Sophisticated Living Nashville July/August 2015 by Sophisticated Living Magazine

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July/August 2015 five dollars

From Darkness to Sight

“Dr. Wang is not only a dear friend and the very best eye surgeon, he is also one of the greatest people I have ever known.” - Dolly Parton

As a teenager, Ming fought valiantly to escape one of history’s darkest eras - China’s Cultural Revolution - during which millions of innocent youth were deported to remote areas to face a life sentence of poverty and hard labor. Through his own tenacity and his parents’ tireless efforts to provide a chance of freedom for their son, Ming eventually made his way to America with $50 in his pocket and an American dream in his heart, where against all odds he would earn a PhD in laser physics and graduate magna cum laude with the highest honors from Harvard Medical School and MIT. He embraced his Christian faith and tackled one of the most important questions of our time - Are faith and science friends or foes? - which led to his invention of a breakthrough biotechnology to restore sight. To date, Dr. Wang has performed over 55,000 eye procedures and has treated patients from nearly every state in the U.S. and from over 55 countries worldwide. He is considered the “doctor’s doctor,” as he has operated on over 4,000 physicians. Dr. Wang has published 8 textbooks, holds several U.S. patents and performed the world’s first laser artificial cornea implantation. He is currently the only surgeon in the state who performs 3D LASIK (age 18+), 3D Forever Young Lens Surgery (age 45+), 3D Laser Kamra (age 45+) and 3D Laser Cataract Surgery (age 60+). He established a non-profit foundation which provides sight restoration surgeries for indigent patients who otherwise would never have the opportunity to receive them free-of-charge. This is a story of one man’s inspirational journey, of turning fear, poverty, persecution, and prejudice into one of healing and love for others. It demonstrates how focus, determination, humility and profound faith can inspire a life that, in turn, impacts that of countless others.

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105 WELLINGTON PARK COURT | NASHVILLE, TN This wonderful home is nestled in the Wellington Park subdivision, just of the intersectng point of Hillsboro Pike and Harding Place, is minutes away from Green Hills shopping and fne dining, but miles away from the bustle of city life. The front entry of the residence provides a warm curbside appeal that greets your guests in style upon their arrival. Entering through the oversized foyer, your gaze foats towards the step-down living area, adorned with all-wood cofered ceilings and passageway to the outdoor patio area. This property radiates warmth, comfort and balanced symmetrical style, featuring hardwood fooring throughout the main level and all-new granite countertops in the kitchen. $849,500 | 4 Bedrooms, 4 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath | Taylor Jones, 615.739.7870 & Lawrence M. Lipman, 615.364.3333

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Built in 1913 and fully renovated in 2014, this 3 story home resides near Vanderbilt and Belmont. Original classic meets Restoraton Hardware in this over-the-top redo with large porches, 2 fireplaces, custom light fxtures, exquisite neutral color palete. Separate 1 bedroom, 1 bath carriage house for rental. $1,300,000 | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath Joy Roper, 615.668.0953 & Jameson Roper, 615.585.1879

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The Historic Chilcoat-West Estate, constructed in 1850 by a prominent judge, is an immaculately curated sight to behold. Cut-stone exteriors, gated privacy drive, library, breathtaking parlor, wood-paneled study just off the foyer, grand dining area, and an extraordinary master bedroom suite (MLS 1628870). $695,000 | 4 Bedrooms, 7 Full Baths, 7 Fireplaces Chris Strutko, 615.881.9127 & Taylor Jones, 615.739.7870

Immaculate executve home situated along the 12th hole. Fenced back yard, open gourmet kitchen with adjacent breakfast area, two story living room with freplace and an abundance of natural light, master bedroom on main foor, custom media room complete with components and built- in bar. Lovely views of the golf course. $550,000 | 4 Bedrooms, 4 Full Baths Angela C. Wright, 615.406.3212

2002 Richard Jones Road, Suite C-104 | Nashville, TN | 615.463.3333 Each ofce is independently owned and operated.

Cambodia & Vietnam Late in the evening after the long fight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, my fatigue quickly eased into comfort after our royal reception at Raffes Grand Hotel d’Angkor. A magical welcome is a regional trademark, generously given with a level of charm and hospitality radiating pure luxury. Located in the heart of the city, and set amidst 15 acres of beautifully landscaped French gardens, it offered an intimate starting point for our journey through Southeast Asia. The hotel is only eight kilometers from Angkor Wat, so after a restful sleep and hearty breakfast, we were ready to begin our adventure. On the way to Angkor Wat, we enjoyed an elephant ride around the Bayon Temple within Angkor Thom and were transported ten centuries into the past. Our guide dutifully unfolded Cambodia’s history and the importance of this archeological site right up to his present day family recollections of growing up here during the Vietnam War. All of these extraordinary temples rising out of the jungle are Cambodia’s most prized national treasures, and Cambodians are proud to share their magnifcence with the world. The elaborate beauty of Cambodia’s 12th-century Khmer temple of Angkor Wat is the reason most seasoned travelers visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our passionate local guide articulated how this magnifcent city, once home to a million people, was built using an estimated 300,000 laborers and 6,000 elephants over 35 years, and used more stone than all the Egyptian pyramids combined. Our exploration of Cambodia continued as we few 30 minutes into the capital city of Phnom Penh, moving from the tranquil jungle to a bustling city flled with tuk tuks (motorized rickshaws), cars, bikes, and buses. Phnom Pen is a city offering magnifcent architecture from the incredibly ornate Royale Palace to common living environments with packed markets and what most Americans would consider poverty-level living conditions that represent approximately 25% of the city’s population. The local citizenry were kind and happy to share their personal lives, which was very touching. For the next chapter in our journey, we boarded the 124-passenger AmaLotus, built specifcally by our partners at AmaWaterways to cruise the famed Mekong River. As we enjoyed in Siem Riep, a simple colonial elegance and welcoming service awaited us. The ship’s atmosphere was relaxed and the cuisine offered a delicious mixture of Western and local specialties. At the beginning of the cruise most guests ate familiar foods, but by the end of the week the line was longest at the local food specialty stations operated by very helpful chefs eager to explain each delectable dish. Located just an hour outside Phnom Penh, our time spent walking the infamous Killing Fields was a somber and educational day. Our local guides here shared very personal stories of lost loved ones during the dark days of Cambodia under Pol Pot’s Communist dictatorship. In only four years, two million of Cambodia’s population of eight

The Reverie Saigon, Junior Suite

million lost their lives during Pol Pot’s leadership until the Vietnamese overthrew him in 1979. Learning this history deeply moved everyone in our small group, making this an unforgettable experience. Our journey down the river from Phnom Penh across the border to Vietnam provided lush and pastoral scenery. Along the way, we stopped for private tours of a silk weaving factory, a family run candy-making operation, a fascinating mat weaving factory, a visit in a private home, as well as a Backroads tour organized bicycle ride through some of the most picturesque rice paddies. Arriving in Saigon, known today as Ho Chi Minh City, it was immediately clear Vietnam has progressed years ahead of Cambodia with a modern infrastructure, including new arrivals such as luxury hotels, designer clothing stores, and Starbucks. This lively, evocative city is experiencing a resurgence of art and culture after its fall to the Viet Kong 40 years ago. It’s easy to see the vibrant, bustling energy of a people on the move, wholeheartedly embracing the trappings of a western culture. Remnants of the colonial infuence can still be felt when visiting the City Post Offce, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, and the Opera House. The best way to bring an adventure to a close is to experience the fnest accommodations a destination has to offer. For this, we turned to our connections at The Reverie Saigon, a member of the Leading Hotels brand. The fnest Italian interior designers such as Provasi, Colombostile, Giorgetti, and Visonaire have designed the guest rooms. The Reverie Saigon is home to fve of Saigon’s most exemplary restaurants and bars, each representing the epitome of what the region has to offer culinary enthusiasts. The Reverie Saigon goes beyond gourmet cuisine, elevating and celebrating the art of fne dining and surpassing expectations in the arenas of service, style and sophistication. You may want to book a few extra nights here to simply enjoy this unique and lavish hotel with its two full foors of spa and wellness center. The greatest gifts of global travel are connecting with people of other cultures, their history, their customs, and local gourmet delicacies. While the locals in this region are very aware of their stormy past, I’ve found them to be among the most welcoming and genuinely happy people I’ve met. Growing up during the Vietnam War, this journey was a unique opportunity to demystify preconceived notions and get to know the people who make up this contrasting ancient culture existing in a contemporary world. We would love to help you experience the magical welcome of Southeast Asia. For more pictures and a video please visit our blog at enroute.privilegedjourneys.com.

Cambodia

Written by Linda M. Raymer, CTIE, President, Vacation Division

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Anglor Wat, Cambodia Photo Credit: AmaWaterways

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{Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finest}

July/August 2015

slmag.net

July/August 2015

five dollars

on the cover:

Savor Fare

Bibliotaph

Better With Age

Curating a Lifestyle: An Interview

with Collector, Ron Pizzuti

Hotel Confidential

A Monumental Composition for Piano

Rag Time

Of Note... Independence Transcendence

RockCandy

Summertime at the Palm

Rag Time

Miles and Miles and Miles and Miles

Put the notion of a Sunday drive on steroids behind the wheel of one of these luxury convertibles. Pictured this page, Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT Roadster.

The Palate PleasingPower of the Picnic

112

Everything But the House

24 slmag.net

Nashville Symphony Fashion Show with Lexus and Jamie presents the fall collection of Brunello Cucinelli. Photo by Allen Clark.

July/August 2015

Society Calendar

The Swan Ball Auction

The 2015 Swan Ball

100

Swan Ball Late Party

104

Swan Ball Patronsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Party

108

Art on the West Side

110

Cheekwood Philanthropy

116

The 74Th Running

of the Iroquois Steeplechase

120

2015 Symphony Fashion Show

124

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

126

The Hunt Ball

46 Hotel Confdential Check out the One & Only Ocean Club before checking in.

26 slmag.net

Water Angel • oil on canvas • 54 x 36 inches

PUBLISHER Fabrizio Venuta ______________________________________________ EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Britt Steele ______________________________________________ ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kathleen Cofeen CONTRIBUTORS Writers Dr. Matthew Bessen Ellana Bessen Scott Harper Veronica Hawbaker Leigh Hendry Gloria Houghland Amelia Jefers Jef Jefers Craig M. Kaminer Austin Pembroke Dorren Robinson Photographers Tony Bailey Allen Clark Andrew Kung Social Editor Ted Clayton COPY EDITOR Jennifer Newton Michael Parker DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Alexandra Rhett 205.807.7027

______________________________________________ SOPHISTICATED LIVING MEDIA Eric Williams - CEO Bridget Williams - President Michele Beam - Vice President Greg Butrum - General Counsel Jason Yann - Art Director Sophisticated Living® is published by Straightforward Media, LLC. and is independently owned and operated. Sophisticated Living® is a registered trademark of Williams Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living® is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of Straightforward Media, LLC. and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission.

SLMAG.NET

From the Editor-In-Chief Ask German designer Karl Lagerfeld about fashion and he will tell you: Fashion is an attitude. I subscribe to his train of thought. It’s not what you wear, it’s how you feel when you wear it. More important, is what the clothes say about you. A breezy chifon blouse in the summer connotes a carefree spirit. A crisp, bright shift shows a polished demeanor. A tailored suit equals professionalism. Like it or not, clothes are one of the most important ways we express ourselves. It is often what people base their frst opinions on. Our clothes tell those around us how we’re feeling, who we are and what we do. Although it might sound silly, clothes are important. Tis is a lesson my mother taught me early on. She always told me that clothes don’t wear the person; the person wears the clothes. It is a lesson I am trying to pass oon to my 3-year-old daughter Carolina. She is content in striped leggings, a foral top and no shoes. And she should. She’s 3. She wears what’s comfortable and what makes her happy. Fashion is that, Sh but it is also more. And Carolina is beginning to understand. She now recognizes bu the diferences in my attire whether it is for work, play or going out - and she th has an opinion. She is developing her own sense of style. She has started paying ha attention to what I wear. She tells me what she thinks looks good on me, then at she tries to mirror that on herself, something that I absolutely love to see. sh I remember doing the same with my mother. I watched her put the same care and thought into her attire as she got ready for the Swan Ball as she did ca pairing pants and a top for an evening out with my father. My mother taught me pa to appreciate my clothes and to choose wisely. She taught me that it is not who made it or how much it costs that carries weight. It’s all about the person wearing m it and what they are trying to convey. Last month I got to view this for myself as I attended the Swan Ball for the frst time on the arm of my husband, Fabrizio. Te theme of the event was “Timeless tim Elegance” and the couture followed suit. The women were bedecked not in E accordance with current fashion trends but in classically elegant gowns that could ac be passed down from fro generation to generation, or perhaps were. Teir style was enduring. Teir style, impeccable. Te gowns told the story of who each woman wanted to be for that most magical night. It was an evening of sophistication, elegance and class. In addition to my mother, Nashville and I learned a lot about fashion from Jamie Stream who owns the iconic store boasting her name. Jamie is fashion. She taught the city to be fashionable and to appreciate the art form behind it all. She brought couture to the city by introducing it to Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta and Bill Blass. She has tirelessly helped women fnd their style, not someone else’s and especially taught me that form, function and fashion are all equally important. Don’t get me wrong, she has worked very hard to achieve such a powerful presence in the local and global fashion industry but I know without a doubt that she is one of the select few that was simply born with an innate sense of incredible style. She knows what my mother taught me and what Lagerfeld preaches. Fashion is an attitude. Don’t complicate it. Keep it simple and enjoy.

Britt Steele Britt Steele Editor-In-Chief

britt@slmag.net 30 slmag.net

A REHEARSAL DINNER THAT NEEDS NO REHEARSAL.

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Savor Fare A Croatian culinary adventure Written by Bridget Williams

Aerial view of Hotel Monte Mulini on Lone Bay.

Glancing down at my feet, which were frmly planted on a foor shod in an expanse of golden glitter under epoxy in the Ăźber modern spa at Hotel Monte Mulini, I pondered the fact that less than 30 minutes hence, these same soles trod ancient cobblestones slick and glistening from a popup rain shower. This dichotomy, which the Europeans muster and master so well, is one of many charms to be discovered in the seaport of Rovinj, Croatia. Less than a three-hour car ride from the international airport in Venice, Rovinj, part of the Istrian Peninsula, is situated on a hilly promontory punctuated by the Church of St. Euphemiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 180foot bell tower at its apex. Originally an island before the channel separating it from the mainland was flled in 1763, there are a total of 22 islets that comprise the Rovinj Archipelago. Controlled by the Romans, the Byzantine and Frankish Empires, the Republic of Venice, the Austrian Empire and Italy, among others, over the course of recorded settlement, Croatia gained independence in 1991 but still exhibits palpable Italian cultural characteristics. As viewed across the harbor, particularly at sunset with a plethora of batanas (traditional flat bottom

wooden fshing vessels) bobbing about in the water, the dense cluster of ancient buildings, some dating to medieval times, that populate the small peninsula and are interspersed with steep, twisting and narrow alleyways, as well as a waterfront promenade bustling with bars and restaurants, congeal to create quite a picturesque scene. Headquartered in Rovinj, Maistra Hotels and Resorts, operator of 17 hotels and resorts throughout Croatia, took it upon themselves to raise the profile of Rovinj as a top-drawer destination by opening the frst and only fve-star properties in the city: Hotel Monte Mulini and Hotel Lone. "Te leadership at Maistra wants to make Rovinj the next CĂ´te d'Azur," remarked Tihana Milas, marketing director for Maistra. Located next to one another on Lone Bay and at the edge of the verdant, expansive and centuries-old Zlatni rt forest park and just one mile from the center of the Old Town in Rovinj, each property offers a completely unique experience for the luxuryminded traveler. Hotel Monte Mulini debuted frst in 1999 and still remains the top hotel in Istria, followed by Hotel Lone in 2011. slmag.net

Restaurant Mediterraneo at Hotel Monte Mulini. Te spa at Hotel Monte Mulini.

Ofering a more boutique experience than its sister property, Hotel Monte Mulini’s roofine mimics a giant wave ready to crash into the blue-green waters of the Adriatic Sea. Ample use of glass in public spaces and the 113-guest rooms, all of which have sea-view balconies, make the most of the enviable environs. Arriving at lunchtime following an overnight flight to Venice, I resisted the urge to take a brief catnap and instead ventured to the Restaurant Mediterraneo to dine alfresco on the covered terrace overlooking the expansive pool area and the bay. Te simple, but delectable cuttlefsh salad would have been the star of my meal if it weren’t for my frst taste of immensely flavorful Croatian olive oil, which I heartily sopped up with slices of warm, crusty bread. With the forest beckoning and reinvigorated by lunch, I set of to explore the parklands, stopping frst to inhale the heady fragrance of lavender and rosemary planted en masse on the hotel grounds. Of-limits to motor vehicles, but well-used by the locals, ample pathways traverse the rocky shoreline and branch of into the depths of the fairy tale-like forest, defned by 10 species of cypress, which lends a distinct Mediterranean 34 slmag.net

Cuttlefsh salad at Restaurant Mediterraneo. Photo by Bridget Williams. Pool terrace at Hotel Monte Mulini.

mien. During summer there are a trio of seaside restaurants near designated swimming beaches. Complimentary bicycles are available from the hotel for exploring the park or the city. Monte Mulini’s intimate Wine Vault restaurant boasts a triumvirate of accolades: Croatia’s top ranked restaurant, the country’s best chef in Tomislav “Tom” Gretić, who was the frst chef in the country to implement the chef ’s table concept, and leading sommelier Emil Perdec. An experience best described as Disney World for gastronomes, the approximately $200 per person charge for the privilege of dining at the chef's table provides access to an unlimited number of fine dining courses specializing in French delicacies with local infuence and complemented by the largest wine list in Croatia – over 600 superior Croatian and international wines. Glasses of Istrian Mavasia wine are served in specialty glasses created by Riedel. The affable Chef Tom noted that guests “eat as long as they feel like eating,” and while the average table savors 15-18 courses, a mind-blowing 30 courses currently holds the record. A three-story wellness center is connected to and partially shared with guests of Hotel Lone. Approximately 2,000 of the 25,833 square feet is reserved exclusively for guests of Hotel

Exterior of Hotel Lone. Photo by Bridget Williams

Chef Tomislav "Tom" Gretić at the Wine Vault Restaurant. Photo by Bridget Williams.

Monte Mulini. To categorize the space simply as a spa would be a gross understatement: it’s more of a temple to health, wellness and self-indulgent pampering. The hyper-modern, dreamlike atmosphere that alternates between tall-ceilinged relaxation zones flooded with natural light to cocoon-like rooms with foating pools is enough to transport you to an alternate state of mind. Treatments for face and body incorporate ecological oils from Croatia, and fully customizable treatment rooms allow you to select the lighting, color, music and temperature. Larger in scale and strikingly modern, the predominantly black and white interior of Hotel Lone is reminiscent of the spiraling walkways found in New York City's Guggenheim Museum. Te frst Design Hotel in Croatia, the property was made a member of the lifestyle brand a full two years before it was even built; as one would expect, the aesthetics are a visual treat for aficionados of contemporary design. The 236-guest rooms and 12 suites boast sea or forest views and dramatic black walls with dark aubergine drapery. Each public space features unique attributes, from the leather drapery in the jazz nightclub to meeting rooms with

Falafel presentation at Restaurant On in Hotel Lone. Photo by Bridget Williams.

Public spaces in Hotel Lone.

mirrored ceiling tiles. Even the smallest detail is executed with an eye for design, such as the frame-worthy artwork on the oversized menus in Restaurant L, known for its “Design Food Menu,” which links food and design and is one of three restaurants on property. A design shop on the ground floor specializes in covetable cutting-edge fashion and home accessories by local designers, along with a selection of locally produced wine and olive oils. During the summer months, guests can luxuriate at the new expansive outdoor pool area or Mulini Beach, a beach club launched in 2014 and reserved for guests of Hotel Lone and Hotel Monte Mulini. “Ofering a beach experience in Rovinj is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time and are excited about the opportunity for travelers to enjoy the destination in a new way,” said Tomislav Popović, Maistra’s CEO. As tempting as it may be to stay put and solely enjoy either hotel’s extensive amenities, there are scores of activities within walking distance or a short car ride away. During our visit, we tended to let our stomachs set the agenda, seeking out the best local food and wine. slmag.net

Teddy Chiavalon.

Village of Bale

Lunch at Kantinon. Meneghetti Vineyard.

Olive oil at Chiavalon.

View of Rovinj from the Tower of St. Euphemia. All photo this page by Bridget Williams

In Rovinj, the locals joke that the Rio Bar, the oldest in the city, is the place to go if you want to learn to swear in Croatian or Italian. Te top restaurant in town – Kantinon Tavern - is located in a 200-year-old building. Serving Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, the menu pays homage to the bounty of local fsherman and is 100 percent locally sourced. We feasted on marinated sardines, cured meat, fresh tuna and Kumparička goat cheese, made by a local attorney-turned-cheesemonger, and washed it all down with Misal sparkling wine (made less than 15 miles away) and San Servolo beer, brewed in nearby Buje. Prosciutto (or prsut) is a long-standing tradition in the coastal areas of the country. While preparation methods differ slightly from their Italian neighbors across the Adriatic, the end result is every bit as delicious after being aged for eight months in the salty sea air. Many restaurants serve prsut as an appetizer, or you can buy some freshly sliced at the daily market in the old town as the basis for a traditional breakfast (two slices of prsut, bread and a glass of wine) to savor on the waterfront promenade or on the hilltop terrace at the base of the stairs to St. Euphemia. Older city inhabitants in particular still mix wine with their water as a carryover from a time when wine, particularly in summer, 36 slmag.net

was the preferred alternative to bacterialaden cistern water. After breakfast, embark on a harrowing climb up the steep and narrow wooden staircase of the church’s bell tower for a breathtaking panorama of the peninsula. Approximately seven percent of the world's best olive oil hails from coastal Istria, because, as one purveyor remarked, "olive trees love to see the sea." Among the best is Chiavalon (chiavalon.hr), a small family-run operation founded in 1997 when, following the death of his father, Sandy Chiavalon, then a 14-year-old with a passion for olive trees, planted 100 specimens alongside 50 or so existing trees estimated to be hundreds of years old. Two decades later, the family farm encompasses 7000 trees and employs organic farming methods to produce oil highly coveted by connoisseurs and ranked among the world's top 15. A tasting with Sandy’s brother Teddy in Chiavalon’s rustic chic tasting room is a truly special experience, learning to roll the liquid gold around the tongue and allowing it to linger in the back of the throat to feel the spicy bitterness that defnes an Ex Albis-grade olive oil. Be forewarned: you'll leave never wanting to settle for run-of-the-mill olive oil again! "I want our visitors to leave as olive oil sommeliers," said Teddy.

Rovinj at dusk. Photo by Bridget Williams.

slmag.net

Rovinj at sunset. Photo by Bridget Williams.

38 slmag.net

Trufe dogs at work. Freshly dug truffe in Livade.

Other areas of note include the small town of Kringa (population 315) whose claim to fame is Jure Grando, purported to be the frst real person described as a vampire in historical records, and the medieval town of Vrsar, one of Giacomo Casanova’s preferred haunts and home to a summer sculpting school. A little further of the beaten path is Meneghetti winery, restaurant and Relais & Chateaux wine hotel (meneghetti.info). The setting is breathtakingly gorgeous with outstanding cuisine and top-tier wines and olive oils to boot. Trufes are paramount in Istrian cuisine, and trufe season, which runs from the end of October through early December, brings out scores of professional and amateur hunters, who are lured by the $1,300-per-pound bounty. Te undisputed king of the hunt is Giancarlo Zigante, who found a two-pound trufe that entered the Guinness book of records as the biggest example ever found. Zigante’s eponymous restaurant (restaurantzigante.com), set at the edge of Motovun forest in the Livade area, one of the most important sites for harvesting the white trufe, was the frst Croatian restaurant to specialize in an Istrian trufe-based menu. As

Local seafood at dinner in Rovinj. Graftti in Zlatni rt forest park. All photo this page by Bridget Williams

someone absolutely enamored with the pungent fungus, savoring delicate slices of trufe in every course (including dessert) made for a truly memorable meal. Te on-site gourmet shop ofers some 50 trufe-related products, and I stocked up on everything from trufes packed in oil to trufe-infused sausage. The worst part of my trip? Defying the laws of spatial planning in order to fit several bottles of wine, olive oil and truffle-infused products into my suitcase, only to have US Customs in Philadelphia seize my coveted trufe sausage, despite my desperate pleas and an offer of an impromptu picnic so it wouldn’t go to waste. In spite of this unfortunate incident, I managed to extend my trip in sprit when I kicked of summer grilling season a few weeks ago with a juicy steak simply and perfectly seasoned with salt and Croatian olive oil. Open April through October, rates at Hotel Monte Mulini begin at $280 per night including breakfast and VAT. For more information visit montemulinihotel.com. Open year-round, rates at Hotel Lone begin at $120 per night including breakfast and VAT. For more information visit lonehotel.com. sl slmag.net

Bibliotaph Mark Hutker, founder and principal of Hutker Architects knows a thing or two about coastal living: he has designed more than 300 houses along the New England shore. For this book he selected 13 exceptional examples that pay homage to the landscape, honor traditional architectural styles and are inventive in their approach to sit lightly on the blufs and dunes of Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod. Mark A. Hutker and Marc Kristal - A Sense of Place: Houses on Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod - Hardcover, 224 pages, Monacelli Press (monacellipress.com). 2015 marks the 40th year of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, which has come to be regarded as the benchmark for both timeless and trendsetting topdrawer interior design. Te third book by Stephen Stolman, a former president of ScalamandrĂŠ, the vaunted textiles house, is a must for interior design enthusiasts. Stephen Stolman - 40 Years of Fabulous: Kips Bay Decorator Show House - 280 pages, Hardcover, Gibbs Smith (gibbs-smith.com). Celebrated interior designer Penny Drue Baird is noted for her ability to craft interiors that seamlessly meld elements of past and present. Her francophile-inspired spaces are infused with an American sense of casual comfort to create rooms suitable for formal entertaining and rambunctious family life. Tis book highlights some of her most notable projects, from a Manhattan apartment to a whimsical Bucks County barn. Penny Drue Baird Dreamhouse - Hardcover, 200 pages, Monacelli Press (monacellipress.com). Japanese architects are noted for their ability to deftly tackle nearly any design dilemma, from tiny plots in urban settings to earthquake threats. Tis book highlights 50 recently constructed Japanese residences, including projects by a trio of Pritzker Prize winners, with engaging descriptions, color photography and foor plans. Philip Jodidio - Te Japanese House Reinvented Hardcover, 304 pages, Monacelli Press (monacellipress.com).

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bib 'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf ]: a person who caches or hoards books With homes as varied as the cities themselves, this book uses exceptional, inspiring photography to highlight stunning urban homes around the globe. Andreas von Einsiedel & Reto Guntil (photographers) – Living in Style: City – Hardcover, 208 pages, teNeues Publishing Group (teneues.com).

What city dweller – particularly at the height of summer – hasn't dreamt about escaping to the fresh air and quiet of the countryside? Tis book ofers the next best thing: country homes from around the globe boasting interiors inspired by their pristine rural environments. Andreas von Einsiedel (photographer) - Living in Style: Country - Hardcover, 208 pages, Teneues (teneues.com).

Trough purposeful prose and inspiring and lush photography, this book is a narrative of both the collective and individual histories of the people and relationships that make the iconic homes constructed through the joint eforts of JLF & Associates, Inc. and Big-D Signature possible. "Te art is not just the fnished product, but the road map to getting there as well," states Logan Leachman, a Principal at JLF. William Hjortsberg - Te Work of Art: A JLF & Associates and Big-D Signature Collaboration - Hardcover, 256 pages, ORO Editions (theworkofart.is).

Chicago-based architect Howard Van Doren Shaw designed stately homes for leading industrialists in several midwestern states from 1894 to 1926. Although during his lifetime he was highly regarded, his name was largely forgotten after his death. Tis in-depth reexamination of his work pays the architect his due diligence using previously unpublished images from the Shaw Archive in the Burnham and Ryerson Library at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago History Museum, construction drawings, and a catalogue of Shaw’s residential work. Stuart Cohen - Inventing the New American House - Howard Van Doren Shaw, Architect - Hardcover, 256 pages, Monacelli Press (monacellipress.com).

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Better With Age

Written by Scott Harper, Master Sommelier

Bodegas Torres de Anguix in Burgos. Photo by Fernando Fernández.

Located on the eastern edge of northwestern Spain, the Ribero del Duero is named for the Duero River. Situated within the region of Castilla y León or “land of castles,” so named because of the fortifcations that dot the landscape and were built to hold of the Moors in the Middle Ages, the Ribero del Duero is one of Spain’s fnest wine regions and is often mentioned in the same breath as the other notable wine regions of Rioja and Priorat. Tempranillo is the most important quality wine grape in Spain; it makes up the majority of the Ribero del Duero blend and also makes great wine in other regions such as Rioja. As in other countries, the same grape is known by diferent names in diferent regions, and in Ribero del Duero, the Tempranillo grape is called Tinta del País. Up to 25 percent of other grapes such as Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon may be added and up to fve percent of Garnacha and Albillo Mayor. While Ribero del Duero makes mostly red wine, they also produce rosé, or rosado as the Spaniards call it. Unlike American wines labeled reserve or grand reserve, Spanish law defines the terms Cosecha, Crianza, Reserva and

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Grand Reserva. Cosecha, also known as Vin Joven, is aged the least, with no or less than a year of oak ageing. Crianza must be aged two years: one in an oak barrel and one in the bottle. Reserva must be aged three years with a minimum of one year in oak and two years in the bottle. Gran Reserva, which is dedicated to the winery’s very best wine, must have the character to stand fve years of ageing with two years in oak and three years in the bottle. Tis ageing takes place in oak cask, either in American oak, which the Spaniards love for its favor of vanilla, coconut and dill, or the less assertive French barrels, and even a combination of the two. To drink mature wine from most wine regions, you must age the wine yourself, but the long ageing of Ribero del Duero Reserva and Ribero del Duero Gran Reserva allows the afcionado to purchase mature ready-to-drink Ribero del Duero. For a very interesting tasting, acquire a bottle of each of the ageing levels, preferably from the same producer, and taste side-by-side a Cosecha, Crianza, Reserva and a Gran Reserva. Tis is a brilliant way to see the infuence of oak barrel and bottle ageing of four wines from the same region, same grapes and, in the case of the

Sunfowers in the vineyards at Soria. Photo by Fernando Fernández.

Photo by Fernando Fernández.

Reserve and Gran Reserve, you can even get the same vintage. Te oak ageing adds complexity of favors of baking spices, such as vanilla, toast, cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as cocoa, cofee, coconut and dill, among others. Oak barrel ageing can also change the texture making a wine suppler. Vega Sicilia, Dominio de Pingus or Tinto Pesquera are three of the standard bearers in Ribera del Duero and command high prices. While quality Ribera del Duero is never inexpensive, the below winery ofers a relative value and reasonable availability. Viñedos y Bodegas Gormaz The winery was founded in 1972 and was one of the original wineries when the Ribera del Duero region was officially established in 1982. It is the only winery located in the province of Soria. Linajes, or lineage in English, is the name of the fagship wine of the Viñedos y Bodegas Gormaz. It is a tribute to the 12 Knights of Soria as represented by 12 shields in circular emblems on the label, surrounded by the equestrian fgure of Alfonso VIII, in similar fashion to the Knights of the Round Table.

Barrels in the Bodegas at Villacreces in Valladolid. Photo by Fernando Fernández.

Autumn colors in the Ribera del Duero. Photo by José I. Berdón.

Ribero del Duero Crianza 12 Linajes 2009 Dark red/purple with flavors of strawberry, red and black cherry, vanilla and roasted cofee beans in a medium-bodied wine that can beneft from some breathing to help smooth out its tannins. Made from the Tempranillo grape, it is aged in French and American barrels for 14 months before being aged in the bottle for 12 months. Try with roasted herb-encrusted pork loin. Ribero del Duero Reserva 12 Linajes 2007 Dark red/purple with the flavors of blackberry, strawberry, chocolate and oak-induced baking spices. Excellent Spanish wine with a few years bottle age, exhibiting violets and lavender in a full, silky body with a touch of earth. Made from the Tempranillo grape and aged 24 months in French oak barrels before it is aged for a further 24 months in the bottle. Try with grilled rack of lamb or a grilled bone-in ribeye. sl A Certifed Wine Educator, Harper is one of 140 professionals in North America and 220 worldwide who have earned the title Master Sommelier.

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Curating a Lifestyle: An Interview with Collector Ron Pizzuti Written by Amelia and Jef Jefers

Collector Ron Pizzuti. Image courtesy Pizzuti Collection and Scott Cunningham Photography.

Ron Pizzuti is not easily intimidated. A successful real estate developer, Pizzuti possesses the perfect combination of tenacity and charm, with a straightforward nature that quickly fosters a sense of familiarity; traits that have undoubtedly contributed to the tremendous growth and reach of the company he founded nearly 40 years ago. However, the notoriously tough real estate industry, Pizzuti learned long ago, has nothing on the art world. From his earliest days in development, Pizzuti traveled - a lot. “I got tired of going to bars and cathedrals,” Ron says with a smile. “So, I wandered into a museum while on a trip to Europe.” He loved that frst experience so much, Pizzuti started exploring museums and galleries in every city he visited. “Walking into an art gallery was like nothing I had ever experienced,” he continues. “Gallery owners and their staf would take one look at me, and go back to whatever they were reading. I couldn’t get the time of day. It was incredibly intimidating.” Not too many galleries would make the same mistake today. Recognized as one of the most infuential contemporary art collectors of the 21st Century, Pizzuti is on a first-name basis with the biggest names in the industry. With more than 2,000 works in his collection, Pizzuti has logged countless hours pursuing his passion. Pizzuti attributes his keen eye and depth of knowledge to one thing: research. “I don’t play golf,” he explains. “I go to art fairs, museums and shops.” Pizzuti’s current (and longest-running) passion is 21st Century art specifcally. “We don’t do 20th Century,” he laughs. Researching emerging artists, Pizzuti carefully studies each one before adding works to the collection. What does he consider important? Teir education, background and infuence. Pizzuti takes every opportunity to get to know artists personally, but he adds, “frst and foremost, an artist must be able to draw.”

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When describing why he buys a work of art, Pizzuti uses descriptors that cross any genre of collecting: movement, balance, proportion, color. “I just buy what makes me smile,” he says with a grin. “People often ask, how should I invest in art? And, I always answer - you shouldn’t. Tis isn’t an investment in the fnancial sense. If that’s your motivation, you shouldn’t be buying.” Pizzuti took his interest in art to another level when he decided several years ago to create a nonproft organization aimed at fostering cultural understanding and educational exchange through an exposure to art. The Pizzuti Collection launched in September of 2013 in a historic office building in the Short North Arts District of Columbus, Ohio. Te PC (as it is known to insiders) presents temporary exhibitions of contemporary art from the collection of Ron and his wife, Ann. Tis ambitious project has added to Pizzuti’s track record of success. Adam Weinberg, Director of Te Whitney Museum of American Art, said of the PC, “This singular collection, comprised of renowned masters and emerging talent, is a great gift to the local community and an exciting addition to the national and international art landscape.” His advice to anyone interested in starting a collection? Immerse yourself in the collecting genre that most interests you. See as many examples as you can - in person. Go to galleries, auctions, and shows. Don’t buy at frst - just absorb and experience. Read, then read some more. “Te ads are important as the stories,” Pizzuti says. “I take every art magazine I can fnd, and I read them cover to cover.” The intimidation Ron once felt when beginning this collecting journey is no longer a factor for even the youngest of the now multi-generational Pizzuti clan. Recently one of the Pizzuti grandchildren asked for a spot among the renowned artists on display in the Pizzuti Collection. “Papa, if I made you a picture, would you hang it in the museum?” inquired the 8-year old artist. Te response? “Only if you sign it.” One of the only permanent installations in the PC gallery, young Nathan’s drawing is mounted just outside his Papa’s ofce. As we wrapped up our interview, Ron leaned toward me and, in a moment of magnanimity, almost whispered “you know, we really started our buying at Garth’s when we were young. Ann and I would sit for hours, buying Asian porcelains - and we still have them today. It was entertainment!” Entertainment is visiting with a true collector, whose spirit and enthusiasm is nothing short of infectious. Plan a visit to the Pizzuti Collection: visit pizzuticollection.org or call (614) 280-4004 for a schedule of upcoming exhibits. sl Amelia & Jef Jefers are co-owners of two fne art, antique and bespoke collectibles companies: Garth's of Delaware, Ohio and Selkirk of St. Louis, Missouri.

Derrick Adams, Fun Fabulous Friends, Mixed media collage on paper and mounted on archival museum board, 50 1/16 x 73 inches. Image courtesy of the Pizzuti Collection and Alan Geho.

A view of the NOW-ISM exhibition at the Pizzuti Collection including Untitled by Jacob Hashimoto and Lost in Tought by Tony Cragg. Image courtesy Pizzuti Collection and Alan Geho.

Tomory Dodge, Homestead Ghost, 2014, Oil on Canvas, 84 x 96 inches. Image courtesy of the Artist and CRG Gallery New York.

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Hotel Confdential

Check out the One & Only Ocean Club before checking in Written by Abigail Hamilton Photography by Bridget Williams

Don’t be surprised if you experience a feeling of déjà vu as you pull up to the entrance of the One & Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The picturesque setting has caught the eye of more than one Hollywood director: in the 2006 flm Casino Royale, Daniel Craig as James Bond was shown doing what he does best at various locales on property, and more recently Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton sought solace and plotted revenge in the idyllic environs in their respective roles as women scorned in Te Other Woman (2014). Tough just a short walk down the beach from the sprawling Atlantis Resort, the property maintains an enviable level of privacy, the seeds of which were sown in 1939 when Swedish Industrialist Dr. Axel Wenner-Gren purchased a large tract in order to build what he dubbed Shangri-La: an estate-sized vacation home and lavish garden modeled after those at the Château de Versailles. Wenner-Gren sold his Hog Island holdings to Huntington Hartford II (grandson of George Huntington Hartford, founder 46 slmag.net

of the Great Atlantic and Pacifc Tea Company) for $9.5 million in 1961. Hartford successfully petitioned the local government to change the island’s name ofcially to Paradise Island in May 1962 and commenced building the Ocean Club, comprised of a 52-room hotel, four two-bedroom cottages and an 18-hole golf course designed by Dick Wilson. Hartford also expanded the property’s now famous terraced gardens, importing Carrera marble, bronze statues and a 14th-century Augustinian cloister from Europe, with reconstruction of the latter encompassing an entire year. While attracting jet-setting glitterati, many of whom Hartford often allowed to stay for free, Hartford’s less-thanstellar business acumen drained his inheritance and the property changed hands again before being acquired by its current owner – Kerzner International – who invested a total of $100 million by 2000 to restore the resort to its original elegance, add a trio of private villas, and bring the property under the umbrella of the One & Only Club luxury lifestyle brand.

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Private butler service is provided for each of the 105 luxury guest rooms, suites and villas, which are decorated in a contemporary take on the classic British colonial motif: think dark wood, clean-lined furniture, modern art, plantation shutters and marble mosaic baths. Te two-winged section of guest rooms overlooks a sprightly green elevated lawn, separated from the sea by a manicured Azalea hedge. A plethora of two-person hammocks are strung between towering palm trees, whose wind-blown foliage provides a continuous soothing soundtrack. The array of available activities is impressive for a property of this size. Yoga is offered every morning on a dedicated deck overlooking the ocean. The well-equipped ftness center boasts an alfresco free weight area. Tere are two pools on the property: one looking out to the terraced gardens for adults and the other, a zero-entry style with a rock water feature, is provided for families, who can also take advantage of a large and lively Kids Only Club with areas tailored to the interests of children of varying ages. While the kids are away the parents can golf, hop on a complimentary bicycle, go for a jog, stroll along the beach or play tennis, where Leo, the agedefying tennis pro, has been volleying for more than 40 years

and has stood across the net from the likes of the Shah of Iran to Bill Gates. Complimentary shuttle service via black SUV is provided to and from Atlantis, and reciprocating charges are a nice convenience should you wish to sample from the array of restaurants or dip your toes in the waterpark, though a few hours in the bustling megapolis will have you clamoring to return to the peace and quiet at the Ocean Club! There are four restaurants on site: Dune, a French-Asian concept infused with Bahamian tradition by internationally renowned restaurateur Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten; the romantic environs of the Courtyard Terrace, which offers a contemporary interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine; the casual Pool Terrace Cafe; and the elegant Library Lounge, located just of the main lobby and a great place to enjoy complimentary morning cofee, afternoon tea service or evening libations while admiring the paintings of local artist Jane Watrous. An easily accessible sojourn, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a snap to settle into island time at the One & Only Ocean Club, where your biggest concern might be getting back to your room in time for your butlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early evening delivery of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries! For more information visit oneandonlyoceanclub.com. sl

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Photograph by Nic Lehoux.

A Monumental Composition for Piano Te Whitney Museum of American Art’s New Home Written by Victoria Chase Widely hailed as one of the most significant cultural projects in New York City in the past decade, the Whitney Museum of American Art’s new building in the Meatpacking District on Gansevoort Street between the elevated High Line Park and the Hudson River opened to great fanfare on May 1. Founded in 1930, the Whitney houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-frst centuries. Doubling the Whitney’s exhibition space, the landmark 220,000-square-foot, nine-story building was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano. In addition to expanding its special exhibitions, including the Whitney Biennial, the building ofers amplifed potential for artists and their audiences via dedicated space for education programs; a multi-use, 170-seat family theatre; a study center for works on paper; a multi-use gallery for flm, video and performance; a conservation center; and a library. 50 slmag.net

Speaking about the Museum’s striking asymmetry, Renzo Piano commented, “The design of this building emerged from many years of conversations with the Whitney, which took us back to the Museum’s origins. We spoke about the roots of the Whitney in downtown New York, and about this opportunity to enjoy the open space by the Hudson River. Museum experience is about art, and it is also about being connected to this downtown community and to this absolutely extraordinary physical setting.” Piano collaborated with Dutch horticulturalist Piet Oudolf, who was part of the team responsible for the High Line, on the overall landscape design, including an 8,500-square-foot public plaza sheltered by a cantilevered entrance along Gansevoort Street, whose greenscape complements the untamed elegance of the High Line.

Photograph by Nic Lehoux.

View from Gansevoort Street. Photograph by Karin Jobst.

Photograph by Nic Lehoux.

Te interior of the Museum’s four elevators comprise an artwork, Six in Four, created from plastic, laminate, glass and etched stainless steel by Richard Artschwager (1923-2013). The immersive installation is the last major work the artist created before his death. The first floor boasts the largest column-free museum exhibition space in New York, the Untitled restaurant, and the John R. Eckel, Jr. Foundation Gallery, which will be accessible to the public free-of-charge. Galleries on the sixth and seventh foors are dedicated to the permanent collection. An eighthfloor Studio Café complements a special exhibition gallery, while 13,000 square-feet of gallery space is available on the building’s cascading terraces. Open for lunch and dinner, both restaurants will be operated by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group under the direction of Executive Chef

Michael Anthony of Gramercy Tavern and Chef de Cuisine Suzanne Cupps. “Our expansive new permanent collection galleries will be a game changer for the Whitney. Tey will aford a level of space unprecedented in our history to display iconic works and present provocative new narratives of art in the United States,” said Donna De Salvo, Chief Curator and Deputy Director for Programs. Te Whitney’s inaugural exhibition in its new home, America Is Hard to See, aims to reexamine the history of American art from 1900 to today with more than 600 works across all mediums by 400 artists. Drawn entirely from the Whitney’s holdings, the exhibition of pieces both familiar and foreign represents the most extensive display to date of the Whitney’s collection and flls the Museum. Te majority of the exhibition will be on view through September 27, 2015 (whitney.org). sl slmag.net

Rag Time Put the notion of a Sunday drive on steroids behind the wheel of one of these luxury convertibles. Written by Bridget Williams

Maserati Gran Cabrio MC

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Summer for me has always been synonymous with convertibles. How could I forget jumping in the backseat of my father’s 1965 Mustang after it had been parked with its top down in the hot sun and crying out as the fesh on the back of my legs seemed to melt on contact with the black leather seats, or the intoxicating feeling of freedom aforded by lowering the ragtop on my 1979 MG on the morning I obtained my driver’s license and setting of on a day-long solo drive to nowhere just because I could? Granted, the luxury convertibles highlighted in the following paragraphs offer plenty more bells and whistles and a much better driving experience than the aforementioned rides, but at its core, the thrill of the wind-in-your-hair experience remains the same. MASERATI GRAN CABRIO | Maserati’s new Gran Cabrio was designed to optimize aerodynamic lift and flow. As the

sportiest ofering in the GranTurismo lineup, the GranCabrio MC boasts a new 4.7-liter V8 engine, with the automatic sixspeed ZF transmission with five operating modes delivering 460-horsepower and acceleration from zero-to-60 mph in a closed soft-top configuration in 4.9 seconds. Handsome 20-inch MC Design rims feature Maserati’s traditional trident worked into the double-spokes. Inside, newly designed seats, including a completely carbon-fber version as an option, ofer improved aesthetics and functionality with an increased profile to enhance their wraparound structure and lateral containment. Reworked seats for rear passengers now boast increased legroom. A flattened rim at the top and bottom of the steering wheel allows for greater maneuverability; Trofeo-design steering wheel paddles are standard. Starting MSRP for the Maserati Gran Cabrio is $145,740.

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Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT Roadster

Audi R8 V10 Spyder.

ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE ROADSTER | Racing is in Aston Martin’s DNA, and the Vantage is at the forefront of the brand’s motorsport activity. Recent improvements to the entire Vantage range include an optional new seven-speed Sportshift II – designed and manufactured specifcally for Aston Martin – that provides faster and more precise shifts, optimizes acceleration and delivers a sporting driving experience. Quicker steering, bigger brakes and wider tires also contribute to increased responsiveness. A sports exhaust system delivers an apropos soundtrack for the hand-assembled 4.7-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that produces 420-horsepower. To keep Sunday drives from inadvertently going into Monday, a fully integrated satellite navigation system developed in conjunction with Garmin is part of the standard equipment, along with Bluetooth and cruise control. A full grain leather interior with piano black facia trim and graphite center console fnish, electrically operated sport seats, a 160-watt sound system with integrated iPod interface and USB connection are other interior accoutrements of note. Starting MSRP for the V8 Vantage Roadster is $99,225. 54 slmag.net

AUDI R8 SPYDER | It takes just 17 seconds for the R8 Spyder to go topless, and the soft top’s lightweight design helps to keep the car’s center of gravity low. Available with either a 340-horsepower V8 engine capable of going zero-to-60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission, or a V10 engine with 525-horsepower that shaves nearly a full second of of the zero-to-60 mph sprint, both options have the performance and safety enhancing support of Audi Quattro allwheel drive and carbon fber-reinforced ceramic brakes. Black silk matte decorative inlays and leather/Alacantara 12-way power front sports seats defne the handsomely appointed interior. Even with the top down, the seven speakers that comprise the Audi concert radio deliver solid sound performance. Starting MSRP for the Audi R8 Spyder is $129,400. BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GTC | The four-seater luxury convertible is laden with posh fnishes, encompassing soft-touch leather hides (available in 17 standard colors and six color split combinations), exotic wood veneers, cool-touch metals and plush

Bentley Continental GT Convertible. Photo by James Lipman.

Ferrari 458 Spider

pile carpets. Offering more legroom than its predecessor, the cabin is also equipped with a touch-screen infotainment system and a Bentley-designed neck warmer for comfortable roof-down driving in cooler temperatures. For the frst time, 20-inch wheels are standard and available in four styles and a choice of fnishes. The Continental GTC is powered by a 6.0-liter, twinturbocharged W12 with FlexFuel capability and a new QuickShift transmission that cuts shift times by up to 50 percent and enables double downshifts. With a top speed of 195 mph, the convertible accelerates from zero-to-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Starting MSRP for the Bentley Continental GTC is $210,025. FERRARI 458 SPIDER | Te Ferrari 458 Spider is the frst car to mate a mid-rear engine with a convertible hardtop, providing the two lucky occupants an unfettered opportunity to listen to the unmistakable sounds of the GDI V8 570-horsepower engine. An impressive feat of engineering, the aluminum retractable hard top functions as speedily as the engine and does not compromise aerodynamics or performance. Te pair of sections that comprise

the top rotate and then fold in such a manner that they take up less space than a conventional soft top. As powerful as the engine is, the engineers at Ferrari took certain steps to ensure that engine noise would not overwhelm passengers by locating air intakes in the rear spoiler and installing a specifcally developed silencer. An adjustable electronic wind stop also allows the driver to further control their desired level of engine noise. Maximum speed is 199 mph, with the zero-to-62 mph sprint clocked at 3.4 seconds. The Formula 1 cockpit-style driver layout in the cabin is designed to minimize the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand movements for complete focus on the road, but remains comfortable enough for more leisurely driving. A bespoke luggage set is available that features a motif inspired by the six air intakes of the engine cover. Starting MSRP for the Ferrari 458 Spider is $263,553. MCLAREN 650S SPIDER | The 650S is the core model in McLarenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Super Series, designed and developed to give the enthusiast driver the ultimate in luxury and excitement with

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McLaren 650S Spider

2016 Porsche Boxter Spyder

an award-winning 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine producing 610-horsepower. The 650S Spider delivers the same level of performance as its coupe sibling with the added appeal of roofdown driving, able to clock zero-to-60 mph in three seconds and a top speed of 204 mph. An electrically retractable hard top can be automatically raised or lowered on the move in less than 17 seconds and at speeds of up to 19 mph so a popup shower wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dampen the fun. Te Formula 1-style cockpit boasts a tactile, small-diameter steering wheel with rocker shift paddles for the seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and a driver-centric Active Dynamic Panel that positions buttons and switches in intuitive positions to keep eyes frmly planted on the road ahead. Base price for the McLaren 650S Spider is $283,925. PORSCHE BOXSTER SPYDER | Porsche highlighted the 2015 convertible season with the world premiere of the new Boxster Spyder at the recent New York International Auto Show. Te new top model of the Boxster range retains the unique and unmistakable character of the previous Spyder classic roadster, 56 slmag.net

with a top that is still opened and closed by hand and only available with a manual transmission, benefiting both weight savings and driver enjoyment. Te mid-engine Boxster Spyder delivers a traditional sportscar driving experience with driver and passenger Sports Seats Plus, frm sport suspension, brakes taken from the 911 Carrera S, more direct steering and a 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine with an output of 375-horsepower. As the lightest model of the current Boxster line, it is also the most powerful, needing only 4.3 seconds to sprint from zero-to-60 mph. Elements such as the pair of prominent streamliners that extend down along the sweeping rear lid behind the headrests pay tribute to the 718 Spyder from the 1960s. In keeping with the modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional roadster character, neither a radio nor an air conditioner is included as standard equipment in order to reduce weight. However, both can be ordered as optional equipment at no cost. Additional creature comforts available as an option include the Porsche Communication Management system with navigation. MSRP for the Boxster Spyder is $82,100. sl

Of Note... Independence Transcendence

Compiled by Claire Williams

1) From Khouri Guzman Bunce Lininger, the Johansson Cabinet's skin of lacquered aluminum encases a body of walnut burl and sold walnut (to the trade; kgblnyc.com). 2) VELA is the latest addition to Hennepin Made's Parallel Series of modern pendent fxtures crafted of hand-blown glass and spun aluminum. Ofered in seven glass colors, Crystal, Ruby and Sapphire are shown ($270/ each; shop.hennepinmade.com). 3) Ariana napkins in Capri Blue and Newport Red by Company C ($45; companyc.com). 4) Iron Bicyclette napkin ring from Company C ($60; companyc.com). 5) Hancock & Moore Utopia Chair (to the trade; hancockandmoore.com). 6) Lotta Spot dinner and salad plates with Sabre dipped fatware from Waggo Home ($14-$89; waggo.com).

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Of Note... Independence Transcendence

Compiled by Claire Williams

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1) Cheswick chair from Taylor King (to the trade; taylorking.com). 2) Te oversized high-gloss metal tray of the (FATBOY)RED Special Edition Snacklight is equipped with a wireless, rechargeable magnetic lamp with three diferent light settings and a trio of bowls with a non-slip coating. 10% of the proceeds from every (FATBOY)RED purchase go to the Global Fund to fght AIDS. ($129; shop.fatboyusa.com). 3) Frederick Cooper Eden Lamp in White ($735; wildwoodlamps.com). 4) Wildwood Lacquer Swirls Lamp (to the trade; wildwoodlamps.com). 5) Wildwood Edith Lamp in Royal Blue (to the trade; wildwoodlamps.com). 6) Te Yosemite Sofa from Hancock & Moore in fre engine red leather with white embroidery accents and white fringe side detailing (to the trade; handcockandmoore.com). 7) Tree stripe canvas storage bin from Waggo Home ($38; waggo.com).

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8) Modway Alpha Shell Egg Chair and Ottoman (to the trade; modwayfurniture.com). 9) AKDO red stagger tile ($33 per sqft; akdo.com). 10) BlueStar 36" Freestanding natural-gas range is available in red, cobalt, black, white and stainless steel ($6,299; rejuvenation.com). 11) Nest Chair in 'Old Blue' print by Marcel Wanders for Moooi (price upon request; moooi.com). 12) Te Mid-Century Post-Mount Mailbox from Rejuvenation is inspired by those produced in the 1950s and 1960s ($299; rejuvenation.com).

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RockCa RockCandy kC {Indulgent Colored Gems}

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1) Intrigue ring by Karen Karch featuring a one-of-a-kind rose cut 5.87 ct ruby with three sharpened claws, each studded with a Colorless Brilliant Diamond sitting just above a halo of colorless brilliant diamonds at the base ($10,000; karenkarch.com). 2) 18kt rose gold, 12-13mm South Sea pearl and 1.07cts pink sapphires ring from Yoko London ($3,500; yokolondon. com). 3) Regal ring from Karen Karch with a matrix turquoise cabochon surrounded by a halo studded with dark red cognac diamonds and rubies that continue to the front of the blackened 18k white gold band detailed with twining vines ($3,850; karenkarch.com). 4) Te micro-pave' infnity symbol of Karen Karch's Black Swan Infniate ring loops around two ice brilliant diamonds (1.28 ct & 1.13 ct) that nest into 18k Rose Gold settings detailed by twining vines (price upon request; karenkarch.com).

1) Platinum TWH tension-set with a 3.48ct natural blue sapphire 2) Platinum omega fat tension-set with a 3.08ct orange sapphire 3) Platinum omega round tension-set with a 3.05ct color change purple sapphire with diamond pave accents 4) Platinum HTF tension-set with a 3.81ct natural orange sapphire with diamond pave accents. All from Steven Kretchmer (prices upon request; stevenkretchmer.com).

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1) Arik Kastan pebble stone ring in 14K yellow gold with oval turquoise center stone surrounded by bezel set emeralds ($1,725.00; arikkastan.com). 2) Roberto Coin Art Deco ring in 18K white gold with diamonds, pink sapphires and tanzanite ($9,500). 3) Roberto Coin Art Deco ring in 18K yellow gold with diamonds, citrine and orange sapphires ($9,800). 4) Roberto Coin Art Deco ring in 18K white gold with diamonds, green garnet and green tourmaline ($20,500; robertocoin.com).

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Suzanna Kalan 18K rose gold vitrine ring with 30x17mm pear swiss blue topaz center and 3.75ct. champagne diamond baguettes ($14,250; suzannekalan.com).

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1) Mogul 18kyg large (100 cts plus) rose quartz drop pendant with champagne diamond pave ($4,070) 2) Mogul 18kyg medium (50 cts plus) amethyst drop pendant ($3,300) 3) Mogul 18kyg amethyst (approx 20 cts) drop chain earrings with rubellites ($1,870) 4) Mogul Beads 18kyg limited-edition 60-inch tanzanite, labradorite, amethyst and multi tourmaline bead necklace with 18kyg hourglass rondells ($6,600). All from Syna Jewels (synajewels.com).

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Actual Model.

SUMMERTIME AT THE PALM Written by Leigh Hendry and Gloria Houghland Photography by Allen Clark Finally, it’s summer! Breezy mornings sipping coffee on the terrace, lunchtime sandwiches dripping with the goodness of mouthwatering, homegrown tomatoes, the delightful fun of catching lightning bugs in glass jars under the low-hanging moons of summer nights....these are just a few of the kinds of moments which we who dwell below the Mason-Dixon line envision as the epitome of the magical American summer. It’s a season that appeals to all of our senses from the delicious taste of frozen ice cream to the sweet sounds of chirping crickets, to the perfume of majestic magnolias in bloom to the sight of the frst Southern rose beginning its climb on backyard fences to the slick, cool feel of fresh-mown grass under bare feet. Ah, summer, how we do adore you. Summer also evokes a special connotation for one particular Nashville restaurant of note. For meat-and-potato lovers, this time of year can mean a break with tradition to enjoy a summer lobster dinner at Te Palm featuring succulent lobster for two at $99, or for just one diner at $59. Te thought of that four-pound jumbo Nova Scotia lobster, split for two, with melted butter and lemon juice sends the crustacean crowd into overdrive; not to mention the signature vegetable or potato

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sides that are served family-style. Te large, but tender lobster is perfectly cooked, cracked and shelled right at the table with absolutely no efort required on the part of guests. In fact, the waiter will even tie a lobster bib around your neck if you’d like. Pair the lobster with a Palm signature cocktail such as the watermelon margarita or the rye peach smash and guests are good to go. It also doesn’t hurt that the price has remained at the same level for years. The Palm is simply a titan in the American food service industry. In 1926, Italian immigrants John Ganzi and Pio Bozzi opened their frst restaurant on Manhattan’s Second Avenue where it remains today 89 years later-talk about staying power. Te men’s philosophy was simple: Treat customers like family, serve excellent food and exceed expectations. Surprisingly, in the beginning, Te Palm had no steak on its menu. When a guest requested a steak, Ganzi would dash over to Second Avenue’s closest butcher, quickly purchase said steak and grill it to the customer’s specifcations. It was an early take on the foundation for exceeding every expectation. As the requests for steak became more commonplace, this crowdpleaser became a part of the regular menu.

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Te Palm’s Second Avenue site proved to be quite lucrative as it was smack in the heart of the publishing and cartoon syndicate district of the time. In exchange for meals, artists would paint original portraits on the wall, initiating the caricature tradition for which The Palm is still quite widely known for today. In fact, the caricatures are such a signifcant part of The Palm’s storied history that the company’s owners had the prized drawings at the original Manhattan location professionally restored in 1995. Some of the most famous drawings - now valued at several million dollars - featured on the walls there include such beloved American icons as Popeye, Batman and Beetle Bailey. Now, of course, as most everyone knows, a proliferation of colorful characters can be found at every Palm throughout the U.S. and abroad. When a Palm restaurant opens in any city, a cadre of 200-300 local notables are chosen and their likenesses are drawn on the walls before the location opens. While new caricatures are added regularly to locations, but at the original Manhattan Palm, due to its space constraints, only fve images are added annually. Today, co-chairmen and co-owners Walter (Wally) Ganzi and Bruce Bozzi are the third generations of their families to operate the resoundingly successful Palm restaurants. Ganzi has a long-standing relationship with former President George H.W. 70 slmag.net

Bush who encouraged the company to expand to Washington, D. C., while Bozzi is credited with introducing the jumbo lobsters, completely dispelling the myth that large lobsters are tough in texture. With more than 25 Palm restaurants, the company has the distinction of being the frst white tablecloth restaurant to expand from coast-to-coast, making it an allAmerican original. Te Nashville Palm swung its doors wide open to droves of eager locals and tourists more than 15 years ago when it debuted in the heart of the downtown honky tonk district, just one block of Broadway. Tis is a meat-and-potatoes town and many steak chains have opened here since Te Palm frst staked out its territory on Fifth Avenue. “We like to say that we aren’t a chain, but a family made up of staff and loyal patrons,” said Bryan Lytle, the gracious and cordial general manager of Nashville’s Palm. Loyalty to Te Palm is rewarded by membership in the restaurant’s 837 Club, cleverly named for the street number of the fagship Palm at 837 Second Avenue. Te club enables guests to rack up points with each visit and the points can be redeemed for special rewards ranging from complimentary desserts to exclusive weekend getaways. Members of the 837 Club are also the frst to receive the latest Palm news, along with invitations to unique members-only events.

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At a recent Stags’ Leap wine-tasting dinner with GM Lytle, Paige Dixon, The Palm’s charismatic sales manager, and a representative from the winery, Sophisticated Living was able to experience the frst-class treatment which the Te Palm regularly lavishes upon its devoted patrons. Guests seated at round tables conducive to conviviality in one of Te Palm’s private dining rooms were treated to deliciously appropriate wines which accompanied each course of the elaborate gourmet meal. During the cocktail reception, patrons enjoyed prosciutto-wrapped melon, a selection of fresh oysters and carpaccio of beef tenderloin crostini complemented by Stags’ Leap’s crisp Napa Valley Viognier 2013. Te frst course of baby arugula, frisee and strawberry salad was served with the winery’s bold, buttery Napa Valley Chardonnay 2013. It was followed by a second course of pan-seared lobster corn cake with a mustard beurre blanc sauce and a seven-vegetable slaw with Stags’ Leap’s frst red blend, Te Investor 2012. For the third course, in a show of its well-known diversity, guests had a choice between a porcini-charred, prime, aged New York strip or an almond-crusted wild Alaskan halibut, all paired with Stags’ Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. Te fourth course, an artisan cheese plate which also included a slice of fg cake, fresh blackberries, assorted nuts and honey, along with the Stags’ Leap Petite Sirah 2012, was what one diner termed the “loveliest cheese plate outside of Paris.” 72 slmag.net

Te night was luscious and lengthy and it seemed the right time to ask just the right people precisely what diferentiates Te Palm from other steak houses in a booming city suddenly teeming with steak options. Bob Wallick and his wife, Lisa, who moved to Middle Tennessee 10 years ago from Charlotte, North Carolina, were quick to cite the exceptional service. Our table’s attentive waitress knew Bob’s favorite wine bottle number without being prompted. “I have a passion for great red wines,” Bob Wallick said. Te couple commented not only on the splendid wine list but also the various seafood offerings as well as the standout steaks and the 837 Club experiences. ”My wife is a points junkie,” said Wallick. And, in fact, during the dinner party, the Wallicks canvassed others present as to whether they should redeem their vast number of loyalty points for a trip to the Hamptons, Sonoma or Napa Valley. Wallick also proudly showed of his caricature on the wall, which was a 50th birthday surprise from his family. And, of course, the dinner celebrating Wallick’s milestone was held in one of The Palm’s private rooms. Bo Roberts, another longtime 837 Club member, immediately mentioned Te Palm’s “remarkable level of service” from the food presentation to the complimentary valet parking which The Palm offers to all of its guests, as to what makes this restaurant his top choice when meeting clients for either lunch or dinner.

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Te Palm is Nashville’s upscale version of the place “where everybody knows your name.” Tere’s Rae Krenn, who’s greeted daytime guests at the front desk since day one and the bartenders who nightly craft specialty cocktails in the clubby, wood-paneled room complete with leather banquettes. General Manager Lytle, with 25 years of service in the hospitality industry under his belt, and his staf have a way of making everyone feel important, a job they manage impeccably, as Nashville’s Palm consistently ranks as one of the company’s top three restaurants. From Lytle’s point of view, his business is all about building relationships. He also noted that Te Palm is one of the country’s oldest, family-owned restaurants and emphasized that “in Nashville, we were frst in line when it came to the blossoming of this city. Our challenge is to uphold our reputation while extending our family.” Lytle has been at the helm of Nashville’s Palm for three years, moving to Music City from the west coast Palm in Los Angeles. He said the diference between the two locations is that Nashville is

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more of local-driven business whereas the LA Palm was more eventdriven in its clientele. “We certainly don’t discount our customers that are regulars who drive in from Spring Hill, Kentucky or Alabama. Tey make the drive for the experience. Every Palm has its own signature bread for example. Ours is pumpernickel raisin that we source locally. Our beef is midwestern grown and our Nova Scotia lobster is fown in daily and served, sea to plate, within 48 hours. We never skimp on expense because we are here to provide the best quality. As far as community involvement, the restaurant endorses the PalmCares program which supports local, national and international non-profit organizations restaurant-wide. On a local level, we are involved with a range of issues from hunger projects to empowerment to health awareness to gender and ethnic diversity and equality.” Executive Chef Hoss Fuentes, born in Honduras, immigrated to the States as a teenager and learned to cook here. Recognizing his love for creating dishes, he worked his way up the ladder, beginning

as a line cook before ascending to the executive chef position at Nashville’s Palm. He attended L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland and became one of the key staf members at the DC Palm before seizing the opportunity to relocate here for the position as the allimportant leader in the Nashville Palm’s kitchen. In 2012, Chef Fuentes was one of just 80 chefs nationwide selected by the State Department to participate in its Culinary Diplomacy program, a new initiative created to elevate the role of culinary engagement in America’s formal and public diplomacy efforts. Fuentes serves as a resource in preparing meals for foreign leaders, along with Rick Bayless, one of his favorite fellow chefs from Chicago’s noted Frontera Grille and Art Smith, Oprah Winfrey’s former personal chef and several other well-known celebrity chefs. Chef Fuentes, whose go-to Palm menu item is the Chilean sea bass Wellington with tomato and safron broth served with lobster mac and cheese and bacon crust and Jalapeño creamed

corn au gratin, went all out on the day of the Sophisticated Living photo shoot to present a tasty range of menu oferings outside of the flet, sirloin and T-bone steaks options. We would be remiss here, however, if we neglected to mention that the 18 oz. USDA Prime, bone-in New York strip richly deserves its own category in the world of exemplary dining. It was also easy to see what the Wallicks meant regarding the choice of seafood items, starting with the 4 lb lobster. It was as tender, faky and sweet as any fresh-caught lobster one might consume in a catchand-cook-right-now situation. If guests aren’t feeling up to four pounds of the world’s most savory delicacy, they can still savor the crustacean in the hearts of palm, baby arugula and lobster salad, lobster mac and cheese or the roasted corn and lobster maque choux -a traditional Southern Louisiana dish made with corn, peppers and onions. If it’s surf and turf that’s desired, the flet topped with lobster and asparagus drizzled with Bernaise sauce will certainly ft the bill quite nicely.

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Other seafood selections include the wasabi and pankocrusted Ahi tuna steak, the oh-so-popular shrimp cocktail appetizer and the impressive seafood tower, constructed of shrimp cocktail, Ahi tuna, fresh oysters, colossal crab meat and seaweed salad. Whatever diners choose from this A-list menu, they shouldn’t overlook the any of the substantial side dishes, which are large enough to split family style, or the roster of delectable salads. Te half and half cottage fries and onion strings is usually a crowd pleaser for those who simply can’t make a choice while the green bean pancetta with pine nuts is a side dish with just the right amount of tasty crunch to satisfy. Tere are also those who come to the Palm specifcally for the Louis “Gigi” Delmaestro salad with its

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10 key ingredients tossed in a garlic vinaigrette or the wedge salad which comes with the thickest Danish blue cheese dressing in town. In the summer, many diners opt for the light watermelon bufalo mozzarella salad, a solstice-driven perspective on the tried and true caprese. Finally, no meal is truly complete at Te Palm without a bite of the seven-layer dark chocolate cake with chocolate ganache--it’s as decadent a dessert as one will fnd anywhere. And, for those who have yet to experience The Palm’s always-packed bar, do make plans to stop in and say hello to Grit Greer and Wayne Jones, the restaurant’s two bartenders who have been serving up wines and spirits there since the day the doors opened. sl

EVENTS / WEDDINGS / PARTIES / PERFORMANCES 1120 MCGAVOCK STREET / NASHVILLE, TN

THEROSEWALL.COM

MILES AND MILES AND MILES AND MILES An urban couple fnd their retirement living dream perched high on a ridge. Written by Leigh Hendry and Gloria Houghland Photography by Allen Clark The life and work of noted Tennessee architect Robert M. Anderson Jr. could be one of Nashville’s greatest architectural enigmas. This champion of modern design, who grew up in Nashville and attended Hillsboro High School, punctuated the hilltops of Forest Hills and a few other areas of Nashville and middle Tennessee with uncommon homes built of glass, wood and stone during his decades of practice. Was Anderson a man whose architectural style was underappreciated in conservative Nashville, a place known for sticking with the traditional, or was he a somewhat reluctant and elusive genus who purposely held his virtuosity close to the vest? Despite his under-the-radar approach, Anderson clearly enjoyed a cult following among Middle Tennessee’s more architecturally adventuresome elite. Those seeking clean-lined residences sited amidst acres of mature trees or homes perched on hillsides with the Nashville skyline shining nightly in the distant horizon, inevitably found themselves sitting in Anderson’s office. Yet despite having discerning clients, from all accounts, Anderson seems to have been known for doing things precisely his way, especially when the desires of his clients interfered with the integrity and purity of his design. But, if a modern house - not to be confused with a contemporary style - piqued one’s interest, Anderson was the defnitive master of that genre here during the past 30 years or so. Members of Nashville’s ultra-hip creative community have long conducted an ardent love afair with Anderson’s distinctive style. Regionally renowned architect Bobby McAlpine purchased an Anderson design nestled high on a hill of Tyne Boulevard as a property to be fipped. But McAlpine loved the home so much he wound up living there for more than fve years. More recently, one Nashville couple, who was not even seeking a modern manse, found themselves unexpectedly enamored with Anderson’s personal abode, a fairly modest design of 2,258 square feet, constructed in 1980. With the aid of realtor Anne McGugin, Kay and Keith Simmons discovered Anderson’s Fredricksburg 80 slmag.net

Drive home just past the turn to famed Laurel Ridge, a street known for its stunning panoramic views of Nashville. “We had all but given up looking and had decided to stay put on Richland Avenue, our home for more than 30 years,” recalls Kay. “We were retired empty-nesters with three grown children and seven grandchildren. While ready for a new chapter in our lives, we had not been able to find just the right thing. Even though we had told Anne that we were out of the home buying market, she called one day and said she’d found something she thought we might love. She was so right. From the minute we laid eyes on this house, we knew we wanted it,” Kay said. Tough the property did not represent a stratospheric real estate transaction so typical of the new Nashville, its impeccable architectural pedigree, flowing floor plan, spacious rooms and soaring ceilings, made it a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime fnd. After navigating the steep winding turns of Fredricksburg Drive, the three-bedroom, four-level home suddenly appears, poised surprisingly close to the road at the top of a secluded cul de sac. And, yet, it still manages to blend into its forested location. A wooden walkway leads up to the home’s imposing 13-foot-tall glass double casement door entrance, which is flanked on the right by a cloistered patio. This is where the couple begins each day, weather permitting, sipping their morning coffee and marveling at their new life surrounded by stillness, ferns and pine trees. Because Kay, a retired educational fundraiser and Keith, a retired managing partner of Nashville’s prestigious Bass, Berry and Sims law frm, were both extraordinarily sensitive to the importance of maintaining the integrity of Anderson’s masterwork, they modernized only where absolutely necessary, retaining the overall essence of the architect’s design. They engaged Louisville- and Nashvillebased interior designer Susan Moloney Byrd to guide their restoration/renovation efforts and felt that their judicious stewardship of the property might be worthy of Anderson’s subtle stamp of approval.

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Guests are welcomed into the limestone-foored foyer which the couple expanded with the removal of a wall, one of the limited changes they made to the house, by a major statement piece: a richly textured, stitched collage painting by Dakota Badlands artist Michael Madzo, who also has a studio in Nashville. Te painter’s fanciful portrait, “I Am Not Surprised by Te Worlds Behind Our Eyes” depicts a woman bedecked with a head full of jonquils emerging from inside an eggshell. Te painting keeps company with a custom-designed iron bench created by designer Byrd’s blacksmith artisan. Te two works of art join together to inform visitors that they have arrived somewhere signifcant. Refurbished oak foors and stair treads, now stained a dark walnut, showcase the round iron railings which have been added to the five flights of stairs. A large casement window offers a commanding view of nature’s exterior bounty and provides the frst of many indications that this is, indeed, a refned version of a modern-day treehouse. Toroughly devoid of ornamentation without door casings, baseboards or wainscoting, this home is a superb example of true minimalism. ”We left it just the way Anderson designed it. We didn’t add space,” explained Byrd. “We simply captured existing square footage through renovations, and restored what was appropriate for the style of the home.” Byrd, who is well-known for her exceptional work on many historical restorations particularly in 82 slmag.net

Louisville, has been featured in such prestigious shelter publications as Architectural Digest and Southern Accents magazines. Te living area, up the stairs to the second foor, is the place where the family spends the most time. Tough none of the rooms are huge, the expansive exterior views from each foor make them appear much grander. Tis room, centered by a gargantuan window with an uninterrupted view of hundreds of acres of woodland in the foreground and the Nashville skyline just visible in far-of distance, is lightly framed by pale linen drapes, which the installer reportedly likened to “white mascara.” Tere’s a simple slate freplace here to warm things up during chillier months and a custom television cabinet which rises to the occasion with the mere touch of a button when it’s time for small screen entertainment. Mid-century inspired, charcoal gray sofas provide cozy seating while a 1964 Marcel Breuer chair that Kay sourced online precisely matches the one that the Andersons took with them when they departed. An ethereal white female form languidly floats from the ceiling in a corner near the window. It is a site-specifc work created by Nashville sculptor Buddy Jackson as a retirement gift from Keith’s law partners. Another unique work of art, spotted by Kay at Diggs, is a Lucite shadowbox created by Tommy Mitchell from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Te box rests on iron legs and features three-dimensional silver butterfies and serves double duty as a side table.

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Tis pared-down, Anderson-jewel-box-of-a-home lends itself to the display of the Simmons’ vast collection of art which made the transition from the couple’s midtown dwelling up to their new one-and-a-half acre mountaintop aerie. Tough architect Anderson’s presence is still palpable at every turn in this angular structure, he looms even larger in the three black granite tables he left behind. One anchors the outdoor balcony accessible from the living room while the other two lend substantial visual heft in the form of the dining room table and the living room cofee table. Practical designer Byrd devised an ingeniously clever solution for seating large dinner parties: She had her blacksmith craft new iron legs for each table in order to raise the height of both so that when their bases are turned, guests can be seated at the same level in the two adjoining rooms. 84 slmag.net

The stylish kitchen, adjacent to the living area, remains in its original sensible state with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling cabinets complemented by a marble countertop. Te kitchen’s galley design is enhanced by an oversized window making the room appear almost as tall as statuesque trees visible just beyond the glass. Tis element of linear visual interest in the Simmons’ kitchen creates an added cohesion with the rest of the house as it beckons even more of the outside to the fore. The home’s first floor holds Keith’s favorite space, an office with yet another magnifcent view, as well as a guest room and bath. In the ofce, Byrd custom-designed the desk, again with forged iron legs, covered a comfy sofa/hide-a-bed in chocolate mohair and flled a wall of bookshelves with interesting volumes and objects d’art. One of the couple’s favorite sculptures, mounted in a setback

in the wall, features climbing male fgures which remind them of the home’s many, many steps. “Te stairs don’t bother us,” Kay said laughing. “We view them as exercise, despite the fact that Keith has already had two hip replacements since we relocated here.” Sharing space on the foor is the guest room. It is sleek and serene with its crisp white bed linens trimmed in pale gray and its soothing Charlotte Terrell oil on canvas landscape, hanging over the bed. Terrell is a Nashville painter known for her moody works. Tere’s also a black-and-white photograph by New York artist John Nicolai of a young woman releasing a bird. The photograph crowns a marble-topped console, another piece once owned by Anderson. Up on the third floor is a reading nook/dressing area off an all-encompassing mirrored master bathroom. The cabinets

were left untouched as they ofered another opportunity to pay homage to the home’s heritage. Te room reads both glamorous and warm, modern and traditional, intimate yet expansive. Up just a few steps this time is the most heavenly of bedrooms imaginable. Te couple can see over the treetops from here. Tis is a place where visitors of a certain age rock might be reminded of Te Who’s 1967 Top Ten Billboard classic, “I Can See for Miles.” Tis room, also all white with a hint of gray. In addition to the view, the star turn here is the custom-designed, white kid glove leather bed. Te balcony leading of the bedroom faces the forest and a cluster of clerestory windows at the rear of the room encourages the light to shine in. An electric shade, used when the couple prefers not be awakened by the sun, provides a sense of complete privacy despite the abundance of windows everywhere. slmag.net

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Tough the Simmons understood that their acquisition of this momentous work of architectural art was not designed for young grandchildren, they still had a need to address, which they resolved by converting the home’s two-car garage into a whimsical playroom. Tis space has evolved into Kay’s favorite spot. “We never had a garage on Richland Avenue,” Keith said, “so we haven’t missed having it.” Tey stained the concrete foor, applied rafa to the walls, added a glass door and enveloped the entire space with a wall color reminiscent of the dark of night--black. Byrd researched and designed a staircase in keeping with the era of the home, built bookcases for stashing toys, games and stufed animals and purchased a vintage working jukebox. Tis garage re-do serves a dual purpose when the Simmons entertain. With toys removed, candles added and the garage doors opened,

the couple can provide table seating both inside and outside on the driveway. Kay also places cushions on the stone wall, ofering ample seating, so that each guest can comfortably take in the phenomenal view. Although the Simmons never had the opportunity to meet the architect, they have emerged from the acquisition of the home as monumentally enthusiastic fans of his work. “His ability to just perfectly pitch things on mountaintops was sheer genius,” said Keith. “When you approach our house, you may not immediately appreciate Anderson’s incredible vision. But, once inside, the home takes on a life of its own. In the spring, it is like an Italian villa; in the winter, it’s an alpine chalet; in the fall, it’s a New England village, and in the summer, it’s a sylvan Appalachian retreat.” sl slmag.net

Presented by

Society July 3 4 4 11 17 19

World Party, City Winery Nashville, citywinery.com/nashville/tickets.html?event_date=2015-07-03 Music CIty Hot Chicken Festival, East Park, nashville.gov/News-Media/Calendar-of-Events/Event-Details/ID/3475/begin/7-4-2015/Music-City-Hot-Chicken-Festival.aspx Music City July 4th! Let Freedom Sing!, Riverfront, visitmusiccity.com/july4th/july4th_eventdetails Red, White, and Brew, Sevier Park , cfmt.org/explore/initiatives/tomorrowfund American Idol Live, The Ryman, ryman.com/events/AmericanIdolLive Opera @ Franklin Theater Movie Sing-Along (Nashville Opera), nashvilleopera.org/operaat Mafaozaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Music City Brewers Fest, Walk of Fame Park, musiccitybrewersfest.com

August 7 7 & 15 13-9/13 14 29

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Happy Together 2015 (TPAC), War Memorial Auditorium, patron.tpac.org Tomato Art Festival, Historic East Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Five Points, tomatoartfest.com Henry V (Nashville Shakespeare Festival), Centennial Park Bandshell, nashvilleshakes.org/shakespeareallowed.htm Highballs and Hydrangeas (Cheekwood) TPAC Gala, TPAC, tpac.org/support/gala.asp

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D estinations & A dventures D estinations & A dventures I

Te Palate Pleasing Power of the Picnic Written by Mara Papatheodorou

Picnic power prevails! Summer is here and the living and entertaining should be easy. Tere is no better way to embrace and enjoy the season’s sunny days or sunset evenings than with a delicious pristine picnic of delectable delights. Te tradition of this fun-loving outdoor feast —from 2 to 200- originated in the 14th century when British and French medieval hunters and farmers initially gathered to celebrate seasonal bounties seated by rivers and lakes, under trees or in open fields. Taken from the French word “pique- nique” meaning “to pick”, worldwide cultures then and now “picked” their favorite culinary specialties to dine on, spread a cloth on the ground or over a table and began eating. Voila, the ofcial picnic was born! This pleasurable pastime has since been depicted in paintings, (think French painter Edouard Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass or American artist Tomas Cole’s Te Picnic), in novels,

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(remember Jane Austen’s Emma, Charles Dicken’s The Mystery of Edward Drood or Kenneth Grahame’s the Wind in the Willows) and in the 1955 Oscar winning movie Picnic based on Pulitzer Prize winning play by William Inge. Entertain and eat well by jumping into the joy of July and the allure of August with their vibrant vegetables, fresh fruit galore and gorgeous grilled items that create sensational salads, scintillating sandwiches and seductive sweets. Rustic or refned, whether it’s a potluck party, a family get together or an al fresco supper, keep it cool, sophisticated and simple with meals outside and away from the kitchen. July is ofcially National Grilling Month, National Hot Dog Month and National Ice Cream Month. Take timely advantage by cooking at the barbecue, biting into many a burger or hot dog covered with condiments alongside baked beans, coleslaw or potato salad followed by luscious ice cream indulgences. August is National Sandwich Month so there is no better time to create a variety of mouthwatering masterpieces to place in that picnic basket or on that backyard table. Way back in 1762, that’s exactly what the Earl of Sandwich did to establish his tasty legacy. Choose your bread-wheat, white, rye, sourdough roll or baguette—and place your preferred cheeses and charcuterie with condiments in-between for the ultimate sublime sandwich! Watermelons, grapes and berries abound but most deliciously it’s National Peach Month! So savor that perfect peach whether on its own, in a pie or cobbler. And no meal is complete without that thirst-quenching drink. Sip sentimental favorites like icy lemonade or sweet iced tea. Linger over a chilled glass of champagne, white wine, rose or sangria. Most importantly, no matter what you “pick” for your personal party and where you have it, relax, keep calm and picnic on. sl

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The Diversification Challenge How business owners can avoid holding all their wealth in one enterprise

Savvy investors don’t put their entire portfolio in a single stock, yet owners of privately held businesses often keep the bulk of their wealth in one enterprise — their own. This concentration means that business owners face a myriad of financial risks that non-business owners don’t have to worry about. For one, if anything hurts the business’s revenue — such as an economic downturn, a natural disaster or a new competitor entering the market — the owner’s family finances and lifestyle may be exposed. As the business grows more valuable, it’s important for owners to consider diversifying their investments. Fortunately, business owners have a number of ways to reduce their financial risks that don’t necessarily involve forfeiting control of the business. Accumulating Personal Assets Business owners should start by ensuring they have a reserve fund by stockpiling cash from good business years in secure, short-term investments that can help them ride out inevitable market fluctuations and economic rough patches. They should also save money in retirement accounts that are invested in a portfolio of diversified securities. Business ownership is generally considered high risk because many outside forces can affect a company’s value. So business owners should consider putting their personal assets in lower-risk, less-volatile investments such as bonds and broad U.S. stock funds.

Lee Blank, Area Wealth Executive 615.748.6940 Lee.blank@regions.com

Selling Equity Another common diversification strategy used by business owners is monetizing the underlying value of their business. This can include selling equity to key employees, family members or third parties. One way to maintain some management continuity is to begin a

process for taking out a measured amount of ownership each year, formulating how the ownership would be valued, based on the previous year’s results, and selling a stake interest in the business a little at a time. Vested employees can buy shares outright at a predetermined price, be given shares as part of their compensation, or receive shares as part of a profit-sharing program or through a qualified retirement plan. The biggest drawbacks to selling equity, of course, are the potential of giving up future rights to any increased value in the company and sharing some of the current cash flow with other equity holders. Leveraging Value Business owners who aren’t ready to share ownership may have another option: recapitalizing the company using debt. Leveraging real assets or projected cash flow — or a combination of the two — allows owners to securitize a loan against the business and use the cash to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities. The portfolio could be held as a personal asset, while cash flow from the business is used to pay off the loan. Getting Guidance These are just a few of the options available to business owners for protecting and preserving their most vital asset. A good first step is for business owners to sit down with their financial advisor and have a candid discussion on options available. Our team of subject-matter experts stands ready to guide you through this often complicated environment. We look forward to working with you.

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THE SWAN BALL AUCTION

2015 Swan Ball Auction Party Chairs Carol Fails and Carolyn Tombs welcomed some 400 guest to bid and bid well at the Swan Ball Auction Party held in May at Te Belle Meade Country Club. Always a roaring success, as this auction party is a primary venue of raising funds in this 2015 Swan Ball Year, benefting Cheekwood. Te auction was conducted by Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s auctioneer Kevin Doyle. Te 2015 Swan Ball theme is timeless elegance, as the Swan Ball Auction Party gave a slight hint to the decor of the ball with an ambiance of color in hues of peaches, pinks and grays.

Photography by Kathleen Cofeen

Carol Fails, Carolyn Tombs

Jody Mattison, Davonna and Randy Wachtler, Paiden Hite

Britt Steele and Fabrizio Venuta, Saundra Steele, Paolo Costagli, and Anna Frammolino

Deena and Frank Drummond, Sarah Reisner

Kaye and Steve George, Mary Evelyn and Clark Jones.

Jay Joyner, Laura Roberts, Jamie abd Seth Joyner.

Terri Major and Brian Austin 96 slmag.net

Rose and Doug Grindstaf, Melissa Mahanes

Richard and Adrian McRae

Find more photos at facebook.com/sophisticatedliving

Joyce and Steve Wood

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THE 2015 SWAN BALL

Celebrating its 53rd Year, the Swan Ball is one of the nation’s oldest and most successful white tie events, benefting Cheekwood, one of Nashville’s most beloved botanical and art treasures. 2015 Swan Ball Co-Chairs Kathleen Estes and Barby White did a splendid job presenting a fresh, classic, modern, and yet time honored evening, under the creative direction of designer David Stark. Envision an evening in Cheekwood’s lush botanical setting, with fowers cascading in a neutral palette of classic and elegant shades of pale pinks, creams, ivories, blush and buf.

Alec and Kathleen Estes, Barby and Govan White

Mary and Larry Wieck

Sassy and Frank Carroll

Mary Belle and Tony Grande

Lyle and Lisa Beasley

Jordon Asher and Jody Mattison

Terri Major and Brian Austin

Lisa and William Morgan 98 slmag.net

Bob and Pamela Jackson

John and Nancy Cheadle

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Guests enjoyed cocktails on the loggia prior to being seated for a divine dinner by Kristen Winston Catering. An evening of fabulous jewels by the 2015 Swan Ball Jeweler Paolo Castagli and a grand performance by headline entertainer Jennifer Hudson. Te 2015 Swan Award honored Ann and Monroe Carell, accepting this honored award by their three loving daughters, all three of which were former Swan Ball Chairs. Kathleen and Barby promised a resplendent evening of endearing elements of beauty, style, and tradition. Needless to say these two women achieved this in their 2015 Swan Ball themed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Times Eleganceâ&#x20AC;?.

Photography by Allen Clark

Phillip and Mary Kim Shipp, Elizabeth and J.R. McAllister

Anne and Walter Morgan

Dr. and Mrs. T.B. Boyd lll

Joe Roland and Saundra Steele, Fabrizio Venuta and Britt Steele

Brenda and Ronald Corbin

Richard and Adrienne McRae

Frannie and Albert Ambrose

Edie Bass, Jane Dudley, Ted Clayton, and Barbara Bovender

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Annie and Edward Jackson

Jennifer Hudson slmag.net

SWAN BALL LATE PARTY

2015 Swan Ball Late party Co-Chairs Grace Clayton and Heidi Rose did a knock out task transforming Cheekwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Botanic Hall into a young sophisticated pink venue. Te Swan Ball Late Party is the Swan Ball hot spot for the younger social generation. Designer Hugh Howser of H3 Events worked his magic turning the space into a lush sea of patterns in shades of hot pink. Tese jet setting young socials were greeted upon arrival to an elegant cocktail tent, furnished with upholstered banquets, French armchairs, mirrored side tables and lamps. Following cocktails guest entered Botanic Hall for a seated dinner by Danielle Kates. Tis group of energetic Swan Ball attendees danced to the Nashville All Stars up until the minute they departed for Te Cheekwood Mansion to continue to dance the night away at Te 53rd. Annual Swan Ball.

Brye and Haley Dale, Grace Clayton, Jennie Garth and Rob Lowe

Photography by Allen Clark

Arjun and Reed Nirula

Leighton and Melissa Liles

Kate Blackmon and Molly Ledbetter

Michael and Colleen Bracken, Houston Howell and Jessica Oaski

Leigh Rebrovick and Hutch Martin

Lindsey and James Hundley

Julian and Laura Scruggs, Amy and Kenneth Adams

Anderson and Caylan Jarman 100 slmag.net

Co-Chairs Grace Clayton and Heidi Rose

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SWAN BALL PATRONS’ PARTY

The 2015 Swan Ball Patrons’ Party was a legendary and stupendous evening. The combination of Nashville’s “Old Guard” with the younger leaders of this city made for a night to go into Swan Ball History. Hostess Dudley White graciously welcomed patrons to a garden party, white tenting and a divine Dani Kates seated dinner. Te patrons’ tables were draped in shades of green topped with white organdy overlays embroidered with green ferns. Te centerpieces were silver bowls, overfowing with all white hydrangeas, peonies and roses. Surrounding the centerpieces were silver Georgian candlesticks with tapers, giving the feel of timeless elegance, the theme of the 2015 Swan Ball. Tis most elegant dinner party was a thank you to the Swan Ball Patrons, beneftting Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum.

Photography by Kathleen Cofeen

Co-Chair Kathleen and Alex Estes, Dudley White, Govan and Co-Chair Barby White

Steve, Laurie, Annette, Donna and Jef Eskind

Wentworth and Barry Caldwell, Alex and Margaret Palmer

Jeanne and Bill Cammock, Ann and Shade Murray

Betty and Jim Stadler, Alice Hooker

Denny and Jean Bottorf, Bill and Lin Andrews

Sissy and Sidney McAlister, Tooty Bradford 104 slmag.net

Frances and Buddy Jackson, Ann and Bob Coleman

Dee Altenbern, Margaret Ann Robinson, Doug Altenbern

Anne Parsons, Colleen Welch, Annette Eskind, Heloise Kuhn

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ART ON THE WEST SIDE

Te evening before opening to the public, patrons enjoyed a cocktail reception, celebrating the second year of this most creative art show. An artsy crowd in attendance, great energy and excitement were experienced. Gallery owner, Ron York with Rhonda Wernick co-chaired this amazing art weekend, including 38 artists and craftsmen from Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri. Te success of this art show is due to the talented artists featuring their collection of glass, traditional, whimsical and abstract paintings, pottery, wood, sculpture and hand crafted jewelry. Proceeds from the evening went to continuing the promotion of art programming at the Gordon Jewish Community Center, where this fascinating show was held.

Photography by Allen Clark

Ron York and Rhonda Wernick

Charlotte Terrell abd Martha Nemer

Debe Dohrer and Shophie Brazzell

Leslie Sax, Rhonda Wernick, Meryl Kraf

Allah Greenberg and Barry Wilker

Streeter Spencer and Paige Morehead

Roland Lukner, Glynis Sandler, David Nichols.

Gabriel Greenlaw

Nancy Gold and Laurie Eskind

Robert Williams and James Eric Richardson

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Find more photos at facebook.com/sophisticatedliving

$99 Summer Lobster Dinner LOBSTER DINNER FOR TWO now through august 31

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CHEEKWOOD PHILANTHROPY

Tis year’s annual society dinner took place on a pleasant late April evening, on the Swan Lawn, presented by UBS. Dinner co-chairs Julie Gordon and Barbara Bovender welcomed the patrons that generously gave to Cheekwood in 2014 as well as patrons and underwriters of the Swan Ball. Te Jane and Guilford Dudley Award for Excellence in Philanthropy was presented to Andrea Waitt Carlton, honoring her family foundation gift of one million dollars to Cheekwood. HCA was the recipient of the Inaugural Corporate Philanthropy Award. Board of trustees chairman, Tooty Bradford stated that this was an evening to honor all that have given to Cheekwood’s Annual Giving Fund, to preserve the present and the future of Nashville’s own national treasure.

Doug and Dee Altenbern, Bruce and Elaine Sullivan

Andre and Doreatha Churchwell

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Holly Anderson and Hugh Hunter Byrd

Photography by Kathleen Cofeen

Chloe Fort, Bob and Julia Lowe

Went and Barry Caldwell

Jo and Ben Doubleday

Dwayne Johnson, Jane Dudley, Martha Ingram, Kate Grayken.

Elizabeth McAlister, Vincent Drefs, Clare Armistead, Amos Gott.

Ted Clayton, Judy and Tom Foster, Brenda Steakley.

Barbara Bovender and Tooty Bradford

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Everything But the House Written by Leigh Hendry and Gloria Houghland

If you are one of the millions of Baby Boomers in America, chances are high that you have organized at least one garage or estate sale due to a major transition in your life, be it moving, downsizing, divorce or even a death in the family. Sadly, but realistically, you have already discovered by now that your children aren’t particularly interested in either the fruits of your lifetime of labor or their grandparents’ handed-down treasures. By the end of this kind of sale, odds increase dramatically that you have uttered the words, “NEVER AGAIN!” through clinched teeth. For most of us, the negatives of this experience far outweigh the positives. First of, the physical toll of moving and categorizing items for safe display, cleaning up after it is all over and discarding or hauling of what hasn’t sold, will require days of recuperating. Not to mention, that try as you might to start your sale at a reasonable time, the dealers, in early bird gets the worm mode, will generally ignore your posted hours and inevitably descend upon you at daybreak ensuring that you are exhausted before you begin. Equally exasperating is the emotional toll of choosing which valued treasures among those that have been dear to you for decades should be purged. Despite your attempts to estimate a fair market value for each item, you will still be haggled down to the penny for each and every object, no matter how precious. And, in some cases, you might be holding back tears or fghting memories that may or may not be pleasant. If an item sells quickly, seller’s remorse often bubbles quickly to the surface while you remonstrate with yourself over not having priced your 112 slmag.net

mother’s beloved antique table high enough. With angst and selfdoubt creeping into an already tired body, a melt-down can’t be too far away. And heaven forbid, that it should rain on the day of the sale. It is just not worth it. Former estate sale host and guru Jacquie Denny had an aha! moment after meeting tech-savvy Brian Graves and their brainchild, Everything But the House (EBTH), was born. Teir concept has radically altered the beleaguered face of traditional estate sales since its inception in Cincinnati five years ago. The rapidly growing company had sales of more than $14 million last year. And, no, you are not alone in wondering, “Why didn’t I think of this?” Upon seeing the company’s website, venture capitalists Andy and Jon Nielson, along with Mike Reynolds, now CEO, VP of Sales and Marketing and CFO, respectively, realized that they had stumbled upon a veritable gold mine. Tey quickly went about raising $13 million in Series A funding to support an aggressive growth strategy that will expand EBTH into eight more new markets this year, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, DC. Te Nashville ofce of EBTH, which opened here last summer under the watchful eye of General Manager Dianna Daggett, now has 15 employees. “Tis is my baby, and we are a family,” declared the enthusiastic advocate of the EBTH brand, who was more than happy to explain how the online personal property and estate sale provider operates. Te frst phase, or as Dianna likes to call it, “the discovery phase,” is the consultation where Relationship Manager Rhonda Smart tours clients’ homes while asking tough, open-ended

questions with grace and thoughtfulness. Tis fact-fnding mission is usually also the beginning of a friendship that ultimately feels like a member of the family is guiding you through a transformative life transition. Sophisticated Living editor Britt Steele and her mom, Saundra, discovered the expertise and compassion provided by EBTH as they maneuvered through one of life’s most difcult journeys---the passing of Steele’s father. “EBTH offers a worldclass service while personally focusing on the client and their every need,” says Saundra, while adding, “Britt introduced me to them, recognizing that I was emotionally devastated, and they stepped in and took over the burden for me. In one month, a task I had been completely dreading was complete, far exceeding my expectations.” After some “thinking time” has elapsed (there’s no rush sales job here), a contract is signed, covering all aspects of the sale, and detailing the terms of 65% of the proceeds to the seller and 35% to EBTH. Project Manager Allison Byrd Freeman, a former curator at Cheekwood Museum of Art, and her knowledgable team take control of sorting, cataloging, and researching (utilizing appropriate experts skilled in the decorative arts), photography, posting items online, and managing the payment and distribution of sold items with white-glove delivery. Clients’ homes are also left “broom-swept” upon departure of the EBTH staf. All of this is accomplished within a 30-day time frame once the contract is signed. For local bidders (there are registered bidders in all 50 states and 46 countries), the sale begins with a preview day, which is a three-hour viewing window for potential buyers. Any jewelry which may be part of the sale is

arranged in a locked display cabinet, and there is always one staf member present per foor for added security. Each online sale begins with all items priced at $1 to start and runs with unparalleled exposure for seven days. “We estimate that 87% of the time we achieve market value or higher with the average estate sale proceeds earning $27,000,” according to Daggett. “We have more than 115,000 registered bidders. Tey shop our website daily, which features some 2,500 items for sale including furniture, artwork, automobiles, books, jewelry, clothing, collectibles, sports memorabilia, pottery, rugs and more--literally, everything but the house. We hosted 120 sales in May, and at our Brentwood event, we sold 16 original Rembrandt etchings for over $16,000.” In stark contrast to this article’s opening scenario, picture yourself leisurely reading or shopping “in bed” while watching The Tonight Show without concern about inclement weather ruining an outdoor sale’s potential profit or reducing buyer attendance. And, envision yourself calmly basking in the knowledge that in seven days time, everything will be sold to the highest bidder, potentially guaranteeing clients far greater returns than they might have achieved had they gone the old-fashioned way. Because Daggett and her team want Nashvillians to experience that kind of tranquility, they are ofering all SL readers a $100 discount for trying the services of EBTH for the frst time. Te coupon code is SLMAG. Let us know how you do and enjoy the serenity of your next life transition. sl slmag.net 113

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THE 74TH RUNNING OF THE IROQUOIS STEEPLECHASE

On the second Saturday of May each year, the grand tradition of the Iroquois Steeplechase takes place. A time to celebrate spring, pageantry and horse racing at its fnest. Tis Nashville equestrian event benefts the Monroe Carrell Jr. Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Speaking of pageantry, Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s socials were in their fnest of race day attire, attending the many glorious tent parties and enjoying the day from their box seats. Mary and Alex Wade with Dr. William E. Russell served as honorary co-chairs. A note of great importance this Steeplechase year, Mr. Henry Hooker, a long time supporter of the Steeplechase was inducted into the Iroquois Hall of Fame.

Stacey and Adrian Ivasic

Elise and Harvey Crouch

Lori and Tom Ozburn

Joni Werthan and Sara Jo Gill

Mary and Alex Wade

Nora and Clark Spoden

David and Eddie Johnson

Taylor Lagace, Conor McDermott, Creed McClellan, Bill Knestrick, Fernando Camps, John Brown.

Michal Caldwell, Craig and Nicole Huseby 116 slmag.net

Photography by Allen Clark

Brandon Jenkins, Linda and Jere Ervin, Ann and Darryl Massey

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Everything But The House is the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier online estate sale company. Visit EBTH.com to browse and bid on items from Nashville and across the country - right from your computer or smartphone. Enjoy the thrill of an auction without leaving the comfort of your home.

BROWSE. BID. DISCOVER. All items start at $1. Have an estate to sell? Visit us online or call us at 1-888-862-8750 to schedule a free consultation.

2015 SYMPHONY FASHION SHOW

First Bank and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra League hosted this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Symphony Fashion Show. Te show featured the fall collection of Brunello Cucinelli, presented by Lexus and Jamie. Event chairs, Collie Daily and Sissy Wilson did a stupendous job as only this gifted duo can. Proceeding the runway show, Mandy Barnett gave a powerful performance before guests and patrons gathered in the main and west lobbies of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center for hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; oeuvres and cocktails. Te fashion show was stellar, blending sporty practicality and elegance into a uniquely modern glamour. Of course, it was a fashion show executed by only the fnest, Jamie Stream.

Joanne Hayes, Clare Armistead, Jamie Stream

Johnna Watson, Kim and Janet Ayers.

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Photography by Kathleen Cofeen

Alberta Doochin, Martha Ingram, Tifany Rotchason

Carole Rose, Argie Omanm Jennifer Frist

Nancy Hearn, Ted Clayton, Dianne Edwards

Sissy Wilson and Collie Daily

Elaine Sullivan, Sandy Terrell, Sandra Lipman, Jane Menemeller

Janet Bentz, Mariel Rich, Amelia Bentz, Cammille Barrett

Sharon Barnett, Judy Williams, Bruce Shelton

Kim Murrey, Blair and Brenda Steakley, Judy Foster

Find more photos at facebook.com/sophisticatedliving

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

After 52 years Nashville Baseball returns home to Sulphur Dell. Baseball in Nashville owes its origins to the stadium that once stood on the exact grounds as the new and incredible Tennessee Park does today. Te new stadium and park was built with an unbelievable fan experience in mind. Te original Sulphur Dell was home to the Vols until 1962, now presently home of the Nashville Sounds. Great ball players of the past have played on this sacred plot of land including Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle. Te new Tennessee park honors Nashville’s “Music City” culture with its most unique guitar shaped scoreboard. It is so great that Nashville returned baseball back to the Dell, as it is once again a great asset to this City. It is one, two, three strikes and you are out, at the ole ballgame.

Frank Ward, Mayor Karl Dean, Governor Bill Haslam, Carol Yochem

John and Pat Shea, Meagan Barry

Mayor Karl Dean, Xavier Robinson

Dianne Neal, Jackson and Ellie Nickolof

John and Bill Eakin

Jimmy Granberry, Anne Davis, Mark Macey

Darryl and Carol Yochem 124 slmag.net

Photography by Allen Clark

Chip Esten and Ted Clayton

Wendy Tompson, Agenia Clark, Ron and Brenda Corbin

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THE HUNT BALL

What a knockout dinner party, celebrating the rites of spring and The Hunt Ball. Belle Meade Country Club was a sea of red-coated huntsmen in their glorious red and gold attire, as the ladies beautiful as always in black or white evening gowns. Liz Blalock did an outstanding job transforming the country club into a grand huntsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s haven. Dining tables were adorned with table runners of red and gold resembling the gentlemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hunting coats. Te mirrored walls in the ballroom were a burst of color in red and peach roses with white hydrangeas contained in french hunting horns. A beautiful spring evening at Te Hunt Ball, now on to the hunt!

Mary, Alex, and Dede Wade

John Gray, Leilani Hrisko, Albert and Teresa Menefe

Allison and Fraser Schaufele, Chris and Eileen Hart

Jim and Fiona King

Dana and Charlie Burke

Hill and Emily McAlister

Leanne and Orrin Ingram, Jana and Andel Davis 126 slmag.net

Photography by Allen Clark

Will Burns and Kate Kyle

Eleanor Parkes, Beverly Greenup, Joanne Caldwell, and Anne Marie Lacy

Find more photos at facebook.com/sophisticatedliving

N A S H V I L L E SY M P H O N Y & YO U

Perfect Together

T I C K E T S F O R 1 0 0 CO N C E RT S O N S A L E J U LY 1 7

YO U R N A S H V I L L E SY M P H O N Y. L I V E AT T H E S C H E R M E R H O R N .

Buy tickets at NashvilleSymphony.org or call 615.687.6400.