Going to my brother’s house in Chattanooga,
Tennessee, is like going to a restful mountain retreat. In fact, six years ago when my then-husband-to-be and I were thinking about where to get married, we considered Mark and Tammie’s house — although I don’t think we ever told them that. (So, Mark and Tammie, would it be OK if we laid claim your house for a weekend and invited 200 people over? Thanks!!!) Anyway, when they bought their house on the side of Lookout Mountain, the interiors were sort of dark and chopped up. Since then and after much hard work, they have let in the light and gone bright and airy by taking out walls, adding light-colored hardwood floors and sticking with minimalist decor. I especially love the kitchen, where they
took off the cabinet doors to offset the dark wood. Bonus: Everybody gets to see their collections of 
colorful vintage espresso cups, bowls, glasses and other dishes, although, as my brother pointed out, sometimes you have to wipe off your chosen dish before you use it if it’s been sitting on the shelf for a while. But that’s a small price to pay for fabulousness, don’t you think? Their bedroom continues the theme of calm and serene, with pale green walls and light-wood furniture. If you didn’t know this family but you walked into this house anyway, you’d know instantly that the folks who live here are creative and artistic and love being outdoors. And they are.
And speaking of creative, I kept telling my husband I was going to cover a “Cooking with Ginger” class for the TimesDaily — the newspaper I freelance for in Florence, Alabama — and he was bitterly disappointed to find out I was not making a Gilligan’s Island reference. But I did learn that ginger is an incredibly flavorful and versatile … herb? spice? … that will brighten up everything it’s added to. Younger Daughter has taken to putting some in the fresh juice she makes, and after this class I’m adding ginger along with the onion-garlic stir-fry duo to everything I get a saute pan out for. Read more and get some wonderful recipes at http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20100421/ARTICLES/4215001
Coffee with Cathy 
I don’t have anything nice enough to risk taking off my kitchen cupboard doors. I envy them.
Michele — Aw, do it anyway! You’d be surprised at how interesting dishes look when they’re on display.
NO WAY am I taking off my kitchen cabinet doors! However, I love their home.
I love their house – it’s beautiful, and looks very relaxing. Also, I think it’s great that your daughter is teaching by doing.
Doors are needed in my kitchen for hiding stuff in the cabinets when some one comes over. I need to make a trip to Chatt some time to see a very good friend that I haven’t seen lately. Hopefully her husband won’t get transferred soon.
Sherry — You would love it. I’m thinking “road trip!”
Kathy — Thank you so much for the sweet words.
Mary — Listen, everybody is so in awe of what the outside of your house looks like that I promise you nobody would think twice about what’s in your kitchen cabinets!