Southern Lady Spring In The South 2016

It begins the same way every year. The sight of the first magenta bloom on my row of camellias, a little peek of leaves from emerging daffodil bulbs—and yet, like a favorite book you could read over and over again, spring’s plot to reawaken our world and color it with beauty enchants me anew each year. We hope that you’ll relish every budding flower and unfurling leaf with us as we celebrate this jubilant season. From beautiful flower arrangements and easy decorating ideas to garden-party menus and charming bed-andbreakfast escapes, these are our favorite ways to enjoy spring in the South.…

Blooming Bounty Welcome guests with a ring of sunny forsythia (opposite). Start with a loosely shaped sunburst grapevine wreath, then trim the long branches of a forsythia bush and weave through. Continue the floral fancy indoors with a lemony twist on a simple bouquet. Fill a small glass vase with water, and place in the center of a wider glass bowl or vase. Line the space between them with lemon slices. Arrange spring flowers inside the smaller vessel. Bell Curve Highlight nature’s beauty with this simple idea. Place a small nest on a plate of moss, and fashion a lovely scene featuring a potted fern, butterflies, birds, and a flower or two. A glass bell cloche completes the enchanting tabletop vignette. Sitting Pretty A few flowers can instantly elevate a simple side chair. Knot crocheted…

Having lived in Atlanta for years, Cynthia and Mike Davis found themselves yearning for a simpler, small-town way of life—if only they could find the ideal spot. During a motorcycle trip around the South to celebrate their wedding anniversary, they stopped in Eufaula, Alabama, for lunch. The town’s quaintness charmed them, and as they ate, they began eyeing it as a place to put down fresh roots. “We were sitting there, and we said, ‘You know, we love Eufaula,’” Cynthia says. A house hunt soon afterward turned up an 1889 Victorian cottage in the historic district, left to languish but still beautiful beneath the decay. With the goal of keeping the architectural integrity intact, the Davises set about restoring its glorious surfaces and details, which include long-leaf pine shingles and floorboards,…

For interior designer Sally May of Birmingham, good design is a marathon—not a sprint. “Contrary to today’s reality home-makeover shows, good design does not happen overnight or on a dime,” she says. Sally took this “long-view” approach when transforming the house she shares with her husband and two boys into a warm and inviting home. “The classic structure of the house was a good starting point when we bought it,” Sally says of the 20-year-old residence, “but there wasn’t anything custom or unique about the house itself. My goal was to stamp my personal style on it.” With its lovely mix of collected pieces and heirlooms, the home is decidedly elegant, but it keeps an approachable, livable quality for the family. A wash of soft creams and browns color the main…

Form Meets Function Gardening can be relaxing work, but sometimes tracking down the right tools, having the right space to prep in, and keeping it all tidy can bring lots of fuss to otherwise fancy-free afternoons. So Birmingham-based designer Troy Rhone came up with this clever potting shed. A built-in shelf keeps his stacks of clay pots at hand but also neatly out of the way. The large counter below offers plenty of work space, while pullout drawers and hidden compartments below provide storage for soil, mulch, and tools like trowels and weeding buckets. “It’s really practical, yet it’s attractive,” Troy says.…

Pretty Pastels Invite dear friends for a playful twist on afternoon tea, starting with a setting that features the daintiest of details. Play up the joyful spirit of the season with a colorful combination of spring flowers—roses, peonies, and such—for both a fanciful welcome wreath and small bouquets in white hobnail vases. A refreshing pink lemonade punch and strawberry cupcakes served in teacups are clever substitutes for the usual fare. Add dashes of enchanting accents, such as pink ball-fringe trim tied into napkin rings and “bluebirds of happiness” figurines, for just the right note on this delightful day. Pink Lemonade Punch MAKES ABOUT 1 GALLON 1 (12-ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed 1 (46-ounce) can pineapple juice, chilled 2 tablespoons grenadine 1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled 1. In a large pitcher, combine pink lemonade concentrate, pineapple…