Southern Lady November/December 2018

How I love Christmastime! This magical season fills my heart with joy: unpacking boxes filled with ornaments and hand-stitched stockings; gathering with dear friends; playing our family’s favorite carols on the piano; pausing after a busy day to reflect in the glow of the tree lights. Though my Yuletide to-do list never seems to get any shorter, it is so important to set aside time for the people, places, and moments that will become part of our treasured Christmas memories. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, has always been a special place for me, particularly this time of year. I love the history, the characters, the colonial homes, and the beautiful candlelight. It’s my haven—seeing the Christmas decorations all made by hand and strolling down the cobblestone street with a cup of hot cider…

Every big city and tiny hamlet in the South celebrates the holidays in its own special way, and this is one of the very best times of year to travel throughout our region for a taste of the festivities. To kick things off, we spotlight a place I've always loved: Callanwolde, a vintage Tudor-style mansion in my hometown of Atlanta. It's worth a visit in any season, but it is simply glorious during the annual Christmas at Callanwolde celebration (page 21), including a decorators' showcase, music and dance performances, an artists' market, and more. Our yearlong Great Southern Homes series concludes with a sojourn at Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana (page 69). Named for the twisting oaks that stand sentinel along its entryway, this belle awes visitors with its spectacular…

Get a glimpse of the beautiful images our social media friends have shared with us, capturing their own inspiration from the pages of Southern Lady. Top row: @everydaylivingblog styles a stunning red table with blue-and-white dinnerware for lovely contrast. Beaufort, South Carolina, embodies @kbkisses’ dreams of a white Christmas, and @stacywlewis decorates her tree in favorite ornaments. Middle row: A dining room decked in airy Christmas décor by @our_modern_antebellum is the perfect place for receiving family and friends. Cloaked in merriment, this tree by @cutertudor acts as her family’s gathering grounds during the holidays. Bottom row: @theacorncottage keeps warm in the company of a rustic tree by the glow of a roaring fire. A chic red plaid tablecloth and gold flatware impart an air of Yuletide elegance to a table…

When Matt Roth of small-town Barberville, Florida, stumbled upon the discards of his neighbor’s magnolia trees, an idea took shape for showstopping Christmas wreaths that have bedecked the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, and even the prestigious halls of the White House. “Their trash became our treasure,” says Matt, who now collects similar natural gifts from his company’s own vast magnolia groves. He and his wife, Julie, spearhead The Magnolia Company’s production of more than 40,000 handcrafted decorations a year, including a lustrous, red lacquered wreath. Composed of classic Southern greenery coated in a durable shellac, “the lacquered wreaths have a way of capturing the unique qualities of the magnolia leaves,” says Julie. She compares the appearance of the glazed foliage to a glass veneer. If…

Tucked away in bustling Atlanta lies a 1920 architectural gem imbued with Old English charm that shines all the more brightly throughout the festal season. From a breathtaking exterior to a remarkable imperial staircase that soars toward a ceiling featuring dramatic tracery design, Callanwolde’s brilliant 27,000 square feet come alive in high style during its annual Christmas event, a beloved tradition for more than 40 years. As the city’s preeminent interior designers come together to bedeck the grand abode in Yuletide splendor for Christmas at Callanwolde, the home extends a heartfelt welcome to 2,500 visitors each year, spreading distinctive holiday cheer with dazzling décor inspiration from room to room. From November 23 to December 9, visitors can stroll the halls of this astounding edifice, taking in its exquisite architectural details festooned…

For information on patterns, see Resources & Credits.…