Innehållsförteckning för Spring In The South 2016 från Southern Lady

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

FROM THE EDITOR

It begins the same way every year. The sight of the first magenta bloom on my row of camellias, a little peek of leaves from emerging daffodil bulbs—and yet, like a favorite book you could read over and over again, spring’s plot to reawaken our world and color it with beauty enchants me anew each year. We hope that you’ll relish every budding flower and unfurling leaf with us as we celebrate this jubilant season. From beautiful flower arrangements and easy decorating ideas to garden-party menus and charming bed-andbreakfast escapes, these are our favorite ways to enjoy spring in the South.…

1 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

bright BEAUTY

For interior designer Sally May of Birmingham, good design is a marathon—not a sprint. “Contrary to today’s reality home-makeover shows, good design does not happen overnight or on a dime,” she says. Sally took this “long-view” approach when transforming the house she shares with her husband and two boys into a warm and inviting home. “The classic structure of the house was a good starting point when we bought it,” Sally says of the 20-year-old residence, “but there wasn’t anything custom or unique about the house itself. My goal was to stamp my personal style on it.” With its lovely mix of collected pieces and heirlooms, the home is decidedly elegant, but it keeps an approachable, livable quality for the family. A wash of soft creams and browns color the…

2 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

joie de VIVRE

Pretty Pastels Invite dear friends for a playful twist on afternoon tea, starting with a setting that features the daintiest of details. Play up the joyful spirit of the season with a colorful combination of spring flowers—roses, peonies, and such—for both a fanciful welcome wreath and small bouquets in white hobnail vases. A refreshing pink lemonade punch and strawberry cupcakes served in teacups are clever substitutes for the usual fare. Add dashes of enchanting accents, such as pink ball-fringe trim tied into napkin rings and “bluebirds of happiness” figurines, for just the right note on this delightful day. Pink Lemonade Punch MAKES ABOUT 1 GALLON 1 (12-ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed 1 (46-ounce) can pineapple juice, chilled 2 tablespoons grenadine 1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled 1. In…

2 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

SPRING Sweets

Blueberry Pie MAKES 1 (9-INCH) PIE ½ (14.1-ounce) package refrigerated piecrust (1 crust) 1¹/³ cups fresh blueberries 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 2/³ cup whole buttermilk 3 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1½ cups sugar ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon lemon zest ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. On a lightly floured surface, roll piecrust into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate; press into bottom and up sides of plate. Fold edges under, and crimp as desired. Top with a piece of parchment paper, letting ends extend over edges of plate. Add pie weights. 3. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove weights and let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. 4. Place blueberries in bottom of cooled crust. In a large bowl,…

9 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

retreat to LUXURY

As a breeze whisks through century-old oaks that dot the landscape and the intricate filigree of black cast-iron fences form shadows in the morning sun, a bountiful breakfast, complete with dewberry jelly and monkey jam, awaits within the lavish dining room of Fort Conde Inn. Originally built in 1836 as the Hall-Ford House, the threestory Greek Revival is Mobile, Alabama’s second oldest home. Several years spent restoring the property have returned the residence to its original splendor—Victorian replica lighting hangs from 14-foot ceilings, and hand-painted Spanish tiles shine beneath clawfoot tubs. The Hall-Ford House, two additional cottages, a carriage house, and two Victorian homes now house the 15 stately suites and rooms that make up the breathtaking property. Fort Conde boasts the appeal and amenities of a boutique hotel, yet…

1 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

SPRING SHOWCASE

Blooming Bounty Welcome guests with a ring of sunny forsythia (opposite). Start with a loosely shaped sunburst grapevine wreath, then trim the long branches of a forsythia bush and weave through. Continue the floral fancy indoors with a lemony twist on a simple bouquet. Fill a small glass vase with water, and place in the center of a wider glass bowl or vase. Line the space between them with lemon slices. Arrange spring flowers inside the smaller vessel. Bell Curve Highlight nature’s beauty with this simple idea. Place a small nest on a plate of moss, and fashion a lovely scene featuring a potted fern, butterflies, birds, and a flower or two. A glass bell cloche completes the enchanting tabletop vignette. Sitting Pretty A few flowers can instantly elevate a…

2 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

a place to GROW

Form Meets Function Gardening can be relaxing work, but sometimes tracking down the right tools, having the right space to prep in, and keeping it all tidy can bring lots of fuss to otherwise fancy-free afternoons. So Birmingham-based designer Troy Rhone came up with this clever potting shed. A built-in shelf keeps his stacks of clay pots at hand but also neatly out of the way. The large counter below offers plenty of work space, while pullout drawers and hidden compartments below provide storage for soil, mulch, and tools like trowels and weeding buckets. “It’s really practical, yet it’s attractive,” Troy says.…

1 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

HOPE abounds

Glorious Day Neutral tones and natural accents work together to form the foundation of this gathering, designed with rejoicing in mind. Heirloom linens with cheery embroidery pair with mix-and-match dinnerware in pale hues of blue. Farm-fresh eggs in ceramic containers scattered about the table serve as subtle nods to Easter traditions, and pretty petals add to the joyous atmosphere. Eastertime Salad with Lemon Dill Vinaigrette MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS 1 (6-ounce) package baby arugula 1 head frisee, trimmed 1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced 1 (6-ounce) package French green beans, blanched 1 (6-ounce) package yellow wax beans, blanched 1 cup fresh shelled edamame 1 teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper Lemon Dill Vinaigrette (recipe follows) 6 to 8 hard-cooked eggs, quartered Garnish: radish…

4 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

signs of the SEASON

Enticing Escapes Springtime beckons us to venture out and explore: a weekend stay at a picturesque inn, a romantic getaway to a secluded beach town, an exciting sojourn to a new city. Consider it an open invitation to indulge in the unique charm and verdant splendor that make the South such a special destination this time of year. Or simply settle in on a quiet porch or patio to take in the dazzling spectrum of sights, sounds, and scents. Nature’s Rainbow As the days grow longer and the breezes turn warmer, gardens throughout the South begin to rise to the occasion. Radiant azaleas and luminous dogwoods put forth their delicate blooms; daffodils and tulips nod along borders and walkways. An alfresco fête, a quiet afternoon on the porch, a simple…

1 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

Wildf lower COUNTRY

Growing Glory Thanks to the conservation efforts of Lady Bird Johnson, more than 5,000 varieties of radiantly colored wildflowers continue to flourish in wide-open spaces throughout the Texas Hill Country. The radiant show is especially enchanting in springtime when the noted bluebonnets make their annual debut alongside mountain laurel and golden poppies. At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, sweeping fields of wildflowers, winding meadow trails, special exhibits, and 16 gardens filled with regional plants invite guests to explore the natural beauty of the Lone Star State and the beautiful impact of Lady Bird’s legacy.…

1 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

PAST PERFECT

Having lived in Atlanta for years, Cynthia and Mike Davis found themselves yearning for a simpler, small-town way of life—if only they could find the ideal spot. During a motorcycle trip around the South to celebrate their wedding anniversary, they stopped in Eufaula, Alabama, for lunch. The town’s quaintness charmed them, and as they ate, they began eyeing it as a place to put down fresh roots. “We were sitting there, and we said, ‘You know, we love Eufaula,’” Cynthia says. A house hunt soon afterward turned up an 1889 Victorian cottage in the historic district, left to languish but still beautiful beneath the decay. With the goal of keeping the architectural integrity intact, the Davises set about restoring its glorious surfaces and details, which include long-leaf pine shingles and…

1 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

Garden REVERIE

Merry Meadow A gossamer-blue pastoral print tablecloth captures the essence of spring, while artichoke flower vases nod to the verdure of the season. Pair cream dinner plates with ivoryhandled flatware to lend a refined ambiance to the bucolic setting. Lavender napkins intermingle with sister shades of violet and lilac, and chair aprons of crocheted-edge napkins secured with blue ribbon add charm to this gathering in the glade.…

1 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

date night OUTDOORS

Happy Together Make dinnertime truly special with a table for two in sunset hues. For a subtle nod to the season, choose a tablecloth with a bold floral motif; china with an equally eye-catching pattern adds to the presentation. An artful menu features bright flavors like honeysuckle, orange, and lemon, and pink hydrangeas add that extra touch of Southern charm. Honey-Orange Prosecco MAKES 2 SERVINGS 3 tablespoons honey 3 tablespoons lime juice ¼ cup orange liqueur, chilled* 1½ cups Prosecco, chilled Garnish: honeysuckle 1. In a large pitcher, combine honey and lime juice until honey dissolves. Stir in liqueur. Slowly add Prosecco, stirring gently to combine. Pour into Champagne flutes. Garnish with honeysuckle, if desired. *For testing purposes, we used Grand Marnier. Salmon with Bourbon-Pecan Glaze MAKES 2 SERVINGS ¼…

3 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

Weekend AWAY

When music icon James Taylor croons, “In my mind I’m goin’ to Carolina,” the tranquil countryside surrounding the enchanting burg of Chapel Hill is just the place he’s talking about. Taylor grew up here, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine that seem to be permanent fixtures and the reasons an abundance of walking and biking trails thread their way through the area. The town, founded in 1819, still bears vestiges of its early days, with winding roads and stone walls that lend endearing character. The University of North Carolina was established several years earlier, when founder William Richardson Davie chose the site that included a sturdy poplar tree, later dubbed the Davie Poplar. The tree still grows on the northern quad, McCorkle Place, and legend has it that the school…

3 min

Southern Lady|Spring In The South 2016

RESOURCES & CREDITS

Cover Styling by Tracey MacMillan Runnion; Photography by John O’Hagan; Interior Design by Cindy E. Barganier Interiors. Pillows; Southern Homes & Gardens. From the Editor Page 7: Hair and Makeup Styling by Celine C. Russell. Necklace and Earrings; Southern Gates. Spring Showcase Page 18: Flowers provided by Fifty Flowers. Antique silverplate container; Tricia’s Treasures. Past Perfect Page 21: Photography by John O’Hagan. Special Thanks to Eufaula Spring Pilgrimage. Bright Beauty Page 25: Styling by Tracey MacMillan Runnion; Interiors by Sally May; Photography by John O’Hagan. A Place to Grow Page 33: Styling by Tracey MacMillan Runnion; Photography by Stephanie Welbourne; Landscape/Potting Shed Design by Troy Rhone. Garden Reverie Page 39: Styling by Tracey MacMillan Runnion; Photography by William Dickey. Valerie Dinner Plate by Portmeirion; Replacements, Ltd. Pastorale Tablecloth by Le…

2 min