Mill No. 1 Behind the Scenes Part Two

A few weekends ago Eric arranged for us to go back to the Mill No. 1 project to check in on their progress. See our first post here from last November. It was a cold, winter morning. Last time we met with Jennifer Tufaro Nolley, this time we met with Steve Travieso, who works for the Thornhill Properties. The greenish/gray color is the parking deck on the first level. There is a large parking facility on property for the apartments and the restaurants.

The poured concrete building across the Falls has a second foot bridge now.

Jennifer painted this rendering that hangs in the sales office. You can see the umbrellas on the lower right where the restaurant area will be in the future. 

The view of the Falls from the north end of the building is the most serene.

We got to see one of the show apartments that is now finished. It would have been cool if they kept some of the exposed brick, but I think it would have been really chilly. The window seat is a nice touch.

The ceiling height was insane in the showroom. I'm guessing at least 13 feet high.

The kitchen was very efficient and the floors were made out of bamboo. The original floors on the first and second floor were too far gone to salvage, but I believe they are trying to reuse them on the third and fourth floors.

The breakfast bar wood is all reclaimed from the original Mill.

There was a gigantic laundry room and mud room off the front door for the sample apartment. Each apartment will have a washer dryer.

We saw a few sample studio/loft apartments. The light on the south side will be great for the folks who decide to rent here.

We went back to the elevator shaft that now has a floor on the second level. Each apartment on this side of the building will have a bedroom in this previous elevator shaft. The doors are too beautiful, but really damaged by weather. I sincerely hope they can re-use them in the space.

When you look up, the elevator shaft is still exposed to the elements. They are working one floor at a time.

I loved seeing this yellow line on the third floor. I imagine it was where people stood in the assembly line at the mill. Just a guess. There were 800 people working here in the 1860s when our home was built in Stone Hill.

When the walls start going up this space is all going to look so different. They laid out the space with studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms based on the windows. They are alternating for the most part. Click here to see the diagrams.

The third floor lofts are going to be amazing. The space again is so high and you can see where they are building the loft in the above photo. They will all have skylights too since there are no windows that far up.

The floors on the higher levels really make you wonder what when on in that section of the mill. Were these scraps of metal hot when they landed on the wood floor? How did they get frozen here for all of these years? What made the marks? And what scuffed the lines in the floor? It's like a little mystery. They would be such a great conversation starter.

The few apartments on the west side of the building really would be the most fabulous. The view of the water is second to none. They have security manning the building at all times. We've seen helicopters patrolling as well. They will have a pool underneath where the officer is standing in this photo. It was hard to visualize, but look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Some lucky, lucky devil is going to get to live in this apartment where the builder signed their name on the beam in 1874, the year after it burned down. You can read all about the history here. They are going to expose this beam in the apartment. How cool is that? 

My favorite part of the tour was going up to the Clerestory on the fourth floor, or penthouse level. You can see it from our guest bedroom window really well! This structure was added to look more like the original building back in the 1800's.

Via 

The diagram above shows the apartment layout of the Clerestory. The kitchen and dining room area will be upstairs with windows on either side. The lower level will have skylights added over the bedroom. I can't wait until our next tour with this level finished!

You can see Stone Hill out these windows.

We still haven't heard what restaurants will be contracted for the space, but look forward to the announcement soon. They are anticipating their first clients to move in in May while the building is still being finished. 

Thanks again Steve for meeting us on your weekend. Can't wait for the next tour.

Highlights from Timberweek on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

I DVR Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and watch it when I get home from work most evenings. I love this show. When @MrJoshCharles played bubble soccer on the show and was out of breath playing with the Raven's shooting goals into the elevator banks I about died. Jimmy's beer pong, Catch Phrase, Pictionary, golf and other games show off his extremely competitive side. Somehow it still comes off as funny. He played Call Me Maybe on elementary school musical instruments. He dances. Sings. Does voices. Plays the guitar and works only a few floors away from our friend Todd Cole. I'm dying to get tickets one day to the show. Come on Todd Cole! I know you can hook us up!!!

This week was the best because Justin Timberlake was on each night to promote his new album 20/20. They called it Timberweek. After killing it on SNL, JT hung out with Jimmy and I had to post them so I could have them all available to go back and watch again and again. The camp scene is my all time favorite!!! 

Grandmother Tayloe and art history

Last Christmas Momma gave me a gift that I have always cherished. This painting was done by my great grandmother, Nelle Tayloe, one of three Nelle's that I'm named for, pronounced Nellie. Grandmother Tayloe painted this at her summer home on Walloon Lake. Walloon is in norther Michigan very close to The Grand Hotel. The lake house had a nickname; Elmarvaho for her four children, Elizabeth, Margaret, Virginia and my granddaddy, Howard. 

E. and I spent our honeymoon very close to Walloon Lake at the Grand Hotel. It's a magical place. This is the color of Lake Michigan. It really and truly looks exactly like this on sunny days this far up north. No photo filter needed. I can imagine my grandparents and great grandparents enjoying the cool summers away from the heat of Memphis. When my Momma and Daddy were first married, Dad got excepted to Michigan State for his Masters program. Mom was excited to head north since she had spent so many summers there as a child. I visited once when I was little, little and then again after college to visit my precious Tayloe at her grandmother's cottage which was next door to the "big" house, as all called it.

This is a portrait of Grandmother Tayloe. Everyone calls her Grandmother Tayloe even though she is my great. It was finished in 1935 in Memphis, Tennessee. The reason I have this painting breaks my heart because the uncle who gave it to me is no longer with us. We all miss him. I remember this painting so vividly in my grandparents home. My mother has such fond memories of Grandmother Tayloe, saying she never complained and loved the hokey pokey! Isn't that a hoot?

Charles Frederick Naegele was the artist. After doing some research I found out that he was living in Memphis and was 87 when he painted it. My great Grandfather George Tayloe commissioned many works for the family at this time by Mr. Naegele. Portrait crazy is what some wrote. I need to go to the National Portrait Gallery and the Renwick in DC and see if I can find out more about him. I love a good art history lesson and this one will be so personal to research.

This is one of my most favorite photos of me and my grandmother Tayloe, who we all fondly called Grandmommy Nancy, my mother's mother. Not the one in the portrait above but her daughter-in-law. She was also nicknamed NT by some.

This is Grandmommy Nancy and my adorably tan Granddaddy Howard. Howard is Grandmother Tayloe's first child and only son. Are you bored to tears yet? Sorry, but I've realized that this blog has become a wonderful journal that I can look back on. Grandmother Tayloe wrote to Granddaddy at W&L from Washington, DC, boasting about riding in the Inaugural parade during Calvin Coolidge's Inauguration! This painting hadn't even been painted yet! That history is posted here, jump to (5) in the post. 

I've had this post queued up for over a year thanks to a request from @girltuesday. Thanks so much for the interest Kate. It's been so much fun finding out more about this artist and celebrating the fact that so many women in my family were artistically gifted as well. Many of my cousins are professional artists and I too was an art major.  

While in Memphis a few weeks ago I found Grandfather's portrait was beautifully hung in the dining room at Chip and Louise's home. I love knowing that I got grandfather out of the garage!!! Ha. You can see that the frames are exactly the same. Aren't they a regal couple, Grandmother and Grandfather?

Missing my family scattered throughout the country writing this, especially my sweet Momma. This photo of her dancing with her brother Chip is one of my all time favorites. Save your letters pals. The history they tell for generations have been priceless to us.

Todd Cole turns 40

We celebrated our best man's birthday a few weekends ago in Maryland. Actually, a TON of weekends ago. Anyone still out there? Sorry for the quiet but have had some fun stuff happen as of late. More on that soon. Back to Todd.  I love how his mother kept this invite that his dad drew 36 years ago.

Warren and Todd Cole (can't just say Todd...it has to be Todd Cole to the tune and vibe of Outcast saying "ICE COLD").

Todd makes fun of me because I take pictures of food and post them on Facebook. I don't mind. I don't read all the smarty pants newsy posts he puts up either. So there.

His mom hooked it UP in the food department. I was too busy enjoying the baseball sized crab cakes to remember to photograph them. The cakes were all from Ms. Desserts. This yellow cake with chocolate frosting reminds me of the cakes from Pollyanna. Is that weird?

How great is the biddy on the drums?

I sampled at least three cakes, have mercy. 

Kev and Charlie

Todd Cole's adorable family! His mother Carolyn and sister Kelly.

In most pictures of Todd Cole, he is pointing. Article A. our wedding. 

I asked all the friends at the party to point for the photo. The result was priceless! 

Wishing you many more happy returns Todd Cole. Thank you for being such a great and true friend to my Charlie. I think his nickname stuck because you laughed so hard. 

In other Stone Hill Farm news, E. and I are both WORKING full time, within three miles of home. We couldn't feel more blessed, challenged and encouraged by our new work. Thank you all for your prayers, patience and friendship over this past year. It has brought many new adventures, great introductions, deep reflection and rest. I personally feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle my new gig with such energy. I waited for the right fit which was very much worth it. Thanks again dear readers and friends.

Family Dinner and Maysey Craddock's art

This has been an exciting week for me friends. But before I get into too much of that I want to share with you some photos from our family friend's home in Memphis. After the funeral we had the most wonderful, small dinner with family at the Craddock's home. There were just 12 of us and we went around the room and told stories. We laughed so hard and it was just the most wonderful memory from the funeral week. 

The Craddock's are the saltiest salt of the earth people you would ever want to meet. Since none of Francie's immediate family were left living in Memphis much of the burden and tons of the loving was heaped on the family of the Craddock's. Bill and my uncle Johnny were the closest of friends. When John died, Bill made an extra effort to comfort Francie and Granddaddy during the loss of his close friend and their youngest son. Bill is also as close to a super star in my mind for helping the Episcopal Church and our clergy. But that is a story for another day. Just know I hold them in the highest regard and so did my grandparents. It made perfect sense that we all land at their home for great wine, a simple dinner and delicious conversation and rousing laughter.

Bill and Margaret moved into the coolest mid-century modern house a few years ago. I had to give you a sneak peek of the art work and cool space.

I think the home was built in the 50s. This floating Carrara Marble table was just the coolest. The console separating the living and dining room had enough space to set up our bar.

Their daughter Maysey is an extremely gifted artist. I was lucky enough to get to see her work in New York and even go to an opening once at the David Lusk Gallery in Memphis. 

I have always loved this piece she did on her take of their summer home in Perdido. The houses are all on stilts. Our grandparents had homes 50 yards from each other in Destin too. We found out at this fun dinner that Maysey's grandfather was the first boy to ever kiss Frances! My granddaddy and Big Bill were children together. She had never told me that, but I think it is precious. This painting reminds me of our little Destin house and the sea oats growing underneath and around it. It is the greeter when you enter Bill and Margaret's home. It speaks to me saying, "Come in. Let me comfort you and rock you like a cool breeze from the ocean." I love it to pieces.

Her wire sculptures are fantastic. These small rocking chairs just remind me of my grandparents. A perfect pair who again were married for 67 years. 

Maysey's bridges tug at my heartstrings too. Many of the bridges that connect shore to shore over the Mississippi are rusted out and impassable. She uses embroidery here to soften this rustic bridge and stitched it on reclaimed flour bags. Her work reminds me again of Francie, who taught me how to sew and do needlepoint. This piece was in the show I saw in person. I remember other bridges called the Three Sisters and old hoop skirts hanging from the ceiling that cast shadows on the walls. They sing of strong southern ladies. 

I happened to be in Memphis during my birthday. My aunt Susan and cousin Lucy surprised me with a cake the day before. It was such a treat to be with so many people I love and to celebrate the end of Francie's life, and one more year for me. 

Thank you Craddock family for being so good to our beloved Frances. She loved you all like her own. Thank you for the amazing hospitality in a time when all we really needed was to laugh and hear stories. Susan and Luce, thanks so much for the cake. It was fantastic. I love you all with the deepest part of my soul. Hoping everyone had a great Valentine's Day. 

Celebration of the life of Mary Frances Keenan Averitt

My heart is heavy with sadness this week friends. My precious grandmother left us this past Sunday morning, February, 3, 2013. Super Bowl Sunday. Thankfully our Raven's won that night, making a very hard day have a silver lining. If you have been reading this blog for a while you know that Francie was a big part of my heart. We had the most wonderful visit in Memphis last May and she came to Stone Hill two times. I will cherish the videos I took of her for the rest of my days. She went back to the hospital last Thursday and was gone before we knew it. She was just ready, didn't suffer and was with her beloved niece Harriet who happened to be visiting that week for a routine visit. God's divine hand was in every second of this past  week. 

I arrived on Tuesday afternoon to help Harriet wrap up the details of Francie's apartment.  Harriet and my Daddy are like brother and sister. They grew up one block from each other in Memphis. Francie and Harriet's mother were sisters.  Even though we are cousins, I feel like we are more like aunt and niece. We laughed and cried, but laughed more than cried for sure. I insisted that we take pictures in her Go To Hell hats and set the camera self timer for this shot. It was just Dad, Harriet and me for dinner and we seriously had the best time. I can't recall a time ever where I had the pleasure of dining with my Dad and my godmother Harriet. We are always surrounded by so many family members. We laughed until we cried at dinner and I had to shush Daddy he got so loud. It was awesome. Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion...to quote Dolly Parton.

The service was held where Francie had been living the last three months where she could get more full time care. The chapel was the perfect location for the visitation and service. There was a comfort finding out it was Episcopalian and meeting the woman priest made me so happy. Knowing the service, the words going into something hard made it a touch more easy. Dad asked me to read Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 which I did miraculously after taking a huge deep breath. I lost it afterwards hearing our friend Bill Craddock read Psalm 23. 

The preacher was from Second Pres. and did a great job explaining that Frances is rejoicing in heaven. She taught me how to pray and was truly the most positive, light filled person you have ever met and he put an exclamation point on that fact. We sang Holy, Holy, Holy and Abide With Me. 

When we were at the cemetery I couldn't pay attention to a word that was being said. I just stared at this gorgeous tree the whole time thanking God that Francie and Granddaddy are partying it up with Jesus.

My grandparents were married for 67 years!

 

I loved getting to visit with Susan, Lucy, Will, Alex, Harriet and meeting so many of Francie and Granddaddy's friends I had heard about for years. Family really are the best part of funerals, plus the motorcycle cops leading to the cemetery. Mom wasn't able to make it but her brother's and many of my Tayloe cousins were also able to come. I had a great visit with Chip and Louise and stayed with them again. The Craddock's had a very small gathering for just family that evening for dinner that I'll post about separately. It was the best part of the week.

Dad telling stories with Will and Alex. 

Mac, Harriet, Dad and me at Memorial Park.

I got home safely on Thursday and it hit me that I can't just pick up the phone and speak to Francie anymore. Eric took me to Gertrude's for my surprise vegetarian birthday dinner and I cried remembering how much fun we had with her at the restaurant during the 2010 Thanksgiving weekend. I am so happy she didn't suffer, but I'm still sad. 

She is truly in every corner of my heart and our home. We have pot holders that were knit by her, quilts and blankets stitched with love, paintings and hand sewn embroidery hang on our walls. Plus every memory of trips to Disney, Destin and the lake. It just feels like the end of an era with her gone and I'm going to miss her like crazy.  

Harriet and Daddy, thank you for all you did this past week. Your plans made it easy for all of us to come together to mourn, laugh and visit in the short time we had together. For all who weren't able to join us, know you were missed and with us in spirit.

MARY FRANCES KEENAN AVERITT

Published: Commercial Appeal, The (Memphis, TN), February 5, 2013MARY FRANCES KEENAN AVERITT, 94, lifelong resident of Memphis, died early Sunday morning after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard Douglas Averitt, Jr., after 67 years of marriage. Frances was the youngest daughter of John and Bertha McWilliams Keenan. She attended Cummings Elementary School, Bellevue Junior High and Central High School. After attending Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia, she married her childhood sweetheart and began a long and useful life as a homemaker, volunteer, and businesswoman. Mrs. Averitt was an active member at Second Presbyterian Church, where she was president of the Women of the Church, member of Martha and Mary Circle, a member of the choir, and circle devotional leader. Her PEO Chapter B was an important part of her life, as was her King's Daughters Circle. Mrs. Averitt was a member of Les Passees and served as chairwoman of the Cabaret in the early 1960's. After rearing her two sons, Mrs. Averitt started and ran Forty Carrots when Overton Square first opened. Upon retirement, Destin, Florida became a regular destination and the Averitt's cottage, "Averitt's Favorite", became a favorite gathering place for friends and family, thanks to Frances and Doug's generous hospitality. The Averitts resided at Town Village for several years and more recently Frances lived at Trezevant Terrace. Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her youngest son, John Warren Averitt, and her sisters, Rosalie Keenan Watkins and Bertha Warren Keenan. She is survived by her son, Richard Douglas Averitt III, of Kalamazoo, MI; daughter-in-law, Susan Lange of New York City; grandchildren, Nelle and Eric Somerville, Mac and Elise Averitt and their son, Andrew McWilliams, and Lucy Averitt Lange; niece, Harriet Watkins Porter and her husband, Alex; great-nephews and their children, Christopher and Renee Porter, Will and Rosemary Porter, and Sam and Stephanie Porter. Having no family in Memphis, Frances was surrounded by a host of loving friends who became her family in every way. Frances was recently devoted to Lilly Rogers, her friend and helper in the past few months. Funeral services will be held at the chapel at Trezevant Manor on Highland at Waynoka, at 2 p.m., February 6, with a visitation at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel, and interment in Memorial Park immediately following. The Reverend Robin Hatzenbueler will officiate.Family Funeral Care (901)761-8000--------------

Copyright (c) 2013 The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN