Southern Lady Holidays 2018

Like so many of us, I look forward to Christmas all year long. As we work on our annual Holidays special issue in late summer, we’re treated to an enticing taste of the fun and festivity to come. From lavish trees all aglow and mantels bedecked with greenery to lovely wreaths and splendid table settings, you will find seasonal inspiration and a spirit of joy on every page. I especially love the cheery red room that graces our cover—doesn’t it just radiate warmth and hospitality? Turn to page 29 to see more of this delightful space. My very favorite part of this issue (and every edition of Holidays) is our collection of delectable recipes, equally on point for a party with dear friends or a cozy meal at home. Each of…

FINER THINGS At each setting, one perfect peony, along with a tiny sliver of cedar, is placed in a glittery ornament to serve as a place card. (Opposite) The dining room’s dazzling chandelier is reflected in the mirror above the mantel where Gala apples rest amid a beribboned garland of greenery. SEASONAL SCENE A beautiful bouquet of blossoms and fruits in rich hues brings a regal touch to the display, enhanced by green-and-gold goblets. Beneath an ornate mirror, a seasonal vignette features a potted Peppermint amaryllis and a malachite box, as well as serving pieces in the striking Gaudron Malachite china pattern that graces the majestic table setting.…

BASK IN TRADITION Formal sophistication marks this majestic display. Arrange the presentation with your finest holiday china—rich red and gold paired with sparkling silverware suit the festivities. Continue the tabletop scheme with an artful compilation of seasonal details, from gleaming trees and reindeer to velvet ribbon and verdant garland. The luxe embellishments shine as brightly as the joy that flows from the heart of the table to the surrounding spaces where family and friends will gather. BRILLIANT BANQUET Take advantage of this celebratory season to dress your table with a resplendence that leaves no question as to the occasion. A striking centerpiece sets the tone with towering candlesticks that cast a warm glint upon the scene. Gilded trees with a regal design are surrounded with seasonal greens and a stunning medley of shimmering…

RADIANT GLOW Imbued in arcadian allure, a stone hearth washes this holiday display in welcoming warmth. A grand tree adorned in traditional red and silver presides as the twinkle of its lights echoes the glimmer of the nearby fireplace. Gifts donning shimmery bows lay nestled underneath, awaiting the merry day. FESTIVE FLOURISHES Crimson halls decked in pearly frills bring joy to all who gather, especially those eager to peek into their stylishly personalized stockings. Among the tree's verdant branches, frosty twigs hearken to dreams of a white Christmas, while a tiny wreath laden with baubles adds drops of color to a wintry scene. In high expection, a parcel perched atop an ivory chair awaits someone to take a seat and hand out gifts. COUNTRY CHRISTMAS Traditional yet simple, this farmhouse-style mantel fills the space with…

HEARTH & HOME Having worked with this Union Springs, Alabama, family for decades, designer Cindy Barganier knew just how to incorporate the owners’ ideal Christmas aesthetic. In the study, Cindy enhanced the space with garland made from Frasier fir and holly as well as needlepoint stockings depicting classic scenes. DECK THE HALLS Cindy took advantage of the dwelling’s grand entryway and produced a stunningly festive welcome. She developed the unexpected color scheme from the interior's year-round palette. “I am not a big red-and-green girl unless it is a mountain cabin setting, so I usually build Christmas around what is already in the home,” Cindy says. “In this case, we went with blue, green, red, and blush mixed with fresh greenery to create an old-fashioned Christmas with just the right hint of glamour.” A…

FAMILY FORMAL One of five Christmas trees in the home of St. Francisville designer Connie Hunter, the dining room’s dense evergreen twinkles with lights and a natural theme of golden pinecones and birds in blown glass. Tucked into a corner, a cozy library nook welcomes grandchildren with storybooks and a Nativity scene. Connie’s little helpers add a touch of whimsy to the formal space with a homemade gingerbread house on the buffet, while a gleaming antique tea setting awaits a holiday open house. Swags of feathery cedar line the entry’s staircase, adding a simple seasonal note to the space. JOLLY TOUCHES Christmas decorating starts early in the Hunter home with brightly colored MacKenzie-Childs stockings on the keeping room mantel draped in garlands of cedar and pinecones. The holiday favorites continue throughout the kitchen,…