Columbia Home & Garden - Spring 2009

Kitchen Renovation Interior DĂŠcor Exteriors & Landscaping SPRING 2009

$3.95 USA ColumbiaHG.com

BLOW AWAY THEM

TYPICAL RESULTS NOT EXPECTED

LORRI-ANN President & CEO

ALICIA Account Manager

SAM Senior Copy Editor

GRANT Art Director

MATT Creative Director

803.779.4005 • WWW.CARTERTODD.COM 1233 WASHINGTON ST., SUITE 101 • COLUMBIA, SC 29201

COVER STORY 30 19

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Cover

photo by

John Wrightenberry

A Vision of Functionality – updating the kitchen of a classic older home

FEATURES

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A Touch of Class – home interior décor advice

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Creating Street Appeal – enhancing the visual impression of your home’s exterior

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Closing the Deal for You – Chip Kreps defines a REALTOR®’s place in our community

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Columbia Cooks

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Groove with a Springtime Menu – Chef Fatback blends his music with his cooking

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Columbia’s Good Life

Artista Vista – annual gallery crawl during the last weekend of April

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A Masterpiece Collection Visits Columbia – Columbia Museum of Art exhibit March 6 – June 7

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Main Street Marketplace – Fridays on Boyd Plaza during May and June

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Urban Tour – Main Street’s self-guided walking tour on May 7

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DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Notebook & Staff Contributors Artist Notes Showcase of Homes Back Page

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EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK

STAFF Publisher

Lorri-Ann Carter Editor Jennifer Soliday

Carter

Advertising Director

Alicia Morgan Art Director

Grant Hughes Creative Director Matt Hudson

elcome to Columbia Home & Garden, our exciting new publication that showcases the way we live in Columbia: our homes and our environments.

In this first issue, we place special focus on the local real estate market in an interview with Chip Kreps.

Chip is Executive Vice President of the Central Carolina REALTORS® Association, and he talks about the members of his association and how they fit into the community.

Whether your house is currently on the market or you are just thinking of improving the exterior of your home, “Creating Street Appeal” details advice from the experts on how to update the exterior of your home, sometimes accomplished by simply planting new shrubbery and adding new sod, but often requiring more: changing paint colors, exterior finishes, dressing up entryways, and adding hardscape materials. We show some local examples of these kinds of improvements.

We offer advice on improving the interior décor of a home in “A Touch of Class.” Long considered a means to express taste and sometimes show off beautiful art and furnishings, dressing a home is now in the forefront in our competitive home sales market. We offer staging advice and examples.

We also include Columbia Cooks, featuring one of Columbia’s local chefs, and Artist Notes, which presents a local artist’s work.

Our cover story features a local renovation project: the makeover of a kitchen in a classic older home, “A Vision of Functional Elegance.”

In Columbia’s Good Life, we highlight some of the exciting events that are taking place in and around Columbia, events that help make this a great place to live. Our first issue includes the exhibit, “Turner to Cézanne: Masterpieces from the Davies Collection, National Museum Wales” at the Columbia Museum of Art, the Downtown Marketplace, the Urban Tour, and Artista Vista.

We hope you enjoy our magazine. Welcome to our first issue.

Contributing Photographer

John Wrightenberry Contributing Writers Sam Morton William Thrift

www.columbiaHG.com

Visit us on the Internet for additional information, including links to our advertisers, subscription information, writers’ guidelines, and advertising opportunities. ©MMIX Columbia Home & Garden, LLC. All rights reserved. No part may be reprinted without written permission from the publisher. Columbia Home & Garden is published quarterly for Columbia Home & Garden, LLC by CarterTodd & Associates, Inc., 1233 Washington Street, Suite 101, Columbia, SC 29201.

Subscribe to Columbia Home & Garden magazine at the introductory price of $12 for a oneyear subscription. Each issue will be mailed to your home or office. Send check to Columbia Home & Garden, PO Box 50145, Columbia, SC 29250, or visit us online at www.columbiaHG.com to use credit card.

The editors welcome unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. Please visit us online at www. columbiaHG.com for submission guidelines, or e-mail us at editorial@columbiaHG.com.

Jennifer Soliday Carter 6

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A graduate of The Citadel, Sam Morton is the co-author of four fiction anthologies, author of a collection of short stories and poems, and author of a novel. A former editor of two regional business magazines and currently a contributing writer for Columbia Home & Garden, Morton also writes non-fiction for local businesses.

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Known for his rare blend of personality and talent, John Wrightenberry’s manner of putting his clients at ease and his natural artistic ability is evident in every image he captures.

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o l u m b i a’ s

G o o d

L i f e

Artista Vista eginning in 1991, artists and art lovers alike in the Columbia area have enjoyed Artista Vista, an annual gallery crawl held during the last weekend of April. Located in the Congaree Vista arts and entertainment district, Artista Vista is always an exciting addition to everyone’s calendar. This year’s event kicks off with art night on Thursday, April 23, from 4 to 9, and continues on Friday April 24, during regular gallery hours, and Saturday April 25, from 10 to 4. The schedule of participating galleries is available at www.artistavista.com. Photos are from last year’s event and were provided by Deirdre Mardon, Executive Director of the Congaree Vista Guild.

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Pierre-Auguste Renoir, La Parisienne, 1874, Oil on canvas

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m’ b a’ o s o Gd o L o id f eL i f e o l u o m lb ui a s i G

Vincent van Gogh, Rain-Auvers, 1890, Oil on canvas

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MASTERPIECE COLLECTION VISITS COLUMBIA By

William Thrift outh Carolina’s premier international art museum, the Columbia Museum of Art, will be the first of only five U.S. venues to host a remarkable group of 19th-and early 20th-century paintings from the National Museum Wales, known for having one of the finest Impressionist art collections in Europe. Turner to Cézanne: Masterpieces from the Davies Collection, National Museum Wales, opens on March 6th and will run through June 7th. The exhibition, organized jointly by the American Federation of Arts and National Museum Wales, is made possible in Columbia by the Blanchard family.

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Claude Monet, Waterlillies, 1906, Oil on canvas

Camille Pissarro, Point Neuf Snow Effect, 1902, Oil on canvas

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Columbia Museum of Art patrons will have the opportunity to view masterpieces by, among others, Cézanne, Corot, van Gogh, Monet, Daumier, Manet, Millet, Pissarro, Renoir, Turner, and Whistler. The works will be arranged and displayed to emphasize their significance to the major art movements of the time.

Highlights of the exhibition include Renoir’s La Parisienne, which was included in the first show of Impressionism in 1874, Monet’s Waterlillies, and van Gogh’s Rain-Auvers, which was painted during the last week of the artist’s life.

Turner to Cézanne reveals the evolution of modern art from mimesis, the imitation of reality, through the stylistic innovations of the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements. The exhibition begins with influential examples, such as The Storm (ca. 1840-45), of late works by British master J.M.W. Turner. These pieces reveal his revolutionary departure from the traditional style of his time to a more non-representational style, causing the viewer to feel, rather than simply see, the topics in his work. Works by Monet, including Charing Cross Bridge (1902), reveal innovations in brushstroke and palette, attributable to Monet’s study of Turner’s interpretations of color and light.

Led by Camille Corot of the Barbizon School in France, painters began leaving their studios to seek a closer experience with their subjects, painting en plein air (in open air).

This radical approach is evident in Corot’s Distant View of Corbeil (ca.

1870). The Barbizon painters also departed from classical and Biblical subjects to favor landscapes and scenes of modern life ushering in the Impressionist movement. columbiaHG.com

Cézanne’s Provençal Landscape (ca. 1887) and The François Zola Dam (ca. 1877-88), as well as van Gogh’s panoramic Rain-Auvers (1890) complete the exhibition by providing examples of the transition to PostImpressionism.

The 53 works showcased in Turner to Cézanne are part of a larger collection bequeathed to National Museum Wales by sisters Gwendoline and Margaret Davies. The Davies sisters established their legacy as pioneers of modern art by concentrating their collection on French and English art Columbia Home & Garden

from the period of around 1850 to 1914. They initially favored Turner, Barbizon landscapes, and academic genre paintings, but later began acquiring more progressive works representative of the Impressionists.

Key purchases of masterpieces by Renoir, van Gogh, and Cézanne prove that they studied and understood the major art movements of their time. Art patrons from around the Southeast are fortunate to benefit from the Columbia Museum of Art’s presentation of this unique H&G collection.

Paul Cézanne, The François Zola Dam, ca.

1877-78

Oil on canvas

All images courtesy of American Federation of Arts.

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o l u m b i a’ s

G o o d

L i f e

Main Street Marketplace he Main Street Marketplace is an open-air market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, handmade and unique arts and crafts, and much more. City Center Partnership, the non-profit organization that manages South Carolina’s only managed Business Improvement District in the 36-block

area of downtown Columbia bounded

by Gervais, Elmwood, Assembly and Marion Streets, produces the event in an effort to bring more people to the downtown area; so that they can experience firsthand what downtown has to offer, including the many restaurants and retail outlets. The marketplace is a free event and open to all ages.

The spring marketplace will be held every Friday starting May 1

through June 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the Columbia Museum of Art’s Boyd Plaza at the corner of Main and Hampton Streets in downtown Columbia. The Main Street Marketplace will also be held every Friday in the fall during September and October and a holiday market on the first Friday in H&G December.

Visitors take advantage of

City Center Partnership’s free shuttle service.

Main Street Marketplace visitors enjoy an outdoor lunch.

Boyd Plaza offers the perfect space for the

Main Street

Marketplace.

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o l u m b i a’ s

G o o d

L i f e

2nd Annual Urban Tour

Celebrating Shopping, Dining and Culture in Downtown Columbia he 2nd Annual Urban Tour will take place on Thursday, May 7, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. along Main Street in downtown Columbia.

Urban Tour is a free event for the whole family, showcasing all that Columbia’s downtown has to offer. The self-guided walking tour includes special offers and giveaways from retailers, live entertainment, a glimpse into downtown living and the stories behind some of our historic buildings as well as plenty of FREE food and drinks including beer with valid ID. “Urban Tour is a great way to show

650 S. Edisto Avenue Columbia, SC 29205

people why they should spend time downtown during the day and after 5 for shopping and entertainment,” said Matt Kennell, CEO of the City Center Partnership which hosts the event.

“With around 1500 attendees in 2007, it was evident we had to bring this event back to downtown Columbia this year. Combining a walking tour with the elements of a street fair

seemed a perfect fit for an event that celebrates the growth and vitality of our Main Street community.”

Businesses along the tour will keep their doors open late for the event. Free shuttle and horse carriage rides are available from 5 to 9pm to assist pedestrians.

The event will take place rain or shine with the entertainment adaptable to street performances or inside designated buildings throughout the tour.

For more information, please visit www.citycentercolumbia.sc. H&G

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Phone 803.929.0038 Fax 803.252.0668

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Artist Notes

Robert Urban, Not Like the Roses 2008

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Mixed Media on Paper

long with its positive growth for the community, the impact of a new subdivision without proper planning could have a negative impact on nature and the environment. This juxtaposition is depicted by artist Robert Urban, who has created “Not Like the Roses� as a result of having

Columbia Home & Garden Columbia Home & Garden

read an article about the disappearance of songbirds from developing neighborhoods. Urban grew up in the Columbia area and graduated from the University of South Carolina. His work is being handled locally at City Art Gallery, in Greenville at Catherine Hayes Fine Art, and in Asheville at MG Fine Art . To learn more about this artist and see more of his work, visit his H&G website: theurbanartstudio.com.

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Interior of the 2008 Parade of Homes entry of Zeigler Home Builders. Interior design is by LTI Designs.

All photos in this article are of this home.

A Touch of Class Home Décor Advice

By Sam Morton

arm and inviting — that’s the mantra of every interior designer. Whether your house is a luxury showplace on the lake, a roomy ranch-style full of kids, or a cozy retirement bungalow, it is above all else a home. While the majority of us know how to make the couch match the drapes, when we really 18

want some pop and flair or even just some subtle, homey touches, it’s often time to call in a professional.

If you want your home’s interior design to reflect your family’s tastes and have a touch of elegance, too, interior designer Pam Wichlei, owner of LTI Designs, offers some sage advice. While South Carolina has a number of fine designers with fabulous pedigrees, Pam and LTI Designs

have some impressive credentials, too.

Her company has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Home Builders Association’s Regal Award for Best Interior Merchandising and a multitude of Parade of Homes People’s Choice Awards and Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Overall Interior Design.

According to Pam, good interior design coordinates colors, furniture, columbiaHG.com

The

elegant master bath

has extensive tile work.

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The objective of home staging is to present a home in a way that potential buyers can visualize themselves living there.

and accessories to make the rooms in your home flow seamlessly. She focuses on bringing clients new and innovative designs.

Design styles run the gamut from classical to modern, from art deco 20

to art nouveaux to Bauhaus. It can all get a little confusing. Like most good designers, though, Pam doesn’t believe in getting locked into any specific trend.

“I don’t always follow a particular

to the builder’s/neighborhood’s demographics. Every homeowner I work with has his or her own style; therefore, what we do to the décor reflects that person’s personality.” For most good designers, working with a client’s tastes, style, and existing objets d’art— Greenery is great but limit it. It’s be they Old French vases, avant garde face jugs, or the clay ash tray their okay to see the furniture; Besides daughter made in second grade—is you spend alot of money on your the key to success. Home design shows furnishings.” on television in some cases have done style of design, because I feel each job more harm than good, especially the and client is unique. When I furnish a competition shows that give an interior model home, it is designed to appeal designer a blank canvas. columbiaHG.com

While a tulle-draped Moroccanthemed dining room might look fresh and stunning on a TV reveal, how realistic is it that a family of six will light candles and sit cross-legged on the floor every night for dinner?

The intersection of elegant design and effective function is where good designers get separated from the great ones. “Some professionals feel there is a list of right and wrong ways to design,” Pam said. “I enjoy getting to know my clients and complementing their style. Every job is distinctive.

You can learn about a person’s design Columbia Home & Garden

list of “Dos & Don’ts” in decorating.

Pam suggests it’s important for homeowners to decorate the way they like and use these lists as simply a guide.

“A lot of clients are ready to ‘redo’ their décor; and they just need help with making some changes, whether “Window treatments are a must. it’s paint, wallpaper, window treat...Most of the time, the furnishings, ments or furnishings,” she said.

Pam has her own list of “Dos and accessories, and window treatments Don’ts,” but hers come from 12 years ‘make’ the room.” of running a multi-award winning whether it’s for the enjoyment of your interior design business. guests or your own peace of mind and “I think the trend now is less relaxation. Some designers go by a is more—bigger impact accessories preferences by the architecture of their house and the furnishings inside.”

What television has done well is draw attention to the importance of the way your home is put together,

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versus several small pieces,” she said.

“Greenery is great but limit it. It’s okay to see the furniture; besides you spend a lot of money on your furnishings.

Not every wall has to have something hanging on it. Window treatments are a must. People think custom window treatments are very expensive; they can be but also don’t have to be. You can find inexpensive fabrics and designs; the key is finding a talented person to make the treatments for you. Floor to ceiling window treatments, as simple as straight panels, give a more vertical dimension to a small room, making the ceiling appear higher. Most of the time, the furnishings, accessories, and window treatments ‘make’ the room,” Pam said.

One of Pam’s newest offerings is home staging, what can be a critical component in today’s strained real estate market.

“I have received certification as a real estate stager and am in the

process of joining the Real Estate Staging Association,” she says.

“The objective of home staging is to present a home in a way that potential buyers can visualize themselves living there.” Pam provides consultation services that either the homeowner or she and her team can execute, and she can provide the necessary accessories to make your home sell.

“With the changing economy, homeowners need additional assistance in selling their homes whether the house is furnished or vacant.

That’s where I come in. I am excited to be able offer advice from a decorating standpoint on the changes they can make to enhance the positive aspects of the home,” Pam says.

This could be as simple as organizing or rearranging furnishings to show a better flow of the house, or temporarily adding furnishings to update the look of the house.

Our goal is not to meet your expectations, but to exceed them.

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Staging tips for preparing your house for sale include removing family photos, awards, and drawings and putting away accessories and personal items that aren’t essential for everyday use.

“Remember when storing items in cabinets and closets, potential

“Homeowners realize hiring a real estate stager to prepare the house for sale is usually less expensive than lowering the price of their homes.” buyers will probably open these areas so make sure they are organized. The idea is to de-clutter and depersonalize your home so buyers can envision their family living there,” Pam said.

Homeowners realize hiring a real estate stager to prepare the house for sale is usually less expensive than lowering the price of their homes.

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“A lot of clients have spent money and time trying to decorate their homes only to realize they need assistance in putting it all together,” Pam says.

In addition to residences, LTI Designs does its fair share of commercial work, making office spaces—those places where many of us spend the majority of our waking hours—as inviting and comfortable as possible.

With anything as personal as a home or a workspace, Pam says a high level of trust between designers and clients is a must. Don’t hesitate to ask about a designer’s experience and credentials.

“I continue to educate myself in the different aspects of interior design, such as redesign, reorganization, staging, and model home merchandising,” Pam says. To keep up with the trends in the industry and get inspiration for new techniques, she travels to home furnishing and design trade shows at least three times a year.

“I’m also part of a group of designers who live in different states who meet to discuss the trends and the industry, as well as being an active member of the Greater Columbia Home Builder’s Association.” When choosing a designer, those are the kinds of qualifications and connections you want to look for.

For all the talk about honors and awards, Pam will be the first to say that it’s not about the accolades. It’s about the people.

“This is a very personal business.

The interior design of a home says a lot about people’s personalities, so what I H&G do is all about the client.”

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B y W i ll i am T h r i f t â?˜ A ll he first thing you probably noticed about your home was how it looked from the street as you and your real estate Columbia Home & Garden

photographs courtesy of

agent approached it for the first time.

This view probably contributed to your decision about buying the home.

Most experts agree that a home’s first impression, or street view, reflects directly on the sensibilities of the

H o wa r d W allac e

owners and should give a visitor pause and make them want to stay awhile.

Homes with a simple, orderly approach, emphasizing function and symmetry, will instill a sense of assurance and satisfaction in the viewer.

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Asiatic jasmine was used to cover the steep slopes of the front yard and create a dramatic setting. installed by

Designed and

Wavering Place.

Morgan Grimball of Grimball Cotterill and Associates suggests that most people who see your home will only see it from the street.

Creating street appeal, especially in urban settings, is an enhancement of the interface between the private residence and the public thoroughfare that dates back to earlier times when homes, out of necessity, were built close to public accesses.

The best way to achieve this enhancement is to create an aesthetically pleasing framework built around a welcoming entrance to the home.

Simple yard maintenance such as 26

mowing the lawn and trimming shrubs, pressure washing stained siding and concrete, and making necessary repairs to aspects such as gutters and masonry cracks will help to improve the function and appeal of your home. New paint can also brighten the exterior, and owners can re-proportion the home by using contrasting colors on doors, shutters, and trim.

H o w e v e r, utilizing an accredited landscape architect to design your street view can set your home apart from the others in your area by creating a frame for your home using elements such as walls, walkways, trees, and plantings. A landscape architect is

educated in all aspects of landscaping including hardscaping, typically low-maintenance ‘hard’ materials, and softscaping which includes plants and planting beds. Designs can include plantings, grading, lighting, and paving to create a functional balance that will project the personality of the owner.

A landscape architect will consider the architecture of the home and the natural and man-made a s p e c t s surrounding it and then create a complimentary design. Designs can be done simply for the owner to use and do the work, or the landscape architect can negotiate on behalf

“Most experts agree that a home’s first impression, or street view, reflects directly on the sensibilities of the owners and should give a visitor pause and make them want to stay awhile.”

columbiaHG.com

of the owner with a landscape contractor to implement the design.

Some firms also offer design/ build services. The website for the American Society of Landscape Architects, www.ASLA.org, can help you find a landscape architect in the Columbia area.

Hardscape materials such as stack stone, brick, and concrete pavers are used to create patios, walkways, and walls. Wrought iron and other metals can be used to create fences and accents. More rustic materials such as boulders can mimic the natural landscape around your home.

Obtaining these materials from local sources such as Carolina Ceramics, or

Allied Concrete Products will ensure that the palette and textures are appropriate for the Columbia area.

Any hardscape feature on the street side of a home should be designed to emphasize and compliment the structure of the home while guiding a visitor to the home’s entrance. Walkways should be firm, and walls should be low enough not to obstruct the view of the home.

Similar to hardscape, softscape elements of a landscape design should be compatible with plants native to the region and compliment the home in scale and architecture. Plantings should frame the home with variety and color while maintaining simplicity and symmetry

“Any hardscape feature on the street side of a home should be designed to emphasize and compliment the structure of the home while guiding a visitor to the home’s entrance.”

Columbia Home & Garden

Stone columns and crepe myrtles frame the view to a dramatic planter focal point.

Project installed by Wavering Place.

with focus on the entryway to the home.

Scale is important so as not to overshadow the home. Low plantings in the front of beds such as border grass and lantana can create a progressive rise towards larger plants closer to the structure. Traditional plants such as boxwoods and small holly are usually placed close to the home to cover the foundation. Plants such as magnolias and large hollies are used towards the corners of the home as framing elements. A good design will also consider how the plants will mature in size in proportion to the home in addition to their general maintenance 27

needs. As with other materials, local sources such as Wood Creek Farms, Mill Creek Greenhouses, Alex’s Nursery, or Woodley’s Garden Center can share their expertise and help you get the right softscape items for your design.

Nightscaping is also an element to consider in your landscape design.

Strategic lighting can accentuate the framework of the home and highlight some of the other landscape elements to create a dramatic presentation from the street. Functional aspects of nightscaping include an appropriately lit entryway and address marker, as well as driveway and walkway lighting.

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Formal English style landscape designed and installed by

Wavering Place. Wide

front walk is framed by the client’s urns.

“In addition to increasing the curb appeal of your home, which improves sales activity should your home be on the market, a home with a well-designed presentation reflects on the owners’ aesthetic sense.”

columbiaHG.com

Designs are becoming more environmentally friendly which, for the owner, typically means easyto-maintain. Plants that are easy to grow and prune will take less energy, in the form of power tools, to maintain. Expanses of stout lawn can be an easy way to accent the home and maximize the owners’ leisure time by providing outdoor recreational space for family and pets. Solar lighting units, especially walkway and driveway markers are easy to install and cost effective to maintain. Floodlights can be

motion-sensitive so they don’t need to be constantly lit, creating further energy savings.

First impressions are everything. In addition to increasing the curb appeal of your home, which improves sales activity should your home be on the market, a home with a well-designed presentation reflects on the owners’ aesthetic sense. A landscape design emphasizing simplicity and function while complementing the architecture of the home and its surroundings will create pleasant anticipation for what a H&G visitor may find inside.

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A classic breakfast setting overlooks the

Weston’s back

terrace in the company of beautifully displayed antique crystal and glass.

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Mrs. Barbara Weston enjoys the functional elegance of her new kitchen.

A Vision of Functional Elegance B y W i ll i am T h r i f t

W

hen Barbara Weston moved into her Heathwood home in the early eighties, the kitchen had already been updated from its original 1950’s design to include job-built cabinets, a cramped cooking island, laminate counter tops, and a vinyl floor.

Lamps, necessary to improve lighting, a microwave, and television took up valuable counter space. The clothes washer and dryer sat adjacent to the home’s back door. Although Mrs. Weston kept the kitchen in immaculate shape and everything was in good working order, she knew that the space had potential for a design with features to fit her lifestyle. She was ready to bring the space into the twenty-first century, but she didn’t know quite how to get it there.

A ll P h o t o g r a p h s Columbia Home & Garden

by

John Wrightenberry 31

A new island with a view, Wolf range, and hood.

With references from neighbors and other home owners who had remodeled, Mrs. Weston called on Kathryn Clough of Edisto Kitchens & Baths. Ms. Clough took measurements and spent time with Mrs. Weston discussing her use of the kitchen as a work space and the relation to that space in her lifestyle.

Ms. Clough noted Mrs. Weston’s extensive collection of crystal and antique glass, which was unable to be displayed properly in the existing kitchen. She also noted Mr. Weston’s propensity for gardening and opted to include some organic elements in her design. Along with standard space-saving features and state of the art appliances, Ms. Clough developed a kitchen design that delighted Mrs. Weston.

New island with convenient cabinetry, and

Calcutta

Gold marble counter top.

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No kitchen, no problem. Living in a home undergoing a major renovation can be a harrowing experience, but Mrs. Weston proved herself resourceful. She relocated her microwave, dishes, and food to the adjacent dining room and, with the addition of a small hot plate, was able to manage the family meals.

The thing she missed the most was the kitchen sink, but she made do with a nearby washroom.

Meanwhile, George Little and the crew of Little Construction were busy dismantling the existing kitchen from the floor up to part of the ceiling. Debris was removed from the site daily, and Mrs. Weston was relatively undisturbed by what was going on behind the heavy plastic sheeting covering the kitchen’s entrances. The room was stripped to its “bones� in a day, and rough electrical and plumbing work Columbia Home & Garden

began before the custom cabinets arrived.

The beaded inset, solid maple cabinets were designed in a continental style to specifications and finished in a soft Nordic white. Paul Hicks assembled and installed the cabinets, cutting and finishing all the trim work by hand. Ms. Clough designated that several of the cabinets have glass doors and shelves, mirrored backs, and halogen lighting so that Mrs. Weston could display her beloved collection of antique crystal and glassware.

Mrs. Weston now has a variety of ways to display her beloved antique and heirloom crystal, glassware and silver.

Acanthus accents were used throughout the kitchen including this artisan pewter door pull forged in

England.

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A space-saving Sharp drawer microwave is one of the new state of the art appliances

Mrs. Weston now enjoys.

Crystal and glass accents add lustrous sparkle throughout the kitchen.

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As each phase of the project was completed, electrical and plumbing work was continued as needed and coordinated with other aspects of the job. Can lights were added in the ceiling and sconces were added to the walls to improve lighting. Rather than using an assortment of lamps to light the counters, Ms. Clough added halogen lights under the cabinets to highlight workspaces. Additionally, she realized that Mrs. Weston would enjoy having a view of her backyard terrace while cooking at her new Wolf gas range, so she raised the range vent.

The existing vinyl floor was removed to the studs and new oak flooring was installed, stained to match the flooring in the rest of

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www.customrockytops.com Mention this Ad and receive a FREE undermount sink valued at $425.00 with purchase of 50 sq/ft or more countertops!

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New wall sconces with an acanthus motif provide

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atmosphere.

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the home, and sealed in polyurethane. The installed cabinets were measured and Ms. Clough selected a liberally veined Calcutta Gold marble with a large formal ogee edge for the counter tops. Finally, a white subway tile backsplash was added; and new state of the art appliances were installed. In order to maximize counter space, a flat-screen television was mounted to a swing arm on the new laundry cabinet (housing a new Frigidaire Affinity stack washer/dryer), and a Sharp drawer microwave was installed below the counter.

Classically styled cabinets and marble counter tops made it easy to select the accent features for the kitchen. Acanthus, common in the Mediterranean region, has been used as an architectural ornament from the time of the ancient Greeks. Ms. Clough used acanthus in the design of

the artisan pewter knobs and drawer pulls forged in England. Additionally, acanthus accents the new chandelier over the breakfast area, the wall sconces, and cabinet trim.

The entire project lasted a little more than three months. Mrs. Weston likens the experience to having a baby – “when the baby’s here, you forget the hard parts” and just enjoy it. Her biggest challenge as she “moved in” to her new kitchen was remembering that the trashcan and recycle bin no longer occupied floor space, having been moved to a convenient pull out drawer by the sink.

For years Mrs. Weston conformed her lifestyle around a dated kitchen design. Then there was a vision of what the kitchen should be, and a meeting of the minds was all it took to turn that vision into a classic and refined reality to be enjoyed for years to come.

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Columbia Cooks Groove with A Springtime Menu from Chef Fatback

A

By William Thrift s a youngster, Chef Fatback of Mac’s on Main, grew up listening to and being influenced by rock bands. While learning to play the guitar, he emulated the solo rock guitar virtuosos, but, as with his cuisine, he never forgot his roots and began leaning instinctively to the blues. His version of the blues now is a fusion of elements from R&B, rock, and A hearty meal Chef Fatback-style classic blues. Fatback’s talent for putting featuring grilled lamb chops his own signature on music carries over to his cuisine as well. It’s no wonder that with sides of collard greens and he enjoys playing his favorite Stratorice, strawberry cobbler for caster on the stage in the front windows dessert, and complimented with of his restaurant just as much as he loves Duplin Winery’s Hatteras Red developing his own recipes in the kitchen muscadine wine. and on the grill out back.

Fatback began cooking at an early age. After one too many requests for a big hot breakfast, his Mom began teaching him how to prepare eggs, bacon, and other breakfast staples. She told him to “never depend

Columbia Home & Garden

Chef Fatback de-stems strawberries for the cobbler.

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on a woman to do the cooking for you.” Fatback’s love of cooking never diminished. Ten years ago, the opportunity arose for him to live his dream of “playing guitar, cooking food, and drinking beer,” and he opened Mac’s on Main where anyone can enjoy what he has to offer.

Fatback encourages using his recipes at home and has developed a literal fusion of his music and cuisine in his cookbook, Mac’s On Main Cooking Guide, and accompanying CD, Fatback & the Groove Band – Anthology. The recipes in the guide each have track selections from the CD to play while you’re preparing that particular dish.

In keeping with his tradition of bringing it all back home, Chef Fatback jumped at the chance to have Mac’s on Main certified with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Fresh on the Menu program. Last April, Fatback and Mac’s on Main hosted a dinner with the SC Department of Agriculture featuring a menu of items from specific Certified South Carolina producers, and he looks forward to partnering with them again this spring. Fatback personally buys all of the ingredients for his restaurant and maintains an extensive list of local farmers, ranchers, and markets for seasonal crops as well as items he can store in his twentydegree-below freezer.

A list of these producers is available to the home chef at the Department of Agriculture’s website, www.certifiedscgrown.com. In addition, Fatback suggests shopping for ingredients at any vendor offering local produce and products.

The Mac’s on Main menu undergoes an annual revision. As a dedicated entrepreneur, Chef Fatback uses the kitchen at Mac’s to constantly Fatback sings the blues onstage at

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Mac’s on Main. columbiaHG.com

Sliced strawberries ready for sugar, lemon extract and hot water.

experiment with new dishes and recipes. In order to reduce expenses for home chefs who don’t have the luxury of commercial-grade cooking and storage resources, Fatback recommends starting with a simple herb garden as an inexpensive way of experimenting with recipes at home. Mint, basil, rosemary, and thyme are welladapted to the moderate climate of the midlands. Basil can be used raw in salads or cooked into sauces. Fatback uses fresh basil for his lasagna which he layers with uncooked noodles and bakes in a covered dish.

By early spring, most people either scrape, clean, or otherwise prepare their outdoor grills for upcoming warm days of backyard leisure.

Chef Fatback’s grill, nicknamed the ‘Snoking Pit’ after a memorable street vendor in Washington D.C., is used year-round for the grilled and smoked items on his menu as well as being hauled to various events in the Midlands area. The Snoking Pit is triple-fueled with: propane (typically used as a starter), charcoal, and hickory. In addition, it is equipped with a thermometer on the lid.

However, Fatback always uses a

Chef Fatback’s Recipes Strawberry Cobbler

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Place the frozen piecrust upside down in a square baking pan (dough will form a dome which relaxes during cooking

Fresh, ripe Strawberries, 1 lb Butter, less than a ¼ stick Sugar, ½ cup Yellow cake mix (your favorite brand), 7oz Lemon extract, 2 teaspoons Frozen piecrust (with throwaway aluminum pan) 1 Hot water, ½ cup

so the bottom won’t burn). Remove the strawberry stems, slice them in half lengthwise, and place them into a mixing bowl. Pour the sugar and lemon extract into the bowl with the strawberries and mix. Add hot water as necessary to dissolve the sugar. Pour the strawberry mixture over the pie crust. Sprinkle the cake mix on top of the strawberries. Slice the butter into thin pats and place on top over the cake mix. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes until golden brown.

Columbia Home & Garden

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meat thermometer to determine the internal temperature of the meat.

That way, he says, whether you grill with the lid opened or closed, there’s no guessing whether the meat is done.

Many of Chef Fatback’s recipes transition easily from his restaurant to home. He suggests some of his favorite springtime dishes that can be made from local ingredients

Chef Fatback available around the Midlands: Lamb Chops from Western Starr puts the finishing Farms in Starr, SC, Greens from touch on grilled Rawl Farms in Gilbert, SC, Aromatic lamb chops.

Rice from Carolina Plantation Rice in Darlington, SC, and Strawberry Cobbler with strawberries from Sease Farms in Gilbert, SC. Accompany a sweet wine such as those available this hearty meal with your favorite from NC’s Duplin Winery made with beverage, but Fatback recommends SC grapes.

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Chef Fatback’s Recipes Grilled Lamb Chops with Rosemary/Marsala Reduction - serves four

5oz Loin Lamb Chops, 1-1/2 inch cut, qty 8 Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 4oz Fresh Rosemary, 2oz Roasted Garlic Powder, 2oz Onion Salt, 2oz Lemon Extract, 1oz Paprika, 2oz Soy Sauce, 6oz Mac’s on Main Moncks Corner Meat Seasoning, 4oz Marsala Wine, 1/2 liter Bisquick Flour Mix, 4oz mixed with ¾ cup of hot water 40

(continued)

Combine the Lamb Chops with the olive oil, onion salt, lemon extract, paprika, and soy sauce in a large zip lock bag, mix and let them marinate in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.

When the lamb chops have marinated, put them on a hot grill. Grill them to the desired doneness – internal temperature should range from 150 to 160 degrees for rare and 165 to 175 degrees for well-done. Let the chops rest after removing them from the grill to seal in juices.

In a medium saucepan, combine the rosemary, garlic powder, soy sauce, and wine and bring to a boil. Slowly stir in the Bisquick mixture and reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cook it until it reaches the consistency of a thick gravy.

Then drizzle the hot Marsala reduction over the lamb chops for serving. columbiaHG.com

Chef Fatback’s Recipes (continued)

Come and see our great selection of wallcoverings for your home!

Greens - (four to six servings) While collard greens are a traditional favorite in South Carolina, Chef Fatback encourages everyone to experiment with the flavors of other greens available in the spring that can be prepared in the same way: turnip, kale, mustard, and watercress. Arugula, also available locally, is prepared slightly differently (see note below).

Fatback’s signature twist is to prepare the greens using smoked turkey wings for flavor instead of the traditional ham hocks. He also reminds the home chef that greens harvested after the first frost will be sweeter than greens harvested without growing through a frost (in which case they may need a little sugar).

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Fresh Greens (quantities vary according to the size

of the leaf: 5 bunches for collards, kale and mustard, more may be needed for turnip and watercress)

Pieces of Smoked Turkey Wings, Qty 3 Salt, 2oz

In a large pot, bring the wings and salt to a rapid boil, then turn down the heat to a simmer.

Meanwhile, wash and cut the greens into 1 inch strips (de-stem collards, turnips, and kale).

Place the greens into the broth and continue to cook until they’re tender (approx. 1 hour).

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Arugula can be seasoned with salt and pepper, and sautéed with garlic and olive oil until the leaves are just wilted.

Carolina Plantation Rice is one of the

Certified South

Carolina producers that Chef Fatback uses in his recipes.

Aromatic Rice - serves four Carolina Plantation Aromatic Rice, 1 cup Water, 2 ½ cups Salt, 1 tsp Mix the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving; never disturb the grain with a spoon!

Columbia Home & Garden

Beautiful changes HAPPEN HERE. hair • skin care • makeup

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Closing the Deal for You B y S am M o r t o n

S

ometimes it’s ironic the difference a few letters make. Most people do not understand the distinction between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent,

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said Chip Kreps, executive vice president of The Central Carolina Realtors Association (formally the Greater Columbia Association of REALTORS®). Admittedly it’s subtle. To most people, this appears merely to be a matter of semantics, but

Kreps points out that, to consumers, knowing the difference could mean saving thousands of dollars.

“We are an association of 2,000 professional REALTORS® in the Midlands. The distinction is that, while there are 45,000 licensed columbiaHG.com

“We are an association of 2,000 professional REALTORS® in the Midlands. The distinction is that, while there are 45,000 licensed real estate practitioners in South Carolina, only 20,000 of them have made the commitment to become REALTOR®, which is a trademark designation,” Kreps said. real estate practitioners in South Carolina, only 20,000 of them have made the commitment to become REALTOR®, which is a trademark designation,” Kreps said.

REALTORS® like those in the CCRA pledge to adhere to a strict code of ethics. That’s not to suggest real estate agents are unethical. It’s just that REALTORS® are schooled in the subject and must take refresher courses every four years to remain current on changes in the market, things, for example, such as the proper standards for conducting

Columbia Home & Garden

business via the Internet.

“Without organizations like ours, the market would be less orderly and less professional as people made attempts at transferring the ownership of real property,” Kreps said, pointing out that in a typical real estate transaction, there are 180 steps between listing the property and closing. “If a lay person tried to handle that on their own, it could be extremely costly,” he added.

Studies show that sellers who use a REALTOR®, typically net 16 percent more money than if they sell

by owner. “Without us, the market would be chaotic, and that would be a terrible situation for the most important transaction people make in their lives,” Kreps said.

In addition to ethics training, the CCRA conducts comprehensive training programs. This is what its website has to say about its education component: “The purpose of CCRA’s Training Programs is to plan and execute real estate-related education programs to keep our diverse membership up-to-date with market trends and technology that

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Take out the Jungle.

Uncover the Beauty!

How beautiful can your yard be?...Let Jungle Taming help you find out.

W

PHOTO BY

KELLY

0 tips g.com for 2 in m ta le g n u g.

Visit www.j y for spring gardenin to get read

hen it comes to bringing out the best in your yard, Jungle Taming’s Bill and Jonathan Kunze are skilled artisans and absolute perfectionists who specialize in rejuvenating mature yards and gardens.

Contact them to see how they can help take your yard’s beauty to the next level.

www.jungletaming.com www.jungletaming.com 803-463-2655

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are shaping the future of the real estate marketplace, while offering as many specialty continuing education courses as possible. The mission is to deliver quality courses that ultimately boost REALTOR® productivity and provide essential tools to succeed in the industry.”

Kreps said the purpose is much simpler and much deeper. “Our members stay informed precisely because they are members of this community. They live here, shop here, go to church here, and their children are in the schools here. They want to give their clients the best possible service they can because they’re dealing with their neighbors.”

To put their money where their mouths are, members of the CCRA give back to the Midlands each year.

“We’ve built a Habitat for Humanity home and collected thousands of pounds of food for Harvest Hope,” Kreps said. In addition, members conduct a blanket drive each year as the weather turns cold. In 2008, the CCRA had a special fund raising campaign for the Children’s Garden, and for several years it has participated with the Lexington and Richland county sheriff’s departments in Project H.O.P.E.—Helping Our Precious Elderly. The association members help by donating things like air conditioners and smoke detectors.

“We are a diverse group, balanced gender wise, and that’s true nationwide. We’re not an old boy’s network,” Kreps said. “It’s a great group of people to be associated with.

There’s none better.”

Especially in today’s economic climate, people want to deal with professionals who put their client’s interests above their own. According to CCRA President Ben Brantley, that’s what they will get if they choose a REALTOR® with whom to do business. columbiaHG.com

“In uncertain times,” Brantley said, “there is always a flight to quality.

Our Code of Ethics, commitment to knowing and improving our community, and our superior training and knowledge puts us in the position to be that destination. To emanate the superior level of service clients now expect. Now more than ever, clients need a trusted source. Now is our time to lead.”

That may be as easily done as said.

Despite the gloom and doom pedaled in the media, the housing market in Columbia is in relatively decent shape.

Money magazine listed Columbia as the 7th best poised rebound area with respect to real estate. “Because of the most recent military base closures and realignments, thousands of personnel are scheduled to relocate to Shaw Air Force Base. “The Department of Defense has allocated lots of money to renovate Fort Jackson,” Kreps said.

You may even want to consider buying now because: • Home prices have moderated, interest rates are at 50-year lows and the supply of homes for sale is plentiful.

• The new stimulus package includes a home buyer credit which likely will bring about 2.5 million buyers into the market by the middle of 2009.

• If interest rates stay low at near 5 percent or lower, home sales could rise nationally by 10 percent or 15 percent in 2009. This would help stabilize prices, lessen foreclosure pressures and lower the rate of re-defaults on recently modified distressed loans.

Another specialty of the CCRA and the 20 associations like it statewide is legislative advocacy.

CCRA member Andy Walker recently finished a term as president of the South Carolina Association of REALTOR®s. “On the state level we poll our membership every 12-to-24 Columbia Home & Garden

m a g a z i n e

www.columbiaHG.com • 803-779-4005, ext. 2040

1-Year Subscription Order Online at www.columbiaHG.com

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m a g a z i n e

www.columbiaHG.com • 803-779-4005, ext. 2040

1-Year Subscription Order Online at www.columbiaHG.com

You don’t just stay here-you belong.

Find relief from the hustle and bustle in our casual dining restaurant, where you can enjoy a friendly, laid back atmosphere and our famous lunch buffet, perfect for the professional.

Presenting a distinct and sophisticated dining experience, featuring global cuisine from our award winning Chef and an extensive and progressive wine list.

The Vault Martini Bar is nestled in the original Vault and serves as a historic centerpiece to our lobby where patrons can enjoy a hotspot for gathering ma and sipping martinis.

The Rooftop Lounge offers a panoramic view of Columbia that is beyond comparison, with a trendy assortment of drinks and literally a breath of fresh air.

The Link @Sheraton keeps guests connected 24/7.

heraton Columbia Downtown Hotel is the most unique and upscale hotel in Columbia, catering to professional and leisure travelers alike!

Our luxurious and historic guest rooms feature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds, original hard wood flooring, two flat screen televisions and walk in showers with dual massaging heads. Our hotel is located in the heart of downtown, and a next door loca neighbor to the Vista, USC Campus, and SC State House, with access to virtually all of Columbia’s daytime attractions and nightlife alike.

Stop by PERK UP, proudly brewing Starbucks Coffee and serving freshly baked goods, to start your morning off refreshed.

months, and they consistently tell us that the two things most important to them is the education we offer and our political activism,” Walker said.

“Our political involvement concerns everyone and it covers a wide range of activities from supporting candidates who back our positions on individual personal property rights to supporting legislation we believe benefits private property owners or opposing legislation that doesn’t,” he said.

While remaining on the leading edge from educational and political perspectives is key for the association, Kreps said the main goal is to make sure clients get the best representation in buying or selling homes. “We’ve found that 70 percent of consumers turn to the Internet to look at the market before they contact a real estate professional,” he said. To that end the National Association of REALTORS® has put together its Surround Sound Campaign.

Just like at the movies, the Surround Sound strategy is coming at consumers from all sides of the theater, helping surround consumers with messages about the opportunities currently available to them in today’s housing markets. The messages are backed by statistics and solid logic to make a very plausible case for buying a home now.

The Surround Sound initiative includes several “tool kits” that help member REALTORS® stay current, active, and relevant in today’s market resulting in informed professionals who can help consumers get the best bang for their buck.

To find out more information on the CCRA and how its programs or members might benefit you, log onto http://colarealtors.com/directors09.htm. H&G

803�988�1400 • 1400 Main Street • Columbia, SC • www.sheraton.com To arrange events, meetings, corporate and group bookings, ask for our sales department

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columbiaHG.com

S h o wcas e

of

Homes

Wales Garden

McCants Townhomes

The Village at Riverwalk

This immaculate home is located in Wales Garden, and it features 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths & one half bath. It also has gleaming hardwood floors, high ceilings, built-ins, formal living room with fireplace, formal dining room, large open kitchen with pantry area, a family room that opens to the patio, and an inviting pool that is heated for year-round use.

Columbia’s most unique property, the former McCant’s elementary school in historic Earlewood, just minutes from downtown Columbia, is being converted to avant garde living space.Units vary in size and no two are alike, but they all are loaded with charm: 13’ ceilings, original hardwood flooring, huge windows, open floor plan. Call to arrange for a private tour. Priced from low 200’s to the mid-300’s.

Beautiful Charleston style home in a gated river community located between the Blossom Street bridge and the Gervais Street bridge in West Columbia. This home has loads of extras, including heart pine flooring, high ceilings, heavy molding, granite counters, four porches, a large patio, an elevator, a double garage, and more; and it comes with a twelve-month home warranty.The neighborhood has private access to the riverfront walkway. The home is listed for $639,000.

Marketed by Alison Allen Home Advantage Realty (803) 258-5200

Marketed by Jennifer McBroom Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors (803) 252-6332

Marketed by Jill Grantz and Janet Mungo Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors (803) 252-6332

Governor’s Hill

Executive Style

The Spur

Great downtown living just blocks from the Vista. Brick home with two large deck/balconies, one with brick pavers. Spectacular view of the city lights at night. 3 car garage, grand staircase leading to huge great room with cathedral ceilings on the top floor. Built-in entertainment center.

Spacious open floor plan with hardwood flooring throughout the main living area. Fabulous kitchen has a gas cooktop, convection oven, microwave over the stove, solid surface counters, island, and pantry.

Offered at $459,900.

Classically elegant in a prime location on one acre overlooking the #2 green of Forest Lake Club, this home is spacious and well appointed. Just under 5000 SF, it includes a beautiful living room with gas fireplace, large dining room, gallery with enclosed wetbar, cozy den with fireplace, gourmet kitchen, and two master suites downstairs. Other features include high ceilings, custom millwork throughout, a 2-car garage, and expansive slate patio overlooking large private backyard and golf course. This home is offered at $1,050,000.

Serious Gamecock fans will love this condominium located on Bluff Road just past the Williams Brice Stadium.

This three-bedroom, three-bath unit is the only end unit available, and it has a wrap-around deck overlooking the practice field. Open floor plan offers a fully-equipped kitchen with stainless appliances, solid surface counters. Other features include upgraded carpeting and two parking spaces. Offered at $490,000.

Marketed by Fred Reichardt Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors (803) 252-6332

Marketed by Virginia Beale Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors (803) 782-9171

Columbia Home & Garden

Marketed by Jill Grantz and Janet Mungo Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors (803) 252-6332

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A DVERTI S ER S Advertisers

are the most important part of a magazine, for without their support,

there would be no magazine.

When

visiting these businesses, please thank them and

mention that you saw their advertisement in

Columbia Home & Garden

magazine.

( P a g e n u mbers of ads appear in parentheses).

Acoustical Design (44) Alison Allen, Home Advantage Realty (47) Brookegreen (29) CarterTodd & Associates (Inside Front Cover) City Center Partnership (43) Creative Tile (8) Edisto Kitchens & Baths (16) Flower Pot Company (23) Fred Reichardt, Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors (47) Galloway & Moseley (B ack Cover) Hennessy’s (29) Jeffers McGill (3) Jennifer McBroom, Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors (47) Jill Grantz & Janet Mungo, Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors (47) 48

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John Wrightenberry Photography (23) Jungle Taming (44) Mac’s on Main (7) Metro Design (24) One Eared Cow Glass (14) Palmetto Lawns (22) Rocky Tops Granite & Marble (34) Rosewood Commons (45) Seven Doors Salon (41) Sheraton Downtown Columbia Hotel (46) Showcase of Homes (47) Turf King (24) Uptown (36) Villa Tronco (8) Virginia Beale, Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors (47) Wallpaper Additions (41) WXRY FM (Inside Back Cover) Columbia Home & Garden

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BACK PAGE

e love living in the Columbia area – experiencing the excitement that comes from working in a city that keeps improving itself.

We are reminded how fortunate we are every time we hear the non-stop news about how the economy is affecting other parts of the country.

As the capital city, we are honored to be the home of state and local governments. We cherish the intellectual atmosphere generated by USC and other centers of education and innovation. We are proud to be home to Fort Jackson, McEntire, and Shaw.

We relish the numerous shopping and dining venues. We delight in the many opportunities to experience the arts. We enjoy a multitude of weekly, monthly, and annual events that populate our calendars.

Providing entertaining information and beautiful photographs of our area, along with highlighting some of the events that contribute to making this a great city, is our means of expressing our enthusiasm.

Through Columbia Home & Garden, we hope our love shows.

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Columbia Home & Garden

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