#tsgnetwork

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Last night’s TSG happy hour event with @theaerobar was so fun! (And our host @alexanderinteriorsnashville home is so fabulous!!) If you have an outdoor event, or even just want some ease in serving drinks for a party at home or corporate gathering, we highly recommend this local business. Their portable bars are so chic, so fun, and their drinks are fantastic! Check out our Insta Stories to see the cool interior of this bar on wheels! 📷 @theaerobar #tsgnetwork #mobilebar #baronwheels #rollingbar #theaerobar

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Throwing it back to the ScoutALX Breakfast

We are not sure which was more delicious at our ScoutALX breakfast hosted by The Thompson Group last week at Society Fair - the breakfast sandwich biscuits bigger than our heads or the opportunity to connect with our ScoutALX community. We are always inspired by our friends and local business owners and eager to share tips and cook up ways to collaborate.

We were thrilled to hear some new ideas (blue grey are all in for kitchens in 2017 says Zack St. Clair), get some tips (keep that open stance for more spin says Hank Harris), scout some fun finds (spikes turquoise earrings at TSalt!) and have our fill of Society Fair’s always tasty treats.

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✨we love it when two of our clients connect•••have fun in Dallas tonight @livingwithlandyn & @jacksondurhamevents✨ 📷: @marycravenphotography • • • • • • • • • • • #thescoutguide #tsgnashville&franklin #tsgnashville #thescoutedlife #local #nashvillelife #nashvilletn #livelovelocal #tsgsocial #scoutedabout #scoutstyle #scoutisout #nashvillestrong #musiccity #landyn #livingwithlandyn #dallas #texas #tsg #tsgnetwork #connect #bettertogether #jacksondurhamevents #florals #beautifulblooms #allthethings #makingprettychoices #marycravenphotography #mc #photography (at Living With Landyn) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8PbjkDhwKo/?igshid=1d223xyq42d83

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The Café at Thistle Farms

By Anne Elise Ray

Very few companies can boast exceptional goods and services while at the same time foster a network that fully supports women in need. Drive over to The Café at Thistle Farms and find “Love Heals Every Body,” scripted along its outside wall. This haven for those starting anew in both personal life and career is open to diners looking for a hearty chicken pot pie or a heavenly honey lavender latte.

Thistle Farms is a curative community created to help women heal from trafficking, prostitution and addiction. Founded in 1997, Thistle Farms eventually grew its business to create funding for program growth, as well as sustainable, dignified income for the women survivors. The Café became part of that mission in 2013. The West Nashville eatery provides breakfast and lunch serving locally sourced goodness ranging from buttermilk pancakes to veggie lasagna. If you really want a treat, stay for the afternoon tea.

As you walk into the modern farmhouse-style café, look up and admire the exquisite teacup installation suspended from the ceiling.  Two thousand teacups dangle from the ceiling donated by survivors, celebrities and Thistle Farms friends.  One of The Café’s guiding principles is “chado.”  Chado is translated from Japanese to “The Way of Tea.” Chado is about more than just preparing tea, but about serving and sharing it from a deep place of love and intention. The teacup itself represents hospitality, healing, chado and story. Along with each teacup donated, a story was shared about the teacup or the person donating it. The teacups are displayed to honor those stories.

Nashville’s only afternoon tea service includes a traditional 3-tiered display of finger sandwiches, house-made scones complete with jams and clotted cream, and an assortment of savory and sweet bites to go along with your pot of tea. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance and costs $25/person. After renovating in 2017, The Café now offers a rental space for your events and includes catering from a fully staffed kitchen and dedicated servers.  Host a private dinner for 10 or book a reception for 100 guests. For more information about The Café at Thistle Farms or to make your afternoon tea reservations, visit thecafeatthistlefarms.org. To learn more about Thistle Farms or to shop their products, visit thistlefarms.org. 

Photos by Mary Craven Photography @marycravenphotography

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TSG Tip with Jeff Copeland of Jeff’s Fine Rugs & Tapestries: Finding the Perfect Rug

When it comes to knowing how to pick the perfect rug, Jeff Copeland is your guy.  With so many years of experience in selecting just the right piece for the right space, we reached out to Jeff to see if he could offer some advice when it comes to rug shopping.

The search for the perfect rug can be fun.  Here are the top ten things to think about:

1. Your size is very important.  Give yourself a minimum and maximum.  This will help not only narrow down what you want, but it will keep you on track during your search.

2. Trust.  It is very important to know who you are working with around town, or out of town.

3. Color.  Be sure to have your wall colors and fabrics ready to view.  This will help keep your house consistent.

4. Let who you are working with see your space.  This will help you, as well as them.

5. Decide if you are a trend chaser, or if this is the rug for many, many years.

6. Budget.  Just like anything, get an idea of what the market is before making your budget.  This will obviously help you, but it will also help the person you are working with.

7. Try to think outside the box.  Most people already have an idea of what they want, but sometimes a professional can give you that and more.

8. Many rugs have levels of knap, new and old.  If you are using a rug in a high traffic area, you want more.  If it is a quiet room, you can go with less.

9. Try to figure your style; whether you are wanting to be formal, informal, transitional, modern, etc.

10. Always remember that less can be more.  Don’t do too much all at once.  Mix orientals with custom rugs, sisals, even hardwood and tile.

To learn more about Jeff’s Fine Rugs and Tapestries, visit his showroom at 6602 Highway 100.  To schedule an appointment, email jeffsfinerugs@hotmail.com

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Neighbors to Watch: Providence Interiors

(Photo by Leslee Mitchell)

In the Spring of 2010, interior designers Amber Thomas and Julie Brown joined forces to create Providence Interiors, believing that teamwork offered a broader scope and vision for clients’ projects.  Today, this group of designing women work to complete a range of projects, from simple makeovers to full renovations of large and small spaces, all the while combining their love of unique finds and design.  If you haven’t made it to their beautiful shop in the Bandywood Courtyard, you must.  We caught up with the dynamic duo behind Providence Interiors, to learn more about their story, and for some fun intel on design trends.

TSGNASH: We just love your style, and the soft, beautiful spaces that y’all create.  When you’re putting a project together, what are some key characteristics that give it that Providence Interiors signature look?

Providence: Clean, contemporary, fresh, livable.  Neutrals that are anything but boring!  We generally start with white or light walls and add texture with layered rugs, wallpaper and window treatments.  We like to bring in pops of color with art on the walls, and add interest with great lighting and accessories.  It doesn’t all have to be new; select antiques add character and depth.  We don’t stop with the furniture, though the details of the whole picture matter.  We pay attention to those!

TSGNASH: Speaking of your signature style, what is it that gives each of you inspiration while designing a space?

Providence: (Amber) I find my inspiration in nature and the outdoors.  I love the way colors softly vary against pops of contrasting colors. (Julie) Art, handmade goods, and textiles have always inspired me.  Magazines and books are always great sources of inspiration.

(Photo by Leslee Mitchell)

TSGNASH: How did Providence Interiors come about?

Providence: We both recognized similar tastes and talent in each other.  We also noticed a need for interior design that has a clean, classic look here in Nashville.  We casually mentioned to each other that we should fill that gap and start a business together, and 10 years later, here we are!  It started in our homes, and we are so thankful to be where we are today.  We are now a team of 5 designers and a great retail team.  Being in the heart of Green Hills has been the perfect place for our retail store and interior design office.  We feel extremely blessed to be successful doing something we love!

(Photo by Leslee Mitchell)

TSGNASH: What is your favorite part of running a storefront shop in addition to your design business?

Providence: We have the nicest customers, and we love our community.  We are meeting new people every day and helping them find the perfect pieces for their homes.  Having a retail piece to our business keeps us on our toes and on top of trends.  It keeps us moving forward and current.

(Photo by Leslee Mitchell)

TSGNASH: Speaking of trends, any new ones that we should look out for?

Providence: Just like we have been seeing more color and print in fashion, that trend has definitely moved into the home market.  Some of the things we saw at market this year were shockingly 1980′s!  We saw a floral sofa with a ruffled skirt, and ruffled pillows on the showroom floor of a major upholsterer.  We definitely did a double take!  Even though we wouldn’t use a small scale floral pattern like that, we can see adding color in large-scale prints and patterns in accents like pillows and throws.  We are excited to see the available options in tile and wallpaper.  Brass is huge right now, and we don’t think that is going away any time soon.  We love to see it in unlacquered brass hardware and light fixtures.

TSGNASH: Any favorite recent projects that come to mind?

Providence: We are in the process of completing a project in Dallas.  It is a new construction dream home, and we were able to get in from the very beginning. Our client and her husband are newly empty nesters and have planned this move for several years.  It has been a privilege to walk alongside of them and to help achieve those dreams.  Our client has completely trusted us to do our thing, and the project is truly a place they will enjoy for years to come.

TSGNASH: Do either of your have a go-to, or favorite paint color?

Providence: Benjamin Moore White Dove

(Photo by Leslee Mitchell)

TSGNASH: Scout Guide is all about living local, and as pillars in the Nashville community, we have a few short questions about your Nashville go-tos:

TSGNASH: What is your favorite place to grab a bite to eat?

Providence: (Amber) Epice or Burger Up (Julie) The Pharmacy or Butchertown Hall

TSGNASH: What is your favorite local boutique to shop?

Providence: The Perfect Pair and Habit

TSGNASH: Do you have some favorite local artists to incorporate in your designs?

Providence: Ed Nash, Blaire Wheeler and Katie Madden

TSGNASH: How would each of you spend a fall day with your families in the Nashville area?

Providence: (Amber) Hiking Percy Warner Park, followed by lunch at one of the many amazing new Nashville restaurants.  (Julie) If my family had to plan the perfect day in Nashville, we would start at the Pancake Pantry, walk through 12th South area or one of the city’s great parks, eat lunch at Edley’s BBQ, then head downtown and get ready for some people watching and show at the Ryman!  Maybe after the show, hit Jeni’s Ice cream! 

TSGNASH: Love it!  Thank you for being our Neighbors to Watch!

To learn more about Providence Interiors, visit http://providenceinteriors.com/ or follow them on Instagram at @providenceinteriors 

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TSG Tip with Francois & Co: First Questions to Know When Selecting the Right Materials

When building or renovating a home, knowing the right materials to select along the way can be completely overwhelming.  We reached out to Stephanie Ellis, a regional director of Francois & Co. in Nashville, who filled us in on the key questions to ask yourself before starting any materials search.

Francois & Co. offers a full collection of beautifully curated products; from French oak flooring, to French and European limestones and terra cotta, antique mantels, meta counter tops, and a full line of handmade mantels and range hoods.  We definitely pride ourselves on finding and providing the highest quality products in the market, and making them available to our customers. 

Over the years, we have slowly added to our material offerings in hopes of being a place that designers, architects, builders and homeowners can come to find just about everything they need to complete their projects.  When you can see everything in one place, it certainly makes the overall experience more enjoyable!  Here are a few key questions we always ask as we begin our materials search:

What is the overall design concept?  This helps us show you the things that typically work within that style.

What is your time frame and budget?  Knowing when you need something, or what you are wiling to spend, is crucial when selecting the right materials.

What is the square footage?  This question helps us determine whether or not we need to pull from stock, or have time to order the materials.

Where are you building? This helps us determine what can and cannot be used, since some materials are better used in specific climates.

What are the priorities for your home? When we know your priorities, then we can figure out where and how to use the budget given.

Do you have inspiration photos?  By providing images, it’s better to understand the look you are going for and what you are drawn to.

For more information on Francois & Co, visit http://francoisandco.com/ or follow them on Instagram at @francois_and_company To view some of their material offerings, visit their Nashville showroom in Cummins Station at 209 10th Avenue, South, Suite 227.

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TSG Tip with Katie Madden: Investing in Art

We reached out to Nashville artist, Katie Madden, to get her insight when it comes to selecting the perfect piece of art for the home.  A contemporary artist with a great eye for soothing color combinations, she walked us through a few helpful tips to keep in mind for that first time art buyer!

Buying art, to me, is actually an investment for your home.  It can seem like an overwhelming experience if you have not purchased original artwork before. Here are a few tips that might make the process a little easier and more enjoyable:

BUY WHAT YOU LOVE   Art should never be a “maybe” decision.  So many times people buy on a whim, but don’t do this with art.  The work should be something you look at everyday and enjoy.  If you love it, the work will speak for itself!

TRY A CONTEMPORARY PIECE Speaking as a contemporary artist, a contemporary piece allows for pops of color to enter a traditional or transitional space, freshening the whole look without going overboard on design.  Art is the new accent piece, in my opinion!

ART SHOULD MAKE A STATEMENT I would try not to be too “matchy-matchy” with a room.  Let the art stand out on its own, don’t let it get lost in the space.  Be bold, but also make sure it “works” in the space as well.

TELL A STORY Just like clothing, art is a great way to tell a story about yourself.  Feel free to mix high-end pieces with street art.  Mix paintings with drawings, or pastels with paint.  There are no rules with how you mix and match art in a room as long as you love it!

MEASURE THE SPACE FOR LARGE PIECES Be sure to measure for larger pieces before purchasing.  If you can, consult with a design friend for help to make sure you are getting the right size.  And if possible, try to get your work framed.  Framing is a great way to enhance the work and set the tone for your space.

GET TO KNOW THE ARTIST Finally, if you can, get to know the artist you are buying from.  Art is a personal preference, so wouldn’t it make sense that we get to know the artist a little more?  I LOVE commissions, where I am able to meet and get to know the clients.  Obviously they saw something in my work to seek me out, so I want to know more about them and vice versa!

To learn more about Katie Madden and her artwork, visit her website, https://katiemaddenfineart.com/, or follow her on Instagram @katiemaddenfineart

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There is no place better to go during beautiful fall weekends than Cheekwood!!! 📷 @lesleemitchell for @tsgnashville #cheekwoodharvest #fall #pumpkin #cheekwood #tsgnetwork #thescoutguide (at Cheekwood Art & Gardens)

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You had me at cotton candy...Champagne and cotton candy for your birthday? Yes, please. Check out @tsgneworleans recent post: 10 Ways to Celebrate a Birthday in New Orleans. Is it too early to start planning an October birthday??? 😉 Link to post in Insta profile. #tsgeditorpick #neworleansbirthday #brennans #champagne #cottoncandy #tsgnetwork

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Congrats to @tsgneworleans member @ashleylongshoreart on her historic inclusion at @bergdorfs If you happen to be in NYC, this is the last weekend to see her art on the 7th floor and in the 5th Avenue windows!! 📷 @ashleylongshoreart #ashleylongshore #bergdorfgoodman #popart #tsgneworleans #tsgnetwork #thescoutguide

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Our photo of @raybooth1128 and his super chic home will always be one of my favorite photo shoots for 2017 @tsgnashville - especially this pic. 📷 @lesleemitchell #mcalpinehouse #interiordesign #nashvillehomes #nashvilleinteriors #tsgnetwork

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Come meet this fabulous artist @charlotteterrell TONIGHT at her Pop Up Art event at @bennettgalleriesnashville from 5:30-7:30!! #nashvilleartist #art #scoutsneakpeek #tsgnetwork #charlotteterrell (at Bennett Galleries Nashville)

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@lesleemitchell was like a kid in a candy store at yesterday’s shoot at @poshbridalnashville This spread is going to be beautiful!!! #scoutsneakpeek #tsgnetwork #weddingdress #bridal #poshbridalcouture (at Posh Bridal Couture Nashville)

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Located conveniently in the Gulch, the @gulchdentalstudio is a super chic dentist space, and perfect for those new to Nashville who find themselves living and working in downtown. Now through the end of October, any new patient who books an appointment will also receive a free teeth whitening! Tell them Scout sent you! #dentist #dentistoffice #thegulch #tsgnetwork #thescoutguide

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Another favorite photo by @lesleemitchell of a beautiful @minnettejacksoninteriors design. #tsgnashville #tsgnetwork #tsgphotographer #minnettejacksoninteriors #lesleemitchell #thescoutguide