- toast of music city
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
As you may or may not know, Carrie England and Kristina Eckert of CKE interior design were recently voted one of the top three interior designers of Nashville, TN, courtesy of the Toast to Music City. Carrie, Kristina, and I attended the Toast Awards on Thursday, July 22, along with many other nominees ranging from best plumber to best salon. The voting was open to the public during May and June. The girls ended the night by walking away with the first place honor of Nashville’s best interior designers, and we could not be more thrilled. If this is brand new information to you, here’s a quick re-cap. The nominees for the night’s Interior Design category were as follows: Redo Home and Design, Anderson Design Studio, and yours truly CKE Interior Design. Now, no one’s counting, but this is CKE’s second win in a row. Congratulations to all nominees and winners!
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Friday, July 23rd, 2010
For the second year in a row, cke interior design won best interior decorator in nashville. thank you for your support! it is an honor!
Tags: decorator, design, interior, nashville, tennessee
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Friday, July 9th, 2010
Hello everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as the new intern at cke interior design in Nashville, TN. My name is Kate, and I will begin my senior year this fall at O’more college of design, where Kristina and Carrie themselves attended. I am so excited to be a part of the cke interior design team. Kristina and Carrie are both young, trendy girls who are running their own business and a successful one at that. I like to think I’m learning from the best. Now, for those of you interested in the growing sustainable effort, you really must read on. The girls recently redesigned “Tayst,” one of Nashville’s popular restaurants. You can design sustainably yourself by practicing some of the directions Kristina and Carrie took for this project.
1. Paint: Kristina and Carrie started by painting with a 0 VOC (volatile organic compound) paint. They specifically used Mythic paint (mythicpaint.com), which is non-toxic with an ultra low odor without sacrificing quality coverage. The reduced toxins in zero-VOC products benefit everyone, including those of us who suffer from allergies, and can reduce our impact on landfill, groundwater, and ozone depleting contaminants. If you would like to take it one step further, choose a lighter paint color rather than a heavy, dark one. The interior of Tayst was painted a light cream in order to reduce the absorption of heat and therefore lower energy costs!
2. Natural fibers: Natural fiber shades were the window treatments chosen for the restaurant. Eco-friendly material choices use the environment’s natural and renewable resources and are, once again, non-toxic. The natural fibers can also create healthy humidity levels within the interior. Help yourself, help the environment.
3. Local art: Sustainability does not limit your designing to the realms of materials and finishes. Think about where and how you buy. The girls at cke interior design purchased art from a local artist, rather than using resources which would require freight transportation. The less transportation involved the better.
4. Light bulbs: Okay, something everyone can do. I think I can say confidently that everyone uses these. So let’s shed some light on the subject (I couldn’t resist…). Pharox bulbs were used throughout, which are led based and recyclable due to their omission of toxic mercury. 90% fewer emissions are the result on an annual basis in comparison to the incandescent.
5. Reclaim it! The designers at cke purchased a beautiful and unique bench made of reclaimed wood (wood taken for re-use). This bench is crafted from the wood of a tree fallen during a tsunami.
6. Plants: Wheat grass fills the window boxes at the entrance to Tayst. Plain and simple, the plant absorbs those toxins we’ve been talking about, therefore reducing poor air quality.
Tags: design, interior, nashville, sustainable, tn
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Saturday, June 26th, 2010
the designers at cke interior design in nashville, tn recently completed the renovation of Tayst Restaurant. Stay tuned for pictures of the renovation and information on how cke interior design helped nashville’s only certified green restaurant complete a green interior design makeover.
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Friday, May 7th, 2010
many families need furniture to rebuild
To all of our friends and family. One of our clients has lost the entire first floor of his home due to the floods in Nashville. He recognizes that he is not the only one. He is collecting furniture for families that have lost all of theirs. If you have anything that you can donate, please contact us. We can provide pickup. Thank you everyone for your support. info@ckeinteriordesign.com
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Monday, March 29th, 2010
“NASHVILLE
I just spent a few months living and working in Nashville, Tennessee which was an incredible experience. As I’m apt to do, I researched, ate, drank, tried, and asked my way around the city ‘til I found the best spots it has to offer. Never have I met such warm people, heard such good music, eaten so much fried chicken…I could go on and on. This week’s letter will cover the music/food and next week’s will cover the rest. It’s pretty easy to get to if you live in the good ol’ US of A as it’s kind of smack dab in the middle (well, not really, but almost) and is so worth a trip. It’s pretty damn great.
Love,
— Gwyneth Paltrow
Music Venues:
Ryman Auditorium
116 Fifth Avenue
+615 889 8700
www.ryman.com
The Ryman was founded as a church in 1892 which explains the stained glass windows and church pew seating. In the mid-twentieth century it came to house the legendary Johnny Cash television show and the weekly Grand Ole Opry concert and radio show which was broadcast on WSM-AM. The Opry, and the radio show have since moved house but the Ryman remains a must-experience concert venue for its spectacular acoustics. The Opry makes occasional returns to the Ryman, which is what I was lucky to catch back in January of this year. Definitely try to get tickets to a show there and skip the daytime museum tour, you can kill two birds with one stone and check out the display cases while you’re at the concert.
Grand Ole Opry
2804 Opryland Drive
+615 871 OPRY
www.opry.com
Each week the Grand Ole Opry takes place as a showcase of the best country, bluegrass, and folk bands in the country. The night I caught it on a visit back to the Ryman, I saw the amazing Emmylou Harris, Carrie Underwood, and Vince Gill, just so you have an idea of the kind of all-star casts the Opry always hosts. The entire show is broadcast live every Saturday on WSM-AM at 7pm and is the longest running radio show in history. People say the Opry is touristy, and this is true, but it is at the same time absolutely authentic and the quality of the concerts is truly remarkable.
Station Inn
402 12th Avenue South
+615 255 3307
www.stationinn.com
Located in the up-and-coming Gulch neighborhood, the Station Inn is a vestige of another time. Don’t be fooled by the bare-bones exterior, this is the best venue for bluegrass. Period. They don’t take reservations and it’s first come, first serve and doors open at 7 pm so be sure to line up early. When it fills up, they stick a paper plate on the door that says “Sold Out.” One of the nights I went, I saw Jim Lauderdale, one of the best and most well-respected local singer/songwriters, and his band play some rockin’ bluegrass. I went with a bunch of musicians that night and they were truly blown away by the music. The Time Jumpers, who play there on most Monday nights, are also truly worth catching if you get a chance.
Ernest Tubb Record Shop
417 Broadway, Nashville
+615 255 7503
www.etrecordshop.com
The Ernest Tubb Record Shop, with its vast array of blue-grass and classic country music, also hosts a live WSM-AM radio show each Saturday night – a Midnight Jamboree – at its other location at 2416 Music Drive, Suite 110.
Robert’s Western World
416B Broadway
+615 244 9552
www.robertswesternworld.com
Our favorite place for honkytonk dancing, this low-key bar has live music every night bringing couples young and old out to showcase their skills on the dance floor. It’s a great place to go on weeknights since it gets rowdier since on the weekend as it is located right on the main strip. You can also buy cowboy boots here; one of the walls is lined in shelves full of pairs in every shape and size imaginable.
The Loveless Café
8400 Highway 100
+615 646-9700
www.lovelessbarn.com
www.lovelesscafe.com
Another institution, the Loveless has been around since the 1950’s when it began as a motel. Refurbished and expanded in 2004, it is now a restaurant and another WSM-AM radioshow venue. On Wednesday nights, the Loveless Barn lights up with a concert of country and bluegrass big-names, “Music City Roots: Live From The Loveless Cafe.” I went there and had dinner – their food is delicious, a traditional southern heart attack – and stayed for the show.
The Family Wash
2038 Greenwood Avenue
+615 226 6070
www.familywash.com
This bar is as cozy and intimate as could be; it has a worn-in, comfortable feel to it. There is a low stage in the back for all the musicians that come through playing bluegrass, country and rock. The Vegetarian Shepherd’s pie is spectacular, made of layers of perfectly seasoned lentils, mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese.
The Hutton Hotel
1808 West End Avenue
+615 340 9333
www.huttonhotel.com
I stayed at the Hutton Hotel for 3 weeks and truly enjoyed the whole experience. A new hotel, it is very clean and exceptionally kempt. Plus, it has an eco-friendly bent, which means no bathtubs in order to conserve water, LED lighting, and a hybrid courtesy vehicle when in need. If you’re staying for an extended period, and need a night in, the dining room is nice for a bite and a cocktail.
The Quest for the Best Fried Chicken:
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
123 Ewing Dr
+615 226 9442
It’s a long wait for and a long drive to the fried chicken here and for good reason. It comes in 4 levels of hotness starting at mild and going to extra-hot and they mean business. One of our team suffered the consequences for the entire evening after. The shack, and yes, it’s a shack, is open late but be prepared to wait up to forty-five minutes for an order since they are made fresh and come straight from the teeny kitchen in the back, so call and make your order in advance.
Swett’s
2725 Clifton Ave
+615 329 4418
www.swettsrestaurant.com
Tim McGraw’s recommendation, Swett’s serves Meat & Three – your choice of meat plus three sides that could be collard greens, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, apple or peach pie and more. The fried chicken here is superb… crunchy and not oily on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Arnold’s Country Kitchen
605 8th Avenue South
+615 256 4455
Arnold’s is only open on weekdays but we heard so much about the fried chicken and Meat & Three options here that we paid a visit and it was well worth it for an all-around authentic experience.
At The Table
907 12th Ave S
+615 242 0077
Another family run Meat & Three joint, the sides here are great, and even better than some of the other places’, but you’re better off eating fried chicken elsewhere.
Restaurants:
City House
1222 4th Avenue North
+615 736 5838
www.cityhousenashville.com
City House’s rustic Italian-meets-Southern food stands out from that of the rest of the Nashville restaurant scene – it’s a true foodie’s restaurant. I had phenomenal braised fennel with Montasio cheese pizza from their woodburning oven. You’ll also find brisket and fried catfish on the menu if you’re looking for a Southern fix, but for me, after all that fried chicken, it was a relief to get some ingeniously treated vegetables. Stop by the bar on your way in or out, the bartenders here know their stuff and will concoct any drink you may fancy.
Whiskey Kitchen
118 12th Avenue South
+615 254 3029
www.whiskeykitchen.com
This rowdy restaurant serves typical American fare. Get lots of plates to share; the sweet potato fries are delicious, the fried chicken sliders do the trick, the biscuits are the best I sampled in the city of Nashville, and the oysters on the half shell come with a shot of Bloody Mary. What more could you ask for? Just be sure to bring an alka-seltzer.
The Hermitage Hotel
Capitol Grille
231 Sixth Avenue North
+615 345 7116
www.thehermitagehotel.com
This is the swankiest hotel in town and drips in old world charm. The food here is pretty traditional but it’s fun just for the atmosphere. Be sure to check out the gorgeous art deco men’s bathroom that women are aloud to peek into.
Margot Café & Bar
1017 Woodland Street
+615 227 4668
www.margotcafe.com
A daily-changing menu of French and Italian dishes comes out of this husband and wife owned restaurant in East Nashville. Chef Margot emphasizes local and seasonal ingredients in her dishes.
Noshville
1918 Broadway
+615 329 6674
The crew from the movie I worked on kept raving about Noshville, a New York style deli in the middle of Nashville. I never made it there, but I hear it’s the place to be for brunch and the veggie burgers are supposed to be outstanding.
Bars:
The Patterson House
1711 Division St
+615 636 7724
www.thepattersonnashville.com
Here’s a real old-fashioned speakeasy — a part of the New York/LA throwback-to-prohibition bar trend, where getting into the bar requires some work and house rules dictate you must stay seated once in. It’s well worth it. The prim and proper mixologists, in their old-fashioned uniforms, will make miracles happen with the ingredients.
Markets and Artisans:
Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co.
www.oliveandsinclair.com
Scott Witherow started this chocolate factory in 2009 after 3 years of gathering machines, cacao beans and parts from all over the world in order to create his chocolate. The chocolate itself is some of the most flavorful we’ve ever experienced and the combinations are amazing. The day we were there, Scott was excited about a new variety he’d made with Dominican beans. It was really unusual and the cacao itself had a fruity taste. The cinnamon chili chocolate is the best interpretation we’ve tried of Mexican chocolate and beware of the espresso chocolate, delicious, but one piece is like a potent doppio espresso. Each wrapper’s design, is, like the chocolate inside, exquisite.
Drews Brews Coffee
+615 262 4099
Drew is the man behind the brews at the best coffee shops in Nashville. A quirky character and a true craftsman (he lives in an ex-motorcyle gang meeting place that he is rehabbing); he hand roasts his famous coffee beans and writes each label himself.
Turnip Truck
970 Woodland Street
+615 650 3600
www.theturniptruck.com
A one-stop shop for all your organic groceries. The staff of hipsters here are always friendly and happy to help.
Marché Artisan Foods
1000 Main Street
+615 262 1111
www.marcheartisanfoods.com
A sister to Margot restaurant, this café and deli serves and sells meat, poultry, fresh in-house baked bread, and lots of surprising European goodies. The seating area is spacious, airy and light-filled and looks like a great place to get some work done or enjoy coffee with your girlfriends.
Coffee:
Frothy Monkey Coffeehouse
2509 12th Ave South
+615 292 1808
www.frothymonkeynashville.com
Always bustling with students, freelancers and passersby, this cozy shop sprawls through a small house including a porch, which must be lovely in the summer.
Ugly Mugs Coffee and Tea
1886 Eastland Ave
+615 915 0675
www.uglymugsnashville.com
I got my Drews Brews coffee every morning from Ugly Mugs while in Nashville. The space itself is airy and expansive, perfect for a full day of freelancing or reading the Sunday paper sprawled on one of the couches.
Fido at Bongo Java
1812 21st Avenue South
+615 777 3436
www.bongojava.com
Bongo Java is another major hangout in Nashville. When we passed by on a rare sunny day in the winter, there was a crowd sitting at the tables on the front porch, happily chatting the afternoon away. Bongo Java, has Fido, a restaurant inside that serves a great brunch. I got their fabulous tofu veggie scramble on several mornings to arm me for a day on set.”
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Want to know how you can Go Green for 2010? cke interior design tells you how to start in Nashville Sixfifteen Magazine.
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Friday, February 19th, 2010
Most of us have been keeping up with the gold, the silver and the bronze medals of the Olympics. Well now the Olympics has gone green as well and cke interior design believes that this color is worth more than gold…or platinum depending on your fancy. Vancouver’s 2010 athlete village is the second neighborhood to receive LEED platinum status, and it is well deserved. The designers for the village were smart enough to cycle rainwater to the toilets. They are even heating the village with sewage! Very impressive that they found a use for that! Solar power provides energy and solar water heaters heat showers. For more information, go to the challenge series.
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Friday, January 15th, 2010
We’ve all been hearing about so many different efforts to send support to the earthquake victims in Haiti. cke interior design wanted to thank everybody out there doing what they can, from the doctors traveling to Haiti to the individuals, companies and countries donating money.
A lot of us have been wondering how we can help, especially those of us with limited funds. cke interior design wants to bring your attention to one company because we feel that they set a fine example. Heath Ceramics http://www.heathceramics.com/go/heath/ is donating 25% of their sales to architecture for humanity’s relief efforts until January 17th. So if you are in need of some tile here’s a great way to help. Heath Ceramics also sells linens, flatware, glassware, cooking and serving ware, candles, books, bags, and food storage.
There are many other creative ways to help as well. Architecture for Humanity is looking for design help. cke interior design has donated 9 hours a week for 6 months.
We all have something that we can donate to the cause. Let’s all dig deep to find what we can do.
Thanks again and we wish the Haitians the best possible outcome for this tragic disaster.
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Friday, January 8th, 2010
see a nashville renovation by cke interior design at raenovate.com
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