Fix Magazine by Special Publications from The Commercial Appeal

YOUR MID-SOUTH HOME AND GARDEN MAGAZINE

JULY/AUGUST 2014

This issue of FIX magazine is sponsored by

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DÉCOR

fun projects to tackle at home

Great Gardens

A look at our 2014 garden contest entries

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M AG A Z I N E Fix magazine is dedicated to providing local information about all things home and garden.

EDITOR

Sara Patterson Shirley

patterson@commercialappeal.com CONTRIBUTORS

Sarah Matheny Gordon Emily Keplinger Erinn Figg PHOTOGRAPHY

Jason Terrell Nathan Berry

LUMBER COMPANY SINCE 1920

901.942.3201 Please visit our new website

www.gateslumber.com

FIX 495 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103 901.529.6513 www.memphisfixmagazine.com FIX is a bi-monthly magazine delivering essential local information on home design, remodeling, repair and restoration. It is published by E.W. Scripps Company. 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 2013.

on Tell us what you think of FIX patterson@commercialappeal.com

More photos, stories, events, and behind-the-scene info! facebook.com/fixmagazine 6

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For advertising information call

901.529.6513

Let’s FIX Our Environment!

Recycle with city government 576.6851 ext. 1 or go online memphistn.gov.

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”

“Let our family serve your family”

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SEAMLESS ADDITIONS

12 JULY / AUGUST 2014

FEATURES 15 16 22 28 34 44

Urbanology by Ashley Exceptional Expansion Seamless Addition Modern Kitchen Makeover Rooted in Tradition Great Gardens

DEPARTMENTS 12 33 37 38 42 43 49

Artist Spotlight: Sue Layman Lightman Statement Pieces Pinteresting: Fun Summer Crafts Why We Love Our Home Green Fix: Whole House Fans Décor Fix: Hawaiian Luau Hospitality Fix: Gourmet Hot Dogs and Blackberry Mojitos

16 28 38 43

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

From The Editor

et me begin by thanking everyone who took the time to submit garden photos into our annual Green Thumb Garden Contest! Wow, were they a pleasure to process. Please flip through to the back of the magazine to

see a glimpse of the entries for yourself. This year, we’re putting our five finalists on display at Graham’s Lighting and Outdoor Living in Midtown, beginning July 16. Please visit the store to cast your vote for our first ever “People’s Choice” award! Everyone who entered the contest, and anyone who casts a vote at Graham’s by the end of July, will receive an invitation to our first “garden party” at Graham’s, where we’ll announce the winners. We’ll also have the winners in the next issue of Fix magazine. This issue, we took a look at some amazing modern home additions, from both a builder and client perspective. Other features include a total kitchen makeover, a peek into heirloom gardening and an artistically styled local home. Our hospitality guru shared her favorite mojito recipe to enjoy on these warm, Southern summer evenings and our party planners showed us how to throw a perfect backyard luau. As always, please send any comments or questions to the editor by emailing patterson@commercialappeal.com. Sincerely,

Antiques Accessories Art Timeless... Like nothing else in Memphis

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Advertiser Directory This issue of FIX Home and Garden Magazine is brought to you by Ashley Furniture HomeStore. The magazine is free thanks to all of our wonderful advertisers and sponsors. If you visit one of these local businesses, let them know you saw them in FIX! SOUTHERN SCREENS............................................................................... 2

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GATES LUMBER.................................................................................................. 6

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JNS MARBLE AND GRANITE............................................................. 41

GURLEY’S AZALEA GARDEN............................................................. 8

CHRISTIE CUT STONE................................................................................. 52

RS ANTIQUES & ART..................................................................................... 10

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Artist Spotlight story by Sara P. Shirley • photos by Nathan Berry

SUE LAYMAN

LIGHTMAN

ue Layman Lightman said that when she began painting

were as primal as her approach, and her focus on bright colors

18 years ago, it came from a place of necessity.

and geometrical patterns has become her signature.

“I was at a stage in my life where I knew I wasn’t

In the 18 years since she began painting, Sue’s artistic career

doing what I needed to do,” she recalled. “I prayed

has blossomed. Many of her works can be found around the

constantly during this time, and I was inspired to go

greater Memphis area, in doctors’ offices and restaurants, even

buy some paints and start the process of learning.”

on the walls of the Madison Hotel. Six years ago, she opened her

Allowing her artistic desires to take hold, Sue began by

own gallery in the South Main Historic Arts District, just down

applying oil paints directly onto a wall in her home. The results

the road from the National Civil Rights Museum. Shortly after her

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Where You Can

Afford Your Dreams

opening, Justin Timberlake and Jessica

If you’re visiting the gallery, don’t

Biel stopped by to pick up a painting. The

leave without climbing to the third floor

three-story gallery is smartly furnished,

to spot the “wall” that Sue started her

showing how well her bold, abstract

journey with. She cut it right out of the

pieces work in a home setting. Sue often

house and had it framed. Of all of the

participates in the Downtown “trolley

pieces hanging in the gallery, it’s the only

tour” nights, and her gallery is open

one not for sale.

this summer on Thursdays, Fridays and

For more information on the artist,

Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by

or to view more of her work online, visit

appointment.

www.suelaymandesigns.com.

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J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

The children’s relax room in the former attic of the Salvaggio’s Germantown home was built around the existing architecture of the home, including the raised space behind the seating which comes from the raised front porch downstairs.

EXCEPTIONAL T

Expansion Story by Sara P. Shirley Photos by Jason Terrell

original space.

ony Salvaggio is a homebuilder

requests. He loves his Germantown

by trade, a history enthusiast by

neighborhood and school system, and

Once completed, Tony’s additions will

nature. So naturally, when he began

he respects the history of his house and

more than triple the size of his home,

the process of remodeling his home, he

land. During the Civil War, Union soldiers

adding 7,000 square-feet to his current

incorporated his passions for both in the

camped on his property, he said, and

3,800 square-foot residence.

project.

he and his children enjoy hunting for

“We’re using the same materials from

Tony’s reasons for adding on to his

artifacts in the yard. When the family of

the original house on the addition –it took

75-year-old home rather than building

six began to outgrow their existing space,

three years to find the right bricks—so

from scratch were much the same as

rather than build anew, Tony decided

that when everything is finished, it won’t

those of many of his clients with similar

to build upon, all while living inside the

look like an addition at all,” he said. “And

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Renovations involve a number of reclaimed pieces of hardware including these door handles from a Midtown church. The Salvaggios are renovating their 1940s-era home in the heart of Germantown. this goes to show that you can still live in your house while remodeling.” Tony was born into the building business.

His

grandfather

was

demolition contractor and in 1972 his father founded Memphis Door and Hardware, which Tony now owns and operates with his wife, Tami. Tony and his father, Charles Salvaggio, also make up the Salvaggio group, known locally for its portfolio of both commercial and residential projects throughout the MidSouth. Tony’s extensive addition will boost his space from 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms to 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms and an attached guesthouse. The

plans

for

the

expansion,

tentatively set for completion around

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

EXCEPTIONAL

Expansion

What was the attic of the Salvaggio home has become a bedroom and relax space for the couple’s children.

Home Improvement

What’s the Pay Off?

When embarking on an improvement project, homeowners all face the same question: How much will this ‘improve’ the value of my home? Often, a new project will cost more than the value it might add. This doesn’t mean you have to throw away your dreams for a major room overhaul, especially if you’re planning to spend several more years in your current residence, but it’s worth considering. Remodeling magazine takes a look at the return on investment for 35 improvement projects in an annual study. For the second year in a row, the data showed that the value of all remodeling projects has increased, signaling an end in the slide of the cost-value ratio that began plummeting in 2006. To view the complete results of the survey, visit www.remodeling.hw.net/ cost-vs-value/2014.

Here are home renovations that the study found to be the best and worst returns on investment.

Renovations that bring the greatest percentage return on investment:

Renovations that yield the smallest return:

Entry door replacement: 96.6 percent Deck addition (wood): 87.4 percent Attic bedroom: 84.3 percent Garage door replacement: 83.7 percent Minor kitchen remodel: 82.7 percent

Home office remodel: 48.9 percent Sunroom addition: 51.7 percent Bathroom addition: 60.1 percent Backup power generation: 67.5 percent Master suite addition: 67.5 percent

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

EXCEPTIONAL

Expansion

The Salvaggio home sits on a historic piece of land that figured prominently in the Union advance on Confederate forces during the Civil War. During renovations, the family has discovered a number of pieces of period pottery, glass and even a miniball bullet that dates to the Civil War.

J U LY â&#x20AC;˘ A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

EXCEPTIONAL Christmas, includes many extraordinary features,

such

brick

tunnel

connecting the old and new areas of the property. Reclaimed light fixtures, dating back more than a century, will light the way through the tunnel, adding to

Expansion

The home of Tony and Tami Salvaggio of Germantown was originally built in the 1940s and included the area on the right side of the photo. The semicircular courtyard and the buildings beyond it have been added during the couple’s renovation.

the old-world feel of the overall design. The English styling of the home carries through the exterior into the courtyard garden in the back, which is walled in by a moat-like koi pond. A mini-amphitheater surrounding a stone fire pit evokes thoughts of the Roman Colosseum, and the cavernous architecture of a 900-square

foot

underground

wine

cellar transports guests to another place and time. Local Memphis history is also mixed in with the design. For example, the staircase leading to the transformed attic loft is composed of reclaimed wood collected from a Memphis funeral home constructed in the early 1900s. Lighting and hardware from several demolished historic buildings have found new life in the Salvaggio home. “It’s been fun, incorporating so much history in the addition,” Tony said. “Maybe we’ll end up on the historic register after we finish.”

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Seamless ADDITION Story by Sara P. Shirley Photos by Jason Terrell

alking into Chris and Marta

neighbors really are there for each other.”

aside from hiring a good contractor—is

Patrick’s East Memphis home,

The Patricks hired Keith Allen, of

the money you spend in the planning

you’d never know that the

Keith Allen homes, to make their plans

process,” he said. “It’s a lot cheaper to

entrance wasn’t part of the original

a reality. Allen’s job, he said, was to

figure things out on paper, on the front

design of the home.

complete the transformation without

end, then in the middle of the project.

Since moving in 11 years ago, the

anyone ever having known the house had

Some people have a hard time visualizing

Patricks have transformed their 1950’s

undergone such an extensive remodeling

what the space will look like, but a good

era home, adding to the house in a major

in the first place.

contractor, or architect, will help that

way to create the space they always

“You don’t want the neighbors to drive

wanted without having to leave the

by and say, ‘Oh, that family just added on

neighborhood they love.

to their house,” he said. “You want it to

For the Patricks, extensive planning

look as if it was all part of the original

helped them decide to tackle their

design.”

home renovation in two phases. The 3

“We

considered

moving

(before

deciding to remodel), but we didn’t want to leave the neighborhood,” said Marta. “I grew up here, and I love—not just our neighborhood, but our street—our 22

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

The key to a seamless addition, said Allen, is proper planning. “Some of best money you can spend—

homeowner understand exactly what they’re going to end up with.”

bedroom, 2 bathroom house would grow to 4 bedrooms, with 3 ½ bathrooms. In the first phase, the kitchen was

The Patrick family home renovation netted a larger, open and more functional kitchen that sits neatly next to the casual dining space. Lining the walls and island are a plethora of nicely concealed storage areas to help keep the family organized.

This sitting room is positioned immediately adjacent to the kitchen and casual dining space in the Patrick family home.

J U LY â&#x20AC;˘ A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Seamless ADDITION

Just off the entry way, the front room of the Patrick family home was transformed into a formal dining and seating area decorated with furnishings and draperies in deep, rich earth tones and lit with plenty of natural light from a series of windows.

J U LY â&#x20AC;˘ A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Seamless ADDITION

Planning is key to any successful home remodeling project. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re debating whether to embark on a new project or look for a new home, Keith Allen, of Keith Allen Homes, recommends considering these three factors:

Are you in the geographic location that you want to be in long term? If so, investing in your property makes more sense than if you are somewhere you only envision as a temporary landing.

How do feel about the original architecture of the home? The most fluid remodeling projects often rely on/build upon existing architectural framework and design to complete new goals.

Do you have a vision of what you want to accomplish? The clearer you are about your wants and needs, the more likely you are to see them come to fruition.

J U LY â&#x20AC;˘ A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Seamless ADDITION

The master bedroom in the Patrick family home is both warm and cozy thanks to the arrangement of furniture and the warm colors used throughout the room. The large bed is all the more dramatic thanks to a custom-made headboard. completely gutted, the house was kicked

In the second phase, the front entry

a new master suite, kicking out a closet

out in the back to create more space,

was built out. Limestone around the

to create a large master bathroom and

and a storage room adjacent to the

outdoor entryway was echoed with a

closing in what was once a sitting area

old garage (which had been previously

keystone in the interior arched entry,

closed in) was turned into a laundry room.

adding to the flow of the home. A

The kitchen was created anew, with an

staircase was built behind the entryway,

open, bright design looking out over the

leading up to the attic and also serving

living room and new modern appliances.

as a point of visual interest to separate

entire project,” said Marta. “He matched

The old garage, located off the kitchen,

the living quarters in the home from

everything up and actually improved the

was put to use as a den and craft area.

entertainment areas. Allen then created

flow—we’re really happy with the results.”

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

outside of the bedroom to create a large master closet. “Keith was a great guide through the

Tips for a Safe Trip

Preparedness is key to a great vacation. As you begin your summer travels, plan for your trip with safety in mind. Here are a few safety tips regarding your First State debit card:

Let Us Know about Your Travel Plans We strive to look out for fraud and will take notice of unusual spending patterns. There are also some states that we have blocked, due to higher than normal fraudulent activity. Your debit card will only work when using your PIN in the blocked states, unless you have us remove the state block. To help avoid problems, let us know about your travel plans.

Take Only the Cards You Need It is a good idea to decide which cards are important to travel with and which credit or debit cards should stay home. Those cards staying home should be locked up securely while you are traveling.

Know the Cash and Purchase Limits of Your Card Regardless of your account balance, your debit card has daily ATM/Cash withdrawal limits and daily purchase limits. Call your local First State office to find out your specific card limits.

Log our Customer Service Numbers into your Cell Phone If your debit card is lost or stolen, while you are traveling, you will need our customer service numbers. Please consider logging them into your cell phone. If you need any assistance at all, just call our Customer Care Center at 1-877-910-0173. Also, note the number that is supported by our debit card provider, 1-800-528-2273, in case you need to call after hours. If your card is lost or stolen, give us a call and you’ll get immediate assistance.

Traveling has its own set of exciting opportunities and challenges. We don’t want your First State debit card to cause you anything but an excellent buying experience. We hope your summer travels, whether yours is a vacation or a staycation, to be above all ... safe! J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

For more information on mobile banking, please visit www.first-state.net/personal/mobile-banking.

MODERN KITCHEN Story by Emily Adams Keplinger Photos by Nathan Berry

Makeover

After gutting the entire kitchen, Michelle Triplett decided to install birch-stained, Shaker-style cabinetry and Silestone countertops. The kitchen is lit with an abundance of recessed lighting.

ith so much emphasis on “retro,”

works at Vignettes, located in Chickasaw

thing they did was to remove several

everything old does seem to be

Oaks Shopping Center, and her husband

rooms of wallpaper and repaint the

new again - especially if you

Brandon, a physician at St. Jude Children’s

interior. The home’s overall color scheme

step into the recently remodeled kitchen

Research Hospital, are originally from St.

now incorporates various shades of gray,

of Michelle and Brandon Triplett of East

Louis, Mo.. His job brought their family to

as well as pops of brighter colors such as

Memphis. In 2009, the couple bought

Memphis. They knew from the moment

orange and turquoise.

their home from the original owners who

they bought their 1 1/2 story traditional

“I specialize in residential design

had built the house in 1957. The Tripletts

brick home that the kitchen was going

and was excited is to remodel out

were given the original plans for the

to have to undergo “major” renovation

kitchen,” Michelle said. “The reason we’re

home, along with the original appliance

to accommodate their modern growing

doing this is to give our kitchen more

manuals.

family of three boys (Jonah, 13; Isaiah,

functionality, but it needs to blend with

12; and Griffin, 8). However, the first

the aesthetic of the rest of the home. We

Michelle, an interior designer who 28

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Michelle Triplett is an interior designer at Vignettes in the Chicasaw Oaks Shopping center. She undertook the task of completely renovating the 1950s-era kitchen in her East Memphis home.

wanted to retain its integrity.â&#x20AC;? The kitchen was gutted. The layout of the kitchen was reconfigured, adding a stainless steel chimney hood over the gas cooktop stove and extending counter space. The remodeling also added an eat-in counter, as well as floor-to-ceiling storage. Plain wooden slab cabinets were replaced with birch-stained, Shaker-style cabinets from Lifestyles Kitchen and Bath in Memphis. Silestone counters in Blanco Canvas were fabricated and installed by Stacks Stone in Rossville, Tenn. Contractor Brandon Seifert, owner of Adventurous Construction, removed the soffits, installed all the tile, enclosed the mud/laundry room, ran a gas line and updated the plumbing. The dark linoleum flooring was replaced with 12 x 24 inch light gray porcelain tiles. Track lighting was swapped for recessed lighting and a cool modern pendant-style fixture that J U LY â&#x20AC;˘ A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

MODERN KITCHEN

Makeover

e r o f e b

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

MODERN KITCHEN

Makeover

A stylish mosaic backsplash designed in a linear, mid-century pattern helped give new life and a bold sense of style to the Triplettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen.

The layout of the kitchen was reconfigured during the remodel, adding an eat-in counter and ample storage.

J U LY â&#x20AC;˘ A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

MODERN KITCHEN

Makeover

visually expands the space. One of the

house is carried into the kitchen with the

enclose them in a newly-constructed mud

most noticeable changes is that the plain

warm tone of the stained wood cabinets.

room and laundry room,” Michelle said.

painted walls were transformed with a

Cool tones surface in the backsplash.”

“And, we were able to move our second

glass and marble mosaic backsplash

All of the appliances (except the

designed in a linear, mid-century pattern

refrigerator and dishwasher which had

from Venice Tile & Marble Showroom.

already been replaced) were replaced with

“The backsplash adds interest, texture

stainless steel KitchenAid appliances from

and a modern day ‘pop’ - very subtle in

Ferguson. The original sink was replaced

color but adding a lot of visual interest,”

with a deep, divided stainless steel sink

explained Michelle. “The linear design

to blend with the modern atheistic of the

draws your eye around the room. As a

kitchen.

refrigerator out to our garage, repurposing rather than discarding, so that we can use that unit to store our bulk items.” Being mindful of repurposing items, Brandon said the couple “reinstalled our old cabinets and appliances in a friend’s ‘man’s lodge’ in the country where the

designer, I love the contrast between warm

“Another bonus of our remodeling

kitchen had NO cabinets. Anything else

and cool tones. The warm tone of the

efforts was that we were able to move the

that we couldn’t use, we passed along to

wooden floors that run throughout out the

washer and dryer out of the kitchen and

others.”

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

StatementPIECES From beautifully preserved butterflies to backyard bird feeders, here are a few of our favorite local summer finds.

Ivory Scroll Lamp

$145

Pomp & Posie (901) 410-8998

Medium Birdhouse

$125

Pomp & Posie (901) 410-8998

Crow with Bucket Birdfeeder

$38

2 4

Pomp & Posie (901) 410-8998

Pheromone Insect Artwork by Christopher Marley

3 5

Starting at $300

RS Antiques & Art (901) 417-8315

Bon Appetit Y’all Hand Towels

$15

RS Antiques & Art (901) 417-8315

Tang Dynasty Horse in Antique Green

$96

RS Antiques & Art (901) 417-8315 J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Rooted Tradition Story by Emily Adams Keplinger Photos by Nathan Berry

eirloom

plants

have

become

clerk, and most of his personal life in

plantings would come from the family

all the rage. People flock to

his backyard where he exercised his

home in Sardis.

Farmers Markets to buy heirloom

passion for gardening.

tomatoes and catalogs are plentiful with offerings of heirloom plants. But making

“My

daddy

was

The Bowmans bought their home Southern

on Goodlett in 1999 and at that time,

gentleman who loved to entertain

the backyard was filled with bamboo

and enjoyed hosting parties in our

and very little grass. Since then, their

that type of choice became all the more

backyard. He appreciated the beauty

yard renovation has taken place in

meaningful for Becky and Scott Bowman

of a pretty yard and a colorful garden.

stages; first with the addition of a

He particularly enjoyed growing many

wooden deck off the kitchen, followed

different types of flowers from all over

by the laying of a brick patio. Even

the South.”

there, the family ties continued with

when they opted for pass-along plants from Becky’s parents’ home in Sardis, Miss.

So when the Bowmans began

the center section of the patio made of

Bob

planning the backyard renovation for

bricks from the old Sardis courthouse

Carter, spent his professional life in

their home in East Memphis, it was

where Mr. Carter worked for over 30

a courtroom where he was a circuit

never a question that some of the

years.

Becky’s

father,

the

late

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Some of the boxwoods in the Bowman garden came from cuttings from a hotel in Biloxi, Miss., where Becky Bowman’s family vacationed during the summers of Becky’s childhood.

Heirloom plants are becoming increasingly popular in the modern gardening scene. These old-time varieties are passed down through multiple generations of families. J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Rooted

Tradition IN

“Some of those bricks date back to 1849,” explained Scott. “We used them to create a pad for our outdoor dining area, as well as to run a brick edging around the newly-created flower beds.” An 8-foot high fence now frames the southern border of the yard with the transplanted shrubs fanning out in a semi-circle to form the remaining borders. In a series of trips to the home in Sardis, landscapers from Sun Group Services

Germantown

removed

and successfully transplanted 9-foot azaleas,

small

moderate-sized

hydrangeas and massive plantings of forsythia. Brandon Jones of Sun Group assisted with the overall design, adding transplanted English Boxwoods to emphasize the garden’s structure. “Some of the boxwoods came from cuttings from the Broadwater Beach Hotel in Biloxi, Miss. where our family vacationed during my childhood summers,” recalled Becky. “My daddy loved to take clippings of plants he admired and try to root them at home.” More

planting

will

come

from

Sardis to Memphis this summer. The Bowmans are waiting for day lilies to bloom so they can determine their colors. And daffodils are also on the transplant list. “Our once-neglected backyard is now a place of respite that our whole family enjoys,” said Scott. “I have found that I really enjoy yard work and spend much of my free time continuing the restoration of our backyard.” The heirloom plants have added more than flora and fauna. They have perpetuated family roots for the next generation. “We are continuing our family’s tradition of backyard entertaining and it is a fitting tribute to my father to incorporate plants that he cultivated so carefully,” said Becky. 36

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Bricks in the center of the patio have family ties, as does much of the Bowman garden. Some of the bricks, which were taken from the Sardis courthouse where Becky Bowman’s father worked, date back to 1849.

Pinteresting

Fun SUMMER CRAFTS By Sara P. Shirley Photos by Jason Terrell

With school out for the summer, moms and dads across the Mid-South have extra pairs of hands to keep busy. We turned to Pinterest for inspiration on projects that would be fun, easy, affordable and make for great decorative pieces to warm one’s home. You can view our finds on the “crafts we’d like to try” board at pinterest.com/fixmagazine. What projects or crafts are you working on this summer? Let us know by sending an email to patterson@commercialappeal.com. Your project could be featured in an upcoming issue of Fix!

Yarn Ball Art

Flowerpot Birdbath

balls, which you can hang or place in a basket

flowerpots and glue them into an

to liven up a centerpiece, you only need a

arrangement resembling a birdbath. I found

few ingredients and a bit of patience. Pick

everything I needed for this project at a

a thick yarn in a color of your choice; grab

crafts store—the flowerpots, the non-toxic

a pack of balloons and a bottle of regular

“patio paint” for terra cotta, and a non-toxic

glue. Make a glue paste by mixing one bottle

outdoor sealer (I used a Mod Podge brand).

of glue with about half a cup of water. The

Paint the birdbath however you’d like. I

mixture shouldn’t be too watery, or the yarn

attempted a Chevron pattern, and overall

won’t become strong enough to hold shape

it turned out, despite a few rough patches.

on its own. Blow up your balloon into a circle.

Seal the piece

Dip your yarn in the glue mixture and wrap it

before placing

around the balloon. Let it dry overnight, and

it outside and

then pop the balloon! The balloon will come

then enjoy!

Warning: This one gets messy. To make yarn

Begin with varying sizes of terra cotta

right out of the yarn ball, which will hold its shape. Tip: Don’t pop the balloon if any of the yarn is wet—this will cause the yarn to deflate with the balloon.

Yarn Bottle Vases

Continuing with the yarn theme, this is a very easy way to re-use old materials to create a set of cute, decorative vases that can be personalized to fit your taste. All you need is yarn, a few bottles and glue. It’s easiest to do this by starting at the top and working your way down. Place glue on the bottle and then wrap yarn around the bottle. Use different colors or widths of yarn to make interesting striped patterns, if you’re e feeling adventurous.

Happy Pinning! J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

why we love our home

DaringDÉCOR W

Story by Erinn Figg • Photos by Nathan Berry • Exterior photo courtesy of Lori Reeves-Whited

hen Lori Reeves-Whited and

somewhere nice.”

changed

her husband Bill purchased

So she and her husband got to work

their Cordova home in 2009,

upgrading appliances, changing light

Lori had no shortage of bright ideas for

fixtures, replacing brassy hinges and

decorating it.

doorknobs with more modern, brushed-

“The light had a lot to do with how I dressed each room, actually,” she said. “Because of the way the house is situated, the sunlight just kind of dances from corner to corner. It makes the room look different at different times of the day, and I can reposition the curtains or blinds to enhance that effect.” Although Reeves-Whited describes her first encounter with the threebedroom, two-bathroom house as “love at first sight,” she says it was the home’s potential that really drew her in. “I could see it could go somewhere,” she said. “I knew I could take it

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

silver versions — the works. “Everything

was

everything,”

Reeves-Whited

said. One of her favorite transformations occurred in an unexpected space. “The laundry room originally was a shabby tan color. I stacked my washer

contractor-grade,

and dryer and I painted the walls a bright

just the bare minimum, so we pretty much

cockatiel green,” she said. “I also put

some dragonflies going up a wall. Now it doesn’t look like a laundry room at all — it looks like a playroom.” An artist in her spare time, ReevesWhited uses the home’s third bedroom as a combination office-slash-art studio and has incorporated creative touches and vibrant accents throughout her home. Her chandeliers and light-switch plates pop with color. Every piece of art tells a story. In her master bathroom, an old, once-rotting fence enjoys an artistic reincarnation as a mirror frame. “When we bought the house, the master bathroom had a standard 9-by-6foot mirror. I liked the dimensions, but I had to do something about the design,” Reeves-Whited said. “When Bill replaced some of the fence posts in the yard, I

Lori Reeves-Whited turned an extra bedroom into a home office/art studio.

kept them and came up with the idea to cut them into a pattern that looks like a fence around the mirror.” Another favorite room is the dining room, which includes a mix of antique and contemporary décor and serves as a showcase for mementos from the couple’s travels. “It has an island feel, but I would call it ‘shipwrecked island,’ not ‘party island.’ I have a lot of antique maps that I’ve framed, along with art and indigenous masks from Haiti and other places we’ve been,” she said. “I think it’s something that takes people’s breaths away when they see it. They just get lost in the maps on the wall and want to know the stories behind the masks.” Reeves-Whited said she and her husband have been entertaining much more frequently during the past year, thanks to the addition of a retractable awning over the home’s back deck — another one of her favorite spaces. “Now we can open up our back French doors completely and put out

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

DaringDÉCOR

A cockatiel green on the laundryroom walls grabs attention and adds vibrancy to this eclecticallystyled home.

Lori Reeves-Whited mixed antique and contemporary pieces in the dining room, which also showcases the couple’s travels.

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Lori ReevesWhited reused old fence posts to add style to a once-plain mirror.

DaringDÉCOR the awning. On the deck we have a grill

The plates on the light switches pop with color, adding artistic touches to each room.

and chairs and tables, and it’s a party. It’s just a party all over the house because people can just go in and out as they please,” she said. “It’s like an extension of our house. It gave us 150 more square feet to play in.” All of the renovations and upgrades aside, Reeves-Whited says one of her home’s best features is the west Cordova neighborhood in which it’s situated.

Everyone

friendly,

and

neighboring homeowners often go the extra mile to help each other, she said. “Our cove is quiet, but we can still hear the laughter of children. It’s so nice when you hear the children laughing out front — it’s like you know there’s going to be a great future there.”

JnS

An eco-friendly feature of the home is the rainwater collection station out back, which is used to water the grass and herb garden.

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J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

GREEN FIX By John Ruch

Saving Money WITH WHOLE HOUSE FANS

A whole house fan can be a great way to reduce the energy cost associated with cooling your home. Depending on the time of year and where you live, a whole house fan can be used in lieu of an air conditioning unit. All this is pretty good when you are looking for energy efficiency in homes. Of course as with most other energy efficient products and methods, there are pitfalls that need to be avoided. But done correctly, a whole house fan can be a great choice for your new or even existing home. (As a quick note, a whole house fans is not the same as an attic fan in function or purpose.)

A LOOK AT THE ECONOMICS A 4-ton 13 SEER air conditioning unit in the mid-south will run about 1,000 hours during the cooling season. This equates to about $2,500 per year or $350 per month for the seven months we need cooling. Now, if we look at a whole house fan that may draw 600 watts of power when being used, the

Jon Ruch is the owner of Ruch Builders, LLC, a company that builds energy efficient homes in the MidSouth. To read this article in full, please visit Jon’s blog at: www.energysmartcustomhomes.com

and methods, using common sense with

- Make sure your attic is properly

whole fans can save you money. As a rule

vented. All the air you are pulling

of thumb, if the outside temperatures go

through your home and into the attic

above 85 degrees, it is probably best to

has to ultimately leave your attic. To little

turn off the fan.

attic ventilation can result in poor fan

A FEW THINGS TO AVOID

performance or even force attic air back

- Don’t go cheap with your whole house fan. Avoid fans that don’t come with insulated baffle covers and seals.

utility cost would run around $8 per

One of the worse enemies of energy

month. By straight comparison you would

smart homes is a leaky thermal envelope.

have a pretty good monthly savings using

If not done correctly, a whole house fan

the whole fan.

is nothing more than a large hole in your

Of course this is not really an apples-

ABOUT THIS BUILDER:

otherwise tight home.

into your home.

ADDED BENEFITS There are more benefits to having a whole house fan than just saving money on cooling. One of those is in indoor air quality. Generally speaking, one of the better ways to improve indoor air is to

to-apples comparison because there are

- Properly size the fan for the house.

replace the indoor air with outside air.

other factors that may prevent you from

Too much or too little air movement may

Of course, a whole house fan is one of

simply turning off your air conditioner and

result in not using the whole house fan as

the best ways to quickly replace indoor

running the whole house fan year round.

often as you should. This simply defeats

air with fresh outside air improving your

As with most energy efficient products

your whole reason for installing your fan.

home’s indoor air quality.

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Hawaiian LUAU

DECOR FIX

Night or day, this fun soiree on the island of Hawaii is sure to thrill everyone on your guest list.

Tips and photos courtesy of My Perfect Party

ӺӺ Fresh fruit, party favors or even flowers will bring this centerpiece to life in seconds! ӺӺ Make a statement by serving fruit salad from a pineapple bowl or using a halved pineapple as a base for displaying colorful fruit kabobs.

This whimsical turtle of recycled cedar graces a cocktail table beautifully. Display magazines in it or use it as a serving tray in almost any area of your home.

More information: With a little help from Anne Canale and Karen Eskin, your perfect party awaits. The two friends started their business, “My Perfect Party,” after discovering they share a knack for pulling together casual events that look like over-the-top affairs. For more information, tips and entertainment ideas, visit www.myperfectparty.com. J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Great GARDENS

ix would like to thank each and

Living beginning July 16. Head over to

in the first week of August and in

every gardener who took the

Graham’s to view our judges’ choices

the next issue of Fix magazine. The

time to send in an entry to our

and submit your vote for our first

prize? More than $2,000 in gifts from

People’s Choice Winner!

our sponsors at Graham’s Lighting

annual garden contest. Five finalists have been chosen and will be on display

The garden contest winner will

at Graham’s Lighting and Outdoor

be announced at a party at Graham’s

and Outdoor Living, Gurley’s Azalea Garden and Christie Cut Stone.

Here’s a look at this year’s submissions. Maureen and Tony Bernot, Arlington

Geraldina and Raul Cardenas, Cordova

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Karen Cannon, Memphis “On our porch is a sign given to me by a wonderful friend that states, ‘Every Birdie Welcome.’ The garden is my stress reliever my place to pray and think.” – Karen Cannon

Madelyne Daneman, Germantown

Buddy Dietz, Memphis “Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like our backyard. We call it Central Gardens Shabby Chic.” – Buddy Dietz

Bob, Susan and Keesha Furniss, Bartlett

George Kunzel, Germantown

Dawn Johnson, Memphis “I love looking for rare and unusual plants to add, so I’m always on the lookout for something new.” – Dawn Johnson

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Michael and Denise Lachina

Jason Lurie, Cordova

Sarah Lebovitz, Memphis “I think being a gardener is one of the healthiest and most sustaining activities that a person can undertake and the best thing about it is that anyone can do it! You just have to not be too hard on yourself when bugs and disease come to visit.” – Sarah Lebovitz

Bruce and Paulette McCullar, Germantown “The backyard has been a 20 year labor of love and it has paid immeasurable and priceless return to us over the years...There will be more beautiful gardens than ours, but none are more appreciated.” – Bruce McCullar Carolyn and Ike Martin, Cordova

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Donna Nelson, Collierville

Dianne Perkins, Memphis

Carolyn Pollan, Memphis

Linda Pittman, Lakeland “I love to dig in the dirt and watch things grow.” – Linda Pittman

Laura Renken, Eads “Living in the woods might prove a challenge creating a garden for sun-loving colorful plants, but over the last few years, I have learned much about the world of shade. I have learned you can still have color and much, much more that is unable to grow in a sun garden.” – Laura Renken

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

William and Ann Schultz, Memphis “Our garden is cultivated as much by nature as it is by the gardener.” – Bill Schultz

Paul Roberts, Cordova

Laura Taylor, Cordova

Susan Thompson, Germantown

Dan and Belita Vowell, Cordova

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Vote for your favorite garden beginning July 16 at Graham’s Lighting and Outdoor Living in Midtown Memphis. Your votes will help us crown our first People’s Choice Award Winner!

HOSPITALITY FIX

CONEY ISLAND HOT DOGS

Recipes by Sarah Matheny Gordon

BLACKBERRY MOJITOS

ver the past year or two, gourmet

So, there is a reason this recipe for Coney

these hotdogs would be delicious with

hot dogs have become a food

Island hot dogs has been popular since the

the addition or substitution of other

trend in cities across the United

early 20th century! Even better, this recipe

ingredients of your choosing, but you’ll

States, including Memphis. Discovering

comes together in less than 30 minutes,

have to come up with a new name for the

new and unique flavor combinations is

making it an easy but impressively tasty

dish you create. Who knows, it could be

always exciting and rewarding, but only

recipe to serve at a backyard barbeque

the next big thing to appear on menus at

really great recipes stand the test of time.

or to family on a weeknight. Of course,

gourmet hot dog stands!

However you choose to top your hot dogs at cook-outs this summer, wash them down with this refreshing twist on a classic summer cocktail – a blackberry mojito. Leave out the rum and kids will love them too!

Recipes J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

HOSPITALITY FIX

CONEY ISLAND HOT DOGS INGREDIENTS 1½ pounds ground beef 2

Tbs. olive oil

white onion, finely minced

½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste 3

Tbs. chili powder

Tbs. onion powder

Tbs. garlic powder

Tbs. Worcestershier sauce

Tbs. white sugar

Tbs. classic yellow mustard

tsp. paprika

tsp. cumin

½ tsp. nutmeg ½ tsp. ground white pepper 1

can tomato paste (12 oz.)

cups water

½ tsp. cayenne pepper, optional 1-2 tsp. Tabasco sauce, optional 8 hotdog buns (side-split buns provide a more sophisticated or gourmet look than traditional buns) 8

all-beef, bun-length hotdogs

Directions

This will take a few minutes, but the

paste and water until well-combined.

process is worth it to have hotdog

Cover and increase heat to medium

heat, add olive oil and ½ cup of

chili with a smooth consistency.

high, and allow chili sauce to simmer,

minced onion. Cook onions until

When the ground beef is mostly

covered, for about ten minutes.

they begin to soften, about four

browned, add seasonings (all of the

Remove cover and continue to

minutes. Add ground beef and use

remaining ingredients except for

simmer, stirring occasionally, until

a stiff spatula or wooden utensil to

tomato paste and water) and stir

chili sauce has thickened to desired

break up the meat until it is crumbly.

to combine. Then, stir in tomato

consistency. Remove from heat.

In a nonstick skillet over medium

J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

BLACKBERRY MOJITOS INGREDIENTS 2 large blackberries*

1.5 oz. white rum

2 Tbs. simple syrup (see recipe below)

Juice from two wedges of lime, about 1 Tbs. of juice

2 large mint leaves or 4 small ones, torn in half

Soda water or seltzer water

* Any ripe berry or even mango can be substituted for blackberries. For even more flavor, add a teaspoon of pomegranate juice. This recipe makes a delicious classic mojito if no berries are available.

Directions In a 16 oz. glass, place blackberries, and simple syrup. Squeeze lime slices, and drop one Taste and add salt if desired. Cook hotdogs by package instructions or your preferred method (grilling, steaming, boiling). For a Coney Island style chili dog, place hotdogs inside buns, then top with chili sauce, finely minced onions, and prepared yellow mustard

into the glass. With a muddler or with the end of a wooden spoon, muddle the ingredients by simultaneously pressing down and making a twisting motion. This will release the fruit juices and the fragrant mint oils and blend them together. Add white rum, and then add ice until the glass is about 2/3

full. Fill the remainder of the glass with soda water. Stir gently but thoroughly with a spoon, and garnish with a young sprig of mint and a blackberry, if desired. To make simply syrup: In a small saucepan, combine equal parts warm water with granulated sugar (for example, 1 cup warm water with 1 cup sugar). Heat on low and stir gently until sugar is fully dissolved. Allow to come to room temperature before using. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator. J U LY â&#x20AC;˘ A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

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J U LY • A U G U S T 2 0 1 4