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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
26 | HO ME FEAT U R E Teamwork made the dream work for a Germantown couple’s new home construction project, expertly designed by Cindy McCord.
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53 | V E S T A H O M E S HOW P R E V IE W A peek at this year’s Vesta Home Show featuring four magnificent homes that re-define excellence in new home design and construction.
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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
SEPTEMBER 2020 home & design 26 HOME FEATURE A Group Effort
36 DESIGN Classic Combination 53 VESTA HOME SHOW Exclusive Preview
food & travel 46 EXPERIENCE THIS
Escape to the Delta
84 IN THE KITCHEN White Chocolate Cheesecake with Sweet Berry Cream
for you
86 HEALTHY YOU
Optimizing Brain Function
90 ON A GOOD NOTE Mobile Mammography
in every issue
14 PUBLISHER'S NOTE
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88 SOURCES
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SEPTEMBER 2020 • VOL. 19 NO. 6 PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com
MANAGING EDITOR AUBREY ANN MONGER | aamonger@athomemms.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER GINNI JONES | gjones@athomemms.com
COPY EDITOR TERRI GLAZER
IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT CHARLES REYNOLDS | cr@colorretouching.com
ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE HILARY FRANKEL | hafrankel@comcast.net
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE GAIL HARRELL | gharrell@athomemms.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE CHRIS PUGH | chrisapugh@gmail.com
REGIONAL MARKETING JANA FITE HERBISON | jfherbison@gmail.com
BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TRIP MONGER | tmonger@athomemms.com
MARKETING AND CIRCULATION HARRIET W. DEATON | hdeaton@athomemms.com
HOW TO REACH US 320 SOUTH WALNUT BEND, SUITE 11 CORDOVA, TN 38018 | 901.684.4155 ATHOMEMMS.COM At Home Memphis & Mid South doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Editor, At Home Memphis & Mid South: 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018. SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 901.684.4155 or subscribe at athomemms. com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Memphis & Mid South is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Memphis & Mid South, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Trip Monger; At Home Memphis & Mid South,
@athomemagazine
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PUBLISHER'S
Note
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t’s the most wonderful time of the year! Not THAT most wonderful time—I mean it’s the Vesta Home Show! And when you stop and think about it, Vesta is like Christmas in a lot of ways. There’s the anticipation beforehand. We watch as the show homes are constructed, wondering how the floor plans will flow and what the finished exteriors will look like. Then, once the show opens, there are the surprises. What “gifts” will the houses hold in the form of the latest and greatest up-tothe-minute innovations in the world of homebuilding and design? And then there’s the chance to gather with others (socially distanced, of course!). From Thirsty Thursdays with spirits tastings to private events on Friday nights to seminars and workshops, the West Tennessee Home Builders Association has plenty of festivities planned for this year’s installment of the annual event. In this issue we introduce you to the four spectacular 2020 Vesta homes, all set in the picturesque Grand Manor of Spring Creek Ranch in Collierville. You’ll love seeing the preview of these magnificent houses and reading what the contractors who created them have to say about their masterpieces. If being quarantined and working from home haven’t been enough to motivate you to refresh your own space, taking a tour of the Vesta show when it’s open Oct. 3-25 will surely get you thinking about a redo. And for extra inspiration, check out our September design feature and see how a couple who’d had a rough start with their dream kitchen renovation came to trust a talented designer and ended up with a gorgeous and practical final product worthy of any home show. We hope you find helpful ideas all through the pages of this and every issue of At Home Memphis & Mid South! Whether you cook up the featured recipe for family and friends, take a weekend trip with a suggested itinerary or learn a little something about health and wellness, we like to think there’s a little “gift” you can “unwrap” every month.
Margaret Monger, PUBLISHER
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INTERIOR DESIGN CINDY MCCORD STORY TERRI GLAZER P H O T O S R O S S G R O U P C R E AT I V E
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ith their two grown children out of the house and on their own, a pair of Germantown empty-nesters decided it was time to trade their home of 27 years for a new, slightly downsized abode that would better fit their current lifestyle. To achieve their goal they brought together what the homeowner describes as a “dream team” of professionals: architect Jeff Bramlett, home builder Thomas Wirth and designer Cindy McCord. They also provided their pros with plenty of ideas, pictures and inspiration which McCord says laid the groundwork for her design choices. “It helps so much when your client is very organized and has a lot of pictures showing the direction that they want to go. We took it step by step and worked in the beginning on details for all the architectural features and the mantels and all. She had great ideas to get us started.”
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lthough the homeowner came into the process prepared, she was also willing to take expert advice. “I wasn’t even sure I wanted a dining room in the house when we were working on the plans, but Jeff kept saying, ‘You want a dining room!’” she recalls. “I’m so glad he talked me into it because I already had all the furniture and we enjoy entertaining, typically more casually, but there are times when you want to be in a dining room. It’s really fun to be able to use the crystal and the dishes that we’ve had for all these years to do a beautiful tablescape.” McCord helped the homeowners fill the dining room, and most of the house, with beloved pieces they had collected over time. “We redid the dining room chairs, but we worked around her things because they were so pretty,” she explains. Local faux finisher Richard Martin transformed the chair frames, and McCord paired a neutral velvet upholstery with a knockout hand-painted accent fabric on the backs for maximum impact. Peaceful green tones in the custom silk drapes and a landscape painting that hung in the entry of the previous home work together to create a pastoral feel. Wirth’s skilled craftsmen created the built-ins in the dining
room and throughout the house, and the homeowner couldn’t be more pleased with the result. “[Wirth] took ideas that Cindy and I had and pulled them together. I think the built-ins are what made the house special, more of a truly custom home.” In a room full of stunning features, the limestone fireplace is a standout. Simple and beautiful in its own right, the fireplace is even more remarkable in that it is part of a double-sided unit. The half that warms the adjacent family room has a completely different character, as planned by the homeowner and McCord. Its grander scale fits the larger room’s proportions to a T. The home’s open plan was created with entertaining in mind and includes a beverage station McCord says is unlike any other she has seen. “Our previous house had a bar, and it always seemed crowded, so we wanted an area that you could walk up to but not have to go behind,” explains the homeowner. The spot includes an ice machine, refrigerator drawers and a wine tower, surrounded by handsome cabinetry in a stain color that is repeated on the nearby kitchen island. McCord suggested the antiqued mirror backsplash that extends to the ceiling around a generous window.
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he homeowner had a few well-thoughtout requests for the open kitchen, one of which was a “mega” island with uninterrupted space. “In our other home, so often people would end up standing around the island. In this one, we actually have six seats (four across and two tucked into the ends) so you have better conversation than with everyone facing one direction,” she says. Other must-haves for the kitchen included appliance garages in the corners to keep small electrics handy, but out of sight, and the deep sill on the large window behind the sink. McCord dressed that area up with a pair of lamps and a window treatment in Madeaux by Richard Smith fabric that adds the perfect amount of color to the mostly white kitchen. The pantry/office space is one of the homeowner’s favorite spots in the house, thanks in part to its charming Dutch door, a nod to her midwest upbringing. “I’m from a small Dutch community in Wisconsin, so I had to have a little bit of Dutch coming through in the design,” she laughs. “I love this room! To have a desk in the front of the house with so much natural light and really close to the kitchen is great. It doesn’t feel like it’s stuck away in a closet.” McCord didn’t neglect the details in an area that designers sometimes skim over. The desk’s vivid blue is mirrored in the wallcovering treatment on the ceiling. Lucite accents in the desk chairs, cabinet hardware and curtain rod provide a light feel, while Galbraith & Paul drapes add a hint of whimsy. Beyond the kitchen and a jewel of a powder room is one of the home’s most exceptional features, the product of Bramlett’s creative genius. The idea for a floating back staircase was born during one of the couple’s early conversations with the architect. She recalls, “When we first sat down Jeff was asking us about our wishes and needs for the house. He asked how many staircases we wanted and at the same time I said, ‘One’ and my husband said, ‘Two.’”
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dds the homeowner, “Jeff had the idea to do this staircase and we absolutely love how it turned out and just having a back staircase, as well. Not only the architectural value—it’s beautiful, but to have the access to the upstairs from the garage is great. You can pull in the garage to this private entry and go right up to the guest rooms upstairs without having commotion at the front door.”The staircase even provided an unexpected bonus during quarantine time: the area underneath the steps proved to be an ideal spot for the homeowner to practice yoga when going to class wasn’t an option. Wirth encountered challenges creating both the back and front staircases, but rose to the test like a true team player. In place of balusters on the back stair, the homeowner requested clear acrylic, a material with which Wirth had little experience. And on the front stair rail, a combination of iron with gold accents also took time and effort to achieve. The homeowner recalls, “Gold melts so quickly compared to iron; it kept dripping and it took so much work to get it right. At the end of the day, there are some imperfections to it, but that’s the creation of an artist at work. It’s not manufactured, it’s handmade.”
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he main-floor master bedroom is a light-filled retreat, complete with a soaring ceiling and picturesque views of the lush backyard. Two comfy armchairs and a show-stopping furry ottomans in front of a pair of French doors give the couple room to work or relax. Furniture and a rug brought from the family’s previous residence look right at home, thanks to expert placement and added accents from McCord. The master bath is both a study in luxury and a tribute to the homeowner’s heritage. She explains, “The town where I grew up is only 10 minutes from Kohler, WI, and almost all the homes there have Kohler fixtures because the factory is within minutes from home. I purposely wanted to have Kohler throughout this house for that reason. I made a trip to Wisconsin to their design center to pick out all the plumbing products. I had our plans and I worked with one of the designers there at Kohler. When I came back, Cindy and Ferguson’s pulled it all together.” McCord raves about her client’s chosen brand. “The finishes on so many of the Kohler pieces are so different and unusual!” She also loves the Calcutta Gold marble the couple chose for the master bath floor. “It has a little gold and a little gray. It doesn’t date a design or box you into using a certain color palette.” Another win for the designer/homeowner team, the natural stone selections for the house were a group effort over the course of time. “Cindy said that was one of the first things we should pick out and I wondered why we were doing that so early,” the homeowner remembers. “Well, we didn’t pick it right away, but we started looking and looking. It took time to find the treasure of the right countertops that we wanted.” Adds McCord, “If you don’t start early, then you have to settle for what they happen to have in stock at the time.” It’s clear these homeowners didn’t settle when it came to any detail. Their careful planning and partnership with top professionals assured the stunning results they dreamed of for their long-awaited custom home.
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CLASSIC Combination STORY TERRI GLAZER | PHOTOGRAPHY ANNABELLA CHARLES KITCHEN DESIGN KITCHENS UNLIMITED
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DESIGN
The look of this recently renovated Collierville kitchen suggests a collection of found furniture pieces, but the effort it took to achieve the final result was anything but hodgepodge. Careful planning with a talented professional produced the flawless blend of beauty and practicality.
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ince the homeowners bought the house in 2002, little had been done to update the original 1996 kitchen. Its Formica countertops, Mexican tile floors and pickled cabinets were past their prime and its layout was cramped. After a false start with an unreliable contractor in September of 2019, the couple connected with Jacquelyn Cummins, a kitchen and bath designer at Kitchens Unlimited. They were frustrated, but ready to trust Cummins to make their dream kitchen a reality. They were also prepared. “I had been collecting pictures of kitchens that I loved, and I took them with me when I met with Jacquelyn for the first time,” recalls the homeowner. “One of the pictures had cabinets that had more of a furniture-style look, with the covered refrigerator. It looked so pretty.”
The homeowners knew they wanted to remove a peninsula that cut the kitchen off from the adjacent keeping room. Cummins concurred, and went a step further to improve the flow. “There was only one way through the [old] kitchen. Originally, their refrigerator was all the way at the end and it stuck out. There were cabinets on the other wall, so the passthrough was really crowded,” says Cummins. “The goal was to open the space up and allow for people to move around more easily. Centering the refrigerator on the wall helped get rid of the bottleneck and allowed me to play with the cabinetry and make it look like a piece of furniture the client could use to display her china. Also, with that wall being the first thing that you see when you come in the back friends entrance, it was important to make it really pretty and not just have a big refrigerator there.”
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DESIGN
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n fact, Cummins’ entire design focused on highlighting aesthetic details and drawing the eye away from the more utilitarian elements necessary in any kitchen. The same wall that holds the refrigerator also has an undercounter drawer microwave. The designer says she purposely placed it below counter level, out of the line of sight, so it appears integrated and fades from focus, allowing the more graceful features to shine. Glass-front cabinets on either side of the new cabinet-depth covered refrigerator display the homeowner’s collection of flow blue china. Cummins created a secondary focal point with the placement of a custom hood on the range wall. Styled in shiplap wood and painted the same linen white as the surrounding cabinetry, the hood’s design is fresh and timeless. “We didn’t do any of the ornate details that you often see in big, grand hoods like that, but it needed to be big enough to capture all the heat and smoke from the 48-inch gas range below it. It has a really nice presence on that wall,” she says. The only ornamental lighting in the kitchen, Hinkley sconces on either side of the hood add a touch of warmth through their brass finish and the soft light they emit. According to Cummins, the decision to forgo lighting over the island goes against the trend in a lot of new homes, but she omitted the feature for a good reason. “I felt like it might take away from the back wall,” she explains. “This was a different approach to adding decorative lighting, and I think it turned out really nicely.” The homeowner wanted color somewhere in her new kitchen, and Cummins knew just which shade to pick and where to put it. She chose indigo blue, playing off the classic color combination in her client’s china collection. “The island was the perfect place to introduce that color,” she says, adding that the contrasting shade gives the impression that the island is “a furniture piece that we happened to find.”
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DESIGN
A hand-woven Turkish runner from local dealer Elle Woven adds texture and color to the kitchen floor. Elle owner Julie Reardon personally selects each textile in the collection with beauty and individuality in mind.
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DESIGN
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olor also comes in the dark hues of the natural slate floors. Oversized 18inch square tiles set on the diagonal anchor Cummins’s clean and classic overall design aesthetic.Silestone quartz in Eternal Calacatta Gold tops the base cabinets and the island and also serves as the full-height backsplash behind the range. The homeowner couldn’t be happier with the material, sourced from American Granite and Marble in Oakland, TN. She loves that it’s durable and easy to clean, perfect for a kitchen which gets constant use. “My husband is the cook in the family, and I am the cleaner,” she laughs. Having enjoyed cooking since his college days, the homeowner absolutely loves his new gourmet kitchen, filled with Dacor Heritage Collection appliances. One of his favorite features, and one that came as a happy surprise he discovered after the refrigerator was installed, is that its freezer makes two different types of ice—large cubes perfect for use in cocktails as well as standard sized crescent cubes. The family chef’s other favorite feature is the new pot filler faucet installed over the range. His wife recalls that he wasn’t sure he needed the “splurge item” during the planning stage, but she convinced him that they should include it in their kitchen redo. “I knew he would love it and I’m so glad he got it,” she says. Cummins often urges clients not to pass on optional additions when remodeling. “My advice would be to think about how many times you have thought to yourself that it would be really nice to have something like a pot filler. Since you’re taking the time to improve your kitchen and make it more functional for your needs, choosing something that you think might be an extra really will make a huge difference to you once the project is complete.” Now that her dream renovation has received its finishing touches, the homeowner refers to the project, started in early February, as the quarantine kitchen. “We were home so we were here every step of the way and we really got to see it come together. I took pictures of every phase. It’s everything we wanted and we love it!”
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EXPERIENCE THIS
Escape to the Delta
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EXPERIENCE THIS
Fill Your Spirit in the Soul of the South
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t hit like a hammer. News that SEC football season, my favorite time of year, has been postponed until late September. While I’m sure it was the right call, it is just one more celebrated ritual that won’t look the same in 2020. I don’t know about you, but I am ready to hit the road and forget all of the worry and uneasiness that have permeated our lives. I’m ready to jump in the car and head somewhere that isn’t too crowded and welcomes you like an old friend. If there is a bright side to this new path we find ourselves on, it is that there is less noise and busyness. It is an opportunity to reset, regroup, and connect to our spirit and what fills our soul in the absence of all of the usual distractions. Perhaps, a chance to discover what is meaningful and important. When it comes to soul searching, I find that travel is always my catalyst. The Mississippi Delta is the perfect place to fill your spirit with vast, wide-open backroads and unexpected connections. And so much of it can be done safely with minimal contact. Whether you want to escape for a couple of days or an entire week, there is plenty to see and do, and inspiration awaits around every corner. There is something magical about fall in the Delta; harvest is underway, summer begins to relinquish its grip, and the air is filled with promise. For lovers of the flatland, the feeling when you descend into the wide-open Delta makes it just a little easier to breathe. Heading down storied Highway 61 from Memphis, a great beginning to a Delta adventure is the Gateway to the Blues Museum in Tunica. Housed in a train depot from Dundee, Mississippi, circa 1895, this stop is a fun way to set the tone for a Delta adventure. Highlights include W.C. Handy’s first cornet and a chance to record your own masterpiece with the virtual guidance of local bluesman Memphis Jones. 48 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • September 2020
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hile in Tunica, be sure to connect with the Mighty Mississippi at the Tunica River Park. Learn about America’s greatest river at the museum or simply take it all in and enjoy the scenery. Spending time on the river can bring a person back to center—it is so much bigger than we are, and it always keeps rolling. It may change course, but nevertheless the movement continues. There is a lesson there for us, too. For a more intimate encounter with the lower Mississippi, check out Quapaw Canoe Company in Clarksdale. Celebrated guide John Ruskey is passionate about sharing the river and all of its natural beauty and ecosystems with adventurers. The outfitter offers wilderness expeditions by canoe or kayak, with only one requirement: everyone must paddle. No motors allowed. Quapaw also has an outpost in Vicksburg. Heading south toward Cleveland, stop in at Dockery Farms and chase the ghosts of musical pioneers. Learn about “Father of the Delta Blues” Charley Patton, and let your imagination run wild by dreaming about attending one of the all-night blues picnics once hosted by Will Dockery, the plantation’s original owner. By now, all of this Delta dreaming is probably making you hungry. Next stop, Leland. Grab a fried olive po’boy or a muffuletta at Fratesi’s Grocery and have a picnic on the banks of Deer Creek before stopping in at the Birthplace of Kermit the Frog, which celebrates Jim Henson’s Delta boyhood. I don’t care how old you are, having your photo taken with the original Muppet will fill you with childlike wonder, a feeling we all could use a little more of these days.
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hen it comes to food, the Delta is known not only for hot tamales, but for being a virtual melting pot of cuisines. Culinary gems come from convenience stores and roadside stands as well as fine dining establishments. After all, this is the land that birthed the Koolickle, a tart and tangy Kool Aidsoaked pickle, which isn’t for the faint of heart or sugar sensitive, but should be on every Delta road trip itinerary. If upscale cuisine soothes your soul, there are plenty of thick steaks and fresh seafood to be had throughout the region.
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eading south toward Vicksburg, stop and see Mont Helena in Rolling Fork, built atop a ceremonial Indian mound and the setting for one of the Delta’s most intriguing love stories, the legend of the bride of Annandale. This area is also home to the story of the Teddy Roosevelt bear hunt, which coined the term “Teddy Bear.” See 14 chainsawcarved bears stationed around Rolling Fork celebrating this legendary event. The opening of the visitors center at the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge in the lower Delta has been delayed due to the pandemic, but add it to the list for your next trip. For more outdoor recreation, the refuge offers camping, wildlife watching, cycling and much more. One of the most breathtaking sights to behold in the Delta is a sunset. Reservations aren’t required, and the flat land and big sky form the perfect backdrop for this magnificent hour. You can find a spot anywhere you happen to be in the region, but we love the view from the rooftop of 10 South in Vicksburg overlooking the river. Craft cocktails and addictive house-seasoned pretzels make the perfect combination to toast the end of the day. Swing in to The Tomato Place to stock up on take-home produce and the ultimate in road snacks—Delta favorites like boiled peanuts and fresh pork skins with Mississippi Fever Sauce. As you begin the journey home, visit Yazoo City’s colorful downtown for a souvenir. If you love touring gravesites, no Delta adventure is complete without a little graveyard mystique. Find it at the grave of the Witch of Yazoo in Glenwood Cemetery. Mississippi author Willie Morris weaves the yarn of how she burned down the town in 1904 in his novel, Good Ole Boy. Fittingly, he is buried nearby. Head up to Greenwood, where you can indulge in a little self-care before returning to reality. The spa at the Delta’s 50 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • September 2020
first boutique hotel, The Alluvian, will massage away what is left of your cares and aches before heading home. You’ll probably need a slice of mile-high pie from the Crystal Grill for good measure. Dessert heals the soul, and no one does it better. Drive down Greenwood’s Grand Boulevard until you cross Bobbie Gentry’s famed Tallahatchie Bridge and hit Money Road. Stop at Little Zion Church to pay homage at the final resting place of blues legend Robert Johnson. As you ascend north toward home, hopefully a little wiser, a lot calmer and with newly made memories, remember that adventure is sometimes found in your own backyard. You need only hit the road with an open mind and a willing heart. Avoid the interstate, see where the backroads take you, and take advantage of the road less traveled. You may be surprised at the treasures you find. *Note: At the time of publication, all places mentioned were open for business, unless otherwise noted. Due to the pandemic, hours and openings can change. Please call ahead before visiting to check current status information. The key to traveling now is to be kind, flexible, patient, and to enjoy the ride! SUGGESTED READING FOR YOUR JOURNEY: Dispatches from Pluto by Richard Grant Rising Tide by John Barry Good Ole Boy by Willie Morris Lanterns on the Levee by William Alexander Percy Blues Traveling by Steve Cheseborough Eat Drink Delta: A Hungry Traveler's Journey through the Soul of the South by Susan Puckett Check out our Mississippi Delta Road Trip playlist on Spotify by scanning your phone camera here:
WHERE TO STAY
Tunica: Horseshoe Tunica, Gold Strike or Hollywood Casino and Sam’s Town RV Parks Clarksdale: Travelers Hotel, Hooker Hotel or Shack Up Inn Cleveland: Cotton House Hotel or the newly opened Lyric Hotel and West End District Greenville: Belmont Plantation, The Lofts at 517 or Warfield Point RV Park Vicksburg: Anchuca, Duff Green Mansion, Ameristar or River Town Campground Yazoo City: Main Street Hotel or M.J. Cabins on Wolf Lake Greenwood: The Alluvian or Tallahatchie Flats
WHERE TO EAT
Tunica: The Blue and White or The Hollywood (Yes, the one mentioned in Walking in Memphis!) Clarksdale: Hooker Grocery & Eatery, Abe’s Barbeque, Ramon’s, or Yazoo Pass Cleveland: Delta Meat Market, The Senator’s Place, or Hey Joe’s Greenville: Hot Tamale Heaven, Doe’s Eat Place, Downtown Grill or Sherman’s Vicksburg: Walnut Hills, Rusty’s Riverfront Grill, Beechwood Restaurant or Anchuca Yazoo City: Tom’s on Main, P-Reaux’s Cajun Mudbugs & Shrimp or Ubon’s Barbeque Greenwood: Lusco’s, Fan and Johnny’s, Crystal Grill or Giardina’s
LAGNIAPPE
Sky Lake: See some of the oldest giant bald cypress trees on this very accessible boardwalk located between Belzoni and Greenwood Vicksburg National Military Park Mississippi Gift Company in Greenwood sells all Mississippi-made products Mississippi Blues and Freedom Trail markers can be found throughout the region Museum of the Mississippi Delta in Greenwood highlights regional art, archeology and anthropology Tunica, Greenville and Vicksburg all have casino gaming opportunities Learn some tricks of the trade at the Viking Cooking School in Greenwood McCarty Pottery in Merigold and Peter’s Pottery in Mound Bayou give a glimpse into the Delta’s rich artistic community. Turnrow Book Company in Greenwood provides road reading, regional art and vinyl selections Check out The Attic Gallery in Vicksburg for some of the best in Mississippi folk art Delta Bohemian Tours can provide a guided experience of the Clarksdale area September 2020 • athomemms.com | 51
2020 SPONSORS:
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s p o n s o red by :
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pre vie w party sponsored by: an exclusive preview
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general INFORMATION SPRI NG CR EEK R A NCH A Boyle Investment Property SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3RD SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH H OU R S : Tuesday - 11:00 am - 6:00 pm (first 2 hours reserved for seniors)
Wednesday - 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Thursday - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Thirsty Thursday's - 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Private Events - 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Saturday - 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday - 1:00 pm to 6:00pm
TICKET PRICES VARY BASED ON DATE AND TIME. PLEASE CHECK THE WESTTNHBA.COM WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE LISTING. The 2020 Vesta Home Show will take place along Jack Straw Blvd. in the Grand Manor of Spring Creek Ranch, Boyle's master-planned 820-acre development off RaleighLaGrange Road in the Collierville rural preserve area.
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hello,
from the chairman WELCOME TO THE 2020 VESTA HOME SHOW!
The 2020 Vesta Home Show is returning to beautiful Spring Creek Ranch, located just north of Collierville, courtesy of Boyle Development and the Myers Family. This year the show will feature four gorgeous new homes on the larger lots of the Grand Manor community. The neighborhood is located adjacent to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the third- ranked course in Tennessee. Presented by the West TN Home Builders Association, the show will start on Oct. 3 and run through Oct. 25. Named for the Roman goddess of hearth, home and family, the Vesta Home Show has featured trend-setting decor and cutting-edge design throughout its 37-year history. This year’s show is no exception! The four 2020 homes are spectacular, built by Blake Grissom of Grissom Built Homes, Dave Moore of Dave Moore Companies, Griffin Elkington of Griffin Elkington Construction, and Zack Mobley of City Hill Homes. Along with these stellar homes, you'll also find interactive exhibits along Innovation Way, as well as informative seminars and workshops scheduled throughout the week in the Homestyle Hospitality Tent. New to Vesta this year is the Outdoor Living Idea Center, chock full of the inspiration and information you need to help turn your backyard into the living space of your dreams. The show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. These companies, along with the builders, their contractors and suppliers, have made a tremendous commitment to create an amazing experience for you. There are a variety of ways to experience the 2020 Vesta Home Show, each designed with enhanced safety measures to allow for social distancing. Ticket prices vary based on date and time, and attendance per day will be limited. For touchless ticketing, we encourage you to purchase your tickets online. Take a look at the schedule of seminars, workshops and special events, then choose a date and time for your visit. Be sure to bring your mask and your camera, and be prepared to vote for your favorite home to win the People’s Choice Award.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE 2020 VESTA HOME SHOW!
Mark B. Miesse September 2020 • athomemms.com | 59
IVNE ST TA H E HK O I TM C EH ESNH O W
TEXT ANNE BRAND | PHOTOGRAPHY GARY THOMSPON
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oyle Investment Company and the Meyer family, the crafters and assemblers of Spring Creek Ranch, are excited to welcome back the West Tennessee Home Builders Association and the 2020 VESTA Home Show! VESTA is the signature event of the West TN Home Builders Association, showcasing the skills and products of their builder and associate members to the public. Collierville High School Booster Clubs and the Warriors Center will receive a portion of the proceeds from this year’s event.
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pring Creek Ranch has always been about the land. Preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of this once thriving cattle ranch, the development offers the Mid South’s best in elegant country living. Once you view the rich green fence and enter past the stately stone signage at the corner of Raleigh-Lagrange and Collierville-Arlington, you will travel past almost a mile of pastures filled with wildlife, pass tree-lined meadows and enjoy scenic vistas across Lake Chinquapin, before a single home comes into sight—Spring Creek is unparalleled for its solitude. Here you’ll find nothing fancy, but stately homes and grounds meticulously landscaped and carefully maintained. Here you will find rest. This is the setting for the 2020 VESTA Home Show. It’s been 13 years since the 2007 VESTA Home Show first introduced Spring Creek Ranch to the Mid South. The event experienced unrivaled success; all seven featured homes were sold before the show even began! This year’s show location is in the most prestigious area developed to date: The Grand Manor. The ambitious community provides large and spacious .75- to 1.25-acre estate-sized lots and is part of the exclusive gated area on private streets. When completed, Grand Manor will include a variety of lot sizes and housing types, some with extraordinarily rare views of the Jack Nicklaus “Signature Series” golf course.
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V E S TA H O M E S H O W
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ll of the homes in the 2020 show have beautiful lake views, and it is interesting and exciting to see how the talented architects and builders have capitalized on this community amenity. This year’s VESTA promises to be just as successful as Spring Creek’s first, with three of the four million-plus-dollar homes already sold! We are extraordinarily proud that two of the families who have purchased VESTA homes are existing Spring Creek residents who are expanding investment and their love for the community. Spring Creek Ranch is a nearly 1,000-acre planned community including the golf course, and stretches into both Shelby and Fayette counties, all the way to the new outer loop road I269/385. Located in the northern annexation reserve for Collierville only minutes away from the Briarcrest and St. George’s campuses, The Grand Manor features rural living with an array of community amenities, convenient to the area‘s best and newest regional shopping and dining. Residents enjoy amazing swim and tennis facilities, and park-like areas of mature trees and wetlands have been preserved. Amenities also include an 8.5-acre lake for fishing, kayaking and canoeing, and miles of beautiful pedestrian trails that facilitate healthy living and tie the community together. Boyle hopes you will come out and see the beautiful homes and support the 2020 VESTA Home Show! We also invite you to tour all of Spring Creek Ranch and see the new homesites and homes that are available in all areas and price ranges, with new sections of lots underway now. We would love for you to call Spring Creek Ranch your home— and Boyle will be the first to welcome you to the neighborhood!
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The Boyle name has become synonymous with innovative land development and is deeply rooted in Memphis history as Boyle ancestor John Overton teamed with Andrew Jackson and James Winchester to found the city of Memphis in 1819. In 1907, Edward Boyle, whose sons would go on to found Boyle Investment Company in 1933, developed an iconic Memphis neighborhood, the Belvedere Boulevard subdivision between Central and Union Avenues. Belvedere would be the first of many fine residential communities in the greater Memphis area developed by the Boyle family, whose neighborhoods are known for their high standards, strict covenants and attention to detail, all of which create long-lasting value for the homeowners. The list of high-quality residential neighborhoods developed by Boyle is lengthy and includes popular communities such as Farmington, Kirby Woods, River Oaks, The Cloisters, Southwind, Blue Heron, Green Shadows, Braystone Park, Washington Gates, The Neighborhood at Schilling Farms, Allelon, and the unique Spring Creek Ranch community that is unparalleled in the quality of life and amenities it offers its residents. September 2020 • athomemms.com | 63
V E S TA H O M E S H O W
OUTDOOR LIVING
with
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery TEXT BY CASEY DUGAN
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t this year’s Vesta Home Show, Ferguson will sponsor an outdoor living area showcasing the latest and greatest in products designed to make outside entertaining a breeze. Visitors will get the opportunity to see an outdoor kitchen display featuring Alfresco’s 36-inch, built-in gas grill and the amazing “VersaPower” side burner. The state-of-the-art unit will be up for grabs by the highest bidder through a silent auction. Also on display will be grills from a variety of brands such as Edgestar, Blaze and DCS. And because outdoor living isn’t quite complete without decorative lighting fixtures to bring beauty and ambiance to your patio, Ferguson’s will also have several outdoor-rated chandeliers on display.
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V E S TA H O M E S H O W
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he beautiful Tiger Hall home was designed and built with three goals in mind: to create a memorable space for living life; to create a home filled with natural light; and to include finishes that evoke a classic feel with modern touches. Partnering with an architect as innovative as David Anderson set the stage for this dream to come to life. Inspired by the French Colonial style, Anderson designed the home to feature floor-to-ceiling windows strategically placed to create an exceptional living experience on the first floor. We imagine homeowners hosting parties with doors wide open and the ability to enjoy a centrally located lounge, an indoorto-outdoor dining experience, and an intimate front terrace with a fireplace and views of the lake. 66 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • September 2020
As the vision for Tiger Hall progressed, its concept became clear: it is rooted in a love for all things Memphis. Just like the Bluff City, the home is a little bit modern and a little bit historic, with a whole lot of soul. Tiger Hall tells a story—a story of our city of which we can all be proud. Throughout the process, City Hill Design team members met regularly with Anderson to refine the vision for inviting, timeless spaces. City Hill Homes implemented these selections by working with local craftsmen to bring the vision from paper to reality. As sister companies, City Hill Homes and City Hill Design give clients the best of both worlds. The design/build relationship allows us not only to build beautiful homes but also to craft exquisite interiors through finishes and furnishings that create a place to call home.
Tiger Hall 407 Bla ck D uke Cir c le E ast
Collierville, TN 38017
HEATED SQ. FT.: 4,760 BEDROOMS: 5 BATHROOMS: 4.5 TOTAL NUMBER OF ROOMS: 18 REALTOR: 901 PROPERTIES
SUPPLIERS LIST CABINETS | Midtown Cabinetry & Millwork 901.485.3316 CLOSETS | Inspired Closets 901.387.4523 COUNTERS | C & M Cabinets & Granite 901.854.7007 ELECTRIC | Banks Electric 901.853.4920 FIREPLACES | Christie Cut Stone 901.274.0883 FLOORING | Cordova Floors 901.870.5001 GARAGE DOORS | County Line Insulation 901.870.5006 GARAGE FLOORS | DecoCrete of Memphis 901.301.0202 HVAC | Absolute Comfort Heating & Air 901.375.0998 INSULATION | County Line Insulation 901.870.5006 LUMBER | Sunrise Builders Supply 662.342.0005 MASONRY/BRICK | Christie Cut Stone 901.274.0883 PLUMBING INSTALL | Traditional Plumbing 901.266.0800 PLUMBING SUPPLIES | Ferguson Bath Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 901.759.3820 POOL | McGregor Construction 901.334.6685 BUILDERS:
INTERIOR DESIGNERS:
Jonathan Draper & Zach Mobley of City Hill Homes
Katie Norrid, Amy Mobley, & Rachel Welch of City Hill Design
12586 Miss Carson Lane Collierville, Tennessee 38017 Cityhillhomes.com | 901.299.4112 zach@cityhillhomes.com
Cityhilldesign.com 901.329.2606
ROOFING | Travis Roofing Supply 901.800.1638 SIDING | Sunrise Builders Supply 662.342.0005 VANITIES | Midtown Cabinetry & Millwork 901.485.3316 WINDOWS | Pella Windows & Doors Showroom of Germantown 901.316.0166 September 2020 • athomemms.com | 67
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V E S TA H O M E S H O W
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he Pennington is a modern, rustic retreat designed for relaxed, yet refined, family living and entertaining. Architect David Anderson and contractor Griffin Elkington worked together to take advantage of the special setting of Spring Creek Ranch, giving each living space a connection to the outside. Just inside the home’s entry court, guests are greeted with an elegant steel door and an art focal wall. Pecky cypress planked ceilings, gas lanterns and concrete floors reflect the Pennington’s casual ambience. The adjacent living room has a wall of windows and a raised ceiling with sheetrock beams to add subtle texture. The open-concept kitchen with supporting scullery lends itself to a natural orderliness that keeps the main entertaining spaces tidy. The formal dining room has a vaulted ceiling and commanding view of the neighborhood green space. 70 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • September 2020
Behind the living room, on the other side of the two-way fireplace, a lounge awaits—the perfect spot for relaxing and TV watching. The lounge is flanked by a light-filled stair hall on one side and the master suite on the other. The master bedroom has his-and-hers baths with a shared wet area and a large closet with an island. Rounding out the main floor, a large mudroom features laundry and gear cubbies and offers a convenient island for folding. The upstairs features a kids’ play area with builtin bunks and two ensuite bedrooms. Atop the rear staircase lie the home office and media room. A screened porch just off the lounge provides views of the lake and evening sunsets, and right outside the casual dining area in the kitchen is a large rear porch with fireplace and cooking station. The backyard features a pool and putting green.
HEATED SQ. FT.: 5,225 BEDROOMS: 5 BATHROOMS: 6 TOTAL NUMBER OF ROOMS: 14
SUPPLIERS LIST CABINETS | Midtown Cabinetry & Millwork 901.485.3316 CLOSETS | Inspired Closets 901.387.4523 COUNTERS | Bluff City Stoneworks 901.907.0434 ELECTRIC | Banks Electric 901.853.4920 FIREPLACES | Acme Brick 901.755.9400 FLOORING | Deco Crete of Memphis 901.301.0202
The Pennington 4 4 6 Ja ck S t r a w B l v d . Collierville, TN 38017
FLOORING - CARPET | Builders Floors & Interiors 901.382.2155 FRAMING - CARPENTRY | Riley & Evans Construction 901.870.5411 GARAGE DOORS | County Line Insulation 901.870.5006 GARAGE FLOORS | DecoCrete of Memphis 901.301.0202 INSULATION | County Line Insulation 901.870.5006 LUMBER | 84 Lumber 901.861.8433 PLUMBING SUPPLIES | Ferguson Bath Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 901.759.3820 POOL | Mid-South Perfect Pools 901.325.9001 ROOFING | Travis Roofing Supply 901.800.1638 SECURITY | Miestro Home Integration 901.412.0810 SIDING | 84 Lumber 901.861.8433
BUILDER:
INTERIOR DESIGNER:
Griffin Elkington of Griffin Elkington Residential Construction & Development, LLC
Kim Williams of Kim Williams Interior Design
4928 William Arnold Road Memphis, TN 38117 Griffinelkington.com | 901.414.3335 griffin@griffinelkington.com
Kswinteriors.com 901.331.3342
TILE SUPPLY/ INSTALL | Flooring Solutions of Memphis 901.755.5547 VANITIES | Midtown Cabinetry & Millwork 901.485.3316 WHIRLPOOL TUBS | Ferguson Bath Kitchen & LIghting Gallery 901.759.3820 September 2020 • athomemms.com | 71
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V E S TA H O M E S H O W
The Mande ville 4 5 6 Ja ck S t r a w B l v d . Collierville, TN 3801 7
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he Dave Moore Companies would like to welcome you to the Mandeville, where you will feel the warm embrace and comforts of home. The Mandeville is a reassuring design to create memories with family and friends that will last a lifetime. Those memories will start in the cozy entry, which leads to the family room and kitchen. The comfortable feeling you’ll find there influences the rest of the home. Just off the kitchen, the Mandeville features a scullery, a pizza oven and large pantry for the avid cook. The outdoor living area is perfect for a summer day around the pool or a fall gathering to watch football. Its amenities include a fireplace, a grilling area, a pool, a hot tub and a pool bath. Tucked away in a private area downstairs, the master bedroom is the perfect retreat. Also on the main floor you will find the study, the formal dining area and a guest bedroom. The centrally located switchback staircase leads to the second level’s three bedrooms, all with walk-in closets, and three baths. The main feature of the second level is the recreation/media room, the ideal spot for nights of bingewatching your favorite television series. Dave and his design team invite you to feel the warm embrace of the Mandeville.
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HEATED SQ. FT.: 5,663 BEDROOMS: 5 BATHROOMS: 5 FULL/2 HALF TOTAL NUMBER OF ROOMS: 12 LANDSCAPER: JERRY SCHAMAHAY LANDSCAPE REALTOR: HANK AND TREY HOGUE OF CRYE- LEIKE REALTORS
SUPPLIERS LIST
BUILDER:
INTERIOR DESIGNERS:
Dave Moore of The Dave Moore Companies 875 W. Poplar Avenue, Suite 23, #312 Collierville, TN 38017 Davemoorecompanies.com 901.870.7372 dave@davemoorecompanies.com
Ashley Toney & Patty Michaelis of First Fruit Collection Firstfruitcollection.com 901.861.7111
APPLIANCES | Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 901.759.3820 ARCHITECT | Classic Home Designs - Ed Yendrek 901.854.6900 CABINETS | Southern Cabinets of Mississippi 901.870.7479 CLOSETS | Navarro Brothers Trimwork 901.826.4756 COUNTER FABRICATOR | American Granite & Marble 901.466.3722 COUNTERS | Cosentino/ Silestone 615.722.0067 DRYWALL| MW Construction 901.233.5142 ELECTRIC | Banks Electric 901.853.4920 EXTERIOR DOORS | Thrifty Building Supply 901.853.2200 FINISH/TRIM CARPENTRY | Navarro Brothers 901.826.4756 FIREPLACES | Wells Building Supply 901.861.1728 FLOORING - HARDWOOD | Mid South Flooring 901.494.2030 FLOORING - TILE | Flooring Solutions of Memphis 901.755.5574 FLOORING - CARPET | Flooring Solutions of Memphis 901.755.5574 FRAMING/CARPENTRY | Stephen Judd Framing 731.610.6366 FOUNDATION/CONCRETE | All About Construction 901.317.5377 GARAGE DOORS | Precision Door Service 901.363.4999 GARAGE FLOORS | Deas Coating 901.786.4477 HVAC | Absolute Comfort Heating & Air 901.375.0998 INSULATION | Attic Insulation of the Mid South 901.363.1170 IRON RAILING & GATES | Absolute Iron 901.258.6871 IRRIGATION | Tri State Irrigation 901.753.7667 LIGHTING | Magnolia Lighting 662.429.0416 LUMBER & MILLWORK | Thrifty Building Supply 901.853.2200 MASONRY/BRICK | Acme Brick 901.755.9400 PAINTING | S & R Painting & Drywall 901.331.1392 PLUMBING INSTALL | All About Plumbing 901.466.3636 PLUMBING FIXTURES | Ferguson Bath Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 901.759.3820 POOL | McGregor Construction 901.334.6685 ROOFING | Travis Roofing Supply 901.800.1638 SECURITY & AUTOMATION | Security Control Systems 901.853.4849 SIDING | James Hardie Building Products 901.317.9910 SKYLIGHTS & SUN TUNNELS | Restoration Roofing 901.854.3402 TOILETS & TUBS | Ferguson Bath Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 901.759.3820 WINDOWS | Pella Windows & Doors Showroom of Germantown 901.316.0166
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V E S TA H O M E S H O W
Av a M a n o r 4 6 8 Ja ck S t r a w B l v d . Collierville, TN 38017
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he Ava Manor is built in a style reminiscent of an estate in the English countryside. The space has the feel of a home with history‌ one that has grown organically through time with functionality and family as its guide. The partnership of Grissom Homes and GNH Designs worked to create updated, fresh aesthetics while playing homage to the charm and character that we love in older homes. This 6,400-square foot, 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath interior has room for a large family and is a delight for entertaining, as well. Two gracious outdoor spaces allow guests to flow effortlessly both indoors and out. A screened porch overlooking the lake is the perfect place to end to a day in this lovely Spring Creek neighborhood.
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HEATED SQ. FT.: 6,100 BEDROOMS: 4/5 BATHROOMS: 4.5 TOTAL NUMBER OF ROOMS: 12 LANDSCAPER: GROWTH SPURTS LANDSCAPE & POOL | BILL BALTES SUPPLIERS LIST APPLIANCES & LIGHTING | Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 901.759.3820 CABINETS | Batesville Cabinet Company 662.578.1995 CLOSETS | More Than Closets 901.270.5379 CONCRETE | All About Construction 901.317.5377 COUNTERS | American Granite & Marble 901.466.3722 FIREPLACES | Wells Building Supply 901.861.1728 FLOORING | Cordova Floors 901.870.5001 FLOORING - TILE | ProSource of Memphis 901.388.8848 FLOORING - TILE INSTALL | Peacock Tile & Marble 901.619.3154 FLOORING - HARDWOOD | Cordova Floors 901.870.5001 FRAMING | Stephen Judd Framing 731.601.6366 GARAGE DOORS | A-1 Door Company 901.837.3667 GARAGE FLOORS | Deas Coating 901.786.4477 IRON WORK | Tuscan Entries/Custom Fence 901.854.7482 LUMBER | Thrifty Building Supply 901.853.2200 MASONRY/BRICK | Christie Cut Stone 901.274.0883 PLUMBING INSTALL | All About Plumbing 901.466.3636 PLUMBING SUPPLIES | Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, & Lighting Gallery 901.759.3820 POOL | Growth Spurts Landscape & Pool 901.737.5505 ROOFING MATERIALS | Travis Roofing Supply 901.800.1638 ROOFING INSTALLATION & METAL WORK | LDM Roofing 901.373.3900
BUILDER:
INTERIOR DESIGNER:
Blake Grissom of Grissom Homes 260 Cottonwood Drive Eads, TN 38028 grissombuilt.com | 901.340.8364 blake@grissombuilt.com
Genevieve Hamblen of GNH Designs Gnhdesigns.com 901.424.1018
SECURITY | Security Solutions 901.755.1750 WINDOWS | Pella Windows & Doors Showroom of Germantown 901.316.0166 September 2020 • athomemms.com | 79
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IN THE KITCHEN
THIS WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE IS NEXT LEVEL, AND WHEN IT’S TOPPED WITH THE SWEET BERRY CREAM IT REALLY GOES OVER THE TOP! SERVE IT AT YOUR NEXT DINNER PARTY AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE SURE TO CALL YOU A ROCK STAR. RECIPE & PHOTO JIM NORTON
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IN THE KITCHEN GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST:
10 oz. graham crackers (33-36) ½ cup unsalted butter, melted 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350˚. Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside. In a food processor, process the graham crackers into fine crumbs. Pour in melted butter and add cinnamon. Pulse just until blended. Pour mixture into prepared springform pan and press into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Try to distribute as evenly as possible. Bake 7 minutes. Remove and cool while preparing the filling. Reduce oven temperature to 300˚.
FOR THE FILLING:
12 oz. high-quality white chocolate, chopped (I use Ghirardelli) ½ cup heavy cream 3 8-oz. packages of cream cheese, softened ⅓ cup sugar 4 eggs 1 Tbsp. vanilla In a small saucepan, melt chocolate with the cream over low heat. Stir often until smooth. Remove and set aside. Add cream cheese and sugar to a large mixing bowl. Beat on high until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, blending well after each egg. Slowly add the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla and blend until combined. Pour mixture into the baked crust. Place on a baking sheet. Also place a small pan of water on the lowest rack in the oven to create moisture during baking. Bake 50-55 minutes or until the edges of the cheesecake are firm but the center is still slightly soft. Remove and set aside while preparing sour cream topping. Increase oven to 400˚.
SOUR CREAM TOPPING:
1 ¾ cups sour cream ¼ cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla
In a small mixing bowl, beat sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Pour mixture over the cheesecake. Return to oven and bake 5 minutes. Remove and cool to room temperature. Run a knife along the edge of the cake to help release it from the pan and avoid cracking. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
SWEET BERRY CREAM:
1 cup heavy whipping cream ¼ cup fresh blackberries ¼ cup fresh raspberries 2 Tbsp. sugar
Our At Home culinary guru Jim Norton not only shares amazing recipes for every monthly issue, he recently debuted his very own brand. Jim Norton’s Sweet Tennessee is booming! Norton has created a line of insanely delicious treats you're sure to love. Whether you choose the Decadent Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies or the Decadent Chocolate & Peanut Butter Pie Mix, you can’t go wrong! The products are available for shipping nationwide; be sure to visit Norton’s Instagram, @thejimnorton, to order. Just drop him a DM and he’ll take care of you. Sweet Tennessee Decadent Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies $24.95/dozen. Sweet Tennessee Decadent Chocolate & Peanut Butter Pie Mix $24.95. Order two or more and receive free shipping.
Add the above ingredients to a blender and purée until smooth. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to use.
TO SERVE:
Slice cheesecake and place slices on individual plates. Top with a couple of spoonfuls of berry cream and fresh berries. Enjoy!
thenortonrecipe.com Facebook @thenortonrecipe Instagram @thejimnorton September 2020 • athomemms.com | 85
H E A LT H Y Y O U
Optimizing Brain FUnction “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be!”
—Maya Angelou
If you’re like me, 2020 is teaching you to nurture
a rational, kind and empathetic brain. While you cannot control others’ thoughts and actions, you can control yours. Your brain runs you. The brain is the storehouse of all your life’s experiences and memories. While some memories are painful, they are every bit as useful as the ones that bring happiness and joy.
What is normal forgetfulness? Normal is nothing more than a setting on the dryer. Normal does not exist. If you recall from the June article, you were born with more neurons and connectors in your brain than there are stars in the universe. Your brain’s storage capacity is incalculable. Everything you are depends on your brain’s functionality. Your abilities to think, remember and understand, as well as your physical and mental well-being, are rooted in brain wellness. To optimize brain operation you must first assess its health. Dr. Daniel Amen has a free online assessment you can take at www. brainhealthassessment.com. You must also know key health indicators. Get an annual physical exam and keep records of your numbers from year to year so you can monitor changes. If you haven’t kept your numbers, you can request a copy of your medical history from your healthcare provider. If you take daily medications know the adverse side effects and compensate with vitamins and
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minerals (nutraceuticals). Many medications deplete vitamins and minerals and inhibit the bioavailability of life-sustaining nutrients. If you incorporate the changes mentioned in this article you might be able to wean yourself from some medications. In general, though, your keys to an optimally operational brain are exercise, diet, learning, detoxification, mental health care, understanding the genetic influence, hormone regulation and sleep. You may be thinking you’ve heard all of this before. Keep reading; you might learn something new. EXERCISE There is no better way to get the blood pumping than exercise. When you exercise and breathe through your nose you generate nitric oxide, which improves flow through blood vessels. Exercise should include: Cardiovascular work: Run or walk every day for 30 to 45 minutes. Incorporate one- to two-minute intervals that increase your heart rate. Strength training: Do weight-bearing exercise two to three times a week. Focus on a specific area of the body in each workout. For example: Tuesdays – lower body, Thursdays – upper body, and Saturdays – abs. Neuromotor exercise: Balance, agility and coordination training are also important. Pickleball, tennis, balance exercises.
H E A LT H Y Y O U
Mindfulness-based exercise: Yoga, tai chi and meditation promote the mind/body connection. MINDFUL DIET Eat for health instead of for weight loss or pleasure at least 90 percent of the time. Choose foods with healthy fats, omega 3s, magnesium, zinc, calcium, quercetin, allicin and folates. Proteins – Grass-fed meats without added hormones or steroids, wild-caught salmon, cod, halibut, sardines and tuna. Fruits – Seasonal fruits like berries, pineapple, avocados, apples and cherries. Vegetables – Seasonal vegetables including squash, spinach, cabbage, onions, peppers and yams. Spices – Cinnamon, cayenne pepper, turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, saffron, cardamom and curry. Nuts and seeds – Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, walnuts and pine nuts.
Nutraceuticals – Vitamins and minerals. LEARNING Brain power comes through use. Challenge yourself to learn something daily. Read, engage in a hobby, take a course, learn to play an instrument, work puzzles. UNDERSTAND YOUR GENETICS Your genes are not your destiny, but they are a part of you. You control the expression of your genes; if you engage in the aforementioned activities, you dictate the way genes and health affect your quality of life. HORMONE REGULATION Learn your hormone numbers, then talk to your doctor about bioidentical hormones and replacement therapy. SLEEP You need seven to eight hours of sleep per night. To improve my sleep, I typically end my day with a 30-minute walk and yin yoga. STORY MICHELLE JOHNS
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September HOME FEAT UR E Special Thanks Cindy McCord Design cindymccord.com Ross Group Creative rossgroupcreative.com
DESIGN Special Thanks Kitchens Unlimited kitchensunlimited.net Annabella Charles Photography annabellacharles.com Elle Woven facebook.com/ellewoven
EXPERIENCE THIS Special Thanks Greenwood CVB visitgreenwood.com
VESTA HOME SHOW Special Thanks West Tennessee Home Builders Association westtnhba.com
IN THE KITCHEN Special Thanks Jim Norton thenortonrecipe.com
HEALTHY YOU Special Thanks Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com
ON A GOOD NOTE Special Thanks Lisieux Community lisieuxcommunity.org Baptist Women's Health Center bmhgiving.com 88 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • September 2020
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