Innholdsfortegnelse for Oct-17 i Southern Lady

 Dear Friends, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 What a treat to welcome sweater weather back to the South! My idea of a perfect fall evening is to wrap up in a cozy cardigan, settle into an outdoor chaise with a cup of tea, and breathe in the crisp air as twilight casts its shadow over the garden. Everything about the season is so wonderfully evocative, and this issue celebrates the very best of autumn’s finery. It wouldn’t be October without our annual collection of porches and pumpkins (page 57)—this beloved feature never fails to inspire us all with its fresh and beautiful ideas for harvest displays. This is the ideal time of year to get back in the kitchen, whether…

WALKING TALL Add a splash of romance to a simple fall outfit with a weather-resistant boot fit for rain or sunshine. Nina Rain Boot in Navy, $85; Chooka, shop.chookaboot.com. PEN TO PAPER Take note of the little things with a collection of easy-to-tote booklets covered in lovely bouquets. Lively Floral Everyday Notebook Set, $15; Rifle Paper Co., riflepaperco.com. ALL WHO WANDER Collect tiny treasures in a petite dish inspired by the exotic splendor of Asian gardens. Wonderlust Crimson Jewel Tray and Yellow Tonquin Tray, $50 each; Wedgwood, wedgwood.com. PRETTY PETALS Matching designer mugs make coffee or tea with a dear friend even sweeter. Twig NY Petals Mugs, $35 for set of two; Diane James Home, dianejameshome.com. DRAMATIC DÉCOR Available in various shapes and sizes, a rug adorned with bold blooms…

THE INSPIRATION Cloaked in steely gray with a copper edging, the Cantaria Dinner Plate in Charcoal by Skyros Designs calls to mind fall evenings by the fire. CASUAL POSSIBILITIES Take a cue from the relaxing air of autumn, and set a scene that exudes the quiet contentment of home. Pair the dinner plate with other mellow tones, like a handcrafted ceramic fruit bowl in faded blue and a simple salad plate in white, softened with an embossed border. Natural materials further the bucolic feel, from hammered glassware to a flax napkin. While the placemat continues the subtle scheme, it also pulls interest in through a few notes of brighter color that hint at October’s signature hues, seen in foraged décor around the table. ELEGANT OPTIONS For a more fanciful occasion,…

For a quiet contrast to autumn’s abundance of saturated colors, incorporate pale-hued pumpkins into a softer take on a traditional harvest tableau. A petite Casperita or Baby Boo pumpkin is perfect for a small arrangement; a Silver Moon, Cotton Candy, Valenciano, or Casper variety suits larger displays. Select a rustic bowl or other container that is slightly larger in diameter than the pumpkin it will hold. Line the vessel with plastic wrap or insert a smaller plastic bowl, then add wet floral foam as a base for the pumpkin. Tuck soft pink spray roses, peach hypericum berries, and bunny grass into the foam to form a ring. Fill in the graceful vignette with lighter foliage like seeded eucalyptus and dusty miller to complete this fresh approach to fall décor.…

HEARTH AND HOME With gourds and fruits spilling along a rustic table runner and candles flickering in time with the crackling fire, this cozy setting showcases fall’s abundance at its finest. A wreath of dried magnolia leaves adds a textural note to the mantel while variegated nandina foliage and fern fronds brighten bouquets of mums, lilies, and abelia. Persimmons perched atop candlesticks lend a whimsical note; pumpkins made of vine echo the charm of the woodsy candelabra. Vintage rust-and-white Furnivals china displays sylvan scenes against the golden backdrop of earthenware plates and the shimmer of metallic chargers, evoking an atmosphere that is at once sophisticated and relaxed. Echo this mood with a masterful meal, starting with a crudité platter and a warm spinach and bell pepper dip. Spiced Braised Beef…

It was a lifelong love of good food and sweet Southern entertaining, passed down from her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, that spurred Ashley English to write Handmade Gatherings. An aficionada of elaborate dinner parties with intricately prepared cuisine and carefully coordinated décor, Ashley discovered that hosting such involved occasions on a regular basis wasn’t sustainable. So she devised a strategy to redefine the traditional potluck as something much more grandiose, but just as comfortable—retaining its purpose to bring people together with food made to be shared. “My husband, Glenn, and I entertain regularly at our home,” Ashley says. “Years ago, we would throw these big parties and do everything ourselves. By the end of the get-together, we were completely depleted, both in terms of labor and budget. The idea for…

Sometimes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Louisiana artist and woodworker Mitch Evans discovered his creative inclinations at age 12—with a few helpful nudges from his mother, artist Joida Evans. “She’s the one who took me out of football and baseball and pretty much demanded that I take Japanese brush stroke lessons,” he says with a chuckle. “I didn’t really tell anyone that I liked it, but I liked it.” Joida also introduced Mitch to woodworking through a course at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. While he enjoyed learning to create bowls and other pieces, he found his real passion in transforming cuts of fallen logs and driftwood into two-dimensional works of art. In homage to his mother, Mitch has adopted the moniker “Son…

Regional Rambles At Southern Lady, we spend a lot of time scouting the best spots to showcase our region’s gorgeous fall color. When our photographer John O’Hagan suggested we check out Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Kentucky (page 45), we were instantly smitten, and we couldn’t wait to capture the beauty of its rust- and gold-tinged foliage. It’s a stone’s throw from Louisville, perfect for a getaway that combines both city sightseeing and leaf peeping. If you love a good story (and what Southerner doesn’t?), beat a path to tiny Jonesborough, Tennessee (page 113), home to the National Storytelling Festival that takes place each October. This year, the festival is scheduled for October 6-8, so mark your calendar! Signs of the Season I’m always amazed by the way our…

While fashion trends come and go as fleetingly as winter in the South, there are some accessories that remain steadfast in every woman’s wardrobe: a strand of pearls, a flattering black dress, a crisp white blouse, and a leather handbag. Recognizing this abiding niche, Regina Bauman, owner and designer of Urban Southern, sought to make her mark with accessories that would showcase the timeless beauty and versatility of naturally tanned cowhide. With the encouragement and expertise of her husband, a third-generation leather craftsman, Regina’s vision not only for a collection of everyday style essentials, but also for a lifestyle brand with a unifying message, began to take shape. As Urban Southern attracted growing support, Regina recruited her cousin and best friend, Meg Delagrange, to help her articulate the company’s mantra:…

NATURE’S BOUNTY Accentuate a woodland vista with a tablesetting that pays homage to the flora and fauna of the forest, from stoneware dishes and a pitcher bearing an artful antler handle to ornate silver flatware reminiscent of sturdy branches. Dainty blossoms soften the look of classic plaid napkins cinched with belt-buckle leather rings, while a medley of mismatched candleholders creates a concordant table runner of midnight blue. Collected in a glimmering leaf-shaped dish, foraged acorns showcase Mother Nature’s gracious gifts, along with variegated fallen leaves scattered along the length of the tabletop. Fleece pillows and picnic-worthy blankets encourage gathered guests to linger in awe of the enchanting surrounds. ENCHANTED FOREST While a mossy tree stump makes a humble tabletop fit for serving dessert or storing extra place settings, decorative twigs,…

Greet guests at your October table with a simple place card display that doubles as a party favor—and sends forth a wonderful aroma to infuse the occasion. Start with a bag of seasonal store-bought potpourri, then enliven the medley with natural accents borrowed from autumn’s bounty. Cloves and homemade dried oranges (sliced, sugared, and baked at 200 degrees for a couple of hours) imbue the arrangement with warm fall color and comforting fragrance. Fill small glass jars with the mixture, and use pretty ribbon to tie on dainty name tags for a presentation that looks as lovely as it smells.…

Can a Southern lady ever have too many sets of china? Not in my book! I'll always hold a special place in my heart for my collection of heirloom Blue Willow and other blue-and-white dishware, but there are so many gorgeous patterns to be found that I just can't resist adding new pieces to my shelves, from delicate florals to time-honored motifs like basketweave and Greek key. One of my favorite ways to get these pretties out of the cabinet and into the light is to mix them into seasonal vignettes throughout the house—artfully arranged in a china cabinet or swapped in for other decorative plates hung on the walls. The right pattern can refresh the whole look of a space and instantly set the tone for a certain time…

Mixed Mushroom and Gratinéed Potato Pie MAKES 1 (9-INCH) DEEP-DISH PIE 1 (14.1-ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts, room temperature 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup thinly sliced leeks 1 cup diced red onions 1 cup thinly sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms 1 cup thinly sliced fresh baby portobello mushrooms 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese, divided 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 1½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Garnish: chopped fresh thyme 1. Preheat oven to 450°. 2. On a lightly floured surface, unroll pie crusts. Brush one crust lightly with water; place remaining crust on top, pressing…

I want to share how happy I am with my subscription to Southern Lady magazine. I have been a subscriber for years, and now more than ever I appreciate the beauty of the articles and photography. I love learning all of the many things that I glean from both the writing and the beauty on the pages. It is truly a delight each time I receive my new issue. Thank you so much for blessing us as subscribers with such a lovely publication. It truly exhibits Southern grace and good taste. Connect with Us What’s your favorite story from our latest issue? Is there a Southern Lady recipe you love to share with family and friends? Have you set a beautiful table lately? We’d love for you to tag us…

KNITTED FINESSE The playful texture of yarn knots and subtle fringe easily embellish a neutral sofa or occasional chair. Company C Park Blue Iris Throw Blanket, $120; Layla Grayce, laylagrayce.com. POSH PLAID Classic meets luxury in this trendy-hued tartan blanket woven from 100% pure silken wool. Avoca Lambswool Throw-WR122, $133; Amara, us.amara.com. ELEGANT IKAT For a gorgeous gift with a personal touch, add monogrammed initials to this jacquard woven beauty. Ikat Stripe Lambswool Throw in Lilac, $169-$178.50; Williams Sonoma Home, williams-sonoma.com. AGELESS ACCENT Get comfy with a striped coverlet that is versatile and timeless in both color and style. Cozy Knit Linen Throw, $152; Pine Cone Hill, pineconehill.annieselke.com. LAVISH LIVING With plush faux fur on one side and sleek velvet on the other, an ombre accoutrement dresses up any space.…

When architect Keith Summerour asks his clients about their days, it’s more than just a pleasantry. He has them walk him through their routine, from start to finish, then looks for ways to enhance the experience through design. “There’s an old truism in design that form follows function,” he says. “What are significant moments of the day for you? Do you take coffee with your husband? Let’s make that a special place.” In his new book, Creating Home: Design for Living, Keith shares nine houses for which he developed the architectural plan around this process, with direct ties to the lives and personalities of the owners. For one family, it meant a master suite they could enter through a closet to accommodate packing for frequent travels. For another household, he…

Brownie Petits Fours MAKES 12 1 (11-ounce) container brownie bites ¼ cup creamy peanut butter 1 cup dark melting wafers,* melted according to package directions 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream 1 (8-ounce) package roasted salted peanuts, finely chopped 1. Using the end of a wooden spoon, poke a hole in center of each brownie bite, being careful not to poke all the way through. 2. Fill a piping bag with peanut butter, and pipe peanut butter into each hole to fill. Turn brownie bites over, and place on a wire rack. 3. In a small bowl, stir together melted chocolate and cream. Pour over brownies. Let cool slightly. Top each brownie with chopped peanuts while still sticky. Refrigerate until set. *We used Ghirardelli.…