1+ day, 18+ hour ago (350+ words) When it comes to decorating, Southerners will pick tried-and-true over trendy every time. The Real Reason Southerners Ignore Decorating Trends We'd hate to mess with a good thing. As a homes editor at Southern Living, I spend a lot of time talking to interior designers about decorating trends, writing about said trends, and then reading your social media responses to my stories about them. I don't mind stirring up a little soft controversy or sparking a heated debate every now and then, but there's one common reader reply that I can't argue with: "You keep your trends, and I'll keep decorating the way I always have." In other words, politely (sort of), shove it. That's the Southern way, after all. We are a people who like what we like. Our design ethos is slow to change and often rooted in…...

3+ week, 1+ day ago (147+ words) Tour this unique tradition on your own time. North Carolina is renowned for its music, creativity, and breathtaking mountain views, but its large-scale artworks offer another compelling reason to visit the state. And, while your mind may immediately think of statues and mosaics, North Carolinians have another unique art form to help make a statement: barn quilts. These colorful, geometric paintings are similar to murals, but instead of adorning urban buildings, the blocks are more of a rural sighting, typically taking residence on barns and sheds. Plus, the intentional colors and patterns often reflect the heritage of the families who create them. Just as traditional quilts evoke a feeling of warmth and love, barn quilts capture that same homespun spirit. Courtesy Beech Mountain TDA Please note: Because most of these routes are rural, please consult the individual websites before heading…...

1+ week, 15+ hour ago (186+ words) An invisible but unforgettable way to make your home distinctly yours. Jen Rotondo is the founder of Urthy, a clean plant-based fragrance company based in Atlanta." "Southerners want someone to walk into their home and feel like they've received a hug." If you've ever experienced a strong candle, diffuser, or perfume, you know how overpowering'and dare I say unpleasant'it can be. Rotondo says finding a balance is the key to avoiding that situation. At Urthy, there aren't any single-note fragrances, which creates nasal equity. Each blend has a top, middle, and base note. The result is pleasant cohesion." "A signature scent offers an invisible but unforgettable way to make your home distinctly yours. It's the kind of Southern hospitality that lingers long after guests leave." Just as a monogrammed hand towel or a custom door knocker announces your home style,…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (405+ words) A warm, inviting destination where everyone feels welcome to slow down, kick up their feet, and stay awhile." Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty Images Step inside and you'll find a sit-down restaurant with a daily buffet, a killer smoked bologna sandwich, hand-scooped ice cream, a full coffee shop, round-the-clock fresh doughnuts, fried chicken that far surpasses a gas station standard, and, get this, occasional live music. The Tennessean has long been a traveler favorite for the Volunteer State, and, next summer, it'll get the full Dolly Parton treatment. It was recently announced that Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop will be unveiled in summer 2026, giving the flagship travel stop a makeover fit for the Queen of Country. The new-and-improved Tennessean will redefine Southern hospitality on the highway," the website states, as well as encourage regional development, create jobs, and bring more tourist…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (204+ words) Cue the nostalgia for cosmetic counters and millinery stations. Now, decades after the fading of the department store era, many Southerners still remember these great Southern department stores. Although many have left us, the memories can live on well after the doors have closed. Here are some of our favorite department stores from our Southern childhood. Courtesy Beverly Taylor Archives About a block away from the Alamo, Joske's was a 10-acre shopping emporium'known as "the biggest store in the biggest state"'and a place of wonder where a shopper could buy a custom-made saddle, view Oriental rugs, and check out books from the lending library. The store was also treasured by locals for its 30-foot-tall Santa Claus that instantly brought holiday cheer to the city. Courtesy HistoryMiami Archives & Research Center Courtesy Tapp's Art Center In the early 1900s, Norfolk's downtown commercial…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (762+ words) What the stars reveal'and what they leave out. On Monday, I drove up to Greenville, South Carolina, to attend the Michelin Guide American South ceremony at the Peace Center. The event marked the unveiling of Michelin's newest restaurant guide, and it marked the first time the firm has had sent its anonymous inspectors to cover not just a single city or state but an entire region. As it turned out, we didn't have to wait for the ceremony to find out. Some eager minion jumped the gun and published in the morning what was supposed to be the post-ceremony press release announcing the winners. That snafu certainly made the ceremony oddly unsuspenseful, but it hardly dampened the spirits of the attendees as they cheered their peers and celebrated their work and talent." The leak did give me plenty of time…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago (411+ words) Plan a fall escape to Highlands, North Carolina where a four-day festival pairs top chefs, fine wines, and live music with stunning Blue Ridge mountain views. This North Carolina Mountain Town Hosts A 4-Day Food, Wine, And Music Festival Worth A Fall Getaway From wine tastings to mountain views, this festival weekend has everything you need for the perfect escape. We love the Blue Ridge Mountains year-round, but there's nothing like fall when you're surrounded by sweeping views of colorful, changing leaves and cozy inns with fireplaces beckoning for you to curl up in front of them. And while there are plenty of quaint Blue Ridge towns across state lines to visit for a weekend getaway'including Boone (NC), Bristol (VA), Dahlonega (GA), and Townshend (TN) just to name a few'Highlands, North Carolina, particularly stands out with its annual food and…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago (1188+ words) Let the odds ever be in your favor. According to Demos, the best time of year to go antiquing in the South is a tie between the milder weather seasons. "If you are from the South, you know what the summer feels like!" confirms fellow Savannah-based interior designer Anne Pappas. "The heat and clockwork afternoon thunderstorms can really impact open-air shopping, whether it is a market or simply hopping from shop to shop. The fall and spring are the most temperate and predictable weather, making it enjoyable to stroll around." Next on her wish list is Louisiana's Ponchatoula Antique Trade Days, which is held in March and October. Courtney Zentner, the co-owner and design mastermind behind Charleston staples like the culinary and event design firm The Drifter, bistro Merci, and the neighborhood market Petit Merci, agrees. "Spring and fall are…...

1+ day, 16+ hour ago (406+ words) With a vibrant arts scene, great dining, and easy access to nearby beaches, Bradenton is primed to become your new favorite destination. Every Saturday from October through May, Bradenton's Old Main Street transforms into a bustling market filled with more than 100 vendors offering all kinds of local wares'from fresh produce to art. The beloved event started in 1979 and has been a boon of the community ever since. Live music and kid-friendly activities are also part of the fun. villageofthearts.org; 1312 11th St. W Bradenton, FL 34205 Celebrating all kinds of art, the Manatee Performing Arts Center is home to two venues that host everything from Broadway shows to ballets to string quartets. At the Herrig Center for the Arts, explore three galleries with ever-changing exhibits. Onsite, the LiveArtFully gift shop provides an impressive selection of souvenirs made by local artists. artcentermanatee.org;…...

17+ hour, 1+ min ago (737+ words) Designer Amanda Louise Campbell trims her South Carolina house with vintage finds and handmade ornaments Designer Amanda Louise Campbell and her husband, Kevin, fell hard and fast for their 1967 brick rambler in Greenville, South Carolina. "It was the first house we saw," recalls Campbell, who loved its easygoing layout and that the then owner had art everywhere'an atmosphere she knew she'd re-create with her own collection. "You could tell that lives had been lived here." In the seven years since purchasing the place, the couple has slowly, steadily made it their own, adapting its 2,400 square feet to better accommodate their growing family, which now includes two young daughters, Lula and Perry. "I try to stress to clients that it's a luxury to live in a house and think through how it really works for you before just coming in with…...