Southern Lady September 2020

My granddaughter, Amelia, turned nine last fall, and she asked if we could celebrate with an elegant afternoon tea. I was thrilled! What fun we had at Le Salon in New Orleans’ stunning Windsor Court Hotel, nibbling on scones and dainty sandwiches and talking about the etiquette and customs of this beloved ritual. Memories of that precious day together inspired our grandmother-granddaughter tea party on page 75, an occasion that will certainly delight any special young lady who brightens your life. From cinnamon-scented scones to tiny peanut butter and jelly cupcakes, the array of treats is as sweet as the affection and unique relationship you share. As longtime readers know, I adore heirlooms of all kinds, but especially vintage linens. There are such pretty varieties of tea towels, napkins, table runners,…

BRIGHT IDEAS Not too long ago, I was looking around my house and thinking I could use a little more color in my life. Don’t get me wrong—I admire a well-chosen neutral palette, and most of my walls are painted the same shade of soft cream. But as someone who loves saturated blues and golden yellows and spring greens, these hues are surprisingly sparse in my décor. I’m making it my goal this fall to turn that around. In the meantime, our September issue offers a rainbow of glorious hues to fill the gap. The fall cocktail buffet on page 57 is a painterly mélange of brilliant flowers, block-print linens, and handmade pottery. Even the food is vibrant—a Spanish-style tortilla with a mosaic of colorful tidbits; a deep-burgundy grape sorbet; a citrus…

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? WE’D LOVE TO SEE—TAG US IN YOUR PHOTOS! 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: Brilliant burnt-orange and golden-yellow blooms cultivated by @rustic.and.romantic display the season’s sensations. Gold-painted stems and gilded flatware add touches of glamour to @livingbeautahfully’s blue-and-white table. Amber glassware and a pear placed at each setting evoke an autumn ambience in this vintage-inspired tablescape by @southern_nell_gracious_living. Middle row: A soft, neutral palette creates a cozy dining space for @elevengables to share a meal with loved ones. On a stroll in Charleston, @cobblestonesandgrits captures a lovely exterior on a crystal clear fall day. Bottom row: Plaid linens and a medley of harvest fruits exude a warm…

While living in London, Leigh Metcalf swooned over the city’s bevy of boutique fabric shops. Each one exuded personal charm with snappy textiles and abundant sewing notions that tantalized the Georgia native’s creative spirit. Affable owners welcomed patrons of all experience levels to hone their garment-making skills, including amateurs like Leigh. “When I learned to sew clothes, it felt like magic,” she says. Her newfound infatuation with custom fashion inspired her to open Topstitch Studio & Lounge, celebrating the traditional art of stitchery with modern flair. As people spend more time at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Leigh is transitioning her brick-and-mortar studio into an online shop and cyber meeting place that upholds the business’s mantra: “Inspire, Gather, Sew.” Members of the Topstitch Makers web community enjoy exclusive access to…

Emily Dickinson once wrote that “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers,” and more than a century later, this poetic phrase has come to life for artist Lacey Simmons. Though art had always been her passion, it didn’t move beyond a hobby until she separated from her first husband and turned to it as a creative outlet as well as a source of income to support her two young boys. “I started painting again when I moved in with my parents with my 2-year-old and 4-month-old,” says Lacey. “During this hard time, I had friends encourage me to paint, so I went down to my old basement studio at my parents’ house.” Feathers had long been meaningful to Lacey, who was unwittingly stirred by a favorite Bible verse to depict them in…

Trimmed in vivid pink and purple flowers, interspersed with dabs of cream, yellow, and green, Alhambra china by Philippe Deshoulieres emulates the allure of an Impressionist painting. For a burst of bold color, layer the salad plate atop a dish embellished with an artistic motif and gilt detailing. An auburn tablecloth, an amber-tinted goblet, and a nosegay of orange roses bring to mind the harvest season ahead. Tortoiseshell flatware contrasts beautifully against the natural place mat and accentuates the burnished stones of a brass napkin ring encircling a jacquard linen. (Page 27) With an eye for late summer’s lingering vibrancy, play up the magenta tones of the botanical rim. A handcrafted capiz shell place mat reflects the gleam of a platinum-edged dinner plate and polished silverware. The sparkling accoutrements highlight the…