Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i Southern Lady

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…

Capture in blooms the colors of a September sunset as we savor the ebbing days of late afternoon warmth and abundant blossoms. Begin with a hammered brass vessel that draws upon the table linen’s earthy hues and create a structure for your arrangement with pink hypericum berries secured in floral foam. Intersperse them with dazzling pink dahlias, rosy lisianthus, fiery orange-tinged snapdragons, and yellow ranunculus. Scabiosa pods and grevillea fill in for added lushness. A single dahlia rests atop an elegant gold-swirled salad plate as a crowning touch.…

STEEPED IN LOVE Taking tea is a cherished ritual that transcends generations, making it an ideal get-together for grandmothers and their granddaughters to indulge in a gracious affair abounding with fanciful, feminine embellishments. A tableau bedecked with fine china and a matching tea set trimmed in gold with subtle rosy accents evokes a refined air. Enhance a crisp white tablecloth with layers of texture and frills, from ruffled place mats to vintage linens and hand-crocheted doilies. A tiered silver stand becomes a striking centerpiece brimming with small sugar and creamer vessels that bear miniature pink roses, peach alstroemerias, and more. Salmon-colored napkins folded to resemble rosettes make delightful appearances inside teacups atop each setting. It’s no secret that grandmothers can’t help but spoil their girls—finishing touches include pretty parcels wrapped…

Apple-Cheddar Galette with Honey and Thyme MAKES 1 (8-INCH) GALETTE 1 cup shredded aged white Cheddar cheese2 ounces cream cheese, softened¼ teaspoon apple pie spice¼ teaspoon kosher salt½ (14.1-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts1½ cups ⅛-inch sliced Honeycrisp apples (about 2 apples)1 egg yolk1 tablespoon water1 tablespoon turbinado sugar½ cup honey10 to 15 sprigs of thyme 1. Preheat oven to 425˚. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a medium bowl, stir together Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, apple pie spice, and salt. 3. On a lightly floured surface, unroll piecrust. Spread cheese mixture onto dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Place apple slices on top of cheese mixture, fanning out and overlapping as needed. Fold edges of dough inward onto apple. Transfer to prepared pan. 4. In a small bowl, whisk…

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…

ROOTED IN RADIANCE Relishing the interlude between summertime’s splendor and autumn’s arrival, set a table for four amid the lush foliage of a conservatory. A floral tablecloth layered atop a neutral linen is the natural choice for a cozy space that brims with potted pretties and leafy delights. Build upon wooden chargers with a white dinner plate and a ceramic dish that reprises bright green leafage. With a simple raffia bow and cardstock, satchels of seeds double as personalized place markers. As milder days replace the Southern heat, there’s plenty to plant before year’s end, making seed packets of carrots, kale, winter radishes, and more the perfect parting gift for gathered guests. NATURE’S ALLURE A footed gold vessel overflows with a mélange of blossoms and branches: ombré dahlias, ‘Gold Plate’…

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE As we find new ways to fill our calendars with lively artistic expressions from music to painting, prepare a colorful cocktail buffet to celebrate creative pursuits for those in your realm. Coral peonies, caramel antique roses, ranunculus, and anemones brim from stately white urns that take command at the table’s center for a classical air. The cacophony of bedazzling hues, enhanced by pastel linens and bespoke watercolor dishware, primes the scene for the kaleidoscope of tasty noshes to come. Illumination from the subtle flicker of votives offers a warm glow reflected in the asymmetrical swirl on golden flatware. Bee’s Knees Cocktail MAKES ABOUT 16 SERVINGS 4 cups ginPeel from 1 lemon, cut into ½-inch strips4 cups diced apples3 cups fresh lemon juice1½ cups honey6 pasteurized egg…

When Thomas Jefferson’s mentor bequeathed him two silver cups that didn’t quite suit his taste, he drew upon his keen eye for architecture and well-made goods to transform the gifts into sleek tumblers still used to commemorate milestones and toast loved ones today. Jefferson commissioned Virginia silversmith John Letelier to melt down his presents and two other mugs to fashion an eight-piece drinkware set. At the politician’s request, Letelier took inspiration for the new cups from a short Parisian tumbler Jefferson had purchased in the 1780s. Historians believe the lightweight piece may have been part of a travel dining kit typical of the time period. For the reimagined renditions, Jefferson insisted upon heavier bottoms, slightly taller sides, and gilded interiors. Four of the otherwise unembellished vessels bore Jefferson’s initials, and…

COVER Styling by Beth K. Seeley. Photography by Nicole Du Bois. See Seasonal Settings: Botanical Hideaway. MIX & MATCH: FLORAL ARTISTRY Page 25: Philippe Deshoulieres Alhambra salad plate and Georges Briard Imperial Brocade dinner plate; Replacements, Ltd. Linho Scalloped Rectangular Linen place mat in ivory; Skyros Designs. Omega Tortoise flatware by Capdeco; Gracious Style. William Yeoward Fanny Goblet in amber; Bromberg’s. Cabochon Tigers Eye napkin ring; Joanna Buchanan. Page 27: Philippe Deshoulieres Alhambra salad plate, Philippe Deshoulieres Alhambra flat cup and saucer, and Towle Silver Chippendale five-piece place setting; Replacements, Ltd. Jaal place mat in plum; Kim Seybert. Festival napkins in berry; Sferra. Deborah Rhodes Mesh Pom Pom napkin ring in silver; Bodrum Linens. William Yeoward Crystal Helena large wine glass and Juliska Vienne Pink small tumber; Bromberg’s. SEASONAL SETTINGS:…

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…

Melinda and John James were bent on keeping it simple this time. Having scaled down from a grand family home to a much smaller cottage, the husband-and-wife design team tried their best to channel breezy comfort rather than the opulent style they usually prefer. But decorating habits die hard, and they couldn’t resist slipping in a splash of glamour along the way. “When we try to dress something down, it usually gets dressed back up,” says Melinda, founder of M. James Design Group and a Beaumont-area native. That’s not to say the result is fussy. Fine European antiques and Southern treasures mingle like old friends against a quiet backdrop, fostering come-on-in warmth enlivened by shine and sparkle. It’s a haven with heart, elegant without being ostentatious—a perfect reflection of the…

The cool, misty rain heightens the quiet coastal beauty of Maryland’s Eastern Shore until a gaggle of geese takes flight, honking in a rhythm that is at once jarring and delightful. A similar juxtaposition of sight and sound emerges as two men strut on stage, mimicking a goose conversation, in a prestigious contest that’s part of Easton’s top-notch arts gala with nature as its muse. “It’s an Eastern Shore ‘Southern’ homecoming. If you’re from the South you know what a homecoming is,” says Margaret Enloe, executive director of Waterfowl Chesapeake, which organizes the Waterfowl Festival celebrating 50 years this November. “We are in our fourth generation of guests. And everyone comes home. Whether they have time off from school or not, college kids return.” The annual fête, which nearly doubles…

Cherry-Almond Oat Bars MAKES 12 1 cup unsalted butter, softened1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar½ cup granulated sugar1 cup almond butter2 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extract2 cups all-purpose flour1¾ cups old-fashioned oats, divided2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon kosher salt1 teaspoon ground cinnamon¼ teaspoon baking soda¾ cup chopped dried cherries½ cup sweetened shredded coconut¾ cup sliced almonds, divided 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting excess extend over sides of pan. 2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugars at medium speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add almond butter, beating until combined. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until combined. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together…