Real Estate

Every Great Builder Has a Beginning

Defatta Custom Homes Article by David DeFatta | Photography by Provided The story of DeFatta Custom Homes begins not with a showcase property or a grand opening, but with a quiet conviction formed around a dining room table and carried forward with intention. DeFatta Custom Homes was founded in 2007 by Joe DeFatta and his son, David DeFatta, while David was still in college. What began as a family venture quickly became something deeper than a career path. It became a calling rooted in...

Home Services

Energy Resiliency and Powering What’s Next

Inside LightWave’s 20-Year Journey Empowering Energy Independence Article and Photography by Provided With our region still reeling from the ice of Winter Storm Fern, one company stands apart in delivering true resiliency solutions. This year, LightWave marks its 20th anniversary, a rare milestone in the distributed solar market and a testament to a business built on patience, integrity and long-term thinking. That mindset is designed into every home microgrid project, helping power hundreds...

Food + Beverage

Rooted in Goodness

The Family Values Behind Azure Standard Come to Spring Hill Article by Spencer Askew | Photography by Provided When David Stelzer talks about Azure Standard, he doesn’t start with numbers, growth charts, or business strategies. He starts with the soil. In the 1950s, his family farm in rural Oregon looked much like every other farm in America. They relied on chemical fertilizers, hoping to fight pests and boost yields. But over time, the soil weakened, and so did the family’s health. “Those...

Real Estate

Rooted Where It Matters

Chris Fumia on Community, Trust, and Defining Home in Middle Tennessee Article by Chris Fumia | Photography by Provided By the time Chris Fumia arrived in Middle Tennessee, he did not feel like he was starting over. He felt like he was coming home. Long before real estate became his profession, Fumia’s life was shaped by the rhythms of family, tradition, and connection. Growing up in California he was surrounded by constant conversation and a deeply ingrained sense of loyalty. Those early...

Home Services

The True Measure of Home Value

Inside Gray Fox Realty’s data driven approach to pricing homes in Thompson’s Station and Spring Hill Article by Bill Lurwick Every spring, just as dogwoods bloom and moving trucks begin to appear on neighborhood streets, one question quietly takes center stage for homeowners across Middle Tennessee: What is my home really worth? For Bill Lurwick of Gray Fox Realty, that question is not only familiar, but also foundational. February and March mark the moment when sellers shift from planning to...

Home + Design

The Top 7 Kitchen Design Trends Shaping Franklin Homes in 2026

Article by Bryan Sebring | Photography by Provided Franklin, where timeless architecture meets modern living, homeowners are rethinking how their kitchens look, feel, and function. No longer just a place to cook, today’s kitchens are social hubs, design statements, and sometimes even offices (because emails apparently need answering while water boils). As a design-build professional working closely with Franklin homeowners, I see trends evolve not just from glossy magazines, but from how...

Entertainment

From Spring Hill to the Opry Circle

Krystal King’s Honest Path Forward Article and Photography by Provided In an industry often polished to a fault, Krystal King stands out by leaning fully into who she is. Self-described as a “next-door redneck” with a gift for storytelling, King has built a career rooted in honesty, grit, and a sharp ear for the moments that feel real. From award-winning music videos to national radio and stages few artists ever reach, her journey reflects a careful balance of authenticity and intention...

Entertainment

Putting the Music in Music City

Crafting Stories Through Songs During Tennessee Songwriters Week Article by Maria Dinoia | Photography by Courtesy of The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Tennessee Songwriters Week is a statewide celebration of the storytellers behind the music, spotlighting the voices, lyrics, and creativity that define Tennessee’s rich musical legacy. The event offers songwriters of all genres the opportunity to perform original work in live showcases across the state, from intimate listening...

Fitness

Where Stories Are Poured

Frankie's Barrel Room Bar Article by Athena West | Photography by Provided Tucked just beyond the lively rhythm of Frankie's Pizza and Grill is a place where craftsmanship, memory, and a little Nashville magic come together over a perfectly balanced cocktail. Known as the Barrel Room Bar, this warm, mural-lined retreat has quietly become one of the town’s most beloved gathering spots, and for owner Tanya Prifitera, it is deeply personal. “I decided to open the bar about five years ago and add...

Entertainment

Before Emoji's there were roses

How Floriography Turned Bouquets Into The Original Language Of Love Article by Karen Creason | Photography by Provided Did you know that before emojis, GIFs, or text messages, roses were quietly doing the same job? For centuries, roses were cryptic messengers, sending messages without a single word. Their color, number, and arrangement could express everything from love to friendship, admiration to gratitude. Think of them as the original emojis before phones existed. Floriography, the...