Nfocus October 2022

The Design Issue

Look inside three stunning interiors, meet four local visionaries and more

THE ART OF FUSION

SQUARE BANG UNICO Black ceramic case. In-house UNICO chronograph movement. Limited to 250 pieces.

With gratitude to our former and current Gala Chairs, 2010–2022 Dedicated to our incomparable Honorary Chair, Clare Armistead

parties

17 In the Limelight

Donna McKechnie takes the stage at Broadway Brunch

20 A Lively Legacy

Preservation and history shine at the Heritage Ball Patrons Party

22 A Sweet Treat

Girl Scout Luncheon welcomes Kelsea Ballerini

24 Leading the Way

The 2022 Most Powerful Women luncheon takes over the Conrad Nashville

29 Journey Into the Wild

Chukkers for Charity takes spectators on a safari

33 Waltzing on Air

A Tennessee Waltz celebrates 85 years of the Tennessee State Museum

Contents

October 2022 | Vol. xxix, No. 10

features

39 Refreshing Interiors

A look inside three stunning homes

61 Q&A With Design Week’s Rex Runyeon

An inside look at Nashville’s Design Week

66 Designer Profiles

Interviews with Nashville’s dreamers and visionaries

departments

12 In Our Words

A look at some reimagined homes and celebrating the visionaries behind them

14 Behind the Scenes

Raising the curtain with drapery designer Damon Johnston

78 Step Inside

Tailor, Vivek Surti’s South Asian American restaurant, has a new space

80 Nsider

River Swing Patrons Party, Nightfall at the Hall, Symphony Ball Kickoff and Swan Ball Auction Kickoff

84 Taking Vows

Katherine Patricia Casey Marries Matthew Walker Peacock

86 Pencil In

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events

88 Arts and Galleries

Upcoming visual and performing arts

90 Best Behavior

Expert etiquette advice from John Bridges

92 Nretrospect

A look at the history of Nashville’s airport

ON THE COVER

Libby Callaway photographed by Daniel Meigs at her home, the Callaway Compound. For hers and more fabulous interiors, turn to page 39.

66

Editorial Art Production Marketing

founding editor Herbert Fox, Jr. editor-in-chief Janet Kurtz managing editor Jonathan Sims associate editor Holly Hoffman social correspondent Gloria Houghland contributors Beth Alexander, John Bridges, Whitney Clay, Carrington Fox, Laura Hutson Hunter, Sandy Nelson, Ellen Pryor, Jennifer Puryear, Megan Seling, Varina Willse

interim art director Christie Passarello senior photographer Eric England staff photographer Daniel Meigs

contributing photographers Michael W. Bunch, Matt Masters, Jen McDonald

graphic designers Mary Louise Meadors, Tracey Starck graphic designer/production coordinator Christie Passarello

events and marketing director Olivia Moye Britton marketing and promotions manager Robin Fomusa

Advertising Circulation

publisher Jennifer Trsinar Jezewski

advertising solutions consultants Sue Falls, Richard Jacques, Michael Jezewski, Deborah Laufer, Carla Mathis, Allie Muirhead, Heather Cantrell Mullins, Mike Smith, Niki Tyree, Alissa Wetzel, Keith Wright sales operations manager Chelon Hasty advertising solutions associates Jada Goggins, Audry Houle, Jack Stejskal

circulation manager Gary Minnis president Mike Smith chief financial officer Todd Patton IT director John Schaeffer

Owner

FW Publishing, LLC Bill Freeman

Business Nfocus is published monthly by FW Publishing, LLC. Advertising deadline for the next issue is Monday, October 17, 2022 A limited number of free copies, one per reader, are available at select retail establishments, listed on the website: nfocusmagazine. com. First-class subscriptions are available for $99 per year. Send your name and address along with a check or credit card number and expiration date to: GARY MINNIS, FW PUBLISHING, 210 12th Ave. S., Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37203 or call Gary at 615-8449307. For advertising information, call JENNIFER TRSINAR JEZEWSKI at 615-844-9261. Copyright ©2022 FW Publishing, LLC.

From Dreams to Design

A look at some reimagined homes and celebrating the visionaries behind them

Design is an integral part of our ev eryday lives. e right design can in uence our experiences, bring beauty to our lives and elevate us to a more well-balanced state of being. Every aspect of high-quality design is carefully considered and weighed throughout the process. Decisions are made, remade and then remade again, all with design ers in the director’s chair helping to complete the composition.

Nfocus is full of dreamers and visionaries — Nashvillians who can look at what a space is and envision what could be. They are the change bringers and rule breakers, all creating spaces that inspire, delight and, in some cases, challenge us to think differently about our environs.

In this issue, we introduce you to the designer and owner of The

Curtain Call, Damon Johnston, who personally oversees the develop ment and production of his prod ucts. We invite you into beautiful homes that began as rough shells and, through the vision of the own ers, were meticulously renovated and reimagined. As in-person gath erings have come roaring back, we round out the summer with events like Broadway Brunch, Heritage Ball Patrons Party, Chukkers for Charity, the Most Powerful Women luncheon and more.

This month, we celebrate design and the creative individuals who inspire us with their visions. We honor those who dare to break rules and reimagine the world and who see the impossible trans formed into reality. In the words of poet Shel Silverstein, “If you are a dreamer, come in.”

BY JANET KURTZ

Janet moved to Nashville 24 years ago. She is an avid reader, traveler and collector of fountain pens. She lives in downtown Nashville. Email her at jkurtz@nfocusmagazine.com.

IN OUR WORDS

The Basics

Name: Damon Johnston

Title: Owner, The Curtain Call

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Zip Code: 37210

Years in Nashville: 22

Number of windows you have dressed?: I lost count at 1,000.

Raising the Curtain

The furnishing and drapery designer shares his process, inspiration, favorite materials and more

With a background deeply rooted in artistic expression, Damon Johnston of The Curtain Call and Christopher Wayne Home has made a name for himself in the interior design space. His attention to detail and emphasis on ex cellence led him to insist on personally overseeing the production work of his designs. Known as the “Window Guru” by some of his more discerning clientele, his vision and hands-on approach are why he has become a leader in not only window dressing, but also furnishings, acces sories, textiles, hardware, pillows, blinds and soft goods. We spoke with Damon, who lifted the curtain on his pro cess, inspiration, favorite materials and more.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPH BY DANIEL MEIGS

What did you want to be when you grew up? Don’t laugh: an obstetrician; however, that was short-lived.

How do you find inspiration for your designs? Every project is different, and with every new client, there is a new direction and perspective. My No. 1 priority is to listen to each client’s desires and realistic expecta tions. The golden rule is to always take into consideration the clients’ wants and desires, even if it rubs against the grain of my own. At the end of the day, this is their space, not mine. Every person knows what they want, in some sense; they just don’t always know how to achieve it. Inspiration can be some thing as unique as an inherited heirloom or as simple as a favorite pillow or blanket. The key is to listen.

Who is your biggest influence? I wish I could know the answer to that! Influence is a form of inspiration, and it can truly come from anywhere.

What is the top advice you give to your clients? Don’t be afraid to express yourself. And never think small; always think big! It’s my job to manage the budget and get you the absolute best out of what I’m given to work with.

What design trend do you see on the horizon? I don’t think there is any way of

completely pegging a trend, but I will say I am encouraging my clients to be a little bolder in their approach to color and pattern. We have seen a huge wave in the last 10-15 years of eliminating color and pattern. There is a way of adding some spice back into our environment without it being overwhelming or overstimulat ing. I say have fun and be daring!

What is your favorite material to work with? I love wool. It’s luxury at its finest and dresses beautifully and wears well.

What is your current favorite thing to binge-watch or listen to? Right now, I’m binge-watching The Crown, for very obvious reasons. I loved Bridgerton but also bingewatched Ozark as quickly as possible. I love a sappy romantic movie and can spend an entire day watching comedies. I’m superexcited that we are entering the holiday season because we all know what that means, right? Hallmark movies!

What is your favorite place to go in Nashville? I’m a huge foodie and could go on and on about so many great places in Nashville, but right now, my new favorite is Boqueria at Fifth + Broadway. My husband and I went to Sitges and Barcelona, Spain, right before the pandemic, and when I’m missing the amazing cuisine of Spain, Boqueria is spot on and always satisfies.

In the Limelight

Donna McKechnie takes the stage at Broadway Brunch

Nashville Repertory Theatre is the first and, as far as we know, only nonprofit to have taken the ordinary weekend meal and elevated it to a high-energy, entertaining event that delights supporters with Broadway Brunch. The midday lineup of favorite local actors, familiar show tunes and traditional fare is now in its seventh year and raises valuable funds for the city’s premier regional theater company.

Not long after visiting revelers had deserted the streets of downtown, a tonier group arrived at Wildhorse Saloon for a fun-filled Sunday morning that started, appropriately, with mimosas and palomas in The Granary upstairs. Co-chairs Jeanette Barker and Janet Kurtz were on hand to welcome everyone, ensure they had a beverage and direct them to the silent auction, which was brimming with all kinds of treasures for the right price. When the time came, it didn’t take much effort to get people to head to the main floor. The room was completely transformed into a sophisticated, clubby setting with navy and turquoise linens and cheerful centerpieces provided by Rose Hill Flowers.

The Rep always has clever takes on iconic Broadway hits in store for the day, and they didn’t disappoint. The group opened with a rousing Hamilton-inspired medley and turned “Hello, Dolly” into “Hello, Donna” to welcome Ovation Award recipient Donna McKechnie. The Tony Award winner and American Theater Hall of Fame inductee was thrilled by the tribute. Brian Charles Rooney’s medley of tunes brought the house down. Naturally, the real showstopper was Donna’s performance of “Being Alive,” from the Tony Award-winning Company

The move to the Wildhorse allowed more people to attend and provided great production value to show off the talent of the ensemble at its best. Seven was definitely a lucky number for Broadway Brunch and the Nashville Repertory Theatre.

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Co-chairs Janet Kurtz and Jeanette Barker

Donna McKechnie

Rob Turner, Vicki Horne

Bob Deal and Jason Bradshaw

Tamar Smithers, Michelle Thomas

Amos Glass, Drew Ogle

Susan Lindsey, Jennifer Robinson, Gretchen Howell, Ashley Gold

Justin Boyd, Delaney Amatrudo

Melanie Hollenstein, Deborah Hollenstein

Kara Smith, Ross Stone

Elena Reinert, Allison PearsonElisheba Mrozik, Kasumi Bledsoe

Andrew and Aly Hard, Samantha Breske, Lucas Magee

Annette Eskind, Trey Lipman, Laurie Eskind

Richard Piazza, Lorrie Brouse, Tara Helmer, Libby Helmer

Bonnie Dow, Stephanie Silverman

A Lively Legacy

Preservation and history shine at the Heritage Ball Patrons Party

History and heritage came together on a beautiful August evening in Franklin. The preservation-minded patrons turned out at Debbie and Michael W. Smith’s home nestled in the rolling hills just south of Nashville to celebrate the Heritage Ball. There, guests mingled with co-chairs Tom and Cordia Harrington, Bill Frist, artist Erik Skoldberg and more as they awaited announcements of awards and the headlining entertainment for the ball.

“The Heritage Foundation captures the magic of preservation and conservation,” said Bill. “It is a legacy for the future.” Michael also shared, “This is a very rare place to live. We love it for the history, and we want to protect it.”

While chatting, guests enjoyed sips of wine and cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, such as lamb biscuits and chicken katsu satay. Tyler Smith, Debbie and Michael’s son, entertained on the piano while Penny, the black labrador retriever, gratefully accepted pats on the head.

During the party, organizers presented two awards. The Patron’s Award was presented to Alma McLemore, president of the board of directors of the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County. Alma is deeply rooted in the community, serving on both the Franklin Planning Commission and the Battlefield Preservation Commission, in addition to overseeing the restoration of the McLemore House and working to purchase the Merrill-Williams House on Natchez Street, which will be used for educational and interpretive purposes for the Natchez neighborhood and for Black history.

The second award for the evening, the Tracy Frist Award, was presented to Katherine Malone-France, chief preservation officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Throughout her career, Katherine has worked tirelessly to create and administer programs such as a fund dedicated to supporting historic gardens and landscapes, as well as collaborations with contemporary artists.

The big news came with the announcement that Tony and Grammy Award-winning artist Heather Headley would headline this year’s Heritage Ball. Heather is known for her career on Broadway and her already illustrious music career.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Jaclyn Ledbetter, Trent and Bethni Hemphill, Debbie Smith

Alma McLemore, Karen McLemore, Bari Beasley

Jason Pharris, Christi Edwards

Katherine Malone-France, Bill Frist, Michael W. Smith

Susan and Ken Whitaker

Michael and Debbie Smith, Cordia and Tom Harrington

A Sweet Treat

Girl Scout Luncheon welcomes Kelsea Ballerini

The Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee’s annual luncheon returned for the first time since 2019 and welcomed an excited crowd to the Music City Center’s Davidson Ballroom. The program opened with a color guard leading the room in a flag ceremony and the Girl Scout Promise. In her welcome, GSMTN President and CEO Agenia Clark reminded everyone that being a Girl Scout instills confidence in its members and encourages them to achieve their dreams to become the leaders of tomorrow. Both speakers proved exactly that.

Past Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Kourtney Souza’s story was a shining example of everything one gains through scouting. When she joined her troop, the cookie sale was winding down, and she sold a mere four boxes. That didn’t lessen her enthusiasm for the sale or Girl Scouts. Every year, she sold more and more boxes while acquiring the valuable skills — such as marketing, math and manners — that enabled her to open Kourtney’s Kakes, her successful bakery in downtown Dickson. It was an upbeat lead-in to the keynote interview.

Special guest Kelsea Ballerini, the multiplatinum award-winning singer, songwriter and producer, recently added another accomplishment to her list: bestselling author. She took the stage for an intimate and inspiring chat with Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, to talk about that and more.

Feel Your Way Through: A Book of Poetry is her deeply personal collection written during the pandemic. There were no performances at the time, and she told the room, “I realized that some feelings can’t be turned into a song, so I started writing poems.” One of the poems, which she read aloud, was inspired by her own Girl Scout bridging ceremony.

The afternoon ended with Kelsea performing her first hit, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” and “What I Have” from her latest album. It was a wonderful way to wrap up this year’s Girl Scout Luncheon.

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Lily Jaremski, Quinn Hayworth, Lucy Salazar, Jacey Davis

Laura Turner, Leigh Ann Jones, Brittany Haugh, Jan Cagle Adrienne Battle, Priscilla Cole

Kelsea Ballerini

Agenia Clark, Sarah Trahern

Sheneirka Edwards Michelle Brown, TK Fayne

Laura Merritt, Karolyn Perry, Juliana Lamar, Rachel Tom-Quinn

Heather Bailey, Misty Fahr, Jennifer Baugh

Leading the Way

The 2022 Most Powerful Women luncheon takes over the Conrad Nashville

Each year, Nfocus teams up with the Nashville Post, one of our sister publications, to honor some of Nashville’s most accomplished and inspiring leaders for the Most Powerful Women luncheon. The annual event takes place at one of the hottest new venues across the city, and this year, Conrad Nashville, the anchor of the tallest of the buildings at the new Broadwest complex, played host to the midday affair.

Women from every professional field across the city came together to support and celebrate each other. They sipped mocktails as they chatted and bid on silent auction items supporting each of the nonprofits represented by our ten Model Behavior honorees. Among the items up for bid were a soccer ball signed by Nashville Soccer Club players and tickets to a game to support Love Thy Neighbor, spa treatments and products to support CASA and API Middle Tennessee and tickets to a variety of shows to support the performing arts organizations.

After filing into the gorgeous ballroom, guests enjoyed a lunch of salmon with mixed greens while Nashville Post editor Stephen Elliott welcomed everyone to the event and our new editor, Janet Kurtz, presented the Model Behavior honorees. Finally, the Most Powerful Women panelists — Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital’s Shubhada Jagasia, the Country Music Association’s Sarah Trahern, Metro Councilmember At-Large Zulfat Suara, and Second Harvest Food Bank’s Nancy Keil — took their seats on the stage alongside moderator Demetria Kalodimos. The four community leaders discussed what led them to their current roles and the mentors that helped them along the way, how they prioritize equity and diversity within their organizations, and more.

Everyone received a gift bag to take with them before heading back to the office, and VIPs imbibed Champagne on the terrace, enjoying the setting and the beautiful weather before departing.

BY JONATHAN SIMS PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND AND DANIEL MEIGS

Demetria Kalodimos, Shubhada Jagasia, Nancy Keil, Sarah Trahern, Zulfat Suara

Lisa Purcell, Cheryl Slay Carr

Marian Eidson, Destiney Patton

Macey Binner, Lindsey Arnold, Quinn Nunes

Angie Adams, Sherry Deutschmann

Angie Adams, Sherry Deutschmann Nancy Keil, Ally Parsons, Heather Verble, Karyn Thompson

Vinay

Ruth Reinhardt, conductor

Journey Into the Wild

Chukkers for Charity takes spectators on a safari

Spectators went on safari in the bucolic setting at Orrin Ingram’s Riverview Farm in Franklin for the 26th annual Chukkers for Charity polo match benefiting Saddle Up! The organization’s mission is “to provide children and youth with disabilities the opportunity to grow and develop through therapeutic, educational and recreational activities with horses,” and this event topped all records for fundraising from the previous years.

With a steel gray sky and slightly soggy weather, spirits ran high, as guests, dressed in their best safari attire, cheered on the riders and their mounts. Co-chairs Nina Lindley and Kandis Bates ensured that the theme was dutifully carried throughout the event. The silent auction tent was designed with the safari theme in mind and was filled with auction items, like skeet shooting, an official Slick Lawson archive print of Dolly Parton, a bottle of Blanton’s Original bourbon, staycations at Dream Nashville and 1 Hotel, and much more. Guests of the safarithemed VIP lounge, hosted by MODE Properties, enjoyed the signature cocktail, Chukker Punch.

During halftime, guests were treated to a break in the weather and ventured onto the field for the stomping of the divots and annual car show. There, guests enjoyed tasty ice cream sandwiches and were able to pet the sweet miniature horses. The field was dotted with safari-ready Land Rovers provided by Land Rover Nashville, part of Andrews Transportation Group.

In the end, the Ironhorse Farms team won the heart-pounding match against Lo Key Ranch. Wes Finlayson of Ironhorse Farms was named the most valuable player and received a Zeroo watch donated by King Jewelers. Lo Key Ranch’s Stevie Orthwein’s horse, Nupa, was awarded best-playing pony and was draped with a blanket provided by Tennessee Equine Hospital.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

John and Debbie Showalter, Lorie and Gavin Duke

Hank Ingram, Kate Barnes

Janet Bentz, Dana Oman

Jason Justesen, Kelsey Craft

Marissa Blackstock, Grant Sory, Shelby Blackstock

Jennifer Walker, John and Crispin Menefee

Bill Forrester

Melanie Van, Dorothy Davis

Kelly Shirley, Amy Hobbs, Kira Roberts

Martha Stowe, Jessica Liff, Barbara Parks, Allison Stedman, Betsy Caldwell, Leah Espey

Carson Love, Kates Potempa

Jon Steinick George Uribe, Fiona MacIntyre

Lele Thompson, Josephine VanDevender, Margaret Orthwein, Gracey Lipman, Robert Lipman

Richard Bryan

Waltzing on Air

Along line of cars snaking their way up to the State Capitol on a Saturday evening could only mean that it was once again time for A Tennessee Waltz. The wide halls and gracious marble interiors of the classic building serve as well for politics as for the black-tie affair, which is the Tennessee State Museum Foundation’s most important annual event and combines history, the arts and fun into one memorable evening.

Co-chairs Nicole and Bo Watson welcomed guests as they entered the dramatically lit lobby brimming with grand floral arrangements by Jim Marvin. Upstairs was a rollicking cocktail party, complete with passed wine and a massive cheese and charcuterie table. Quite a few people stepped out onto the balcony to take advantage of the pleasant weather and sweeping views across the city.

The dinner bell rang, and Joey Richey and Friends performed as attendees headed downstairs, where tables were covered in moss green linens and topped with vibrant centerpieces, also by Jim. The talkative crowd finally settled down enough to savor a delicious three-course meal from Catering & Events by Suzette. During the after-dinner remarks, Museum Director Ashley Howell spoke about the organization’s 85 years of preserving artifacts for education and engagement now and for generations to come. The museum opened in 1937 in the lower level of the War Memorial Auditorium and today encompasses 137,000 square feet in its new home, which opened in October 2018.

After more comments, everyone returned to the second floor for another musical treat. Singer-songwriter Kelly Lang performed “The Tennessee Waltz” while Nicole and Bo had the first dance. The Pat Patrick Legacy Band took over, and everyone joined the Watsons to dance the night away. It was a wonderful way to close out the 29th A Tennessee Waltz and celebrate 85 years of the Tennessee State Museum.

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

A Tennessee Waltz celebrates 85 years of the Tennessee State Museum

Charlie Clark and Spencer Bowers

Crystal and Victor EvansCo-chairs Nicole and Bo Watson

Penny and Michael Lockhart

Anna Windrow, Ashley Haycraft, Nancy Russell

David Merrick, Quincy McKnight, Erin Merrick

Mick and Ann McGauran, Joe and Ashley Howell

Shane and Amanda ReevesRandy Boyd, Johnny Shaw

Scott and Amy Price, Jane and Tom Smith

Howard Kittell and Jennifer Esler

Jeni and Kurt Brinkman, Joe and Beth Wright

Dan Justice

West and Kirsten Wiggins

Roger Page and Carol McCoy

Alvarae Rawls, Marty Luffman

Jeff and Irwin Fisher, Tiffany and Alfred Degrafinreid

ENTREPRENEURIAL & SPIRITED

Therese Winnington and her husband, David Lewis, both embody an entrepreneurial spirit – whether it’s her successful real estate and interior design business or his awardwinning apparel line.

The two met eight years ago on Match.com and their first coffee date lasted three hours. They bonded over their love of art and design and were married within the year.

Now, parents to a four-year-old son, the couple continues to support and encourage one another in their artist pursuits.

Therese is owner of T. Lewis Real Estate & Design, which also offers property management services. David is the founder of Gillies Gear, an apparel company with an emphasis on the outdoors. Both their childhoods played significant roles in the professions they chose to pursue.

Therese remembers growing up going to open houses with her mother, a real estate agent. As a sideline [her father was a CPA], her parents bought rental and investment property. “Basically, I grew up in that life,” says Therese. It was when she began flipping her own houses that her design work got noticed. Friends and clients began enlisting her to help them and it took off from there.

“A lot of designers went to school, and they have their Pantone [color} books and their sketch pads,” says David. “Therese can walk into a room and just lights it up with this savanttype technique…Within a week, a day, an hour, this blank canvas turns into a masterpiece.”

“Therese can walk into a room and just lights it up with this savant-type technique… Within a week, a day, an hour, this blank canvas turns into a masterpiece.”

Photo credit Anyssa Camacho | Writer Credit Whitney Clay

He knows a thing or two about magical transformations. While working in surgical device sales in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, David, who decided at 15, he wanted to be the next Ralph Lauren, remembers having “had this epiphany or vision on a bar napkin and turning it into a reality and a company…”

His passions can be traced back to his childhood. His mother owned an upscale women’s clothing boutique for 28 years and he fondly remembers his father taking him hunting and fishing. He combined his interests to create a high-end outdoor apparel company in the mid ‘90s. It became known for its waders and wading jackets. He even patented a water-proof zipper for a fishing wader.

In 2001, Gillies Gear, which had been mentioned in Forbes and Men’s Journal, among others, won best new product design from the American Fly-Fishing Trade Association. Shortly thereafter, a shaken post-911 economy forced him to shutter the company. He went back into surgical sales and then five years ago, Therese encouraged him to relaunch it. Products are available online at gilliesgear.com. He plans to expand into even more lifestyle apparel, just as Patagonia and North Face have done.

As they continue to pursue their passions, the artistic couple happily reside in an eclectically decorated, art-filled Hollywood Regencystyle home in Forest Hills with their son, McGavock. In keeping with their entrepreneurial spirit, the house, which Therese calls, “a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n roll,” is frequently leased out for photo and video shoots.

T. LEWIS REAL ESTATE & DESIGN

His ric Homes Me Mo rn Design

Historic spaces take on new life in three Nashville homes

As housing needs change, so must the spaces in which we dwell. There remains a reverence for historic homes and an unending love for spaces with walls that speak volumes about the past. Often, splendid stories are passed down through families as they remember specials moments in the lives of the residents. Step inside three historic Nashville homes that were thoughtfully transformed with today's homeowner in mind.

Eclec cDigs

East Nashville resident Libby Callaway has always been known for her avant-garde approach to fashion and design. In fact, she has made her living on it. The go-to fashion expert made her way back to Nashville after years in New York covering the fashion scene. Building a business out of her East Nashville bungalow, Libby has helped brands curate local shops and immersive experiences with new trends for locals and visitors alike, as well as run a successful public relations operation. In late 2018, Libby began an 18-month renovation on her home.

Known as the Callaway Compound, the 1948 home is situated at the end of a quiet street in the Eastwood neighborhood of East Nashville. Libby bought the house in 2011 with the dream of one day making it her own. Growing up with a mother whose family has been in the business of interior design since the 1940s, Libby was ensconced in the traditional rules of design while also understanding that there are many opportunities to break the rules. “My mom had five different wallpapers in our kitchen growing up,” said Libby. For the Callaway Compound, the only rule of the renovation was: There are no rules. The decor is a harmonious marriage of art deco and contem porary, maximalism and avant-garde.

The first step of the project was to remove the 1,000 square feet of “OK” space on the back of the house and add 1,300 square feet of great space. This created much more functional space while also creating a circular path throughout the home for a more comfort able flow. Recurring themes permeate throughout, such as animals, mythological creatures and circles. Libby scoured the internet for design details for the house.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY EMILY DORIO

THE KITCHEN

Bold, beautiful wallpaper lines the walls of the kitchen, where a red KitchenAid range waits to prepare a meal or boil a pot of water for tea. The wallpaper, a 1980s Waverly blue-and-white floral pattern, covers all but two doors in the kitchen. After running out of that wallpaper, Libby found a bold 1960s black-and-white contrasting paper for the doors that lead into her pantry, complete with a crystal chandelier. The pantry opens into the living room and can serve as a bar during parties.

Libby Callaway transforms a midcentury home into the avant-garde Callaway Compound

THE LIVING ROOM

What was once a former carport was transformed into a functional living room and gathering spot. French doors lead out to the garden, while suns line the walls, camouflaging the storage rooms beyond. A corridor filled with natural light connects the living room and the bedroom, and the gateway is guarded by dragon-adorned Chinese arches. The arches were purchased on Facebook Marketplace and were being sold in Alabama by a family that had purchased a former Chinese restaurant to renovate and change to a Mexican restaurant. Not one to miss an opportunity, Libby jumped into a borrowed truck and hit the road to procure these treasures.

THE BATHROOM AND CLOSET

Stepping into the bathroom feels more like stepping into a spa.

Black, hexagonal-tiled walls and the painted concrete floor create a feeling of quiet and contemplation. A glass brick wall closes one side of the shower, while a brass lady Libby found at a flea market in Mexico City swims below on the black tile.

A custom-made, gold penny tile soaking tub was designed specifically to Libby’s proportions. The walk-through closet is steps away and is covered in floor-to-ceiling shelving for shoes and racks for clothes, with a guest bedroom closet serving as the second closet housing seasonal garments.

THE BEDROOM

The mistress bedroom boasts 15-foot ceilings, round windows, a painted checkered floor and dark blue walls balanced by plenty of natural light from the French doors that lead to the manicured garden beyond. The sitting area at the foot of the 1970s brass bed evokes visions of late-night poetry sessions lit by the gold, ivy-covered ceiling fixture or early mornings filled with contemplative reading with a cup of coffee.

S omewhere, in the winding tree-covered roads of Brentwood, Tennessee, lies a piece of land so peaceful, beautiful, and bucolic, it’s hard to believe it’s only a stones throw from the energy and bustle of Nashville.

Like an old song made new, this poetic piece of land will give way to transcendent outdoor moments—

Connection to nature in your exercise garden. Lazy days of relaxation poolside, and joyous memories made on your tennis court or putting green. Reflections in your own sculpture gallery will transform your every day moments into enlightenment. Gatherings will abound here, as the love of friends and family are cultivated by the generous living spaces. Meticulously designed by world-class architects and

upheld to the highest standards of construction, homes at Harlan will be immaculate expressions of luxury living. Gated entry and natural surroundings make Harlan a place to be revered.

Life at Harlan is a life lived to the fullest. It is a life set apart; set apart from the crowded hurried life, and fully realized. Every day. Every moment.

Life Set Apart

Coec r’sP adise

The owners of this Green Hills residence were faced with a real dilemma when a 200-year-old tree fell during a storm and demol ished most of the structure. But after consulting friend and architect Kem Hinton, they decided to completely gut and renovate their 1930s home. They enlisted Salem Forsythe of Innovative Building Specialties to keep the historic presence yet make it more accessible so that they could age in place. That was also when they contacted interior designer Robin Rains.

An avid antiques collector, the wife knew Robin and had bought pieces from her at Leiper’s Creek Gallery. The two hit it off, and they began the three-year process of planning, cataloging and, finally, installing everything in the new and renovated spaces. What might sound like a challenge — the couple’s conflicting tastes — Robin found rewarding. He favors contemporary, uncluttered, clean design, whereas she is drawn to opulence, tradition, a more-is-more kind of style. Fortunately, they respected each other’s preferences, embraced their contrasting styles and found common ground. Now, simple architectural details and steel windows make the perfect backdrop for the art, antiques and treasures on display.

“The couple has traveled extensively, so the rooms aren’t deco rated, as much as they are reservoirs for cherished things collected over a lifetime,” explains Robin. French limestone floors and white walls let the art — paintings, etchings and oils — shine, and antique dressers ground groupings of items — mirrors, sculpture and books, a move that keeps the rooms from looking busy. In places, quiet moments, like a painting by Kit Reuther, are balanced out with a “busy moment,” such as blue-and-white porcelain. In fact, it is the collections that unify the rooms, rather than a color scheme. The end result is that every space is comfortable, inviting and beautiful, yet convenient for daily living.

“It’s a world traveler’s home [and] tells their story of where they’ve been and what they love,” says Robin. “This house will only get better with time. It speaks volumes about who lives there. That’s what we, as designers, strive to do. It’s our job to listen, cultivate and, ultimately, tell their story. I feel like we really achieved that here.”

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY LESLEE MITCHELL

Robin Rains creates a tranquil setting for world travelers

COZY RETREAT

The couple, both avid readers, retire to the upstairs library at night to relax. Once a bedroom, all four walls are now wrapped in bookcases. Art rails were installed so that the owners can rotate their pieces. Robin sourced the 1970s Roche Bobois sofa and the tortoise midcentury cocktail table in France, while the owners found the Eames chairs on a trip to New York City. The dark blue walls and leather furniture add to the coziness of the small room.

ROOM WITH A VIEW

The limestone flooring continues into a sunroom added to the back of the house, where a glass wall of steel windows looks out onto a new courtyard, garden and pool. The husband wanted a space for casual dinners, and the long table is surrounded by a fun mix of chairs and a banquette from Robin’s shop. Elsewhere in the room, a 17th-century Italian chest surrounded by a grouping of baskets and a geometric Tulum rug create interest but keep it clean so that the focus remains on the garden.

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE

The new kitchen, while not huge, is extremely practical. Since the wife’s passion for collecting extends to china, glassware and serving pieces, Robin and Katie Woods, then at Tuck-Hinton Architecture & Design, cataloged each item, and cabinets and drawers were built to house everything perfectly. Above the La Cornue range is a custom plaster hood, and the blue-andwhite painted checkerboard floor reminds the owner of Italy, one of her favorite places.

The wife specifically requested a “meditation room,” a beautiful place to rest and rejuvenate, to nourish her soul.

Robin transformed the formerly dark spot into a cocoon, painting the walls white and draping the windows in matching sheer fabric. A built-in bookcase was added to hold family photographs and display collections — antique Himalayan singing bowls, pottery and vintage footstools. “It’s one of my favorite spaces,” says Robin.

“While it may sound like a more-is-more space, the bookcase housing the collections keeps it tidy and neat.”

ZEN MOMENT

R mG w

When Mayra Lehman-Grimes and her husband, Shawn, were looking for a new home, they knew they wanted something with a large yard for their family to enjoy. Cocktails with friends led to an opportunity to purchase the stately former home of Frances and Wentworth Caldwell. The French Colonial home, built in 1930 by H.G. Hill Sr. for his daugh ter and son-in-law, is perched atop a rolling hill that leads to a babbling creek below and rests on 15 acres of stunningly restored grounds.

The home, purchased by the couple in 2019, had beautiful bones and was ready for a refresh to bring it back to its original glory while adding elements for a modern family. There were holes in the roof and repairs needed throughout. Mayra — working with her architect, Julie Hay with Hay Design in Huntsville, Alabama, and builder, Mark Tant with The Tant Companies, and using anecdotes from the fam ily — meticulously worked to restore what she could throughout the house while also repurposing elements that might otherwise have been removed.

Throughout the home, floors were restored, while rooms were repurposed to change the flow of the space. Where details needed to be replaced or changed, Mayra carefully chose designs and custom woodwork that echoed the original work throughout the home. The end result is a stunning home with a palate of muted pastels that are soothing, warm and inviting to guests.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

A GRAND ENTRANCE

The entrance to the home is a perfect example of staying true to the original design. Little was changed from the design, other than restoration work and the removal of a mural, which was later gifted to a member of the Hill family. The foyer retains the original grand staircase, tile floor, doors and crown molding. The striking tile flooring, which was popular in the 1920s, is a bold entrance before the eye is drawn up the curved staircase.

Mayra Lehman-Grimes breathes new life into a French Colonial home and grounds

THE “NEW ROOM”

While the dining room was once a beautiful sitting room, no one wanted to sit in it. They all wanted to sit in the “new room,” which has been converted to the family room. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer beautiful views overlooking the expansive lawn and the creek below. Additionally, the room has original and rare pecan wood cabinets that were restored and are used by the family today.

THE DINING ROOM

Mayra transitioned the formal sitting room into a formal dining room. Here, she preserved the fireplace and the gilt mirror that hangs above but modernized the palate to a soft white. She preserved the original red oak floors and used a dark stain to make the room pop. Fred Cox art has been used to add dimension to the room.

BEDROOMS

Creating peaceful spaces was important for Mayra as she worked through the design of the home. The second floor of the home is dedicated to the bedrooms. Beautiful light fills the rooms, creating a soft, effervescent energy. The wallpaper she chose for the children’s rooms are matching patterns in coordinating colors, with soft touches of white linens for the beds. Mayra combined two bedrooms to create the master suite. The spacious suite includes a bathroom with a deep tub, as well as a separate shower and a Jack and Jill closet.

THE GROUNDS

When Mayra and Shawn began to explore purchasing the home, they met members of the family to talk to them about the house and listen to their memories. Beautiful stories were told and retold, and photos of the home and the grounds began to surface. “[One of] our favorite part[s] has been trying to re-create the grounds based on a picture from the early ‘50s that Edward Jackson of the Hill family let us borrow at the beginning of the process,” says Shawn. “The pond that was completely buried now is a beautiful fountain and home to numerous fish. The great blue heron that lives on our property does not seem bothered, as he has plenty to eat in the creek, which is occupied by many turtles, river otters, beavers, ducks and geese.”

Q&A With Design Week’s Rex Runyeon

As a born-and-raised Nashvillian, Rex Runyeon knows that keeping a finger on the pulse of Nashville’s design trends can often be a moving target. He works with clients with ambitious brand goals and approaches those projects with the heart of a rebel with a cause that strikes a perfect balance of futuristic art and a strong sense of purpose. This year, he is representing Nashville Design Week as the brand partner and took a break to visit with Nfocus about the upcoming week-long event.

What is Nashville Design Week?

It’s a five-day design showcase for our city. Nashville Design Week pulls together passionate design leaders from a range of Nashville’s design industries — graphic, industrial, interiors, fashion, architecture — to host workshops, tours, panels and other events around town. There’s something for everyone at Nashville Design Week — design enthu siasts and design professionals alike, no matter your interest, design discipline or experience level.

How did NDW start, and how has it evolved?

Nashville Design Week was founded in 2018 by four women working in design [and] looking for a way to connect and collaborate with Nashville’s larger creative community. The initial response was over whelming; the first year saw 93 events over eight days. Over the years, Nashville Design Week has evolved to stay connected with the com munity. It’s about showcasing design, providing public resources and access, and connecting with Nashville’s design community.

How can Nashvillians get involved?

You can show up! NDW 22 starts on Monday, Oct. 31, and runs through Friday, Nov. 4. Nashville Design Week is an entirely volunteer-led ini tiative, and we’re always looking for passionate people to work with. Additionally, we partner with organizations that see the value and potential of design in our city. We rely on the vision and support of these partners who believe in making design more accessible to all.

What are three things people should know about NDW 2022?

Nashville Design Week is open to the public. No fancy architect glasses or graphic designer-y black turtleneck required, though these are cer tainly permitted. It’s a community, not a club. Nashville Design Week

happens all over the city, in design spaces like architecture firms, gal leries, graphic design studios, collaborative workspaces and museums. It’s a great way to experience the diversity in Nashville’s design scene. Nashville Design Week is a nonprofit, and it is entirely volunteer-led. Behind the scenes are passionate people who donate their time and organizations that donate their resources to pull off the week.

What are you most excited about this year?

Well it’s the fifth annual design week! The past few years presented new challenges, along with opportunities, to the team, and we’re proud to be hosting for the fifth consecutive year. This year, nearly all of the programming is able to happen in-person, and we’re excited to get together with our community.

How has Nashville’s design landscape changed over the past years, pre- or post-pandemic?

Today, the Nashville design landscape is more vibrant — at least big ger — than it’s ever been before. There are more independent designers and studios now. People are moving to town to set up shop. All of this on top of a city with a base of great agencies, firms, print shops and small studios. The creative community is really supportive here, like a big small town.

Tell us a little about yourself. My name is Rex Runyeon, and I am a designer born and based in Nashville, Tennessee. I am grateful to represent Nashville Design Week as brand partner for 2022. My creative practice, Rex Runyeon Design Office, is a studio focused on making striking brand identity, packaging, signage and illustration with ambitiously creative clients near and far. Strategic curiosity and rebellious naïveté make my world go ’round.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

Alyssa Spyridon

Alyssa Spyridon was destined to work in interiors. Her designer mother was a passionate antique collector and contributed four antique rugs when Alyssa bought her East Nashville home. A visitor bought one of them, and she “became obsessed” when searching for a replacement. She started posting her finds on social media, and the interest that sparked made her realize that she had tapped into a market. In 2016, she founded Relic Home, sourcing vintage and antique rugs internationally — most imported from North Africa and the Middle East — and has since built strong relationships with rug dealers and pickers worldwide.

Alyssa’s expertise and reputation grew, and she now has a nationwide roster of clients. Relic Home’s rugs have appeared in Lonny InStyle Cherry Bombe and Architectural Digest. She now has her own rug designs manufactured in India, has produced limited-edition projects with her creative friends and launched a line of blankets and bamboo plates this year.

Alyssa believes strongly in investing in quality, hand-knotted wool rugs, adding, “Fine rugs are works of art that hide dirt and live underneath our feet. Does it get better than that?” Alyssa filled us in on her creative upbringing, her successes and Relic Creative, her other business that creates wildly inventive pop-up bars.

CAREER PATH

My career unfolded really organically with both Relic Home and Relic Creative. I don’t have a degree in design, but I grew up with a mother who was a self-taught interior designer and contractor. We lived in many renovated historic homes. When I was in elementary school, she owned a Southeast Asian import furniture store, and while I was in middle school, she owned a contemporary/modern store. I grew up working in her shops. I was always intentional about my own spaces, but I never intended to work in the world of interiors. I guess the writing was on the wall — haha! — but I couldn’t see it for a long time. Relic Home was established in January 2016. What started as a quick search to replace a rug turned into an obsessive hobby, which then turned into a full-time gig.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The first pop-up that I was hired to work on (and what Relic Creative was born out of) was a Christmas pop-up at Hidden Bar at Noelle Nashville in 2018. I enlisted the help of my friend Emily Davis to fabricate a faux taxidermy polar bear for that. That project created a lot of opportunities for us to grow and take on more creative installations and experiences. We specialize in designing and installing semipermanent themed sets for bar spaces, mostly working with hotels.

JOB PERKS

We are fortunate to have creative and well-known clients. Because of this, we’ve had our work and our products featured in many beautiful magazines by way of our cool client base, including Architectural Digest, this year. That one was exciting!

JOB CHALLENGES

With Relic Home, I’d have to say retail production. Producing and designing our own line of products (rugs, blankets and bamboo plates) has been quite the challenge. We’ve experienced a few curveballs, but it’s been very awesome and rewarding. With Relic Creative, the most challenging thing is that the installations are semipermanent. They typically stay up anywhere from three weeks to three-plus months, so they have to be durable and long-lasting, yet they can’t create a lot of damage to the existing space. That part is always tricky.

BIGGEST INFLUENCE

Traveling. It shifts your perspective and exposes you to so much.

SHOP LOCAL

GasLamp Antiques and GasLamp Too for local finds. Ebb and Iv Vintage on Instagram; she’s local and has the best pieces. Otherwise, Relic Home! I love to source unique items for myself, my shop and my clients.

BEST ADVICE

Start with your own space. Follow your intuition! And don’t be afraid to do something you’ve never done before.

GET INSPIRED

My daughter, Goldy, and my friends. Spending time with my cre ative community is really inspiring. At any given point, I’m in a room with friends [who] are musicians, photographers, chefs, cerami cists, painters, stylists, designers, etc. The list is long! I feel so lucky to spend my time with such cool, loving and supportive people.

PROUD MOMENT

With Relic Home, I think it’d have to be our newest rug collection, which we just launched called Scenic. With Relic Creative, I’d have to say our Home Alone -themed pop-up bar last Christmas. We re-created the house from Home Alone at Hidden Bar. It was so nostalgic for our team and for all of the people [who] got to experience it. Also, the Versace Mansion-themed Halloween pop-up last year at L27. That was incredibly fun. We got to really stretch and flex our creative muscles on those projects.

IN ANOTHER LIFE

Running an animal sanctuary or owning and running a tiny hotel and event space on the water somewhere.

IN THE WORKS

As usual, we plan to have our annual holiday market at our Relic Home space. We also have several fun hotel projects for the holiday season with Relic Creative. Stay tuned, Nashville!

FUTURE PLANS

We are currently revamping our Relic Home space in East Nashville to be able to welcome folks sans appointment very soon!

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPH BY DANIEL MEIGS

Founder and Creative Director, Relic Home and Relic Creative

Mark Simmons

Interior Designer, Mark Simmons Interiors

After 30-plus years in the interior design world, Mark Simmons is widely recognized for the classic, timeless interiors he creates for clients in Nashville and beyond. The Glasgow, Kentucky, native attended Western Kentucky University before graduating from the O’More College of Design, then located in Franklin. It was there that he first began to understand and appreciate the relationship between interior design and architecture. Mark launched his career and continued to hone his talent at William Hamilton & Associates, first as an intern and then as a full-time designer. In 1991, he launched his eponymous firm and rapidly became known for creating spaces that are elegant, yet warm and inviting.

While known for his designs with a European flair, Mark has always believed that establishing a personal relationship with each client is the best way to create spaces that truly reflect the individual’s personality and lifestyle. No matter their style, his clients know that the end result will be an interior that will stand the test of time. His work has been featured in Southern Living, Southern Home and the Andrew Martin Interior Design Review, as well as numerous local publications. He has twice been awarded the Southeast Designer of the Year by the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center.

Mark’s passion for interior design is evident from his expansive portfolio of successful projects, but his true joy in life is his family. He and his wife, Sissy, love having everyone together for weekly family dinners, and he works with them, too. Daughter Alli Simmons Roberts and daughter-in-law Abby Simmons are members of his firm, along with Deb Tallent, who he worked with at Hamilton. We caught up with Mark to talk about his early days, where he finds inspiration and what he’s currently up to.

CAREER PATH

My mom had a custom frame gallery, and my exposure to art and interiors began there. While my hometown of Glasgow, Kentucky, had an interior designer or two, I ventured from there to Nashville to explore design as a career path. This led me to O’More College of Design, where I received my education in interior architecture.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

When I was at O’More finishing up my education, I mustered up the courage to approach Bill Hamilton, a well-known and sought-after designer in Nashville, to inquire if he was looking for an intern. To my surprise and luck, he hired me. This really jump-started my career, exposing me to some of the most beauti ful projects happening at that time, with lots of fun stories and memories to accompany.

JOB PERKS

The people. Over the years, I have been so blessed by the people I get to work with every day: my wonderful clients, who have turned into great friends; my hardworking team, some that have been with me since day one; and the talented craftsmen and women who bring my designs to life.

JOB CHALLENGES

Currently, the hardest part of the job is managing delivery of prod ucts. We take pride in delivering exceptional design in a timely manner and hope the supply chain can be repaired soon to keep our projects on typical (much shorter) timelines.

BIGGEST INFLUENCE

I learned so much from Bill Hamilton about the business of design, buying antiques, quality furnishings and about the balance between beauty and comfort in interiors. I have held onto those principles my entire career.

SHOP LOCAL

With the growth of Nashville, there are now a number of great sources for interior designers. My tried-and-true sources are Vintage Millworks, Corzine & Co., Leiper’s Creek Gallery, Jeff’s Fine Rugs & Tapestries, Canterbury Cottage Antiques [and] Preservation Station. And our exceptional local craftsmen are the real heroes.

BEST ADVICE

Learn all you can about construction and architecture. Get an education in the fundamentals of design. Sales experience and psychology classes are also very beneficial in this profession.

GET INSPIRED

Traveling to new places always fuels my creativity. Whether it is going into an art gallery and seeing a new artist or visiting the local museums to be inspired by history, there is always something to excite me.

PROUD MOMENT

Any job that ends with the client saying, “Wow! This is even bet ter than I expected!”

IN ANOTHER LIFE

For sure, something in the hospitality industry. A boutique hotel would be the perfect combination of hospitality and interiors. Creating beautiful spaces and planning experiences that entertain and pamper guests while they visit would be great fun. I love to host a party; event planning would be another possibility. We loved planning our children’s weddings.

IN THE WORKS

At home, we are preparing to upholster the walls of our guest room. There are 1,001 projects in the queue there! At the office, we have everything from wallpapering one client’s dining room in hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper to other jobs that are whole-home designs. What I am enjoying and thankful for the most is the variety of projects, [from] contemporary to traditional, in town and out of town. Keeps things exciting and fresh to have the variety of projects coming into the office.

FUTURE PLANS

My biggest dream is to continue doing the work I love for as long as the phone keeps ringing. Currently, I am excited about a board position I accepted with the Preservation Society of Nashville. My hope for this new venture is to bring attention and support to those individuals and groups working to preserve our city’s iconic structures before it is too late.

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPH BY DANIEL MEIGS

DESIGN MARKED BY CASUAL LUXURY maykerinteriors.com

Environment matters. The things you see, the textures you touch, the pieces you interact with — they spark delight, possibility, and warmth. Mayker’s design services help people establish places that are sources of joy for everyday living.

Corner 3bed+Study move in ready unit with incredible expansive views of the city in Nashville’s newest luxury high-rise condo building. Enjoy full access to 34th-floor amenities including a fitness center, resort-style pool, steam, sauna, golf simulator, dog park and 24hr concierge. This unit comes with two assigned covered parking spots & Subzero-Wolf kitchen appliances & motorized shades. Hotel amenities including room service, valet parking, housekeeping & laundry. $10k credit at Tailored Living towards building out your closets!

LIST PRICE $2,795,000

11 GARDEN STREET, NASHVILLE, TN

The property you’ve been waiting for. This home is just over 1 mile from Geodis Park and just under 2 miles from Fifth + Broad. Fine downtown living with space to call your own. This home was designed by the impeccable Rebecca Sha Designs. You’ll see the features you’ve come to expect from them throughout the home like the waterfall edge island, under railing lighting and more. Full rooftop deck, and balcony off the primary suite. Beautiful kitchen with a large pantry for all your gadgets. There is a basement apartment perfect for a rental or in-law suite. The apartment is plumbed for a kitchenette and the builder can install that as an upgrade. The builder can also install a garage port for secure parking as another upgrade option.

LIST PRICE $895,000

1616 WEST END AVENUE UNIT: 2802, NASHVILLE, TN

Pictured above: Mark Deutschmann, Newell Anderson, Danielle Helling, Crystal Atkinson, Caroline Dean, Callie Hughes, Deborah Vahle, Anna Dorris, Devin Mueller, Giovanna Burchell, Maggie K. Hall, Latina Davis, Shelbi Aimonetti

Abi Spear, Lauren McCloud and Jesse Brown

Principals, Design Object

For Abi Spear, Lauren McCloud and Jesse Brown, interior design wasn’t originally in their career plans, but a recognition of what it can be and what it can do for a physical space and for the people who use it led each of them to the field and to each other. The three former Hastings Architecture designers bring a range of perspectives and backgrounds — Abi hails from Yorkshire, England; Jesse is from Columbus, Ohio; and Lauren is a Nashville native — to the local design community.

They saw a niche in the profession that they could fill and began working on projects of all sizes, from small residential to luxury corporate. And they now offer services in every step of the process, from visioning, planning and concepting to rendering, modeling and construction administration and everything in between. Some of their current projects include local sommelier Alex Burch’s soon-coming restaurant, Bad Idea; Cooper Steel’s Nashville headquarters; Fourth Capital Bank in Franklin; and several private homes around the area.

Despite being a brand new firm, Design Object’s principals are anything but unseasoned; Abi, Lauren and Jesse are highly experienced and talented, and they’re making a big name for themselves. They graciously took time out of their busy schedules to share a bit about how they got into interior design, what they would be doing if not designing and more.

CAREER PATH

Lauren: I started at O’More College of Architecture & Design as a fashion design major and decided to switch to interior design. There is a balance of technicality and creativity to interior design that always appealed to me.

Abi: My mum’s side of the family are all in the world of art or design. For me, it was a process of elimination; I tried my hand at graphic design, landscape architecture and architecture before going to university. I discovered interior design and instantly knew it was the right fit, not only because of the creativity of it, but also the fact that interiors can incorporate all types of design and the tangible scale and level of detail.

Jesse: Coming from a family of scientific minds, I wasn’t exposed to architecture or design until high school. I had always admired architecture and was interested in the psychology of healing spaces, which led me into interior design. I love the intimate human scale and the effects that space, color, light and texture can have on someone.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

We still consider now to be a part of our humble beginnings as a new company! One of our first clients as Design Object was for a residential renovation we were referred to from a colleague. Those clients have been huge cheerleaders of ours, and we are thrilled they’ll be getting to move into their freshly renovated home at the end of this month.

JOB PERKS

We enjoy having the flexibility of taking on any scale of project. Having the opportunity to help a client achieve their dream, whether [they’re] a commercial developer or a new business owner, is the most fulfilling part of what we do.

JOB CHALLENGES

Lead times! COVID had a huge impact on [the] supply chain that is very much still being felt by everyone in the industry.

BIGGEST INFLUENCE

Our community is one of our biggest sources of influence and inspi ration, from other local small business owners, makers and creatives to the larger design firms with similar humble beginnings to our own.

SHOP LOCAL

We love working with artisans who have taken a chance on what they’re passionate about and pour their craft back into the local community.

BEST ADVICE

Consider what type of design you’re interested in. The paths and expertise vary from residential, small-scale commercial to luxury commercial. Find someone who does what you’re interested in, and don’t be afraid to reach out.

GET INSPIRED

Shout out to Nashville Design Week for bringing a cross section of industries together and providing a major source of inspiration.

PROUD MOMENT

Launching Design Object! We had a shared vision for what a small, female-owned design firm would look like, and taking that leap was a moment we were proud of. We wanted the ability to work on an array of project types and sizes, and we made it happen.

IN ANOTHER LIFE

Abi: A painter in a villa on the Italian coast.

Lauren: I would be rock climbing the Italian coast cliffs up to Abi’s villa.

Jesse: Sounds like I’d be in Italy.

IN THE WORKS

A mixture of hospitality, retail, multifamily and corporate, which is the dream. We are really excited to be able to share these projects in the near future.

FUTURE PLANS

Our dream for the future is to be one of the go-to studios for conceptual, boutique, well-executed commercial interior design. In the meantime, we’ll be focusing on the magic of what makes us different and how we approach design.

BY JONATHAN SIMS PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC ENGLAND

Ben PageLandscape Architect, Page Landscape

From his earliest days playing on the farms owned by his grandparents and great-grandparents, Ben Page has been one with the land. So, his family must have been surprised when he first pursued medicine as a career. Fortunately, he changed paths and went on to receive a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia. For more than 40 years, Ben has been creating award-winning designs — primarily residential landscapes — that are thoughtful, intentional and timeless. A history buff, he often combines historical references with modern sensibilities. His projects have spanned the country, and his work has appeared in VERANDA, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Architectural Digest, Flower and more.

This year, Ben launched his new eponymous firm, Page Landscape, and he continues to specialize in landscape architecture, land planning and urban design for residential, community and institutional clients. He says the only other career that would have given him as much pleasure would be to be an organic farmer. In fact, on many weekends, he and his wife, Libby, can be found at their historic farm in Giles County, where he has vegetable and cutting gardens, as well as a boxwood parterre. Ben shared some of the perks of his job, where he shops locally and the best advice he ever received.

CAREER PATH

I thought I was going to be a doctor until I encountered Statistics 101 at the University of Tennessee. I had no idea what I was doing and realized that if I had to have statistics to be a doctor, I was going to have to abandon that career. Luckily, I found the field of landscape architecture, which combined my love of the outdoors and an almost unlimited opportunity to learn so many aspects of design.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

I started work right out of school for Robert Marvin & Associates in Walterboro, South Carolina. I was lucky to start my career with some of the best designers in the field at the time and jumped into some amazing projects up and down the coast, particularly, a lot of projects on Hilton Head Island and Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.

JOB PERKS

I love all aspects of landscape history. Working with clients who are stewards of historic properties is particularly satisfying to me. Working on the renovation and restoration of the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion here in Tennessee was enormously meaningful, primarily because [Crissy and Bill] Haslam were so deeply involved in every aspect of the project, and they are both amazing people on every level.

JOB CHALLENGES

The most challenging part of my career at the moment is to try to align the expectations of our clients with the construction costs today. It is amazing how fast construction costs have escalated in our field recently.

BIGGEST INFLUENCE

Travel and access to our comprehensive design library here in our office is a constant source of inspiration. Libby and I love to travel to new destinations, and the clients and people that I have been for tunate enough to meet through the years are constantly an inspira tion. I love learning about diverse cultural and art institutions.

SHOP LOCAL

My favorite local resources are the amazing nurseries here — Moore & Moore Garden Center, Bates Nursery & Garden Center, GroWild, and Samara Farms, all of which continue to inspire me with their diversity and super-helpful and knowledgeable staff.

I have learned so much, horticulturally, from all the people at these businesses. The other inspiration is the artisans who actually bring our designs to life: bricklayers, stone masons, iron artisans, light ing designers, engineers [and] contractors. They are all vital to the realization of the dreams our clients ask us to bring together.

BEST ADVICE

The best advice I ever got from a mentor about design issues with clients was 40 years ago, when our dear friend Albert Hadley told me, after several drinks at Mortimer’s in New York City, “Give them something that they never knew they wanted.” It took me a while to figure out what he meant, but I think when you are passionate about learning and you continue to dream, good things will usually come to fruition. The other piece of sage advice was from my amazing grandmother, consummate gardener and a 19 th century matriarch, who said, “Always put a 50-cent plant in a $5 hole.” Enough said!

GET INSPIRED

My daily source of inspiration is the vast complexity of mother nature. We need to listen more carefully and become better stewards of all aspects of her realm.

PROUD MOMENT

It would be impossible to describe a favorite project; there have been so many through the years. My hugely meaningful experience unique to this career is to return to a project and see a child playing under the shade of a tree which we planted as part of a project 30 years ago. Heaven!

IN THE WORKS

Right now, I am working on the master plan for a 4,000-acre farm, which is focused on equine therapy for young people; a gorgeous new Tennessee farmhouse with an amazing vegetable garden and greenhouse; and several residential projects with superinteresting clients here in Nashville and in Charlotte, Louisville and Memphis.

FUTURE PLANS

My hope for the future is that I can continue to learn and be inspired by new experiences every day, meet new and interesting people, continue to travel in this wonderful country and abroad, and be integral to the lives of our two amazing grandchildren.

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPH BY DANIEL MEIGS

A New Fit

Tailor, Vivek Surti’s South Asian American restaurant, has a new space

When guests arrive for dinner at Tailor, there’s no bar where patrons might clamor to get a bar tender’s attention. When seated, there are no menu choices to fret over. And the founder and chef, Vivek Surti, isn’t sequestered in the kitchen. Between courses, he’s visiting with guests, talking about the food and providing a little of its history, hence the “dinner party” concept Tailor is known for.

Vivek and his business partner, Heather Southerland, have recently relocated their criti cally acclaimed South Asian American restaurant and its signature style to the Taylor Place development at 620 Taylor St. in Germantown. After previously being in a shared space on Third Avenue North and weathering a pandemic shutdown, Tailor has a new home, where guests can embrace the multi-course meals and conversational atmosphere.

The 2,000-square-foot restaurant, designed by Pfeffer Torode Architecture, has a living room area, where guests may enjoy a cocktail before dinner. But don’t call it a bar; there’s not a liquor or wine bottle in sight. The room is furnished with teal sofas, camel-colored armchairs and gold cocktail tables. The decor throughout is accented with pops of purple, orange and gold and highlighted by seven crystal chandeliers from Vivek’s childhood home. “Clean lines, white walls, that’s just not Indian,” says Vivek.

As a first-generation American from Nashville, Vivek feels he has a responsibility to spread the word about the cuisine he grew up on — the kind of food his mother would make. But it took time to come to that conclusion.

“You have a question of identity, which takes you through your entire young and young adult life, which is, ‘Am I American, or am I Indian or Filipino or Thai or whatever it is,” says Vivek about the shared experience of many first-generation Americans. “I remember when I was here in the States, I was always singled out as the Indian kid, and I’d go to India and that’s where everybody would say, ‘Oh, he’s the American.’ You kind of live in limbo of both.”

He discovered a passion for cooking but didn’t begin by making Indian food. “I wanted to make pizza and tacos and grill stuff and all that,” says Vivek. “At some point, I came back to this home cooking because what I realized was the first generation is the link between our parents, who are the immigrants, and the second generation. If we don’t remember the food traditions or the cultural traditions that our parents taught us, then in one generation, boom; that whole culture is gone and lost.”

BY WHITNEY CLAY PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

DINNER IS SERVED

There are two seatings for dinner: 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Guests may arrive an hour early to have a craft cocktail, mingle and enjoy the ambience. They are then led through the butler’s pantry under a traditional Gujarati rounded archway to the dining room. Apart from the massive crystal chandelier, the room itself, with its exposed brick and open kitchen, is less ornate than the living room, and that’s intentional. “The chandelier,” says Heather, “does a lot of talking.”

ON THE MENU

The menu, which changes every three months, might include dhokla, a steamed bread made of rice and lentils; sabudana vada, a tapioca and potato fritter; and Gujarati thali, a plate with eggplant, peas, tomatoes, sweet and sour lentils, basmati rice, and whole-wheat flatbread. Many Americans have a vocabulary of Indian food that primarily consists of chicken tikka masala and anything curry, so if guests had to choose what to order, “no one would order anything because they don’t understand it,” says Vivek. “Then, they try it, and they’re like, ‘Whoa.’”

FAMILY HISTORY

There are reminders of Vivek’s childhood throughout the restaurant. There are the chandeliers that no longer fit in his parents’ home since they moved from Oak Hill to Brentwood. In the dining room, there are gold plates, traditional elephant figurines and an oil can from his paternal grandfather’s sewing machine. His paternal grandfather was a tailor, and his maternal grandfather sold sewing machines. They inspired the restaurant’s name. “To me,” says Vivek, “it’s not Tailor unless it has these certain elements that are from home.”

River Swing Patrons Party

In late August, the Harpeth Conservancy hosted a fantastic cocktail party and celebration of the organization’s supporters in anticipation of the River Swing fundraiser. e featured musical guest for this year’s event was Keb’ Mo’. Patrons discussed important issues concerning the state’s waterways while taking in the view of the Cumberland River from Waller’s 27th- oor o ces downtown. Guests enjoyed light bites from BAM Catering and tastings of Happenstance Whiskey, O.H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey and Old Hickory Bourbon.

BY JONATHAN SIMS PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Nightfall at the Hall

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum kept its doors open late for the 10th annual Nightfall at the Hall concert. It’s just one of the perks of being a Troubadour member, a level of membership for people committed to supporting the nonpro t’s Community Counts initiative, which provides free after-school admission to youth from Davidson County and bordering counties. e young professionals and their guests enjoyed cocktails and light bites before an intimate performance by Grand Ole Opry member and multiplatinum-selling singer-songwriter Lauren Alaina.

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

Stephen Frohsin, Dorie Bolze, Jim Redwine

Mary Brockman, Jeni Housley, Mary Wade

Kelly and David Frazier, Haylee Hall

Dalton Harris, Heather Beckwith, Laura Smith, Julia Bonner

Katherine Smith, Zach Farnum, Christopher J. Essex

Justin Kirby, Julie Boll, Dan Bailey

Jim Landers, Austyn Jablonski, Travis Moore

Josh Tomlinson, Kelly Ford, Lisa Purcell

Jean Ann Banker Hannah Paramore Breen Hon. Angelita Blackshear Dalton

Sherry Deutschmann Mary Ann McCready

Sharon W. Reynolds Denine Torr

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Symphony Ball Kicko Party

The weather was in perfect harmony, as guests gathered poolside at the stunning home of Kim and Je Leeper, who co-hosted with Christine and Je Weller. Major donors of the Nashville Symphony mingled while soft string music lled the evening air, as members of the Symphony performed. After a bit of business and announcements from co-chairs Shaun Inman and Sheila Shields, guests enjoyed an end-of-summer dusk. e air was lled with excitement, as guests left anticipating the Symphony Ball on Saturday, Dec. 10.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Spectacular Brentwood estate home perfectly sited on 2.77 acres. This European influenced stone & real stucco residence features exquisite architectural details throughout & beautifully scaled rooms fostering a harmonious indoor-outdoor flow to the lush landscaped grounds & luxe pool. Call to schedule a private tour.

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Swan Ball Auction Kicko

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

NEW LISTING! Bellle Meade

NEW CUSTOM BUILD! Brentwood

Katie Campbell, Cassie Greatens, Kim Leeper, Lisa DeBartolo

Sondra Morris, Bari Beasley, Co-chair Sheila Shields

Jeff Leeper, Barbara Daane

Cordia Harrington, Co-chair Shaun Inman, Karen Morgan

Calvin and Mary Lewis, Co-chair Elizabeth and David Dingess

Alice Goldberg, Kevin and Katie Crumbo

Irwin Fisher, Norah Buikstra

Natalie Clement, Amy Keith, Delia Darst

Katie and Kevin Crumbo opened their fabulous home so that Swan Ball co-chairs Elizabeth Dingess and Ashley Rosen, along with Swan Ball Auction co-chairs Natalie Clements, Delia Darst and Amy Keith, could welcome the hardworking members of the auction committee. Assignments were made and timelines discussed, but the gathering wasn’t all about soliciting amazing trips and treasures. ese tireless volunteers also indulged in a scrumptious bu et dinner of summer salad, jumbo crab cakes with remoulade, summer succotash and corn pudding from Johnny Ha ner.

HOSTED AND PRESENTED BY

Katherine Patricia Casey Marries Matthew Walker Peacock

Matt Peacock and Kate Casey met in 2012, on the rst day of school at Boston College, where they lived in the same dormitory. Matt proposed in November 2020. “As it was the depths of COVID lockdown, Matt got creative and decorated the roof of our house in Houston to be a lovely, intimate, ower-covered proposal spot,” said Kate.

The couple married in August 2022 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, with Michael Wenyon officiating. “He’s one of our best friends,” said Kate. “And it was his first time officiating. He did a fantastic job! We’ve been together for nearly a decade, and it was so special to have our

good friend perform the ceremony in a place that means so much to Matt.” The bride’s grandfather said a few words, as did the groom’s aunt, Connie Shriner. “We said our own vows,” said Kate. “And I’m so glad we did.”

The Tulip Tree designed the reception flowers, as well as the bride’s bouquet of cascading calla lilies. Please Be Seated provided the seating, and The Downtown Band played for dancing. Kristen Winston catered the dinner, Dessert Designs created the cake and Jayne Bubis organized the event. The couple made a surprise entrance by popping up through the piano riser on the stage.

There was only one glitch on the perfect day. The morning of the wedding, Kate realized she had left her bridal shoes in Houston. “One of my aunts combed every mall in Nashville to find me a very similar pair right before the ceremony,” said Kate.

After a wedding trip to Germany and Portugal, the newlyweds returned to their home in Houston, where Kate works in private equity and was named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list and Matt, who has a master’s degree from Rice University, is an investment banker. Their parents are Kathryn Casey of Austin, Texas, and Nancy and Mark Peacock of Nashville.

BY SANDY NELSON

BY BROOKE TAELOR

OCTOBER

AUTHORS IN THE ROUND

OCT.14

DINNER BY THE BRIDGE

OCT.

After a four-year absence, the Authors in the Round dinner returns to the War Memorial Auditorium. Book lovers min gle on Legislative Plaza before sitting down to dinner with one of the 40 regionally and nation ally known writers there. Not only will all enjoy engaging con versations about literature and more, everyone will take home a copy of their author’s book! It’s an intimate evening before the annual Southern Festival of Books takes place over the weekend. humanitiestennessee.org/air2022

OCT. 17

There’s no better way to expe rience the many successes of Greenways for Nashville than by celebrating on a greenway! The lively al fresco dinner returns to the Cumberland River Greenway esplanade at the foot of the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Guests enjoy a delicious dinner at community tables winding along the banks of the river while rais ing funds to continue expanding the ever-growing system, which now totals nearly 100 miles. greenwaysfornashville.org.

OCT.

Nashville Wine Auction’s latest addition to its roster of crowd-pleasing events is the Music City Harvest Party. For its debut, attendees will have the opportunity to sample the wines of Argentina and Chile. But there’s more than incredible tastings. They’ll enjoy a harvest dinner, live auction, live music and a bourbon bar. The event will take place at historic Cedarwood outside of Nashville, and organizers are offering transportation for those who aren’t making their own arrangements. nashvillewineauction.com

In 2019, Family Voices of Tennessee launched Popped!, a fun dinner that fea tures local chefs creating unique dishes inspired by the stories and heritage of families helped by FVT. Award-winning Australian music duo Mark and Jay O’Shea, who faced challenges with their newborn, are chairing the event to raise funds to provide emotional and educa tional support to other families across the state whose children have special health care needs, chronic illnesses and disabilities. familyvoicestn.org

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

Another nighttime al fresco party, Once in a Blue Moon brings people together at historic Glen Leven Farm to celebrate The Land Trust for Tennessee and its efforts to conserve approximately 135,000 acres of public and private land across the state. The casual evening — jeans encouraged! — offers music, great food and the timehonored tradition of singing “God Bless America.” A mas sive bonfire, which can take an entire month to build, always closes out the night. landtrusttn.org

Oct. 1: Dragon Boat Festival (Cumberland River Compact)

Oct. 6: Impact Luncheon (Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee)

Oct. 12-Nov. 3: Nashville Jewish Film Festival (Gordon Jewish Community Center)

Oct. 14-16: Southern Festival of Books (Humanities Tennessee)

Oct. 14-30: Boo at the Zoo (Nashville Zoo)

Oct. 17: Comedy for a Cause (Rocketown)

Oct. 22: Jazzmania (Nashville Jazz Workshop)

Oct. 27: Inspired by Innocence: Stories & Songwriting (Tennessee Innocence Project)

Oct. 29: Pumpkinfest (Heritage Foundation of Williamson County)

MUSIC CITY HARVEST PARTY

Mary Beth Thomas

Zach Goodyear

Maggie Bond Kindy Hensler

Brandon Verner Pete Jones Amy Gill

nfocus magazine.com | OCTOBER 2022 << 87 FOR SALE GREEN HILLS Mary Beth Thomas & John G. Brittle Jr, Parks 615.714.7183 1762 HILLMONT DRIVE 5 BD | 5.5 BA | 7462 SF | $4,395,000 JUST LISTED BRENTWOOD Brandon Verner 615.294.4582 814 PINE TERRACE DRIVE 4 BD | 4.5 BA | 4770 SF | $2,800,000 FOR SALE ANNANDALE • BRENTWOOD Zach Goodyear & Crystal Hutton 615.268.5033 2209 CUMBERWELL CLOSE 5 BD | 5.5 BA | 6315 SF | $3,249,000 SOLD TWELVE TWELVE • THE GULCH Kindy Hensler 615.828.4064 1212 LAUREL STREET #1506 1 BD | 1 BA | 841 SF | $679,000 COMING SOON BELMONT/12SOUTH 2611 OAKLAND AVENUE 4 BD + DEN | 3768 SF | $2,599,000 UNDER CONTRACT CLEVELAND PARK Pete Jones + Amy Gill 615.953.7266 1012 MERIDIAN STREET 3 BD | 2 BA | 1260 SF | $550,000 FOR SALE INGLEWOOD Maggie Bond 615.481.9203 1002 MAPLEWOOD PLACE 3 BD | 2 BA | 1750 SF | $525,000 UNDER CONTRACT WOODBINE Pete Jones + Amy Gill 615.953.7266 2200 & 2204 AUSTIN AVENUE 1 BD | 1 BA | 950 SF | $450,000 EACH Kindy Hensler 615.828.4064 VILLAGEREALESTATE.COM 21ST AVENUE 615.383.6964 | FRANKLIN 615.790.3400 | EAST NASHVILLE 615.369.3728 Crystal Hutton

Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock

Following the careers of breakout bands of the 1960s to the 1980s, like Eagles, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and others, Western Edge explores the careers of those who found inspiration in traditional American music and blended it with rock and roll. e exhibit will include artifacts, an o cial playlist, a companion book, special concerts and public programs that will be scheduled throughout the run. Through May 2025. Tickets $28-68. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S., 615-416-2001, countrymusichallo ame.org.

Glamour & Style: Portrait Photography From the Golden Age of Cinema

Glamour and sophisticated elegance are synonymous with the portraits of the golden age of cinema. Focusing on the works of George Hurrell, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Barbara Morgan and W. Eugene Smith, the exhibit shows the evolution of photography of stars of the silver screen from the 1930s and ’40s. Sept. 30, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023. Tickets $18-25. Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, 615-356-8000, cheekwood.org.

Cinderella

It’s the age-old story of sibling rivalry, young love and a curfew. Nashville Ballet’s rendition of the timeless fairy tale will leave audiences believing that anything is possible in love. Oct. 6-9. Tickets $35-94. TPAC Polk eater, 505 Deaderick St., 615-297-2966, nashvilleballet.com.

44th Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair

Returning once again to Centennial Park, this celebration of handmade American art brings the art and the artist to the visitor for one-on-one inspirational conversations about their process and craft. Attendees will also enjoy hands-on activities for children and various artist

demonstrations. Oct. 7-9. Gratis. Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave., 615-736-7600, tennesseecraft.org.

The Hive Mind Dreams of Sleeping Inviting the viewer to willingly step into the space between tranquility and hyperconnectivity, artist Wendy Walker Silverman blurs the line between the connectivity of dreams. Her hard and soft edges merge between hues of varying degrees of intensity and overlapping color elds to bring the viewer closer to the poetry of the dream world. Oct. 15-Nov. 26. Gratis. Tinney Contemporary, 237 Rep. John Lewis Way N., 615-255-7816, tinneycontemporary.com.

Meow Meow

Hypnotic, inspired and jaw-droppingly fabulous have all been used to describe the post-post-modern chanteuse Meow Meow. is cabaret has been stunning audiences all over the world and is in Nashville for one night. Presented by Oz Arts Nashville in partnership with TPAC. Oct. 28. Tickets $35-50. War Memorial Auditorium, 301 Sixth Ave. N., 615-3507200, ozartsnashville.org.

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To Speak or Not To Speak

Expert etiquette advice from John Bridges

SPLIT TONGUES

A couple of months back, over co ee, a friend told me that she and her hus band were getting a divorce. She really didn’t seem particularly troubled when she told me about the split-up — no tears or anything. She and I aren’t all that close as friends, so I shared her news with other friends. Now, it seems that the divorce isn’t going to happen, and she’s sent me an email railing at me for gossiping, but it didn’t seem precisely like gossip to me. She said that I’ve done “irreparable damage” to their marriage. But she didn’t say she was sharing a secret when we talked. How was I to know? I need to know if I did the wrong thing, or didn’t. — Anonymous, Brentwood

Your less-than-precise definition of “gossip” needs a little honing. Perhaps the woman on the verge of a divorce should have kept her secret to herself, even if it wasn’t a secret. But why did she unburden herself to you, especially if you’re not “close friends”? Maybe you were the listening ear of the moment, or maybe she was just thinking aloud. Who knows? She probably chose the wrong shoulder to cry on, even without the tears. That was her mistake. Yours was spreading the story among your friends, who very likely don’t know her any better than you do. (Nobody needs to know anything they don’t need to know, you know.) The marriage seems to be in good repair, but the secret is broken, as is your semifriendship. Trust me, she won’t be making that same mistake again.

THE CORK CHARGE

A friend of mine made a dinner reservation for four of us. We got together for a drink at her place before we headed out to the restaurant. When we got to the table, everybody (except for the one of us who doesn’t drink liquor) ordered a glass of wine. But we all had to wait while she had six sips of wine before she made her choice. en, she proceeded to have two more glasses. When the bill came, she suggested that we split it four ways. Of course, we could have said no, but we all pitched in as directed, even the nondrinker. I think, even after the fact, I need to say something. Tell me what to say, please. — Anonymous, Sylvan Park

Sometimes, decisions are hard to make, especially after sipping and sipping again and again in search of that perfect Chardonnay, especially when we’re already a bit pre-oiled. Yes, the lady with the refined oenophile taste pulled the table together, but the evening fell apart when the check showed up. There’s no reason any of you shouldn’t have spoken up in defense of yourselves or at least on behalf of the meek one who stuck with water or iced tea or whatever the whole night long. Meek though she may have been, she was the right one to hold her own. Restaurants have computers now, you know; separate checks don’t require a return trip to the cash register anymore. Go ahead and call the disorganized organizer of the evening. These days, phone calls like those are sometimes called “interventions.”

BY JOHN BRIDGES

John is the author of How To Be a Gentleman and the co-author, with Bryan Curtis, of other books in the GentlemannersTM series. Send your Best Behavior questions to jbridges@nfocusmagazine.com, and check out his up-to-theminute advice on life’s puzzling problems every Friday at nfocusmagazine.com.

THANK YOU!

Sarah TrahernZulfat Suara

Nancy Keil

Dr. Shubhada Jagasia

Demetria Kalodimos

PRESENTED BY

SPONSORED BY

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Flying High

A look at the history of Nashville’s airport

On June 12, 1937, Nashville’s airport o cially opened with a terminal building, two hangars, a 4,000-foot runway made of concrete and a ashing beacon. Two years later, the facility was named Berry Field in honor of Harry S. Berry, an engineer, veteran and its rst administrator. is June marked the 85th anniversary of Nashville International Airport (airport code BNA), and it experienced a record-breaking year with 18.4 million travelers passing through. Today, it is served by 20 airlines, with ights to 96 nonstop destinations; is the 27th largest airport in the U.S.; and is undergoing an expansion to be completed next year. And now you know what the “B” in BNA stands for!

Terminal, 1937

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF NASHVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY