’t need excess square footage to live stylishly in this city. His elegant condo in Knoxville’s Nicholas building features classic design, creative use of space (think gift wrap stored in wine racks) and a tranquil, water-inspired color scheme providing the perfect escape from a busy day. TEXT Lindsey Phillips | PHOTOGRAPHY David Roberts, D. Roberts Photography
The Nicholas was built in 1930s as apartments for women before developer Kristopher Kendrick converted the building into eight luxury condominiums in the 1970s.
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pon entering Chris Davis’ condo in Knoxville’s historic Nicholas building, one thought crosses your mind—the European-esque residence, with its serene, light color scheme, distressed furniture and even a mirrored wall, is too pretty to touch. But then Ricky, Davis’ eight-year old, white-snouted black rescue dog skids energetically into the living room, leaping and collapsing on a gray, linen-covered Christopher Guy chair, indicating that the atmosphere of the residence is peaceful, laid-back and certainly dog friendly—channeling more of a “casual elegance, nothing fussy,” as Davis describes it. “I don’t want anything in the house to be where people come here and don’t want to sit down,” he explains. “I always want everywhere I live to be comfortable. If something gets broken, it gets broken.” Davis, an interior designer and co-owner of the Drawing Room in Knoxville, purchased the 1,850-square-foot, two-bedroom condo last August, when his younger sister’s family moved near the Sequoyah Hills area; previously she had lived with her husband and Davis’ nephews across the street from his cottage in Lindbergh Forest. “When they moved it was like, ‘Well, I have to move too,’” Davis says. What he found in the Nicholas building was more than he bargained for. The pre-Depression, Italianate structure, originally built as apartments for women in the 1930s, had been converted into eight condos by developer Kristopher Kendrick in the 1970s. Besides offering units steeped in history and character, the property 50 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
is also beautifully landscaped with gardens, flowering trees and a grassy area out front. Davis stopped in to view the unit on a whim, after passing it on his regular way to work. “I’ve always liked that building,” he says. “It’s a beautiful area, so I was just in a frame of mind to move and popped in there.” Davis’ residence belonged to Kendrick’s daughter and features high ceilings, hardwood floors and French double doors throughout. He says he was instantly drawn to the coffered ceiling in the dining room, the elegant, black and white tile work in the bathroom and the condo’s ample windows. He was also struck by the the airy, stone-floored sunroom located just off the living room which added a great view to the list of positive qualities. “I love this kind of European feel that [the condo] has and I love the layout,” he says. Kendrick installed the mirrored wall in the living room for his daughter, owner of Knoxville’s the Orangery, as well as ample wine storage, giving Davis plenty of unique features on which to build his home— exactly what he wanted when he purchased a condo in an older building. “I’ve always liked places that are old,” he says. “It’s hard to build character.” Regular visits from his nephews, six-year-old Jackson and four-year-old Eli, also play into the condo’s design. “That’s why I have so much distressed furniture,” Davis jokes. “It’s easier with kids. This place is lived in.” A soothing, water-inspired color scheme flows throughout the residence, no doubt spurred by both
The dining room features high, coffered ceilings painted in Benjamin Moore “Beach Glass� and a faux bois chandelier by Currey & Co. The sofa offers a comfortable lounge area for guests, while the antique chairs are painted in a layered blue glaze finish inspired by an Amy Howard piece.
The glass bird tie-back perched on the drapery rods is by Marble City Glassworks and is currently one of Davis’ favorite home details.
Davis’ condo previously belonged to the developer’s daughter and includes ample wine storage throughout the home.
feature Davis’ job— “I see lots of patterns at work, so it’s the last thing I want to see when I get home,” he notes— and his fondness of bodies of water. “I want something serene all the time,” Davis says. “I have this fascination with shells and birds and the colors of sand and water. When I go to the beach or am around any water at all I just feel at peace—especially around the ocean.” The color palette ranges from the pale hues of the living room to a deep blue sitting room, with plenty of grays, blues and shades reminiscent of sand incorporated in between. (Believe it or not, the light furniture is actually easy to clean, Davis adds.) In the dining room, Davis’ ocean theme is illustrated by a faux bois chandelier by Currey & Co., featuring an assortment of shells. An antique shell and concrete table by the same company is located in the master bedroom. For Davis, who entertains often, it was important that the dining room be comfortable for guests, a feat he accomplished by bordering the table with a sofa and adding a lounge-like quality to the room. Since the dining room is connected to the kitchen, it was safe to assume the space would be a likely gathering spot during cocktail hour or a dinner party. “People always want to be with you [when you’re entertaining],” he says. “If you’re cooking, they’re going to be in the kitchen. The sofa just makes a perfect place for them to sit. To me it almost reminds me of a lounge in a bar.” For more traditional seating, five antique chairs surround the rest of the table. (However, Davis says that nearly everyone opts to sit on the couch instead of in the chairs.) Davis originally had the chairs done in a wood finish, but fell in love with an Amy Howard-inspired layered blue glaze finish almost immediately after his refinisher completed the initial job. “I was going 54 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
through an Amy Howard showroom in Atlanta and she had a day bed,” he explains. “She is one of my favorite furniture designers and I collaborated with a local furniture refinisher to come up with the finish to the best of my memory.” Much of Davis’ decor features his own innovation as a designer. He found the antique armoire, now located in the living room, literally in pieces. Additionally, East Tennessee metal artist Darren Roberts created two of the condo’s cocktail tables, a fire screen, light fixtures and drapery rods based on Davis’ designs. One drapery rod, located in the master bathroom, features glass bird tie backs by Marble City Glassworks, Davis’ current favorite home detail. His use of birds as a motif in the condo adds an elegant, almost whimsical atmosphere to the home and stems from his grandmother’s love of birds as well as his own. However, one of Davis’ favorite condo features is actually that beautiful landscape outside the building—a maintenance free yard. While his last home was smaller, it had a yard complete with hedges that Davis trimmed on a regular basis. “The last yard was a maintenance nightmare,” he says. “I love having all the beautiful grounds and yards around me to look at. I feel like I’m on vacation everyday.” As for the future of his condo’s design, Davis says that in the nine months since he’s owned the unit, he has done more work than he did in 13 years at his previous home. And, it’s mostly complete. “I’m not one to change things all the time,” he says. “I like things to be kind of classic and timeless and I think if things are done well you can do that.”
See Sources for Details
Painted ceilings add depth to the master bedroom while an concrete and shell table by Currey & Co. add consistency to the condo’s serene atmosphere. (opposite): The sitting room, or “glam room” as Davis calls it, is painted in Benjamin Moore “Blue Danube.” The metal base of the mirrored table was also created by Knoxville’s Darren Roberts.
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Making “Master’s Tree” The Mississippi-based Palmer Home for Children will join Memphis’ famed Peabody ducks (as well as some well-known talent like Selena Gomez) on the big screen this Christmas season. Filming now, “Master’s Tree,” based on a screenplay by Germantown’s Jim Walker and actor Tom Wiggin, follows a group of teens on an adventure from Palmer Home to Memphis. TEXT Alex McAdams | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of, Palmer Home for Children, Peabody Memphis
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f you’ve lived within 10 hours of Memphis, you’ve no doubt heard about or seen the swanky ducks at the Peabody Hotel. Aptly titled the “marching ducks” by the Peabody itself, these red-carpet-accustomed mallards will stride in style alongside a well-known cast of actors this Christmas season. While it may seem relatively arbitrary to write a screenplay based around the waddling Peabody Hotel ducks and their duckmaster, Germantown resident Jim Walker made it possible, not only with clear reason but also with purpose. The “Master’s Tree” movie script revolves around a small private Mississippi organization with a big public purpose: the Palmer Home for Children, an institution which houses children whose parents are unable to further care for them. Acting as the director of fundraising from 1990 through 1996, Walker looked to the children in his Bible study group for inspiration. “Through that period of time I also worked in youth ministry, and I lived in an apartment adjacent to the gymnasium,” Walker says. “Every Tuesday night, I had a Bible study with the high school kids; they came for an hour, and we’d order pizza, have a 30-minute study and [in the remaining time] watch the ‘Little Rascals’ or the ‘Three Stooges.’”
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It was at this time that Walker began to concoct his story line. According to Walker, the kids’ favorite Rascals episode was “Mushin’ Milk,” in which the characters run away from their 1930s-era orphanage. “I started developing an idea—a story running through my mind—about the kids,” he says. “I never really planned on doing anything with it.” It wasn’t until Walker met up with “As the World Turns” and “Law and Order” actor Tom Wiggin at a charity event in honor of the Palmer Home that the project began to take off. “One breakfast I shared my ideas with Tom about the kids,” Walker says. “We sat down over a week and hacked out a screenplay, which, 14 years later, seems easy.” The real nuts and bolts of his model, Walker said, lie in the children. “It was basically through the experience I had,” he says. “There is so much humor around children. You take 80 kids living on a campus, and it’s comedy. Some of the things they get into are really hysterical, but it’s painful too; there are life lessons learned.” The inevitable question is why Walker and Wiggin chose to use Memphis as a backdrop to tell the story of a Mississippi-based organization for children in need. “The basic storyline is that three of the older children run away to Memphis,” Walker says, adding that
given the proximity of Memphis to the Palmer Home campuses, the feat is not impossible. “Once they get there, the kids befriend an elderly gentleman—the Peabody’s first duckmaster. We just made the role of the older gentleman as a high-profile recluse,” he says, adding, “Of course the story we wrote around the first duckmaster in the movie is fictional, but it makes a great backdrop for the story. That’s the canvas to make the story richer. If you’re going to create a story, it should be in a culturally rich environment. We took a rich place of Tennessee history and helped make it a canvas around these young kids.” As for the Peabody, it’s a “rich, great way to value Tennessee. It’s a beautiful picture of a small tradition, almost done as a joke—it started small and became a major production.” The kids’ shenanigans take on a deeper meaning when it’s revealed that the duckmaster, slated to be played by Star Wars celebrity James Earl Jones at the time of publication, was a former resident of Palmer Home as well. Without revealing the entire plot of the film, the story continues when a tree is planted by the duckmaster and his brother, which becomes the principal moral priority in the film. “Great things start small and
take lots of nurturing,” Walker says. “This is true of every child. The tree becomes the central focus of the children at the orphanage.” Other notable celebrities tied to project include The Disney Channel’s starlet Selena Gomez and Nickelodeon’s latest heartthrob James Maslow. The Palmer Home for Children was established in 1895 by Presbyterian minister Benjamin Morgan Palmer and a group of women from his church in Columbus, Mississippi, says executive director of the Hernando, Mississippi Palmer Home campus Robert Farris. Although the Palmer Home started out as an orphanage, “we don’t serve any true orphans anymore,” Farris explains. “All the children who live here have parents who can’t take care of them in cases like addiction and incarceration.” The outfit is no longer considered Presbyterian either; it is now considered non-denominational, although the roots of the Presbyterian beginnings are still a motivating force and emphasis among the campuses in the mission to provide aid to less fortunate children. The Palmer Home is a non-profit charitable organization and receives all of its funding through private donations from benefactors and Presbyterian churches throughout the state of Mississippi alongside its heavy donations from patrons located in Memphis. The primary reason for building a campus in Hernando, Mississippi, was to extend its arm closer to the Memphian patrons without leaving the established jurisdiction of Mississippi, Farris explains. “We’re hoping the movie will expose the plight of children that a lot of people don’t really see,” he says. “We’re excited about it, and we think it’s going to provide publicity.” Walker echoed Farris’ sentiments. “People who don’t understand children’s homes thinks it’s a terrible place,” he says. “Think about the alternative ... But thank God they’re there.” See Sources for Details
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home and garden
Photography 101 With summer vacation just around the corner, you’ll certainly want to capture those moments on film. Here, Tennessee photographer Sarah Dobbins shares her expert tips on how to get to know your camera and snap the best shot. TEXT Sarah Dobbins | PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Dobbins
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ver the past decade, digital photography has slowly begun to eclipse film photography as the medium of choice for beginner and professional photographers alike. One benefit of digital photography to the beginner is the ability to practice, practice, practice—and not pay a fortune for film and developing. Another advantage is the instant-gratification peek at the shot you just took, and the chance to experiment with settings and techniques and see the results right away. Here are some quick tips to get the most out of your digital SLR (single-lens reflex) camera: Learn the basics. Get a good grasp on the three big settings you can control to change the look of your picture: ISO, shutter speed and aperture. ISO: Similar to film speed, ISO reflects how sensitive your camera sensor is to light. Just like with film, a lower number is for brighter light. A higher number is for more dim light. Shutter speed: This number is the length of time your shutter is open to capture your subject. A fast shutter speed will freeze motion; a slow shutter speed will cause any moving object to be blurred. Aperture: How wide your lens opens affects the amount of light that enters your camera, and also can make your background blurred or sharp. A low number (wide aperture) gives you a lot of blur; a high number (narrow aperture) will cause more things to be in focus. There are many resources to learn more about ISO, shutter speed and aperture, and how these settings interact with and affect each other; oftentimes your camera’s manual is a great place to start! Even so, one of the best ways to learn how these factors affect your photos is to get some hands-on experimentation. Practice in a controlled setting—in a bright, evenly lit room, for example—and see how changing these settings affects your final photo. Look for good light—lose the flash! Even if you never touch your camera settings, simply finding good light will improve your images dramatically. Harsh sunlight—for example, noon on a summer day—will cause your photo to have dark shadows; if you’re photographing people, often these shadows will be across your subjects’ faces, and the bright light will almost always cause them to squint. Similarly, using your camera’s pop-up flash will give you that “deer in the headlights” look—it’s always better to use good natural light if possible. The trick is finding this good natural light. If you are shooting portraits on a sunny day, find some shade and place your subjects there. If you’re taking nature or landscape photographs, try to shoot in the early morning or late evening—the light is more diffuse and not as harsh, and you often get beautiful, golden colors as the sun rises or sets.
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ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/320s Widening your aperture gives you a blurred background—and a creative kick to the standard portrait!
ISO 100, f/4.5, 1/125s Dawn is a great time to shoot landscapes— the light is even and you don’t have to worry about crowds!
ISO 400, f/3.5, 1/640s Raise your shutter speed to freeze motion.
ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/400s The slanted, diffuse rays of sunset gives this image a burst of golden light.
ISO 200, f/2.5, 1/250s Try to avoid centering your subject— the result is a much more aesthetically pleasing photo. Keep composition in mind. Try to stifle the urge to center the subject in your frame. Keep in mind the “Rule of Thirds”—the focal point of your image should fall in the upper or lower third of your frame. Experiment and have fun! One of the best ways to learn your camera is to shoot as much as you can, paying attention to your settings and changing one thing at a time to become familiar with what each setting does. Don’t be afraid to try new things, make mistakes and explore your creativity!
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home and garden
Living Large in a Small Space While city living is great, it can often mean less space. However, there are tons of ways to open up your condo or loft without creating clutter. Think outside the box—rolled towels fit perfectly into wine racks and that unused closet could most likely hold a desk for a makeshift office space. TEXT Mel Headley, owner of Handyman Connection | PHOTOS Courtesy of dreamstime.com
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hether you have to downsize because of the current economy or you simply prefer a city condo or loft, it can be difficult to adjust to a smaller area. Luckily, every home has storage space that goes unnoticed. With a little creativity and a lot of organization, you can easily make any home more livable.
Open Up with Organization The key to maximizing storage is organization. Organizing your home is often overlooked as a home improvement project, because it doesn’t necessarily silence a squeak, halt a drip or light a room. When looking to de-clutter and create additional space in your home, take a three-dimensional approach. Don’t just look at floors, closets and shelves as they currently exist. Instead, look at the whole space—floor to ceiling. Wasted space is everywhere and a clever home improvement contractor can help you make the most of it if it doesn’t come naturally to you. Begin the de-cluttering process in highly functional rooms like the kitchen and bathroom. Sort through all the “junk drawers” containing miscellaneous items—everything from now on needs a home. Using 62 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
well-designed dividers in the drawers will help you locate things more easily in the future.
In the Bathroom Use shower curtain rings to not only hang the curtain but also a mesh, pocketed organizer that will hold your soap, shampoo and other shower accessories. You can buy racks, containers and canisters to arrange magazines, cotton balls, makeup and hair products. And don’t be afraid to think outside the box; rolled up towels fit really well in a wine rack. Moreover, there are several things you can build to help simplify your life. For instance, you can construct a small, wall-mounted cabinet above the toilet or bathtub. You can also take advantage of an unused corner and build a cabinet there instead. These high-up storage areas are great places to keep items like medicine or towels. Also consider installing hooks wherever possible to hang clothes, robes or mesh bags filled with toys.
In the Kitchen Look for storage spaces that could benefit from a few design enhancements. Deep kitchen cabinets, for example, can become black holes. Installing a lazy Susan or slide-out shelving helps keep everything at
arm’s reach and enables homeowners to reclaim lost space. You should also mount whatever possible. Hang pots from a rack on the ceiling and store nice china on plate racks under cabinets. In addition, hang a bulletin board in the kitchen or anywhere else and tack up loose papers and bills lying around the house.
In Bedrooms and Other Living Spaces Invest in furniture that serves multiple purposes. A glass-top table behind a couch can serve as a decorative piece as well as a desk. You can also build shallow wall shelves that not only provide room for a photo gallery but also a place to drop your keys and sunglasses. Purchase benches or ottomans that have hidden storage space inside for blankets and magazines. For families with children, adultsized closets can offer a multitude of storage options. Make sure there are rods both high and low and if there is additional space above or below the rods, install tiers of wood as shelving. Cabinets, baskets and shelving can also be built under beds or into corners to organize toys, shoes and other items. And a row of wooden pegs on an empty wall will keep items off the floor. If you happen to have an extra closet, you can take the doors off and transform it into a home office. Also
home and garden consider mounting your television in a corner if you don’t have the surface space.
In the Garage For those fortunate enough to have a garage, installing peg-board with heavy-duty hooks can be the perfect option for garden hoses, shovels and rakes. Metal shelving—readily available at most home improvement stores—will take care of paint cans, household chemicals and smaller tools.
Less Can Be More In addition to unveiling hidden storage spaces around your home or condo, there are several home improvement tasks that can make your place look larger. From the windows to the floors, these helpful hints can enhance your humble abode. Lighten up the room—literally Make sure all of your windows have adjustable curtains or blinds that allow for sun to pour in. Good lighting can change the entire feel of a space and, more importantly, visually enlarge the room. Rethink your color scheme Painting the walls with dark colors can give a claustrophobic feel. Pale colors, on the other hand, will expand the look of your room. Don’t be afraid to paint the walls white and cover your bed in white linen. Keep it the same There shouldn’t be different flooring in every room. By keeping it uniform, you will stop the eye from wandering and jumping from room to room. Also keep in mind the pale-color rule. Floors, too, should be a lighter wood or tile. Make use of all area If you have a porch or deck, use it! Make this an extension of your home by screening it in and filling it with comfortable furniture. For more information on Handyman Connection, visit handymanconnection.com or contact Mel directly at 901.405.3150.
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Urban Gardening Don’t let a lack of green space curb your enthusiasm for growing an edible garden. Herbs grow great in a windowsill or in containers on a balcony and many produce varieties thrive in confined spaces. TEXT Lindsey Phillips | PHOTOS Courtesy of dreamstime.com
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rom sweet lavender leaves to fresh basil, herbs are ideal for container gardening and freshen up any dish (and the look of a dull kitchen) instantly. Base your urban herb garden off of your favorite flavors or pick a few of these tried-andtrue suggestions for beginners. Basil is great for first-time gardeners because it’s so easy to grow both from seed or from transplants purchased at your local nursery. This annual herb tends to get large (as tall as 10 to 24 inches), so choose an appropriately sized pot and sow only one basil plant per container. Too much sun will cause basil to flower sooner, which reduces flavor, so be sure to place it in an area that gets some shade as well as ample sunlight. Clip regularly to encourage bushy growth and discourage flowering. If your basil does flower, don’t fret—there are plenty of dishes you can incorporate the edible blooms into.
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Rosemary is yet another easily grown container plant. This perennial does fine in dry soil. Space plants 18 inches apart and make sure this herb gets plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil. Mint can often spread and take over a garden, so confining it to a pot or container is ideal regardless of if you have available garden beds or not. Mint leaves will lose color and flavor in full sun, so place it in an area that gets some shade. Remember to pinch off blossoms to promote bushiness. Thyme is a small perennial that grows easily indoors. Plants need to be spaced six to 12 inches apart and can grow four to eight inches in height. You can grow this plant year-round indoors; just make sure to place the container in a sunny windowsill during winter.
Seasoning Storage Enjoy the fruits of your labor year-round by freezing or drying your fresh herbs. Because they’re less potent after they’ve flowered, harvest your plants before they
bloom and preserve them for future use with these simple methods from Judy Lowe’s Gardening in Tennessee and Kentucky. Freezing •Rinse and pat dry herbs. Place them in a freezer container and freeze for up to four months. Drying •Cover a screen with a paper towel and place herbs on top. Leave the screen indoors in a wellventilated place and stir herbs three to four times daily for three days to a week. •Herbs such as parsley and chives often dry well in the microwave. Place them on paper towel or plate and cover with a paper towel. Microwave on lowest setting for one minute and check status. If herbs have turned brown, they’ve been over-dried. •Don’t hang the herbs in bunches to dry; you’ll have trouble with dust. Avoid drying herbs outdoors in the sunlight.
home and garden
Sow a Salsa Garden If you’re looking for something a little more trendy than a kitchen herb garden, sow a themed salsa garden. Choose varieties and flavors of warm season plants like herbs, tomatoes and peppers that will mix well together for fresh, homemade salsa. Research your favorite salsa recipes and plan your garden based on your tastes.
What you’ll need: Tomatoes You’ll want a variety of tomatoes in your salsa garden. Tennessee master gardeners suggest that you choose meaty types like Better Boy and Celebrity (these are not too juicy but still flavorful) as well as paste varieties such as Roma tomatoes. Sow one plant (with support) per 12-18 inch pot. Peppers Incorporate sweet and hot peppers into your garden. Try sweet bell pepper varieties like Big Bertha and Sweet Banana, and plant jalapenos, habaneros and cayenne peppers to add a bit of heat in your salsa. Grow one plant per eight-inch pot. Herbs You can’t make salsa with out cilantro. Sweet basil, oregano, marjoram and parsley are also great herbs to plant in your salsa garden. Onions and garlic These are also important salsa ingredients, but pick them up at a local grocery store or farmers market—these root vegetables are planted in the fall and late winter to be harvested in the summer.
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Working with Wide Open Spaces Designing your wide-open space can seem challenging, but these tips from interior designer Amelia Carkuff, who works with Memphis’ Lofts at South Bluffs, will help you take advantage of all that volume. Think oversized art, floor-to-ceiling bookcases and an awesome sound system. TEXT Lindsey Phillips | PHOTOGRAPHY Jim Echols, Ashley Dacus | LOCATION Lofts at South Bluffs
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hile it’s true that working with open floor plans can seem daunting at first, loft residents and designers alike are quick to call these open spaces “blank canvases”—an undefined area that can change with your interests or favorite decor while also providing a great view in an urban setting. “You don’t necessarily have these walls or perimeters that define a bedroom,” says Ashley Dacus, a realtor sales associate with Henry Turley Realtors who works with the Lofts at South Bluffs. “Anyone who has ever picked lofts as their lifestyle, I don’t think any of them would prefer that very strict structure of how to set up your house. [In a loft] you can build any kind of retreat that you want.” So how do you take advantage of your “blank canvas,” whether it be a loft or a wide-open space in general? While each space is unique, interior designer and loft dweller Amelia Carkuff suggests a combination of design elements such as overscaled artwork and methods to help tie the ceiling and floor together, like low-hanging light fixtures or accent walls. However, when bestowing your own personal touch upon your loft, keep one thing in mind— “The great thing about loft living is there’s no right or wrong,” Amelia says. Oh, and don’t forget a great sound system. In Amelia’s opinion this is, hands down, the number one requirement for a superior loft.
Think Repetition “A big challenge is the scale of the space you have,” Amelia says. “You want to take advantage of the volume and not have things look too small.” To overcome this, she suggests incorporating repetition into the loft—just because an item is big doesn’t mean it will make a big impact on its own. “If a mirror doesn’t feel big enough on the wall, then maybe you should hang that mirror four times in a graphic pattern,” she suggests. The loft pictured above represents working wall decoration repetition. Float Furniture “Furniture placement always has an impact on distinguishing one area from another,” Amelia says. “If you’re floating furniture in the middle of the space you’re certainly creating distinctive areas, but you’ve got to make sure you can accommodate that with an appropriate table.” Don’t forget to accommodate electrical wires as well, she reminds. Floor Focus Often, a change in floor height as well as flooring material can help to distinguish between areas in a loft. (In the Lofts of South Bluffs model to the left, the flooring changes from concrete to a raised wooden platform.) “Mix that with rugs in the right locations and you get a distinction between not only the living room but sort of the reading nook, the dining area, the kitchen and even what we refer to as the gallery space, which is the hallway,” Amelia says.
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Ceiling-to-Floor Connection Amelia stresses that an important part of loft design is connecting the ceiling to the floor with decor such as oversized artwork (this can range from canvas paintings to a set of large baskets), long draperies, large-scale light fixtures and any kind of tall trees, real or fake. The design in the above loft incorporates one of her favorite elements—book cases—with a floor-toceiling case featuring a rolling ladder. “It’s not only space to accommodate your passion,” she says, “but it can be a very artsy effect in your home.” Rolling bookcases allow a loft dweller to shift books appropriately to adjust views in the room, as well as roll them out of the way. “Whatever type of screen you use should allow for flexibility,” Amelia says.
Emphasize Accents Accent walls like the red wall pictured above and the yellow wall in the example loft below not only provide a pop of color but also help to tie the floor and ceiling together. “The majority of walls throughout the loft are one color, but there’s one wall that’s floor-to-ceiling an accent color,” Amelia says. “It can be really something vibrant or eclectic or it can be more of a tone-on-tone thing. By having a monochromatic color scheme with a punch of color with those tall ceilings, it connects the ceiling and the floors together.”
See Sources for Details
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food
Cooking Class Impress your friends this month with a fresh take on a classic Italian carpaccio from chef Benjamin Smith, owner of Tsunami in Memphis. A combination of traditional sushi ingredients, this simple, prep-intensive dish is great for dinner or cocktail parties. “It’s a nice summery dish, refreshing with a lot of diverse flavors” Smith says. It may look complicated at first, but follow our step-by-step guide and look again. Don’t forget to check back monthly for more recipes from chefs at L’ECOLE
Tuna Carpaccio Serve this dish with sparkling rosé wine. While anything sparkling will go nicely with the flavors, the hue of the rosé complements the carpaccio’s color, Smith says.
Culinaire in Memphis. PHOTOGRAPHY Nikki Aviotti
Tuna Carpaccio with Wasabi Aioli and Pickled Ginger Cream 2 lb. very fresh, sashimi-grade tuna 1/2 c. pickled ginger, drained and rinsed 2 Tbsp. sour cream 1/4 c. half and half 2 Tbsp. wasabi powder 1 tsp. minced garlic 1/4 c. mayonnaise 1/8 tsp. toasted sesame oil 8 wonton chips, fried until crisp toasted black and white sesame seeds for garnish
Freeze your tuna overnight and thaw for one hour before preparing the carpaccio. This will help you cut paperthin slices with ease.
Slice the tuna as thin as possible. Place tuna slices between two sheets of wax paper. With a rolling pin, gently roll the tuna out to about 1/16 an inch thick. Place about 4 oz. of tuna on each of eight chilled plates and smooth out to fill the plate. Keep tuna chilled until ready to serve. Wasabi Aioli In a small bowl place the wasabi powder and 2 Tbsp. water and mix until smooth. Cover the bowl and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, the mayonnaise and the sesame oil and mix until smooth. Funnel sauce into a squeeze bottle and set aside. Pickled Ginger Cream Place the pickled ginger, sour cream and half and half in a blender and puree until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides when necessary.
When applying wasabi aioli and ginger cream to the tuna, drizzle in opposite zig zag patterns to effectively play up the color contrast. “All those contrasting colors really make the plate pop,” Smith says.
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Plating To serve, drizzle each portion of carpaccio with the wasabi aioli then the pickled ginger cream. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve immediately with a crispy wonton chip.
food
The Sweet Life Chef Andrew Manchester knows his way around the kitchen. From sourdough bread to high-end scones, this Tennessean and Capitol Grille pastry chef can satisfy any sweet tooth. TEXT Andrew Abernathy | PHOTOGRAPHY Courtesy of Capitol Grille
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ndrew Manchester, executive pastry chef at Nashville’s Capitol Grille at the Hermitage Hotel, didn’t always plan on making his career in the kitchen. In fact, this Georgia native originally planned to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue a career in medicine before realizing it was his mother’s love of baking that evoked his true calling. Today, more than 10 years after enrolling in his first culinary course, the 31-year-old artisan of tempting confections is feeling his career truly take off as he works around the clock—sometimes more than 80 hours a week—to satisfy sweet-lovers’ cravings in Tennessee’s capital city. “Growing up, my mother was always in the kitchen,” Manchester says. “She did everything from scratch—even ground the wheat for her bread. She learned to cook from my great grandmother who was a right-off-the-boat German immigrant. So I guess I kind of grew up appreciating the importance of cooking and good food.” However, this chef notes that no one is simply born into the baking profession; it has taken a lot of work to get where he is today. Manchester’s first kitchen job was at a pizzeria in college, but he learned the pastry craft working at the Four Seasons in Atlanta, where, as he views it, he truly became a chef. “I was working in the kitchen and taking culinary classes at the Arts Institute, when my boss told me that I should stop wasting my time and get in the
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kitchen to learn.” So that’s just what he’s done the past decade. And why did he choose pastries over other specialties? The answer is simpler than you might expect. “Hot food is…well, hot,” he says. “Seriously I see guys working on the line sweating and think to myself, ‘man, what I’m doing over here is a whole lot more fun.’” While Manchester has a special love for sourdough bread recipes (of which he claims to be most proud), ensuring that the dessert menu is full of creative options requires a wide range. On any given day he could be working on a batch of French macaroons, citrus scones with Devonshire cream, an assortment of tea cakes, baked apples or crème brûlée. Quite honestly, he could be preparing just about anything with sugar, he points out. Although high volume doesn’t get this chef out of the detail work; it’s the garnishes that separate the good desserts from the great ones. “Whether it’s just a piece of chocolate or gold leaf or tiny spirals of sugar, I think the customer takes notice,” he says. “Even if I’m doing chocolates on a buffet I’ll try and garnish at least every other one.” While the restaurant business (especially in hotels), is more a lifestyle than a day job for Manchester, he wouldn’t trade in his chef’s coat for anything— even when the dinner rush gets out of hand. “When working in the kitchen, it’s easy to really get in the moment, and when things are busy, this can re-
ally be a rush,” he says. “I have a room service menu with four dessert items, a lunch menu with five and a dinner menu with six, we do banquets, we do bread service, we do it all.” Although you might expect the diet of a pastry chef to be loaded with sugar and covered in chocolate, working in cocoa, sugar and dough doesn’t always incite a sweet tooth. “I taste everything to make sure it’s what it should be,” he says. “But sometimes when I get home at the end of the day all I want is salt, so I’ll grab a bag of popcorn.” The city of Nashville holds a special appeal for Manchester. It’s large enough to have a vibrant culture and night life, but easy to escape as well. “Thirty minutes in the car and I can be hiking or canoeing,” he says. “I really like the outdoors. If I had to choose something to be doing other than cooking it would be just being outdoors.” However, working in an upscale hotel is a plus in Manchester’s book as well—no matter how busy it can get. Founded in 1910, the Hermitage Hotel—renovated for $17 million in 2003—was initially named after President Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage estate and today this five-star hotel houses the Capitol Grille, known for its upscale southern cuisine. The building’s “beaux-designed” architecture is accented by features such as Italian sienna marble, Russian walnut panels, Persian rugs and a stained-glass vaulted ceiling which stands over the building, where a number of influential leaders and
food groups have worked and stayed, including six former presidents, the 1914 National American Women‘s Suffrage Association‘s National Convention, prominent actors, gangsters and the longest-running hotel musical act on the books: The Francis Craig Orchestra. As for the present, this chef is content to keep Capitol Grille customers happy with their choice of pastries, but one day he’d like to be his own boss. “The dream is to own your own, upscale bakery,” he says. “But I’m good at what I do now. To come into the kitchen every day and joke and have fun with good people around good food all day is great. Being in the kitchen…It’s a rush.”
Citrus Scones Recipe Courtesy of Chef Andrew Manchester, Capitol Grille 2 (6 oz.) packages all-purpose flour 2.5 oz granulated sugar 1 orange, zested 1 lemon, zested 2 tsp. baking powder 2 tsp. baking soda pinch salt 2 sticks cold unsalted butter 1 c. plus 2 Tbsp. buttermilk 2 eggs 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract, preferably pure 1. Combine all dry ingredients including zest. Cut butter into 1/2 inch cubes and add to dry ingredients. 2. In a mixer with a paddle attachment cut butter until it is pea-sized. Add all buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Mix until just combined. 3. Turn out onto a floured surface, roll to desired thickness and cut into desired shapes such as triangles (Cook’s note: You can do any shape you like. Also, the zest can be omitted and nuts, dried fruit like cranberries, cherries or currants can be added.) 4. Let scones rest for 20 minutes in the freezer or until needed. They keep well in the freezer for a couple weeks if stored properly. 5. Before baking at 350 ° for 12-15 minutes, egg wash scones and sprinkle with sugar such as turbinado or any sanding sugar. See Sources for Details May 2010 • athometn.com | 81
Pampering Spa Party Celebrate the great women in your life this month with a pampering spa party. Transform your home into a mecca of relaxation and indulge in refreshing homemade facial masks, fresh ďŹ nger foods and even a smoothie bar. TEXT Stephanie Alexander, event planner| PHOTOGRAPHY Cassidy Collins Lovelace
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mother/daughter spa party is a great way for women to celebrate Mother’s Day or any day, in fact. Why not invite several generations of your family and spend a day getting pampered and enjoying each other’s company? It can be as easy as a phone call to your local spa for reservations or as budget-friendly as setting one up in your home. Whichever route you decide to go, enjoy the relaxing time with family and friends! All of us need some time in our lives to slow down and be pampered. If you decide to host the party at your home, try hiring professionals to perform the spa services. Good sources to contact are a local beauty school, an aesthetician school or your favorite spa or nail salon to see if they’ll come do a private home party. Oftentimes, if the party happens outside of peak business times, you’ll be able to book a team of professionals to come to your house. If hiring professionals isn’t in your budget, don’t hesitate to give each other manicures, pedicures and facials with the great mask recipes that follow.
Menu Broccoli Cheddar Quiche Pimento Cheese in Mini Tartlet Shells Pasta Salad Fruit Skewers in Watermelon “Boat” Crudite Shooters Chocolate Covered Strawberries with White Chocolate Drizzle Custom Smoothie Bar
Setting the Scene Transform a living room or family room into the main spa area. Make sure to set the tone with soft lighting, lots of candles, relaxing music and plenty of comfortable chairs and fun magazines to read. Take inspiration from the spas or salons you’ve visited and try to recreate them in your house. If it means moving large, comfy chairs from other rooms of the house, do it! If you have oversized floor pillows, set them out for
your guests to lounge around. You want everyone to be relaxed at this spa party. For treatments, set up an area for each guest with small tables or wooden television trays. Make sure to include the following: a mirror, head band and rubber band, nail files and clippers, nail polish remover, tissues and cotton balls. Supply a warm washcloth at each station for guests to remove their makeup prior to the facials as well as small bowls of warm water for cuticle soaks for the manicure. If you have individual foot basins, use those as well for the pedicures. You can purchase deep bowls that can serve as foot basins at discount stores and dollar stores. Remember, this party doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s all about getting the girls together for a fun, relaxing day! If you don’t have individual tables, you can always set up stations around a large table. The key thing is to make sure that each guest feels special and pampered. Try to include as many spa-like service items as you can, like glass apothecary jars filled with cotton balls, bath salts and nail polishes. If you have masseuses coming to your home, set up separate rooms in the house for massages. Play soft music, dim the lights and don’t forget to incorporate candles to create that spa-like environment. In another room you’ll want to set up the food and beverage table. For a spa party, serve one or two warm items along with plenty of fresh fruit and veggies. As for beverages, provide pitchers of water with assorted fruit slices in them. Besides limes and lemons, grapefruit slices are a perfect addition to water. The pink color of the grapefruit, along with a yummy hint of citrus, is a great combination for a spa party. And men, if you’re trying to think of an extraordinary gift for your wife or mother, buy her a monogrammed terry cloth robe and as she opens it, tell her that you are treating her to a spa party. (You’ll score major brownie points by doing this!) See Sources for Details
May 2010 • athometn.com | 85
food Fruit Smoothie Station This will be an custom drink station for the guests. Provide several blenders, along with a crystal ice bucket filled with ice cubes. Also make sure to supply the following: milk, orange juice, assorted yogurt flavors and assorted fruit. Other nice additions are honey, flax seed and protein powders. Have an instruction card ready to show guests how to assemble their fruit smoothie! The drinks can be made a variety of ways, and guests love getting to make their own. A basic fruit smoothie consists of: 1/2-1 c. milk 1/2-1 c. orange juice 1 container of yogurt Assorted fruits Assorted add-ons A few ice cubes
Combine all ingredients and blend. Guests can add a variety of the ingredients to create the perfect smoothie!
For do-it-yourself facials, mix up these refreshing masks: Balancing Facial Mask
Sensitive Skin Cucumber Mask
1 small avocado, mashed (about 2/3 c.) 1/2 small cucumber, finely grated (about 1/3 c.) 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice 3 Tbsp. green clay powder (sold at natural foods stores)
1 Tbsp. brewer’s yeast 1 Tbsp. finely ground oatmeal 1 cucumber 2 Tbsp. plain yogurt or sour cream 1 tsp. honey
1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, using a fork to blend. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. 2. Apply a thick layer of the mixture to clean, dry skin on your face and neck, avoiding the eye and lip areas. Keep fairly still for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the mask to dry in place. Wipe skin clean with a damp cloth; splash with cool water and pat dry.
1. Mix yeast and oats in a small bowl and set aside. 2. Peel the cucumber, place it in a small food processor and process until only liquid remains. Add the yogurt and honey and process further to blend. Add the brewer’s yeast and oats to the cucumber/honey mixture and process to mix fully. 3. Chill mask in your refrigerator before use to make it especially soothing. 4. To use, apply to clean face and neck and leave on for 15 minutes to a half hour. Rinse well and follow with toner and moisturizer.
Recipe from wholeliving.com
Recipe from spaindex.com 86 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
food
Recipes Broccoli Cheddar Quiche 1 small container heavy whipping cream 3 eggs, beaten 2 c. sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1/3 c. milk 1 tsp. cayenne pepper Salt and pepper to taste 1 deep-dish pie crust Broccoli (Other add-in ingredients could be bacon, sausage or ham) 1. Spread cooked and cooled broccoli in the bottom of the piecrust. Top with grated cheddar cheese. 2. Mix all other ingredients in bowl. Pour mixture over broccoli and cheese. 3. Cook quiche for 15 minutes at 425° and then reduce heat to 350° for 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool slightly and slice into individual pieces. (Cook’s note: You may need to tent the pie crust with foil to prevent the crust from browning too much.) Recipe adapted from Quiche Lorraine recipe in Sharing Our Best cookbook from Lambuth Memorial United Methodist Church in Jackson, Tennessee.
Pimento Cheese in Mini Tartlet Shells Package of pimento cheese (purchase from local restaurant or deli) Package of frozen mini tartlet shells Bacon, cooked and crumbled May 2010 • athometn.com | 87
food Crudite Shooters
1. Spoon pimento cheese into mini tartlet shells and heat in the oven for about 5 minutes. 2. Garnish with crumbled bacon.
Crudite Shooters Miniature shot glasses (Pick these up at party supply or dollar stores.) Assorted vegetables, sliced very thin (these could include haricots verts— string beans—, cucumbers, zucchini, red or green peppers, carrots, asparagus or celery) Vegetable dip (found in the refrigerator section of the grocery) or your favorite dressing or hummus Cherry tomato for garnish, optional 1. Place glasses in the fridge to chill. 2.Pour a small amount of dip or dressing in the bottom of the shot glass. 3. Add the assorted vegetables for a fun, colorful presentation. Top with a smallskewered cherry tomato.
Pasta Salad 1 package corkscrew pasta, cooked according to package directions Assorted veggies: carrots, broccoli, cucumber, zucchini, squash (Cook’s note: I serve this a variety of ways. Sometimes, I use fresh vegetables and chop them finely for this salad. Or I’ll take a bag or two of frozen vegetables and steam them prior to adding them to the salad. Feel free to change it up!) 1 bottle of zesty Italian salad dressing Salt and pepper (If you’re trying to limit your salt intake, add pepper and Mrs. Dash 88 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
food seasoning) 1. Toss all ingredients together and serve chilled.
Fruit Skewers Displayed in a Watermelon “Boat” Watermelon (for display purposes) Assorted fruit threaded on skewers (suggestions: star fruit, kiwi, strawberries, oranges and grapes) 1. Cut watermelon in half and remove some of the fruit. (Cook’s Note: Use a melon baller to remove some fruit and then use those balls of watermelon on skewers.) 2. After you’ve cut the watermelon in half, you may want to make a decorative edge design using a paring knife. The easiest is a zigzag pattern. You may need to trim the bottom of the melon to prevent it from rolling on the table. Make sure you don’t cut too far into the rind to ensure that liquid doesn’t leak out. 3. Once your watermelon boat is ready, put the fruit skewers into it for display!
Chocolate Covered Strawberries with a White Chocolate Drizzle 1 pint large strawberries (about 15-20 berries) 6 oz. semisweet chocolate 3 oz. white chocolate 1. Wash and dry strawberries. Try to keep stems intact. 2. In a microwaveable bowl, melt 6 oz. of good semisweet chocolate according to the package directions. In another bowl, melt 3 oz. of good white chocolate according to package instructions. (Most chocolate melts at 50 percent power in the microwave). 3. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip it in the melted dark chocolate, letting any excess fall back into the bowl. Set the strawberries on wax or parchment paper. Using a fork, drizzle the white chocolate over the strawberry. 4. Allow the fruit to set about 30 minutes and display on a decorative platter. May 2010 • athometn.com | 89
see and do
Art Appreciation in Knoxville At the Knoxville Museum of Art, traveling and permanent exhibits will expose your family to everything from the art of East Tennessee to a spring-inspired outdoor display called BLOOM. With free admission offered weekly, there’s nothing keeping you from an art-inspired adventure. TEXT Katja Zurcher | PHOTOS courtesy of the Knoxville Museum of Art
A
s the weather warms up, it’s time to get out of the house and explore all of the exciting cultural experiences that Tennessee has to offer. The Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA) is accredited by the American Association of museums, and its many displays of contemporary and traditional art are engaging and provocative. Along with permanent exhibitions the museum also features a number of traveling exhibits focusing on both regional and foreign traditions, so plan a trip to see these current displays. BLOOM: Brown and Scofield (April 1-August 1) BLOOM is an outdoor sculpture located in the museum’s North Garden. Created by Knoxville-based artists Jason S. Brown and Elizabeth Scofield, the sculpture is made up of botanical forms like blades of grass, flowers and plant-inspired shapes created with synthetic nylon fabric. “[BLOOM] offers viewers an experience with colorful, environmentally-responsive outdoor art by a team of talented local artists who are interested in exploring themes related to ecosystems, commercial development, recreation, and new sculptural materials,” says KMA Curator Stephen Wicks. “Jason and Elizabeth
90 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
produce a beautiful, thoughtful work that draws attention to the push-andpull between nature and the built environment. BLOOM gives the KMA a chance to showcase some of the artists’ best work on a large scale at a time of year when everyone is trying to find every excuse to get outside.” Uncertain Terrain: The KMA Collection (April 16-August 29) The Uncertain Terrain exhibit features a collection of landscapeinspired works by more than 13 different artists. Artistic media include paintings, photographs, drawings and videos and the landscapes range from rural to urban, perceived to imagined. “Uncertain Terrain highlights the KMA’s recent progress in developing its collection of contemporary art, and brings together a strong selection of works that redefine or reinterpret notions about landscape art,” Wicks says. The curator will present a Dine & Discover luncheon lecture on Uncertain Terrain on July 7 at noon at the museum. Vision, Language and Influence (May 14-August 1) Bringing together for the first time the work of photographers Walker Evans, Eudora Welty and Baldwin Lee, Vision, Language and Influence captures the American South over a
50-year period. “[The exhibit] is the first museum exhibition to examine work by these three important American artists whose indelible black and white photographs of the American South reflect highly individual technical approaches, artistic ambitions, and cultural perspectives,” Wicks explains. Walker Evans is represented through perceptive images of Alabama sharecroppers which stem from his “epic collaboration” with James Lee, titled Let Us Now Praise Famous Men. Eudora Welty’s images depict rural and small-town life in Mississippi in the 1930s and early 1940s. Baldwin Lee is a professor at the University of Tennessee and was an assistant to Walker Evans. His photographs of African-American life in the South taken during the 1980s complement the images of Evans and Welty. Higher Ground: A Century of Visual Arts in East Tennessee; the Knoxville Museum of Art Collection; and the Thorne Rooms (ongoing) These three exhibitions are permanent features in the museum. “KMA’s exhibition Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee is important as the only permanent exhibition devoted to the art history of East Tennessee,” says Wicks. “The region’s artistic legacy is little known,
see and do but rich and deserving of attention. The display serves as a source of community pride as a record of local creativity since the late 1800s, and as a key source of inspiration for East Tennessee artists of the present and future.” The Knoxville Museum of Art Collection features art from both regional artists and those of international reputation, displaying a broad range of styles and media. KMA is one of five museums in the country to have a collection of Thorne Rooms America’s best-known miniature dioramas. About the Museum The Knoxville Museum of Art originally opened as the Dulin Gallery of Art in 1961. After outgrowing its building in the mid 1980s, there was a mass community effort to raise the $11 million needed to build the stateof-the-art facility existing today. The renamed Knoxville Museum of Art opened in March of 1990. Since then, the museum has focused on featuring a vivid and engaging schedule of exhibitions, including permanent and traveling exhibits. “KMA presents approximately 12-14 changing exhibitions per year,” says Wicks. “The museum’s curatorial staff, working closely with the KMA Collections and Exhibitions Committee, works to build an exhibitions schedule that includes projects marked by artistic quality, variety, social relevance and thought-provoking content. An effort is also made to strike a balance between challenging and traditional art forms, and between global and regional art traditions.” These exhibitions of emerging artists of national and international recognition introduce audiences to the growing worldwide developments in contemporary art. See Sources for Details
book review
Interview with Author Jennifer Niven
The Aqua Net Diaries: Big Hair, Big Dreams, Small Town Simon and Schuster TEXT Nikki Aviotti
What were you like in high school? Did you have dreams of becoming famous? Were you boy crazy? Did you have big 1980s hair? If you were Jennifer McJunkin (author Jennifer Niven’s real last name) the answer to these questions is “Yes, yes and definitely yes!” Jennifer recounts her hilarious and crazy life as a teenager in Richmond, Indiana, where she attended high school, in her memoir The Aqua Net Diaries. In the book, Jennifer introduces readers to her best friend Joey, the “king and queen” of her high school class and her many crushes and boyfriends. Through her real high school notes to and from friends, discussions she recorded (Jennifer kept everything from high school to help her someday biographer, since she was sure she would be famous) and with pictures and stories she wrote, the author recounts the life of a teenager who wants to get out of her too-small town, but also wants nothing more than to feel she fits in. No matter where you went to high school, there is some element in this memoir to which you can relate. Whether it is the memory of the big hair, the feeling that you didn’t belong or just the crazy antics of high school, Jennifer’s memories will take you back to your own experience, and make you realize, as Jennifer says, “...high school is really much the same everywhere.”
92 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
At Home Tennessee: What inspired you to write a memoir about your high school experience? Jennifer Niven: I first became interested in writing this book after traveling to Russia and speaking with high school students there. One in particular— Anya—relayed her own high school experience to me and asked me what high school was like in the States. She said, “I bet it’s very different there.” But everything she had relayed to me about her experience was so similar to my own—longing to graduate and leave my small town, struggling with math and other subjects I didn’t like, wanting to be noticed by the one guy we loved more than anything, dealing with pettiness and cattiness from other girls, etc. So I started thinking about how universal the experience actually was. And then, not long after, I attended my high school reunion and was struck by how high school had affected all of us, how people still gravitated to the same cliques they belonged to in school, how so many of the same behaviors remained, how so much of who we were in high school influenced who we are today—and I started thinking about writing a book about it all. AHT: How did you come up with the title, The Aqua Net Diaries? JN: Usually titles come easy to me, but for some reason this one did not. I played with all sorts of different ones, but they were never catchy enough or clever enough. Finally, my editor and I sat down and tossed around ideas inspired by terms, phrases, things from the 1980s. She was the one who came up with The Aqua Net Diaries, which everyone at the publishing house loved. I think it’s terrific! I’m just jealous I can’t take credit for it. AHT: What was the most challenging part of the project? JN: The most challenging part of the project was trying to hold on to any sense of pride or privacy! At first I thought, “Oh, I’ll keep my pride and humility intact while interviewing everyone and working on this book,” but that quickly went out the window. Before I knew it, I had exposed myself as the silly, boy crazy girl that I was in high school, plagued by bad hair, dreams of the big city and a very big life and a need to fit in. By the time I was done with the book, I didn’t have a single ounce of pride or humility left. AHT: You’ve written both nonfiction and fiction. How is it different working on a memoir? JN: Having written two nonfiction books and a novel, I quickly discovered that writing a memoir is a very different experience. Most books are very private, internal experiences—but not this one. As with the other three books, there was outlining and research, but in the case of The Aqua Net Diaries, I was able to actually interview the folks I was writing about and draw on their memories and resources for my story. I also delved deep into my own files and memory banks, which was interesting to say the least! One of the best things to come out of writing this book was getting back in touch with old friends and sharing stories that people sometimes weren’t aware of at the time. Forming bonds with folks I might not have hung out with in high school and becoming good friends now, today, because of our common history and where we came from. My classmates were so incredibly cooperative and enthusiastic about being interviewed and being a part of this journey, which made the journey itself that much more rewarding, fun and special.
happenings
May 2010 Throughout May
May 22 May 8
Flower Power
Blue Heron Cruises, Ashland City
Spring Show
Memphis Farmer’s Market
615.385.7007, blueheroncruises.com
Two Moon Gallery, Nashville
memphisfarmersmarket.org
Springtime Nature Cruise
Southern Blooms Festival
615.942.5352, Through May 29
twomoongallery.com
May 22 Memphis Farmer’s Market
Memphis in May International May 8
Farm to Fork Dinner Tour
Tom Lee Park, Memphis
4th Annual Henderson County
Grill 83 at Madison Hotel,
901.525.4611, memphisinmay.org
Folk Festival
Memphis, 901.333.1224
Festival
Lexington Courthouse Square May 1
Lexington, 731.968.3239
Rockabilly Music Festival May 10
731.265.1841, rockabillyhall.org
Barenaked Ladies Ryman Auditorium, Nashville 615.889. 3060, ryman.com
Spring Heritage Festival Great Smoky Mountain Heritage
May 13-15
Center
Franklin Noon Rotary Rodeo
Townsend
Agricultural Expo Center
865.448.0044
Franklin
gsmheritagecenter.org
615.595.1227, franklinrodeo.com
May 2
May 14-15
Mother/Daughter Tea
Strawberry Weekend
Hermitage Hotel, Nashville
Ritter Farms
888.888.9414,
Rutledge
thehermitagehotel.com
865.767.2575, ritterfarms.com
May 3
May 15
Railroad Rendezvous Springfest
Rickey Smiley
The Depot, Cookeville
Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
931.528.8570, rrspringfest.com
615.889. 3060, ryman.com
May 7-9
May 18
Winchester’s International
The Swell Season with Justin
Dogwood Festival
Townes Earl
Winchester
Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
866.967.2532,
615.889. 3060, ryman.com
winchesterdogwoodfestival.com
May 19
May 8
NRDC Music Saves Mountains
Symphony in the Gardens
Benefit
Dixon Gallery and Gardens,
Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
Memphis
615.889. 3060, ryman.com
memphissymphony.org, dixon.org
May 18-20
May 8 Mother’s Day Tea Savannah Tea Company, Nashville
April showers bring May flowers ... and the Southern Blooms Festival! McCourys Up on the Ridge Head out to Lookout Mountain for with special guest Hayes Carll this three-day event. The festival Ryman Auditorium, Nashville includes garden tours, workshops, 615.889. 3060, ryman.com demonstrations, special vendors, book signings, music and a premiere May 28 lecture series honoring Rock City’s Memorial Day Concert original gardener, Frieda UtermoeGreat Smokey Mountain Heritage hlen Carter. Group tours of Rock City Gardens are available each morning at Center 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and are led by Rock Townsend, 865.448.0044 City’s Director of Horticulture George gsmheritagecenter.org Schimpf and Chattanooga Master Gardeners. Don’t miss local potter May 29 Shadow May who will be at Lovers Statehood Day Leap stage Saturday and Sunday with Sequoyah Birthplace Museum live large-scale wheel demonstraVonore tions. The lectures are some of the 423.884.6246, sequoyahmuseum.org high points of the festival, with titles such as “Topsy Turvy, GrowBox, Hay May 29 Bales and More! Fun, New Ways to Glenn Miller Orchestra Show/Dance Grow Home Vegetables” and “Native Plants for Gardeners: Not All Natives Chattanooga Choo Choo are Weeds!” The workshops specially Chattanooga selected for the festival will engage 1.800.872.2529, choochoo.com every garden lover. Workshops topics include rain gardens, landscape May 29 design and make-and-take hypertufa Rockin’ the Docks pots. Kids will enjoy the festival too Lenoir City Park as they can learn about nature and Lenoir City participate in some exciting activities 888.568.3662 of their own. These hands on, onsite projects include creating make-andvisitloudoncounty.com take newspaper pots, a rock climbing wall, panning for gems and even fairy May 29 forest makeovers. College Grove Fish Fry Dierks Bentley and the Travelin’
Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Jackson
May 1
May 22
Riverdance: The Farewell Tour Memorial Auditorium Chattanooga 423.756.5156, chattanooga.gov
615.248.2288 94 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
College Grove Lions Park Ballfield College Grove 615.474.3830, eventful.com
-Katja Zurcher
May 7-9 Rock City Gardens, Lookout Mountain seerockcity.com
May 2010 • athometn.com | 95
sources 48 Southern Spa Retreats Blackberry Farm Farmhouse Spa, Walland, TN 865.380.6620, blackberryfarm.com; Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Highlands, NC, 866.526.8008, oldedwardsinn.com; Spa at Pinehurst, Pinehurst, NC, 910.235.8320, Pinehurst.com; Westglow Resort, Blowing Rock, NC, 828.295.4463, westglowresortandspa. com; Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa, Mount Ida, AR, 870.867.2191, mountainharborresort. com; Crescent Hotel and New Moon Spa, Eureka Springs, AR, 479.253.2879, newmoonspa.com; Lake Austin Spa Resort, Austin, TX, 512.372.7300, lakeaustin.com; Castle Rock at Westin La Cantera Resort, San Antonio, TX, 210.558.6500, westinlacantera.com; The Lodge and Spa at Callaway, Pine Mountain, GA, 706.663.2281, callawaygardens.com; The Alluvian, Greenwood, MS, 662.453.2114, spadesk@alluvianspa.com; Spa at Beau Rivage, Biloxi, MS, 228.386.7111, beaurivage. com 48 Small Space, Big Design Interior design—The Drawing Room, Knoxville, 865.584.2090; Glass Bird artist—Marble City Glassworks, Knoxville, marblecityglassworks.com; Metal artist—Darren Roberts, Knoxville, 865.300.5440; Faux bois chandelier and bedroom table–Currey & Co., curreycodealers.com
64 Making “Master’s Tree” Palmer Home for Children Central Office, Columbus, Mississippi, 662.328.5704, palmerhome.org; Peabody Memphis, 901.529.4000 peabodymemphis.com 66 Working with Wide-Open Spaces Lofts at South Bluffs, Memphis, 901.578.6915, loftsmemphis.com; Carkuff Interiors, Memphis, 901.775.3777, carkuff.com 78 The Sweet Life Capitol Grille, Nashville, 615.345.7116, capitolgrillenashville.com 80 Cooking Class L’ECOLE Culinaire, Memphis, 901.754.7115, lecoleculinaire.com 84 Pampering Spa Party Invitation—You’re Invited, Nashville, 615.353.5520, yistationary.com 90 Art Appreciation in Knoxville Knoxville Museum of Art, 865.525.6101, knoxart.org
May 2010 • athometn.com | 97
essay
Life Lessons from Mom Growing up, you know your mother is special. But it’s not until you raise a daughter of your own that you realize just how great she really is. TEXT Kara Martin, PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of Kara Martin
I
have always had a very special relationship with my mother. Although I respected her like a daughter should, we were always the best of friends. When I asked for a Barbie dream house, she helped me make a true masterpiece out of a refrigerator box. My Barbie lived in style with real carpet and designer fabric curtains. But it didn’t stop there. I won science fairs because she helped me come up with fantastic ideas that wowed the judges. I remember eighth grade science fair. Together she and I came up with a gadget that watered and fertilized the lawn. Before we built it, I never thought I could have made something that actually worked! But my mom believed I could. Her faith in me sent me to the state level of the science fair that year. It was also her artistic nature that certainly impacted my love for painting, crafting and cooking. If I saw her working on a project that interested me, she would encourage me to come in and give it a try, whether it was sewing a dress, painting a lamp or baking a pie. I will never forget the time I wanted to make iced sugar cookies like I had seen on a magazine cover. I wanted to make everything from scratch, and she taught me how. Before we were finished, there was cookie dough and icing from one 98 | At Home Tennessee • May 2010
end of the kitchen to the other! Regardless of the mess, that is one of my fondest memories with my mother. While all these things were very important in making me who I am, there is something special I realized. She taught me much more than creating, crafting and cooking. She showed me humility with possessions. She never boasted about her talents, but just used them humbly to serve in the church and community. She taught me generosity and cheerful giving. She encouraged me to give clothes and toys I no longer used to those who could benefit from them. Many Christmases she bought anonymous gifts for a family who was struggling financially. I also remember many times I would come down the stairs at dinner time and smell something wonderful on the stove. I always knew to ask, “Mom, is this for us?” So many times she was making dinner for a family who had just had a baby or someone who had just had surgery. Memories of her in the kitchen cooking for those in need inspires me every day to do the same. She showed sacrifice of her own comforts so she could have little but I would have much. She always made sure I had new shoes as a child, while she often kept polishing up her same ones. But what exactly made me
realize my gem of a mother? By becoming a mother myself. On June 12, 2009 my daughter Maggie made me a mom. It rocked my world. This wonderful experience made me think back to all she gave, sacrificed and loved. Those early weeks with Maggie were spent consoling her crying and staying up with her at night. It was amazing to think of my mom spending those same moments with me as a baby. As I sacrifice things I may want for things Maggie needs, I realize the sacrifice Mom made for me. I think of the hours she worked to provide for me. I wonder about all the nights she must have spent worrying about me. I know for sure she spent much time praying for me. Now as an adult my mom and I spend hours laughing, talking and just enjoying time together. We have a friendship that is lasting and steadfast. We have a lifelong bond. I want that for Maggie. I want to raise my daughter with the same dedication, prayer and discipline with which my mother raised me. My mom has always been that shining light for me, and I will try every day to be that for my sweet baby girl. This Mother’s Day, think about all the things your mother has done for you. If you are still blessed to have her in your life, tell her “thank you” today.