by Carie McMichael | photos by Adam Grubb Media
A TOAST TO WILD AIR
Excited chatter, the clinking of glasses, and a wave of tempting aromas are all classic accompaniments to an elevated dinner party hosted by Gary McNutt of Wedgewood Building Company. Around the room of his picturesque Carmel home are some of Indiana’s premiere custom builders: the team from Gradison Design Build, G&G Custom Homes, and Old Town Design Group, all of whom are toasting to their hard work and shared vision alongside associates of Tisdel Distributing.
Wild Air, a stunning residential development in the making and site of BAGI’s 2026 Home-a-Rama showcase, set the scene and tone of the evening. Tisdel is a distributor of fine appliances with a long history of supporting builders like Wedgewood. Alongside Diana Daniely of Ferguson Home, Alex Cain, territory sales manager for Tisdel, hosted a VIP builder trip last March to the Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove factory in Madison, Wisconsin, in the interest of creating appliance packages and promoting a brand experience worthy of their vision for Wild Air.
“This dinner, a celebration of that partnership, is both personal and intentional,” says Cain. “Gary recently remodeled his own kitchen with Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances, making his home a fitting setting to gather the four fellow custom home builders of Wild Air in appreciation of their collaboration and shared commitment to excellence as part of Home-A-Rama 2026.”
Executive Artisanal Chef Brandie Lamb and her right-hand Jamie Thibert were centerstage executing Lamb’s refined but restoring menu—methodically arranging canapés, pulling ingredients from the spacious Sub-Zero refrigerator, and orchestrating pans over a Wolf 48-inch dual fuel range. These appliances are designed for hosting, giving both professionals like Lamb and home cooks the opportunity to bring people together over a shared meal.
The appliances complement the design. Their integration is seamless in coordinating with the home’s materials and finishes. The result is a kitchen that balances professional level performance with a sophisticated look and feel.
According to Cain, “entertaining is where performance becomes visible.” The beauty comes together when consistent cooking temperatures from Wolf ensure each course is executed as intended while Sub-Zero refrigeration keeps ingredients vibrant and fresh in the days leading up to the event. Even while guests linger at the table, Cove’s whisper-quiet operation allows dishwashing to happen seamlessly in the background.
Whether building or remodeling, designers should remember to lead with lifestyle, and how the reliability of those products will support it. McNutt himself said it best when he raised a glass to his colleagues Cain, Daniely, and Lamb: “This cannot happen without special people. We’re only as good as the weakest link in our vendor chain.”
The builders gathered around McNutt’s table continue to share that vision for the dwellings they’re creating together, and Tisdel Distributing sees nothing but potential for the future, in Wild Air and beyond. The appliances are more than just equipment; they are the quiet foundation for moments of connection, celebration, and everyday living.
