Red is one of my favorite colors. Red pillows with white accents find a place on my sofa and side chairs. A seasonal wreath with red ribbon adds the finishing touch to the living room. The color red is even highlighted in my kitchen for the most festive time of year. During the holiday season, I love to find new …
White Pumpkins and Bittersweet
White pumpkins are all the rage in decorating. I have one question. When did these things appear? Growing up I never saw a white pumpkin…every pumpkin I ever saw was orange. Yes that’s it, orange. Charlie Brown movies are my favorites, especially It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I still watch that movie every Halloween and relive a bit of …
A Unique Dose Of Christmas Cheer with Sybil Sylvester
There is nothing that stirs the holiday spirit like beautiful floral decorations in a grand, old Southern home. While I am a fan of traditional Christmas decoration with its red and green, there is a fine line between festive and flashy. I have to appreciate the creativity in a holiday design that honors tradition, but is just a little bit …
A Southern Hospitality Getaway to Lake Charles
I love sharing delightful travel experiences with readers, and that’s why I’m thrilled to tell you about our Southern Hospitality Getaway to Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Lake Charles area is a fun place to visit with a full calendar of over 75 festivals celebrating local heritage, each year. Lake Charles is also home to the second largest Mardi Gras celebration …
My Hand-Embroidered Tablecloth
Have you ever spent years on a project? The first time I undertook a long and difficult project was after I graduated from high school. My Grandmother Hill gave me some money as a graduation present because she knew that I wanted a tablecloth. The tablecloth that I wanted was not just any tablecloth. It was plain linen; however, it …
New Orleans Plantation Country Giveaway
The historic homes of New Orleans Plantation Country are some of the most beautiful and traditional representations of southern architecture and decor. I so enjoy traveling and experiencing these grand homes. Each plantation shares unique stories of the families who lived there, and even some thrilling tales of those who haven’t quite moved on. Fall is an especially magical time …
Pursuing Peace This Fall
We are in such a joyous time of year. I love fall for so many reasons: hot drinks, the changing of leaves, wearing cozy sweaters…the list goes on. Along with all the joys that fall brings, it also ushers in one of the busiest times of the year. It’s football season, the holidays are coming up, and many things demand …
Beautiful Ivy Tablescape
Do you have an especially cherished set of dishes? I have many that are special to me for various reasons, but one of the most meaningful is my mother’s green ivy dishes. The ivy wreaths on the classic white dishes with a green trim have always caught my eye. Ivy is a greenery that I always have in abundance. I …
Introducing New Southern Spaces Book
One of my favorite things about living in the South is the beautiful homes. I always love seeing the variations in architecture and style across the region. Decorating a home is truly an art. Southern Spaces is a new book that explores the aspects of decorating that are uniquely Southern. Editor Kathleen J. Whaley was kind enough to share some …
History of the Bridal Trousseau
When I graduated from high school, my dad made me a blanket chest out of walnut wood. I had seen one in an antique store that was completely out of the question to buy. I took him over to see it and he made me my very own blanket chest that I still cherish today. It took the place of …