The Fabric of Who We Are
Home has a way of staying with us, no matter where life takes us. Over the holidays, I traveled back to southern Indiana, where I grew up, for a visit with my parents. My love, David, came along and—bless him—endured the full “Lisa Tour.” I couldn’t wait to show him all the meaningful landmarks of my past. I eagerly pointed out the homes I lived in, my favorite college hangouts, the places that used to be something else but now hold new memories, and the shops and restaurants I still love to visit whenever I’m back. Each stop on the tour felt like a small chapter of my life, still vivid in my memory.
The tour didn’t stop there. Phase two involved family introductions—some David had yet to meet—and reunions with a few of my dearest friends. Watching him get to know these people who have shaped my life was a special moment, reminding me of the deep connections we hold with both places and the people we love. He took it all in stride, knowing that these people and places are woven into the fabric of who I am. No matter how far I’ve traveled or how much time has passed, that little corner of Indiana will always be home.
This month, we dive into the story of Cassie Courtney, Founder of Featherlane Design Co., and take a closer look at her family’s renovation of a historic Chattanooga home. With a keen eye for design, Cassie has blended the rich history of the home with modern touches that reflect her family’s personality and lifestyle. The experts at the Lee Company also share valuable tips on preparing your home for spring. We explore the journey of TreeWorx and founder Hannes de Wet. Through hard work and a deep love for the outdoors, Hannes has built a business that not only serves his clients but also gives back to the community that raised him. A visit to Kitchen Collection provides a range of offerings, from home essentials to grab-and-go meals. Finally, Frank's Home Automation explains the importance of investing in smart home technology.
Home means something different to everyone. It can be a place, a feeling, or the people we cherish most. In this issue, we celebrate the many ways to make a house a home—through design, comfort, and community. We hope you find inspiration within these pages to create a space that reflects the fabric of who you are. Cheers!
March 2025
PUBLISHER
Lisa Yockey | lisa.yockey@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Belinda Martin | belinda.martin@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Michelle W. Parnell
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Patina Film Co. & Powell Market
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
Learn
LISA YOCKEY, PUBLISHER @CHATTANOOGACITYLIFESTYLE
business monthly
Shadrina Booker Named CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Chattanooga
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga proudly announces Shadrina Booker as its new Chief Executive Officer. A long-time Chattanooga resident, Shadrina brings deep passion and commitment to fostering meaningful connections in her new role, having previously served as the agency’s Chief Development & Marketing Officer and the City of Chattanooga’s Director of Community Engagement.
The Austin Hatcher Foundation Receives 2024 Golden Pear Award
The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer is honored to receive the 2024 Golden Pear Award from the American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund), along with a $25,000 grant. Chosen from over 5,000 applicants, this award supports the Foundation’s mission to provide comprehensive care for families facing childhood cancer, including mental, behavioral, and social therapies, educational resources, and family-centered programs. These unrestricted funds will help expand vital services for those in need.
Body Alchemy Chattanooga Opens North Shore Location
The Acceptance Alchemist, formerly known as Body Alchemy Chattanooga, has opened a new North Shore location inside R3 at 13 W. Kent. This expansion brings their unique wellness services to a broader community. Additionally, Mirilena Lee, a key practitioner at Body Alchemy, is celebrating her certification as a Trauma-Aware Breath Coach. This achievement enhances her ability to support clients through mindful, healing breathwork. Visit their new space to experience their holistic approach to well-being and personal transformation.
Photography by Vityl Media
Photography by Austin Hatcher Foundation
Photography by KBenfield Photography
Chattanooga City Lifestyle Welcomes New Partner, Total Concepts Furniture
Chattanooga City Lifestyle is excited to welcome one of our newest partners, Chris Stephens, of Total Concepts Furniture and Sun Catchers. Chris brings years of expertise in high-quality, stylish home furnishings and unique décor, offering customers beautifully designed pieces that elevate any space. Her commitment to excellence and creativity aligns perfectly with CCL’s values, making this partnership a natural fit. We look forward to working together and seeing the positive impact Chris and her businesses will bring to our community.
MORNINGSIDE STORY: A JOURNEY OF RESTORATION
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W. PARNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PATINA FILM CO. & POWELL MARKET
Cassie Courtney Breathes Life into a
Historic Chattanooga Home
Cassie Courtney has always been drawn to pursuits such as music, dance, and art that allow her to express her creativity. At a young age, Cassie’s father first helped her make the connection between being creative and making homes beautiful. As an adult, building her first home and then finding success with real estate staging opportunities helped Cassie realize that interiors was a genuine passion worth pursuing. This led her to open featherlane design co., a full service interior design and staging firm.
“I love the idea of making your home and life a place where you are truly happy doing things that create beauty,” shared Cassie. “Over the last five years, I’ve had a goal of not wasting things that are here but seeing homes as places to restore instead of tearing down and getting rid of. It is a lot of work, fixing something up to be beautiful, but it can be done. It is about truly pouring a little love into the place.”
Cassie Courtney
Cassie’s passion for restoration led her and her husband, Drew, to their current project of restoring a home on Morningside Drive in Ferger Place Historic District. For the couple, this restoration is special as it is also their family’s home.
“When we chose this property, we had renovated and restored a few homes already and were always looking for something for our family, but we didn't want to go too far from our Highland Park neighborhood,” she said. “I’d seen this home because it was on the market for years. It had never sold for a couple of reasons… it was a very old, very neglected property and it is a big house in a historic district, which comes with a lot of responsibility and layers of processes for restoration. But this house was probably, in its time, something very special that clearly had lost its luster.”
The house, built around 1910, was designed by Clarence Jones who also designed the historic Chattanooga YMCA building that is now home to The Common House. In addition to loving the rich historic architecture connection, when Cassie found out that the original owner of the home was a harpist and the home was the birthplace of the Chattanooga Orchestra, she knew that restoring the home would be an exciting adventure.
“I think that the original owner would play her harp and other members of the orchestra would play with her on the porch and folks from the community would just enjoy it from the lawn,” shared Cassie. “So, I began imagining what it would look like if this house had music back in it again. Now, I have a vision that eventually we will be able to utilize the porch with musicians again and have a bit of a community experience, bringing the house back to what it was intended to be, which is a place to enjoy music.”
Playroom
Living Room
Parker's Room
Cassie and her husband bought the house two years ago and began working on refreshing the inside of the home with new paint and trim, updating floors, remodeling a few bathrooms, and transitioning the house back into one living unit since it was split to make apartments in the 1970s. They have reinforced the foundation, and this year began work on the exterior by rebuilding the porch with contractor Driftbank Builds. As with all projects this large, they have experienced the setbacks that come with restoration in mind, but the couple continues to tackle the project in pieces. Over the next few months, neighbors will see a transformation of the exterior of the home, beginning with a new roof.
Large historical properties such as this one require special attention to detail and Cassie appreciates the help and support she has found from others during the restoration. “Historic remodeling and remodeling in general are very different practices,” she explained. “For both, it’s really important to have the right team of experts around you. I feel very thankful that, being in the industry, I have relationships with people I can lean on who really know how important it is to keep quality in mind when you’re hoping to preserve a home. The contractors I work with and those in the design community that have been great resources.”
Although Cassie loves helping others with their homes, restoring this property is especially close to her heart. Not only is it the place where her family will create memories for years to come, but in many ways, it is fulfilling a need to breathe life into something that was dying. “I love that I can keep dreaming here,” she said, “and hopefully making an impact in my community by taking something that wasn't really cared for and making it something that's hopefully celebrated and enjoyed by others.”
Follow progress on the Morningside home restoration on Instagram @morningsidestory. To connect with Cassie for interior design or home staging needs and to see her portfolio, visit www.featherlanedesign.co
Preparing Your Home For Spring
TIPS FROM THE PROFESSIONALS AT LEE COMPANY
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W. PARNELL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEE COMPANY
For more than 80 years, Lee Company has built a legacy of providing the highest quality services by trained professionals, while covering a large range of trades. From plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services, to home improvement projects and renovations, Lee Company has experts in Chattanooga ready to take on your project.
“People think we have one guy who does it all, but it's not like that,” said Brian Lewis, Service Manager. “We have experts from specific trades, and to me, that's the best part because we have true professionals who walk into your home and take care of whatever you need.”
Lee Company’s vision, core values, and service pledge place high value on a positive customer experience, creating an environment where employees thrive, and giving back to the community. “We’re big on the idea that we live here, we work here, and we play here,” explained Jake Dotson, Senior Director of Operations. “It's our community, and we want to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.”
Through Lee Company Cares, the company supports community nonprofit initiatives which focus on health and wellbeing, second chances, and alleviating food insecurity, including their annual Van4Cans food drive to benefit the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and partnering with The Chattanooga Lookouts on an annual backpack drive to support Goodwill Industries.
Whether it is providing for the greater Chattanooga community or focusing on the details to ensure each individual home runs smoothly, Lee Company is dedicated to improving the lives of residents and their families. With that in mind, Brian and his team have provided tips to prepare your home for spring.
HVAC MAINTENANCE
Prevent future emergencies by having the HVAC unit serviced and the drain lines inspected. This ensures that the unit is functioning properly and is ready for warmer temperatures. Also, cut back any landscaping that can possibly interfere with the unit.
OPEN FOUNDATION VENTS
Vents that have been closed during winter should be opened to allow air to flow freely through the crawl space.
CRAWL SPACE INSPECTION
Winter and spring bring lots of precipitation and moisture, so it is important to have the crawl space inspected to ensure there is no standing water or leaky pipes.
EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Spring is a great time to clean out gutters, ducts, and dryer vents. Also, take advantage of the warmer weather and freshen up the outside of the home by pressure washing the exterior.
INTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Revive interior rooms with a fresh coat of paint and tackle the renovation projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter.
OPTIMIZE AIR QUALITY
In addition to having HVAC ducts cleaned every 5 to 7 years, ensure the best air quality by using a filtration system and changing filters frequently. To alleviate air quality concerns and lower allergens, consider installing an in-duct air purification system or having a UVC system installed which uses UV light to prevent micro bacterial growth.
SERVICE & INSTALL GENERATORS
Spring ushers in a time of volatile weather which causes power outages. Be prepared for outages by installing a generator or having your current generator serviced to ensure everything is working well when the time comes to use it.
For more helpful tips or to contact Lee Company to help prepare your home for spring, visit leecompany.com or call 423-567-8877. Be sure to follow Lee Company on social media platforms, including special content on YouTube.
Lee Company’s vision, core values, and service pledge place high value on a positive customer experience, creating an environment where employees thrive, and giving back to the community.
Whether it is providing for the greater Chattanooga community or focusing on the details to ensure each individual home runs smoothly, Lee Company is dedicated to improving the lives of residents and their families.
in Passion ROOTED
“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
-Warren Buffett.
Like many great ventures, Tree Worx started as a passion project. When Hannes de Wet saw the need for expert tree care in the community, he turned his love for arboriculture into a business dedicated to preserving Chattanooga’s urban forest. In Hannes’ words: “Chattanooga loses 1% of its urban canopy annually. That may not sound significant, but by the time my 1-year-old daughter is 30, she’ll have seen our city lose a third of its shade and green space. We want to be part of the solution. Our goal is a shadier, more beautiful Chattanooga in 30 years—an achievable vision with the help and support of like-minded individuals. Tree Worx isn’t just about transactions; we build lasting relationships with clients who share our vision for a healthier urban forest.”
Since its founding in 2011, Tree Worx has grown into a trusted name in comprehensive tree care, offering expert services such as:
• Arborist assessments & soil care programs
• Construction root zone damage prevention & remediation
• Professional pruning & hazard tree removal
• Lot and view clearing & forestry mulching
• Stump grinding & planting
• Cabling & lightning protection
Tree Worx stands apart not just for its expertise but for its commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. One customer noted, “The crew showed up in work uniforms, properly outfitted with safety gear. The work went quickly and professionally. The cleanup was amazing—I couldn’t even tell they were here.”
Beyond exceptional service, Tree Worx is dedicated to environmental sustainability. Their Cut One, Plant One initiative ensures that for every residential tree removed, another is planted, helping to preserve Chattanooga’s natural beauty for generations to come.
As Tree Worx continues to grow, its mission remains the same: to provide expert tree care while making a lasting, positive impact on Chattanooga’s environment and community. Through passion, professionalism, and purpose, Tree Worx is working toward a greener, shadier future for all.
THE TREE WORX STORY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TREE WORX
Frank's Home Automation
Transform Your Living Space with Smart Home Technology
In today’s fast-paced world, managing and securing your home has never been more convenient, thanks to smart home technology. Frank's Smart Home Automation prides itself on providing customers with innovative systems that allow them to monitor, automate, and protect their home like never before, offering unparalleled peace of mind and efficiency. Here are some tips from Frank Dixon, owner of Frank's Smart Home Automation, on why integrating smart home technology into your daily life is a game-changer.
TRANSFORM YOUR LIVING SPACE WITH SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY
In today’s fast-paced world, managing and securing your home has never been more convenient, thanks to smart home technology. These innovative systems allow you to monitor, automate, and protect your home like never before, offering unparalleled peace of mind and efficiency. Here’s why integrating smart home technology into your daily life is a game-changer.
THE POWER OF CONTROL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Imagine being able to control your home’s lighting, temperature, and appliances with a simple tap on your smartphone. Smart home devices such as smart thermostats, lighting systems, and plugs give you the power to create a personalized living environment. Forgot to turn off the lights before leaving? No problem—a quick tap on your app solves it. Smart thermostats, for instance, learn your preferences over time and adjust settings to maintain comfort while saving energy.
This not only reduces your utility bills but also minimizes your carbon footprint—a win-win for you and the environment.
REAL-TIME MONITORING AND ENHANCED SECURITY
Security is a top priority for any homeowner, and smart home technology takes it to the next level. With smart cameras, doorbells, and motion detectors, you can monitor your home in real time from anywhere in the world. Receive instant alerts if unusual activity is detected, and view live footage directly on your device. Smart locks add another layer of convenience and security. You can lock and unlock doors remotely, grant temporary access to guests or service providers, and keep track of who enters and exits your home. These features provide not just safety, but also incredible convenience for busy families and frequent travelers.
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION FOR A STRESS-FREE LIFE
One of the most appealing aspects of smart home systems is their ability to integrate seamlessly with other devices. Voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri act as central hubs, allowing you to control various devices with simple voice commands. Whether you’re adjusting the thermostat, playing your favorite playlist, or setting reminders, these systems make multitasking effortless.
SAVE TIME, MONEY, AND ENERGY
Smart home technology isn’t just about convenience—it’s also about efficiency. Automated schedules for lights, thermostats, and appliances ensure that energy is used only when necessary. For example, you can program your lights to turn off when you leave for work or have your coffee maker start brewing as soon as you wake up. These small changes can lead to significant savings over time.
FUTURE-PROOF YOUR HOME
Investing in smart home technology is an investment in your home’s future. As technology continues to evolve,
the ability to upgrade and adapt your system ensures that your home remains both functional and valuable. Moreover, smart homes are increasingly attractive to potential buyers, making them a sound financial decision in the long run.
GETTING STARTED
Embarking on your smart home journey is easier than you might think. Begin with a few key devices, such as a smart thermostat or security camera, and gradually expand your system. Many solutions are designed to be user-friendly and compatible with existing home setups, requiring minimal effort to install and configure.
Smart home technology offers a revolutionary way to manage, monitor, and secure your home. By embracing these innovations, you can enjoy greater convenience, enhanced safety, and energy efficiency, all while simplifying your daily life. The future of home management is here—isn’t it time you made the switch?
Frank's Smart Home Automation is located in Soddy Daisy at 1707 Arapaho Drive. To learn more about Dixon's business, contact him at 816-392-5532 or fdixon3@gmail.com or find his business page on Facebook.
THE Kitchen COLLECTION
When chef Michelle Wells added family meals to her Events With Taste Catering repertoire during covid, customers fell in love with them! However, once catering demand returned to normal, she needed space to accommodate her expanding business. This led Michelle to the cottage on Broad Street, a perfectly quaint location for the 2400+ useful and unique items carried by her shop, The Kitchen Collection.
The shop carries everything from traditional baking supplies, tabletop accessories, and kitchen gadgets to grill supplies and handcrafted cutting and charcuterie boards. It also stocks specialty gourmet food items including take-and-bake family meals and signature to-go food items.
“We are a great little gift shop if you have someone in your life who loves to cook or loves food,” shared Michelle. “It is fun curating our merchandise and I love being able to show people what I’ve found.”
The shop recently added a wedding registry perfect for couples to help friends and family fill their home with beautiful items or the option of gift certificates for future take-andbake meals.
Stop by The Kitchen Collection, located at 2440 Broad Street, visit www.kitchencollection.com, or call the shop at 423-8035922 for more information.
The Kitchen Collection offers ready-to-go refrigerated dishes and take-and-bake family meal specials that feed 4 to 6 people.
MENU ITEMS ROTATE & INCLUDE:
• Chicken Salad
• Sausage Balls
• Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chicken Piccata
• Lasagna
• Lobster Mac-n-Cheese
• Grilled Meatloaf
• Short Ribs
• Sliders (turkey, ham, or smashburger)
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W. PARNELL
Unique Gifts and Delicious Dishes Sure to Delight Food Lovers
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
MARCH 16TH
Girl Scout Cookie Booths
Chattanooga Booth Locations | 9:00 AM
Support local Girl Scouts by purchasing delicious cookies at booths across the Chattanooga area through March 16. The Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches goal setting, money management, and business ethics while funding troop activities and community projects. Can’t eat cookies? Donate to Operation Appreciation for military and first responders. Find a booth at iwantcookies.org.
MARCH 25TH
Acceptance Alchemy Live
Acceptance Alchemy | 6:30 PM
Join Acceptance Alchemy Live, a monthly transformative breathwork and meditation event that focuses on cultivating self-acceptance and personal growth. This experience will offer tools for emotional healing, empowering you to break free from limiting beliefs and unlock your full potential. Perfect for anyone seeking deeper connection and inner peace. Register today for this life-changing opportunity here: bit.ly/3CnNAyn.
MARCH 29TH
Medicare Misty at Dance Stars
Chattanooga Convention Center 7:00 PM
Join MedicareMisty for Dancing with the Stars on March 29, 2025, at the Chattanooga Convention Center to raise funds for childhood hunger relief. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6:00 PM, followed by the show at 7:00 PM. Support the cause by voting for MedicareMisty, purchasing tickets, or donating to ensure no child goes hungry. For more details, visit medicaremisty.com/events
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