Real People Real Kitchens: Atlanta
Categories: Kitchen
"The dinners are a nice break from the hurried world. Catching up with friends on Wednesdays actually reignites my energy," says one potlucker. Photo: Mali Azima for AOL
Paula Joerling is an illustrator and designer. Her handy-ness shows up more in the way of crafting than it does in renovating, but she'll gladly make the effort when needed. Paula's art appears on calendars, mugs and probably lots of other things we buy and live with. She's been a vegetarian for 27 years and she likes pretty aprons.
Paula and Tom have always enjoyed at-home casual entertaining. They were specifically introduced to the potluck concept three years ago when their friends, Danielle and Raoul, who have since relocated to L.A., invited them over to one of their Wednesday night gatherings. Danielle and Raoul, consummate party throwers, started their tradition in memory and honor of a close friend. In his passing, Danielle says, "It reminded us what matters in life – just being together and breaking bread."
And so the two potluck virgins knew they were onto something good and the rewards of the gatherings were clear. There are the obvious benefits of taste-testing, but beyond that, potluck feeds the soul. It's not just about warming up dishes. It's about spreading warmth, friendship and humor. Potluck connects people. It's about cooking, not out of duty, but out of the desire to share. It's about committing to get your day work done so you can get out of the house or office and physically be with people. It's pretty darn inspirational!
Now Paula and Tom are in the groove. And while the basic players have stayed the same, some have moved, some members are just too busy or kids get sick, and so new friends have entered the 'club.' Their handmade kitchen is integrated into rest of the living space, and is all filled with art and old things collected at different places over time. Tom and Paula's loft provides a special environment from which to host potluck.
Got Potluck?
Paula's the pretty one on the right, with the sassy smile. She and Tom are the potluck hosts. Potluck is always on a Wednesday and it starts around 7:30pm so people have time to leave work, pick up their dish and get over to the party. It used to be a weekly event, but now it's about every other. As for the "throne" upon which the hosts sit, the wire cemetery bench once belonged to Paula's grandparents. It was on the front porch and Paula would lay and read books on it all summer long. Then they disappeared. Twenty years later, when she reunited with an old neighbor, Paula saw the exact bench in her friend's driveway. "It's all yours if you want it," said the neighbor.
Mali Azima for AOL
In 1992 Paula and Tom rented studio space in this commercial loft in the historic Farlie-Poplar district of Atlanta. In 1996, they took over additional space and started creating a home. A real kitchen was priority. They did the job rather quickly. "We put the sink where the plumbing already was and threw in basic cabinets from The Home Depot. We put the word out that we needed appliances and ended up getting everything at a bargain." The kitchen, open to the rest of the living space, is conducive to successful potlucking.
Mali Azima for AOL
Tom built the island from an old carpenter's cabinet. It offers prep space, storage, and display opportunities. Since Paula and Tom are both quite tall, Tom made it taller than the standard counter. As for the role of the island in the potluck ceremony – why, it's front and center, the stage for all the contributions. Paula says, "The food goes on it and we congregate."
Mali Azima for AOL
One day at the antique mall, a farmhouse painting in the paint-by-number style (left) caught Paula's eye. It was $40. Paula's junking conscience was fueled. "I don't really need it," she recalls thinking. A year later, Tom was at the old Lakewood Antique Show and found the little red farmhouse painting (right). It was only a buck. He brought it home. Seeing the cute little painting, made Paula think about the big one again. She suggested they scoot by the antique mall and take a gander. The red farmhouse painting was still there and it was marked down to $10. She still didn't need it, but she wanted it and the price was right. And now these two amateur artworks hang together happily ever after in the good company of an angel by Indiana artist Kevin Titzer.
Mali Azima for AOL
The screen door (at left) is like the front door of their home, separating the studio space from the living quarters. it also lends a nostalgic country kitchen feel and allows for cross ventilation through the entire 4,000 sq. ft space. Paula and Tom used heavy duty grade screening because otherwise the cat would scratch right through it.
Mali Azima for AOL
The Potluck is announced and confirmed via email and everyone communicates what they're bringing. "It's pretty loose," says Paula, "occasionally there is overlap but nobody cares."
Mali Azima for AOL
Paula bought this cabinet at the Lakewood Antique Show. Paula got the idea to put most of her serving dishes here after touring the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Even though the cupboard at the Biltmore was more grand and the dishes a bit fancier, the general idea -- to keep like things together -- was there. As it pertains to potlucking, "People can just go to the cabinet and help themselves." The white church on top is an old handmade donation box.
Mali Azima for AOL
As Nick Boxer treats his Caprese salad to a fine dressing made from aged balsamic, basil oil and a nice finishing salt, he and Jon Baime, both producers, catch up. Jon Baime brought hashed browns in a crock pot. It was his sister in law's recipe. About these dinners, Jon says, "The dinners are a nice break from the hurried world. Catching up with friends on Wednesdays actually reignites my energy."
Mali Azima for AOL
Renee Daniel came with Nick. He's the cook in the family.
Mali Azima for AOL
An old firehose cabinet hangs above the old stove. Paula has relegated "all that little stuff you don't know what to do with but you can't throw away" in there. Most dear to her, are the three tea cups that belonged to her grandmother. Her grandfather traveled a lot and would bring tea cups home to his wife as a souvenir.
Mali Azima for AOL


Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Julie Hopkins 10-07-2009 @ 11:06AM
What a great concept. Beautiful photos.
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JackRNX 10-10-2009 @ 2:07PM
Who Cares?
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CR 10-10-2009 @ 4:18PM
I'm with you. who cares? And there is nothing special about what they do or how they do it. The news is desperate for something newsworthy...pathetic really is all I can say about this story...
DA 1 10-10-2009 @ 2:58PM
HOW THE HELL IS THIS NEWS WORTHY... next thing you know it's gonna be about a 13 year old "j" walking
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Di 10-11-2009 @ 10:06AM
Many of you who commented are idiots; why do you care to comment if neighborhood residents want to get to know each other? I think it looks like a great community gathering. This is the way to expand your horizons and not be a negative and ignorant influence whereever you may live....you tiny minded freaks!!!
Limoman 10-10-2009 @ 2:58PM
LOL... Yhis is how White Suburubia Lives People!
Good For Them!
My Folks used to have Summer Bar-B-Q's and everyone brought their Own to Cook Plus Badmitton, Jarts and HorseShoes..
Remember those?
Ahh. The Good Ol Days.In the Suburbs!
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Nancy 10-10-2009 @ 3:14PM
If you don't have anything nice to say just stay out of the comments! It's good tips for those of us who live happy lives and have friends and like to do things like they do!! WE CAN TELL YOU'RE BITTER, HAVE NO FRIENDS AND IS SAD!!!thats why you say mean things............LOSER!!!!
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Cyndy 10-10-2009 @ 3:18PM
I liked this...nice to see people having quality time and appreciate their friends and good food....a lot of people on the planet would give anything to enjoy what we take for granted.
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leepinlizzy 10-10-2009 @ 3:23PM
I think it is great. Any get together with friends is great if you can do it. Also by them being posted on here for us to see and read about is a good for giving others ideas---- don't you think?
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NikonF2-AS 10-10-2009 @ 4:01PM
leepinlizzy, you're right.... who's time is it to collect the house and apt. keys...
leepinlizzy 10-10-2009 @ 3:26PM
I think it is great. Any get together with friends is great if you can do it. Also by them being posted on here for us to see and read about is good for giving other ideas----don't you think?
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shirley 10-10-2009 @ 3:44PM
Says they rent. They spend a lot of money on remodel for rental. Did they buy it in the end. Think this is nice, but you mention family. no kids??? any of them???
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BeckyW 10-10-2009 @ 6:42PM
This might be impressive if Tom and Paula were 20-something college students. I can appreciate a 'Real People' alternative to all the Designer fare, but, well.........when identical paint-by-numbers art is the pièce de résistance.? I don't want to criticize these nice people, but I was expecting more 'pop' than that.
However, the Caprese Salad looked divine. :-)
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Margaret Hardin 10-10-2009 @ 7:41PM
What's so new about pot-luck? And it's not just a white suburban kind of thing. I have been going to "Bob and John's Sunday Night Supper" for years. The hosts and most of us guests live inner-city. There are usually twenty to forty people gathering for great food and great conversation. Those who don't like to cook or don't have the time to cook, do the clean up.
So what is the big deal about this story. Seems like the featured couple are a bit behind trends if they so recently discovered the joys of pot-luck.
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Christine 10-10-2009 @ 7:02PM
Then why are you reading the article and taking the time to post?? Take your negativity soewhere else.
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sunshine&smiles 10-10-2009 @ 7:25PM
Oh!, I haven't been to or had a pot luck in years. They are so much fun and everyone is a special part of it, because all bring something yummy for the tummy, and the variety of dishes are usually a recipe that is new to me.
Hmmmm, nice inspiration.
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Leigh Chandler 10-10-2009 @ 7:52PM
Kudos to you Jane, I really enjoyed this story! First of all, unless the geography has changed since I lived in Atlanta ten years ago - this is not suburbia! It is a totally cool area with real pioneer spirited people moving there. With all of the artists, designers, producers - what have you - this is more like SoHo than any suburban neighborhood I have lived in. I would give anything to exchange my current cookie cutter suburban home with something like they have. I also think the whole story is great with the economy the way it is. We are on such a tight budget that I can't even remember the last time I ate out with friends, well ok, a few weeks ago but that was for Dim Sum and that is cheap. What a wonderful and economic way to meet with friends! I also think that the food looked absolutely divine! I would love to see another article sometime about Tom and Paula's artwork, I am always fascinated by creative people and I think this story is exactly what it was meant to portray - Real People Real Kitchens. There are a million blogs out there and magazines that have over the top kitchens that are unattainable for most of us - I like seeing the real thing, thank you!
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