January 2013

FOR YOU • YOUR HOME • YOUR LIFESTYLE

Shabby Chic UPSCALE DÉCOR WITH UNIQUE ORIGIN

Travel:

ART IN BOSTON

The WEDDINGS

ISSUE

contents

JANUARY 2013

64

35 JANUARY 2013

• YOUR LIFESTYLE FOR YOU • YOUR HOME

Shabby Chic UPSC ALE DÉCO R WITH UNIQ UE ORIG IN

• YOUR LIFESTYLE FOR YOU • YOUR HOME

Travel:

ART IN BOSTON

The WEDDINGS

ISSUE

24

24 | travel: THE ART OF BOSTON Our local writer introduces us to Boston’s rich art history and culture

35 | special: 2013 WEDDING SECTION From the beach to the vineyard, we have six beautiful ways to say “I Do”

ATHOMETN.COM

64 | home feature: SHABBY CHIC: DESIGN FROM UNIQUE ORIGINS Our West Tennessee couple finds a compromise for the interior design of their new home One West Tennessee couple’s original twist on home décor See page 64 FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

6 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

contents

16 | beauty: PICTURE PERFECT SKIN Our favorite products from head to toe for that special day

JANUARY 2013

18 | health: WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY AND DIABETES How this procedure helps lower the risk of getting the disease

16

20 | health: NIP AND TUCK FOR THE NEW YEAR Plastic surgery... how it helps, what to get, and when to get it

22 | lifestyle: NEW TRENDS IN FITNESS FOR 2013 The workout that turns those weight-loss resolutions into a weight-loss solution

30 | at home with: JEANNE DUDLEY SMITH Catching up with a legendary dress designer in Nashville

58 | music: MUSIC CITY SCENE An interview with hit country artist Jason Aldean; Larry’s Country Diner

60

60 | cuisine: SWEETGRASS IN MEMPHIS Chef Ryan Trimm talks Low-country cuisine in the Bluff City

62 | technology: MERGING CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION AND ELECTRONICS

What to consider in each room of the house when it comes to high-tech

72 | design: ONLINE DESIGN TRENDS One online firm breaks down this new and alternative method to décor

76 | garden: POST- HOLIDAY HOUSEPLANTS Tips to help keep them thriving and healthy into the New Year

78 | in bloom: FLORIDA SUNSHINE A patch of light and fragrance in the garden to liven up the dreariness of winter

87 | chef’s corner: WITH THE CHEF FROM 1808 GRILLE Smart eating habbits to start the year right

88 | cooking: CONVENIENTLY HEALTHY A healthy spin on Southern comfort foods, without all the extra calories

72

91 | finance: SMART DECISIONS STARTING OUT Some expert advice for newlyweds and young adults

94 | roadtrip: 30A SONGWRITERS CONVENTION Musicians, writers and fans hit the road to Florida for an annual event

98 | books: WINTERTIME READS Perfect books to read by the fireplace on those cold winter nights

IN EVERY ISSUE

12 | PUBLISHER’S NOTE 14 | CONTRIBUTORS 50 | STYLE MARKETPLACE 80 | BY INVITATION — the social pages 92 | HAPPENINGS 97 | SOURCES 8 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

JANUARY 2013 • Vol. 11 No.10 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Margaret Monger | mmonger@athometn.com

EDITOR janna fite herbison | jherbison@athometn.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

brittanY WaLLer | bwaller@athometn.com

EDIToRIAl COPY EDITOR terri gLazer

SOCIETY EDITOR

LesLeY CoLvett | lcolvett@athometn.com

IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT

CharLes reYnoLds | cr@colorretouching.com

ADVERTISING SENIOR REGIONAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE MeLissa hosp | mhosp@athometn.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE hiLarY frankeL | hfrankel@athometn.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES sUzanne boYd | sboyd@athometn.com donna roland | droland@athometn.com MeLanie tigrett | mtigrett@athometn.com hoLt edWards | hedwards@athometn.com aLLison p. sMith | asmith@athometn.com MarY eLLen sMith | msmith@athometn.com

BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

trip Monger | tmonger@athometn.com

WEBMASTER/OFFICE ASSISTANT LaUrie sUMMers

CoNTRIBUToRS EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Linda Benton, Shana RaLey-LuSk, andRew PuLte, ChuCk dauPhin, dR. Sue hamiLton, aPRiL mCkinney, SCott FueLing, dR. PhiLLiP R. LangSdon, aLan doyLe, LoRi hoSkinS, FRanCeS J. FoLSom, tRaCey Louthain, ChaRLeS PhiLLiPS, JeSSe muChmoRe, LatiFa newBiLL

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Mike boatMan, donnY granger, dennis zanone, pUre 7 stUdios, johnnY hULgan, Master Creations photographY, kandiCe patriCk, janna f. herbison

INTERNS jesse MUChMore, Latifa neWbiLL, niCoLette overton, WhittneY WiLLis

HoW To REACH US

671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200 | Cordova, TN 38018 toLL free 877.684.4155 | FAX 866.354.4886 Website: athometn.com beaUtY inQUiries: beauty@athometn.com Website inQUiries: web@athometn.com At Home Tennessee does not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Editor, At Home Tennessee: 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018.

SUBSCRIPTIoNS

Call 877.684.4155 or subscribe online at athometn.com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Tennessee is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Tennessee, 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Trip Monger; At Home Tennessee, 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018 or by e-mail to tmonger@athometn.com

10 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

publisher’s note

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND

NEW WEDDINGS

I

f you are reading this letter, we all survived the Mayan prediction of the end of the world, so welcome to 2013! I love all the excitement that comes with the New Year. This year will be a very exciting year for our family as our daughter will be married to love of her life.

My resolution this year is to be a good mother-in-law and that shouldn’t be a problem because I couldn’t hand-pick a better son-in-law. Knee deep in wedding plans our self, this issue was particularly fun and informative to put together. We have had such an advantage picking out the vendors we are using for the wedding with all the wonderful resources at my fingertips.

Over the years, I have seen many beautiful photographs from all the brides we feature.

Nothing, though, compares to seeing your own daughter in her dress for the first time. It’s funny how different men and women react to emotional events. Her mother-in-law to be, sisterin law to be and I all smiled and cried. Our son said it was very pretty, and then quickly let us know he had to go meet some friends. My husband reacted in the ultimate male manner. He shed a few small tears and said he was going a few doors down to a nearby store Kinnnucan’s.

When I walked down there to meet him, a short ten minutes later, I was informed he had just bought a new Kayak, for no reason. My first reaction was “what is he thinking? We just spend made a major purchase for a very important event and he feels like he needed to purchase a kayak?” Growing up with three brothers, I did learn that men think very differently than we do, and although my idea of a great way to celebrate such an occasion would be to grab some sushi and a glass of wine, his was not. I tried very hard to just smile and tell him what a nice choice of kayak he chose for as long as I could.

He got home, with his purchase, before me. When I walked into the entry hall, toting our prized wedding dress for our daughter, I was greeting by the, (insert adjective of your choice) boat that I proceeded to fall over. “Where are you going to put this thing?” I tried as calmly as I could to ask him. He said he would take it to our river cabin soon. “Soon” to females is maybe five or ten minutes, but not to males, in cases like this. This January, we will be married twenty-six years and I think by now he knows my idea of “soon” trumps his. My husband shortly retreated to his man cave (river cabin), with his new Kayak so they could bond for a couple of days.

I wish much happiness and joy for our daughter and fiancé and hope they are blessed with twenty-six plus many more wonderful years together. I pray they learn and understand the different ways males and females think and to never let something like a silly man toy come between them. I know, as a female, we make silly, unnecessary purchases too, but we are smart enough to make sure they can fit in our closets!

Happy New Year and best wishes to the brides and grooms features in this issue.

12 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

contributors LESLEY COLVETT

attends some of the most fabulous parties throughout the state as social editor for At Home Tennessee magazine. Colvett’s 10-year career in magazines began promptly after she graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism with her first job as editor of Memphis’ RSVP magazine. If you would like At Home Tennessee to attend your upcoming event contact Lesley at lcolvett@athometn.com.

Shana RaLEY-LuSk

is a freelance writer and regular contributor to At Home Tennessee magazine. Lusk is a lifelong reader who has a diverse background and education in fine arts, interior design and literature. This month, she’ll be telling us about some good books to cozy up with during the cold weather months on page 98.

anDREW puLTE

is a gardening expert and internationally certified arborist who teaches at the University of Tennessee, contributes to several gardening publications and hosts a radio show, “Garden Talk.”

Originally from Nebraska, Pulte now gardens and resides in Knoxville with his wife Beccy and son Theo. This month Andrew gives us tips on keeping our houseplants happy and healthy on page 76.

apRiL MCkinnEY

April McKinney is an award-winning cook, food writer and recipe demonstrator. She has been featured on the Today show and Better TV, after her recipes won national cooking contests. You can also see her creating new healthy and simple dishes on her YouTube channel, “April McKinney Cooking,” where she demonstrates her recipes on camera. In this issue April provides us recipes for healthy spin-offs of Southern comfort food on page 88.

ChuCk Dauphin

has two decades of experience covering country music for both print and broadcast media. He is currently the online country editor for Billboard magazine and has worked for radio stations such as WDKN and the Interstate Radio Network. He has also written for such publications as Music City News and Roughstock, and can be heard weekly on WNKX / Centerville. In this issue Chuck talks with Jason Aldean about life on stage, and he chats with Larry Black about country music’s prime on page 58.

14 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

January 2013 • athometn.com | 15

picture PERFECT

beauty

Our favorite beauty essentials from head to toe for that special day

1

3

Pure Color Shadow Paint

Estee Lauder, $24, www.esteelauder.com

Perfect Prep Pore Diffuser and Skin Neutralizer Mally, $40, www.mallybeauty.com

2

Pill Box with Organic Lip Balm in "Birds" Andrea Garland, $22, www.beautyhabit.com

4

Neckline Cream

Somme Institute, $68, www.sommeinstitute.com

5

OPI Nail Ltacquer in "Otherwise Engaged"

OPI, $9, ULTA, Trade Secret or Dillard’s salons

6

Rose Party Mink Lashes

Goddess Lashes, $250, www.goddesslashes.com

8

Alpha Beta Smoothing Body Towel

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, $36, www.sephora.com

7

Skin Sanctuary Time Defying Foundation in Linen Cream Rouge Bunny Rouge, $68, www.beautyhabit.com

16 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

1

Pure Color Stay-on Shadow Paints include a range of long-lasting hues in a creamy and richly pigmented formula that glides onto the lids with mousse-like softness. Worn alone or mixed to create infinite seductive and sophisticated looks.

2

This vintage-inspired pillbox filled with organic lip balm is made with skin softening shea butter, sun protecting raspberry seed oil and moisturizing sweet almond oil. With added antioxidants this balm will protect lips and keep them looking good on that special day.

3

Skin-tone imperfections are blended with this complexion-smoothing refiner. Ingredients bind to the skin, providing an instant and long-term smooth and supple appearance. The shade is formulated to correct red tones in skin, while rich emollients nourish. Pores are diffused and skin is noticeably more refined.

4

Neckline by the Somme Institute is a firming, hydrating formula that improves the appearance of lines and hyper-pigmentation/sun damage when applied to the neck and chest. The cream delivers high-potency ingredients directly and deeply into the skin for profound visual changes in skin texture, radiance and overall look.

5

OPI nail polish uses soft, pretty shades that whisper romance, sophistication and style. The range of delicately chosen colors is the ideal palette for beautiful brides and prom princesses.

6

Discover a new you with instantly thick, long, voluminous, curvy lashes using professional application techniques, lash by lash. Goddess Lashes’ Advanced Lash Artist will customize your lash application to exacting needs and specifications.

7

This youth-protecting foundation casts a veil over redness and imperfections while evening skin tone with a creamy yet featherlight texture. Perfect for that flawless wedding day complexion that every bride dreams of.

8

This retexturizing body towel is formulated for a targeted exfoliating treatment that will leave skin firmer and brighter. This treatment addresses multiple body concerns. Skin will appear brighter and more luminous, and will feel refreshed and invigorated.

January 2013 • athometn.com | 17

health

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY AND DIABETES TexT courTesy of sainT francis hospiTal

More than 78 million Americans are obese, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, which means they have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. The American Diabetes Association reports that nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. These twin epidemics of obesity and diabetes have seen an increase in recent years because the rate of obesity among adults has doubled since 1980. Being overweight is one of the primary risk factors that can be either changed or eliminated for type 2 diabetes.

Carrying excess body weight raises the risk of developing diabetes because it increases the body’s resistance to insulin, making it harder to lower blood glucose. Over an extended period of time, people with elevated blood sugar levels and diabetes may experience heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, leg and foot amputations and complications during pregnancy.

Many people who are termed morbidly obese (have a BMI that is over 40) turn to bariatric 18 | At Home Tennessee • October 2012 January 2013

surgery to help them lose weight when other weight-loss efforts fail. The popularity of weight-loss surgery has jumped from more than 13,000 procedures in 1998 to nearly 72,000 in 2002 to about 220,000 in 2009. Bariatric surgery helps achieve long-term weight loss by either reducing the size of the stomach to decrease food intake, or by shortening the small intestine to reduce the amount of nutrient absorption.

Improvement in diabetes following bariatric surgery happens prior to substantial weight loss. Research has shown this occurs because hormones in the stomach that have been altered by surgery can manage blood glucose levels better than when only weight loss occurs.

These hormones help control food intake and improve insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, resulting in a stabilization of blood sugar levels.

In addition to helping patients lose weight, bariatric surgery also has shown to decrease the incidence of type 2 diabetes. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that obese patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent gastric bypass surgery were five times more likely to have their diabetes go into complete remission compared with patients who followed conventional weight-loss therapies. In addition, a 2012 study found that bariatric surgery may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the first place. Over 15 years, the study found that only 13 percent of people who’d had weight-loss (bariatric) surgery developed type 2 diabetes vs. 38 percent of those who didn’t have surgery.

In addition to improving diabetes, those who undergo bariatric surgery also experience positive effects on other conditions associated with obesity, including hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, joint disease, asthma and infertility. So the long-term benefits often extend beyond the initial goal of weight loss, and can help improve overall health and lifestyle over time.

January 2013 • athometn.com | 19

health

A NEW YEAR,

A NEW YOU

2013!

TEXT BY PHILLIP R. LANGSDON, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Today, men and women are opting for cosmetic surgery in an effort to improve their appearance. Last year, millions of Americans took advantage of the many options cosmetic surgery provides. Researchers have reported that as many as 40 percent of the American population may be dissatisfied with some aspect of their face. When someone decides to treat the signs of facial aging, there are two ways to look at the situation.

TWO APPROACHES TO AGING Preventive Maintenance One way to treat the signs of aging is to begin surgery as soon as the signs appear.

Once correction has begun, a person may never appear as old as they truly are. Cosmetic surgery “turns back the clock,” but the clock does not stop and aging will continue. By continuing surgical mantenince a person does not look as old as they would have, had no treatment occurred. In essence, doing smaller procedures before one begins to look really old will help maintain a refreshed look.

Rejuvenation Another way to approach the aging face is to treat the signs of aging after they are well established and are more noticeable. During the surgical procedure the excess tissues (skin, fat, etc.) are repositioned or removed and the muscle may be tightened.

The excess tissue removed with facelift or eyelid procedures never returns, but aging will continue. Tissue relaxation which may occur after the surgery is the result of the continuing aging process and a loss of “elasticity” in the tissues. Surgery cannot replace the inherent 20 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

tissue elasticity of youth. Carefully planned the groove that lies obliquely down the upper maintenance procedures can help the issue. cheek may also require fillers.

Nutritional programs, supplements, a Repositioning a droopy nasal tip through a specifically designed facial exfoliation and rhinoplasty may help reverse the aged look by restoration program, facial fillers, exercise, rotating the tip to a more youthful position. A lifestyle changes and physiologic hormonal chin implant may improve the recessed chin. restoration may help in the struggle against the aging process.

When Is Surgery Indicated?

Treatment for the Aging Face

Many people wonder, “When is the best time for facial plastic surgery to treat the signs of aging?” The answer is, when the slack skin of the face, eyes, and/or neck are not temporary conditions relieved by rest, and are difficult to camouflage with cosmetics.

There are several procedures used to reverse the signs of aging. A facelift is used to improve the excess sagging in the face (cheeks and neck).

Blepharoplasty is the procedure designed to improve the “tired look” around the eyes that may be caused by excess skin and/or fat How Long Will The herniation. A forehead lift or brow lift may Improvement Last? help to raise droopy forehead/eyebrow tissues.

Other procedures may be recommended No operation prevents further aging, but with according to the patient’s needs and wishes. surgery the hands of time may be turned back and you do not appear as old as you would Surgery improves only the sags and bags of have, had surgery never been performed. the face, forehead and eyes. A chemical peel, Individuals age at their own inherent rate. Your laser resurfacing, various injectable fillers and/ natural degenerative process determines the or a specifically designed facial exfoliation and rate at which sagging and wrinkling redevelop. restoration program may be needed to improve However, no one can accurately predict this facial wrinkling. because all individuals are different. In ideal cases, after full procedures, the duration time Certain areas of the face may atrophy (lose before needing a tuck up may be one to 10 volume) with aging. Injectable fillers can years, depending on where you are in your help with this condition. Surgery will not aging process, how much elasticity you have restore volume. Fillers are required to re- lost and the rate at which you are losing it, inflate deflated areas. Nasolabial/mentolabial your genetics, health, social habits, etc. If one folds (the deep smile lines along the outside is rapidly losing the elastic properties of the edges of the mouth) will not go away with a skin, a tuck up may be needed sooner. If you facelift. Fillers are required to improve these are aging slowly, it may take a while before folds. These folds can be even more resistant you need a tuck up. In any event, a carefully to improvement in the patient with a thick planned rejuvenation program can keep us (or fat) face. Other areas such as the groove looking good…even when we are older! between the lower eyelid and upper cheek and

lifestyle

Turning a resolution into a

healthy lifestyle Text by Lori Hoskins

Well, it's that time of year again. Time for those dreaded three little words to creep out from our subconscious minds into the mouths that have been overindulging in holiday treats.

Ready for them? New. Year's. Resolutions.

Ughhh...there they are. And here we go again with another start to another new year of lofty ideas about getting into shape. And this time we mean it! 2013 is the year we are serious about exercise and dieting. Right? Right.

What will make this year different? One of the most popular trends in exercise these days is known as CrossFit, a method that transforms exercise into an actual sport. Participants usually range in age from 5 to 85, from professional athletes and military members to housewives and grandparents. Participants do not go to a gym, but rather to a “box” and every day they get a “WOD” (workout of the day).

The CrossFit trend has been around for more than 15 years and has gained momentum in the last five, with boxes popping up all over the world. It is just one prime example of what works best in the long run when it comes to fitness: turning a mundane chore of exercise into a daily healthy lifestyle. The workouts are different daily and include movements that are similar to everyday functional movements, programmed with weightlifting, gymnastics and cardiovascular exercise all built in.

CrossFit is only one of a large and varied array of fitness options now available. Whatever 22 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

routine you choose, make sure it is something you enjoy that easily fits into your everyday lifestyle.

Some overall tips to succeed with your New Year’s fitness goals: • Don't make exercise a resolution.

Recognize that resolutions are often short lived. Instead make up your mind that you are making fitness a priority for your daily lifestyle. Admit it, you can come up with some great reasons (excuses) why you don't have time to work out. Everyone can, but the difference between those who get in shape and those who keep rolling it over to a future list of to-do’s is that some people find an excuse and some people find a way.

You have to be the latter.

has recently gained praise is the so-called “paleo” (caveman) diet which includes fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains and meat, and limits sugar. (There are thousands of resources on this diet on the Internet.)

• Energize from the synergy! It's so hard to stay motivated and committed to exercise if you try it alone. Find a friend or a group that will make you excited about getting in shape and keep you accountable on the days you may try to skip.

• Don't hesitate to start. The weather, work, family and school will never line up perfectly for you to begin, you have to just do it. If you wait for circumstances to be perfect, another year will slip away and you will be reading a similar article about this again next year.

• Be realistic about what you want to achieve and how much time you can commit to Make a resolution to be healthy this year and accomplishing your fitness goals. If you can turn your goals into a long-term lifestyle with a get up every day at 5:00 a.m. and hit the specific and realistic program. Here’s a toast to gym, that's great! If you can only go three your success in 2013! times a week after work, that's great! Find a time of day that fits with your schedule and commit to it. You will quickly find yourself in a healthy habit of regular exercise.

• Your workout starts in the kitchen.

Food is either a fuel or a poison. What you eat makes a tremendous difference in how you feel and how much energy you have. One healthy eating program that

Image by Natalie Alper; hangs in the lobby of the Sonesta Photo courtesy of the Royal Sonesta Hotel

travel

The Art of

Boston TEXT BY FRANCES J. FOLSOM

Sunday River Ski Resort 24| At Home Tennessee • January 2013

W

ithout a doubt, Boston, settled in 1630, is one of the most historic cities in the country. It was here that the Revolutionary War began with the Boston Massacre in 1770, the Tea Party in 1773 and the battles at Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill in 1775. The history comes alive when walking the two-and-a-half-mile Freedom Trail. Easily identifiable by the red stripe and red bricks on the sidewalks, the trail includes 16 sites: the Granary Burying Ground, the final resting place of patriots Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and John Hancock; the Old South Meeting House; Paul Revere’s House; and the Old North Church where the lanterns were hung on April 18, 1775, to name a few.

Along with history Boston is home to worldclass art museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Harvard Art Museums and the Institute of Contemporary Art. Interesting art collections which are open to the public adorn some of the city’s elegant hotels.

Architect Gary Johnson, whose firm Cambridge Seven Associates has designed and restored many hotels in Boston, says, “Hotel lobbies are the living rooms of the world.” Johnson was the lead architect in the three-year restoration of the Charles Street Jail. Built in 1851, the jail had stood derelict for years until emerging in 2007 as the luxurious Liberty Hotel.

Just walking in the Liberty Hotel is a breathtaking experience, made even more so by artist Coral Bourgeois’s 19-foottall mural reaching from street level up to the lobby. Inspired by the fact that the building was once a jail, Bourgeois used a theme of strife and rejection in the piece.

She imprinted two-foot tiles with images of handcuffs, barred windows, chain link fences and inmates in 1930’s prison garb.

The reds, oranges and greens are so vibrant they seem to jump out of the mural.

Frank Nicholson, interior designer for the Mandarin Oriental, hand-picked a cadre of established artists to create the hotel’s art collection; leading them are David Hockney, Ben Owen, Judith A. Brust and Frank Stella.

January 2013 • athometn.com | 25

travel

Manolo Valdes Photo courtesy of the Mandarin Hotel Boston

Nicholson made sure to put an oriental brush stroke on the interior with lacquered tables and mother-of-pearl lamps. Entering the lobby you can’t miss David Mann’s The Given, a mixedmedia piece bursting with red and orange tones that hangs over the marble fireplace.

Behind the reception desk is Life Line No. 3, a monotype layered painting by Nantucket artist Judith A. Brust. Although you will want to linger in front of it there’s more art to enjoy on the opposite walls—Brust’s Reef No.1 and The Deux, a hand-colored lithograph by British pop artist David Hockney.

Valdes Perfiii III Photo courtesy of the Mandarin Hotel Boston

the arcade level are two more works by Brust, Beginnings No. 1 and Mind’s Eye No. 1, both multi-layered paintings on canvas. There’s also Robert Siegelman’s series of three woodcuts on washi paper and an etching on colored silkscreen by Manolo Valdes.

Terry Rose’s multimedia triptych Beyond Beyond in the hotel’s elegant Asana restaurant is a feast for the eyes and senses. The placement on a Jerusalem limestone wall of Donald Sultan’s silkscreen ink Blues and Blacks gives the piece a three-dimensional, casual look. On another wall the structured V-shape of Alice Walking up the grand staircase guests are Ballard’s Pod Diagonal Column, a series of 14 treated to a half-dozen wood engravings, earthenware and terra sigillata glazed forms Shadowgraph Images, by Terry Winters. On balances the room.

26 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

Most of the 14 pieces of art at the Charles Hotel were commissioned specifically for the hotel when it opened in 1984. Created by artists who either went to school in New England or live there now, the collection in oils, mixed media and photography includes works by Carolyn Cole, Neil Welliver, Pat Steir and Francine Zaslow. Of striking difference are the nine handmade American quilts hanging in the second floor stairwell, which convey an aura of beauty, strength and softness. The quilts date from 1890 to 1910 and the artists are unknown, which lends a bit of mystery to each piece. You can’t help but wonder what the artists were thinking as they sewed. The quilts are designed in geometric block patterns with names such as Irish Chain, Drunkard’s Path and Swallows In Flight.

By the front door is a 42-x-138 inch mixed media on paper, Mass Ave Study by Joel Babb, in which he gives his impression of how Harvard Square looked in the 1970’s.

Maine artist Babb is known for panoramic cityscapes done in his signature style of quiltblock cubism. The massive oil painting of the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow House to the left of the reception area was done by Boston artist George Nick.

The Royal Sonesta Hotel is home to a stunning collection of contemporary art created by world-renowned artists. According to Stephanie Sonnabend, the third generation of Sonnabends to oversee the company, “The art provides a welcoming and visually exciting environment for our guests. It is wonderful to see how pieces of art can define spaces and create warmth and energy.”

The Sonesta exudes the feel of a big city hotel – chic and elegant. The lobby and rooms are decorated in understated art deco furnishings surrounded by the collection of contemporary art the Sonnabend family has amassed.

The art tour begins outside; on the lawn is an aluminum mesh sculpture by decorative artist Dennis Croteau. Directly opposite the front door is Frank Stella’s Talladega #3 representing the artist’s view, in green and gold cars and mazes, of the Alabama NASCAR racetrack. Then crane your neck towards the ceiling, dangling there is Jonathan Borofsky’s Every Man with Briefcase #2816955, a sixfoot-tall sculpture of a man wearing a topcoat and carrying a briefcase.

George Lanzillo, Sonesta staff member and the hotel’s unofficial art curator, explains, “When we place art in the public areas or a guest room it is minimalist, there are no identifying plaques, which makes the art more personal. The viewer draws from their own observation about the piece.”

Needless to say, with 100 pieces of art in public view, the hotel’s collection is a lot to take in. Start in the west tower with Andy Warhol’s Flowers, seven panels of multicolored blossoms on silkscreen, then move on to a geometric painting by Josef Albers.

Next go to Richard Serra’s two-dimensional black-and-white abstract of a steel sculpture entitled t. Partnered with it is another blackand-white abstract piece by Sam Francis. One corridor wall is given over to Buckminster Fuller’s Twelve Around One, 26 silkscreened images of blueprints from one of Fuller’s engineering designs.

January 2013 • athometn.com | 27

travel

Artwork by Carl Palazzo; hangs in the lobby of the Sonesta Photo courtesy of the Royal Sonesta Hotel Talladega #3 Photo courtesy of the Royal Sonesta Hotel Photo courtesy of the Liberty Hotel Liberty Hotel Mosaic Photo courtesy of the Liberty Hotel

28 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

The east tower holds 61 works, some highlights are: Carl Palazzo’s rendition of John Singer Sargent’s painting The Daughters Of Edwin Darley Boit; lithographs by Claes Oldenburg; etchings by Sol LeWit; a multimedia scene by Stephen Mueller; and a large abstract steel sculpture by Sir Anthony Caro.

The next time you find yourself in a hotel lobby, make sure to peruse the art, either on your own personal tour or just in a comfortable armchair. You’ll appreciate what you see.

Mandarin Oriental Boston 776 Boylston Street Boston MA 02199 www.mandarinoriental.com Liberty Hotel 215 Charles Street Boston MA 02114 www.libertyhotel.com Charles Hotel One Bennett Street Cambridge, MA 02138 www.charleshotel.com Royal Sonesta Hotel 40 Edwin Land Boulevard Cambridge MA 02142 www.sonesta.com/boston Further information about Boston and the Freedom Trail: The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau www.bostonusa.com The Freedom Trail Foundation www.thefreedomtrail.org

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at home with

Jeanne Dudley Smith Nashville’s legendary apparel designer reflects on her career and inspirations. text and photography by Janna Fite Herbison

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Jeanne Dudley Smith has been designing handmade gowns for brides, debutantes and young graduates for nearly 50 years.

In 2007, she was recognized as one of Middle Tennessee’s very first professional designers and inducted into the Tennessee State Museum’s Costume and Textile Institute. Her past clients have included actress Reese Witherspoon, and Princess Grace of Monaco wore a dress designed by Smith in one of her iconic portraits, which now hangs in Monaco’s palace. At Home Tennessee visited Smith in her Nashville home over the holidays and talked with her about the highlights of her business and her signature style.

At Home Tennessee: How would you define your personal style?

Jeanne Dudley Smith: My personal style is a mix of putting a bit of romance in dressing, as I love the looks of Valentino and Oscar de la Renta, along with a bit of ruffling and mystery perhaps, a floral print and lots of vintage looks.I love to look in my closet and go shopping by throwing a bunch of clothes out on a bed and seeing what happens!

AHT: How are your dresses most unique?

JDS: There is always a surprise, as something will fall together that you never thought about with a new color combination or texture mix. I love to play with vintage, gypsy looks, scarves, belts and jewelry. In the fall I like very much to pretend I live on a ranch with suede and lots of leather jackets and boots. I can imagine I am in Argentina and concoct a myriad of new outfits. As far as shopping, I have to touch the fabrics, so designing via the Internet does not work so well for me. My dresses have a trademark of hand detailing and lots of lace. I adore lace, but it has to be fine for my taste.

AHT: How do you feel that your Memphis clients differ from those in Nashville?

JDS: The gowns that I create for my Southern clients and especially the graduation gowns are like christening gowns for grownups. They are wonderful as they never go out of style, and many times are recycled for later presentations by debutantes and younger family members. The Memphis girls adore the fine cotton batiste that I use for their gowns and we pull apart some very old dresses to restore the fine laces. But in design, the gowns are in the latest styles and fit with no blusons or leg-of-mutton sleeves.

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at home with

Smith's protegé Amanda Eidson

The Memphis clients really appreciate the work and the fabric since many of their families were in the cotton business. In past years I designed the wardrobe for some of the Maids of Cotton and gave many fashion shows for the Cotton Wives of Arkansas and Mississippi.

JDS: My ideal client is about 24 years old, tall nine years old. This past year, she even designed

and size 4 instead of a 2. I like some curves inside of a dress. She is a girl not afraid to step out and be different and try something new. I have a big 12-year-old clientele and it is amazing to see how savvy they are in the fashion world.

AHT: What are some of your most memorable designs?

AHT: What do you enjoy most giving back to the design world?

JDS: The gowns that stand out in my mind are the special wedding dresses and lovely JDS: This past year I have mentored several ball gowns. I am working on a ball gown aspiring designers from all over the country. today of silk satin and very simple design but I received great satisfaction in working with with an empire waist marked by twisted silk these young people. intertwined with pearls and featuring a knot of silk with a wide cascade of satin panels down One such young lady with a great deal of talent the back. It is a completely simple design but is my assistant, Amanda Eidson, who is just 17 the wonderful silk tells the story. and a junior at Brentwood Academy. She has

been interested in fashion design since she was a little girl and began to sew when she was just AHT: Who is your ideal client?

32 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

and made her own homecoming dress!

AHT: What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?

JDS: Designers have many obstacles and negativity to overcome and must always keep telling themselves to never give up and have faith that success will come sooner or later in acceptance of their designs. When it happens, it is a beautiful, creative world of endless bliss.

The Peabody Hotel Photography by Lawrence Hsia

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WEDDINGS January 2013 • athometn.com | 35

weddings

Sarah Pierrepont Matthews and Joseph Piet rangelo OCTOBER 13, 2012 | BARRETVILLE, TN

36| At Home Tennessee • January 2013

weddings

A Family Tradition

How They Met: Sarah and Joseph met during their first year of medical school but did not date until their final year. The groom credits one well-timed email complimenting the bride on a recent haircut, followed by another commenting favorably on her choice of apparel, as critical to winning her over.

The bride admits it wasn’t until the groom prepared his family’s prized marinara sauce recipe for her that she began to think about the long-term prospects of their relationship.

The Proposal: The couple became engaged at the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis.

Joseph convinced Sarah to stop by the hotel for drinks with the promise of visiting the ducks on the famous Peabody rooftop. Much to his surprise, however, the ducks are not available to be viewed by the public after 9 p.m., which left Joseph somewhat and unusually flustered after several attempts to locate their pens.

He recovered nicely, however, as he made a heartfelt and moving proposal to Sarah on the second floor mezzanine of the hotel.

Where They Wed: The ceremony and reception both took place on the lawn of Squire’s Rest, the country house of the bride’s parents, Paul A. Matthews and Roberta Bartow Matthews. Built by the bride’s

great-grandparents in 1920, Squire’s Rest is a Craftsman-style residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sarah’s paternal grandparents were also married there in 1946. Just like the bride and groom, their names were Sarah and Joseph, as well.

The Big Day: Longtime Memphis wedding consultant Sally Shy coordinated the nuptials, working alongside Kevin Coble of Le Fleur in Memphis and the bride’s parents to ensure everything was ideal for the October event.

The mother of the bride says the vision for the wedding was “elegant and sophisticated, but warm and intimate, and also reflecting the autumn season and the rural character of the site.” Both the ceremony and the reception were grounded with personal reminders of the bride and groom and the long family history of the home. The place cards were all wrapped with brown yarn for an upscale, rustic feel.

Shy’s vision included a dance floor with the words “Sarah and Joey” printed on it, and the event was topped off by a visit by several beautiful peacocks, which are themselves a treasured feature of the property. Sarah says her favorite part of the day was “being married in a beautiful, intimate setting surrounded by the love of our family and friends.”

Wedding Consultant Sally Shy shy@sallyshy.com www.sallyshy.com Floral Le Fleur, Memphis, Kevin Coble www.lefleur.org 901.683.4313 Photographer Dennis Zanone www.zanone.com info@zanone.com 901.757.9304 Caterer Carole and Sylvester Thornton Catering Sthornton8@comcast.net 901.722.8440 Invitations/Stationery Nest Paper Studio, Oxford, MS, Kara Witherspoon Giles www.nestpaperstudio.com 901.722.8440 Bridal Gown The Brides Room, Nashville (dress designed

by Monique Lhuillier) www.thebrideroom.com 615.297.9899 January 2013 • athometn.com |37

weddings

Alyson Elizabeth Floyd and Zachary Lee Fite SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 | CARILLON BEACH, FL

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weddings

An Ocean View

How They Met: Alyson and Zac grew up only 25 minutes away from each other, however they didn’t meet until their senior year in college, through mutual friends. She describes the relationship as having been in God’s plan the entire time, because when Alyson and Zac’s parents were younger, they were friends. Alyson’s mother and father even met at a Fourth of July party that Zac’s father was throwing. After Zac and Alyson met, they didn’t immediately date because they were both involved with other people, however they did start a very strong and long-lasting friendship.

“I believe we were supposed to build a strong friendship before taking it any further,” says Alyson. “It’s a true testament to finding one’s soul mate and God’s timing.”

The Proposal: The couple got engaged in the Cayman Islands on a vacation with his family during the Thanksgiving holiday. They were having family pictures made on the beach and during their couple shot the groom whispered

Photography Pure 7 Studios www.pure7studios.com 850.654.6523

a few words into the bride’s ear; he got down on one knee and popped the question. She replied with a resounding yes, and the entire time his family was in the background cheering!

Catering Townsend Catering www.townsendcatering.com 850.622.0663

The Dress: “My girlfriends and I drove to Arkansas and went through what felt like a hundred dresses,” says Alyson. “Finally, I came out of the fitting room and they yelled YES!” It was at that moment that she realized she’d found her dress.

Cake Confections on the Coast (cake) www.confectionsonthecoast.com 850.259.5102

The Ceremony: Pinterest greatly influenced Alyson’s plans for the wedding. She wanted an informal event with minimal decorations and a rustic, beachy feel. “I believe that’s exactly what we achieved,” she beams. Carillon Beach offered everything she wanted and more, including an outdoor venue and nearby guest accommodations. From the beachside restaurants to the ceremony, everything was affordable and beautiful.

Floral Nouveau Flowers www.eventsbynouveauflowers.com 850.231.9994 Bridal Gown Low’s Bridal www.lowsbridal.com 870.734.3244 Venue Carillon Weddings Carillon Beach, FL www.carillonweddings.com 850.235.3454 January 2013 • athometn.com |39

weddings

Jennifer Hall and Jacob Wroten OCTOBER 27, 2012 | CROWN WINERY, HUMBOLDT, TN

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weddings

At The Vineyard

How They Met: Jennifer and Jacob met in August of 2008, when they were both working at a local hardware store. They were stationed outside in the garden section and talked every day. Jennifer knew they had chemistry, so after waiting for him to ask her on a date for two months, she decided to ask him out instead.

That’s when their journey began.

The Proposal: It was the day before Thanksgiving and they were at home. Jennifer had been cleaning and Jacob had just returned from work. She went into their bedroom and Jacob pulled her onto the bed and said, “I love you, and I want to be with you forever,” followed by his asking, “Will you marry me?”

He then pulled out the ring and Jennifer replied with, “Of course! Yes!”

The Ceremony: Jennifer and Jacob were the first couple ever to be married in the vineyard’s barn at Crown Winery in Humboldt. “My favorite part of the ceremony was when we were taking our vows,” she says. “The man who was marrying us mixed his papers up so all the vows were out of order. It was a good laugh.” To describe the theme of the event

Jennifer uses the term “fall country chic” because it showcased the beauty of autumn and the loveliness of the country.

What She Wore: Jennifer’s aunt, Pam Bryant, sewed the wedding dress. The bride had spotted a gown that she loved online, however the price didn’t fit into her budget.

She showed her aunt the design, they found some lace and fabric, and Jennifer ended up with her dream dress! She said it turned out even better than the one she’d originally seen.

The Reception: The reception was also held at the Crown Winery, at a spot just downhill from the barn where the ceremony took place.

Jennifer, her mother, other family members and friends made all the food. Jennifer’s brother played the guitar and sang Kenny Chesney’s “Me and You” for the bride and groom’s first dance. However, there was one guest who wasn’t going to allow Jacob to monopolize the bride on the dance floor. “My little nephew surprised me and came up and tapped Jacob on the arm and asked him if he could dance with me,” Jennifer remembers.

Venue Crown Winery&H RH Vineyards Humboldt, TN 731.784.8100 Flowers Bill’s Flowers and Gifts Huntingdon, TN 731.986.4417 Bridesmaids Dresses Anne’s Bridals West Paducah, KY 270.744.6841 Photography Johnny Hulgan johnnyhulgan.com

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weddings

Christ y Hobbs and Glen Summerhill

SEPTEMBER 28, 2012 | ZAN GUERRY CLUBHOUSE, CHATTANOOGA, TN

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weddings

From Aust ralia t o Chatt anooga How They Met: Fate intervened when the Australian native Glen was on holiday in Chattanooga and met Christy. Glen’s gentlemanly charm won her over and the two stayed in touch after he returned to Australia.

After an unsuccessful attempt at having a long-distance relationship, Christy decided to cash in her 401k and took a trip to Sydney to find Glen. When she showed up at his work unannounced, they both knew their lives would never be the same.

The Proposal: Aware of Christy’s feelings on the importance of upholding tradition, Glen received her father’s approval before proceeding with his proposal plans. He then arranged for an evening alone at the Chattanooga Aquarium and afterwards insisted on an intimate walk on the Walnut Street Bridge, one of the couple’s most cherished places. At one point Glen stopped at a bench and sat Christy down as he got down on his knees and asked her to marry him. After a few moments of stunned silence he asked for a reply and she gave an enthusiastic “yes!” They spent the rest of the night celebrating at the establishment where they first met.

The Dress: After mentioning her disappointment at being unable to go dress shopping with her sisters, Christy’s coworkers

got the ball rolling. They arranged for a full day of shopping and the boss even pitched in with a case of champagne. At the shop, her girlfriends dismissed the first dress she tried on before she could even make it to the viewing room. However, the second one was a hit and Christy knew this would be the one she wore on her wedding day even though it would have to survive the long trip back home. “We handcarried that dress with us on the entire trip to America; twenty seven hours and three flights, including the Atlanta to Chattanooga flight– where I had to stow it in the overhead,” says Christy. Though when Glen finally saw her don it on the big day,he assured her it had been worth every bit of their trouble.

The Ceremony: Glen and Christy chose The Zan Guerry Clubhouse in Chattanooga, not only for the scenic garden on the river and the elegant clubhouse, but also the enthusiasm and knowledge of the Director of Marketing, Sue Chamberlain. The couple went for a simple yet classy look with handmade bouquets and boutonnieres of silk and button flowers.

Christy also allowed her sisters and niece to pick their own bridesmaids dresses. In the hustle and bustle of arranging the wedding from another continent and traveling, Glen and Christy forgot one important thing… the marriage license. So the morning before

the wedding they went to the court house and applied for it. “Luckily enough, they do give them on the same day now,” says Christy.

Photography Kandice Patrick Photography (Kandice Patrick) McMinnville, TN 931-607-2833 Wedding Photographics (Cherry Wilson) Chattanooga, TN 423-468-9621 weddingphotographics.net Catering Sticky Fingers Smokehouse Chattanooga, TN stickyfingers.com Cake Dan “The Cake Man” Carey -Cakemakers (Dan Carey) Chattanooga, TN cakemakers.com Dress Sweethearts Bridal Blacktown NSW 2148, Australia sweetheartsbridal.com.au/ January 2013 • athometn.com |43

weddings

Kerry Owen and Michael David SEPTEMBER 22, 2012 | COVINGTON, TN

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weddings

At Home in West Tennessee

How They Met: It seems it really does pay to have friends (and family). Just ask Michael and Kerry—the couple met at a mutual friend’s engagement party thrown by Kerry’s family.

several disappointments Kerry decided to try her sister-in-law’s suggestion and she was surprised to find that this indeed was “the one” that she’d been waiting for.

The Proposal: The night before a planned cruise vacation Michael and Kerry were winding down with what was supposed to be a quiet evening of television. During Kerry’s favorite program Michael continuously interrupted, though she attempted to ignore him assuming it was of no great significance.

Then during the commercial break he asked, “How much do you love me?” and quickly followed up with, “Will you marry me?”

The Ceremony: Kerry and Michael had their wedding and reception at Kerry’s parents’ home. They were married beneath a chuppah in the backyard and held the reception under a tent. Kerry kept to the wedding tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” The old were her pearl earrings, the new were Badgley Mischka shoes, the borrowed was Michael’s great-grandmother’s diamond bar pin and handkerchief, and the blue was a heart-shaped piece of a shirt that belonged to her father, who passed away in 2008.

The Dress: Kerry believed she had found her wedding dress until it actually came time to try it on and she discovered that it fell far short of her expectations. Then her sister-inlaw, Chrissy, suggested a dress and Kerry said she’d keep it in mind while continuing to go through at least a dozen more dresses. After

Photography Creation Studios (Donny Granger) Bartlett, TN Creationstudiosgallery.com Catering Wade and Company Memphis, TN Wadeandcompanycatering.com Cake The Flour Garden Memphis, TN 901.486.1257 Décor Angela Mazanti Events Memphis, TN Angelamazantievents.com Dress Low’s Bridal Brinkley, AR Lowsbridal.com January 2013 • athometn.com |45

weddings

Abby Kerstiens and Shane Blissard SEPTEMBER 22, 2012 | Pulaski, TN

46 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

weddings

Rustic Romance

How They Met: Abby and Shane both attended Middle Tennessee State University and shared many mutual friends but never actually met until they became next-door neighbors. “I thought he was so handsome,” admits Abby. She soon took up cooking and used it as an excuse to invite Shane over for dinner and get to know him.

The Proposal: The first Sunday after Thanksgiving Abby decided to have Shane help her put up the Christmas tree at her apartment. She noticed he seemed very anxious for them to start so they put on the Christmas music and began decorating. As she was busy untangling the lights she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to see Shane down on one knee with the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. Through tears of joy Abby gave him the “yes” he’d been waiting for.

The Dress: After a disappointing day of dress shopping with her mother Abby was beginning to lose hope. She’d already tried on several dresses and knew that none of them were “the one.” Then her mother came back to the dressing room with one she insisted Abby try on. With low expectations she came out

and looked into the mirror then burst into tears. Her mother had found “the one.”

The Ceremony: Abby is a self-proclaimed “country girl” who loves classic, vintage décor so the ceremony and reception reflected that, taking place entirely at the farmhouse where she grew up. Her mother, with help from her sister-in-law Tamara, put the event together. It was a rustic, outdoor wedding with close to 300 guests in attendance followed by a Southern barbecue and several hours of dancing. “I had imagined my wedding all of my life, but this was just so much more…” says Abby, “it was perfect.” There were white linens with burlap runners, cream roses and baby’s breath, silver teapots and Mason jars, candles, harp music, and the lights around the house were intermingled with ivy from the backyard. Her stepfather even built rock walls and rail fences to complete the theme. Though not all went according to plan recalls Abby, “My mother made a candelabra out of an old light fixture and it had about 20 candles in it. During the ceremony this candelabra caught on fire. My stepdad David rushed up and put it out. It could have been a disaster but it turned out to be funny and a wonderful memory.”

Catering Christie Q BBQ & Catering Woodbury, Tn Rose’s Home Style Catering Pulaski, TN www.roseshomemade.com H+H Catering Pulaski, TN Photography Master Creations Photography Mastercreationsphoto.com Cake Candy Dollar Ethridge, TN 931.829.2087 Dress The White Room Murfreesboro, TN 615.848.5262 www.thewhiteroom.us

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weddingMARKETPLACE

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weddingMARKETPLACE

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weddingMARKETPLACE

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music

Music city scene With Chuck Dauphin

Honoring the core of country Music

Fifteen years ago, Gabriel Communications exec Larry Black looked upon the country music landscape and saw a need. “I think that one of the failures of the industry is not to remember the core of where it came from,” Black says. The “core” he is referring to is the history of the music that has been so prevalent in Music City – as well as those who helped make it what it is today.

“Johnny Russell called it the ‘Golden Age of Country Music,” and looking back, he was right,” says Black.

“With all the radio, live and television shows they were doing, I don’t think anyone was thinking about the history they were making. There’s a scripture in the Bible that speaks of giving honor to whom honor is due,” he adds.

Broken Bow recording artist Jason Aldean is on top of the musical world these days.

The singer’s current album, Night Train, recently debuted atop the Billboard Country Albums chart with sales of more than 400,000 copies – a record for the Georgia native, and has already spawned a number one hit with “Take A Little Ride.” His latest single, “The Only Way I Know,” appears to be heading to the top, as well. The track features former Aldean opening acts Luke Bryan and Eric Church.

For the past 15 years, Black has been doing just that as the executive producer of Country’s Family Reunion, a DVD series that shines the spotlight on the legends.

Similar in scope to Bill Gaither’s Gospel Family Reunion series, the collections have proved a hit – and managed to capture music history for future generations. “Of the 30 people we worked with on the first one, 16 have passed away,” he reflects. “You look around the room, and watch the video, and you realize how fortunate we were to have that recorded. When you watch it, they have forgotten the cameras are on, they are just sharing those stories with each other. It gets emotional. There’s a lot of laughter,” Black points out.

“I’m just trying to cash in off their success, to be honest with you,” Aldean says with a laugh. “Luke and I have talked about working together in the past, and Eric was out on tour with me last year. Both of them have had monster years this year, so I just thought it would be a cool thing. There’s nobody else out there that I thought would do justice to the song. I felt it would be something you don’t get on an album every day – three guys on the top of game. I thought it would be cool to have us all on one record.”

In addition to Country’s Family Reunion, Black has continued to build the Gabriel brand via the popular weekly music series Larry’s Country Diner. The ratings for the RFD-TV series have amazed him. “We don’t plan anything. We laugh all the way through it. In a way, you could call it 'Chicken Soup...for the Old Country Soul.'

catching up with

Jason aldean

Though not a single (yet), another cut on the album that is also getting some attention is “1994,” a hip-hop-influenced tribute to 1990s hit maker Joe Diffie. “I think that anyone who has been around country music for any length of time knows that Joe Diffie is one of the best vocalists we’ve had in the format,” Aldean says. “This song was really odd and different. It’s unlike things I usually record, which was one of the reasons I was drawn to it. Being a teenager back in the 1990s, I grew up in the bars playing his songs, like ‘Honky Tonk Attitude’ and ‘John Deere Green.’ It added something to the record that we really didn’t have. It’s been a big hit with the people that have heard it so far.”

When asked his favorite Diffie song, Aldean didn’t miss a beat. “I would have to say ‘Home,’” he replies, referring to the singer’s first number one hit from 1990.

Aldean says while he hasn’t talked to Diffie specifically about the song, the singer seems to like it. Should it become a single, Aldean would love to involve him in it. “I would love to have Joe make a cameo in the video. I think it would be cool,” Aldean says, though he does issue a good-natured warning to the singer. “But if he participates, I don’t want him to be clean cut, like he is now. I want him to be 1990s, full-mullet Diffie. He needs to grow his hair out a little bit,” he says with a smile.

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January 2013 • athometn.com | 59

cuisine

chef ryan Trimm

SWEET GRASS IN MEMPHIS TEXT BY LaTifa NEwBiLL | PhoTos courTEsY of swEET grass rEsTauraNT

Sweet Grass restaurant in the Cooper-Young community of midtown Memphis is a chic, Lowcountry fare eatery with a laid-back atmosphere that has left critics buzzing. Ryan Trimm, executive chef and co-owner of Sweet Grass and its adjacent sibling eatery aptly named Next Door, lived for a while and trained in Charleston, S.C. We asked Chef Trimm about his food philosophy, his favorite dishes and his inspiration for bringing Sweet Grass’s Lowcountry goodness to Memphians.

At Home Tennessee: What was the inspiration for the name Sweet Grass?

Ryan Trimm: The cuisine we serve is based off of the Lowcountry cuisine, Charleston and surrounding areas. Sweet grass grows all around the sands and marsh of this area on the Atlantic coast.

60 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

AHT: Could you describe Sweet Grass? What are constantly trying to develop new dishes while also maintaining consistency with the was your impetus for opening it? old classics.

RT: Once I left Charleston and moved back to Memphis, I knew I wanted to open a restaurant AHT: Many of the items on the menu are that showcased what I had experienced and Southern classics with a big twist. How did you learned over the past three years. It was just a come up with the ideas for fare? matter of picking the right location and making all of my thoughts reality.

RT: I knew from the start that I wanted to build a foundation on primarily Lowcountry and Southern favorites. As far as the twist on AHT: What is your food philosophy? each of them, I’d have to go back to my answer RT: Food has been around for a long time. Just on food philosophy. We know the importance about everything that we do in our kitchen has of showing our guests new dishes with their been done before in some fashion or another, old favorites. We opened Next Door, our so we have to be creative and make sure that accompanying bar and eatery, to give our spin people taste and experience something unique. on bar food and expand our types of cuisine.

And if they are ordering an old favorite, it is even harder to live up to the expectation that AHT: Who (or what) is your greatest culinary made them enjoy the dish the first time. We influence?

RT: I would say everyone I have had the opportunity to work with has rubbed off on me in some way. However, if I am picking the most influential I would say Frank Lee. I worked for Chef Lee the entire time I was in Charleston. He not only taught me how to find the right flavors and creativity in a kitchen, but he also set an example for the kind of person I wanted to mature to be. He is a driven chef that constantly puts his heart and soul into everything he does, but he is caring to his employees. He would always be there for us no matter what we needed. I have always respected the way he runs his kitchens and appreciate everything he taught me.

AHT: Is there any food that you wouldn’t eat under any circumstance?

RT: I’ll try anything, and not just once, but over and over again. I want to like everything, but it’s hard. We all have different palates and we all appreciate different things. I am not a fan of mussels; I keep ordering them and trying to like them, but I am not in love with the flavor. But millions of people think I’m crazy and they are probably right, so I will keep ordering mussels.

AHT: What is your favorite dish and why?

RT: My Nonnie’s capelettis are still the most cherished dish through everything I have eaten. They are small ravioli-like pasta; she stuffed them with asiago cheese and chicken and would serve them in chicken broth with shaved parmesan. They obviously have some sentimental value, but were also super tasty.

AHT: Sweet Grass has received wonderful reviews from customers and critics alike, and it’s become a culinary gem of sorts since its inception. Did you expect this reaction?

RT: Definitely not. I expected to be the neighborhood place where you could just walk up and join us without needing a reservation on a Friday night. That actually backfired on me, but we adapted and overcame. The Cooper-Young community and Midtown have been great to us. We have so many regulars that we see every week and have built so many great relationships.

We are very humbled and grateful to be surrounded by so many wonderful neighbors and friends.

January 2013 • athometn.com | 61

technology

CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION AND

Home Electronics TEXT BY SCOTT FUELLING, PRESIDENT, PHOENIX UNEQUALED HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Many of our customers are involved in a custom construction project in one form or another. Maybe it is the construction of a new home, specifically designed to meet their needs. Perhaps it is an addition or remodel, updating space for a growing family or in some cases, changing floor plans as empty nesters.

In any event, there are many decisions to be made, finishes and furnishings to select and ultimately, money to spend.

It should come as no surprise that, in most cases, custom electronics for the home are overlooked in favor of all of the other items fighting for homeowners’ attention and budget during the construction process. However, I need to explain why in the long run this is a bad idea.

Now, I am not saying you have to give up a large portion of your budget for home electronics, but I am going to explain some things you should definitely consider during the construction process. After all, proper planning prevents… Well, you get the idea.

Regardless of the type of custom construction you are executing, there are considerations that make good sense. For example, it is always smart to have a properly engineered infrastructure installed. This provides pathways for computer 62 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

networking, WiFi, audio/video distribution, security, communication and even theaters or media rooms. A very cost-effective solution on the front end, this allows you to decide how and when to implement technology at a later date.

plan accordingly for what you not only need today, but for what you may want to do in the future.

Once you have determined what you are interested in accomplishing, the infrastructure can be designed and installed and you are ready to go. I bet you are asking, "what’s next?" Well… it is time to prioritize. If you are fortunate enough to not have to stick to a budget, you can work with your provider to finalize system designs and hardware selection.

Then, once construction is complete, your systems can be installed and you can start enjoying the technology. However, as a realist, I understand this is not always possible. If you do have to work within a budget, I highly recommend starting with security, computer networking and cable/satellite/telephone as the first completed systems. After that, other additions are entirely up to you.

All wiring infrastructures are not the same.

Different providers offer various levels of quality, performance and, most importantly, reliability. In other words, wire is not just wire. Integration professionals know what is needed today and where technology is headed in the foreseeable future. They provide wiring diagrams, certification documents for all wiring installed (ensuring connectivity and bandwidth are up to spec), properly label and terminate connections as well as practicing proper installation. Many can talk a good game, but I highly recommend obtaining references. I give out references often and always try to include one client whose job didn’t go as planned. You can learn a great Regardless of the size or scope of their custom deal about a company when you see how they construction work, I urge homeowners to handle obstacles. become active in this process. You need to understand what you are getting for your With today’s technology, you can pretty much money and what it will accomplish for you. A have anything you can dream of, especially if well-planned project will deliver reliability for you have a top firm handling the solution in a years to come. professional method. The infrastructure is the easy and inexpensive part, so make sure you Till next month…

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Rom ancing the

HOME TEXT BY LINDA BENTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE BOATMAN

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arriage experts often agree that “opposites attract” and perhaps no other couple exemplifies this statement more than Deb and Wayne Lowrey. The couple met in 2000 in Memphis when Deb was a young, single mother with two teen boys and Wayne was a confirmed bachelor with grown daughters and a successful security business.

Their “May-September” romance was not without challenges, but after a few years of dating, the couple decided to tie the knot. They wed in 2002.

“Before we married, Wayne had a beautiful home overlooking the lake in Southaven, Mississippi,” says Deb. “It only made sense to move into his home at the time.” The early years of “yours, mine and ours” magnified the couple’s differences when it came to decorating style. Wayne’s traditional style dominated the home’s mood, with neutral colors, leather and minimal accessories. Deb’s style was more spontaneous, colorful and even quirky at times. “I love flea markets, estate sales and antique stores because of the great trash-to-treasure pieces you can find,” Deb says. “But in the early years of our marriage, I had a hard time convincing Wayne that some old piece of reclaimed wood could actually become a design element in a room.” Busy with elderly parents and teaching full-time, Deb admits that she really didn’t have the time to devote to redecorating anyway. As time went on, she made a few changes to their Southaven residence, but Deb admits the home “never really felt like mine.”

On a sunny weekend in January 2006, Wayne convinced Deb to take a Sunday drive to a bedroom community about 30 minutes outside Memphis.

Wayne had heard about a new development featuring estate homes on large, lush lots and was curious to take a look. “I really thought we were just going for a Sunday drive,” recalls Deb. “But, it was practically ‘love at first sight’ for both of us when we first saw the quiet, pastoral landscape of the new development.” The following Monday, the couple was in the developer’s office signing the papers for a large, wooded lot. They chose builder Dave Moore after looking at a home he had recently completed in a nearby development.

“Dave’s work is amazing,” says Deb. “He brings passion to his work and it shows in the details.” In the business for more than 25 years, Dave Moore’s company is long known for quality construction of upscale homes. The company was recently recognized for their excellence in home building by the Memphis Area Home Builders Association (MAHBA). “I strive to bring high-quality work at a fair price to every home I build,” says Moore. “ January 2013 • athometn.com | 67

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The couple chose a spacious French country manor style for their new home design.

Generous in scale and finished in red brick and Arkansas mountain stone, the home creates a visually stunning first impression. “Dave was amazing to work with,” says Wayne. “By the end of the project, we had not only built a home, but built a relationship with him, as well.” Dave admits that throughout his career, he has often ended up on his clients’ party guest lists. “I always try to earn the trust and respect of my clients by focusing on the finished product and not the price per square foot. We always end up friends in the process.”

commissioned several pieces to enhance the home’s decor with color and interest. Salvaged stained glass adds color and interest to the staircase landing and to the transoms in the hearth room. A collection of old thermoses and globes, as well as a photo of Wayne’s great grandfather give the home a touch of history.

Deb’s affection for the French Quarter in “Expect the unexpected when you visit our New Orleans is reflected throughout the home,” laughs Deb. home. “New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the world,” she admits. “The music, Though opposites in style, the couple has the food, the gardens, the COLOR! It’s such a created a harmonious haven of comfort in vibrant city and I have tried to incorporate that their country estate home. “We absolutely love vibrant mood to our home.” While visiting our home and enjoy having friends and family the Big Easy, Deb has stumbled upon unique gather here’" says Deb. “Merging our two styles architectural elements and funky art which was not always easy, but I’m so glad I convinced she has added to the home’s decor. Deb also Wayne to step outside his comfort zone and says she likes to add a splash of turquoise to accept my love of color.” every room. “I sometimes question a color, or a rug or some ‘treasure’ Deb has found at a flea Seems love can conquer all—even when it market, but I’ve learned to trust her instincts. comes to his-and-her style differences!

My typical response is, ‘that’s what I was thinking!’” admits Wayne. built-ins and show-stopping tile work. Wayne admits he likes the combination of styles he and Deb have created in their new home. His traditional leather sofas and four-poster bed are balanced with Deb’s collection of antique accessories and art.

With the completion of the home in October 2007, the couple says they were tempted to start fresh with the home’s interior furnishings.

“My practical side wouldn’t let me do that,” admits Deb. “Our previous home was full of lovely furniture and I knew I could make it all work.” The end result more than works; it combines the best of traditional elements with unexpected pops of color and whimsy.

Architecturally, the home provides drama to Color is infused throughout the house in enhance the traditional furnishings, with its subtle and dramatic ways. The couple likes unique ceiling pitches, chunky beams, generous to support aspiring artists and they have

January 2013 • athometn.com | 69

design

INTERIOR DESIGN

ONLINE INTERVIEW BY JESSE MUCHMORE | PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOOM DECOR

72 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

Many people would love to hire an interior designer, but for most this is simply not feasible, whether due to time or budgetary constraints. To address this issue, online design firms are now beginning to fill the void and give the consumer more choices involving less time and money. At Home Tennessee talked with Jessa McIntosh of online design company Loom Décor to better understand this burgeoning market.

At Home Tennessee: How long has Loom Décor been in business?

Jessa McIntosh: We initially launched Loom Decor as a private beta site in February 2012 for family, friends and invitation-only invitees, and then in April of 2012 we opened the beta site to the public. We’re currently still in beta, which simply means we have a limited product mix and fabric library and are still making big improvements to the site.

However, we carry 25 products in three to five styles and over 150 designer-quality fabrics for clients to mix and match to create thousands of different combinations.

AHT: What motivated you to start an online design company?

JM: We believe everyone should have the opportunity to live in a home that expresses their unique style, that has the “je ne sais quoi” of the homes in magazines, that makes them smile when they open the door. But few people have the means to decorate such a home— the funds to hire an interior designer, the time and talents to do it themselves.

AHT: In what ways is online design unique and more affordable?

JM: Online design really empowers the end consumer, the homeowner, in ways previously not available. We see this as a big reason why DIY has become such a huge trend…so many more people feel they have the resources and guidance available to do it themselves, versus having to work with a professional or just pull a room out of a catalog. We think this is so exciting because it enables many more people to enjoy being a part of the decorating process.

What makes Loom more affordable is that we cut out a lot of the expensive markups and fees associated with full-service design. And we can do this because we bring so much of the process online — we collaborate on Pinterest, we design items in real time where consumer Scan see them immediately, we can offer fabric options online that would be really expensive to carry in a store — all of this translates to savings for the customer. Which we think is great… after all, our goal is that everyone should have access to a designer look.

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design

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AHT: What are the main advantages to using Loom Décor over hiring a traditional interior designer?

JM: Loom gives you access to the same designer-quality custom accents and designer fabrics the pros use to bring polish and personality to a room, but at a fraction of the cost. Plus, we offer complimentary design assistance, so there are no additional fees to help you pull a Loom look together. In all, with Loom you can get a designer look for 40 percent less than a traditional full-service designer.

One of the things our clients have told us they love most about Loom is that they are at the core of the design process…they get to have the fun designing. We empower our clients to do as much or as little of the design as they want. If you are a DIY type, you can go online and design everything yourself and know exactly what it will look like, while if you aren’t comfortable with design you can rely on your stylist to offer options. This is quite different from a traditional design process, where the client is involved [only] at various points to ensure the design is to their taste.

They often don’t get to be as involved in the actual “creative” part of the process…which is where a lot of the fun is!

AHT: What are the most popular design trends at the moment?

JM: People are having a lot more fun and being more relaxed with home design; getting away from staying too neutral. It used to be only designers would take such risks, but consumers are feeling more and more empowered to reflect their personalities in their space. We are especially seeing this in a preference for bright, bold colors much like what we’ve seen on the runway the past few seasons with everything from bright blue to kelly green to tangerine.

AHT: Are there any areas that are more difficult for clients to design than others?

JM: In a recent Loom survey, customers cited their number one hiccup as “coordinating colors and patterns.” Most people will gravitate to a certain color or pattern, but then aren’t sure what to do next. Sometimes this is on a single product, for example, if they are designing a reversible throw pillow or a duvet.

Or if a client is designing a whole bedroom look, they tend to be timid or downright paralyzed around how to best coordinate big and small patterns as well as complementary colors to really achieve that “magazine” look.

So our stylists add a lot of value in their ability to help clients mix and match patterns to pull together a beautiful, cohesive look.

January 2013 • athometn.com | 75

garden

Dieffenbachia’s common name, Dumbcane, comes from the fact that all its parts are poisonous. This is a good thing to research if you have children or pets.

Houseplant BASICS TEXT BY ANDY PULTE

If you haven’t done it already, it’s time to clean out the Christmas decorations. The hole left by items like a Christmas tree can make a house look empty. Maybe a houseplant can help fill the void. Here are a few tips and tricks to help get you started.

LIGHT: A good place to start when you are thinking about buying houseplants is to determine what light conditions you have available. Light tends to be a limiting factor in growing houseplants.

As a general rule of thumb, most interior plants grow best in bright, indirect light. This is not 76 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

a hard-and-fast rule; many plants can handle various light levels. Each room in your house has a little different light condition, so take some time to think about these conditions before picking out a plant.

direct sun and higher temperatures later in the afternoon. Lastly, a north-facing window should be reserved only for plants that need very little light.

For example, south-facing windows provide the greatest amount of light; this is amplified in the winter months. They make the perfect place for a plant that needs strong, direct light.

An east-facing window provides indirect sun most of the day. This can result in overall cooler temperatures for a plant. A westerly-facing window will typically give a plant indirect light in the morning and early afternoon, but strong

If you currently have houseplants that look leggy or have smaller off-colored leaves, they may be suffering from too little light.

If a plant gets overexposed to light, leaves may look sunburned, bleached or scorched.

Overexposed plants can also have yellowing leaves. If you have a plant suffering from one of these conditions, it might be time to find it a different window.

Cordyline is a beautiful foliage plant that can spend the winter inside your house and summer on a deck or porch.

TemperaTure: Not all houseplants are tropical but most commonly used tend to have a tropical or subtropical nature. This means they really prefer temperatures above 55°. If you choose a plant that is valued for its foliage it might prefer 65°-75°. Plants that are valued primarily for flowering like the same temperature during the day but prefer it slightly cooler at night. Whatever plant or plants you choose, just do your best to fit the recommended temperature requirements into your lifestyle.

WaTering: Even though different species of houseplants have their own water requirements, knowing a few basics about watering can help. One of the things that is challenging about caring for plants in general is that the symptoms of over-watering and under-watering are almost identical. Both can result in off-colored, yellowing, droopy leaves. Because of the changing conditions in your house, it is not ideal or practical to water houseplants on a set schedule. The very best way to tell if a plant needs water is to feel the soil. When the top inch of soil in the pot has dried out, it is time to apply water. Make sure your plants have pots that allow water to flow out of the bottom into a saucer. Wait 20 minutes or so after you water a plant, then remove any standing water in the saucer. This will help reduce the likelihood of overwatering.

January 2013 • athometn.com | 77

garden

IN BLOOM: Plant of the Month: Small anise tree TEXT BY JERAN GUFFEY AND ANDY PULTE

78 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

For a bright and showy winter shrub, you can’t beat ‘Florida Sunshine.’ The cultivar is a member of the species Illicium parviflorum, also known as small anise tree or Ocala yellow star.

Introduced by distinguished plantsman Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina, Florida Sunshine features unique chartreuse leaves that distinguish this small-leaf anise from others. The foliage all but glows in shady areas, and in the fall the color changes to a bright yellow gold while the leaf petioles and stems turn a contrasting scarlet red. Both provide for nothing less than a brilliant show of color in sometimes dull fall and winter landscapes.

Another great feature of this plant is that has a wonderful licorice scent. Although they are not notably showy, white flowers accent the gold foliage in late spring. Florida Sunshine exhibits cold hardiness in Zones 6-9.

Florida Sunshine is a vigorous specimen, growing to be a dense shrub measuring six to eight feet tall by four to six feet wide. Winter shade is recommended to reduce leaf burn, and wet soils result in the fastest growth habit, although the plant is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Left alone by deer, it is a good choice for a woodland setting or for foundation plantings, mixed borders, evergreen screens or even decorative containers.

Florida Sunshine looks great year round, but it especially glows on a gray winter day! When mature, this small anise tree can be a bright garden focal point.

Dr. Sue Hamilton is on the faculty in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences and also serves as Director of the UT Gardens. The University of Tennessee Gardens located in Knoxville and Jackson are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. See utgardens. tennessee.edu and westtennessee.tennessee.edu/ ornamentals for more information.

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entertaining

84 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

chef ’s corner

Photo by Bagwell Macy PR

A HEALTHY CORE FOR THE

New Year

TEXT BY CHARLES PHILLIPS EXECUTIVE CHEF OF 1808 GRILLE AT HUTTON HOTEL, NASHVILLE

By the time our little article is in your hands, the dust will have settled from the holiday season. I sincerely hope it was joyous and abundant.

Doing my best to stay healthy is one of my personal mission statements — eating well and exercising. At this time of year the gyms get full and home exercise equipment sales soar turning the calendar page to a new year sparks motivation in many of us to get back on track, fitness-wise. I, like you, had a very busy holiday season and may have had the tires in the dirt a bit (poor eating choices and scant exercise).

I have been fortunate enough to work with The National Foundation for Cancer Research and to present some healthy food options.

Through that work I have learned that the evidence on the prevention side of the coin is amazing. We really can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes in a significant way just by adjusting our diet.

I have provided a recipe for a green juice to get you out the door in the morning and our halibut dish for dinner.

Enjoy!

All my best, EAT WELL & BE WELL — CP

GREEN JUICE Serves 2

INGREDIENTS: • 1 green apple • 1 carrot • 2 cups spinach or kale • 1 lemon, peeled, cut in four • 1 small knob peeled ginger, chopped • 4-5 ice cubes • 1 cup water Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and puree until smooth

MOROCCAN HALIBUT Serves 4

INGREDIENTS: • Moroccan spice or a curry blend • 4 6-ounce portions of halibut FOR THE SAUCE: (Chermoula Labne) • 2 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1/2 Tbsp. paprika • 1/2 Tbsp. cumin • 1/2 tsp. ginger • pinch cayenne • juice of half a lime • 12 oz. labne or Greek yogurt Mix and season.

FOR THE GARNISH: Make a mixture of chopped dried figs and apricots (reconstituted in water for a few minutes), marcona almonds and watercress.

METHOD: Dust the fish with the spice mix and sear in a non-stick pan with a little oil. If the fish is thick you can finish cooking it in the oven. Be careful not to overcook.

ASSEMBLE: With a spoon or palette knife pull the labne sauce across the plate. Place the halibut on top. Place the garnish on top of the halibut.

January 2013 • athometn.com | 87

cooking

CONVENIENTLY HEALTHY with April McKinney

NEW YEAR – NEW FARE The beginning of a new year brings a fresh start and a new opportunity to reach our fitness goals and establish healthy eating habits. I have learned over the years that in order to really stick with these goals we have to change things up by using fun recipes and fun workouts. One can only eat steamed broccoli and grilled chicken so much before a burger and fries are in order. However, by putting a healthy spin on some favorite comfort foods, healthy eating may not be so bad!

One of the ways that we can really make a difference in our health is by eating more fish and less red meat. As a native Southerner, fried fish has always been a favorite of mine, so I decided to come up with an “oven fried” fish recipe that is pretty close to the real thing, without all the calories. It is a fairly simple recipe, and much easier to clean up after than actual deep-frying. I serve this with a quick and easy light tartar sauce, because you have to use tartar sauce with fried fish, right?

To go alongside our crispy fish, I made a delicious Quinoa Pilaf. If you haven’t tried quinoa yet, it is a pretty amazing whole grain. As easy as rice to prepare, quinoa is actually full of protein. For this recipe I added a few veggies and lemon juice which gives it lots of flavor.

These recipes show that healthy food can “hit the spot” and satisfy those cravings. For more comfort food made healthy, visit www.AprilMcKinney.com.

CAJUN CORNMEAL CRUSTED FISH INGREDIENTS: • 4 6-oz filets of red snapper (or any firm white fish such as grouper or cod) • 2 eggs • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce • ¼ cup all-purpose flour • ¼ cup yellow cornmeal • ½ tsp. salt • ¼ tsp. pepper • 2 tsp. Cajun seasoning • Cooking spray

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400˚. Place a cooking rack on a baking sheet and spray with

nonstick cooking spray.

2. Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper.

3. Mix together egg and Worcestershire sauce in a shallow bowl then mix

together flour, cornmeal and Cajun seasoning in another bowl.

4. Dip fish in egg mixture then dredge in flour mixture, then place on the rack.

Once all fish pieces are coated, spray evenly with cooking spray.

5. Bake for 22 minutes.

TARTAR SAUCE INGREDIENTS: • ¼ cup light mayo • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce • 2 tsp. spicy mustard • 1 ½ Tbsp. capers, roughly chopped • Pinch of salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS: Mix all ingredients together and serve with fish.

LEMONY QUINOA PILAF INGREDIENTS: • ¼ onion, chopped • ¼ cup bell pepper, chopped (any color) • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock (may substitute water) • 1 cup quinoa • 1 lemon, juiced • ¼ cup green onions, chopped • 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil • ½ tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS:

88 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

1. Heat a medium saucepan to medium high heat and add 1 Tbsp. of oil, white onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until veggies are softened.

2. Add quinoa and stir to coat in oil, then add chicken broth and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cover for 15 minutes, until all liquid is absorbed.

3. After quinoa is cooked add green onions, lemon juice and remaining Tbsp. of oil. Stir and serve.

MARKETPLACE

90 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

finance

YOUNG ADULTS AND NEWLYWEDS BE INFORMED BUYERS

TEXT BY ALAN DOYLE, INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL, CLAY & LAND INSURANCE, INC.

There are many important decisions that young adults need to consider, and life insurance should rank in the top 10. Be an informed consumer and build a professional relationship with a trusted agent for advice on the right product for your situation. Your agent will be there for you when needed through life’s changes. It may be very easy to shop online for cheap rates, but make sure you are gettting quality service. You do not want your spouse, children or other designated beneficiary to have to deal with a stranger over the phone at the other end of a toll-free number in case they have to make a claim. Ensure you have someone who can an assist your family in their time of need and throughout your lifetime.

A few things to consider when choosing the amount of life insurance you should purchase are: current income; your mortgage amount; and the number of dependents who rely on your income for their standard of living. The main purpose of life insurance is to replace the insured person’s income that would be lost due to their untimely death. To help determine the face value of your policy, you should consider 10 times your annual income as a good rule of thumb for a starting point. Most life insurance companies will issue up to 20 times a person’s annual income with the most routine financial disclosures on a standard application.

The amount of your mortgage or the mortgage you want to apply for certainly needs to be figured into the equation, as well.

Mortgage lenders are now incorporating the amount of life insurance that you own into the qualifications for a new home loan. You want to be prepared with proof of coverage in force to go along with other financial documents when needed. If you purchase your life insurance when you’re young, it will be less expensive than in any other time of your life. You can work with your local agent for coverage revisions or additional coverage when needed. Life changes such as marriage, birth of children, change of employment or substantial increases in income call for reviewing life insurance from time to time.

coverage to pay claims for roof damage on an “actual cash value” basis (ACV) instead of replacement cost. ACV means that to have your roof replaced due to hail or wind damage, the roof will be depreciated for the number of years it has been in place and you may incur substantial out-of-pocket expense. You may want to consider choosing a company that still writes replacement cost coverage on your home’s roof. If you don’t know to ask, the subject may never come up.

Cost is important when buying a homeowner’s policy, but proper coverage for your home and situation should be the first concern. Being an informed buyer and using the professional services in your area can go a long way in the long run.

Some major changes have taken place in the insurance industry recently that your agent can address with you in person. Shopping for home and auto coverage can be very complicated, and the cheapest rates seldom mean the most appropriate coverage for your situation.

Consult with your local agent to help find the right insurance company for you to include earthquake coverage in your homeowners’ protection.

Many of the large, brand-name insurance companies are also changing their policy January 2013 • athometn.com | 91

January

happenings

SUN

MON

TUES 1

Dec. 31-January 1 First Night Knoxville 2013 Downtown Knoxville

WED

THUR

2

3

9

10

Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Pruning Basics Memphis Botanic Garden 901.636.4100

January 10-13 Rock the Boat 2013 Nashville Boat and Sportshow Nashville Convention Center 502.957.1666

www.firstnightknoxville.com

January 1-27 Memphis Zoo on Ice 901.333.6500 www.memphiszoo.org

6

7

8

Acrylic Still Life with Chantel Memphis Botanic Garden 901.636.4128 www.chantelsoriginals.com

Jackson Photography Club Monthly Meeting “The Lodge” Gander Mountain, Jackson

www.memphisbotanicgarden.com

www.nashvilleboatshow.com

mlluckey@hotmail.com

13 Wedding Dresses Through the Decades Exhibit Open House Oaklands Historic House Museum, Murfreesboro 615.893.0022

14 January 14-18 Homeschool Academy Memphis Zoo 901.333.6765

Dinner Entertainment

by Casey Jones Barbershop Chorus Old Country Store, Jackson 731.234.0360

www.memphiszoo.org

www.caseyjones.com/ oldcountrystore

www.oaklandsmuseum.org

20

27

15

21

28

22

16 Jan 15-16 Caterpillar Club Memphis Botanic Garden 901.636.4122 www.memphisbotanicgarden.com

23

17 Small Garden Design with Tom Pellett Memphis Botanic Garden 901.636.4128 www.memphisbotanicgarden.com

24

January 22-27 Catch Me If You Can Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville 615.782.4000

January 24-Feb. 10 Don’t Tell Me I Can’t Fly Nashville Children’s Theatre 615.252.4675

www.patron.tpac.org

www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org

29

30 Lula Washington Dance Theatre The Orpheum Theatre, Memphis 901.525.3000 www.orpheum-memphis.com

92 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

New Horizons Art Exhibit The Ned, Jackson 731.425.8397 January 3-9 Elvis Birthday Celebration Graceland 800.238.2000

31 Small Garden Design with Tom Pellett Memphis Botanic Garden 901.636.4128 www.memphisbotanicgarden.com

To submit an event to be included in At Home Tennessee Happenings, please email editorial@athometn.com

FRI 4

SAT 5 3-9

11 January 11-12 West Side Story Historic Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville 865.684.1200

Elvis Birthday Celebration

11-12

12

West Side Story

Norris Dam 12K Challenge Norris Dam State Park, Lake City 865.426.7461

www.tennesseetheatre.com

18 Black Jacket Symphony Tivoli Theatre, Chattanooga www.chattanooga.gov

19

Heidi Roxy Regional Theatre, Clarksville

www.roxyregionaltheatre.org

Titanic’s 3rd Annual Professional Ice Carving Competition Titanic Museum Attraction, Pigeon Forge www.titanicpigeonforge.com

25

26

19

Titanic’s 3rd Annual Professional Ice Carving Competition

January 2013 • athometn.com | 93

roadtrip

4TH ANNUAL

30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL IN FLORIDA TexT by TrAcy LOuTHAin

It’s the time of year when Tennesseans plan to make their way to the beaches of the Florida panhandle to take part in the annual 30A Songwriters Festival during Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend, Jan. 18-20. Intimate venues, personal stories, late-night jam sessions and powerful performances are some of the magical moments the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) creates for musichungry audiences along Scenic Highway 30A in South Walton each year. Growing as one of the premier festivals of its kind in the country, the three-day event features some of today’s most prolific songwriters.

“The 30A Songwriters Festival has quickly gained a reputation among musicians as a forum for true songwriters to perform their self-penned songs as well as for established performers to showcase their original compositions,” says Russell Carter, festival chair and producer and owner of Russell Carter Artist Management. “We book artists with diverse musical styles. Our emphasis is the art of the song.”

The festival features 125 musicians and more than 200 performances in 25 venues, ranging from intimate listening rooms to spacious outdoor amphitheaters. Representing diverse styles ranging from folk and country to rock and blues, the 2013 lineup features nationally acclaimed talent including co-headliners Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith, Mary 94 | At Home Tennessee • January October 2013 2012

Chapin Carpenter, Jeffrey Steele, Suzanne visual reminder of the unforgettable stories, heartfelt lyrics and powerful vocals experienced Vega and Fastball. at the festival.

Popular songwriters including Will Kimbrough, Tift Merritt, Allison Moorer, Between performances, attendees enjoy Charlie Mars, Eliza Gilkyson, Freedy Johnston, shopping at area galleries and boutiques as Randall Bramblett, Chuck Cannon, The well as dining at the many award-winning Shadowboxers, Melissa Ferrick, Joe Leathers, restaurants and outdoor cafes.

Kyle Jacobs, Kim Richey, Gretchen Peters, Brigitte DeMeyer, Pete Sallis, Tommy Womack New for 2013, festival organizers are and Vicki Peterson will also participate in this adding a film component and will screen the documentary film Duke & the King. Part year’s event. documentary, part concert film, Duke & The “I can honestly say that the 30A Songwriters King reveals the compelling story of Elvis Festival is the most well run and most fun Presley’s former bass player, Duke Bardwell, festival I have played,” says Memphis native one of the great unheralded talents in American Joe Leathers. “The fans are enthusiastic and music. The film made its world premiere true fans of the song. The staff is bend-over- earlier this year on the indie film circuit at backwards helpful and the hospitality is over the Nashville Film Festival, screened before a packed house at Birmingham’s Sidewalk Film the top.”

Festival in August, and won “Favorite Feature” With performance venues up and down at the recent SoAl Film Festival in Mobile.

Highway 30A, the festival is complemented

by South Walton’s relaxed coastal atmosphere Proceeds from the 30A Songwriters and charming beachside neighborhoods. From Festival benefit the CAA and help fulfill Santa Rosa Beach to Rosemary Beach, each its mission to support the arts in Walton venue is unique and features a South Walton County. Festival weekend passes are now artist-designed backdrop at each stage. Many available for $150 and can be purchased of South Walton’s Artists of the Year, including online at 30asongwritersfestival.com. More Andy Saczynski (2013), Allison Wickey information on the 2013 event, including a (2011) and Michael McCarty (2009) have full list of artists, venues, accommodations created some of the musically-inspired works packages and how to purchase tickets, is also of art which will be featured on this year’s available on the website. commemorative t-shirts. Each piece creates a

sources 30 | At Home With: Special thanks to Jeanne Dudley Smith and Amanda Eidson

35 | Weddings: Sarah Pierrepont Matthews & Joey Pietrangelo Additional vendors: Moonshine Lighting — www.moonshinelightinginc.com Classic Party Rentals — memphis.classicpartyrentals.com

60 | Cuisine: www.sweetgrass.com 901.278.0278

62 | Technology: www.phoenixcommcorp.com

64 | Home Feature: Photographer — Mike Boatman Builder — David Moore, http://davidmooreconstruction.com Special thanks to Deb and Wayne Lowrey

62 | Design: Special thanks to Loom Décor — www.loomdecor.com January 2013 • athometn.com | 97

books

ESSENTIAL WINTERTIME NOVELS TEXT BY SHANA RALEY-LUSK

If those dreary, overcast January days have you feeling a bit on the dismal side, a captivating new read is the perfect remedy for the wintertime blues. Add a crackling fire and a cup of tea and you might just have the recipe for a flawless winter afternoon.

Yankee Doodle Dixie by Lisa Patton: If you are ever in need of a good laugh, reach for Lisa Patton’s latest novel which also happens to be the sequel to her delightful debut Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter. In Yankee Doodle Dixie, we find Patton’s heroine Leelee on the brink of major changes which include a move home to the South after a tumultuous period in Vermont has left her with new circumstances.

Filled with characters that will make you laugh until you cry, this book is Southern charm at its best.

the past to life with the warm tale of solitary Ivorie Walker and her unlikely discovery of a young feral boy living in the hills near her home. As her curiosity and concern for the seemingly neglected child lead her on a path of secrets, Ivorie becomes the talk of her town. A resident of Franklin, bestselling author Donna VanLiere has crafted an enthralling tale of hope, love and healing that is ultimately inspiring.

The Good Dream is a beautifully captivating Southern story.

The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin: The debut novel of 31-year-old Amanda Coplin, The Orchardist is the powerful story of Talmade, an isolated soul who lives in the Pacific Northwest at the turn of the last century. He has led a solitary life in the orchards to this point. But when two mysterious girls arrive, Talmade’s life is forever changed by the past that they bring The Good Dream by Donna VanLiere: Set in with them. Clear, passionate, and wrought 1950’s East Tennessee, The Good Dream brings with intensity, The Orchardist is a novel that 98 | At Home Tennessee • January 2013

you will be unable to walk away from for even a moment.

The Great Pearl Heist by Molly Caldwell Crosby: Valued at up to $21 Million, the pale pink strand of pearls known as the Mayer Pearls is at the center of the action in this captivating account of one of the greatest jewelry heists in history. Through her many hours of tireless research, Crosby brings to life 1913 London and draws readers into the underworld of the city and its gang of thieves. Prepare to be mesmerized by a story in which history takes center stage and an impossible crime is captured in vivid detail.

Expertly crafted characters add to the book’s authentic feel.

entertaining