Innehållsförteckning för July - August 2015 från Southern Lady

Summertime . . . and the living is easy! Whether it’s the memory of school vacations or simply the heat, this time of year makes us slow down and enjoy the pleasures of this wonderful season. We are pleased to bring the best of summer in the South to the pages of this issue, whether you’re planning a trip or looking forward to some downtime in your own backyard. If you need a getaway, you’ll love our stories on The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (page 63) and the Rhett House Inn in Beaufort (page 23), two South Carolina dream destinations. Or head over to the quintessential Southern city of Savannah for a fun-filled Two Days Away (page 93). Need some decorating inspiration? Our home tour (page 57) features…

SOUTHERN ESCAPE This magazine has quickly become one of my favorite escapes from busy everyday life. From new gift ideas to creative decorating tips and fun getaways, it reminds me to appreciate the simple things of Southern life. With my Southern Lady in hand, my walk from the mailbox is always a happy one! Lauren Wilgenbusch Memphis, Tennessee Write Now What is your favorite story or recipe from our latest issue or our archives? Whom would you like to see featured in our magazine? What are your favorite Southern destinations? We would love to hear from you! Send your letters by post for a chance to win our monthly giveaway, featuring our special issues, books, and other Southern-themed goodies. Write to: Southern Lady, Attention: A Walk to the Mailbox; 1900…

WAVES OF WONDER A tablecloth in sandy shades sets the tone for brilliant Jars dinnerware in sea-inspired hues. The table’s carefully selected accessories are reminiscent of the spoils of a beachcombing treasure hunt. Wooden flatware mimics the look of natural driftwood scattered along the shoreline, and frosted tumblers take on the jewellike character of sea glass in the sunshine. An assortment of scavenged shells function as both table runner and vase filler, and effusive arrangements of tall grasses wave gently in the salty air. Poufs and pillows add an aspect of luxury and comfort to the tableau, while a nearby hammock provides the perfect place for a postpicnic siesta in the sun. Southern Style Decorating is a photographic showcase of the region’s most beautiful spaces. Filled with tips and hints…

I love the drivability of the South. Within several hours, you can pack your bags, hop into the car, and explore so many different things. A long weekend can become an opportunity for rest and relaxation in the midst of a small town, near a mountain ridge, or by a beautiful lake—or perhaps even all three! Arkansas’s Eureka Springs area offers township amenities and lovely places to stay like the Mount Victoria Bed & Breakfast Inn, where the hosts practice the art of hospitality—and fudge making. And you don’t have to travel far to enjoy Mother Nature’s myriad delights. Pack a picnic for a leisurely hike around nearby Beaver Lake or a sunset stroll by Table Rock Lake. If you prefer something more adventurous, you can also find fishing, canoeing,…

• Don’t be afraid of pattern. You can mix lots of patterns by playing with the scale and keeping the patterns you use in the same colorway so it doesn’t feel chaotic. • Not ready to commit to upholstering a sofa in a bold pattern? Try incorporating it into your room as accent pillows first. They can instantly update a space for minimal cost. • I love using a pattern as draperies and as an accent on upholstery. If you’re really feeling bold, try using the same pattern on the walls. • Try framing a piece of fabric to display as art. • Trending now and always a classic, a floor-length table skirt with an added trim detail is a great display backdrop for anything from small trinkets or photographs…

ALL-AROUND CLASSIC From the plantations of South Carolina to the riverside markets of Savannah, life in the Lowcountry has a flavor all its own. Even without vistas of marshes and moss-draped oaks, you can borrow from the region’s style. A white cloth is a timeless backdrop for heirloom pieces and modern accessories, while grits, fresh fish, benne wafers, and Georgia peaches underscore the idea behind this occasion. Roasted Okra with Buttermilk Herb Dipping Sauce MAKES 6 SERVINGS 2 pounds small to medium okra pods 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Buttermilk Herb Dipping Sauce (recipe follows) 1. Preheat oven to 400º. 2. Cut okra pods in half lengthwise. Spread okra in an even layer on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil,…

The tree-shaded streets of downtown Savannah are 22 pockets of perfectly manicured squares knit together, giving the illusion the town is one big patchwork park. Planned in detail by founder James Oglethorpe in 1733, the compact area is quite walkable, allowing visitors to enjoy the city at the same easy pace that the eponymous river flows by on its way to the Atlantic. Radiating from Forsyth Park with its oft-photographed fountain, the National Historic Landmark District is a montage of venerable buildings, each infused with a charm found only in this quintessential Southern gem. Savannah is a study in architecture, with Federal, Greek Revival, and more showcased in the businesses and residences lining the squares. Among them are the home of Girl Scouts of America founder Juliette Gordon Low and…

Our photographers and editors know the best places to see, stay, and play in the region, and in this special issue, we go on and off the beaten path to help you discover ideas for your next Southern getaway. You’ll find it all from long weekends and dream vacations to favorite shops and roadside food. Order your copy at hoffmanmediastore.com. Did you know you can get the best of every issue in an easy-to-access format with the Southern Lady tablet edition? You can enjoy the latest issue before it hits newsstands and also find specials and back issues. For information, visit southernladymagazine.com/digital. Discover more daily inspiration on my blog, theribboninmyjournal.com…

The South Carolina Lowcountry is infused with a rarified beauty, and nowhere is that more evident than in the town of Beaufort. From twisting branches of live oak trees, feathery necklaces of Spanish moss are stirred by salt-tinged sea breezes, and tall blades of spartina grass fringe the salt marshes and riverbanks. The area is so enchanting, it has drawn the attention of Hollywood filmmakers who chose Beaufort as the location for such movies as The Big Chill and Forrest Gump. The grand antebellum mansions that once served as summer homes for wealthy planters have aged gracefully under devoted preservation. The Rhett House Inn, a quaint bed-and-breakfast in the heart of the historic district, is the star among this bevy of beauties. Just a block from the Beaufort River and…

FROM BACKYARD BARBECUES TO THE FOURTH OF JULY festivities, there’s no shortage of reasons to celebrate and entertain in the summer. Spruce up a table, and tuck your flatware into the individual pockets of this simple napkin fold. Lay the napkin flat on the table, and fold it into quarters with the seams of the napkin facing out. Fold down the corner of the top layer diagonally to meet the bottom corner. Take the corner of the second layer, fold it down, and tuck the corner behind the first layer. Then fold down the corner of the third layer, and tuck the corner behind the second layer. Turn the folded napkin face down on the table, and fold in both the left and right sides. Finish by turning the napkin…

The story of the white-brick rancher that sits 2 blocks from Fairhope, Alabama’s quaint downtown district began when Lauren Welden’s sister, Jeramy, moved to the bayside community. Lauren and her husband bought this cheerful home—simply christened “The Cottage”—to use as a weekend getaway and to give her mother, Jo, a place to stay when she was in town. Sadly, Jo passed away while the house was in the decorating phase, but Lauren and her two sisters found great solace in finishing the project in their mother’s honor. “Our mother was our best friend,” Lauren explains. “She was creative, wise, a comforter, a nurturer—a real Southern lady.” Lauren worked with Birmingham decorator Virginia Volman to infuse the home with Jo’s artistic spirit and preferred palette of blue hues. Virginia’s idea to…

SUNSET & STRING LIGHTS Cast cares away with a date night on the dock that is the epitome of casual chic. Taking cues from the water, cool shades of aqua and indigo bring serenity to the scene, while warmer hues inspired by the setting sun lend a hint of summer fun. Rope and rafia add nautical notes to the décor, and a retro-style mp3 player sets the mood with music. DIY ideas abound in the the form of birch log votive holders to a giant-size version of Jenga. Homemade citronella candles keep bugs at bay and lend a romantic glow—aided by lanterns and string lights. Serve apps on a pallet-style picnic area, then enjoy dinner at a table for two. After dessert, take the canoe out, or simply sit and…

Return to Savannah Years ago, I journeyed with Creative Director Mac Jamieson to cover my first travel story for Southern Lady: a tour of Savannah, Georgia. Eyes wide, ponytail long, and arms filled with heavy photography equipment, I followed him through numerous city squares, covering every inch of the grid in search of the best places to shop, dine, and visit. My affection for the Hostess City of the South has never faltered, and in this issue, we revisit that beautiful grande dame, and invite you to join us for another look at her best and brightest attractions (page 93). Lakeside Fun Some of my dear friends have a lovely home on the lake, and they graciously extend invitations for weekend getaways. We go on long walks and canoe rides,…

Melissa Meek of onelittlem in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has an artistic talent that’s firmly rooted in family history. “I taught myself to draw when I was 8—after my grandfather passed away,” she says. “I discovered some drawings he had done—a sort of hidden talent of his—that inspired me.” That inspiration sparked various creative exploits through her formative years—home movies, photography, sewing, and more—and it eventually landed her in the graphic design program at Missouri State University. But after spending her early career as a designer in the advertising industry, Melissa felt limited. “I never felt satisfied working on ad projects simply because my artwork was so short-lived,” she notes. She also craved the kind of artistic freedom “where any project was mine to do whatever I wanted with and be as…

THE INSPIRATION With a border of cobalt foliage, this hand-decorated Arbor plate by Caskata captures the beauty of blue-and-white in a decidedly summer motif. ELEGANT OPTIONS Stay true to the beloved palette, but offer an update with modern stylings. Start with a solid blue tablecloth for a dramatic backdrop. Then pair the dinner plate with a white charger featuring a delightfully feminine shape. To finish the au courant setting, add a songbird salad plate, a delicate napkin, and a creamy, dreamy centerpiece. CASUAL POSSIBILITIES Sunshine shades are a natural complement to clear-sky blue, and together they make a cheery scene that suits breakfast or brunch. Introduce the happy hue with a solid napkin and a bowl painted with a lemon motif. A woven mat edged in blue and a gingham…

GIVEN SUMMER’S EASY ATTITUDE, there’s no need to spring for a fancy vase to create a beautiful arrangement. Search cabinets and closets for empty bottles. Fill them with water, and arrange a grouping on the table. Tie them together with decorative twine, and finish with a pretty bow. (You may wish to create your assembly atop a tray or a cutting board for easier transport.) Add an assortment of summer-fresh blooms in cheery colors, such as protea, dahlias, blue aster, and pink hydrangea. It’s an ideal accent for a variety of outdoor and indoor entertaining occasions.…

Light and soothing, the pale-purple hue of this nursery is enough to set mother and baby at ease. Decorated with a mixture of new and heirloom pieces, the space takes on a sense of comfortable elegance. To complete the look, savvy seamstress Leigh Pate of Pate-Meadows Designs made a special window treatment. The long white curtains with a scalloped edge introduce a cloudlike aspect, which is only enhanced by the white pom-pom border. Though subtle, the decorative details carry a big impact, bringing out the childlike softness of the décor. For added interest, Leigh also fashioned a slightly brighter accent on the curtains’ reverse sides, with a lilac-colored gingham lining. The criss-crossed pattern of the fabric mimics the geometric lines of the modern rug, while the small size of the…

On the studio walls, richly colored fabric samples intermingle with images that inspire the artist; her worn paintbrushes, pencils, paint, and ink fill the two large work tables; and a sewing station stands ready to assemble samples of inspired sketches as the brassy, lilting tunes of the ’20s float through Mary Catherine Folmar’s Birmingham studio. She is immersed in the glamour, sophistication, and exuberance of the Roaring Twenties as she paints the design that will be printed onto textiles for her Deco Collection. Mary Catherine was originally a premed student, but a love of design got the better of her. She majored in Industrial Design—a field that taught her to turn her art into a brand and bring it to market. Her company, Cotton + Quill, debuted with her By…

It’s home to pristine beaches, an opulent hotel, five golf courses, and one of the top tennis resorts in the world. While any one of those features is enough to attract a stay at the Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the real appeal of this coastal South Carolina destination is the innate beauty that provides the backdrop for relaxation and fun. Although it’s just 20 miles from Charleston, Kiawah feels enchantingly remote. And the resort was developed to showcase the natural wonders of this barrier island, offering guests ample opportunities for activity and escape. “It’s a great opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, and slow down,” says Elisabeth King, the resort’s director of nature programming. “It’s a place where you can regain your self-awareness through a connection…

Strawberry Party Punch MAKES 40 (8-OUNCE) SERVINGS 1½ quarts water, divided ¾ cup sugar 3 (10-ounce) packages frozen strawberries in syrup, slightly thawed 2 (12-ounce) cans frozen lemonade concentrate 2 (46-ounce) cans pineapple juice 2 (2-liter) bottles ginger ale 1. In a small saucepan, combine 1½ cups water and sugar. Warm over medium heat on stove top, stirring often, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and set aside to let cool. 2. In a blender, puree strawberries in 3 batches, adding 1½ cups water to each batch before processing. 3. In a 6- to 8-quart container, combine pureed strawberries, sugar mixture, lemonade concentrate, and pineapple juice; stir. Divide mixture between 2 freezer-safe containers. Freeze overnight. Prior to serving, thaw for 2 to 4 hours or until desired slushy consistency…

Roadside farm stands, sunset cocktails on the porch, the inviting aroma of dinner on the grill—it all paints a picture of the perfect Southern summer as does the newest cookbook from TV culinary personality Katie Lee. With photos, anecdotes, and scrawlings of notes, her aptly named Endless Summer Cookbook reads as much like a vacation scrapbook as a recipe collection, entreating the reader and home cook to entertain this delicious season for one more meal. In summer, growing up for the West Virginia native meant enjoying fresh vegetables from her grandfather’s expansive garden and spending lots of time with her tight-knit family. She recalls the group “centered our days around our meals, talking about the next day’s breakfast at dinner, lunch at breakfast, and so on.” When life’s adventures eventually…

PRACTICAL summer style Kami Darnell’s 3-year-old son loved to go swimming, and Atlanta’s hot summers gave him no shortage of chances. But getting in and out of the pool made Kami feel uncomfortable. Between keeping track of her preschooler and trying to dry off, she found herself awkwardly wrapping a bulky beach towel around her waist. Then it dawned on her—why not add buttons? “It just makes more sense,” Kami explains. “Instead of trying to tie a beach towel—and wrap, and tuck it, and twist it, and all of that—by adding buttons to it, I can easily secure it, and then I can take care of my son.” With a supportive community of “mompreneurs” who helped her answer questions as she launched her business, Simple Sarongs, Kami has since created…

EDITOR’S FAVORITES PAGE 13: Dress; Belk. Jewelry; Faire Collection. MIX & MATCH: BLUE & WHITE PAGES 27-28: Elegant Options: Dinner Plate, Birds Salad and Dessert Plate in Arbor Blu; Caskata. White Classic Lace Napkin and White Peony Napkin Ring; Sur La Table. Bella Bianca Filigree Charger by Arte Italica, Wisteria Ice General Purpose Goblet by William Yeoward, and Laurier by Rosenthal Sambonet Flatware; Bromberg & Co. Casual Possibilities: Arbor BLU Dinner Plate; Caskata. Lemon Pasta Bowl; Sur La Table. Mimosa Yellow Buffet Napkin; World Market. Burlap Placemat by Caffco International, Barre Goblet by Simon Pearce, and Alsace Flatware by Ginkgo International; Bromberg & Co. SEASONAL SETTINGS: BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA PAGES 29-32: Dinner Plate, Tea Cup, Saucer, and Fruit Bowl in Plume Ocean Blue, Dessert Plate in Plume White Pearl…