Lori Hanks taught preschool for 11 years, but all the while she was working toward a totally different career. Most recently, the Memphis native taught pre-kindergarten classes at Christ Methodist Day School in East Memphis.
But when she wasn’t teaching, she was decorating. In between teaching and decorating she also had some children – three to be exact – ages 8, 14 and 17. She decorated the homes of her friends and family, and finally her husband made a suggestion.
“I had been staying at home with my kids for the past few years,” she said. “My husband and I had been looking for something to invest, and my husband said, ‘Why don’t you do this, you’re doing it anyway.’” (more…)
The annual designer showcase at Southport Congregational Church, currently in its 12th year, has as its title “Rooms with a View.”
Truth be told, none of the rooms have an actual view, at least not of the outdoors.
Rather, the event, which opens Thursday and continues through Sunday, highlights the creative points of view of 12 professional interior designers.
The view of which organizers speak is a glimpse into the minds of some of the region’s top designers. It provides a taste of how rooms in a home can be transformed, whether the owners choose to design and execute an interior decorating concept themselves or with the help of a professional.
“The idea is to inspire your imagination and provide a chance to see designers’ work. A few careers have been launched through this event. It really, truly is a celebration of the decorative arts,” said Louise Lancaster-Keim, a committee member. (more…)
If the Jetsons lived in a California ranch home, it might have some features like these:
Ten-foot doors that slide into the walls, opening the great room to the back deck. Windows that turn from clear glass to opaque with the click of a button. A touch-screen panel that pipes music through speakers throughout the house.
Meanwhile, robotics mop the floor, vacuum the carpets and mow the lawn, while George sips coffee and checks the stock market on what looks like a decorative ball.
Next week, the public will need go no further than Alamo to see for themselves how it all comes together at the first House of Innovation. (more…)
