Southern Lady Southern Porches 2019

ROOM TO RELAX A historic Charleston home boasts a terrace that overlooks a stunning courtyard. Huge paned-glass windows and doors, along with 11-foot-high ceilings, make the space feel even more vast. Large potted arrangements and groupings of furniture balance the scale of the room. (Opposite) Paved with irregular pieces of Pennsylvania flagstone, this porch peers out onto a beautiful front yard. Black-and-white furnishings contrast with the variegated stone surrounds without taking away from Mother Nature's splendor. SEASIDE SERENITY When vacationing, consider accommodations that offer living space inside and out. This deck becomes an extra room when fluffed with items brought from home, such as books and pillows, as well as other comforts like fruit and flowers purchased from a local market. These little luxuries combined with the sound of rolling waves and the…

BY THE BAY A picturesque view of summer sunshine dancing on the water inspires a laid-back rendezvous on the porch. Take advantage of the season’s lingering daylight, and borrow from the natural beauty of seaside surrounds. As distinctive as waves brushing the shoreline, hand-painted ceramic plates in sundry splashes of blue and white set a tranquil tone for this casual waterside tableau. To incorporate textural interest, mix in woven chargers and cream-colored macramé table runners. A fanned frond of freshly picked greenery is simple yet striking tucked into a chic vase. SEAFARING FINDS An ombré finish and crackle glaze lend refinement to a collection of stoneware with an ocean-life motif, like a salad plate that decoratively reprises the underside of a sea urchin. Complement the layered setting with aqua napkins adorned with a…

PROMENADE OF PURPLE A unifying theme of lavender ties together various lacy and ruffled patterns of dinnerware by Mateus, while delicate butterfly accents bring a fanciful feeling to this tablescape. Goblets and tumblers in an understated emerald hue make the perfect accompaniment to purple plates and crochet-trimmed linens. The etched elegance of rosy stainless steel flatware adds to the whimsical style of the gathering. Simple striped ribbons tied in bows become napkin rings, easy and appropriate for an alfresco spread. Like flowers, all these individual elements, lovely on their own, complement each other to enhance the radiant experience of summer in a Southern garden. GARDEN-FRESH GALA Gentle breezes and the graceful fluttering of butterfly wings fill the yard with color and activity. Recreate the ambience of a stroll through your personal verdant oasis…

SWEET SENTIMENTS Circle a Saturday on your calendar for good old-fashioned togetherness, and see how a few easy extras can make your loved ones feel truly fussed over. A combination of seasonal flowers and foraged foliage makes for an eye-catching centerpiece. Make the most of the grand display by repeating it in several smaller versions scattered about the scene. Elevate simple sweet tea with crisp apple slices for a refreshment that's in tune with the flavors of fall. BRIGHT OUTLOOK No matter the menu, dinner served on the back porch is instantly heartwarming, as the comforts of home mingle with the great outdoors. Take advantage of on-hand accents, like a variety of vessels for petite bouquets and a duo of potted ferns, allowing the informal look to match the insouciant atmosphere. FLORAL INFUSION Everyday plates…

VIBRANT VISTA Encourage a sense of calm that inspires guests to linger on a quiet summer’s eve. A table linen bearing cool hues of blue and white provides instant tranquility, while bursts of coral in the way of dinnerware and fresh dahlias add zing to the tablescape. Crisp white place mats with sweetly scalloped edges offer the spotlight to the dynamic settings that top them. Used sparingly, golden accents bring a refined feel to the alfresco fête. A translucent turquoise pitcher brimming with a refreshing beverage echoes the organic beauty of the ocean. AIRY ESCAPE Balance formality and esprit with a floor-length tablecloth in a casual French provincial print. Bouquets of lively blooms spanning a broad spectrum of red create a bold centerpiece in sleek navy vases, while a verdant backdrop pulls another…

BELLE OF THE SOUTH Channel the world Margaret Mitchell rendered in her magnum opus, Gone with the Wind, and set a grand plantation-style porch for lunch with leading ladies. A black-and-white striped cloth—reminiscent of one of Scarlett O’Hara’s many fabulous costumes from the 1939 film—forms a striking foundation. Delicately patterned green-and-white china recalls the heroine’s flouncy barbecue-day dress, while richly colored glassware and napkins tied in velvet ribbons offer a nod to her iconic drapery gown. The scene wouldn’t be complete without a bouquet of freshly trimmed magnolia blossoms. Their inimitable fragrance fills the air, carrying guests to another place and time. CLASSIC STYLE What better way to catch up with a dear companion than by sipping tea together beneath the shade of a well-appointed porch? Timeless wicker chairs and a matching side…