No’Ala Huntsville, May/June 2015

may/june | noalastudios.com |

OFFICE PETS | FIVE DISTINCTIVE VALLEY HOMES | SLEEP TIGHT: WELL-MADE BEDS

noalastudios.com

MAY/JUNE $4.95

LAURENMcCAULANYTHING BUTORDINARY

| noalastudios.com | may/june

46A Stable Place

by guy mcclure, jr.photos by olivia reed

4 » May/June

74

features

Everything Old Is New Again

Huntsville designer Lauren McCaul’s posh and playful home proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to look like a million bucks.

by roy hallphotos by lauren tomasella

22Classic Meets Comfort

by sara wright covingtonphotos by patrick hood

38A Classic Cottage

by allen tomlinsonphotos by patrick hood

A

bpo

30Life Beginsat Home

A Huntsville designer makes her personal statement.

by guy mcclure, jr.photos by patrick hood

52Old Town Jewel

by guy mcclure, jr.photos by olivia reed

5 » editor’s letter « Allen Tomlinson

no’ala huntsvilleadvisory board

Osie Adelfang

ARC Design-Build, Inc.

Donna Castellano

Historic Huntsville Foundation

Lynne Berry

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology

Sarah Brewer

Click Photo Designs by Sarah Brewer

Madeline Boswell

Finery Bridal Boutique

Jennifer Doss

Huntsville Hospital

Leslie Ecklund

Burritt on the Mountain

Marcia Freeland

Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment

Dan Halcomb

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Elizabeth Jones

Burritt on the Mountain

Ginger Penney Liles

Guy McClure, Jr.

Athens State University

Patrick Robbins

Alabama Pain Center

Ashley Vaughn

White Rabbit Studios/Vertical Records

Charles Vaughn

Vaughn Lumber Company

Anna Baker Warren

Anna Baker Warren Interiors

Andrew Wilmon

Broadway Theatre League

“Home,”said one Pinterest post that caught my eye, “is where you

treat friends like family and family like friends.” One of the reasons that we love

putting together our annual Home and Garden issue is that a home is the best ex-

pression of a person’s personality you can fi nd. Our homes—our personal spaces,

those places we spend most of our time, the spots we feel most comfortable in the

whole world—represent who we are and who we want to be. When we show you

a person’s home, we’re showing you a glimpse of their personality.

So, welcome to our annual celebration of homes and the

people who live in them, where we promise you’ll get lots

of ideas for your own. Th ere are homes in the historic

district, and homes that have been reinvented and rei-

magined. Th ere are homes whose owners have cleverly

used found objects, and homes so rich in history you

wish the walls could talk. Th ere are lots of pictures and

lots of ideas in these pages, so take some time to let it all

sink in. We hope you enjoy it!

After a couple of years at Lowe Mill, a special and creative space we will

always love, the No’Ala Huntsville offi ces have moved downtown to an up-

stairs offi ce at Harrison Brothers Hardware Store. We have been so excited

about the work we see and the energy that’s all around downtown that we wanted

to be in the middle of all of it. Our offi ce mates, Historic Huntsville Foundation,

are also a wealth of information about where we have come from, and from our

second-fl oor window we can see where the city is going. If you haven’t browsed

through Harrison Brothers, you should treat yourself—but allow plenty of time.

Th ere’s so much to see!

As you read about these beautiful homes and become inspired to do some spring

cleaning and sprucing up, please remember that just about everything you could

possibly need can be found right here in the Valley. Shop the Valley this spring,

and please mention to the shopkeepers that you saw them in No’Ala Huntsville.

Enjoy the spring—this is the best season of the year in Alabama!

6 » contents

MAY/JUNE 2015

Volume 4: Issue 3

• • •

Editor-in-Chief C. Allen Tomlinson

Chief Operating Offi cer Matthew Liles

Creative Director David Sims

Advertising Director Heidi King

Advertising Sales Heidi King

Features Manager Roy Hall

Graphic Designer Rowan Finnegan

Web Designer Justin Hall

Editorial Assistant LuEllen Redding

Videographer Justin Argo

Retail Product Manager Sara Wright Covington

Proofreader Carole Maynard

Intern Isaac Ray Norris

• • •

Contributing Writers

Amy C. Collins, Sara Wright Covington,

Sarah Gaede, Roy Hall, Guy McClure, Jr.,

LuEllen Redding, Allen Tomlinson

• • •

Contributing Photographers

Patrick Hood, Danny Mitchell,

Olivia Reed, Lauren Tomasella

• • •

No’Ala Huntsville is published six times annuallyby No’Ala Studios

PO Box 2530, Florence, AL 35630 Phone: (800) 779-4222 | Fax: (256) 766-4106

Web: noalastudios.com

Standard postage paid at Huntsville, AL.A one-year subscription is $19.95for delivery in the United States.

Signed articles refl ect only the views of the authors and do not necessarily refl ect the views of the editors.

Advertisers are solely responsible forthe content of their advertisements.

© 2008-2015 No’Ala Studios, All rights reserved.

Send all correspondence toAllen Tomlinson, Editor, at the postal address above,

or by e-mail to [email protected] may be edited for space and style.

To advertise, contact us at(256) 766-4222, or [email protected].

The editor will provide writer’s guidelines upon request.Prospective authors should not submit unsolicited

manuscripts; please query the editor fi rst.

No’Ala Huntsville is printed with vegetable-based inks.Please recycle.

Connect with us on Facebook: No’Ala HuntsvilleTwitter: @NoAla_Magazine and Pinterest: NoAlaStudios

everything else

228 Calendar Selected Events for May/June 2015

10 Cryin’ Out Loud “Th e Boar’s Head Over My Bed”

by sara wright covington

12 Market “Sleep Tight”

by sara wright covington

hotos by patrick hood

84 Th e Vine “Sauvignon and Sancerre” by amy c. collins

86 Bless Th eir Hearts “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”

lu ellen redding

88 Food for Th ought “Taming the Evil Squash Monster” by sarah gaede

90 Parting Shot by patrick hood

62Another Day at the Offi ce

It’s business as usual for these canine-to-fi vers and their feline friends.

by roy hall photos by danny mitchell

© Patrick Hood

8 » calendar

Friday, May 1 - Saturday, June 27Huntsville Museum of Art Exhibit: John James Audubon: Quadrupeds of North America

John James Audubon joined with his son, John Woodhouse Audubon, and Dr. John Bachman of Charleston to document the region’s quadrupeds. Th ey are considered the fi nest prints of their kind published in America. Tues-Sat 11:00am-5:00pm, Th urs 11:00am-8:00pm, and Sun Noon-5:00pm; Admission charged; Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St; (256) 535-4350; hsvmuseum.org

Friday, May 1 - Saturday, May 2Whistlestop Festival and Rocket City BBQ Cook-off

Come have a toe-tappin’, barbeque-eatin’ good time and best of all, it’s all for a good cause. All proceeds benefi t EarlyWorks Children’s Museum and educational programs for area children. Fri 4:00pm-11:00pm, Sat 10:00am-11:00pm; Admission charged; Downtown Huntsville at the Historic Depot; (256) 564-8100; thewhistlestopfestival.com

Saturday, May 2Huntsville Symphony Orchestra: On A High Note

Th e Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Gregory Vajda, presents three perspectives on classical music: a fl ashy ladies man, an introspective devotee of his own folk culture, and a gruff conservative maintaining his faith in the old styles of composition. Th e combined works of Liszt, Bartók, and Brahms create a powerful evening. Th is also marks the return of violinist Elina Vähälä, a Huntsville favorite. 7:30pm; Admission charged; Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Von Braun Center, 700 Monroe St; (256) 539-4818; hso.org

Friday, May 15 and Friday, June 19Food Truck Rally

Listen to Denim Jawbones this month while enjoying local craft beer and more than 20 local food trucks. Th e Street Food Gatherings for 2015 will be held every third Friday of the month from April to October. 6:00pm-9:00pm; Free; Church St; downtownhuntsville.org

Friday, June 5 and Friday, June 26Art Walk on the Square

Bring the family and enjoy your Friday night, shopping local in Downtown Huntsville. Th is event hosts a wide variety of artisans, who will be set up on Courthouse Square. Live music will add to the ambiance. 5:00pm-8:00pm; Free; Downtown; downtownhuntsville.org

Saturday, June 6Family Fun Festival & Expo: Live, Laugh and Learn

Th is annual community event off ers face-to-face interactions with exhibitors that support families, fun, and learning! In addi-tion to the expo, there will be kids’ activities and a variety of performances throughout the day. Food vendors will be on site. 10:00am-7:00pm; Free Admission; Von Braun Center South Hall; familyfunfesthsv.com

Saturday, June 6City Lights and Stars Featuring Karen Johns and Company

A genuine triple-threat performer (vocalist, actress, and dancer), acclaimed jazz artist Karen Johns captivates her audience with magnetic stage presence and beautiful, pristine vocals. 7:30pm; Admission charged; Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Bur-ritt Dr; (256) 536-2888; burrittonthemountain.com

NASA Day on the SquareNASA will celebrate and showcase its latest endeavors in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. 11:00am-4:00pm; Free; Downtown Huntsville; downtownhuntsville.org


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10 » cryin’ out loud » Sara Wright Covington

THE BOAR’S HEAD OVER MY BABY BED

I know that no amount of parental protection can ever fully defend against all of the scraped knees, broken hearts, unexpected outcomes, and just general bad days that will build the beautifully fl awed armor [my kids] need to fend for themselves.

For several months in the winter of , a taxidermic boar’s head held residence on the wall

above my baby crib. Stuff ed animals are certainly expected inside a crib, but stuff ed, formerly live ones

mounted above it are somewhat less common. To this day, there is much debate in my family over the

details of exactly how and when the dead boar came to be over my crib. One theory held that the boar’s

head hung in what was the family offi ce before my birth, and was simply never moved when the room

was converted to a nursery. Th e other—entirely false, but more interesting theory—suggests that the

boar’s head didn’t show up until after the room became a nursery, and it was hung, deliberately, by my

father. Because my dad has always been a loyal, card-carrying member of the NRA and an avid sup-

porter of home security of any sort, my family adopted their own embellished reasoning to go with a

version of the latter, more ridiculous theory: the boar’s head was hung as a simple defense mechanism

to startle, and thus thwart, would-be intruders. (In all fairness, it should be noted that my father ve-

hemently denies that the creature ever hung in our house at all, and maintains that it actually hung in

his offi ce at work. Alas, no pictures seem to exist to prove otherwise.) Whatever the reason for the

creature over my crib, the repetitive recounting of this familial yarn made enough of an im-

pression on me that the boar’s head became a metaphor in my mind for safety—a sort of

dead-animal-tangible, that might ward off danger from the world.

I’ve thought about that ridiculous boar’s head many nights when tucking my children

into their beds, and I often fi nd myself looking for my own fi gurative boar-headed

blockades to protect them. When they are young, it’s really all about their physical well-

being. We want to keep them safe and sound, healthy and thriving. As they get older

and move beyond the confi nes of their cribs, we worry about the safety of their hearts,

feelings, and beliefs, and realize that it was much easier to keep them “safe” before they

became able to do all of that moving, talking, thinking, and interacting. Cell phones and

social media off er threats that weren’t even thought of during my childhood, and I can’t

help but feel my parents had things a little simpler when keeping my sister and me safe.

When we were bored, we read books, talked on the phone, played outside, and watched

Growing Pains on TV. Now we have to worry about an entire world of outside interac-

tions that no stuff ed animal, real or fake, can hold at bay. As I talk with my friends who

have older children, I am realizing that experiencing the second-hand growing pains of our

children may be even tougher than the fi rst go-round. So I do the best I can to brace myself

for those growing pains, realizing that they will likely be much more intense than the 1980s

sitcom. My friend Keri who has children older than mine recently used the analogy to her

children that middle school is like boot camp. High school will still be a war, but they will

be tougher and more prepared when it arrives. “And let’s face it,” she says. “Middle school

just builds character.”


I remember thinking my parents were unreasonably over-

protective in my youth. I was barely allowed to cross the

street until I was 13, and once, my dad built me a treehouse

where he actually made a rope harness for me to wear in case

I fell out of it. It is no fun playing up in a pine tree when you

are harnessed to it—not to mention the sap. I rolled my eyes

in disdain when I got my driver’s license at 16 and they told

me to avoid Woodward Avenue at all costs, and I stomped

my feet in frustration when they wouldn’t allow me to leave

the country to go to Mexico with 25 other 18-year-olds for

my senior trip. I realize now what I could not see at the time:

my parents actually trusted me very much; it was other peo-

ple and dangers of the world that made them worry.

I’m accepting that parenting is a constant catch 22. It can be

exhausting to bathe, feed, dress, and just generally nurture

these small people who cannot take care of themselves and

need you constantly. And so we whine about our exhaustion,

only to be reminded by someone older and wiser to “enjoy

these days of knowing where they are all the time,” and “enjoy

them while they still look to you and know you will protect

them.” My friend Keri summed up parenting perfectly when

she suggested that sometimes the best thing a parent can do

is back away and allow children to learn to problem-solve on

their own. So as I attempt to savor the sweet innocent baby

years, I can only hope that I am giving them the tools they

will need to fi ght their own battles. I hope they will never be

afraid to march to their own drum, read books not on the

required reading list, be kind when it’s inconvenient, and do

the right thing when no one is watching. Mostly, as cliché

as it is, I just want them to be happy. Truly happy. Pursuing

whatever it is in life that gives them purpose, and passion,

and peace within their little souls.

I know that no amount of parental protection can ever fully

defend against all of the scraped knees, broken hearts, un-

expected outcomes, and just general bad days that will build

the beautifully fl awed armor they need to fend for themselves

and—as painful as it might be for me to watch—I wouldn’t

want it to. I just hope my own armor is up for the task as well.

As for that emblematic boar’s head, it was long ago tossed

out. Once again, the details are fuzzy on exactly how and

when it happened. But to this day, I have never been able to

look at any dead, mounted creature without wondering if it,

too, once hung in a nursery.

12 » market » Sara Wright Covington » Photos by Patrick Hood

Oriental Rug (price on request) Willowbrook Shoppe (256) 270-7181

Hunter Boots ($158) Alabama Outdoors (256) 885-3561

Hydrangea Stems ($16.50 ea) Wooden Tray ($29)Hardback Books ($25 to $32.50)Assorted Seed Packets ($1.99 ea)Th e Greenery (256) 518-9836

Gleena Dinner Plate ($45) Maggy Ames Mug ($24)Hanging Lorgnette Glasses ($82)Little Green Store (256) 539-9699

Twin Quilt ($370) White Lumbar Pillow ($88) Gold and White Th row Pillow ($125) Sweet Pineapple (256) 964-7563

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Blue Bikini ($39.94) Belk belk.com

Plum Pretty Sugar Shortie Set ($45) Amanda Marcucci Necklace ($228) Finery (256) 429-3429

Straw Hat ($29.99) Th e Village Shoppe (256) 383-1133

Sunglasses ($169) Alabama Outdoors (256) 885-3561

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Twin Duvet ($360) Aqua and White Pillow ($150) Wooden Tray ($28) Sweet Pineapple (256) 964-7563

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Brown Book ($22) Floral Pillow ($154) Th e Greenery (256) 518-9836



Emily Taylor5510 Promenade Point Pkwy, Suite 160Madison, AL 35757256-430-2781

I can help you

your own way.GROW

1114-519HO

| noalastudios.com | may/june * Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.

20 » scene

Crescen-Dough Auction presented by Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guildfriday, april , · von braun center, huntsville

Bob and Ramona Boyer

Gregg, Alex, and Anna Smith

Sarah Hereford, Gregory Vajda,and Nancy Van Valkenburgh

Ruth Yates and Jan Krell

Lady Tucker, Suzanne O’Connor, Sandy Knowling, and Liz Stagg

Middie Thompson, Kendall Black, and Betty Schonrock

Cheryl Bence and Julie Malone

Patrick Robbins and Chris Wesley

Skipper and Nancy Colin

Linda Akenhead, Kala and Vijay Patel

Eula and Tommy Battle

Penny Bashore, Cathy Lewis, and Darla Malueg

Dorcas Harris and Dan Halcomb

John and Darlene McMullan

Tommy and Debbie Overcash, Bill and Terri Tatum

Liz Calvert, Lizzy Norris, Jordan Hanks, and Sara Parker Bence


Th e living room has also become afavorite napping spot for the family dog, Chloe.

“Th is is Chloe’s room and that bench isher day bed!” says Lisa.


text by sara wright covington » photos by patrick hood

When Scott and Lisa Moore purchased their traditional brick home in the Ledges

just over a year and a half ago, their goal was to create a comfortable, elegant space

where family and friends could help them unwind and enjoy the panoramic views

in classic style. “Rick and Eleanor Loring built this house,” says Lisa. “And to their

credit, the bones and the structure of the house are already wonderful. Eleanor has

a very elegant style, so we had a very easy foundation to work off of when we made

this our home.” Th e Moores worked with interior decorator Beverly Bragg to real-

ize their vision for a space that is both relaxing and entertaining, while maintaining

a sense of refi nement. “I like a timeless style,” says Lisa. “But Beverly also tried to

balance comfort with style. When we entertain, we want people to feel at ease here.”

CLASSIC MEETS COMFORT


When creating functional space in their new home, the Moores wanted to have a formal living room (facing page) as well as a space for the family piano. Complete with cozy couches, swiveling chairs, and a fi replace, the room has turned out to be one of the most used spaces in the house. “I was reluctant about how Beverly was going to pull together our formal living room,” says Lisa. “She insisted she wanted it to be a room we lived in and not just a room to look at. I was nervous about how it would look to have swivel chairs in such a formal room, but I will say that it is one of the rooms we use the most because it can seat everyone.”

While working with designer Beverly Bragg, the Moore’s vision was to create a space that would serve as both a calming retreat and a mainstay for merrymaking. Each room’s colors and furniture were chosen with form and function in mind. “We call this our sun room,” says Lisa (above). “We chose this marine blue because we just wanted it to be tranquil and happy. It’s a very comfortable and calming room, and I just wanted it to have a light and airy feel.”

Left: Th e home offi ce


Th e Moore’s home features a formal dining room (above, left), butler’s pantry (above), and breakfast area off the kitchen (facing page). As the kitchen is generally the hub for holiday gatherings and parties alike, the Moores worked to create a space open and inviting enough to accommodate the fl ow of their parties. “We enjoy entertaining and both the kitchen and our butler’s pantry are great entertaining spaces,” says Lisa.

Left: A collection space for their wine was important to the Moores when creating their downstairs layout. “My husband is a collector of wines and enjoys wine tastings,” says Lisa. “And we enjoy going to Napa. I think it holds 300 bottles.”


Th is page–above, left: Th e patio space off ers sweeping views of the valley below.

In addition to screening in a porch and adding a patio, the Moores also decided to make use of the basement level space, which had previously not been used. “Beverly Bragg designed the entire basement level,” says Lisa. “My concern was just managing the space. It was one long room with a concrete fl oor and no plumb-ing. We had to put the walls in. We knew we wanted a theatre room, wine storage, and then a work-out area. So we had some distinct requirements, but Beverly had the vision and drew and designed it all.” In addition to a home theatre, the downstairs now boasts a bar, kitchen area, seating area, play room, work-out space, and wine cellar (page 26). “We love to entertain and have diff erent styles of parties,” says Lisa. Th e Moores added an outdoor patio that features an outdoor fi replace, refrigerator, ice maker, and a grill with a vent. “It’s such a fun place,” says Lisa. “We pretty much use the patio year round. When it’s chilly, we have the fi re going, and there is a TV over the fi replace.”

Facing page: Th e master bath.


text by guy mcclure, jr. » photos by patrick hood

A Huntsville designer makes her personal statement

Facing page: Lila

designed the light

fi xture in the entry

hall; the coral walls

and gold accents set

the tone for the rest

of the house. Below:

A mirror in the front

hall gives a glimpse

of the stairway to the

upper fl oor.

As one of the region’s most sought-after design-

ers, Lila Pryor Frank works with color every day. “When I

come home, I want a peaceful environment,” she says, and her

Huntsville home is a tranquil, beautiful respite from the hec-

tic pace of the world.

Th e southeast Huntsville townhouse was a blank canvas

when Lila found it and took on the task of transforming it

with her signature style. With three levels and a grouping of

small rooms on each fl oor, the talented designer considers this

project a work in progress. “When we fi rst moved here, my

son practiced his basketball shots in the dining room,” she re-

members with a laugh. As he grew and their lives changed, the

home adapted to each phase of their lives.

A panoply of colors and fabrics, both rich and subdued, are grounded by richly

textured rugs, both antique and contemporary, that Lila has collected over the

years. Heirloom antiques marry well with modern accent pieces to create a feeling

of restrained whimsy. Well-placed lighting (including many lamps and fi xtures

with beautiful and unusual shades) accents

and calms all areas of the home in a peaceful

manner and sets the stage for each space.

With a great collection of both inherited and

procured furniture, tying all the pieces to-

gether to make a cohesive statement was a

challenge. Th e textures, fi nishes, and artwork

play pivotal roles in doing just that. Rich cor-

als play well with cool blues; the deep mahog-

any pieces compliment Lucite accessories;

contemporary framed art looks at home next

to classic oil paintings. Perfect little details

make a very large statement here.


Facing page: Th e welcoming entrance to Lila

Pryor Frank’s townhome. Th is page: Th e living

room, with its zebra rug and leopard print

pillows, invites the guest to sit, relax, and

unwind. Stacks of design books in front of the

fi replace make their own design statement.

Facing page: Lila’s dining room features a burl

wood chest with family photographs and part

of her extensive collection of lambs. (Lila’s

middle name is Lamb.) Th is page, above: Th e

kitchen’s breakfast nook has a bay window

with a view of the front of the house. Left: A

view from the living room into the dining room.

Th e main fl oor living area is a favorite

gathering place. Th e seating is as com-

fortable and relaxed as the conversa-

tions that occur between friends in

this friendly room. French doors lead

to a broad balcony that runs the width

of the townhouse. Th e moldings and

woodwork in the home are traditional,

but updated and fresh.

It takes a lot of creativity to make a

blank slate exciting and diff erent. Th is

much-loved work in progress is a won-

derful example of lots of good things in

a small package, and is a testament to

how a fi ne collection of parts can make

a beautiful sum.

At one corner of the living room is Lila’s

desk and a portrait of her son, painted

when he was a teenager.



he historic districts

of Huntsville are

wonderful places to

live, and perfectly

appropriate if you

are the Executive

Director of Historic

Huntsville Founda-

tion and love history. But when Don-

na and Michael Castellano found this

cottage, it had been empty for several

years, and needed a lot of care.

Th at can be frightening to many peo-

ple, but not to Donna, who immedi-

ately saw its potential. “Th e fi rst time

I walked in, I knew this house had ev-

erything our family needed,” she said. A

work in progress, as are most all hous-

es, today the cottage blends sophisti-

cated, soft colors and materials with a

bright and eclectic collection of out-

sider art to create an inviting and warm

residence within walking distance of

downtown.

Th e walls are painted a neutral color to

provide the perfect backdrop for varied

and colorful art pieces. Th e kitchen at

the back of the house was expanded

and a study area added to the rear of the

house; it’s not evident from the street,

but it creates a series of comfortable

sitting areas for the family and guests.

Cabinets in the kitchen show china col-

lections that are themselves works of

art, but expansive counters and lots of

room allow for great entertaining.

While renovating the downstairs bath-

room, renovation contractor Charles

Vaughn discovered that the house had

double brick walls, and the Castellanos

decided to leave the brick exposed. Th e

result is a contemporary master bath

with a huge walk-in shower that blends

with the house.

What the family has been able to do

is create an inviting space that invites

guests to linger. Th ere’s something interesting on every wall, and every piece of art

has a story. “I wanted our house to feel like a warm hug,” said Donna, and that’s

the best possible description of this charming house. You are aware of its history,

but appreciate the work that has gone into its renovation to make it contemporary

and livable. And who doesn’t love a warm hug?

Th e exterior of this cottage in a Huntsville historic district, with its inviting front porch, is picture perfect. When the visitor enters the front door, the house reveals itself as a spacious gallery for an eclec-tic collection of outsider art.


text by allen tomlinson » photos by patrick hood

a ClassicCottage


Left: Th e kitchen was expanded and a family

study was added behind it. Th e open cabinets

(above, left) and expansive countertops make

this the perfect space for entertaining. Above:

Th e television in the study is mounted low,

at eye level from the sofas and chairs, and

gives more space above for art. Left: Th e area

between the living room and kitchen is now

a sitting area, where bright sunlight pours

through the window and highlights more

colorful art.


Above: A pair of vases in the windows on either

side of the fi replace are bathed in light. Th e

fi replace screen is a repurposed garden gate.

Left: Th ere are interesting and beautiful things

no matter where you cast your eyes. Facing

page: A view from the living room into the

dining room through one of the house’s many

arched doorways.


Facing page: When remodeling the bathroom,

the owners discovered that the house’s walls

were made of double brick, which they decided

to leave exposed. Above: Even the master

bedroom is a showplace for original art. Left:

In the sitting room by the stairs is an original

piece of art, which sits on a hand made table.


ONSITE LIVING DURING A RENOVATION

It may just be a temporary home for the

Malone family, but it certainly doesn’t feel

that way; there are beautiful furnishings, rugs,

and art that make this barn a great spot for

living while the main house is undergoing

renovation.

When Laura and Darren Malone found the perfect house for their family,

in the Twickenham Historic District of Huntsville, it came with a “gift with pur-

chase.” Th e “gift” in a bright red package was a small two-level barn that had been

renovated into an apartment by the former property owner.

Today, the family’s permanent residence—constructed in the late 1960s by Martha

Simms Rambo—is undergoing a complete renovation, overseen by architect and

neighbor Frank Nola. Th e project is so involved that the couple, their two teen-

aged daughters, and two adorable long-haired dachshunds have taken up resi-

dency in the barn.

Th is board and batten barn was actually once

an outbuilding of the 1836 Governor Bibb

House on Williams Avenue. As property lines

changed, the outbuilding became separated

from the Bibb House and wound up fronting

Cruse Alley, a small lane that connects Adams

and Franklin Streets. Th e alley that was once

only service access to the stately homes on

Williams Avenue is now a charming residen-

tial street, where new construction takes great

pains to emulate the historic architecture of the

neighborhood. Th e late local architectural his-

torian Harvie Jones said the date of construc-

tion of the barn is unknown, but it is probably

early 20th century and certainly the oldest sur-

viving structure on the street.

When Martha Rambo built her Williamsburg-

style two-story home, the barn became a part

of the estate. She renovated the bright red out-

building into a comfortable rental unit whose

list of past residents includes a who’s-who of

old Huntsville.

text by guy mcclure, jr. » photos by olivia reed

Continued on page 51

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Facing page: Th e barn’s kitchen is just right for this family of

four. Th e cabinets are board and batten, which refl ect the motif

throughout the house. Th is page: Although more rustic than the

house they are remodeling, art and carefully selected pieces of

furniture make the space comfortable and elegant.

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As temporary residents, the Malo-

nes have fi lled the space with a partial

representation of their collection of

antique and contemporary art. Th ese

bright pieces complement the rough-

hewn and whitewashed walls of the

barn. Neutral textured rugs in the

main living area cover a battleship grey

painted concrete fl oor. All in all, se-

lect pieces of furniture from the main

house fi t perfectly in this space—if only

for a period of months—while the per-

manent residence gets a makeover.

One perk of their temporary residency

is that the homeowners are allowed

the chance to watch the renovation

next door take shape. Literally, a few

feet away from the barn they can see

the progress as it happens at the main

house. Th e career couple and their

busy teenaged daughters are enjoying

their small space, knowing it’s tempo-

rary, but still decorated and designed to

feel just like home.

Th e spacious master bedroom (above, left)

and the girls’ room (facing page, left) will be

converted back to guest quarters once the

main house project is completed. Above:

A study nook at the top of the stairs.

text by guy mcclure, jr. » photos by olivia reed



Four years ago, Leslie and Drew

Lockhart were looking for a “dia-

mond in the rough” when they found

exactly what they were looking for

in the Old Town Historic District of

Huntsville. But this gem was not only

rough, it was about three times too

small to fi t the needs of their family. But

Leslie, an artist, saw potential so the

house was purchased and work began.

Built in 1908, the one-bedroom, one-

bath Pulley House was completely gut-

ted and metamorphosized into a three-

bedroom, three-bath comfortable

home that is perfect for entertaining. It

is now large enough for their needs, but

still maintains the cottage charm of the

Clinton Street neighborhood.

Th e renovation process, overseen by

architect Ned Jones and contractor Les

Th ornton, included the removal and

storage of the original hardwood fl oor-

ing. Once new subfl ooring was installed, the salvaged planks

were refi nished and replaced in the original footprint on the

living areas of the home. Th e tall doorways, complete with

transoms, were beyond repair; Drew refi nished every door

and hardware piece himself, with a heat gun. An unsuccessful

eff ort was made to salvage the transom glass panes that had

been painted over, but original glass pieces from windows

that were deemed unsalvageable became their replacements.

Facing page: Not only is Leslie an artist, but

she and Drew are also art collectors. Above:

Beautiful rugs sit on original hardwood

fl oors thath were carefully removed

and stored before being refi nished and

reinstalled.


Friend, neighbor, and legendary gar-

den designer Bill Nance assisted with

the exterior living spaces. Th e terraced

front of the home is near completion

and the plans for the rear of the house

are in place and ready to begin.

One of the couple’s favorite rooms is

the kitchen, which is a perfect blend

of old and new. Contemporary fi x-

tures and appliances blend well with

the house’s early 20th century bones. A

large island is a favorite gathering spot

when friends come to visit. Th e room’s

open design is inviting and is the cen-


The original house had one bedroom and

one bath; the original living room area has

become an intimate sitting area around the

fi replace.


The home went from a one-bedroom,

one-bath cottage to an expansive three-

bedroom, three-bathroom family home. A

large new kitchen is visible from the family

room, which also has its own fi replace.


tral point for the other spaces of the

home.

Decorated in calm and casual tones,

the house serves as the perfect place

to display Leslie’s fresh and whimsical

paintings. Th ey hang well next to the

couple’s other collections of artwork,

and accent the antique and contempo-

rary furniture pieces.

Th is work-in-progress home includes

plans for an art studio above the one-car

garage, located in the backyard, which

will allow space and light for Leslie’s


This page: Marble countertops, comfortable

bar stools, and lots of light make this kitchen

a gathering place. Facing page: A neutral

color scheme allows art and antiques to take

center stage.


One of the new bedrooms and baths,

tastefully added to the historic home,

but with details that blend with the

house’s historic roots.


creations. Th e kitchen, although per-

fectly equipped to whip up a Th anks-

giving dinner at a moment’s notice, is

still not fi nished in the Lockharts’ eyes.

With a house of this era, intertwined

with the changing needs of a modern

family, it takes long-term vision and

goal setting, but that doesn’t scare the

Lockharts. Th is labor of love has al-

ready created a brightly shining gem.

SHeLlYA nine-month-old Whippet, Shelly divides her busy workday between chasing toys in the home store’s long hallway and creating a happy, wel-coming atmosphere in the rest of the store. If Shelly’s frequent naps are any indication, it all must be exhaust-ing work!

Becky and JaniceThe Greenery


photos by danny mitchell » text by roy hall


JOULeSHaving four-year-old Goldendoodle Joules around makes the offi ce feel more like home.

She’s been Rocket City HR’s four-legged greeter since September 2014. The fi rst time I left her in the offi ce by herself, I came back after a short meeting to fi nd her on top of the front desk, looking out the window. It’s been her perch-of-choice ever since.

Samantha BrinkleyRocket City HR


MAUDeMaude, a six-month-old Australian Shepherd, has grown up in The Toy Store—she was delivered here as soon as she was old enough to leave her litter mates.

Having Maude around adds an extra bit of playfulness to an already fun atmosphere. Everybody who meets her falls in love at fi rst sight. Susan BlevinsThe Toy Place


LoTtIEWith the exception of one feathered bird ornament, Lottie has never dis-turbed a single item of inventory in the more than 13 years she’s served as greeter and babysitter at Brooks and Collier.

Lottie loves all our customers. If you forget to love her back, she’s more than happy to remind you with a gentle woof.

Kim and Greg BrooksBrooks and Collier


SpOoKWe found our very special black cat, Spook, in the dumpster behind the store. He was only four weeks old at the time, terrifi ed and very sick. Spook required surgery, but he’s a fully recovered, happy and healthy three and a half years old now.

Spook’s canine siblings, six-and-a-half-year-old Pomeranians Daubie and Pixie (page 70), have been coming to work with me from the time they were puppies.

Daubie, Pixie, and Spook have one thing in common: they love our postman, Lydrell. Spook comes running from the back room when Lydrell calls for him—just like a dog!

Theresa CarlisleNeighborhood Card & Gift


DAUBIE ANDPIXIe


* Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.

72 » scene

Georgia Bottoms performance

Rebecca Nelson and friends Dorcas Harris and Frances Huff man

Jerry Nutt, Gregory Vajda, and Mark Childress

Karen Young, Rebecca Nelson, Vivienne Atkins, and Elizabeth Stephenson

Rebecca Nelson, Mark Childress, Gregory Vajda, Diane Babb, and Robert Babb

Patrick Robbins and Sean Rittenour

Amelia LangstonMichael Campbell, JanieJohnson, and John Campbell

Marilynn Woodward

Mark Childress and Rebecca Nelson

Tamitha,Tate, Tessa, and John Dollman

Nora GeohaganViolet Keith

Janie Johnson

EarlyWorks Society Members

Above: Huntsville Symphony Orchestra’s

World Premiere of Georgia Bottomsfebruary , · mark c. smith concert hall, huntsville

Below: EarlyWorks Society’sBunny Brunch and Egg Hunt

march , · earlyworks children’s museumand constitution village


Join us on a musical journeyfor the 2015-2016 season.

Season tickets now available.Single ticket sales begin July 1, 2015.

256-539-4818 or hso.org

EVERYTHING OLDIS NEW AGAIN

text by roy hall » photos by lauren tomasella



If you’ve visited a dorm in the last three decades—either as a

student or a teary-eyed parent in August—you may have spotted her. Lying there

in a heap, among the suitcases, bicycles, and bulletin boards, or leaning against the

wall beside a hot rod poster: Queen Elizabeth II.

Or Andy Warhol’s screen print version, at least. Warhol gave Britain’s head of state

the ol’ Campbell’s soup can treatment in 1982 by reimagining her regal visage in

the context of his trademark color blocking. Provocative at the time, through the

miracle of mass production, the artwork itself has become familiar and, in the

process, deprived of its ability to surprise. But look at it perched above Lauren

McCaul’s crisp white fi replace, fl anked by found art, foo dogs, and a mother-in-

law’s tongue, and see it again, for the fi rst time.

Th ere’s a lot to see again for the fi rst time in the home of Army Corps of Engineers

Project Manager Lauren McCaul. Most of the inveterate collector’s pieces have

had other lives, in other places—people’s homes, country antique stores, even a

San Antonio gas station—before they came to reside in McCaul’s 19th century

Huntsville residence, Th e Public Inn.

Already a seasoned collector at only 29, Lauren McCaul spends her days as a proj-

ect manager for the Army Corps of Engineers, where she and her team select fur-

niture for the army’s medical command. It’s rewarding, necessary work. “I love the

technical demands that have to be met, the codes, the ADA requirements. I love

Facing page: Enter laughing: Style maven and intrepid collector Lauren McCaul in the foyer of her joyously rambunctious historic Huntsville residence.

Above: A room fi t for a queen. In McCaul’s dynamic home, change is the only constant. Even Elizabeth Wind-sor knows—if you blink, you might miss something.


the research behind it,” acknowledges the Auburn University

School of Architecture graduate. But it’s obvious with even a

cursory glance around McCaul’s home that her love for inte-

rior composition includes more than the science of what, in

her words, “keeps a building standing.”

As important as the codes of building construction are, ul-

timately, “people in the building don’t care about the build-

ing’s construction,” says McCaul. “Th ey care about the way

the interior makes them feel. Th at’s what they notice.” Mc-

Caul notices those things, too, and it’s clear from even a cur-

sory glance around her home that she takes her work home

with her.

“Th e Army isn’t paying me to pick out fabric, to do ‘fl uff y’

decorating,” McCaul says. Th ose creative itches have to be

scratched on evenings and weekends, which often fi nd Mc-

Caul antiquing, thrift store shopping, and hunting Craigslist

bargains, in search of the latest addition to the perpetual

work-in-progress that is her home.

A FIRST CHANCE TO MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION

Dolly Parton, that paragon of disarming honesty, once hi-

lariously quipped regarding the expense of maintaining her

signature haute-hillbilly look, “It takes a lot of money to look

this cheap.”

Were the equally exuberant, but infi nitely more restrained,

Lauren McCaul in the market for an adage to describe her

personal decorating style, it would surely be the exact in-

verse of Dolly’s. A style manifesto for this 29 year old curator

of all things beautiful and unique might be a bit more along

the lines of: “It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to look like a

million bucks.” But McCaul isn’t in the market for adages.

Th is intrepid collector fi nds labels entirely too confi ning. She

is, however, in the market, and often, for the kind of unique,

daring pieces that greet visitors the moment they step into

her home.

Standing in McCaul’s foyer a visitor might understandably

assume that the perfectly arranged hodgepodge of art and

maps on her staircase gallery represents days of painstaking

planning and measurements. Not so. “I did the gallery wall

on a Th ursday night in two hours,” McCaul admits. “I was

bored, and I hate a big blank wall.” For a perfectionist, those

are marching orders. So, gathering the largest pieces fi rst,

and working around them, McCaul managed to strike just

the right balance of whimsy and order—an apt introduction

to a house that is anything but ordinary.

Above: Th e books on Mc-Caul’s shelves tell a color story, too, adding an extra layer of character and dimension to an already vibrant space.

Facing page, top: A paint-ing from Huntsville’s Firehouse Antiques and Collectibles; red and white price markers from an old fi lling station in San Antonio; and a tufted, vin-tage sofa from Craigslist, contribute character-rich focal points to the living room. Facing page, bot-tom, left and right: Books, bowls, and baubles: even the smallest accessories are meaningful, refl ect-ing their owner’s love of design and travel.


“I constantly have the urge to get rid of stuff and update.The home is never where I want it to be.”


Th e eclectic, colorful foyer provides a smooth transition into

an equally fun and artfully composed living room. Heart of

pine fl oors and the traditional fi replace ground the room,

and provide a warm backdrop for the collector’s furnishings

and accessories, all of which, like the Warhol print, are vi-

brantly present in this historic location. Providing a color-

ful foundation, the kilim rug is one of the most recent—and

meaningful—additions to McCaul’s home. A gift from Mc-

Caul’s father, the rug was brought back from a Bedouin’s tent

in Saudi Arabia by McCaul’s grandfather, himself an employ-

ee of the Corps of Engineers.

“I LOVE A GOOD TUFT.”

Th e sofa’s tufts, along with its distinctive lines, inspired Mc-

Caul to grant the Craigslist fi nd a central position in her

living room. While McCaul admits the color could be “di-

sastrous,” under the right circumstances it’s anything but. In

fact, you just might mistake it for a far more expensive repro-

duction from the likes of retro specialist and designer Jona-

than Adler. Not that you’d ever fi nd an Adler—or any other

A-list designer’s piece—in Lauren McCaul’s home. While

the savvy shopper loves all things unique, she doesn’t love

paying full price, and McCaul’s technical profi ciency, com-

bined with her intuitive knack for color, texture, and style,

means she doesn’t have to.

Among the other treasures in the room: old fi lling station

gas price signs discovered during a trip to San Antonio and

fl own back to Alabama, triggering one of the more unusual

airport security checks in McCaul’s travel history.

Th e coff ee table, like so many of the pieces in McCaul’s

home, is repurposed. Th e noteworthy piece was discovered

at Architectural Antiques in Cullman—but in true curatorial

fashion, the piece wasn’t for sale as a coff ee table. In fact,

“it wasn’t even for sale,” McCaul admits. “Th ey were using

it to move the stuff that was for sale around.” It’s that eagle

eye that allows McCaul to spot the unexpected touches that

lend such authenticity to her home. “I have in my mind, at all

times, a running list of things I’d like,” McCaul reveals. But

she’s in no rush to fi nd anything; McCaul is perfectly content

until just the right piece presents itself.

“If I need a dining room table, it might two years until I

stumble on it.” Or, in the case of the designer’s own dining

room table, buy it from a friend, who bought it at a yard sale.

Th en paint it, surround it with Th onet bentwood chairs from

a Huntsville estate sale, add a few more tufts in the form of

a host chair, and fi nally, anchor it all with a chest of drawers.

Facing page, clockwise from top left: A fi rst-time visitor would never guess the riot of color waiting for them on the other side of Th e Public Inn’s austere black and white facade. As above, so below: a gallery wall (assembled in a mere two hours on a quiet Th ursday night) hints at a second fl oor as fun and fanciful as the fi rst. For world traveler McCaul, there’s no greater inspiration than travel, and no greater comfort than returning to her sweet Huntsville, Alabama, home.A fl oral theme unites these vintage pieces in the foyer.

Above: Don’t hide your light under a bushel—or your vintage purses in a drawer.

Th is page: “Chinese Chip-pendales are hard to fi nd,” says McCaul of the white chairs fl anking her dining room chest of drawers. “I found these at the 127 Cor-ridor yard sale for $35.”

Facing page, top left, and bottom right: A view from abroad: tabletop accesso-ries hint at the wider world outside McCaul’s bedroom. Top left: Necessity is the mother of re-invention. McCaul commandeered the services of a china cabinet when her shoe collection outgrew its closet home. Bottom left: An architectural sketch of Auburn University’s chapel, hung with sewing pins inside an antique mir-ror over the bedside table, off ers a serene reminder of McCaul’s alma mater.



“I have in my mind, at all times, a running list of things I’d like,”


Not that McCaul is opposed to the traditional; she is, how-

ever, constitutionally opposed to the cliché. Case-in-point:

antique map prints above the bed aren’t secured by nails,

but sewing pins. “Th ey’re great!” McCaul insists. “Th e small

holes are excellent for sheet rock.”

Maps aren’t the only thing McCaul is hesitant to nail down.

When asked to sum up her style in a single buzzword, she

hesitates. “I don’t want to say eclectic—but it is,” she ad-

mits. Th e problem for a designer with such varied tastes,

who works comfortably in a variety of genres, is that “buzz

words,” like eclectic or transitional, ultimately have the ef-

fect of confi ning or limiting her scope. For a collector like

McCaul, the notion of limitation is anathema. “My house is

always in transition. I constantly have the urge to get rid of

stuff and update. Th e home is never where I want it to be.”

Potential clients would surely disagree. For the time being,

though, McCaul’s residential interior design projects are

confi ned to her own home and the homes of a few people

closer to her. Her signature design style is the result of a

time-intensive mixture of luck and serendipity, and the pro-

cess of scouring antique shops and estate sales takes time

and patience. Between the demands of her career and an

entrepreneurial venture near and dear to her heart, a full-

fl edged residential interior design business isn’t in the cards

quite yet. Maybe one day.

For now, McCaul’s unique fi nds are available to the public

at a series of one-off pop-up shops in the Huntsville area,

under the banner of her small business, the Department

of Agra Culture. Named for the Indian city of Agra, home

of the Taj Mahal, the Department of Agra Culture features

clothing, jewelry, accessories, and found objects—all the

fruits of McCaul’s travels.

Once a year, McCaul takes a week or two out of her busy

schedule and goes treasure hunting—last year she went to

India; this year, Guatemala. Once in-country, she establishes

a relationship with local vendors, then returns with their

wares to North Alabama, where she introduces them via a

pop-up shop.

If you’d like to be alerted to McCaul’s next pop-up shop, she

invites you to visit her website, deptofagraculture.com, for

news and updates. It’s an exceptional opportunity to do a bit

of exploring and curating of your own and, in the process,

incorporate into your home some of the unlikely elements

that make McCaul’s so timeless.

For those in need of reassurance that a chest of drawers may

indeed live in peace alongside traditional dining room furni-

ture, McCaul is quick to provide it: “Th ey’re so versatile!” the

designer insists. And yes, the kitchen is a perfectly fi ne place

to put one. So is the foyer, where McCaul’s once stored um-

brellas, gloves, and keys. Th is particular piece has also served

as a bar before it was stationed in McCaul’s dining room,

where it stores the serving ware you need in a kitchen, just

not every day.

But the question then presents itself: if you put your kitch-

en serving pieces in a chest of drawers in the dining room,

where will you put your shoes in the bedroom?

IN A CHINA CABINET, OBVIOUSLY.

What most of us take for granted as necessarily belonging

in a bedroom drawer or closet, Lauren McCaul sees as an

opportunity to add more color and texture to what is usu-

ally a sleepy space. Th us, the china cabinet as shoe rack and

a body form purchased at a going out of business sale in

lieu of a jewelry case. Functional and lovely, both pieces

demonstrate McCaul’s love for traditional pieces in non-

traditional settings.

84 » the vine » Amy C. Collins

It’s the season for sauvignon blanc. As soon as the weather started

to warm in mid-March, for that short week of what is arguably our spring,

I noticed an infl ux of sauvignon blancs in sales reps’ bags, on wine store

shelves, and restaurant lists. Th e high acid, typically lean and aromatic

whites are ideal quaff ers in this weather, when the fi rst 70 degree days feel

hot after a long, cold winter.

Sauvignon blanc is grown all over the world—California, New Zealand

where the grape produces racy bold fruit bombs with cutting acidity,

Italy, Israel, Australia, Chile, Spain, Slovenia, and elsewhere in France,

specifi cally Bordeaux where the gravel-grown variety is often blended

with sémillon to soften it. But nowhere is it as elegant and refi ned as

the cool hillsides of Sancerre, where the fl int and chalky soils produce

delicate wines with gorgeous fruit and enticing acidity.

Th e sauvignon blanc grape is, in itself, interesting. It is a parent to the

cabernet sauvignon along with cabernet franc, likely a fi eld crossing

in Bordeaux two centuries ago. Th e grape has inherent herbaceous

qualities sometimes expressed in aromas of gooseberry bushes and

cat pee. I’ve never been around a gooseberry bush, but I also rarely

fi nd the cat urine to be a primary note, thankfully. It is a versatile

grape that depends heavily on how and where it was raised, a

perfect subject for the nature versus nurture argument. Some sav

blancs even spend a little time in new oak barrels, which impart fat,

toast, spice, and vanilla. Others threaten to take the enamel off your

teeth with acidity that cuts like diamonds. What sets Sancerre apart

from other sauvignon producers is, without question, the place.

Th e village of Sancerre is in northern France in the Loire Valley, though

it’s from neighboring villages Chavignol and Bué where most of the best

wines of the region are produced. Th e whites are made from 100 percent

sauvignon blanc and the reds and pinks from pinot noir, though It’s the

white wines for which the region is most noted.

Eric Asmiov wrote, for the New York Times in his April 14, 2009 column, one of

the most lovely descriptions of Sancerre wines I’ve ever read. “Th e soft sibilance,

the internal alliteration, the smooth completion, whether you give it the clipped French

pronunciation or simply ease off the word American-style—it’s a beautiful sound, suggestive

of beautiful wines.”

Indeed, the very best evoke a dream-like state of nirvana. Edmond Vatan, who retired after the 2007

vintage and whose daughter Anne now makes the wines, is one of the most sought after Sancerre

SAUVIGNON AND SANCERRE

Nowhere is [the sauvignon blanc grape] as elegant and refi ned as the cool hillsides of Sancerre, where the fl int and chalky soils produce delicate wines with gorgeous fruit and enticing acidity.


Follow Amy at pigandvine.com for morestories and wine suggestions.

producers and the most diffi cult to fi nd. Current vintages

average $120 a bottle. If you have the opportunity and wallet,

treat yourself to a bottle.

More readily available, though also on the high end, are

those of Pascal Cotat, who inherited his father’s vines and

winemaking skills in the early 1990s. A bottle of Pascal’s Les

Monts Damnés, one of the steepest and highly respected

slopes in Sancerre, with chalky and Kimmeridgian clay

soils—similar and quite close to Chablis on the map—will

run around $60 on the shelf. You might not fi nd one readily

available, but they are in Alabama, so ask your favorite wine

store to oblige you. Same goes for Domaine Vacheron, which

is certifi ed biodynamic with zero synthetics in the vineyard

or the winery. Vacheron retails for just under $40 a bottle.

In February I discovered one of my favorite yet, Alain

Gueneau “Les Griottes,” which I selected for the March

Vine Club, a subscription-based wine club in conjunction

with Carriage on Court in downtown Florence. Planted in

the “griottes,” stony limestone soils, these vines are over 25

years old and produce grapes more expressive of fruit than

vegetable. Th e wine also spends some time on its lees, which

adds body and fl avor.

It’s bright and crisp with citrus and white peach aromas,

followed by lively acidity on the palate, lovely minerality

refl ecting the distinct soil types in the region and a long,

satisfying fi nish. Th is is what sav blanc should be: delicate,

elegant, and delicious. Domaine Gueneau retails for around

$25 a bottle.

Frank Millet, at $23 a bottle, is a solid second to the Gueneau,

with fi erce herbal notes, fl int, mineral, and distinct acidity.

White peach and almost-ripe stone fruits follow on the

palate with a long, lustrous fi nish.

Bailly-Reverdy makes excellent food-friendly Sancerre

of every color. Th e white and rosé retail for about $26 a

bottle and the red for a few dollars more. Th e domaine has

been making Sancerre in Chavignol for generations and

implements organic practices in the vineyards. Th e wines

are consistently of good quality and great examples of the

region’s best eff orts.

Enjoy the wines with food, as aperitifs, by the pool, by the

lake or on the front porch. Th e very best producers will age

for 10 years or so, though they are all ready to impress now.

Cheers to warm weather!

Randolph School does not discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, age, physical challenge, nation of origin,

gender, or any other characteristic.

As they all set forth to colleges and

universities across the country, find out what they are taking with them and what the Randolph journey

has meant to them.

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Congratulations to the

Class of 2015!


86 » bless their hearts » LuEllen Redding

WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

Now in 36 places, there have certainly been some less than stellar neighbors. They can’t all be good. But the bad ones do teach you how to appreciate the good ones.

Do you know your neighbors? Neighbors…you know, the people that live in the houses next to you

or behind you or across the street. I know mine. Some people don’t. I think that is weird. I can remem-

ber the neighbors that lived around me in the house we moved out of the summer I turned nine. I have

always had the need to know about the people who occupy the space near me. Pure nosiness? Well, I’d

much prefer to call it something more elegant like “concern for those around me” or “a need for com-

munity.” Whatever.

Forty years ago, I lived in a little fl at house in a little fl at neighborhood in a little fl at town. Th ere was

a ditch that ran between my house and Stephanie Puckett’s and it held an endless supply of tadpoles

and mud. I bet some days we crossed that ditch 500 times. Her daddy owned the local fi ve and dime.

I thought that was very cool. A couple houses down was the family that owned a local jewelry store.

Th ey had one girl that was younger and played with my little sister and they also had teenagers. Really

awesome teenagers. Teenagers with raspy voices and wild curly hair and motorcycles and places to be

at all times of the day and night. Th e lady on the other side of them used to babysit me from time to

time and she called me “LuEller,” not to be confused with Jimbo Taylor who lived behind us and called

me “NewEller.” I guess “LuEllen” was a serious challenge to his speech impediment. Kathy and her older

sister were in the house on the other side of us. Kathy was two years older than me and provided much

insight on the ways of the world for soon-to-be third graders. Th e high school baseball coach and his

beautiful wife lived a few houses down and had babies, a constant source of entertainment. My best

friend, Mandy, lived around the corner. We spent hours playing Barbies and listening to John Denver. I

hope she does not remember me cutting off her pigtail. It was just the one.

Once, in my 20s, I lived in a neighborhood chock-full of families and children. As I planted fl owers and

raked leaves in the idyllic setting, I was constantly entertained with the whoops of their chasing and the

bouncing of their balls and the hum of their bicycles. Once I even looked out to see one of the littlest

boys, ummm, having a private, excretory moment behind a tree. Not a standing moment, but a squat-

ting moment, if you get my drift. And what he considered to be “behind” his tree was actually in “front”

of my kitchen window. I can’t remember ever laughing so hard. Ten years later, when it was my own boy,

it wasn’t quite so funny.

Fast forward a few years, my husband and I were newly married. Our fi rst home was an adorable little

duplex on a downtown street. A small, thin-walled, duplex. And did I say that we were newly married?

I learned a lot about those neighbors. And they learned a lot about us. Bless them, they are still our

friends. I still cringe when I think about those days.

In the house where we live now, I have an old neighbor. Well, I did. He has recently moved away to live

with his daughter. I guess it is a good transition for me. He is 94 years old. And he needs to be with his

family, as I am sure they need to be with him. It is probably good for all of us. I worried that any other

kind of transition would be too sudden for me. I miss him,

but I think of him happy and with his days fi lled with grand-

children. But I do imagine he misses his leaf blower and his

roses. He is the kind of neighbor that spends six hours blow-

ing the leaves in his yard and then does my driveway “just

because.” His hedges now have those little shoots coming out

the tops like they need to be trimmed. Th at would never hap-

pen if he were home. He knows properly maintained hedges

should be attended to weekly. He has lived in his house for 68

years. Sixty-eight years. Now I am 44 years old and recently

did some calculating to determine that I have lived in 36 dif-

ferent places. Th irty-six, so far. My neighbor and I don’t have

a lot in common. We don’t see eye-to-eye on lots of things.

He is an elder in the nearby staunch Church of Christ. I am

sure my Episcopal stickers give him the heebie-jeebies. He

sweeps his Astroturf-covered front porch every day at 3:45

p.m. My front porch often looks like an episode of Hoarders

is about to be fi lmed. I have never seen him un-ironed or

un-tucked or un-combed. I often have scantily clad children

roaming the front yard. But really, we do have one thing in

common. He and I, we are good neighbors. We have a need to

know about each other, our pasts and our day-to-day. Before

we bought the house, when we were in the looking phase, I

asked questions about him. In a small town, everyone has

mutual acquaintances and I checked him out. I knew all

kinds of things about him, before I even laid eyes on him. But

that fi rst time I did introduce myself, out in the yard, stand-

ing two feet deep in my own leaves, he said, “Oh, I know who

you are. And I’ve asked around. I hear you are good people.”

He was as worried about me as I was about him. I knew that

very moment that we would be friends. And we are.

Now in 36 places, there have certainly been some less than

stellar neighbors. Th ey can’t all be good. But the bad ones do

teach you how to appreciate the good ones. I am sure that

some folks consider neighbors to be the people who just hap-

pen to live in the house next to them. Not me. I think God

put us in each others’ paths for a reason. Now that reason

might be trivial or it might be big. It might be to teach me

tolerance or to guilt me into cleaning up a bit or to force my

kids to pick up our own dog poop. Or it might be so that we

can become lifelong friends. I don’t know.

My neighbor’s house will probably come up for sale soon. Do

you want to be my neighbor?


My maternal great-aunt, Hattie Eliza Daly, was a tobacco farmer in Kinston, North Carolina.

She was also an artist who painted china, oils, and watercolors. Aunt Hattie believed she was skilled at

both these pursuits because of the transference of knowledge, a theory she learned in her college stud-

ies. According to this theory, the same skill that inspired her to select the perfect colors for a painting

enabled her to discern the exact color of a perfectly cured tobacco leaf. All the farmers in town begged

her, “Miss Hattie, please teach us how to cure tobacco like you do!” Or so she said.

My mother minored in botany, and loved growing and arranging fl owers. I know the names of fl owers

and trees only because she called them out whenever we were together: Aucuba japonica! Abelia! Sas-

safras! Four-o’clocks! Tulip poplar! Beech! (My husband is not impressed when I do this to him.) My

middle sister was a certifi ed organic farmer before it was even a thing, and still gardens for rich people

in the Shenandoah Valley. None of this horticultural knowledge was transferred to me.

My one and only attempt at real gardening, in the actual ground rather than in pots, was a couple of

summers ago when a bunch of us women friends had the opportunity to do a community garden. We

were all gung-ho in May, under the expert tutelage of Meagan, our very pregnant overseer. It was actu-

ally fun to plant seeds and pull weeds and hang out together. But then it got hot, and Meagan had her

baby, and things fell apart. It was a hotter, dryer summer than usual, and we were supposed to take

turns watering, weeding, and repelling bugs naturally. I tried to do my part. I really did. But I hate to

sweat, I don’t like bugs, and I am a mosquito magnet, so there was a lot of whining involved. Yes, it

was satisfying to eat our own freshly picked lettuce, radishes, carrots, beets, and of

course, massive amounts of zucchini and yellow squash. We got a few green beans,

and some tomatoes. Th en the plant-eating bugs proliferated, and we all went back

to the farmers’ market on Chisholm Road, where, in the bug-free cool

of early morning, we could just buy whatever and as much as we

needed, and help the local economy in the process.

I do know this much about gardening: you can never have too many

tomatoes. If you can’t use them all, someone else—me, for example—

will be happy to take them. On the other hand, almost everyone plants

way too much squash. Young squash are tender, tasty, and a manageable size. A

zucchini the size of a torpedo is not. You can nip this problem in the

bud—literally. Th ere are lots of good recipes online for stuff ed squash

blossoms, and every yummy ricotta or goat cheese-fi lled treat is one

less terror-inducing monster squash to be abandoned on your friend’s

porch in the dark of night.

Should you overplant, you can make zucchini bread, muffi ns, and

quiche. You can put grated zucchini in spaghetti sauce. Or you can go

rogue and make a zucchini chocolate cake. I promise this is

one of the yummiest cakes ever, and it’s fool proof as long

as you prepare the Bundt pan adequately. Steve Carpen-

TAMING THE EVIL SQUASH MONSTER

88 » food for thought » Sarah Gaede

There are lots of good recipes online for stuff ed squash blossoms, and every yummy ricotta or goat cheese-fi lled treat is one less terror-inducing monster squash to be abandoned on your friend’s porch in the dark of night.


Chocolate Zucchini Cakewith Shiny Chocolate Glaze

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose fl our, plus more for dusting pan if needed• 1/2 cup cocoa powder (I like Hershey’s Special Dark)• 1 teaspoon baking soda• 1/4 teaspoon salt• 1 teaspoon cinnamon• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar• 2 large eggs, at room temperature• 1/2 cup canola oil• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract• 1/2 cup brewed, cooled espresso or strong coff ee• 2 cups peeled, grated zucchini (2 medium)• 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray the heck out of a Bundt pan with PAM Happy Baking Spray or Baker’s Joy, or spray with regular PAM and fl our carefully so as not to miss any spots; shake out excess fl our.

Whisk together fl our, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Set aside. Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of stand mixer. Beat on low to combine, then on medium speed until fl uff y and sugar is well-incorporated. Scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs one at a time, then the oil and vanilla extract; beat on medium speed until well-blended and smooth. With the mixer on low, scraping after each addition, alternate adding the following ingredients: 1 cup fl ourmixture, then 1/4 cup coff ee; 1 cup fl our, 1/4 cup coff ee; then the remaining fl our. Beat on medium until smooth. Add the zucchini and chocolate chips and beat on lowest speed until just incorporated. Scrape batter into pan; smooth surface. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn out on a cooling rack. Wait until cake is completely cool before glazing. Or you can just dust it with confectioner’s sugar if you are a minimalist.

Chocolate Glaze

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder• 1/4 cup whipping cream• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt the butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat. Add cocoa powder and cream and stir just until mixture thickens. Do not boil. Remove pan from heat and stir in confectioner’s sugar and vanilla until smooth. Immediately spoon glaze over the cooled cake.

ter of Jack-o-Lantern Farms loves it so much I made him one

for Christmas. Th e Chocolate Glaze is just gilding the lily,

but why not? Th ere may be such a thing as too much zuc-

chini, but there is no such thing as too much chocolate.

90 » parting shot » Patrick Hood

WHEN WE WALKED IN FIELDS OF GOLD

No’Ala Huntsville, May/June 2015

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Transcript of No’Ala Huntsville, May/June 2015