Fix-March-April-full issue by Special Publications from The Commercial Appeal

MARCH - APRIL 2017

From The Editor

MAGAZINE Fix Magazine is dedicated to providing local information about all things home and garden.

FIX EDITOR

Holli Weatherington holli.weatherington@ commercialappeal.com CONTRIBUTORS

Digger O’ Dell Kate Larkin Sue Layman Lightman PHOTOGRAPHERS

Mike Boatman Justin Fox Burks Steve Roberts DESIGN

Design Studio Nashville

FIX Magazine

495 Union Avenue Memphis, TN 38103

EXECUTIVE EDITOR NICHE PUBLICATIONS

David Boyd

The flowering trees and budding blooms give way to Springtime and in this issue, we embrace the energy of the season with everything from decluttering and organization, to decorating with bright colors and gardening tips from the experts. Our cover story highlights a beautiful renovation in Chickasaw Gardens that took a home from drab in a little more than a year. The homeowners wanted to open up the walls and update the overall look, but it was important to upgrade without losing the details that show the history of the home. And boy, did they make it happen! Getting your gardens ready for spring and summer growth is a high priority and the experts at Digger O’Dell Nursery give their best spring tips and plant suggestions. Whether you’re well on your way or far behind, get tips on how to beautify and keep alive your flower beds and flowering trees. And if you’re considering a stone or brick border around your beds or a decorative walkway, our Ask the Expert goes over some options to create more curb appeal. Do you have a space problem or a stuff problem? Or maybe both? Sometimes you have to let things go, and other times it just needs a place to go. One local organizational and design expert gives her strategy on tackling the clutter in your home, one room at a time. Our Artist Spotlight features an artist who has installations in Memphis through her work with the UrbanArt Commission. See her creations of metal, clay and mixed media around town and hear about her journey as an artist. Bring the color green into your home with some tips from a local artist and designer. Incorporating the 2017 Pantone Color of the Year, Greenery, see how a little accent can go a long way to brighten up your decor. Updating an older home can be a tricky task, especially if there are structural concerns, but the homeowners of our Why We Love Our Home got lucky on their massive kitchen and dining room renovation. See how the decoration of an extended ceiling became “the” talked about piece in the home. So get your gardening tools ready and house cleaning clothes on because we have you covered for your spring home projects in this issue. Happy reading!

david.boyd@commercialappeal.com

facebook.com/fixmagazine fixmagazinememphis FIX Magazine is published once every two months by The Commercial Appeal. Opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors are not those of FIX. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2017.

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March

l April 2017

Ready For Spring 10 Features Pros Who Know Cover Story

Spring Into Organization 8

Keeping the Best of the Old 12

Why We Love Our Home

Kitchen Renovation 17

16 Departments Artist Spotlight Garden FIX Design FIX Ask the Expert Food FIX

l l

Carol DeForest 5

Plan Your Planting 6

2017 is Going Green 10 l

Landscaping Borders 16

Oat, Banana and Chia Pancakes 18

18 4

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Carol DeForest By Holli Weatherington

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Photos Courtesy of Carol DeForest

Company Name: Carol DeForest Studio Age: 68 Hometown: San Antonio, Texas Education/Training: Education BA, fine art, Rhodes College; BFA, clay, Memphis College of Art Medium: clay, metal, found objects When did you begin to develop your art? I began making constructions as a child. I called them “huts” from found objects. What was your AHA moment: After several trips to Latin America, I realized my art was heavily influenced by those people using everything and wasting nothing. No scrap of metal or wood or Tin can was discarded. It was all about creative reuse, long before recycling became the norm. How did you find your niche/style? My niche comes from an interest in visual solutions to verbal phrases. I read a lot and have always been intrigued with language that can be visual as well as written. My day job is interior styling and redesign, all about spaces and how to improve them. How do you describe your work? My work generally has what I call the “silly factor” or humor. I do not really start out with humor, but it seems to sneak in anyway. I make art about situations I experience or hear about. I like to use found objects so even I am surprised at the end product. Proudest moment: I finished a huge public art project for UrbanArt commission at Germanshire Elementary School. Six hundred and seventy-eight children helped me by bringing keepsakes from home to fill 119 wall mounted boxes that told the story of their lives and culture.

Wire piece wall hangings

Danger Zone

Where can your work be seen? I have many public art installations in Memphis through the UrbanArt commission, including working with MATA on the Dunlap Trolley Stop, DannyThomas Eastside and Westside trolley stops, the police department with Binghampton Police Station (a mural map of Binghampton - clay tiles in three dimensions) along with many others. The Binghampton project was a really fun project. The police were amazing to work with. I have also done private installations like the Dixon Gallery and Gardens dogwood courtyard and the Overton Square conversation plaza “Fine Feathered Friends” of birds flying and a nest in the courtyard between Babalu Tapas and Tacos and the Zebra Lounge. I also did a piece at Le Bonheur’s Children’s Hospital called “The Road to Healing,” which is a road that winds through Memphis with various artworks from the children, doctors and nurses that are landmarks along the road to healing. It’s done to look like a pop-up book, sticking out from the wall. It’s on the wall right outside the surgery center. I’ve had a bunch of people call me and thank me for the piece. The children were amazing, truly an inspiration. You cannot imagine how intensely powerful those moments are. I work mostly by commission now. What is up next for you? I’m hoping to be in my studio more making Art with a capital “A,” which is sculpture and mixed media pieces. I am still keeping my design company going. I do staging for realtors and individuals and I’ve done art consulting work which I hope to continue to do for Loeb Properties and Overton Park Conservancy. I was the consultant on selection committee of the three new portals into the forest area. Call to action/What else do you want people to know: We must try to keep from whining about politics and make art about it! And take to the streets for your beliefs! Website: caroldeforest.com Instagram: @caroldeforest Facebook: Carol DeForest Email: cadeforest@aol.com

Empty Nest

Art at Germanshire Elementary

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STEVE ROBERTS

Why We Love Our Home

By Holli Weatherington

hen Andy and Molly Nied purchased their East Memphis home, they were pleased with its good bones and overall layout, but it was in major need of updates. The house was built in 1962 and most of the rooms were sectioned off with lower ceilings. “We liked the house when we walked through it. It was in great shape,” says Andy. “We liked the idea of being open and more modern. We were trying to update it a bit and make it more contemporary.” The couple hired Keith Allen Homes to do their renovation. The Nied’s say it was a blending of ideas and expertise that led to the final look of their favorite room of the house, the kitchen. Like all kitchens, it’s the room that experiences the most traffic, and it was important to open up the separate dining room behind the kitchen and den in front of it (not shown) in order to connect the major rooms of the house. “We ended up opening the family room up a little bit and we have three kids so we wanted to make [the floor plan] a more open concept and make it more of a hang-out spot of the house,” Molly says. “We have a place that really feels connected to the house and is very spacious.” Indeed. The couple had a vision for the overall look and they let Allen guide them on materials. “We showed him pictures of things we liked and found online and he geared us gently within our budget,” Andy says. They wanted higher ceilings, but Allen said they didn’t know until they started to demo if that was going to be possible without major structural issues or the need to reroute duct work, but fortunately there were none. “That does not happen often,” admits Allen. The lifted ceiling works as an accent piece with its 45-degree angles going up to a remarkable wooden planked centerpiece complete with recessed lighting and three chrome drop lights that match the modern elements

of the kitchen. The plank wood was reclaimed from a farm in Mississippi. “We dried it out and planed it,” says Allen. “It’s the natural color. It was a big change from what they had in mind. We didn’t know what would come of it.” It became the clear focal point of the room, the Nied’s say, adding, “that was 100 percent Keith’s idea. I have to say, everybody who comes in the kitchen, that’s the first thing people comment on. We do some entertaining and that is the spot.” “Lifting up the ceiling really makes it look bigger,” Andy says. “It makes the room feel very long.” The room is pretty long, in fact is 38-feet long by 15-feet wide. The ceiling is 13-feet at its highest point. “Our palette leans more toward neutrals,” says Andy. “The clean, white and gray look is more our style.” The couple chose white shaker cabinets and white subway tiles while going for black quartz countertops for the prep areas. The island is a granite with a marble aesthetic. The farmhouse sink fits the motif perfectly and compliments the sleek design with a simple but striking element. The floors were previously brick and they put hardwood throughout the house. The dining area is now connected to the kitchen with a waist-high separation wall that offers more counter space that can act as a buffet or beverage display during dinner parties. For Andy, his favorite elements are the Thermador kitchen appliances, most notably the double oven with its 48-inch range and electric griddle. “That’s my toy,” he says. “That was my treat to myself. I do most of the cooking.” They got a Thermador appliance package complete with the range, microwave drawer (which they love because it doesn’t take up any counter space), trash compactor dishwasher and built-in fridge. Molly’s favorite piece? The farmhouse sink. “The farmhouse was my treat the way the stove was Andy’s treat,” she adds. “I love the look of it and how it matches the rest of the kitchen.” MARCH - APRIL 2017

FOOD FIX JUSTIN FOX BURKS

By The Chubby Vegetarian

Oat, Banana and Chia

Silver Dollar Pancakes 18

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The Chubby Vegetarian, local blogging team of Justin Fox Burks and Amy Lawrence, published their latest book in October 2016 with more wonderful vegetable and fruit-centric recipes. Here is one of their tastiest breakfast recipes that makes you wonder why you've waited so long to try vegetarian cooking. These pancakes are super tasty, packed with nutrients and bonus, they're gluten-free! Try this recipe, along with fresh berries from the local farmer's markets, for your next weekend breakfast feast! » 1 cup rolled oats » 2 large eggs » 1 ripe banana » 1 tablespoon chia seeds » 1 teaspoon baking powder » 1 teaspoon vanilla extract » 1 tablespoon coconut oil (more for cooking) » 1/4 cup milk (almond, soy or dairy is good) » 1/2 teaspoon salt » berries, bananas, and honey or maple syrup (to serve) Heat a large cast-iron skillet or large, non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. Into the work bowl of your food processor, place the oats and grind them into a fine flour. Add the eggs, banana, chia, baking powder, vanilla, coconut oil, milk, and salt and blend until smooth. (Unlike traditional flours, you really can't overwork them because there's no gluten to activate.) The mixture should be thick but pourable like traditional pancake batter. Add more milk to thin out mixture if needed. Place about 1 teaspoon of coconut oil on the griddle and brush to coat. Place 1/8 cup of batter on the griddle. It should fall into a 2-inch circle. Repeat. Allow pancakes to cook for 4 minutes or until bubbles start to form on the surface and the underside is golden. Carefully flip the pancakes and cook for another 3 minutes or until pancake is golden and set all the way through. Repeat until all batter is used. Makes about 1 dozen small pancakes. Serve warm with a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, bananas, and berries. (Makes 1 dozen; serves 2.)

GARDEN FIX

Plan YOUR Planting By Digger O' Dell Nursery

he experts at Digger O’Dell go over the myriad issues of getting your yard and beds ready for spring. In addition, they give tips for specific flowers and shrubs, how to incorporate color in your beds and potential risks to your trees and plants this year.

Clean-Up

Start by removing old leaves/limbs/debris from bed or garden areas and add some to your compost pile. Begin hand pulling and spraying sporadic weeds. Add pre-emergent to beds to help prevent new weeds from forming. Add fresh mulch to areas that need it.

Late Winter/Early Spring Pruning

uPrune back crape myrtles if you haven’t done so in late winter-avoid “crape-murder” by thinning out interior branches and lightly trimming tops. Severely cutting the crape myrtle back can lead to unsightly forming “knuckles” and improper new growth. uCut perennials and hostas back to just above the soil level. These will come back with abundance once the weather warms up. uAvoid pruning azaleas as these have set buds from the previous season. Cutting back in early spring will cause the plant to sporadically bloom or not bloom at all. Cut back azaleas after they bloom to ensure a heavy bloom next season. uTrim deciduous shrubs like roses, grasses, spirea and butterfly bush to desired height. uPrune evergreens to desired height in late winter/earlyearly spring so the new season’s growth will start from your cuts.

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Vegetables

uBegin adding organic soil amendments to raised beds and planting areas. Till-in and grade. Begin building and forming planting rows. uClean out old pots and begin adding new soil for container herb and vegetable gardening. Make sure your pots are large enough to accommodate the various veggies you want to grow. Even in a small space you can have access to fresh produce with a container garden. uWatch extended forecasts for late freezes. The last freeze date for the Memphis area is usually around April 15. Don’t be too anxious and set tender veggies out early. While watching forecasts for freezes, keep an eye on rainfall — back off your watering as the ground tends to hold excess moisture during this time and overwatering can cause disease and root-rot. To protect plants and vegetables from a late freeze, cover with cloth instead of plastic.

Things to Look For

Crape myrtle scale was abundant in 2016. Look for feltlike white patches along the nooks and crannies of branches, twigs and main trunk. The white patches are the insect itself. An unsightly black soot-like secretion from the scale bug can be found all along the crape myrtle, and on other plants below. To get rid of the scale, clean all infested canes with dawn soap, water and a soft cloth. When cleaning is done, apply a foliar insect spray that names scale-bug specifically on the bottle. To prevent any further scale from forming, drench the roots in a liquid systemic insecticide mixed with water. The plant will soak up the insecticide through the roots and send it up into the canopy, killing any new scale that tries to feed on the plant. A good rule of thumb is 2-3 treatments of liquid systemic insecticide per year. Foliar spray can be used intermittently when small amounts of scale are seen on the plant.

GARDEN FIX Full sun to part shade. uNandina “blush” low habit, 2-feet high by 1.5-2 feet wide blush colored young foliage. Full sun to part shade.

New, Unique Shrubs for Foundation Planting

uLoropetalum “crimson fire,” 3-4 feet high and wide. Rich, beautiful ruby-red foliage lasts all season with vibrant pink flowers in spring. Full sun. uBoxwood “baby gem” semi dwarf, 3 feet high and wide. Great textured plant for smaller gardens or beds. Keeps a nice green color through the season. uMahonia “soft caress” compact habit, 3 feet high and wide. Feathery arches of foliage give a very distinct look. Bright yellow flowers produce in early winter. Great for a container or as an accent. Part shade to full shade. uDistylium “vintage jade,” 3-4 feet high by 3-5 feet wide. Spreading mound effect, offers dark green foliage year round with small red flowers in winter. Great replacement for boxwood, laurel, holly and juniper. Tolerates poor soil and heat. Powdery mildew is caused by over-wet conditions, restricted airflow through the plant and rising temps. Powdery mildew is a white-grey substance found across the surface of the leaf. Seen on shrubs and perennials, it can be controlled using a foliar fungicidal spray. No plant is totally immune to powdery mildew and while it is unlikely to kill the plant, it is unsightly and can cause the plant to not perform well. Black spot, commonly found on roses and other shrubs, is caused by infected stems and fallen leaves from the previous season. Spores will germinate in the spring and any rainfall, excessive water conditions or general movement of the spores will cause them to splash new spores onto spring growth of the plants in your garden, effectively spreading the disease. Foliar-applied fungicide is great to control spots already formed. For continued, long-term treatment use a liquid based systemic fungicide and soak the roots of the plant.

Hot, New Varieties of Shrubs

uNandina “obsession” is upright, compact and dense, 3-4 foot high and wide. Full sun to part shade, this nandina offers a richer color than other nandinas. uNandina “flirt” dwarf habit, is 1-2 feet high and wide. Deep red new growth full sun to part shade. uNandina “lemon-lime” semi-dwarf habit, 3-4 feet high and wide Amazing chartreuse lime colored new growth.

Upgraded Hydrangeas

uHydrangea “limelight,” 6-8 feet tall and wide. Chartreuse lime-white blooms in summer, turning pink in fall. A great hydrangea for full sun. uHydrangea “little lime,” 3-4.5 feet tall and wide. Same great flower as “limelight” in a smaller package, this plant offers great use in smaller gardens or accents. Filtered sun to full sun. Stems are great for arrangements. uHydrangea “bloomstruck,” 3-4 feet high by 4-5 feet wide. Beautiful blue-purple blooms re-bloom all summer. Contrasting red-purple stems look great against green foliage. Heat resistant. Change the color of the blooms with raising or lowering the acidity level in the soil.

Color, Color, Color

u“Drift” series of groundcover roses, 2 feet high by 3 feet wide. A re-blooming dwarf rose that will add color through summer and fall. Huge color variety. Minimal care. uAbelia “kaleidoscope,” 2.5-3 feet high by 3-4 feet wide. Wonderful variegated green, yellow and orange foliage with contrasting white flowers in spring and summer. Full sun. uMuhlenbergia “pink muhley” grass, 3-5 feet high by 2-3 feet wide. Great slender stalks offer a wavy accent to any garden. Pink cloud-like blooms produce in fall, offering a pop of color as we go into winter.

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PROS WHO KNOW

Spring into Organization By Kate Larkin

Photos Courtesy of Kate Larkin

hh, springtime, the season we come out of our “winter” cocoon and open ourselves to the world again. What better time to release ourselves from the mental stress that clutter brings and make room in our spaces for the new? It can seem like an overwhelming task, and it is if you look at everything as a whole. After all, we have more stuff coming to our homes and more tasks taking our time away from home than ever before. According to the Huffington Post’s 2013 study, 81 percent of men and 87 percent of women reported experiencing anxiety over home upkeep. So how we live and how our spaces function affects us on a daily basis. Here are some basic tips to get you started on the task of organizing your spaces. Remember, only start with one room at a time. Do not try to do the entire house or you will likely give up before you make any significant progress.

The Four P’s of Organization: 1. PURGE

Start by going through every item in the space and asking yourself a few questions. Does it serve a current purpose or use? Does it fit work well or fit perfectly? Is it essential/do I love it? Is it appropriate for the size of the space in which I live? In the book, “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Marie Kondo suggests asking the question, “Does it bring me joy?” While this may seem impractical for everyday items (i.e. a tire pressure gauge or carpet pad isn’t probably going to bring you joy) I think this question is helpful with items we feel connected to such as clothing, décor or memorabilia.

2. PILE

Sort your purged items into three categories: trash, donate and repair. I suggest using two different colors of trash bags so you can keep the trash and donate bags separate. Place only the items that are usable and in fair shape for donation. When working in one space, keep a box or basket for items that do not belong in the space you are working on so that you can take them elsewhere, all at once, during a scheduled break or when you are finished.

3. PLAN AND PURCHASE

When you decide on the items you will keep come up with a plan for where they should go. A professional, with knowledge of what works best in your space and options that are available, is especially helpful at this point. You don’t want to get excited about organizing, buy a bunch of neat organizing products, and then get disillusioned about the process because what you bought doesn’t work. Assess what you already have at home before buying bins and supplies (such as vases, baskets, and existing furniture). Then measure, research and purchase exactly what you need if you still require further storage items. 8

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4. PUT AWAY

Here is where you get to group like items together. In a kitchen, create centers for baking, cooking serving, etc. For closets, group by type, length/season and then by color. For playrooms, sort by type of toys and then by size. Pantries, by grocery store aisle — all pasta and pasta sauce together, canned goods, and breakfast items on separate shelves/areas. After grouping, neatly fold or place in the space using your previously purchased storage items, if you need them (such as drawer separators). Ta-da! You’re finished and deserve a pat on the back!

Tips

uBe patient with the process. If your whole home needs work, sometimes you have to start backwards, in a garage or attic space to truly make room for the items in your home that need year-round storage and are infrequently used. Some spaces pertain to other areas of the house, and they will both need to be worked on to maximize their collective use. Again, it’s helpful to have a professional come up with a master plan you can followto save on costs. uOnly buy hangers or bins that can fit in a visually pleasing way in your space. When you run out of hangers, or the bins get full, that is when it’s time to purge again. uIf you find yourself having trouble with one area, you probably need a system, not necessarily more storage. uHave a trash can and small shredder near where you bring in the mail. Take two to five minutes every day opening, trashing, shredding and sorting the mail immediately so it doesn’t pile up on you. Give each family member a slot in a wall file or table sorter in this same location. uGet rid of round organizers and round plastic storage containers in square spaces. Save your round baskets and bins for at-large areas. Same-shaped items fit best for maximum storage potential.

PROS WHO KNOW sites. Visit www.tn.gov and search for “Prescription Drug Take Back” program. You can also find out if a there is friend or family in need through your work or local church/organization or homeless shelters.

Product Suggestions CLOSETS:

uFlocked Slimline Hangers come in a variety of colors, and you can add coordinating shoulder shapers, skirt hooks and cascading hooks. uFabric bins with lids and labels for the top of the closet uPegboard systems for craft and gift wrapping centers, garages, jewelry and more. uVarious back-of-the-door racks and storage systems. uClear shoe boxes for out-of-season shoes.

ROOMS:

uLarge baskets with chalkboard labels for toys, blankets, shoes, anything to corral items that tend to get strewn about. uCubby organizers with square bins: These come for a variety of budgets and can be customized for any room, purpose and décor type. uUse your vertical space with bookshelves.They can be used to store books and so much more.

KITCHENS:

Having Trouble Letting Go?

Knowing your items can have a new life sometimes puts people at ease to let go of items. Here are some of my favorite places to work with for donation that can both help you make room and support someone in need as well. uDress for Success: Great for professional clothing, suits, blazers, etc. uHabitat for Humanity: Household items, décor and building supplies. They will come to you for a large amount of items, haul it all away and give you a form for you to assign contribution deduction value. uLocal animal shelters: Used blankets, comforters and towels. uUnused or expired medications can be taken to local

uSquare, clear canisters for dry goods. Label, label, label. uWicker or clear plastic bins and containers. Wine crates from the local liquor store can be a fun thing to use in a pantry for organizing snacks. uShelf organizers can be used for can goods, spices or sauces. Turntables are my only exception to non-round organizers. If you have room for them, they can make finding sauces and condiments in a pantry or cabinet so much easier. uDrawer organizers for kitchen drawers. Kate Larkin is a local organization expert, interior designer and artist. She is available for whole-home or office consults, and speaking engagements for local businesses.

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DESIGN FIX PHOTOS PROVIDED BY OBSIDIAN PUBLIC RELATIONS

2017 is Going

Green By Sue Layman Lightman very year, the world-renowned authority on color, Pantone Inc., unveils a color that sets the tone for the world of design. For 2017, that hue is called Greenery, a vibrant yellow-green shade that symbolizes energy and new beginnings. Known as nature’s neutral, the 2017 Color of the Year embodies the booming foliage that catches the eye during the first days of spring. Now that the globe’s most influential color company has spoken, it’s time to start incorporating this beautiful shade into your home’s decor.

For the hesitant… Nature

An inexpensive and temporary way to incorporate the Greenery color into your home is through nature. Small green plants such as ferns or succulents are a great choice. The latter offers a diverse group of options featuring many low-maintenance choices. Pair the plant with a decorative pot that matches the overall theme of your space, and you’re all set. And if your kitchen is in need of a pop of brightness, snag a few limes from a local grocery store. Place them in a large clear bowl and display them on the center of a kitchen island or table. Voila!

Towel

Hand towels in bathrooms and kitchens typically don’t last very long, so chances are if it’s not time for a change right this minute, it’s sure to be coming soon. Adding a touch of the hue to your space by switching out neutral hand towels for something a little more exciting is simple. Don’t just go looking for solids; find something that fits your personality and vibe of your home. Search for prints like stripes, checkers or polka dots for a unique spin.

Rugs

I love a good rug. Soft, yet

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firm. Colorful, yet quiet. When searching for the next addition to floors, keep an eye out for patterned runners that could be placed in a bare hallway or in front of the kitchen sink. Try stripes for a modern mood or paisley for a laid back, family feel.

For the brave… Art

If you’re up for trying something a little more risqué, try adding pieces of art to your wall space that include shades of green. Eye-catching paintings can rejuvenate a room like no other. If you want to call attention to a certain hue in a piece, select linens that match that color. I typically lean toward a solid curtain or drape because it pairs well with colorful paintings and wall art I have displayed throughout my home and art gallery.

Throws

Pairing bright pillows and blankets with neutral bedding or couches has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Large square- or rectangle-shaped pillows not only lend another layer of style, they bring about added comfort as well. And, it’s always important to shop around, as pillows and throws can be expensive. I recommend visiting several stores before purchasing to ensure the best bang for your buck.

Chairs

An old trend made new again, explosions of color through furniture is a sure fire way to rev up a room like no other. A bold-colored side chair or set of bar stools pair well with a neutral couch or a kitchen that is predominantly white. These types of purchases are an investment, but they’re ones that can change the mood of a space for years to come. With options for the hesitant and the bold, there’s a way for everyone to incorporate Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year into their desired area. Greenery’s versatility makes pairing it with other hues you already have featured in your home quite simple. Faring well with everything from warm neutrals to neons, the possibilities for bringing this earthy tone into your home are endless.

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cover story

Keeping the Best of the Old with the New By Holli Weatherington

n eclectic mix of art, furniture and hidden treasures makes this Chickasaw Gardens home a masterpiece of fluidity. Once a segmented, sectioned off-house, it is now a seamless flow of visuals and warmth from room to room. Accents of wood, decorative millwork, stone and copper give the home strong outlines which frame the furniture and artwork in a perfect succession of color and cohesion. From the street, the house is deceiving. Columns and painted brick show a traditional looking front, but the true scope of this 5,000-square-foot house is not revealed until one enters the home. Once past the living room and dining room, the hallway reveals extreme length and two longer wings that horseshoe on either side of the hallway. That’s where the hidden gems are found! Ken and Kelley Hayes bought the house in 2012 after moving back to Memphis from Decatur, Alabama, a small town they had been in for 20 years working and raising their two children. Since the kids were gone, they felt the bug to move back up to a “big town,” as Kelley put it (especially in comparison to Deca-

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Photos by Mike Boatman

tur, Alabama), plus they had planned on bringing Kelley’s mom with them. Her mom decided not to come but the couple were in love with the house, even if it is bit bigger than they would have bought for just two people. The original floor plan was a series of sectioned off rooms, not connected to each other, with innumerable doors and a very narrow hallway that was full of closets, Ken says. “It was [only] semi-functional and it caused some issues,” he says. After meeting with several general contractors, they chose Tim Disalvo and Company to do the project, a full renovation of the entire house both inside and out. “I believe it had set for a while,” says Disalvo. “The kitchen was tiny with a little eat in breakfast area and it was very chopped up and had outdated floors. Nothing was cohesive. It had been worked on piecemeal over the years so Kelley had a lot of ideas. She’s very artistic. We collaborated on it. “We knew we’d redo the kitchen and the bathrooms,” says Kelley. “There were a lot of things that I didn’t want to replace. I

“There were a lot of things that I didn’t want to replace. I just wanted it to be not completely new, to look like it still had some age.” KELLEY HAYES

just wanted it to be not completely new, to look like it still had some age.” Some of the original doors with brass knobs remain, as well as the little built-in telephone nook in the hallway (although they don't keep a telephone there). “We wanted everything to look like it had been here before,” Kelley says, adding that they kept all three of the original fireplaces, only making some changes to their aesthetic. “I tried to keep everything we could that is beautiful and in place.” Disalvo used the original flooring in the front of the house and matched the wood to throughout the home, except on the stone floor between the kitchen and den. The stone tiles add an interesting element that separates spaces while functioning as a go between space with a combo laundry room and wet bar. But before all that, an extensive demo and restructuring had to be done. Disalvo and his team brought in an engineer to determine the structural needs for the renovation. “We had to add some beams and support, had to tear all the ceiling joists out and come back in and redesign the structure to open it up like that, as well as the floor joists,” explains Disalvo. “We had to beef up the floor joists as well to transfer

the loads." His team took out brick and reframed and re-plastered throughout the house, as well. “The exterior of the house had built-in gutters built into cornice line,” Disalvo adds. “We framed and re-corniced the entire house, had to extend the roofline, put up gutters with drop boxes which gave it a stately look and wards off future water problems.” After all the major structural issues were dealt with, the aesthetic upgrades could begin. It had to be done in two phases over a period of nine months. The couple lived in the master bedroom wing on the north side of the house while Disalvo and team widened the hallway and renovated the dining room, kitchen and den/family room. The couple loves collecting art, so a major must-have was plenty of wall space and an expansive hallway for showcasing their eclectic mix of paintings and sculpture. “When we first moved here we wanted a piece of art from Memphis,” says Kelley. They got a painting by Jeri Ledbetter, local painter whose work is currently featured at L. Ross Gallery and has past exhibits at Jay Etkin, Memphis College of Art and many other local galleries. That painting is hung in the “between” wall that separates the kitchen from the den,

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across from the dual laundry room and wet bar. It complements the tile floor with dramatic flair. The entire hallway was widened and art lights were put in all over the house specifically for highlighting the numerous pieces, says Disalvo. It really has the feel of a gallery in the hallway, and even the living room, but it’s not cold or sterile, it’s warm and engaging. The way Kelley has grouped the art on various walls gives a breath of vibrant life to the neutral tones of the paint and furniture. The den is where the family hangs out and was a fun undertaking. The wainscoted walls are grand while the colors and furniture are casual but regal at the same time. The far wall with the fireplace was formerly stacked Arkansas fieldstone. They completely removed the stone wall (their daughter volunteered to help demo the stones) and went with the same look all around the room. Kelley had the idea of the copper, mantle-less fireplace. “We wanted a fireplace that was seamless,” she says. The copper frame around the fireplace is eye-catching and adds a notable accent piece for the room. They also did all of the bathrooms, of which they have four full and two half. “Kelley had a great eye for putting the tiles together,” says Disalvo. “We worked on patterns such as herringbone and niches and seats and different things we did with showers.” In the half bath just off the den, Kelley had a terra cotta tile sink that pops in the small space. The fun, little in-between space, part hallway, part laundry room (hidden) and bar/wine storage is perfect for parties and they don't have to worry about getting the floor wet. Kelley found a deep farmer sink to put in there, which is great for pre-soaking clothes or loading up with ice to act as a cooler at parties. Ken loves to collect wine so Disalvo built him overhead storage bins that can hold hundreds of bottles, and the narrow bar is also in copper which matches with the fireplace in 14

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den. The doorway has a sliding, custom built barn door featuring different color pane glass, which Kelley picked out herself. They offer a cheery, colorful effect in the space. Outside the den and laundry room/bar is the grand kitchen. It was completely opened up and the entire view of the hallway can be seen from the kitchen. They went with subway tiles, which run all the way up to the ceiling, and shaker style cabinets along with quartz countertops, all in neutral colors. The breakfast nook was widened and the formal dining room was widened with the expansion of the hallway. Everything flows into each room and the openings are expansive and airy, allowing people to be in multiple rooms at once and still see each other. The Hayes lived on the north side of the house while all that was done over a six-month period. They took a hiatus for about six months and then the second phase included the formal living room, office and master bedroom, which took about three and half months to complete. The biggest change for that area was rerouting the office and bedroom to be separate spaces. In the master suite, Disalvo had the idea to move the windows from the north wall (where the bed is now) to the east on either side of the fireplace. “Things like that we don’t normally get to do,” he says. “Kelley loved the idea of it. It’s a great feeling to be able to express what you think is going to work well and the client is in board.” Adds Kelley, “we worked with Tim to make it the best family home we could. It’s almost too much house for just the two of us.” That is why they enjoy entertaining at the house, often, and do all the family holidays there. Kelley’s favorite room is the kitchen and for Ken, it’s the den where they spend time together every night. “It’s like the cat, Kelley, the dog and me on the couch, in that order” says Ken. “That’s how we do it.

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ASK the EXPERT

Landscaping

Borders By Holli Weatherington

When it comes to landscape design for your beds and outdoor living spaces, choose the best materials, location and placement to improve the look of your yard. We talked to Michael Christie of Christie Cut Stone about stone and brick options for your yard project, and go over some of the most common types of projects.

Flower Bed and Shrubbery Border

When the weather gets consistently warm and flowering trees begin to bloom, people are cleaning out their flower beds and making room for new plants. If you’re looking to add some charm to your flower bed or just want to create a little curb appeal, there are several options to give you the aesthetic you want to create. Before choosing materials, though, the first decision to make is about color, Christie said. Customers are usually “either matching something on their house and want to tie into that existing color, or they are starting fresh with a blank slate,” said Christie. People tend to choose between two looks: the rustic, stacked look or the smooth, mortared look. With stones like fieldstone, which are shades of brown, tan and red, typically in asymmetrical shapes, you can simply stack the stones on top of each other. There are also freestanding bricks and stones in a range of colors that can be stacked without mortar. You typically don’t want to stack the material higher than two or three layers or it won’t be sturdy. If the vision is for a bit higher wall of 18 inches or more, mortar and footing will be required to keep it stable. The most popular colors for a flower bed border include brown and tan colors. If you are looking to create a more dramatic effect you can create a patio area with broken flagstone or square cut paving.

Retaining Wall

Whether you want to frame your back patio or have flower beds along the fence line, a retaining wall is a great way to add depth and dimension to your outdoor setting. Your retaining wall could also act as a functional seating area as well as a border. Typical retaining walls are 2-3 feet high and have multiple steps to follow when creating a safe a durable wall. When building a retaining wall, you can achieve any look you are going for, Christie said, from clean and seamless to rustic and natural. When doing a brick retaining wall you, choose the mortar color you think will look best. Most people opt to match mortar colors with brick but there are complimentary colors if you like some contrast. Another option is stone. You can use a fieldstone or even a stone veneer. A fieldstone can be stacked in different ways. “When doing a retaining wall you want to start with a concrete base, also known as a footing, to give you something solid to work on,” explained Christie. “For a larger wall, go with an installer. The taller you want your wall, the more stable it needs to be.” If you want to add a decorative cap stone to your retaining wall to allow for seating, you can use a large piece of stone or use a cast limestone. Any weekend warrior can get this done in a couple of days, Christie said.

Walkways

When choosing material for a walkway you can use broken flagstone, square cut paving or even brick pavers. A popular look when using flagstone as a walkway is to set the stones in the dirt and allow grass to grow in between them. This is an easy way to get natural stone walkway that can be done in a short amount of time. If you are using brick or stone pavers you want to have a base to work on such as aggregate or concrete, Christie said. Once you have a solid and level foundation, you are ready to start laying your brick or stone pavers. This will take a little more time but will be well worth it when completed. Christie said the best way to approach an outdoor project this spring is knowing how you want to dress up your yard. Flowerbed borders and walkways with brick or stone are perfect for enhanced curb appeal in the front, and in the backyard you can create a fun getaway with seating wall that offers beautiful form with real function. 16

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PHOTO BY STEVE ROBERTS

Why We Love Our Home

By Holli Weatherington

FOOD FIX

By The Chubby Vegetarian

Oat, Banana and Chia

Silver Dollar Pancakes 18

MARCH - APRIL 2017