Innholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2018 i Southern Lady

As loyal Southern Lady readers know, I love a pretty garden at its peak. There’s beauty to be found every time of year (yes, even winter!), but summer is when all the hard work of planting, pruning, and weeding yields its most beautiful results. Is there anything more magnificent than an arbor laden with climbing roses, or a cluster of pearl-white gardenias sending out their heavenly fragrance? And I could talk your ear off about my fondness for hydrangeas...I grow them in my garden at home, and the endless variation of their blossoms delights me summer after summer. Our May/June issue celebrates this season’s garden treasures and outdoor living in full glory. I’m especially excited that we caught up with Birmingham garden designer Troy Rhone (page 81), one of our…

Welcome warmer days with tablescapes that call the tropics to mind. Blue Pheasant’s simple Akio Green Glaze dinner plate acts as a canvas for the full spectrum of summer’s radiant frills. Here, a sophisticated tone emerges as the inspiration plate rests atop a ruffled buffet plate in gleaming gold. The shimmer is echoed across the table in swanky flatware, textured napkin jewels, and chic vases. A napkin in a bold pattern of ferns acts as a lively reminder of the season, enhanced by a wine glass etched with an island-themed motif. Opposite, the plate serves as the perfect backdrop for assorted dessert plates bearing watercolor garden vignettes. Natural materials like a wood-bead placemat and a bamboo napkin ring encircling a chambray gauze napkin add to the ambience without distracting from…

Bold shapes and bright colors make a summery splash in this striking arrangement laden with lush apricots and Rainier cherries. Begin with a footed vessel containing a flower frog, and insert large-leaf greenery like hosta and tree branches complemented by twigs of purple Loropetalum. Add brilliant pink dahlias, antique hydrangeas, yellow hyacinths, and ruffled Campanella roses in lively hues. Finish with the fruit, wired on floral picks, for an eye-catching seasonal sensation.…

What makes Louisiana shrimp different? The flavor. Period. And there’s a sense of pride because you know where they’re from, and you’re supporting local fishermen. We only serve whole, head-on Louisiana shrimp. What do you think are some of the best ways to serve Louisiana shrimp? New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp is my thing, but I also I like to make a smoked shrimp dip, where we smoke them and then blend them with cream cheese, lemon juice and hot sauce. If you could only eat one Louisiana shrimp dish for the rest of your life, what would it be? That would be barbecue shrimp. It’s just the perfect dish. It highlights the taste of the shrimp, and it’s a signature Louisiana dish that you probably couldn’t find anywhere else in…

POSH PERGOLA Boundless bouquets of pink tulips and bold roses brighten this stately setting under a poolside pergola bedecked with a grand candlelit chandelier. The iron light fixture helps define the outdoor dining space created by Mona Thompson of Providence Designs in Little Rock, Arkansas. “The goal was to expand the outdoor living space as a multipurpose retreat, as our client entertains often,” Mona says. Silver candelabras and an array of classic blue-and-white containers play off simple white china and crisp linen napkins to create a midsummer freshness warmly accented by woven rattan placemats. Golden utensils glimmer in the late afternoon light, matched by the gleam of fine crystal—perfect for toasting the resplendent outdoors. The wooden structure creates a large entertainment area grounded by a massive concrete pedestal table and…

NATURAL WONDER A beloved, idyllic retreat since it was established in the 1950s, Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, offers a dazzling showcase of summer flora and foliage. Founded by Cason J. Callaway and Virginia Hand Callaway, and originally named Ida Cason Gardens in honor of Cason’s mother, the property was created in order to develop and strengthen the bonds between man and the natural world, and remains dedicated to horticultural education as well as recreational pursuits. Favorite Southern plantings like mountain laurel, azaleas, crepe myrtle, rhododendrons, and magnolias are sprinkled throughout the wooded 2,500-acre expanse, which is laced with walking trails and dotted with small lakes and waterways. The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center (near right), one of Callaway’s highlights, is home to more than a thousand…

COVER See SEASONAL SETTINGS: SUN-KISSED BLISS. FROM THE EDITOR PAGE 11: Hair and makeup styling; Kerri Bunn. MIX & MATCH: VERDANT SPLENDOR PAGE 27: Blue Pheasant Akio green glaze dinner plate; Irwin Ribera. Gien Pont Aux Choux white dessert plate; FX Dougherty Home & Gift. Ruffl e buffet plate in gold; Annieglass. Old Hollywood Swanky flatware in gold; Wayfair. Palmyra wine glass; William Yeoward Crystal. Tropical Fern printed napkin; Deborah Rhodes. L’Objet Braid Napkin Jewels in gold; Bromberg’s. PAGE 28: Blue Pheasant Akio green glaze dinner plate, and Aaron clear highball and tumbler glasses; Irwin Ribera. Gien Jardins Extraordinaires Japan and Mexico dessert plates; FX Dougherty Home & Gift. Paris flatware; Simon Pearce. Chambray gauze napkin in salmon and Wood Bead placemat in natural; Kim Seybert. Bamboo napkin rings; Couleur…

One of my most cherished traditions this time of year is berry picking with my husband and son at Petals from the Past, a wonderful heirloom orchard and garden shop about an hour’s drive from our home in Birmingham, Alabama. We’ve spent many a morning amid the vines, plucking ripe blueberries and blackberries until our fingers are stained and our buckets are spilling over. So when the Southern Lady team was planning our “Lunch in the Orchard” feature (page 69), I knew exactly where we should photograph it. Although Mother Nature threw us a curveball during the shoot with strong winds and showers, our styling and photo team persevered, whipping out tarps and working a little magic to protect the tabletop and the cameras from falling drops. Now that’s dedication—and…

For House of Harris owners Charlotte Harris Lucas and Liz Harris Carroll, mapping their love for the South is as simple as reciting the names of their high-end fabrics and wallcoverings. Each vibrant pattern of the sisters’ aptly titled Avenue collection is derived from one of a dozen North Carolina streets they have called home. “We were born and raised in North Carolina and moved around a lot due to our father’s job,” says Charlotte. “Each design is unique to our memories of these special places.” Those memories are laced with fabric swatches and paint samples. Their mother, designer Sherry Harris, involved her children in the rewarding challenge of turning each new abode into a comfortable home and, in the process, sparked their interests in the creative world of interiors.…

BREEZY RESPITE After a rejuvenating visit to Pursell Farms’ Spring House Spa in Sylacauga, Alabama, spend an afternoon on the sun-drenched grounds catching up with a dear friend. Pay homage to the season by dressing a small table for two in shades of lemon, lime, and pristine white. A setting of pillow-adorned dining chairs offers you and your guest a comfortable, shaded perch beneath a wise old oak. On a nearby tray table, chilled refreshments and tempting savories are ready to be served. Paper lanterns in a mix of shapes sway gently in the warm summer breeze and add to the relaxed atmosphere of this lovely, laid-back occasion. LIVELY DISPLAY A classic gingham tablecloth topped with playful placemats and wicker napkin rings captures the essence of the season, adding to…

YOU’RE IN FOR A HAYRIDE SHREVEPORT AND CENTRAL As the original country and western music legends were getting their start, Shreveport’s beautiful Municipal Auditorium was a must-play venue. Known for the Louisiana Hayride radio program, the building was frequented by the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Johnny Horton. For an intimate listening environment with contemporary singer-songwriters, music aficionados catch a show at the House Concert Series. And if Shreveport is known for its country and western music, Ferriday, Louisiana, on the Mississippi River is notable for its Delta blues, rockabilly and gospel heritage. A trip to its Delta Music Museum and Arcade Theater showcases the town’s musical heritage (which includes locals Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart—who also all happen to be cousins). DANCING IN THE…

SHRIMP RÉMOULADE MAKES 6 CUPS 1 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons ketchup 2 tablespoons Creole mustard 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish 1 tablespoon minced shallot 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice ½ teaspoon ground paprika ½ teaspoon garlic salt ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 2 pounds peeled and deveined cooked medium shrimp, chilled (tails removed) Garnish: chopped fresh parsley 1. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise and next 10 ingredients. Whisk until combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 2. Add shrimp to mayonnaise mixture, and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired. Mixture can be made up to 4 hours ahead. DIY RÉMOULADE BAR Shrimp rémoulade is traditionally served over lettuce, but that’s…

SCENIC FUN Chatter and laughter filled the air at WaterColor Inn & Resort, where participants in The Southern Coterie retreat gathered for presentations on work-life balance. The Southern C, as it’s called, is a community that gives creative types, authors, entrepreneurs, and others an outlet to exchange ideas. Since 2013, the group has had an annual summit involving as many as 325 people, but this meeting was limited to 100. Whitney Long, a co-founder, says the schedule was designed to foster more personal exchanges and to have free time built in for relaxing activities like beach play, shopping, paddleboarding, or yoga. “The location offered the perfect atmosphere to mix work and pleasure,” she says of South Walton's Santa Rosa Beach. “The 100 people—it was a beautiful number. There was so…

As summer’s bountiful blooms begin to color outdoor scenes, take cues from the season’s natural accents, and greet guests at your table by topping their place settings with bright blossoms. We chose a full, sunny yellow dahlia to impart a cheery feel, but possibilities abound. To start, cut down the stem of your selection, and fill a footed dessert bowl with water to keep the flower fresh throughout the meal. As visitors bask in the jovial display, they’ll be thrilled to find these budding embellishments double as favors, bringing a touch of the day’s merriment back to their own homes.…

Heirloom Tomato and Ribbon Zucchini Tart with Purple Basil, Oregano, and Rosemary MAKES 8 SERVINGS ½ (16-ounce) package frozen phyllo pastry, thawed ½ cup olive oil 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (4-ounce) package goat cheese 1 large egg 2 to 3 heirloom tomatoes, sliced ¼ inch thick 1 zucchini, shaved into ribbons Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste 1 small bunch fresh purple basil, torn 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough on prepared pan; brush lightly with oil. Top with another sheet of phyllo dough; brush lightly with oil. Repeat procedure until all phyllo sheets are used. 3. In a medium bowl,…

THE SECRET TO SUPERIOR SEAFOOD Nearly a third of the seafood landed in the U.S. comes from Louisiana. The state’s nutrient-rich estuaries, fed by the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers, create an environment where delicious seafood thrives. These estuaries provide a delicate balance of fresh and saltwater, which forms an ideal habitat for microscopic organisms that make the base of the marine food chain. The Bayou State’s warm, fertile waters are particularly helpful to brown and white shrimp, so much so that Louisiana shrimpers land almost 50 percent of shrimp from the entire Gulf of Mexico (with an economic impact of $1.3 billion). For more information about Louisiana shrimp, visit LouisianaSeafood.com. GREAT AMERICAN SEAFOOD COOK-OFF Each summer, chefs from throughout the country converge upon New Orleans to compete for the title…

For as long as he can remember, Troy Rhone was drawn to the endless possibilities inherent in the splendor of the outside world. Having grown up in a family of writers, artists, and gardeners, he followed the latter path, focusing his talents toward cultivating natural beauty. Now an acclaimed garden designer based in Birmingham with a two-decade career that has spanned 13 states, Troy parlays his creative prowess into custom sanctuaries, filling them with lush plantings and abundant blooms, but also incorporating statuary, antique ephemera, and other objects to lend interest and distinctive personality. “Using garden elements adds a personal touch to a space,” Troy says. “They give you something unexpected. A garden with just plants can sometimes seem out of balance, but stone, cast iron, and things like that…

Berry and Lemon Curd Parfait MAKES 6 3 large eggs 1 cup sugar ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed 1½ teaspoons lemon zest 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 cup fresh blackberries Ginger Shortbread (recipe follows), crumbled Garnish: fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries, fresh blackberries, whole Ginger Shortbread 1. In a medium saucepan, whisk eggs until well combined and a lemon-yellow color. Add sugar and lemon juice, stirring to combine. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and immediately pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl, discarding solids. Add cold butter and zest, stirring until well combined. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up…