Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2020 i Southern Lady

With all that we and the world have been going through lately, I find myself more intent than ever on appreciating the small blessings and moments of escape that nature can bring. October is the prettiest time of year in our part of Alabama—the days are mild, the skies are brilliant blue, and the leaves don their autumn colors as the month winds down. Best of all, pumpkin season is here! It does my heart good to see these beauties piled high in crates at the market and in churchyard pumpkin patches. They are sweet reminders of all that is constant in the midst of change and challenge. Porch sitting is always a beloved pastime, but it’s even better in the company of a seasonal display. Our annual Porches &…

With an MBA and years of sales experience under her belt, lifelong fashionista Bettina Benson wanted to help fellow professional females dress for success. “I’m thinking about that woman who understands the power of presenting her best self, and the power of a well-constructed, functional garment that helps her put her best foot forward,” says Bettina, the founder and creative director of Atlanta-based clothing company Chloe Kristyn. Bettina was well-established in her medical sales career when her daughter, the business’s namesake, was born in 2013. Her new role inspired her to reevaluate both her career goals and personal path. “I didn’t know that I was really making the impact that I needed to make to feel fulfilled,” Bettina says. “I wanted to live and write my own chapters and design…

A haunting love of architecture and a decade in the practice of law permeate interior designer Ty Larkins’s aesthetic with a balance of old and new, as exemplified in his own family’s Baton Rouge home. The 19th-century-style town house, built before he changed career paths, features a stunning library marked by contrast and informed by a fondness for books, years of touring historic manors, and the budget constraints of a youthful pocketbook. “We couldn’t afford to do it in oak, or walnut, or mahogany, or anything like that. We used paint-grade lumber, and we painted it a really dark chocolate brown to sort of suggest this moody library space,” says Ty, who worked two years simultaneously as a lawyer and a designer before focusing on Ty Larkins Interiors full-time in…

WARM WELCOME Greet autumn and visiting guests with a front-porch display of signature fall finds. Groupings of plump pumpkins and tiny gourds in a variety of textures and colors cascade down the stairs, gaining extra interest from potted mums in brilliant hues. As mild weather takes hold, rocking chairs outfitted with matching throw pillows and a fringed blanket sit ready for quiet respite. A tabletop vignette of sunny flowers and more pumpkins ties the look together. SERENE OUTLOOK Accentuate a neutral exterior palette and verdant landscaping by incorporating harvesttime décor in soft shades. Pale blue, gray, and green pumpkins interspersed with cream-colored varieties elicit a dreamy ambience that’s bolstered by a swing swathed in muted fabrics. White blooms nestled into mismatched planters synchronize with the subtle scheme while lending fresh…

As October dawns, misty mornings and sprightly breezes pass over our region’s hills and dales, cooling the air and coercing trees to wear ravishing new hues for all to admire. The time is short to behold this extravagant display on a drive through the countryside or a picnic in a special spot. Relish the visual pleasures upon a cozy blanket with those near and dear, sharing a taste of the season’s fruitful harvest. Pause to admire the glorious colorways set against clear blue skies, as well as the small details of blooms and branches offering a last hurrah before their leaves flitter to the ground, awaiting winter’s approach.…

Andouille Sausage and Apple Bites with Creamy Mustard Sauce MAKES 6 SERVINGS ¼ cup whole-grain mustard¼ cup apricot preserves½ teaspoon hot sauce*1 tablespoon canola oil1 (12-ounce) package andouille sausage, cut diagonally into ½-inch-thick slices1 small Granny Smith apple, cut into thin ½-inch pieces 1. In a small bowl, stir together mustard, preserves, and hot sauce. 2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown sausage slices for 1 to 2 minutes, turning halfway. 3. Serve sausage and apple slices on appetizer skewers with mustard sauce. *We used Tabasco.…

CREATIVE FLAIR When I travel, I always try to make time to stop by at least one gallery or art museum in the area. It’s a nice way to connect with the local culture, and fun to discover gems in unexpected places. (Did you know that Renoir’s famous Luncheon of the Boating Party resides at The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C.?) During a weekend jaunt to New Orleans a few years ago, I wandered into the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and became smitten within minutes. In addition to their fabulous exhibits, I love the idea of a spot dedicated to celebrating the creative works of our region and their distinctive appeal. Whether you have a chance to see the Ogden in person, or an online visit makes more sense…

Amid the lively ambience of New Orleans’ Warehouse District, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art stands out in its own right, infusing unique character into the vibrant sights and sounds all around. Its striking edifice is cloaked in an eclectic mural that blends a kaleidoscopic assortment of shapes painted by local artist MOMO. Inside lies the largest, most comprehensive collection of art tied to the American South, boasting works from 1733 to today that include classic rural landscapes by Will Henry Stevens, colorful folk depictions of plantation life by Louisiana native Clementine Hunter, and mixed-media illustrations of social injustice by Benny Andrews. Ogden’s curator of the collection, Bradley Sumrall, explains that Southern art through the years has hewed to expected themes—craft traditions, narrative and vernacular art, portrait and landscape painting—but…

AUTUMN UNFURLS Find respite beneath a lofty canopy of trees that soon will stand bare, and at the foot of a prominent stone fireplace, set a table with a profusion of prismatic accents that borrow from fall’s display. Layered linens create a cozy backdrop and introduce pattern and texture with a solid burnt orange base topped by a striped cloth and a napkin duo of auburn under a floral motif. A warm-hued plaid that spans the same organic scheme enlivens a beverage table nearby. White bone china bears differentiated borders with swirls of sage green that resemble leaves dancing in the wind accompanied by notes of rust, beige, black, and gold. The gilded touches are repeated on gleaming chargers and the rims of dainty glasses, while silver lends its own…

Kabocha Squash Crostini MAKES ABOUT 30 1 (2½- to 3-pound) Kabocha squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes4 tablespoons olive oil, divided1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided2 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch-thick rounds1 (4-ounce) log goat cheese¼ cup sour cream2 tablespoons heavy whipping creamGarnish: chopped dried cranberries 1. Preheat oven to 375˚. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. 2. In a medium bowl, toss together squash, 2 tablespoons oil, Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Spread into an even layer on one prepared sheet. 3. Bake until squash is tender and browned on edges, about 25 minutes. 4. On second prepared sheet, place bread rounds in an even…

COVER Styling by Sidney Bragiel. Photography by Stephanie Welbourne Steele. A TRADITION OF ARTISTRY Page 15: Benny Andrews, Grandmother’s Dinner, 1992, oil and collage; gift of the Benny Andrews Foundation (left). Page 16: Ashley Pridmore, Dreams of Eve, 2020, steel, recycled foam, found rope, papier-mâché, vines, and oyster shells; collection of the artist (left). MOMO, Unframed presented by The Helis Foundation (bottom right). MIX & MATCH: GROUNDED IN BROWN Page 23: Lenox Marchesa Couture service plate; Wedgwood Whitehall dinner plate; Waterford Hanover Gold wine glass; and Princess House Fantasia juice glass; Replacements, Ltd. Royal Crown Derby Chelsea Garden accent plate and Pickard China Sober solid gold-matte five-piece place setting; Gracious Style. Festival napkin in paprika; Sferra. Page 25: Lenox Marchesa Couture service plate; Replacements, Ltd. Philippe Deshoulieres Ispahan dinner plate, William…

GLIMPSING GLORY As verdure is replaced by shades of crimson, amber, and gold, venture outside for a front-row view of the painterly scenes unfurling all around. Whether you drive through the mountains or stroll through a park, witnessing the leaves in their yearly transformation remains an exhilarating affair. Play up the excitement by hosting companions for a meal amid the splendor. Dress a rustic table with mismatched linens and trappings styled after forest finds, including timber-motif flatware and place mats that emulate entwined branches. Hammered copper mugs and vintage brass vessels reflect rays of sunshine washing over the setup. A few willowy arrangements of maroon flowers and berry-laden twigs complement the woodsy locale, while foraged treasures like pine cones and acorns, interspersed with a variety of gourds, top off the…

CHEERY TRADITION Chillier days usher in the cherished custom of cozy nights complete with hearty bowls of hot, aromatic goodness. Invigorate the meal with a bit of polish and a color palette that captures the vivid side of October’s offerings. A table runner and matching napkins showcase a fanciful motif featuring acorns and foliage in mossy greens, harmonious purples, and rich reds. The hues are repeated in floral arrangements filled with snapdragons, mums, hypericum berries, and rosemary, along with luminous yellow sunflowers. Offset the bright scene with punctuations of pewter in serving pieces and muted dinnerware inspired by the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside for a rustic yet sophisticated feel. Arugula, Endive, and Pear Salad MAKE 8 SERVINGS 2 garlic cloves, minced¼ teaspoon kosher salt2 tablespoons red wine vinegar1 tablespoon…