Innholdsfortegnelse for September/October 2023 i Southern Lady

ALL THINGS FALL I have always loved the slow, gentle way autumn in the South evolves. The lingering heat of early September fades into mild breezes and soft, clear light; October arrives with piles of pumpkins at every turn, as well as the first truly crisp evenings that call for sweaters and boots. With November on the horizon, the trees reach a crescendo of color—one of my favorite days of the whole year is when I first notice the deep reds, golds, and rusts tinting the leaves as I walk throughout my neighborhood. Our Southern Lady team looks forward to the annual celebration of fall in our pages, and in that spirit, you’ll notice that we have combined our September and October issues into a single, larger issue. Brilliant flowers…

As a little girl, Maureen Donohue Grable recalls rummaging through her mother’s jewelry box to find the prettiest of sparkling treasures. Today, the Fort Worth designer parlays those memories into the shimmering gold, intricate rattan, and timeless pearl accessories of her M Donohue Collection. From bracelets and necklaces to handbags and children’s jewelry, Maureen’s products are versatile and appropriate for any occasion. “Jewelry has to be wearable, so I design lightweight pieces that are meant to be worn repeatedly,” Maureen says. As an example, she points to one of her favorites, the Bloom Pearl Hook earring, a simple pearl topped with a delicate floral detail. “These are my everyday go-to earrings. If I’m wearing athletic wear running to the grocery store, I’ve got this on. If I’m going to church…

Flickering candlelight illuminates ample blossoms in this painterly portrayal comingling elegant beauty with the lush riches of fall. Reminiscent of a radiant 17th-century Dutch master composition, shadows play against golden luster in a stately arrangement where ruby roses and magenta dahlias stand strong amid antique hydrangeas and red bromeliads. Begonia leaves in pink and burgundy fill in alongside white brunia berries, feathery greens, and alliums in a pedestal container that complements gleaming candleholders and an artful ochre backdrop. A glass of claret atop a brass-studded leather tray table entices passersby to pause and indulge in the scattered fruits of the display.…

SPARKS OF AMITY Rolling hills awash in autumn’s mesmerizing palette set the backdrop for dinner outdoors, complete with a roaring fire pit for gooey grilled Brie and s’mores with Butter Rum Marshmallows. Borrow from the panorama’s robust hues and outfit a table teeming with nods to nature—decorative feathers, ceramic pumpkin place card holders, and accent dishes adorned with vining woodland riches. A dusty blue gingham cloth echoes the sky’s fading azure as a showstopping centerpiece of amber dahlias, ombré spider mums, red-orange pincushion protea, and deep-purple ranunculus reprises the watercolor evening horizon. Apple Cider Sangria MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS 2 Honeycrisp apples, cored and sliced¼ inch thick1 tablespoon crushed cardamom pods1 tablespoon whole cloves¾ cup brandy2 (750 ml) bottles Spanish red wine4 to 6 cups apple cider1 cup fresh…

For homewners Carol and Larry Haigler, this lakehouse in rural Alabama is an idyllic weekend retreat. Carol’s prized repertoire of china and her traditional style reiterate the natural ambience of the water and woodlands. From sipping coffee on the screened porch by morning to canoeing beneath the afternoon sun, the family’s favorite pastimes revolve around the surrounding scenery and spending precious moments together. CLASSIC OUTLOOK The Haiglers’ collection of Spode’s Woodland pattern—featuring a mélange of wildlife motifs bordered by chocolate brown scrollwork and florals—inspired the overall décor. The timeless china served as the jumping-off point for the dining room’s sepia-tone palette, punctuated by tartan linens and harvest pretties this time of year. (Opposite) Framed fern fronds and a creamy toile tablecloth lend interest to the space without distracting from the…

Perusing the dazzling array of ironstone carefully curated by enthusiasts, it’s hard to imagine that the pristine pottery had humble beginnings. Indeed, the radiantly detailed style of this ceramic ware was once developed as a cost-effective alternative to porcelain, and it is enjoying a resurgence in popularity for its highly touted functional allure as well as its elegance. Although many objects were embellished with vivid transfer designs, the understated grace of all-white ironstone items marks them as enduring favorites. “Its simplicity brightens and enlivens the surroundings in which it is used,” says Adele Armbruster, president of the White Ironstone China Association (WICA), a national group founded in 1994 after interest blossomed in the 1980s. White also serves as a perfect blank canvas for decorating year-round, matching any seasonal décor when…

Collard Greens, Pear, and Pecan Salad MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS ¼ cup apple cider vinegar1 tablespoon Dijon mustard1 teaspoon stone-ground mustard1 clove garlic, grated1 teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon ground black pepper¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil8 cups stemmed and chopped fresh collard greens½ cup shredded Manchego cheese, rind removed½ cup chopped candied pecans¼ cup sliced red onion2 medium pears, cored and slicedGarnish: shredded Manchego cheese 1. In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, Dijon, stone-ground mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Gradually, add oil, whisking constantly, until well combined. 2. Add collard greens to vinegar mixture. Using clean hands, massage dressing into greens, using enough force to tenderize them. Add cheese, pecans, onion, and pears, tossing to combine. Garnish with cheese, if desired. KITCHEN TIP: You can marinate the greens in…

COVER See Kindling Fellowship. BOUNTIFUL SPLENDOR Pages 31–32: Royal Worcester Evesham Gold salad plate and Royal Crown Derby Vine Gold dinner plate; Replacements, Ltd. Hawthorne Gilt charger plate; Caskata. Bordino Sparkle place mat in gold sparkle; Bodrum Linens. Page 33: Villeroy & Boch Provencal Lavender dinner plate and Hazel-Atlas Moroccan Amethyst 6-oz. flat tumbler; Replacements, Ltd. Finezza charger in green; Arte Italica. Tava Handwoven Rattan napkin ring; Pottery Barn. Pompadour Faux Shagreen 24-piece place setting in jade; OKA. LAVISH ABUNDANCE Pages 37–43: Melon charger plate, Cabbage dinner plate in natural, Melon plate, and Pumpkin tureen; Bordallo Pinheiro. Clarita tablecloth in black and Sophia napkin in black; D’Ascoli. Sabre Olive Wood 5-piece place setting; Hammett. Handwoven Wicker Oval charger plate in rustic brown; Pottery Barn. CYS Excel Bell Dome Cloche and…

After nearly a decade dealing with life and death on a daily basis, Mandy Simpson transformed a single cutting board made from scraps by her woodworking husband into a culinary gift shop, NOLA Boards, where residents and tourists alike gather for classes and sampling products. “We had a friend ask us if my husband could make a cutting board for a wedding present, and he said, ‘Sure, I could make a thousand from all the scraps I have,’” Mandy says of her spouse Daren Sumrow, whose successful woodworking business included jobs for many popular restaurants and bars in this foodie mecca. The piece was so beautiful that Mandy, once a professional photographer, took pictures and exhibited it on Facebook. Family, friends, and strangers wanted one. As demand snowballed, Mandy even…

Elegance abounds in a vivid setting devised around Royal Worcester’s Evesham Gold salad plate. Highlighting its subtle glimmering edge, a filigree charger and a dinner plate embellished with gilded grapevines are the perfect accompaniments. Ornate flatware brings out the dish’s formal side, and an octagonal place mat adds a hint of geometric contrast against the rich scarlet tablecloth. A damask napkin tucked neatly under the dinner plate lets the charming motif take center stage, beckoning guests to note its classic allure. Shades of ochre, sage, and violet play up the inspiration plate’s earthy appeal. Natural accents—such as a basket weave napkin ring, a woven place mat, and flatware with faux shagreen handles—add a touch of bucolic beauty, harmonizing with a bright floral block print tablecloth. Hints of green in tinted…

While smitten with the variegated brick, dormer windows, and asymmetrical curvesof her storybook-style bungalow, Linda Booker wanted a fresh start inside the home she shared with her daughter, Anne Clare. She turned to a familiar face, Catherine Wilson, a neighbor in Midtown Atlanta who had spearheaded a previous renovation. Since the first revamp, Linda’s husband Chris had unexpectedly passed away, making it all the more meaningful to have Catherine and her eponymous firm on the project. That connection ran both ways. “The first time around, I got to know Linda and her husband intimately. This time around, it was easy in many ways because I already knew her furniture, her house, her personality. She trusted us implicitly,” says Catherine, who expanded the home and layered elements from the first update…

“SOUP IS THE SONG OF THE HEARTH … AND THE HOME.”—LOUIS P. DE GOUY, CHEF AND AUTHOR OCCASION TO SAVOR Tantalizing aromatics, from roasted tomatoes and fancy grilled cheese to pumpkin puréed with Southwest spices, bolster this easygoing party on the cusp of fall’s extravaganza. A trio of tasty soups heralds a spread of accompaniments, granting guests a chance to relish a favorite pairing or sample each delectable recipe. Classic white tureens and dishes graced with leaf motifs accentuate the kitchen’s polished charm; understated displays of anemones, hydrangeas, delphinium, and blue thistle impart lush elegance. Keep the vibe casual with natural wooden chargers, woven napkin rings, and rattan serving trays in rich chestnut tones, arranged atop an indigo-and-white block print linen. Lightly dusted with confectioners’ sugar, Apple-Pear Cobbler Barsensure a…