Indholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2022 i Southern Lady

When we built our home a while back, I knew from the start it needed to have one special feature: a large, welcoming porch. We are blessed with a beautiful view from our backyard, and when the weather is nice, I love to sip my morning coffee on the veranda and watch the day come alive. There’s nothing like it to make summer feel complete! On page 71, we share three pretty porches perfect for sitting a spell. From an expansive poolside terrace to a screened, sunlit beauty, they’re sure to motivate you to create an outdoor retreat all your own. Outdoor living stars in this issue, starting with our story on a talented trio of ladies known as the Plein Aire Cottage Artists on page 15. These enterprising painters…

Whether you’re on the waterfront or it’s a state of mind, sea-inspired accoutrements are always on point for this sultry season. Brush several terra-cotta pots in varying sizes with white chalk paint, then wipe the surfaces with a paper towel to achieve a whitewashed look. Gather an assortment of seashells—either foraged on beach strolls or purchased—and use hot glue to attach them around the rim of each pot. Finish by planting favorite summer flora, like maidenhair fern, red impatiens, and white million bells, then group the pots into a charming vignette.…

RESTFUL AFTERNOON A table layered with vivid greens and yellows, plus natural textures and lush flora, welcomes guests for a leisurely get-together on a sultry day. Top a softly patterned linen with bold dinner plates and flatware featuring a bamboo motif, complemented by place mats that evoke the art of caning. Graceful foliage highlights a set of salad plates; tiny blossoms peek from translucent napkin rings and dot pale green tumblers. A towering arrangement of palm fronds, Craspedia, chamomile, and more, their woven container nestled in a tumble of citrus, presides over the idyllic scene.…

TRADITIONS TO SAVOR Synonymous with South Carolina cuisine, a culinary extravaganza of seafood, sausage, and vegetables swimming in spices and fresh-squeezed lemon sparks lively fellowship throughout the South. Host friends for a classic Lowcountry shrimp boil, complemented by regionally inspired eats and sweets, on a patio ensconced in secret-garden charm. Surrounded by potted plants and twinkling café lights, a table covered in yellow-and-white gingham imparts panache without a hint of fuss. Artisan-made bowls—essential for the hands-on fare—crown ceramic plates bearing a mix of floral designs. Emphasize the color palette of the dishware with sapphire-blue glasses and hobnail tumblers, glimmering alongside bright-green taper candles. Much like the fluffy buttercream dolloped on pineapple-filled coconut cupcakes, white hydrangeas billow over the brims of three tabletop baskets. ‘Lemon Chiffon’ dahlias, golden zinnias, and various…

SEASIDE DREAMS When you think about an island escape, you might picture somewhere exotic and tropical, with coconut palms and vivid turquoise water. But some of the most breathtaking isles I’ve ever seen are right here in the South. The wild, pristine allure of Georgia’s Cumberland Island; the shell-encrusted shores of Sanibel Island in Florida; the salt marshes of South Carolina’s Kiawah Island—each of these and their coastal cousins feels unique, and each one is special. On page 53, we introduce you to a pair of Virginia gems: Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, known for their unspoiled nature and laid-back appeal. Besides being the perfect spot to get off the grid and unwind, Assateague is also famed for the herd of wild horses that roams freely, and catching a glimpse of…

The seeds of Nazia Rahman’s blossoming business, Exquisite Floral Cupcakes Bouquet, were sown gradually over a lifetime journey of world travels as she sought to put down roots. Now a happily married mother of two boys, she has found a community in Nolensville, Tennessee, and discovered another lasting love in an unexpected union of flowers and baking. She shares her passion with edible bouquets made of artfully frosted cupcakes that could easily be mistaken for the real thing, if they weren’t so delicious. “I just love flowers so much—how the petals sit on top of each other and how many details there are inside,” Nazia says. Her appreciation for these intricacies developed as she learned to carve them on various mediums during travels she tacked on to trips to Singapore…

Wreathed in luscious oranges, glossy foliage, and deep pink blossoms, the Algarve salad plate by Vista Alegre radiates the vibrance of summertime. Accentuate the garden-fresh look by pairing it with a dinner plate that bears a trellis motif, topped off by a linen embroidered with a subtle garland of leaves. A straw napkin ring crowned with a pom-pom lends an informal touch that’s echoed in simple etched tumblers and grooved stainless flatware. Draw out the pale celadon notes of the inspiration pattern with a coordinating dinner plate and a dreamy aqua tablecloth. Matte golden flatware and cut glass goblets in translucent emerald imbue the setting with a hint of luster while a crisp white napkin bedecked with a single orange serves as the pièce de résistance to tie the table…

Interior designer Mary Hannon Reid and her history-buff husband knew their lengthy quest for a family home was over when they found a nearly 100-year-old North Carolina beauty that had not only good bones, but also bells and whistles that would make anyone swoon. “Everything had been kind of kept intact, so it was completely authentic to what it was meant to be,” says Mary Hannon, quickly adding, “That comes with the good, the bad, and the ugly.” The two-year renovation of the Thurmond and Lucy Hanes Chatham House was an act of loving stewardship for Mary Hannon, whose penchant for architectural details attracted her to the stucco abode with French flair. Her husband, Robert, liked the historic aspect of the dwelling, built in 1925 during Prohibition by the namesake…

TRANQUIL HARMONY Plush wicker chairs and a stylish weathered-look table yield the perfect perch to enjoy stunning panoramic vistas on this veranda. Whether you cast your gaze toward the horizon (page 72) or overlook the charming poolside scene (opposite and above), a pleasing view prevails with the gentle breeze. Vivid garden blooms and accessories enhance the casual tabletop while perky yellow-and-white pillows invigorate the sunny scene below, where friends enjoy a swim and gather for a sip of lemonade. “THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE ARE LIKE THE PILLARS ON YOUR PORCH.”—MERLE SHAIN, JOURNALIST BOLD AND UPBEAT Stone columns give this gallery weight and create three separate yet cohesive areas. Well-placed chairs sit front and center with crisp white cushions and bright cerulean pillows that catch the eye of passersby. The…

INFORMAL GATHERING Beckon close friends for an intimate outdoor meal that’s sure to bring cheer as the sun casts its final glow on a leisurely day. Vibrant and fresh, bold stripes frame a tabletop abuzz with garden treasures—both food and flowers—as golden flatware adds a gleaming aura to the scene. A full collection of the season’s most dashing blooms enhances the radiance: giant zinnias, pink scabiosas, roses, and lisianthus, underscored by green hydrangeas and seeded eucalyptus. Blossoms and butterflies dart across an animated salad plate accessorized with a white ruffled dinner dish and finished with a straw-fringed place mat reminiscent of a stylish summer chapeau. Stemless wineglasses and old-fashioned water goblets lend softness to the enticing display that makes backyard dining so alluring. ABUNDANT PAIRINGS Herbal notes are woven throughout…

Wedge Salad with White Cheddar Pimiento Cheese Dressing MAKES 4 SERVINGS 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped2 cups multicolored cherry tomatoes, halved1 large head iceberg lettuce, quarteredWhite Cheddar Pimiento Cheese Dressing (recipe follows)1 cup sliced green onionGarlic Croutons (recipe follows) 1. In a medium skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp and browned, 11 to 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon and let drain on paper towels. Reserve 1 tablespoon drippings in pan. 2. In same skillet, add tomatoes to drippings. Cook over medium heat just until tender and juices have released, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer tomatoes to a small plate; let cool. 3. To assemble salad, place 1 lettuce wedge on each of 4 serving plates. Top each evenly with bacon and…

COVER Architecture and interiors; River Brook Design & Construction. Styling by Mary Beth Jones. Photography by Mac Jamieson. SWEET & SUNNY Pages 33–34: Vista Alegre Algarve salad/dessert plate, Villeroy & Boch French Garden Orange dinner plate, and Mikasa Cheers stemless wineglass; Replacements, Ltd. Jardin napkin in white & green; Kim Seybert. Straw pom-pom napkin ring in natural; Joanna Buchanan. Ricci Rialto 5-piece place setting; Amazon. Page 35: Fitz & Floyd Renaissance Mint Green dinner plate and creamer; Replacements, Ltd. Vista Alegre Bicos goblet in mint green and Towle Living Ashwell Gold 5-piece place setting; Amazon. By Hope Persephone embroidered napkins; Over the Moon. ESCAPE TO PARADISE Pages 39–42: Bamboo Touch dinner plate; The Avenue. Mimosa Collection dessert plate and Sage Daisy Collection water glass; Land of Belle. Caspari Trellis Die-Cut…

“SUMMER AFTERNOON, SUMMER AFTERNOON; TO ME THOSE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE TWO MOST BEAUTIFUL WORDS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.”—HENRY JAMES…

As you lounge porch-side by the water, create a bountiful display that captures the breezy splendor of summer. Channel the relaxed coastal ambience with a basin made of driftwood, and enhance it with blooms and greens aplenty, arranged organically with ample height to catch the eye. Working with a mix of Fittonia, impatiens, and lantana, remove the plants from their original containers, and transfer each to individual sandwich bags with dirt. Next, scatter pieces of water-soaked floral foam along the base of the wooden vessel and insert swags of pink Leptospermum. In the open spaces between the foam, position the plant-filled bags until the arrangement is nicely packed, then top the surface with moss for a laid-back look.…