Thanks to Tami Hartmann of Moxley Carmichael for writing this guest post for the Blue Streak — Cynthia Moxley.
Do you have a stairway from your closet to an out-of-season storage room? How about a stage built into the children’s playroom all ready for that special show? Or a chandelier in the wine cellar made from select vintage bottles?
The Knoxville Symphony League Show House never fails to impress, and this year it’s bigger than ever. This elegant painted brick home is nearly 11,000 square feet with 26 rooms and 7 ½ baths on three levels. It includes two kitchens, a media room, a wine cellar, a fitness room, and two entertainment rooms. Just walking around it fulfills your daily exercise requirement.
The Blue Streak got a sneak peak during the annual Preview Party. Now in its 26th year, the Show House is one of the Knoxville Symphony League‘s largest fundraisers and a favorite for those who love decorating ideas. Since the proceeds benefit the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra‘s education and outreach programs, it was fitting that music from a talented KSO string quartet helped set the festive mood. Actually, musicians play daily during the Show House event for guests’ enjoyment.
It was a beautiful evening for the Preview Party. Guests sat poolside and enjoyed tasty treats provided by Rex Bradford Jones, who also caters lunches at the Show House Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Symphony Cafe.
Homeowners Josh and Jessica Miller helped greet guests and offered details about the home. And several designers, including Linda Cox, Wolfgang Schaber, Diane Dalton, Debbie Oden, and Sally McFalls, were on site to show off their work.
Builder Ed Rodriguez mingled and talked about the challenge of building this house in just eight months, a project that typically would take twice that long! Tucked in the woods along scenic Rudder Lane, the eight-acre property is on a substantial hill, which would have bothered Ed had he not cut his builder’s teeth, so to speak, building homes on the hillsides of Gatlinburg. He said that the site prep took nearly two months alone. The pool area adjacent to the kitchen required a 24-foot retaining wall and 30 feet of gravel! But it was definitely worth the effort.
The house is open through Mother’s Day, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.; admission is $15; and it is definitely worth a visit. It is located at 1462 Rudder Lane; however, visitors are requested to park at nearby Rocky Hill Baptist Church and use the free shuttle to the Show House. You’ll find all the information at www.knoxvillesymphonyleague.org. Here are a few peeks to entice you.
Arriving guests were greeted by the string quartet playing in the dining room just off the foyer. The musicians playing were Ruth Bacon on violin; Rachel Loseke on violin; Jennifer Bloch on viola; and Ihsan Kartal on cello.
The designers from The Paris Apartment Boutique Cherie Williams, Melinda Hodge and Debbie Oden took on the job of designing one of the girls’ bedroom – and Jillian loves pink! Oden recently brought The Paris Apartment to Knoxville from Sweetwater.
Homeowner Josh Miller (left), a local neurosurgeon, discusses details of the house with Preview Party guests in the keeping room off the kitchen. The couple worked closely with Wolfgang Schaber on the design of this part of the house and it is warm and comfortable.
Peggy and Joe Wilson pose in the front parlor.
Homeowner Jessica Miller (center) gives two friends, Jessica Webb and Laura Rice, a tour pausing here in the master bedroom.
The unusual wine bottle chandelier in the wine cellar.
Old film reels decorate the wall of the media room.
I thought this was one of the girls’ rooms, but it is the sleepover room. Clever, great bunk beds.
Several of the designers worked closely with the homeowners, using some of their own accent pieces including this family photo.
One of the daughters designed this little computer room at the top of the stairs. She said she knows what girls want – pink phones and computers.
There were lots of mercury glass accents like these in the dining room.
Jessica Miller’s brother Justin Sterling on the left is a professional photographer and took the official photo of the Show House this year. He is on the pool deck with Carolyn and Terrell Burkhart and builder Ed Rodriguez, owner of Cornerstone Homes. Rodriguez also built the Burkharts' home.
All of the closets were sponsored by vendors, offering fresh fashions and accessories for sale. This is the “out-of-season” closet in the basement level off the exercise room. See the stairs that lead up to the master closet?
Here is Sterling’s photo of the Show House.
After visiting the house it was time for refreshments. Here is KSO Executive Director Rachel Ford and Terry Ford eyeing the appetizers.
Jane and Dwain Pesterfield and Bonnie and Archie Carpenter enjoy refreshments poolside.
Longtime Symphony League member Nancy Weigel rests for a minute with her husband Kreis in the Symphony Café.
Donie and Ed Green are enjoying the evening.
WBIR General Manager Jeff Lee and wife Christy join the festivities. WBIR is a long-time media sponsor of the event.
WBIR Marketing Director Kara McFarland with her friend, attorney Marianna Jablonski.
Bill Pugh with Symphony League President Jane Venable.
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Maestro Lucas Richman shows his appreciation to Show House Co-Chair Edie Volk.
Great job, Tami! Thanks so much for representing The Blue Streak at the opening of the Show House. My favorite idea: the sleepover room! Wish I had had one of those growing up. Our den was the sleepover room!
The Symphony Show House is always fun to look at even if you’re not planning to build, renovate, or redecorate. I agree the sleepover room is a great idea–and beats the sleeping bag on the floor.
Mox,
I wish I had a sleepover room now!
Tami,
Great job — I loved seeing it through your eyes.
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