Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2014 i Southern Lady

PS: Just in case you haven’t heard, we recently launched our new Southern Lady Gracious Living Club. Members are privy to all sorts of perks, so be sure to sign up today! See the opposite page for details. Dear Friends, There’s a definite chill in the air these days, and I think we can officially declare it “sweater weather.” I love to slip on my favorite cable-knit cardigan and take a walk through my neighborhood, admiring the changing leaves. Bright-orange pumpkins and pots of chrysanthemums line porch steps—October is such a cheerful month! Join the fun as we celebrate all things fall in this issue of Southern Lady. We get out and about for Two Days Away with a visit to the fabulous town of Asheville, North Carolina. Neil and…

WHAT A HOOT Intricate detail, rich fall colors, and gold accents make this gorgeous porcelain owl a wise addition to your décor. Winter Owl by Royal Crown Derby, $220; DeVine, devinecorp.net. SHAKE IT UP Add a touch of elegance to autumn entertaining with a beautifully crafted salt and pepper set that reflects nature’s little treasures. Acorn Salt & Pepper, $109; Michael Aram, michaelaram.com. PEACOCK PANACHE Dazzle guests with an exquisite serving bowl dressed in proud peacock plumage. Peacock Aqua Large Serving Bowl, $95; Vietri, vietri.com. DREAM MAKER A snazzy throw in bold jewel tones adds warmth and comfort to a sofa or a bed. James Alpaca Throw, $160; Asher Market, ashermarket.com. LEAVES OF CHANGE Turn over a new leaf with this stunning sculpted bowl with charming acorn details and mother-of-pearl…

THE INSPIRATION This plate in a neutral taupe color provides the perfect backdrop for all your fall entertaining—whether it is upscale or laid-back. Pont aux Choux by Gien dinner plate in Taupe, $50; Bromberg’s, brombergs.com. POSH DINING Evoke an autumn aura, create a romantic table setting with violet and taupe hues. An optical wineglass and patterned napkins accent the warm color palette of the dinnerware. Pair with basic black flatware, and let the elegant mood set the tone for the evening. Pont aux Choux by Gien salad/dessert plate in amethyst, $40, Romance by Garnier Thiebaut napkin, $22.50, Optical wineglass by Vietri in Amethyst, $22, Ellipse by BIA Cordon Bleu in Black flatware, $150 per place setting; Bromberg’s, brombergs.com. CRISP & CASUAL Use the transitional taupe dinner plate for daytime entertaining.…

THE SUNFLOWER IS A SASSY LITTLE THING, with its frilly cap of petals around a simple and sincere face. No wonder it’s the star of any fall display! This striking arrangement, anchored with a half dozen or so of these bright blooms, captures all the exuberance of a brilliant autumn day. Floral designer Carol B. Harris of Lillie’s in Birmingham, Alabama, chose a vintage sap bucket for a rustic yet charming container and created a giant bouquet with sunflowers, millet, zinnias, yarrow, solidago, PeeGee hydrangea, safflowers, and branches of beautyberry. Its vivid harvest hues and graceful design offer a beautiful and cheery welcome for any home’s entryway.…

This brilliant time of year is truly a treat for the eyes. Scarlet and gold, rust and red—all these vivid colors make the landscape come alive. Sunday afternoon drives are a wonderful way to soak up the sights of the season. I’ve discovered many interesting things about my part of our beloved region by turning off the main highways and winding through the countryside. Pumpkins lined up on front porches, bright yellow sunflowers waving in the breeze, bales of sweet hay ready to store for winter fodder—every turn brings delightful surprises, along with a renewed appreciation for this amazing place we are blessed to call home.…

PEANUT SOUP WITH SIPPETS MAKES 10 TO 12 SERVINGS ¼ cup butter 2½ cups finely chopped yellow onion 1½ cups finely chopped celery 1 tablespoon minced garlic 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 quarts chicken broth 2½ cups creamy peanut butter ½ cup heavy whipping cream ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper Sippets (recipe follows) Garnish: chopped roasted salted peanuts, cooked crumbled bacon 1. In a large Dutch oven, heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add onion, celery, and garlic; cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Add flour; cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually add chicken broth, stirring until well combined. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool for 10 minutes.…

Asheville is the kind of place people love to claim. Leaf peepers, foodies, and art fans alike will tell you this is their ideal getaway. Never fear, there’s plenty of town to go around. Previously a primitive outpost for frontiersmen, Asheville was truly discovered with the invention of the railroad. Around the 1880s, the seasonal population soared with visitors seeking the therapeutic powers of mountaintop resorts. In 1888, George Vanderbilt visited the area and became enamored. A year later, he broke ground on the Biltmore House & Gardens. In the century since, Asheville has grown and evolved, attracting a who’s who of movers and shakers ranging from award-winning chefs and brewmasters to artists and antiques mavens. Wander down Wall Street to dine at The Market Place, or pop into The…

FALL FLAVORS This installment of Recipe Box features an ingredient that has long been a Southern staple: peanut butter. You’ll find savory and sweet recipe options, including the creamy, dreamy Peanut Butter Tart, which is topped with drizzled chocolate and chopped peanuts and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, While working with our friend Lucy Farmer of lucysinspired.com on a project, I was absolutely charmed by her fairytale-like abode, which her family dubbed Hansel & Gretel’s House. Nestled in the forest and surrounded by climbing ivy, this enchanted setting provided the ideal place for an autumn dinner party. We moved the elegant dining table and chairs outside to the cobblestone patio and designed a look inspired by the poetic, romantic, and magical elements of the season.…

Jim Gibbs grew up appreciating the beauty of lush, artistic flora and fauna, thanks to his two grandmothers and a greataunt, all avid gardeners. He then studied landscape architecture and horticulture and went on to found the renowned Gibbs Landscape Company. The company has received more than 250 awards, two of which were presented at White House receptions. In 1973, Jim studied with a Japanese master gardener in Japan and returned to Georgia determined to create a world-class public garden. Jim embarked on a 30-year quest, visiting gardens around the world to perfect his visionary garden designs. The resulting cathedral-like allees of sunset maples welcoming visitors to the gardens announce the grandeur of this spectacular natural haven. Gibbs Gardens Marketing Director Barbara Schneider says, “Jim wanted to create sweeping vistas…

Add another log to the fire, and settle in for a lovely outdoor meal with friends. Elements of Style Autumn holds such allure, with pictureperfect weather and a colorful swirl of fiery hues all across the landscape. Take advantage of this incredible season by enjoying a meal on the patio. Bring out a rustic table, and dress it up with velvet-upholstered dining chairs. A selection of glazed dinnerware in the Jars Tourron collection anchors the setting, and its rich, earthy hues pair beautifully with shiny black flatware, black horn napkin rings, and tortoise-shell-patterned glasses. Fall Finesse Seasonal-favorite pumpkins add autumnal accents to both the dinner table and the stone fireplace. Instead of traditional orange, use a mix of white, green, and blue varieties to coordinate with the dinnerware, and reiterate…

Set the Scene Draw a couple of chairs up to a weathered-to-perfection spool table for this impromptu get-together. Let Mother Nature handle the décor—a few gourds and pumpkins, along with baskets of mums and a scattering of pinecones, are all you need for a charming setting. "I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. —L.M. Montgomery"…

Ever since the Beach Boys cruised the coast in their cool madras shorts, we’ve been mad about plaid. The cheerful mix of colors adds a happy note to almost any décor. When the time came to design a window treatment for this little fellow’s room, his mom’s love of timeless décor dictated a classic approach—and his young age begged for a bit of whimsy. Enter the ladies of Pate-Meadows Designs. Leigh and Caterina came up with this fabulous valance that mixes patchwork madras fabric with pennants made from red linen and adorned with buttons covered in one of the madras patterns. The valance is trimmed with red piping, and the top folds over to form a cuff. To finish off the look, they used four Ripple medallions in bronze for…

Bench Warmers Visitors may never get past the porch when the space is this inviting! Mix a dozen or so plump pumpkins with several baskets of fall flowers in a display that weaves its way up the steps. Create a vignette on a small side table anchored by a grapevine wreath, and add a lightweight blanket and autumn-themed cushions to built-in benches. Seasonal Greeting Stage a friendly fall welcome at the front door with pots of mums and a medley of pumpkins both big and small. Year-round topiaries take on an autumnal look with the addition of bright-faced pansies planted at the bases. Finish the look with a seasonal wreath on the door. Sit a Spell It’s hard to resist rockers, especially ones made extra comfy with pillows and woven…

Rustic and Relaxed It’s not a far stretch to compare the views from Southern mountains with those from the hills of Tuscany, so a menu of Italian favorites works beautifully for this setting. A pretty plaid cloth echoes the shades of the autumn trees beyond, and distinctive dinnerware, like the Maker’s Mark Line from Sir/Madam, shown here, adds personality and polish. Hurricane vases in three sizes hold candles nestled in decorative moss, and together they form an eye-catching centerpiece. Menu Fall Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette Garlic Bread Fettuccine Alfredo with Roasted Acorn Squash Parmesan Chicken Tiramisù Pie FALL SALAD WITH RED WINE VINAIGRETTE MAKES 4 SERVINGS 1 head red leaf lettuce, washed, dried, and torn 1 head endive 2 cups shaved fennel 1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced Red…

What began as two neighbors finding inspiration in a garden has turned into a full-fledged monthly supper—and a cookbook. Veteran caterer Nancy Vienneau has always had great appreciation for eating locally. When she discovered an urban garden just a few steps from her home, the wheels began to turn. With the help of neighbor Gigi Gaskins, Nancy began hosting a potluck dinner every third Thursday of the month. “We thought it would be a great idea to bring people together and basically foster community,” Nancy says of the initial purpose of the potluck. “We wanted to eat good food, share good food, and basically expand the circles of people within our city.” After five years of meeting in homes, gardens, and backyards every third Thursday, the gathering took on a…

To purchase items featured in our articles, please refer to the information below. If an item is not listed, it is privately owned and not available for purchase. To contact the manufacturers and retail stores referenced below, see DIRECTORY OF COMPANIES. SINCERELY PAGE 9: Letterpress Correspondence; English Oak by the Arts & Crafts Press, artsandcraftspress.com. SEASONAL SETTINGS: AUTUMN ALFRESCO PAGES 25-31: Jars Tourron Dinner Plate in Jade, Rectangular Serving Dishes in Jade, Dessert Plates in Jade, and Pasta Bowl in Samoa; Bloomingdale’s. Herdmar Rocco-Black 5-piece Flatware; Pickard. Black Horn Napkin Rings by BeHome; Seibels. Washed Linen Napkins in Flax and Olivewood Salt Keeper/ Double; Williams-Sonoma. Lifetime Elements Goblets and Double Old Fashioned Glasses in Tortoise; Dillard’s. Villa Home Collection Grand Floral Multi 22” Pillow; Burke Décor. PUMPKINS & PORCHES PAGES…

A COZY AUTUMN EVENING AROUND THE FIRE is made even merrier with a nice big bowl of popcorn. Let’s face it—popcorn is fun. But who knew this delightfully salty treat in its unpopped state could also be refined? Stylist Tracey MacMillan Runnion created a unique—and decidedly doable—centerpiece that starts with pouring popcorn kernels into a large, shallow bowl. Next, fill glass bottles of varying heights with more kernels, and place them in a pleasing arrangement in the bowl. Mini terra-cotta pots act as “stoppers” atop the bottles, and a votive candle is nestled in each pot. To finish off this clever fall display, add a few fall pears and another terra-cotta pot of flowers.…