Innholdsfortegnelse for March - April 2017 i Southern Lady

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”Proverbs 31:10 Dear Friends, It’s time to celebrate! The arrival of spring heralds so many lovely occasions, from bridal showers and garden teas to engagement parties and Easter feasts. If you’re hosting a special gathering, we have ideas aplenty: gorgeous table settings, spring-fresh recipes, vibrant floral arrangements, and more. Need a gift for a dear hostess? Our Pretty Things picks (page 15) are sure to delight her. Of course, our March/April issue wouldn’t be complete without the annual New Looks for Old China feature (page 55), a collection of ideas for adding linens, complementary patterns, and other touches that make heirloom dishware look current again. You might even be inspired to add to your china collection, and I…

POLISHED PRESENTATION Display devilishly delicious hors d’œuvres on a pretty platter. Portmeirion Botanic Garden Deviled Egg Plate, $25.99; Replacements, Ltd., replacements.com. FLORAL FRILLS Adorn your table with handcrafted ceramic bowls blooming with seasonal color. Floral Dipping 51/2-inch Bowls in Gold, Cotton, and Surf, $34 each; r.wood studio, rwoodstudio.com. EASTERN ACCENTS Sip and stir refreshing glasses of sweet tea with silver spoons that double as straws. Chinoiserie Spoon Straws, $140 for set of 6; Kim Seybert, kimseybert.com. SOUTHERN CHARM Set the stage for Easter lunch with songbirds holding watercolor place cards. Bird Place Card Holders, $230 for set of 6; L’Objet, l-objet.com. Basket of Blooms Place Cards, $4.49 for set of 6; Judy Jamieson, judyjamieson.com. LOVELY LINENS Fringe accents and colorful monograms add festive flair to cocktail napkins. Fringe Square Cocktail…

THE INSPIRATION With its lightly crackled finish and lovely robin's-egg hue, this Kim Seybert dinner plate introduces subtle texture and a near-neutral foundation, perfect for layering with patterned pieces from whimsical to refined. FEATHERED FANCY Celebrate the return of sweet tweets and new blooms outside your window with a lively accent plate, like Mottahedeh’s Chelsea Bird dessert plate. Orange napkins warm the setting and complement the design’s feathers and foliage. Complete the light, airy scene with a white tablecloth and stemless glasses. GOLD STANDARD Detailed accents of gold and white lend the blue-anchored setting a sense of breezy glamour. Start with a dessert plate featuring a versatile trellis design, then continue the modern twist with global napkin rings and white linen napkins bearing a champagne brushstroke. Mottled goblets and mixed…

Easter’s on its way, bringing a bevy of fun motifs to play with in creative seasonal décor. For a sideboard setup or casual centerpiece, try this sweet and colorful alternative to fresh flower arrangements. Create beds of moss on each tier of a silver serving tray, then nestle in a handful of decorative eggs. Pastel, speckled, ombré, or natural—the options are endless and can be tailored to suit your style. Add a lacy runner and a pair of gilded cottontails to finish off this hippity-hoppity-happy display.…

LOCAL FLAVOR Savor artisan baked goods, plus inventive brunch and lunch fare, at Scratch Bakery (left). Guglhupf (below) is a favorite for German-inflected delicacies and exquisite pastries, cakes, and other confections. At Mateo (bottom left), traditional tapas get a Southern twist from ingredients like country ham and green tomatoes. Gussied-up comfort food is the star at Dame’s Chicken & Waffles (bottom center), while the celebrated Foster’s Market (bottom right) offers a menu of robust sandwiches, soups, salads, and more. STAY AWHILE Boutique luxury abounds at the King’s Daughters Inn (far left), originally built in the 1920s as private quarters for ladies in their golden years. Each room is done in bespoke style, and guests are pampered with delectable breakfasts and daily treats such as evening chocolates and port. At the…

Making Merry Orchestrate the party on the front porch, a prime spot for a floral-inspired afternoon in the redolent spring air. A garden-fresh spin on easy hors d’oeuvres suits the occasion, as does the glorious finale—a small-scale honey-flavored layer cake. Quick Pickle-Egg Salad Canapés MAKES 15 TO 17 1 cup distilled white vinegar 2 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon mustard seed 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped 1 cucumber, cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 2 bay leaves 6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon chopped green onion 1 teaspoon yellow mustard ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper Garnish: paprika, chopped fresh dill 1. In a small saucepan, heat vinegar, sugar, 1½ teaspoons salt, mustard seed, and garlic over medium-high heat until sugar…

Tickled Pink Dressed in soft pinks and pristine whites, a fanciful child-size table welcomes the littlest Southern ladies for an afternoon to remember. Tea sets dotted with the most delicate of buds and blossoms are certain to elicit delighted giggles and squeals. Further the enchantment with traditional but kid-friendly morsels, such as dressed-up sandwiches and heart-shaped scones—a sweet assortment for an even sweeter day. Peanut Butter and Jam Flower Sandwiches MAKES 12 4 ounces cream cheese, softened ½ cup creamy peanut butter 12 large slices white sandwich bread 1/3 cup seedless strawberry jam 1. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and peanut butter with a mixer at medium-high speed until creamy. Place mixture in a piping bag fitted with a medium open tip (Wilton #12). 2. Using a 2¼-inch…

Honey-Drizzled Asparagus Tart MAKES 12 SERVINGS ½ (14.1-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts, room temperature 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 cup ricotta cheese ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh thyme ½ teaspoon lemon zest 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and halved 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil Garnish: lemon zest, shredded Parmesan cheese, honey 1. Preheat oven to 400°. Spray an 11x8-inch tart pan with cooking spray. 2. On a lightly floured surface, unroll piecrust; gently roll into a 13x10-inch rectangle. Transfer to prepared pan, pressing into bottom and up sides. Trim excess dough. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. 3. In a small bowl, stir together egg, ricotta, Parmesan, thyme, lemon zest and juice,…

To purchase items featured in our articles, please refer to the information below. If an item is not listed, it is privately owned and not available for purchase. To contact the manufacturers and retail stores referenced below, see DIRECTORY OF COMPANIES. EDITOR’S FAVORITES PAGE 11: Large Sarah Earrings in Rutilated Quartz, 7-Stone Cuff in Citrine; Judith Bright. Hair and Makeup Styling; Kerri Bunn. MIX & MATCH: SPRING SENSATION PAGES 23-24: Feathered Fancy: Dinner Plate in Crackle Sea Glass; Kim Seybert. Bistro Bright Satin 5-Piece Setting, Carine Stemless White Wine Glass; Juliska. Chelsea Bird Dessert Plate; Mottahedeh. Autumn Orange Linen Napkin, Fiddlehead Napkin Ring; World Market. Gold Standard: Dinner Plate in Crackle Sea Glass, Trellis Dessert Plate in Opal with Gold, Global Napkin Ring in Gold, Brushstroke Napkin in White &…

Always one of my favorite annual editions to put together, this March/April volume is bittersweet, my last issue as editor of Southern Lady. This magazine has been a tremendous part of my life for the past 10 years, but it’s now time for me to transition from this love to another: a delightfully precocious little Southern gent that stole my heart almost 3 years ago. I’ve grown up in this world of Southern Lady—not only professionally but personally, too—and now I long to put all I’ve gleaned about gracious living and serving family into practice full-time for my own wonderful husband and young son. So as we journey through 2017 and the fabulous stories that are already in motion, know that I will be reading and re-creating right along side…

Before she graduated from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and moved to New York to study at Parsons School of Design, author Meg Braff’s design skills were already in play. Like many college students decorating their first place, she and her roommate collected a hodgepodge of secondhand pieces and found ways to make them their own. Meg’s favorite was a castoff pie safe. Channeling her Grandmother Phillips’ DIY spirit, she recalls, “We sanded and painted that thing and turned it into a TV armoire. Why I ever wanted a pie safe, I could not begin to tell you, but it was free and we were on a tight budget.” Since that first foray into the decorating world, Meg has established a flourishing interiors firm, developed several wallpaper and fabric lines, opened…

Oh, the joys of a fine new frock! Whether it’s for Easter Sunday or a day out with the girls, we all love to dress up sometimes; the lilt and light of dressing in silks or satins is matched only by the boost it gives its wearer. Charming pink-and-white silk with chenille embroidery has a similar effect on this dining room full of neutral tones. Caterina Meadows of Pate-Meadows Designs created a buffet skirt to add a punch of color to the setting. The new overlay also solved the homeowner’s dilemma of using an inherited mahogany antique too dear to paint or replace, but not suited to her personal style. An added layer of inner lining fabric safeguards the buffet from scratches and gives the silk a luxurious drape. Sewn…

Something Blue Treat the happy couple to a fête that exudes the simple beauty of a love truly meant to be. Craft a sense of casual elegance using basic dishware and airy linen fabrics in white and blue to highlight the occasion. For no-fuss flowers, mix azaleas and other garden cuttings with pretty store-bought blooms in clusters of glass bottles. Individual fruit cups and a colorful take on shrimp and grits add to the light, refreshing feel of the day, while a signature Champagne cocktail and an Iced Tea Bar lend notes of festivity. Springtime Fruit Salad MAKES 10 TO 12 SERVINGS 6 cups honeydew spheres (about 1 large honeydew) 6 grapefruits, sectioned 3 naval oranges, sectioned 1 pint blueberries 6 tablespoons honey 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 1. In…

GLORIOUS GATHERING This white-and-pastel-infused setting signals the day’s splendor as it shines under the sun, giving off an effervescent feel that mirrors the spirits of all in attendance. Vintage white linens with subtle detailing set a pristine backdrop, while spring-inspired shades of blue and pink dance across the table. Dainty floral motifs abound, from timeless crystal patterns to an assortment of unique glass dinnerware in turquoise hues. Evoking an elegant yet cheerful ambience, a lively arrangement of tulips, snapdragons, and ranunculus spills from a refined silver vessel, extending the color and presentation of smaller pedestal displays filled with Jordan almonds and Easter eggs. TWIST ON TRADITION Prepare a delicious lineup of creative dishes, inspired by Easters past. A Pineapple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin becomes the star of the menu, while lemony butter…

Looking back, Denise Gee is unable to separate her upbringing from lessons in Southern entertaining. She grew up in Natchez, Mississippi, sharing a four-story Victorian manse with her mother, grandmother, and rotating groups of renters. The home doubled as the site of the family business: a boutique featuring clothing, antiques, and her grandmother’s renowned homemade jams and jellies. Helping with the eclectic shop, Denise learned the ways of the Southern hostess at an early age. With Southern Appetizers, she brings this lifetime of experience to a collection of 60 crowd-pleasing recipes for laidback entertaining, along with seasoned advice for acting as a gracious host and pulling off a party to remember. “I was raised in a historic, party-loving Mississippi River town around family and friends who loved to cook, entertain,…

LOVELY SOUTHERN LADIES My sister-in-law introduced me to Southern Lady, and I have so enjoyed my subscription! I often tell friends about your beautiful articles, and I love that Phyllis Hoffman DePiano includes a scripture verse. Keep up the good work on your lovely magazine for Southern ladies (and those who wish they were). FROM OUR STAFF: INSTAGRAM PICTURES Take a peek behind the scenes at the daily inspiration and humorous happenings that come together to make the pages of Southern Lady. @SouthernLadyMag…

The history of the enchanting white house that stands on the coveted corner of Meeting Street and South Battery, just steps from White Point Garden, begins with a love story. Back in the late 1800s, Charleston jeweler Waring Carrington met the lovely, young Martha Williams, and he was instantly smitten. She was equally taken, and the couple were married in the most celebrated ceremony of 1890. The delighted father of the bride bestowed an incredibly generous gift: a check for $75,000 to be used toward the newlyweds’ first home. The stunning Queen Anne–style house, which was completed in 1892, now welcomes guests as Two Meeting Street Inn, a bed-and-breakfast that is the very definition of Southern hospitality. In 1946, Minnie Spell Carr purchased the home from relatives of the original…

As spring awakens in the South, welcome the renewal with a sprawling arrangement that showcases the best of the season’s natural radiance in a rainbow of engaging pastels. Begin the presentation with an assortment of roses, then create a harmonious blending of distinctive petals with inclusions like ranunculus and parrot tulips. Hyacinth offers pretty pops of periwinkle as well as a delightful aroma. Finish off the arrangement with a few flowering branches and a dispersion of light-and-fresh foliage such as variegated nasturtium. A clean backdrop accompanied by subtle sherbet-inspired accents lends the display the perfect platform to shine.…

If ever there were a place that embodies our Southern love affair with the pleasures of the table, it’s Lucullus in New Orleans’ French Quarter. I’ve never seen another shop quite like it; there may well not be one! Proprietor Patrick Dunne is a history expert as well as a gastronome, and behind Lucullus’ deep red façade lies an impeccably curated collection of culinary antiques: fine china, silver, glassware, case goods, kitchen tools, and curiosities, all lovingly cared for and passed down through generations of cooks and hostesses. Sourced from points around the globe—especially France, where Patrick has a second home—they offer a window into a long-ago era when the art of dining well was at its peak. Some are pedigreed, others humble, but all offer their own distinctive connection…

Timeless Chic Often all it takes are a few fresh accessories, and you’ll fall in love once again with your heirloom china. For Noritake’s 175 pattern, in production for more than 90 years, contemporary takes on the charger and linen help revive a beloved design while highlighting the rim’s golden bronze artistry. Asian Influence Introduced in the 19th century and made popular again in the 1980s, Chinese Tigers by Wedgwood boasts a lasting dynamic appeal made all the more inviting with fanciful table details of bamboo flatware and pom-pom napkin rings. Beyond Basic A plain white pattern—no matter its era—makes a great canvas for the latest trends in colors and patterns. Incorporating interesting textures and shapes also enlivens a simple look like Wedgwood’s Edme. Floral Charm Insert a similar but…

Grapefruit Tart MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS Crust: 1½ cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar ¼ cup almond meal ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ cup blanched slivered almonds ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed 1 large egg, lightly beaten Filling: 2¼ cups whole milk, divided 1 cup plus 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar, divided 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved 7 egg yolks 6 tablespoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 3 pink grapefruits, sectioned 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar Garnish: fresh mint leaves 1. For crust: In the work bowl of a food processor, pulse together flour, confectioners’ sugar, almond meal, and salt until combined. Add slivered almonds, and pulse until small pieces remain. Add butter, and pulse until mixture is crumbly. Add egg, and pulse until a…