Southern Lady Outdoor Style 2021

1 EMILY JOHNSTON LARKIN EJ Interiors Dallas, TX ● We love to make a porch feel as cozy and comfortable as an indoor space. You wouldn’t think of drapes as something that you’d install outdoors, but with the appropriate outdoor fabric, like solution-dyed acrylic, you can have stationary panels that withstand any weather. ● We don’t use a lot of green-colored fabrics outdoors. Instead, we like to use colors that pop against the natural landscape, like blues, oranges, and even neutral staples like whites and grays. ● Always take into consideration the colors of your house—like the brick, siding, and trim—when furnishing your space. A cream-colored outdoor sofa can look dirty against a white brick house. ● We love nonmatching pieces of outdoor furniture in a space so it doesn’t look like it was all purchased…

Step outside the Alison family’s home in downtown Huntsville’s historic Twickenham district, and you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to a luxurious getaway. Crystal clear water is framed by impressive stonework and verdant landscaping. Warm neutrals and muted blues lend a serene ambience, while pastel florals and fresh accents provide subtle interest without detracting from the surrounding beauty. The Alisons decided to build a pool for their four teenagers to enjoy in what was originally an unassuming, small-scale backyard. Once designer Beverly Farrington of Accents of the South joined the project, the space quickly grew into a full-fledged entertaining area for family and friends of all ages. “The Alisons wanted the pool area to be an extension of the home,” says Beverly. “Our goal was to create a comfortable and functional…

Tucked away from the Florida sun, a shady Seagrove bungalow welcomes friends and family for afternoons of pleasure in this seaside resort. Its crisp white exterior shines bright against vibrant red double doors that open to an inviting screened front porch that boasts a rich family history. Lucy Armour says she and her husband, Jim, love decorating with things they’ve inherited from their families. Stepping onto the spacious front veranda, the familial love is obvious, as the majority of the furnishings have been passed down from their grandparents. The porch not only is filled with heirlooms but also pays another special tribute. “Jim’s grandparents had a house in the same spot ours is in,” Lucy explains. “We had to tear it down, but when we rebuilt, we wanted to make the…

Life seems to slow down when we take time to enjoy simple pleasures like sipping a glass of lemonade while a gentle breeze carries conversations through the warm summer air. What better place to find refuge and foster fellowship than in the shade of a veranda? “A porch is where a home welcomes you with open arms,” says Denise Gee, the Dallas-based author of Porch Parties: Cocktail Recipes and Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining. “There is something instantly relaxing about it.” It’s no surprise, then, that porches are among the gems of the South and have become a focal point for entertaining. Similar to selecting a diamond, Denise suggests following what she describes as her four Cs—comfort, color, conviviality, and creativity—for planning and hosting a porch party that sparkles. COMFORT The beauty of a…