Southern Lady Autumn In The South 2016

My mom and I have always shared a favorite street in our north Alabama neighborhood. With its craftsman-style cottages and postage-stamp gardens, it holds charm any day of the year. But in fall, as the tree-lined road slowly transforms to reveal a lush canopy and thick carpet of golden leaves, it seems nothing short of magical. Indeed, this invigorating season brings with it a wonder that seems to entirely captivate us. Pumpkins in all manner of shades and sizes find their way to porches and tabletops, and farmers’ markets tempt hostesses with the last of the harvest. Favorite outings, special gatherings, even day-to-day dealings become all the more alluring in a cloak of fall color kissed by crisp air. This special issue brings you all that we love about fall, from decorating…

Gracious Greetings Compose a warm welcome for guests with a simple entryway display that festoons a vintage lantern with colorful leaves, berries, and moss. OPPOSITE: Or take it over the top with a flower-filled wreath bursting with fall hues. A combination of summer-loving Gerbera daisies and later-leaning selections like black-eyed Susan and scabiosa pods results in a lovely bridge between the two seasons. Harvest Round-Up Cheerful sunflowers placed in a vintage sap bucket and supplemented with millet, zinnias, yarrow, solidago, safflowers, PeeGee hydrangea, and beautyberry branches capture all the exuberance of a brilliant autumn day. OPPOSITE: For a presentation of pumpkins that suits the scale of a large porch, pile a variety of colors and sizes into an old-fashioned wooden wheelbarrow. Natural Influence A garland made from acorns and treasures gathered from nature is a…

Sitting Pretty Even without a sizable porch, you can still set a scene of seasonal invitation. Create the look by stacking large, flat-bottomed pumpkins, and then fill an old metal birdcage with striped mini varieties. Pull a few chairs nearby to arrange a sitting area— Adirondacks suit the laidback mood—and make them cozy with pillows and throws. Mix & Match The array of squash varieties available this time of year seems endless— plump, petite, patterned, plain. It’s a veritable smorgasbord, and the good news is, you don’t have to choose! For this simple arrangement, gather as many distinctive gourds as you can find, and let them spill down your front-porch stairs in a kaleidoscopic welcome. Softer Side This autumn, try treating guests to a unique twist on seasonal décor. Trade traditional oranges and yellows for…

Hearth & Home This Jacksonville, Florida, house is characterized by a casual elegance that fosters a restful atmosphere for the family of six that calls it home. Designer Anne Rue decided on a traditional white kitchen but brought in personality with artful accents and bar stools covered in a colorful geometric print. The dining room presents a more sophisticated look with a lustrous wallpaper and Schonbek crystal chandeliers. Still, warm neutrals, soft lighting, and fresh flowers beckon guests to sit back and relax. The study’s mahogany wainscoting and marble fireplace continue the air of grandeur, while the room’s rich palette lends a distinctly cozy feel.…

Fun & Games When Ron and Cathy Fincher built their dream home in the Tennessee countryside, they placed the 2,000-square-foot basement at the top of their to-do list. The couple enlisted designer Eric Ross to carve the unfinished expanse into an ideal place to gather with loved ones and create beautiful memories, all while adding character. To that end, Eric defined the areas with built-in storage—bookcases in the game room and the living area, along with a custom hutch in the casual dining nook. The hutch echoes the color scheme of adjacent kitchen cabinets and complements the grass cloth that lines the living space. Majestic Comfort The earthy palette of the basement continues upstairs to a guest room replete with soft floral accents in winter white, auburn, and mocha. An eye-catching ikat fabric…

Sylvan Setting Carpeted in a tapestry of fallen foliage and framed by supple branches, a farmhouse path beckons guests to join in this pastoral scene. A collection of rustic chairs gathers around a table layered with fringed throws that signal cooler days to come. At each place setting, miniature birds’ nests embrace clusters of vibrant burgundy mums—a nice, cheery welcome to the gathering. Rustic Appeal Woodland-themed plates, warm-toned metals, and etched tumblers in smoky blue combine for a mellow, nuanced palette. An assortment of antique silver suits the unfussy setting, and a tousled bouquet of rose hips and oak leaves catches the soft sunlight. Pumpkins and gourds scattered about enhance the autumnal mood. A stack of plaid blankets is on hand to keep guests snug as balmy afternoon fades into brisk evening.…