Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2014 i Southern Lady

Dear Friends Just as when we were schoolgirls in jumpers and knee socks, we see the arrival of autumn as a time for new beginnings—new pencils, new books, and for us, new readers who become new friends! I love receiving your notes and e-mails with all the lovely comments and wonderful suggestions—I read every single one of them! Ande and I often talk about your fabulous ideas, and one of the most common requests we hear is for a plan that will give readers even more of the things they love in Southern Lady. We listened, and it is with great pleasure that I am announcing our Southern Lady Gracious Living Club. You will have three different levels to choose from, and we’ve tried to incorporate as many of your…

GO WITH THE GLOW These wood and metal French lanterns lend a romantic glow to outdoor settings. Louis Lanterns, $188.95 for set of 2; Soft Surroundings, softsurroundings.com COVER UP Add warmth to living spaces with a plush throw in a seasonal color and pattern. Woven Cotton Throw, $198 each; John Robshaw Textiles, johnrobshaw.com GET FIRED UP This striking handcrafted copper fire pit invites you to entertain alfresco throughout the autumn months. Black Stone Copper Fire Pit, $3,650; Jatex International Inc., jatexinternational.com HAVE A SEAT Handcrafted of rattan and woven plastic, this bistro chair with a modern spin brings European influence to your kitchen or patio. Riviera Armchair, $245; Serena & Lily, serenaandlily.com MORE TO LOVE Accent fall settings with a cool-hued ceramic stool that does double duty as a side…

THE INSPIRATION This stoneware plate, shaped and glazed by hand, bears a unique crackle finish and a rich, desirable hue. Cantine in Emerald by Jars, $119.95 for set of 4; Williams- Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com GOING GRAY Play it cool with a nearly monochromatic scheme where the inspiration plate lends interest and depth to a backdrop of steely and metallic accents. Introduce one modern element, like these mats, for a quick, glamorous update. Cantine Salad Plate in Grey by Jars, $107.95 for set of 4, Washed Linen Napkin in Charcoal, $49.95 for set of 4, and Valencia Short Tumblers, $59.95 for set of 6; Williams-Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com Gilt Place Mat in Silver by Chilewich, $7.99 each, Grand City Flatware by Fortessa, $34.95 for 5-piece place setting, and Silver Mesh Napkin Ring, $5; Sur…

IT’S HARD TO CONTAIN our excitement as cool mornings breeze in, signaling autumn’s approach and the beginning of a colorful show. We are greeted with a whole new spectrum in the florals of fall, and none is more welcome than the sunflower. Showcase this brilliant bloom with an arrangement that combines its pretty petals with those of kangaroo paw in similar hues. Paint a small wooden crate, allow to dry, and then sand lightly for a slightly timeworn finish. Place three Mason jars in the crate, fill with water to 2 inches below the rim, and add two or three mini sunflowers to each, filling in with stems of kangaroo paw.…

Though Southern ladies love to splash their monograms on everything from purses to pillows, these family-room draperies offer similarly beautiful details with one very distinct difference—they do not bear a true monogram. These pretty linen-colored curtains created by our friends at Pate-Meadows Designs (patemeadows.com) feature a “non-ogram,” a computer-generated graphic that mimics the flourishes of script letters. The design was then filled in with embroidery, and Caterina Meadows added black piping to match. But here’s another fun note: The fabric used to fashion this polished window treatment isn’t the silk or linen it appears to be. Caterina pulled one of her more clever tricks out of her hat and made the curtains with painters drop cloths, interlining them just as she would pricier fabrics to give them the same finished…

PACK YOUR BAGS, AND HEAD FOR THE HILLS TO EXPLORE THE SIGHTS AND DELIGHTS OF THE SCENIC HOMETOWN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS. T he winding roads that trace the rugged ridges of the Ozark Mountains offer breathtaking vistas, made even more spectacular come September when the forests burst into color. Tucked into the part of the Ozark plateau known as the Boston Mountains is the lovely burg of Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas. The town is the perfect melding of old and new, with the circa-1905 Washington County Court House standing shoulder to shoulder with modern buildings that etch the skyline. And just as it was in bygone days, the downtown square is the center of it all. There’s plenty to see and do here, whether you…

Harry Barker When former fashion model Carol Perkins was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1997, the subsequent surgery and recovery left her homebound for months. She found solace as a dog walker for clients in her New York City building, where the companionship of these furry friends proved to be the best medicine, as well as the inspiration for her howlingly successful company, Harry Barker Believing that “every dog deserves a proper bed,” this crafty Sarasota native dug into her personal fabric stash and started stitching bespoke bedding for her tail-wagging wards, complete with fancy trims. But she didn’t stop there. She also solved the age-old problem of drippy postbath pups by sewing beagle-size bathrobes, and she drew on her culinary skills to whip up gourmet dog treats. Word…

Boots & Lace Like many Southern gals, I practically live in my boots year-round, so when I found these lace-topped boot socks from Ida-clair, I kicked up my heels with delight. Don’t miss the story behind these cute accessories on page 17. SEASONAL ENTERTAINING, PAGE 69 Cool breezes beckon us to the porch to enjoy the sights and sounds of the changing season, so we developed a delicious meal for the occasion. The recipes feature Southern classics with a few gourmet twists—including the pecan pie on our cover, which is topped with cinnamon-scented whipped cream—and the setting is designed to showcase the best of casual elegance. RUNNING FREE, PAGE 93 For the first seven years of my life, horses were the focus of most of my drawings. My love for…

Across-the-street neighbors Samantha Bradshaw and Karen Snyder wanted to find a unique way to add a dash of feminine charm to the cowboy-boot look. They stumbled upon vintage crochet at a small antiques shop and decided to attach it to the tops of boot socks. “We cringed the first few times we cut apart these antiques,” Samantha says. “Then we realized these pieces may not find another home, so we were happy to repurpose them.” Their signature crochet-trimmed “Soxie Lous” were an instant success. To capture the vintage feel of their designs and the delight in their “accidental company,” they embraced the old Southern saying Well, I declare!—and Ida-clair was born. Realizing early on that hunting for antique treasure every weekend was time-consuming and costly, Samantha and Karen commissioned handmade…

Rich in Texture A hush seems to settle in come September as Mother Nature prepares her colorful crescendo, and opting for neutral mixand- match dinnerware seems a fitting way to welcome this transitional season. Made entirely by hand, these stoneware pieces from Terrafirma feature incredible designs created by painting through textiles and lace. Develop further textural interest with layered burlap and linen runners, as well as a centerpiece of wispy moss and various waxy succulents Layer by layer, bring depth to the table with an artful mix of patterns.…

STORAGE STATION Tuck your shoes and coats in locker-style bins that stay out of sight in this weathered-oak hall tree. Shutter Locker Storage, $549; Home Decorators Collection, homedecorators.com STOREHOUSE TREASURE Functional storage with charming details like an antiqued mirror, a hinged storage bench, and aged brass hooks make a great addition to your mudroom. Riyo, $1,797; Uttermost, uttermost.com CLEVER CACHE Keep wayward hats and mittens at hand with a metal hall tree featuring arched designs, baskets, and a cozy bench. Wildon Home Goldwood Entryway Hall Tree, $144; Wayfair, wayfair.com…

Recipe for Recess Little students are eager to run and play at the end of a long day of learning. To fuel their after-school activities, set up a welcome station on the porch. Tuck classic chocolate-chip cookies into an old-fashioned lunch box, and add a tall carafe of milk to wash them down. Use a tiny slate to jot a note, and pop a few stems of bright fall flowers into mini vases to finish this sweet scene. Serene Sipping Taking tea is even more enjoyable when savored amid seasonal accents. Fill a few wire baskets with pinecones, bring out pretty linens, and add a mirrored tray to hold your cup while you peruse a book of botanical prints featuring fall blooms. Who’s There? As the autumn winds begin to…

Having a full complement of all the latest gadgets doesn’t necessarily guarantee success in the kitchen. In fact, Marietta-based baker Johnnie Gabriel believes you can make the best Southern dishes with just basic tools—a rolling pin, a cutting board, a sharp knife, and a well-seasoned skillet. She proves that point deliciously with her latest book, How To Cook Like a Southerner. Like many Southern cooks, this south Georgia native’s culinary skills come with family ties. Johnnie counts Paula Deen among her cousins, and her first forays into the kitchen came as a child when she began baking cakes with her grandmother. She later turned those talents into a thriving business called Gabriel’s Desserts that she opened with her husband, Ed, in 1996. The bakery was an instant success. She soon…

SINCERELY PAGE 9: Note Card; RosanneBECK Collections. Ribbon; Hanah Silk. FROM THE EDITOR PAGE 11: Hair and Makeup; Celine C. Russell. Dress, Necklace, and Earrings; Mata Traders. Boot Socks; Ida-clair. Boots by Frye; Gus Mayer. SEASONAL SETTINGS: SHADES OF AUTUMN PAGES 23-26: Dinner Plates, Salad Plates, Dessert Plates, and Bowls; Terrafirma Ceramics, Inc. Danieli Flatware; World Market. Slate Tags, Horn Salt Dishes and Horn Owls; At Home Furnishings. Lyonnais Goblets and Wine Glasses by La Rochère; Amazon. Scalloped Capiz Place Mats; Pier 1 Imports. Cast Metal Decorative Bowl and Fishnet Woven Runner; West Elm. Rustic Luxe Linen Napkins; Pottery Barn. Special Location Thanks to Harris Doyle Homes. SEPTEMBER SPRUCE UP PAGES 51-56: Floral Design; Lillie Jane. Wall Basket, Iron Blue Bird and Vases, Tray pictured with coffee cup and spoon,…

A s a child growing up in Atlanta, Tamera Alexander developed an early appreciation for Southern history. Then when she was 9, her family spent a month traveling around Europe in a tiny VW Bug, with Tamera tucked into the “cubbyhole” in the back. Despite the close quarters, she has nothing but wonderful memories. “It was heaven!” she says. “We toured the castles along the Rhine, and I remember running my hand along the stone walls, wondering about the people who lived there—what their lives had been like.” That experience further cemented her budding love for history. Combine those leanings with her deep Christian faith, and it’s easy to trace her literary path to the best-sellers list—which started on a dare. About 10 years ago, Tamera and her husband, Joe,…

Extra Touch For a detailed list of materials used and additional help on this crafty place-card project, visit southernlady magazine.com/ mossplacecard. A PARTY IS SUCH A MARVELOUS THING, and so is making each person feel like the guest of honor. Welcome guests to the table with these charming signs that double as take-home souvenirs. To fashion this sweet memento, remove the easel backing and glass from a small rectangular frame. Lay the frame on the back side of a sheet of preserved moss, and trace the outside of the frame, using a marker. Mark cut lines so the moss can wrap the frame, and cut along those lines. Spray the marked side of the moss with spray adhesive, and allow to dry just until tacky. Apply the moss to the…

For many years, I hosted a needlework seminar in charming Colonial Williamsburg, the beautifully restored location of some of our country’s earliest and most important events. I looked forward to that workshop all year long for a number of reasons. It was so much fun meeting the attendees and participating in classes led by incredibly talented stitchers, but I especially loved being surrounded by all that history. When I found these commemorative plates by Wedgwood honoring this enchanting site, I just knew they would be perfect to display in my dining room. Made from a cream-colored ceramic called queensware, the plates feature 12 scenes from Colonial Williamsburg engraved from drawings by artist Samuel Chamberlain. Each time I look at them and see sketches of the Governor’s Palace, Bruton Parish Church,…

It wasn’t too long before Janice Magruder from Collierville found the bargain she was looking for – a Duncan Phyfe drop-leaf table for $325. “It’s definitely a bargain price on this piece…that’s why I try to make it down here every month or so…you never know what you’ll find.” New Albany, Mississippi (located just 70 miles southeast of Memphis on Hwy 78) is quickly becoming known as the go-to destination for antiques. Its picturesque downtown which rises up from the banks of the famed Tallahatchie River is home to no less than a dozen antique stores, a number of restaurants, clothing stores, galleries, and more. One of the things that I really enjoy about shopping here is that everything is so close together,” Magruder continues, “I can walk to a…

Long before the foundation was poured, the homeowner began combing her favorite shops and antiques dealers for the beautiful furnishings and befitting accessories that bring both warmth and a relaxed elegance to the home. Inspired by Spode’s Woodland china pattern, the décor and the color palette throughout honor the cottage’s rural location, where wildlife and nature abound. A walk in the surrounding woods yields the perfect dining-room centerpiece—pinecones piled in a pretty bowl—while leaf-themed linens and napkin rings underscore the natural setting. Ample window light keeps interiors warm and inviting even on chilly autumn days. From the snuggle-down bed in the master suite to the monogrammed wing chair beside the hearth to the personal touches in each room, this weekend place is every bit as polished and comfortable as the…

We love breakfast for dinner! Our french toast casserole recipe came to be after my husband brought home an extra loaf of raisin bread from the store. Now he “accidentally” overbuys it all the time. Menu Apple-Raisin-Stuff ed French Toast Casserole Apple-Spiced Bacon Cantaloupe Salad with Maple and Cinnamon Cheese and Herb Quiche Sunshine Sipper Almost eight years ago, our Southern Lady team fell in love with the honest, oh-so-Southern voice of a cooking blog called Southern Plate (southernplate.com). Christy Jordan, the north Alabama wife and mother behind the downhome recipes and equally delicious slice-of-life stories, came to feel like a friend we looked forward to “visiting” with each day. Turns out millions of others shared our adoration, and Christy has continued to capture hearts through her straightforward approach to…