At Home Friday Favorites 2.26.10
Diane Carroll was drawn to these architectural beams, featured on Nest Egg. She says, “Beautiful shots, love how rustic and elegant can combine. I’m a fan of white rooms, and textural beams add visual drama that all-white can lack.”
Laura LaRue says, of this DIY featured on Young House Love, “I have been saving corks for a long time thinking of different ways to use them, and this is such a good idea.”
“What great fabric! So springy and fun,” says Kathy Condrey of Jackie Von Tobel’s fabric line, featured on Cote de Texas.
Lauren Strother is craving design-oriented organization, which she found on A Life’s Design: “I especially adore the yellow wall papered office. Quite an inspirational room!”
Paulette Pearson says of this post featured on Haute Design, “Here’s to moody interiors with a hint of glamour, and just look at that kitchen chandelier!”
Jerusalem Greer’s Vintage Garden Inspired Mother’s Day Brunch
It’s Week 1, Day 2 of our Spring Guest Blogger Series, and none other than local blogging sensation Jerusalem Greer, of Jolly Goode Gal, is here to set the scene for a delightfully beautiful Mother’s Day Brunch! Jerusalem, whose own blog is a mountain of colorful vintage and craft-inspired ideas, is also the proud winner of the Before & After category of our Arkansas’ Best Contest! Check it out soon in our July issue, and keep reading here for a snippet of Jerusalem’s sensational style. You’ll be charmed through and through.
At Home is smitten with the table you set for us, Jerusalem. Thank you!
Spring is the time of year that is filled with celebrations of the heart â weddings, births, graduations. And sort of in the middle, squeezed in between the goodbyes of graduations and hellos of weddings, there is Motherâs Day. A day that should be filled with all things lovely for all the hard working motherâs, but a day instead that is often filled with (well intentioned of course) hastily purchased gifts and predicable lunches.
Well this year, why not instead take the reins, and throw a Vintage Garden Inspired Motherâs Day Brunch for all the wonderful mothers in your life? Why leave loveliness up to chance?
Here are a few key ingredients when planning your décor for a Vintage Inspired event such as this:
- Remember the adage: âEverything old is new againâ â A vintage sheet made into table cloth brings color and a sense of comfort, while vintage vases & creamers look all grouped together add a touch of whimsy. Antique silverware finishes the look by adding the perfect touch of elegance.
- Mix & Match â The clean lines of new tea glasses sit perfectly beside the more intricate pattern of the vintage juice glasses. Delicate vintage tea cups sit on hand-painted pottery snack plates.
- The Unexpected Can Be Delightful â Handmade crepe paper flowers and pink napkins are mixed together in the vintage vases instead of a traditional (and more expensive) floral arrangement. Simple to make, they can be used over and over, or passed on to your guest as a party favor.
- Speaking of Party Favors – Don’t forget, everyone likes a little gift or two or three, especially mothers! Hand-crafted signs reading âBloom Where You Are Plantedâ help provide a color and texture for this table setting. Chopsticks in festive colors and small candies in pink boxes are additional party favors for each guest, along with a sweet note card and fancy tissues all tucked into the tea cup.
By showing each guest that you are their biggest fan, and by having the forethought to plan a lovely brunch, lunch or tea experience for the mothers in your life, you will be showing just how much you care with style!
At Home Friday Favorites 7.2.10
From editor Diane Carroll: “Ten great ideas, with lots of instructions and templates (easy and quick is my favorite kind of project). That #5 is catching my eye for this holiday.” (“Let’s be creative for the 4th” from Signed Sealed Delivered)
“Precious baby shoes!” says account executive Katie Rawlings. “The red booties would complete a 4th of July outfit! Too sweet. Do they came in adult sizes?” (“If we were having a girl…” from Ruby Press)
Happy 4th of July from advertising coordinator Laura LaRue. “I might just be making that cute little cake this weekend!” she says. (“Sweet Tooth…” from A Life’s Design)
“Another great-looking project from D & D Interior Design,” says account executive Kathy Condrey. (“Vanilla Chocolate Swirl Ice Cream” from D & D Interior Design)
“Love, love, love a good renovation,” says marketing coordinator/account executive Lauren Strother. “This is fabulous!” (“Bathroom Redesign: The Reveal” from My Best Friend Craig)
“The only things missing in this scene,” says associate editor Paulette Pearson, “are my friends and family.” (“Happy Canada Day and 4th of July” from Pink Lemonade)
In Case You Missed It:
At Home Hits the Runway 7.1.10
At Home Friday Favorites 1.28.11
From advertising coordinator Laura LaRue: “Love seeing all these new trends in these beautiful images. Wouldn’t it be great if you can have a little of each one?” (“2011 Trends” from A Life’s Design)
From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “I always love a good before and after, and this post from Design Sponge shows a great transformation with color. I’m looking forward to hearing Grace Bonney, the name behind Design Sponge, at the Design Bloggers Conference in LA which I’ll be attending at the end of Feb.” (“Sunny Bathroom Makeover” from Design Sponge)
From associate editor Paulette Pearson: “Was never much of a fan of carnations, until I saw this post! What a sweet idea for Valentine’s Day. Would love to try this craft project with other flower varieties as well.” (“Carnation Cones for Valentine’s Day” from Ruby Press)
Account executive Kathy Condrey found a great post from Parkinson Building Group on turning your kitchen into a functional living space. (“The Reinvention of the Kitchen” from Parkinson Building Group)
In case you missed it:
craft room makeover by jerusalem greer
This week, we’re introducing you to our new columnists! Last week you met Tracy Porter and Chris Olsen. Today, meet Jerusalem Greer, the talented and creative craft artist and self-professed “nest fluffer” behind Jolly Goode Gal! For a sample of her unique style, check out her home featured in our July 2010 issue. As a mom, she’s perfected DIY projects on a budget, and we knew she would be a great fit for the At Home in Arkansas blog.
Jerusalem’s monthly column on crafting begins today with tips on creating your ideal craft space.
Everyone loves a great make-over story! A fun, and often inexpensive, makeover is to create a craft space in your home.
Whether you have a whole room to dedicate, a closet or perhaps a small corner of an existing room (dining room, family room, kids room,) you can achieve an adorable and inspiriting craft zone that will fit your personality and your pocket book, and bring some order to your crafty chaos.
So, how do you go about creating the perfect craft space for your needs, space and budget?
Here are a few easy steps to get you started:
1) Decide where your craft space is going to be based both on what space is available in your home, and what kind of crafting you do there. Reflect on what type of crafting you enjoy most. If you enjoy machine sewing your space will need to access to a table surface and an outlet. However, if knitting is your forte then perhaps you just need easy access to ample storage for your yarn and needles and a portable craft bag or box that can travel with you from room to room as you work.
2) Once you have decided on the type of space you need and the location, you can begin the fun task of gathering and collecting inspiration pictures. The Internet, catalogs and magazines are full of inspiring ideas. One tip: donât just look at âcraft roomsâ and storage pictures per se; look at everything that inspires you, from floor to ceiling. I have found great inspiration for craft storage in farm & feed stores, education supply catalogs and many other unlikely places.
Here are some of my all-time favorite craft areas:
Photo via here
Photo via here
Photo via here
Photo via here
3) After you’ve chosen your inspiration pictures, you can begin narrowing down the exact items you will need to purchase, re-purpose or re-store for the project, and those that even thought you love them, maybe are not the best choice for this project.
4) After you have narrowed down your choices. you can create an inspiration board (like the one above, featuring a patchwork theme) to help keep you on track as you forge ahead. Having an inspiration board can help motivate you to take the steps necessary to accomplish your project goal, such as saving those pennies, only purchasing what will fit your space, and staying true to your design.
So, regardless of how big or how small your craft space is, now is the perfect time to jump in and give it a make-over that both inspires and encourages you, turning your craft dreams into craft realities!
three fun 4th of july crafts
Off to the lake? Don’t forget the glitter and glue! The immensely creative Jerusalem Greer is back, this time with crafts in celebration of the good ol’ US of A!
And while you’re at it, you might want to check out Jerusalem’s thrifty waterside inspired craft ideas too.
Happy July 4th!
CRAFT #1
CROWNING GLORY
This is a craft that is easily adaptable to any event or holiday, and is also a lot of fun to do with kids.
Let’s get started OK?
Here are the supplies you are going to need:
*4 coordination sheets of scrapbook paper in patriotic colors
*Craft Glue
*Glue Stick
*Glitter – your choice of color
*Printer
*Scissors
* Satin or Grosgrain Ribbon in Coordination color, no wider than 7/8″
*Hot Glue
*Hole Punch
*Paper Cutter
*Pinking Sheers or Scrapbook Scissors
Using your paper trimmer, cut off one 12x 3 3/4″ strip of each paper pattern.
(You can go thinner than this, all the way down to 12x 3 1/4″ , but I wouldn’t suggesting going any wider.)
You are going to want to layer 2 of the strips of paper on top of each other, creating a “front” panel and a “back” panel for your crown.
* Once you have chosen your paper combo, glue the strips together using a glue stick. Allow one pattern paper to stick up above the other, showing about a 1″ to 1 1/4″ strip at the top of your crown.
(See picture above.)
Your finished panel will be about 4 3/4″ total width, and 12″ in length.
Using pinking sheers or scrapbook scissors, trim the sides and tops of your panels.
Using a paint brush or a regular glue bottle, add a nice thick strip of glue along the seems of where your 2 papers overlap on both panels. After you have applied your glue, generously coat with your choice of glitter. (See picture above.)
Using a circle cutting tool cut out a circle in one of your coordinating papers.
If you do not have a circle cutting tool you can create a perfect circle by simply tracing a common household object like a can of fruit or extra large coffee mug.
You will want your circle to be between 4″ and 5″ wide.
STEP 7
* Print Out Your Vintage Image
Next, using your computer, print out a vintage image to use to embellish the middle of your circle. Make sure to crop or shrink your image to a size that will fit inside your circle.
I printed image as a 3″ x 2 1/2″ size.
STEP 8
* Glue and Glitter Your Image
Next, using your glue stick, glue your image to the middle of your circle, then outline the image with a thin bead of glue and goat well with glitter.
Let dry.
After your circle has dried you can also trim it with your pinking or scrapbook scissors, or you can leave it smooth edged.
After you have chosen your edging style, attach your circle to the middle of your Front Crown Panel using a large dollop of Hot Glue.
Carefully press in place, making sure that your circle attaches to your panel.
You want only 1/2 to 3/4 of your circle to be on your panel.
The remaining amount should stick up above the top of your panel creating more height.
Using the same star punch or pattern from the Candle Project (below), cut out several stars in fun colors.
Glue 2-3 stars to each of your panels, using your glue stick. Outline the edges of your star with craft glue and coat with glitter. This will give them a nice finished sparkly look.
To attach your 2 panels together, you are going to need to add hole punches to both ends of each panel.
Where you place your hole punches will be determined by the width of your crown, and the size you need it to be in order to fit. Obviously children will need a smaller crown size than adults.
My holes are 3/4″ in from the end edge of my panel, and there is a 1 1/2″ space between them.
I like to make my front hole punches first, and then use those holes as a guide for the holes I punch on my back panel. This seems to help the 2 panels line up better when I attach them.
STEP 12
* Attach Panels with Ribbon
Cut 2 lengths of ribbon, each approximately 24″ long.
To attach your panels you will need to start by running 1 piece of your ribbon through your back panel, making sure that the tails of your ribbon come up through the holes on the top portion of your Back Panel (as seen above.)
Next, pull that same ribbon through your the holes on your Front panel, also letting the ribbon tails come up through the top of your Front panel.
Repeat this on the other side of your crown.
When you do this on both sides your crown, in will suddenly come together and be one piece.
The ribbon will allow you to loosen or tighten as needed. If you need a tighter crown you can shorten your panels from 12″ to whichever width will work best.
Just remember to trim both the front and the back panels equally.
Also you will need to decide if you want a crown that comes down over the head or sits more directly on top of the head.
My sweet boy Miles was happy to model today’s project for me. It is a little big for him since I made it in an adult size, but you get the idea!
CRAFT #2
LYRICAL LIGHT
This craft is called “Lyrical Light” because it is a candle that is wrapped in sheet music.
Here are the supplies you are going to need:
*1 piece of vintage Sheet Music
*Hot Glue
*Craft Glue
*Silver, Red or Gold Glitter
*Printer
*Scissors
* Extra Wide Patriotic Ribbon, Paper Fringe or Crepe Paper
*Thin Ribbon in Patriotic Colors
*Jar Candle (I used unscented white Prayer Candle)
Either using a vintage sheet of music (easily found at most flea markets) or the print out of the Star Spangled Banner PDF, prepare your paper by simply folding and tearing the edges off, creating a rougher looking edge (see photo below.)
STEP 2
* After you have picked and prepped your paper, wrap it around your candle, securing it with a bead of hot glue down the back seam were the ends of your paper overlap.
STEP 3
* Next you need to glitter the top and bottom edges of your paper.
Using craft glue, carefully and slowly trace the edge of your paper with a small bead of glue, going all around the candle.
If you have trouble controlling your glue stream you can either close your glue cap half way, creating a smaller and slower stream or you can use a small paint brush to paint your glue along the top and bottom edges of your paper.
* After your glue is in place, coat heavily with your choice of glitter.
Let dry completely before proceeding with the next steps.
* Pick your embellishments.
This next step is where you can begin to bring in your patriotic colors and elements.
I used a thick tri-colored velvet ribbon for my candle.
However you could use paper fringe, crepe paper streamer, tinsel garland, or other types of ribbon for this step. Whatever you are inspired by or have on hand will work great!
STEP 6
* Wrap your ribbon or other embellishment around your candle.
STEP 7
* Secure your embellishment to your candle at the back of your candle using hot glue.
Make sure to line up the seam of your ribbon or fringe with the seams of your paper for a clean and finished look.
Using this STAR image or a jumbo sized Star Punch
cut out a star on scrapbook or cardstock weight paper.
Coat with craft glue, then cover completely with glitter.
Let dry.
STEP 9
* While your star is drying, pick your thin embellishment ribbon.
(I used a red and white gingham print in a 1/2″ Width.)
Cut it approx. 9″ long.
Fold in half and attach the folded part to your the center of your wide ribbon or fringe using hot glue.
STEP 10
*Next, attach your dried glittery star to the top of your ribbon, again using hot glue (or craft glue if you are patient!)
Voila! You are done! You have now created a lovely Lyrical Light to display at your 4th of July gathering.
These make great hostess gifts and party favors, and can provide great after-dark light for your holiday party.
If sheet music isn’t your thing, vintage book pages, wallpaper remnants and colorful scrapbook papers all make great candle wrappers.
Use a variety of jar candle heights and widths to create a great holiday mantle display or tablescape.
And remember, you can create a wrap candle for any event or holiday by simply changing up the embellishment textures, colors and shapes.
CRAFT #3
ROSES AND LEMONADE
This project is called Roses and Lemonade, but it could be also be called Daisies and Lemonade, or Lilacs and Lemonade, or Sunflowers and Lemonade… Even though I am going to be showing roses, you can use whichever flower you love most!
These flower arrangements are bursting with a fresh scent, summery color and an old-fashioned vibe, perfect for a lovely holiday weekend.
Here are the supplies you are going to need:
*Flowers of your choice (about a dozen)
*A bag of fresh lemons
*Kitchen Scissors
*Kitchen Knife
*Small American Flags
*Clear glass jars, vases or water glasses.
STEP 1
* Gather your supplies and fill your jars or vases half full with water.
(Mine are way too full in this picture! Make sure to only fill them half-way up to prevent overflow.)
(1/2 a bag of lemons per arrangement is recommended.)
*Make to sure to slice them pretty thin, less than 1/4″ thick.
STEP 3
* Start filling your jar or vase with the lemon slices. Make sure to hold out 4-6 slices per arrangement for later.
No matter what type of flower you are using you need to make sure to remove all the leaves from the portion of the stem that will be in your water.
(Tip: Most flower leaves that get left in water will mold or rot, polluting and poisoning your flowers, causing them to die quicker.)
If you are using Roses, carefully remove the little green bud leaves that surround the base of each flower. Make sure to gently detach these leaves at their base, being careful not to rip your flower head off.
By removing these bud leaves, you are creating a cleaner look for your flower and your arrangement.
STEP 5
* Next trim your flowers down to the height you want them to be. I like my flower heads to look as if they are sitting right on the top of the jar.
To get a good measurement for where to trim your flower stem, bring your jar or vase to the very edge of your counter or table. Next, in front of your table or counter top, hold your flower up next to your jar or vase, lining it up with where you want to top of your flower to be. Cut off all of the excess stem that falls below the table or counter top.
STEP 6
* Fill in with leftover lemon slices.
After you have trimmed your flowers to the height you want them to be, place your flowers in their jars or vases. Next fill in around your stems with your remaining lemon slices.
For your final step, add some patriotic flair to your arrangement. I like to keep this arrangement simple.
Ideas include:
*Adding a decorative ribbon around the neck of your jar of vase.
* Creating a patriotic tag, using shipping tags or a wire dangle to hang from the neck.
*Inserting summer pinwheels into the arrangement instead of flags.
These arrangements look great outside at a picnic, in a kitchen window, on a mantle or by your bedside. They are as refreshing and nostalgic as a fresh cup of ice cold lemonade on a hot summer day.
Want to expand on this idea? You can always achieve a similar look with limes and oranges, and again mix in your very favorite flowers of any variety!
Want to make some yummy summertime lemonade punch to serve up with your flowers?
Download my very favorite recipe here!
give your kitchen a little sparkle
We love simple. We love thrifty. And for her column this month, Jerusalem Greer’s craft is both! She shows you how to repurpose some of those glass bottles laying around the house (in her case, decanters) as sparkly containers for your cooking oils. Such pretty images too. LOVE!
Thanks, Jerusalem!
(PS- For other ideas, visit Jerusalem’s own blog, Jolly Goode Gal.)
In many kitchens space is at a premium, but that doesnât mean you have to crimp on style or creativity, does it? My favorite way to bring character to any kitchen is through unique – but functional- accessories.
Years ago, in our pre-children days, I purchased these decanters at a flea market for my husband, Nathan, who at the time was going through a Rat Pack infatuation, and dreamed of having the kind of well stocked swanky bar that would make Frank Sinatra proud.
Now days, in our small 1940s cottage, space in every room is at a premium (especially with rowdy boys who just keep getting bigger and bigger, despite our pleas to stop growing). To make room for growing kids and visiting friends and family, the bar eventually had to go, along with the huge recliner (no tears were shed by me for that one) and my craft room.
When it came time to pack up the bar, I just couldn’tât let go of the decanters. Not yet. After all, someday the kids will go to college and leave home (fingers crossed) and maybe then I can take back my craft room and Nathan can restore his bar. Maybe. But for now I have re-purposed these lovely vintage beauties in the kitchen, using them in a way that is both beautiful and functional.
Instead of bourbon and scotch, our vintage decanters hold our Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil and White Vinegar. To prevent unpleasant surprises and culinary disasters, I made simple labels for each jar, using shipping tags, ink and rubber alphabet stamps. The cost of the total project (not including the decanters) was under $5 and took less than half an hour to complete, and added a lovely bit of sparkle to our kitchen in the process.
bedroom overlooking Paris, graphic rugs, Vespa cars
From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “Wouldnât it be wonderful to escape to Paris this weekend? Iâll take the beautiful blue bedroom on the top floor with the amazing view. What a peaceful room while in the heart of a city.” (“The Paris apartment of three top designers” from French Quarters)
From art director Mandy Keener: “The rugs, the chairs, the calenderâ¦simply stated and lovely.” (“Coming on November” from Scandinavian Deko)
From assistant art director Laura LaRue: “I love this room! Awesome wall color, check. Great furniture, check. Fabulous patterned rug, check, check. I’ll take it all!” (“Feeling a little moody” from Delight by Design)
From account executive Catherine Barron: “After attending Restore & After last week benefiting Habitat for Humanity, I am back in the mood to restore or create something from items I have around the house. And I love this creative and simple idea for a weekend project! Just maybe I can fit it in my busy schedule this weekend! I’ll let y’all know if I do.” (“Make an upholstered toddler bench from an old shelf” from ohdeedoh)
From associate/online editor Paulette Pearson: “Ever since I saw Audrey Hepburn in “Roman Holiday” I’ve wanted a Vespa. And these teeny Vespa 400 micro cars just crack me up… in a good way! So cute. Would make paying for gas a lot less traumatic, that’s for sure!” (“They should really bring these back” from Wit & Delight)
From marketing coordinator Megan Lindsey: “Who says wreaths are just for Christmas? I am loving these easy DIY wreaths for fall. They are so simple to make and they are adorable! What a great way to spice up your front door for fall!” (“Decorative front door wreaths” from Favecrafts)
jerusalem greer shows how to create a gracious southern home
We love the South. In fact, we dedicated our entire October issue to Gracious Southern Living (click here). But while living here is wonderful for many reasons, more than we can count, Jerusalem pinpointed a few at the top that we couldn’t agree with more. The best part is, each can be created in your home with very little effort and at very little cost. So no matter where you live, you can celebrate your Southern roots!
If you have a moment, visit Jerusalem’s blog, The Jolly Goode Gal, too for a peek into her Southern home.
Thanks to the adventurous spirit of my parents during my growing up years, I had the pleasure of living all over the country. From the beaches of Florida to the glaciers of Alaska, to many points in between, we saw and lived it all. But even though each state, each region, had its own charms and beauty, there is no other part of the country where âgracious livingâ is so evident as in the South. My mother, a true Southern girl at heart, despite her gypsy ways, never completely left her past behind, and the result was that no matter where lived, our home and manners where always influenced by Gracious Southern Living, all of which I try to exemplify to this day in my home.
Here are a few things that my mother and I think are âmustâ haves if you want to craft true Gracious Southern style, no matter your zip code..
Porch Swings
Image here
One of the most underrated but valuable qualities of Southern life is learning how to take things slow, and enjoy life. Nothing else sets the rhythm for a gentile pace of life like a porch swing. I love them so much that I have two and so does my mother. Hanging on a porch or from a tree in the front yard, nothing else says âcome and sit a spellâ like swing. Donât have a tree or a front porch? Hang one inside and paint it to match your decor, adding pillows and a seat cushion for additional comfort.
Sweet Tea
Image here
My mother is famous for her Sweet Tea. Her mixture is so sweet it will make you pucker up and kiss your uncle. Whether served in the loveliest of restaurants with a simple syrup so that you can mix it to your liking, or served in a mason jar on the back stoop, Sweet Tea is a must-have beverage of Gracious Southern Living.
Comfy Seating
Image here
Southern stories and tall tales take time, and comfortable seating is essential when company comes calling. Every home needs soft places to land, deep comfy seats where visitors and family members can lounge, relax, read and daydream and to observe unofficial southern Sunday afternoon past-time–napping! Fluffy pillows are an easy way to add comfort to any Southern sofa. Whip up easy and colorful pillows using remnants of feed sacks, a patchwork of vintage fabrics or my favorite–cloth napkins in bright colors. Already cut and hemmed, you can stitch together two cloth napkins in no time to make colorful and unique throw pillows.
Cloth Napkins
Image here
Speaking of cloth napkins, neither my maternal grandmother, nor my mother, ever used paper napkins, with exception of our 4th of July celebrations. The rest of the year they only used cloth. Cloth napkins to me are beautiful additions to any meal, no matter how small or large, simple or fancy. At our house we keep baskets of cloth napkins on our kitchen and dining room tables so that they are never out of reach. Not only are cloth napkins lovelier to look at, more durable in wear, and economical, they are also a great âgreenâ alternative to paper. Canât find cloth napkins that you love? Want to get the kids involved? Grab a pack of white cotton tea towels and using fabric crayons or markers, buttons, ric-rac embroidery thread or other colorful notions, and have each family member design their own. Homemade napkins are practical, personal and lovely. What could be more Southern or gracious than that?
Books
Image here
Southerners are a storytelling people, so what could be more essential to Gracious Southern Living than being surrounded by books? Coffee table books filled with art, gardening books with tips on growing okra and crape myrtles, books of poetry, fiction and memoirs of days gone by, all help to nurture the well rounded Southern mind and imagination. All Southern homes should be places where a visitor can pull a book off a shelf and become enraptured for hours, their worlds widening with each turn of the page. Running out of bookshelf space? Create side tables out of out coffee table books. Simply stack the books to your preferred height. Worried about preserving your books? Add a great serving  tray on top and, voila! A table is born!
Music
Image here
What would the South be without music? The Blues, Bluegrass, Zydeco, Creole Folk, Gospel, Rock, Soul…These are just some of the music genres that find their roots in Southern living. A Gracious Southern Living home honors these legacies. Whether it is picking out Happy Birthday on the piano for everyone to sing along, or guitar and banjo pickin’ on the porch, or picking the perfect mix of Zydeco, Rock and Bluegrass for backyard BBQ party, music is second only to Sweet Tea as a must-have for all Southern gatherings. A recent crafty trend that I love is the painted piano in spicy Southern colors, these pieces really make a statement and who can resist the lure of a mustard yellow piano, with keys just waiting to be ticked?
Family Pictures
Image here
A Southern home without family pictures is like a Graceland without Elvis. Itâs just a house. Whether it is on a stairwell, hallway or the powder room, family pictures can be found just about anywhere and everywhere in Southern homes. Finding unique ways to display family photos, old and new, just adds to the creativity and storytelling. Decoupaging Great-Grandmaâs picture onto the last piece of her favorite china is a way that you can honor her memory in more ways than one, and it will always make an interesting conversation piece at dinner parties.
So there are what I consider to be the basics to crafting a gracious southern lifestyle.
What would you add to the list?
Cheers and Blessing,
Jerusalem