Innholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2014 i Southern Lady

Dear Friends, With summer knocking at the door, I’m enjoying more time outside, strolling around my backyard and breathing in the sweet mingling of floral fragrances. Is there anything more wonderful than a garden in full bloom? In this issue of Southern Lady, we are celebrating all the loveliness this glorious season brings. We tour a gracious home, complete with a gorgeous rose garden, and in both Summer Color (page 55) and In Bloom (page 31), we offer ideas for displaying your own blossoming beauties. I’m also excited to share a glimpse of my precious granddaughter’s room, all dressed in her favorite color (page 35). Jump into entertaining with a refreshing pool party, or invite the ladies over for a delicious luncheon in the garden. We even teach you how…

FLORAL FOLIO Take this bouquet to go with a tablet cover that is practical and pretty. Tablet Folio in Clementine, $58; Vera Bradley, verabradley.com. GARDEN GADGETS Mom can get a handle on her gardening with this tote that stores everything needed to make her work easier. Picnic Plus Trellis Deluxe Garden Tote, $99.99; Brookstone, brookstone.com. PRETTY IN PINK Handmade stylish serving pieces in pink hues add a touch of feminine flair to the table. Peony Salad Serving Set, $99, and Rose Platter, $220; Julia Knight, juliaknight.net. SWEET DREAMS Slow things down in this cute capri pajama set with eye-catching snail print. Deco Snail Capri Set, $78; The Cats Pajamas, thecatspjs.com. BEAUTIFUL BLOSSOMS Bring these perennial favorites adorned with ruffles, ribbons, and pretty peonies on your next adventure. Peony Stripe Cosmetic…

With a few fanciful strokes of her brush, Megan Adams Brooks turns blank canvases or lengths of silk fabric into amazing works of art. Pretty patterns dance like flower petals caught up in a breeze, the soft colors swirling and twirling their way across her chosen medium. Though she may call them “spontaneous and sporadic mark-makings,” the designs are positively enchanting, much like the artist herself. Born and raised in Dallas, Megan traces her artistic beginnings to childhood, when an elementary school teacher encouraged her early efforts. She attended Southern Methodist University in her hometown, earning a bachelor of fine arts degree, and then moved on to the University of North Texas for her master's in fibers. “I always wanted to be an artist—just not a starving one!” laughs Megan.…

WITH HORS D’OEUVRES SET AROUND the breezy porch, this shabby-chic silverware caddy is the perfect serving piece for an indoor-outdoor party. Using spray adhesive, affix a floral-printed cotton fabric to card stock, and center images of vintage silverware to each tag. Then, tie the homemade tags to three mason jars, and place in a wooden tool caddy for a clever hostess helper that makes self-service easy.…

The gingerbread-trimmed entrance porch with its lacy carved corbels and handsome glasspaneled door, along with a breathtakingly beautiful rose garden, are just two of many distinctive features that have turned Connie and Rusty Stephenson’s residence in Huntsville, Alabama, into a showplace. The stately Victorian house is impressive to be sure, but the true masterstroke is that it’s also a comfortable, livable home that perfectly serves the needs of the family that dwells within. The Stephensons turned to interior designer Beverly Farrington to guide them through the renovation and redecorating process. (Turn to page 49 for more on the designer.) By blending previous possessions with new, transitional pieces throughout the home, they achieved a fresh, updated look that brings out the best in each space. A perfect example of this plan…

LEMON-BUTTERMILK ICE-CREAM SANDWICHES MAKES 1½ DOZEN Buttermilk Ice Cream (recipe follows) Lemon Cookies (recipe follows) 1. Using an ice-cream scoop, place 1 scoop of Buttermilk Ice Cream on flat side of half of Lemon Cookies. Place remaining cookies flat side down on ice cream. Store in freezer in an airtight container until ready to serve. BUTTERMILK ICE CREAM MAKES ABOUT 3 QUARTS 2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk 1 quart whole buttermilk 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, seeds reserved 1. In a large bowl, beat cream at mediumhigh speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add sweetened condensed milk; beat for 2 minutes. Add buttermilk, lemon juice, and vanilla-bean seeds. 2. Pour mixture into the container of…

WINCHESTER, KY There’s a reason why Daniel Boone spent so much time in the woods around Winchester…Why a landscape with ancient Palisade rock walls along the Kentucky Riverbed made a perfect hideaway for both a Civil War Fort, and a Revolutionary War Fort…And, why the postcard perfect Winchester downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places. To discover all the reasons this area is so unique, just take a road trip to Winchester, conveniently located near the intersection of I-75 & I-64 in Central Kentucky. Plan your trip on tourwinchester.com with Winchester’s interactive planning tools. Winchester, the birthplace of beer cheese, now has a culinary Beer Cheese Trail that features unique destination restaurants each showcasing a beer cheese recipe. While in town, stop by the visitor’s center for information…

COVER See Southern Oasis. SINCERELY PAGE: 9: Hydrangea Imprints by Snow & Graham; Paper Source. EDITOR’S FAVORITES PAGE 11: Apron; Funktion. SEASONAL SETTINGS: WHISPERS OF SUMMER PAGES 25-28: Field of Flowers Party Plates, Quotidien Dinner Plates, Josephine Napkins in Ruby, and Garden Trellis Napkin Ring in Green; Juliska. La Rochere Perigord Glasses, Natural Rope Round Place Mat, Red Enamel Scroll Platter, and Capri 2-Tier Stand; Sur La Table. Tonkin Tablecloth in Red, Poppy Blue Napkin in Blue, and Linen Seat Covers; La Maisonnette. Rozzo Leather French Market Basket and Palmette Bread Basket in Natural/Red; Petite Provence. GRACIOUS LIVING PAGES 35-36: Custom-Made Pillow Shams; Bobbins. Curtains; Sew Sheri Designs. SUMMER COLOR: SIGNS OF THE SEASON PAGES 55-60: Plants; Proven Winners. Midwest Seasons Rabbit Planter; Wayfair. Special Thanks to Troy Rhone Garden…

GEORGIA ON MY MIND, PAGE 41 While we love the nostalgia of exploring Southern campuses for our current travel series, we have discovered there’s so much more to these fascinating places than grand traditions. Beyond their beloved Bulldogs, Athens, Georgia, also boasts an inviting downtown, a vibrant music scene, and a truly scrumptious and diverse culinary landscape. LOUISIANA LAGNIAPPE, PAGE 89 The charming burg of St. Francisville first turned the head of our managing editor, Kathleen Whaley, upon her discovery of Afton Villa Gardens, an almost-ethereal paradise situated in the midst of the ruins of a 19th-century mansion. Don’t miss her tour of the town, along with exquisite photos by the one and only John O’Hagan. HOMETOWN VISIT, PAGE 49 I first met designer Beverly Farrington about a year ago…

SWEET & PETITE Handcrafted soaps look lovely in a powder room. Rose Topiary Bar, $19.95; Chelsea House Soaps, chelseahousesoaps.com. SWEET GESTURE A clever tulip design on these delicious chocolate treats satisfies a sweet tooth and a love of nature. Spring Truffles (8 pieces), $15; Edward Marc, edwardmarc.com. CARRY ALL Trimmed in pink magnolias and Southern charm, this summer accessory will hold all the essentials. Beach Bag in Pink Magnolia, $43; Jessie Steele, jessiesteele.com. CIRCLE OF LOVE A one-of-a-kind keepsake ring with interconnecting bands keeps your dear ones close. Triple Name Ring, $109; Nelle & Lizzy, nelleandlizzy.com. TAKE NOTE These bright and cheerful cards will inspire handwritten correspondence. Note Cards, Sticky Notes, Correspondence Cards, $15-$18; Anna Griffin, shop.annagriffin.com. FANCY FEEDER Bird lovers will be attracted to this filigree glass feeder with…

THE INSPIRATION Introduce a touch of global flair to your settings with a classic pattern from the east presented in an eye-catching hue. Ikat Dinner Plate in Green, $14; C. Wonder, cwonder.com. ELEGANT OPTIONS Discover how a dining room transforms when you mix cosmopolitan colors, such as this punchy lime green, with swaths of white and generous accents of gold. The clean color palette also makes layering patterns easy, yet it delivers a striking and polished finish. Ruffle Glass Gold Stripe Service Plate, $48, Ruffle Glass Gold Small Shallow Bowl, $31, and Martellato Flatware, $84 for 5-piece place setting; Vietri, vietri.com. Glimmer-Wrapped Highball in Gold, $18, Glimmer-Wrapped Double Old-Fashioned in Gold, $16, and Joliet Napkin in Orange, $8; Anthropologie, anthropologie.com. CASUAL POSSIBILITIES Pair the inspiration piece with pops of hot…

SHOWCASED IN A SILVER, footed candy dish, this sideboard display evokes the elegance of a still-life oil painting. To get this look, use floral tape to secure a floral frog or wet floral foam to the basin of the shallow candy dish. Insert the green fern and ivy first, then follow with the colorful blossoms. Floral designer Carol Harris Riley of Lillie Jane (lilliesonline.net) opted for mostly cool shades, choosing pale blush peonies, blue delphinium, blue hydrangea, purple freesia, and lilac stock.…

Whether it’s renovating a historic home, revitalizing dated interiors, or designing a new house from the ground up, Beverly Farrington, founder of Accents of the South in Huntsville, Alabama, brings more than just her skills to a project. She also brings her innate belief that what truly makes a house a home is tailoring the interiors to each owner’s specific needs. “I believe in creating homes that are the reflection of my client’s personal sense of place,” says Beverly, “where great design, meaningful furnishings, color, and texture coax emotion as you walk over the threshold.” And her award-winning portfolio bears out that heartfelt philosophy, with home after home of stunning interiors that incorporate homeowners’ personal collections and treasured family heirlooms while revealing an overall elegance and balance that is Beverly’s…

Sunshine Day Such a setup offers the best of two worlds—graceful garden views and the refreshment that comes from lounging by the pool. Match the laidback milieu with a help-yourself buffet of island-inspired dishes including Hibiscus Tea Punch, Polynesian Shrimp Skewers, and Mango Ice Cream. All-in-one packages of bamboo utensils and napkins make serving and cleanup easy, while a few tropical flowers mixed with those cut from the garden add to the idea of island living. Finally, be sure to have plenty of towels on hand, and arrange a variety of seating that allows guests to soak up the sun or catch summer breezes in the shade. EDAMAME WASABI HUMMUS MAKES ABOUT 4 CUPS 2 (16-ounce) packages frozen shelled sweet soybeans (edamame), thawed 1¼ cups olive oil ½ cup tahini…

We’d love to hear from you! Write to us to share your thoughts. Love for Heirloom China I was so pleasantly surprised to open your March/April issue and see my mother’s china pattern [“New Looks For Old China,” page 53]! Don’t let that china sit in a cabinet somewhere—it is meant to be used, with love and memories. Dianne Ely Smith Columbus, Ohio From our friends on Facebook ELIZABETH ALCORN My only complaint is that you don’t publish an issue every month. This is my favorite magazine! NANCY KIRK STARNES I love this magazine—beautiful pictures, wonderful stories, and the best recipes! LOURETTA EVANS Wonderful magazine, makes me happy! Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/SouthernLadyMag.…

A Bevy of Blossoms Take inspiration from the bounty of a summer garden, and layer the table with flowers. Begin this casually elegant setting with a floral tablecloth, add botanical-print dinnerware, and finish with a flourish—an artistically arranged mix of colorful blooms. Detail Oriented Every element of this open-air-fête is as fresh as a daisy, especially the pretty white cake from a favorite bakery that is dressed up with bunches of those very blooms. Incorporate more of the happy flowers into a centerpiece that spills over with a medley of seasonal beauties—roses, hydrangeas, carnations, and more, plus stems of blackberries and trailing ivy. The perfect beverage for this occasion? Fresh-squeezed lemonade, of course! Choose thoughtful accents, like these soft chambray napkins with scalloped trim and lattice-look napkin rings in bright…

When Caterina Meadows of Pate-Meadows Designs moved with her husband into their Nashville-area home, she knew a few updates would be on the agenda. This bright yellow-tiled bathroom was one of the projects on the list. Rather than gut the room and start from scratch, smart and savvy Caterina found a way to play up its sunny shade. She stitched this fabulous flounced curtain from two coordinating fabrics—one a bold floral in muted shades and the other a smaller, single-hued pattern. She paired the curtain with a brilliant, easy-to-wash zip-off liner. Of course, she wanted a distinctive detail to finish it off, and she came up with the idea of adding buttons to the rings where they attach to the curtain. Now her bathroom looks fresh and new. Even better,…

Cottontail Container This adorable bunny planter embodies the lively flora and fauna of the season. Gentle ivy spills forth, creating movement, while delicate petals add color. Rich in vibrant pinks and saturated purples, this accent adds a dash of lighthearted charm to any veranda vignette. Verdant View A hedgerow of bountiful ferns provides a backdrop of greenery that is the ideal setting for a picturesque window-box display. This arrangement incorporates tall, eye-catching caladiums alongside blushing hues of cascading petunias. Prolific asparagus ferns complete the lush design. Small-Scale Charm Set a sweet arrangement on your porch side table, and enjoy its charms while sipping a refreshing iced tea! For this look, drill several small holes in the base of a vintage teakettle, then spray-paint the kettle in a bright summer shade…

Fetching Fête Soul-nourishing quality time spent with close friends is like a breath of fresh air, so embrace the scenic views from the patio, and stage a flower-filled luncheon for your favorite ladies. Arrange a simple and inviting table in a charming vignette among the blossoms, where conversation and laughter will flourish. The pinks and greens of the tablescape echo the surrounding beauty and add to the ambience of this serene dining haven. Laughter among friends enhances the beauty of the garden. Menu Strawberry-Mint Spritzers Salmon Sandwiches Watercress Salad with Asparagus and Prosciutto Lemon Panna Cotta with Raspberry Coulis STRAWBERRY-MINT SPRITZERS MAKES 4 SERVINGS 1 cup Strawberry-Mint Simple Syrup (recipe follows) 2 cups tonic water or club soda, chilled ¼ cup fresh lemon juice Garnish: fresh strawberries, fresh mint, lemon…

Less than two hours separates Louisiana’s largest and most famous city from one of its best-kept secrets for a memorable weekend getaway. Instead of sea mist, Spanish moss hangs heavy in the air here in St. Francisville, while a modest Main Street district makes up the town proper. Settled on a ridge as a Spanish monastery in the late 18th century, it has been called the town that is 2 miles long and 2 yards wide. During the days of steamboat trading, commerce flourished in this area along the Mississippi River, and the majestic plantations that rose up all around make the scenic locale a rare find among modern-day destinations. A strong historical tradition includes its brief run as the capital of the independent Republic of West Florida and serving…

WHEN HER YOUNGER SON’S lifelong friend and roommate at the University of Georgia, Sam Lane, suffered a traumatic bicycle accident and returned home to Mississippi to recover, Katy Houston promised to help “feed” him back to health. That promise turned into The Treat of the Week, which eventually became Sweetness Follows, a compilation of her 60-plus dessert recipes and Sam’s story. Every week for over a year, Katy delivered a homemade dessert like her Apple Streusel Pie or Blueberry Cheesecake Bars to Sam and his family, not repeating a treat even once. “They said that things were very difficult during that time. There was nothing to look forward to, but they knew I would be there Monday morning with a treat,” says Katy. A weekly dose of sugar and love…