Indholdsfortegnelse for May/June 2024 i Southern Lady

SPLENDID SURPRISES I just love serendipity, don’t you? Not too long ago, our photo styling team spent a morning in the studio playing with flower arrangements and tabletop ideas for Southern Lady and our sister brands. When I got a peek at the beautiful bud vase vignette you see on our cover, I asked right away if we could use it for this issue. Everything about it is pure perfection: the dainty chinoiserie vessel, the gently trailing silk ribbon, and the vibrant pink spray roses that bring the soft scheme to life. Even better, it works for almost any summer gathering, from a Mother’s Day lunch to an afternoon dessert party with friends. Wouldn’t you be delighted to take your place at the table and find it waiting? Turn to…

From the front, the white clapboard structure on Charlotte’s Ridgewood Avenue looks like any other home. But step through the gates and become immersed in a peaceful quietude, with songbirds whistling overhead and fountains trickling gently. This is Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary, and together with its sister garden just a few houses down, it offers an artful escape from the hustle of urban life. “It’s amazing that two women with different approaches to gardening, both named Elizabeth, landed on the same street,” says Barrett Ranson Shannonhouse, executive director of Wing Haven. Along with the nearby Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden, the property has made its mark on the horticultural community and served as a refuge for feathered friends for nearly 100 years. The acreage that would become known…

Inspired by a 19th-century Hungarian design, Mottahedeh’s Sylvanae dinner plate features a brilliant bird poised to take wing amid a lush wreath of leaves and petals. Pair it with a companion salad plate and keep other accents muted to let the intricate detailing stand out. A blush napkin with knotted edging complements a gingham linen in serene sky blue; a straw place mat and braid-trimmed flatware lend textural interest. Slip in a banded glass tumbler and matching goblet, and top off the setting with a porcelain fruit dish crowned by another feathered friend. A scalloped ditsy-print place mat plays off the dinner plate’s rich color scheme, its purple, green, and yellow florals just vivid enough to hold their own. Between the two, a simple white charger with gilt trim separates…

NATURAL BRILLIANCE Traditional overtones feel fresh and breezy for summertime on this front porch bursting with color. Decorative lemon trees and a coordinating throw pillow (opposite) mingle with potted plantings such as begonias, zinnias, and Gomphrena in punchy pinks and vivid citrus hues. JAUNTY OUTLOOK Ready multiple patio seating areas for quiet mornings with family or impromptu entertaining during these relaxed months. Add lush annuals to evergreen topiaries to perk up existing décor with ease. CORDIAL CHARISMA Assorted pillows in bold shades and playful patterns—lime green and deep teal, classic gingham and chic florals—reflect this homeowner’s personal style. Warm weather calls for cool refreshments when friends drop by, making a sizable woven tray and pretty pitcher ideal additions to your repertoire. PEACHY KEEN A front entry doesn’t have to be…

While multiple coats of paint and gently scuffed floors hint at years of cherished memories within the walls of a home, there comes a point when weathered slips into worn out. That’s when Leigh Misso, owner and designer at River Brook Design & Construction, gladly steps in. Deciding it was time to restore their well-loved home, these Birmingham homeowners trusted that Leigh could achieve their vision while maintaining their strict budget. “She came to me and said, ‘You know what I want. What can we do?’” Leigh says. Originally built in the early 1930s, the two-bedroom cottage boasted plenty of charm and appeal. Constant changes and touch-ups over the years had masked much of its character, and the homeowners also needed additional space for their family of four. By reconfiguring…

BRIGHT AND BOUNTIFUL Elevated by the earthy appeal of its setting, an alfresco repast is aglow with the lingering light of a long day. A table draped in a golden linen stands out brilliantly against potted pink blooms, rendered all the more beautiful by centerpieces of sunshine-hued ‘Butterfly’ ranunculus, daffodils, peonies, and antique hydrangeas. Dinner plates reprising the leafy surrounds add a touch of verdant charm alongside dishes embellished with a trellis motif and copper plant markers repurposed as place cards. Rose-tinted glassware echoes nearby blossoms, while simple flatware and neutral napkins convey a fuss-free vibe that falls in step with the relaxed atmosphere. FRESH-PICKED FEAST Cooled by the gentle touch of an evening breeze, friends partake of an abundant spread devised from fresh produce. Petite crostini are perfect for…

Lemon–Poppy Seed Chicken Salad Sandwiches MAKES 32 ½ cup mayonnaise2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot2 teaspoons lightly packed lemon zest2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice1 teaspoon poppy seeds½ teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon sugar¼ teaspoon ground black pepper2 cups chopped cooked chicken2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill⅔ cup cream cheese, softened2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream32 slices whole-wheat bread32 thin seedless cucumber slicesGarnish: fine lemon zest 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, shallot, lemon zest and juice, poppy seeds, salt, sugar, pepper, and dill. Gently fold in chicken. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together cream cheese and cream until smooth and aerated. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a Wilton #109 piping tip. 3. Using a 2-inch round cutter, cut 64 rounds from bread slices.…

Southern Lady FAVORITES Visit southernladymagazine.com to read this issue’s online stories and to find more of the content you love. Take a look at some of our favorite May/June web features: More to Explore in New Orleans Make time for afternoon tea at The Windsor Court hotel and shop to your heart’s desire along Magazine Street after a visit to Longue Vue House & Gardens. Summer Events for Garden Enthusiasts Whether guided tours of residential landscapes or juried flower shows, happenings around the region this time of year pay tribute to nature’s resplendence. Lunch Amid the Blooms A lush flower field sets the stage for a gracious meal, featuring such delights as Mixed-Tomato Gazpacho, Garden Pesto Swirl Loaf, and Lemon Curd Cheesecake Cups. Celebrate the Kentucky Derby In honor of…

The images have become indelible over the years. A sea of elaborate hats in brilliant hues, trimmed in cascading flowers and crisp bows. Frost-kissed julep cups lifted in a toast to the fanfare. A blanket of satiny red roses draped over the flanks of a triumphant Thoroughbred. Often touted as the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®,” the Kentucky Derby is far more than a horse race—it’s a beloved jubilation that transcends its home state, leading to a sense of cultural kinship that few other occasions foster. It means gala parties and chic outfits, the roar of a crowd over the thunder of hooves, the strains of “My Old Kentucky Home.” It is virtually unmatched for sheer pomp and circumstance, and its 150th anniversary this year extends its reign as…

As Mother Nature paints the landscape in shades most seemly, gather a selection of the finest blooms for a petite display that makes a big impression in these early summer months. A pair of ballerina pink ranunculus and ‘Butterfly’ ranunculus in creamy vanilla tones accentuate gorgeous anemones, the edge of each petal appearing as if delicately dabbed with lilac brushstrokes. Ombré scabiosa, mini carnations, and sprigs of greenery join the presentation, all the more elegant for its placement in a polished repoussé silver compote.…

COVER See Heartfelt Greeting. HEARTFELT GREETING Page 35: Blue & White Ribbon Crest calling card; Dogwood Hill. Set of 3 blue & white porcelain vases from LoveCat Store; Amazon. Chloe fabric in sand, blue; Cowtan & Tout. Special thanks to the Hoffman Media styling team. FLIGHT OF FANCY Pages 39–40: Mottahedeh Sylvanae dinner plate and dessert/salad plate; Replacements, Ltd. Woven straw place mat in natural, Berry trim napkin in blush, Charlotte clear wineglass and tumbler, and Le Panier 5-piece place setting in bright satin; Juliska. Page 41: Hannah gold trim charger and Betty napkin in plum; Blue Pheasant. GOLDEN IDYLL Pages 45–48: Lemon Posey china plates; Erin Donahue Tice. Bamboo cane place mat; Pomegranate. Festival napkins in sea mist; SFERRA. Gingham tablecloth in sunflower, large; Heather Taylor Home. Marisa recycled…

Honor the special ladies in your life with an elegant Mother’s Day luncheon, welcoming them with tiny nosegays they can take home and enjoy at afternoon’s end. Fill a bud vase with a small amount of water and add sprigs of waxflower and delphinium plus a perfect spray rose, stems trimmed to fit. With a wisp of silk ribbon, attach a calling card or gift tag on which you’ve penned a sweet message and top off a place setting with the finished bouquet. Create a classic look with blue-and-white chinoiserie vases, as we did here; use glass and crystal for a hint of sparkle; or select mismatched vintage vessels that suit each guest’s personal style.…

ELEVATED JOY Take a dinner for two to new heights as summer’s radiance peaks. Whimsical wildflowers dance across salad plates, enhanced by a frame of sage green dinner plates. Woven place mats and napkin rings lend casual warmth, while airy white linens and clear glassware add levity to the setting. Atop a blue-and-white tablecloth, vases filled with orange and white dahlias, pink ranunculus, and delicate sweet peas shimmer in the sunshine; tall candlesticks await their light come dusk. Blackberry Sparkler MAKES 4 ¼ cup water¼ cup sugar1 tablespoon tightly packed fresh thyme sprigs½ cup seedless blackberry preserves2 ounces gin, divided1 bottle sparkling wineGarnish: fresh thyme sprigs, fresh blackberries 1. In a small saucepan, bring ¼ cup water, sugar, and thyme to a boil over medium heat and cook for 3…

Ornate dresser jars hearken back to a period when beauty routines were more of a ritual than a rushed requirement. While modern women often finish their morning routines on the go, the opulent objects that adorned ladies’ dressing tables in bygone days once held rouges, creams, and perfumes dabbed on with unhurried delicacy, perhaps while clad in a dressing gown and slippers. “I love [dresser jars] because of their beauty,” says Julie Trang, who purveys antique and vintage collectibles through her online boutique, 3 Magnolia Ave. “Finding the jars I searched for and discovering the history of them brings a lot of joy to me.” Cosmetic containers have existed in some form since the dawn of getting dolled up. Archaeologists have unearthed glass pots and face brushes at Roman excavation…