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Creating a modern farmhouse with authentic charm (page 90)

March 90

BACKYARD GROCERY

THE RIGHT PLACE

SEASONS OF CHANGE

For one family, a farmhouse in the Texas Hill Country is a chance to start fresh and live a more meaningful life.

Nicole Burke grew her own booming kitchen garden into a thriving Houston business by helping others with their plots.

Weary of big-city living, a young couple moves back to Florida to build their first (and forever) house.

An entrepreneurial farming family in Brunswick, Georgia, plans their next steps.

NEW BEGINNINGS

104

110

11 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

Departments CO LU MN S 18 Life @ Southern Living 136 Southern Journal

H OME & GA RDEN 21 SL Showcase Home

Reimagining a historic Nashville estate 41 Come On In

Updating a town house

50 Home Design

Three bloggers interpret the farmhouse look. 54 Home School

Southern decorating tips 56 House Plans

A design built to share 59 The Grumpy Gardener

Alleviate growing pains. 60 Southern Tails

Healthy and happy pets

muses, moisturizer, and returning to the South. 68 Beauty Secrets

A Louisiana lady with a no-makeup secret 70 Southern Vanity

Clean-product lineup 74 Picture of Health

Advice for a healthy life

TRAVEL & CULTURE 77 City Guide

The slow reinvention of Birmingham has finally come into focus.

46 Container of the Month

Brighten up boxwoods. 48 Social Graces

A case for not buying more silver polish

BE AUT Y & ST YLE

TH E SL KITCH EN

63 In Her Shoes

115 Quick Fix

Artist Inslee Fariss talks

12 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

Tex-Mex dinners

122 One and Done

Slow-Cooker Texas Chili 124 Southern Classic

Crazy for queso 126 Healthy in a Hurry

Buttermilk Alfredo Pasta with Chicken and Spinach 128 Over Easy

Sweet Orange Rolls 130 Save Room

Three old-fashioned chocolate desserts 134 Cooking School

Tips from the Southâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most trusted kitchen

ON THE COVER Photograph by Alison Gootee Prop Styling by Matthew Gleason

South Carolina

In Charleston, daily life is accompanied by a gentle harmony of church bells, rustling palmetto fronds, and lyrical sea island accents. Church steeples—not skyscrapers—dot the skyline, and a tangible connection to the past permeates the community. For more than 300 years, the Charleston area’s evocative beauty has inspired artists, travelers, writers, and musicians. Discover the people, places, and traditions found only in Charleston. History loves company.

EXPLORECHARLESTON.COM

Simplify Supper! Cozi, the leading familyorganizing app, makes meal planning and shopping easier. We’ve loaded the recipes from “Tex-Mex Tonight” (p. 115) into the app, available in the App Store and Google Play.

120

133

●●●

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans, p. 117 ●●

Slow-Cooker Texas Chili, p. 122

SWE ETS ●●●

Chocolate Cobbler, p. 130 ●●

Chocolate-Oatmeal Pie, p. 132 ●●

Orange Rolls, p. 128 ●●●

Wacky Cake, p. 133

Recipe Index AP P ETI Z ERS

BEV E R AG ES

●

●●●●

Austin Diner-Style Queso, p. 125

Strawberry-Mint Tea, p. 113

MAIN S ●

Beef Tamale Pie, p. 120 ●●

Buttermilk Alfredo Pasta with Chicken and Spinach, p. 126 ●●

Cheese Enchiladas with Chili Gravy, p. 118 ●

Join Our Group

Quick King Ranch Chicken Skillet, p. 119

Hover your phone’s camera over the smart code, and request to join.

FI ND I T FAST: ● QUICK PREP

●

PARTY PERFECT

14 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

●

●●●

Slow-Cooker Carnitas Tacos, p. 116

MAKE AHEAD

●

GLUTEN FREE

Southern Living (ISSN 0038-4305) March 2020, Vol. 55/Issue 2, is published monthly except for a combined issue in January/February by TI Inc. Lifestyle Group, a subsidiary of Meredith Corporation. Principal Office: 4100 Old Montgomery Highway, Birmingham, AL 35209. Periodicals postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 507.1.5.2.) Non-Postal and Military Facilities: Send address corrections to Southern Living Magazine, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508. Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement # 40069223. BN # 13200211RT001. ©2020 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. For syndication requests or international licensing requests or reprint and reuse permission, email syndication@meredith .com. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. “Southern Living” and “Southern Journal” are registered trademarks of Meredith Corporation. Customer Service and Subscriptions: For 24/7 service, please use our website: southernliving.com/myaccount. You can also call 800/ 272-4101 or write Southern Living Magazine, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508. Your bank may provide updates to the card information we have on file. You may opt out of this service at any time. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for change of address. Mailing List: We make a portion of our mailing list available to reputable firms. If you prefer that we not include your name, please call or write us. (See Customer Service and Subscriptions, above.) Address all correspondence to Southern Living, 4100 Old Montgomery Highway, Birmingham, AL 35209; 800/272-4101. SOUTHERN LIVING is staff produced and cannot be held responsible for any unsolicited material. Printed in the U.S.A.

ÂŠ 2018 Tyson Foods, Inc. Copyright Philippe Halsman/Magnum Photos.

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It’s time appliances had a personality. Yours. THE CAFÉ MODERN GL ASS COLLECTION

CAFEAPPLIANCES.COM

Farmhouse Charm The enduring appeal of a Southern classic

me what style it is, I usually say “farmhouse,” but really it’s a rambling old two-story thing built in 1952. When we bought the place (pictured above), it had sat on the market for a couple of years, probably because no one wanted to take on such a daunting project. It needed a new roof, new wiring, new floors, new plumbing, a new driveway—and those were just the basics. The kitchen was tiny, with a linoleum floor and metal cabinets that squeaked when you opened them. The baths had pale green and yellow tile and little bitty tubs with showerheads about 5 feet high. But there was something very charming about the house and the location that kept bringing us back. It had a library with a stone fireplace and wooden gun racks mounted on red felt (we still call it the “gun room”). It had a funky double-hung window that slid up into the ceiling so you could access the porch. And it had a winding brick path in the backyard with roses and hydrangeas that someone had clearly loved. After about three visits, we were sold.

Get Set for Easter EVERY SPRING,

we partner with Dillard’s on an exclusive Easter plate, and this is the year of the baby chick. Got a family brunch in the works? Get in the spirit with dishes that celebrate the season. Easter Bunny Collection Three Chick Accent Plate, Set of 2, $20;

SID EVANS

EDITOR IN CHIEF

@sidmemphis sid@southernliving.com

N E E D H E L P W I T H Y O U R S U B S C R I P T I O N ? Visit southernliving.com/myaccount, or call 800/272-4101.

18 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

dillards.com

SCAN IT! Hover your phone’s camera over this smart code to buy these plates.

LEFT: JEAN ALLSOPP; RIGHT: COURTESY DILLARD’S

I LIVE IN A QUIRKY HOUSE. If someone asks

When we hired Charleston, South Carolina, architect Heather A. Wilson to help us with the renovation, we told her we wanted the house to look like it had always been there. She added a big open kitchen and living room to accommodate our busy (and messy) family and an extra bedroom upstairs so our parents and friends could visit. For the interiors, she designed tall ceilings with white shiplap and lots of windows, so anywhere you turn, you’re looking at pine trees or a giant magnolia. Even with all the changes, it still feels like the same house—rambling and full of personality. It has a lot of qualities I love—a wide, welcoming front door; clapboard siding; a screened porch; floors that creak a little when you walk on them; and plenty of shelves for books. Is it a farmhouse? I don’t know. But it has a simple, unfussy charm that makes me happy every time I pull in the driveway, and that’s good enough for me. Our cover this month is the porch on a farmhouse with a similar vibe (page 90) in Brenham, Texas. We also talked to some bloggers whose farmhouses have developed followings on Instagram (page 50). Ultimately, there are a million ways to define this style and a million ways to bring it to life. Whatever your taste may be, we hope you find inspiration in this issue.

HELPS YOUR CHILD FALL ASLEEP NATURALLY* Melatonin gummies that are Drug-free | Non-habit forming | Free of artificial flavors Uniquely formulated for kids

*THIS STATEMENT HAS NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

WHERE ONE DREAM BECOMES A THOUSAND MEMORIES

Wake up to a world of breathtaking possibilities. See how Belgard paves the way to your own personal sanctuary. Belgard.com/dream

& B E A U T I F U L

S P A C E S — I N S I D E

A N D

O U T

SL SHOWCASE HO ME

A Reason To Show Off We partnered with six Southern designers, a renowned architect, and a top builder to reimagine one of Nashville’s beloved historic homes BY ZOË GOWEN

PHOTOGRAPHS BY LAUREY W. GLENN

MARCH 2020

No Stone Unturned The front walk looks old, but it’s actually made of Belgard’s Holland Stone pavers laid in a herringbone pattern.

SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

H O ME & GA R DE N

Wide Open At 48 inches across, the front door mirrors its Nashville muse.

Architecture by ALYSON SAILER SAILER DESIGN | NOLENSVILLE, TN

Change Is Constant

“WHEN A TAPE MEASURE wouldn’t reach, I counted bricks,” explains architect Alyson Sailer about her precise approach to reinterpreting one of Nashville’s oldest houses, the circa1810 Grassmere Historic Home (the estate is now the site of the city’s zoo), as a new house in College Grove, Tennessee. When Mary and Patrick Hatcliff, owners and operators of Murfreesboro, Tennessee-based Hatcliff Construction were looking to build a Southern Living Showcase Home, they turned to Sailer and six of the region’s best designers to spotlight old Southern style in a fresh way. “Character is often lost in new construction, but we wanted to show how

22 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

to capture older-home details in smart ways,” says Mary. “Although the exterior is made of all low-maintenance composite products such as James Hardie siding and PVC shutters, handrails, spindles, and brackets, it looked so authentic that the curator of Grassmere teared up touring the house.” To pull off the old-fashioned feel, Mary worked with Sailer to replicate interior millwork, fireplaces, and the front rooms while reconfiguring the rear of the home to provide modern comforts like an attached kitchen, an expansive master suite, and a spacious upstairs bonus room. Here’s how the team artfully fused past and present.

STYLING: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER

The Grassmere Historic Home had a few elevation updates over time, which encouraged Sailer to subtly tweak the exterior of this design. “It’s important for me to recognize what’s great about the house but also to put my fingerprints on it,” she says. Although the proportions and style of the facade remained the same, Sailer streamlined the porch’s brackets, painted the house Sherwin-Williams Oyster White (SW 7637) and the shutters Relaxed Khaki (SW 6149), and swapped the windows for a version with in-demand-now dark muntins (Marvin Signature Ultimate in Bronze; marvin.com).

Lap

INTRODUCING THE

ASPYRE COLLECTION BY JAMES HARDIE™

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Shiplap

H O ME & GA R DE N

Build Your Own Hold your phone’s camera over the smart code to buy this Southern Living Showcase Home house plan (Oakland Hall, SL-2025).

Let Light In Sailer designed the rear of the house using floor-toceiling Marvin windows to resemble a porch that was enclosed over time. The decking is sustainable TimberTech. “We wanted the porch to seem inviting and intentional,” says designer Hannon Doody.

Twist Up Tradition The staircase of the house impresses with its sturdy and handsome millwork. Walsh kept up the striking decor with a large square table. “Round would have been the obvious choice, but I wanted to shake things up a bit,” he says. He topped off the look with a chintz table skirt (Arabella in Peacock/Apple by Lisa Fine Textiles) and a grand chandelier overhead (Montmartre; circalighting.com), which set a welcoming tone. Beneath the stairs, Walsh devised a snug seating arrangement anchored by an antique chaise (pictured on page 22). “It was valuable real estate and needed to be taken advantage of,” he says. Icon Status Blue and green make a classic pairing. In fact, a photo of actress Grace Kelly wearing the color combo inspired this room. Crisp white walls (Sherwin-Williams Dover White, SW 6385) complete the look.

24 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

THEIR DECKS? CLICHÉ.

OUR DECKS? TOUCHÉ.

Exceptional is the Rule. TimberTech® decks are a cut above the competition. We offer more colors, superior moisture resistance and exclusive Multi-Width Decking. The best warranties in the business. And, our AZEK decking is 30% cooler* than others in the industry. Maybe that makes us a few cuts above. Imagine the possibilities at TimberTech.com

*Although AZEK Deck products are cooler to the touch than many other deck board products, all decking products will get hot in the sun. Additionally, the darker the decking color, the hotter it will feel. For hotter climates, consider choosing a lighter color. ©2020 AZEK Building Products

H O ME & GA R DE N

Borrow from the Past For old-house authenticity, Sabbe researched kitchens from the Grassmere homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s era and found that, back then, most had large fireplaces for cooking and a dining table that anchored the space. So she skipped the basic kitchen island, choosing an antique version instead, and placed the Monogram range in an exaggerated hood intended to mimic a wide hearth.

Clean Slate A continuous swath of soapstone fabricated for the countertops, sink, and backsplash makes the kitchen cohesive.

26 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK. We know replacing windows can feel a bit daunting. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right guidance, replacing a problem window or door can be, dare we say, enjoyable. Discover a smarter way to replace. Download our free window replacement guide at marvin.com/SouthernLivingReplacement

H O ME & GA R DE N

Elevate the Bath Sailer broke out of the footprint of the inspirational house to make way for modern features that home buyers request in master suites: a walk-in shower, a bathtub, two vanities, and separate closets. “The way this space is situated in the back of the house made it feel like a hideout from the rest of the world,” explains Mosby, who furnished it traditionally with a calm blue-and-white color palette and didn’t include a TV. Inspired by Southern design icon Bunny Mellon, Mosby worked with the Hatcliffs to clad the walls and vanities in the bath with treillage. “It evokes the outdoors and feelings of the past,” she says.

Double Up The Circa Lighting sconces are for reading in bed while the table lamps (also from Circa Lighting) illuminate the room.

Designate a Place for Fun While most third floors remain dark attics, the Hatcliffs built out this space that Walsh turned into what he calls “a spot to kick up your heels and make a little mess.” The interesting paneling looks modern but is actually an energized adaptation of classic boardand-batten (extra horizontal boards were added into the vertical battens) pumped up with a coat of SherwinWilliams Celestial (SW 6808). Walsh installed a wet bar using the Wellborn Cabinet Estate Series with shadow storm marble countertops and two Monogram refrigerator drawers.

28 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

800.762.4475 | wellborn.com

Since 1961, Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. has been manufacturing quality kitchen and bath cabinetry in Ashland, Alabama. During that time, Wellborn has become a state of the art manufacturing facility of over 2 million square feet that combines some of the most advanced technology systems in the industry. With over 1,400 employees and over 57 years of acquired knowledge and experience, Wellborn continues the legacy of handcrafted, high quality cabinetry. American made cabinetry is our guarantee.

H O ME & GA R DE N

COLOR CUE

This shade of blue (Sherwin-Williams Quietude, SW 6212) is just strong enough without overpowering the room.

Made for Great Conversations

Bring Back Glamour “I wanted to wow people but also make them want to sit and stay,” explains Boyle about the unabashedly feminine and cozy dining room. To add dimension to the graphic Gracie wallcovering, Boyle applied ceramic flowers that match the art hanging over the sideboard—both are by artist Caroline Boykin. The crystal Circa Lighting chandelier maintains the formality while the trim color (Sherwin-Williams Quietude, SW 6212) blends perfectly with the wallpaper.

30 MARCH 2020

“Finding the perfect balance of old and new helps the look feel current yet traditional,” says Gilbreath. To avoid getting overwhelmed in “a room large enough to be two living spaces,” the designer started with a smart layout, breaking the room into several small furniture groups that make chatting easy. Pairing antique pieces with modern art and lighting gives the house 2020 credibility anchored in classic Southern style. å

By the Numbers The 60-inch table seats six easily, and all the fabrics are stain treated for worry-free hosting.

THE PATH TO YOUR PERSONAL PALETTE STARTS HERE

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Our Color ID palettes are thoughtfully curated for your unique personality. Exclusively at your local Sherwin-Williams store.

Old Is New TIMELESS IDEAS FROM OUR PROS

It’s As Easy As 1, 2, 3... TRANSFORMING A NEW HOUSE INTO A COZY HOME TAKES MORE THAN A DEFT DESIGN TOUCH. In the South, it also takes a past-meetspresent approach that combines regional soul and modern practicality. Top of the list are products that will stand the test of time without sacrificing personality or presentation—in other words, attractive and effective. Fortunately, members of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program are experts when it comes to the challenge of meeting expectations, balancing aesthetics, and building a home to last. Here, they share the best ways to give new construction authentic, enduring appeal.

PRESENTED BY

SouthernLivingCustomBuilder.com

P H OTO G R A P H Y: L AU R E Y W. G L E N N HARDWARE CLOTH (SW 3223)

1. Design Your Way

Your home’s exterior is the first impression, setting the stage for what’s inside. Make the welcoming scene a lasting one with James Hardie® fiber cement siding. Its ColorPlus Technology® offers fade resistance, in addition to being fire resistant and pest resistant, meaning less maintenance for you. “HardiePlank® lap siding creates a tailored architectural style that’s beautiful and practical,” says Jamison Howard of Max Crosby Construction Company.

2. Invest in the Functional

ALABASTER WHITE (SW 7008)

MAX CROSBY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY Daniel Island, SC MaxCrosbyConstruction.com

1. James Hardie® Building Products is the inventor of and foremost market leader in fiber cement technology. Over 8 million homes later, the company continues to set the standard for manufacturing, marketing and distribution of premium siding and trim while providing industry-leading support programs. JamesHardie.com

“Transom windows are an unexpected way to add drama to a home’s exterior,” says Jamison Howard. Long-lasting, energyefficient designs from Marvin lend a light-and-airy feel to any design style.

2. Marvin is committed to design that is as functional and intuitive as it is beautiful. Crafted with exceptional skill, our products deliver quality you can see, touch, and feel, beauty that brings joy, and performance that stands the test of time. Marvin.com

“

Using a color like Blustery Sky (SW 9140) helps to maintain a home’s historical integrity.” — STEPHANIE SABBE, INTERIOR DESIGNER

3. Mix up a Pretty Palette

Pack a (muted or vibrant!) punch with 1,500-plus choices from Sherwin-Williams. With the power to separate spaces, bring warmth to tall rooms, or introduce pattern—think stripes, stencils—paint is the perfect way to spice up your surroundings.

4. Include Authentic Touches

You can’t go back in time, but you can create new vintage character with Wellborn Cabinet options in charmingly sophisticated glazed and painted finishes. For turn-of-the-century appeal, Wellborn’s free-standing stained wood vanity, along with handcrafted moldings and boardand-batten walls, help to maintain the sense of age in this small space.

HATCLIFF CONSTRUCTION The Grove in College Grove, TN Hatcliff Construction.com Interior Designers: Sabbe Interior Design (bath, above); Betsey Mosby Interior Design (porch, at right)

3. Take real-world color inspiration from your own photos and turn them into a custom paint palette using Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap® Visualizer for mobile, iPad or web. Simply take a photo, use one from your camera roll or your Pinterest Board and instantly create a custom palette. Then try our Instant Paint augmented reality feature to see colors in your home real time. Sherwin-Williams.com

4. Wellborn Cabinet is committed to handcrafted artistry and enduring quality, offering a limitless array of styles featuring overlay and inset styling, wood finishes, and frameless cabinetry for kitchen and bath design solutions. The possibilities are endless when you bring home Wellborn Cabinet’s tradition of American-made cabinetry. Wellborn.com

P H OTO G R A P H Y: L AU R E Y W. G L E N N

5. Connect with the Outdoors

Refined Belgard Pavers, available in a variety of color blends, can be laid in a range of interesting patterns to master oldworld style that feels fresh. “Custom touches like this make the indoor-outdoor flow polished and pretty,” says Mary Hatcliff of Hatcliff Construction.

6. Combine Classic with Unexpected

The rich look of TimberTech composite decking laid in a multi-width design or distinct herringbone pattern adds subtle visual contrast outdoors.

5. Ready to transform your backyard into the outdoor oasis of your dreams? Belgard paves the way to stunning outdoor living spaces with durable, yet beautiful paver, wall, fire feature and outdoor kitchen collections that suit any home’s design aesthetic. Belgard.com/CHB

6. TimberTech is known for its design versatility and technological superiority for premium composite decking. Standard width decking is not the standard anymore. Multi-Width Decking is revolutionizing outdoor living spaces. Available in narrow, standard, and wide widths, you can now design the deck of your daydreams. TimberTech.com

“

Each home we build represents the character of the family who will live there—we want the details to feel distinctly special.” — MARY AND PATRICK HATCLIFF, HATCLIFF CONSTRUCTION

7. Make Small Details Stylish

TIN LIZZIE (SW 9163)

Jeff Sanderson of Whitney Blair Custom Homes says, “Sleek doesn’t have to equal contemporary.” The clean, simple lines of state-of-the-art faucets and sinks by Elkay present a fancy spin on retro glamour.

8. Add Appliances for Style

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HO M E & GA RDE N

COM E ON IN

“I’ve always had a bug for a good project…” Designer Kara Hebert uncovers the hidden potential of an outdated town house in Florida BY GRACE HAYNES

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CARMEL BRANTLEY

“I HAVE A HEART FOR

restoration and saving places that need life. This one was a prime candidate,” says designer Kara Hebert of the 1,600-square-foot fixer-upper she bought for her family in her hometown of Jupiter, Florida. When she arrived, this town house was stuck in a different decade with mirrored living room walls, popcorn ceilings, a closed-off kitchen, and lackluster beige tile flooring. The home’s prime location on State A1A (just a skip away from the beach and a short bike ride to her office), Right: Pompeii Quartz counters top the wide island. Below: The pantry doors pop with Benjamin Moore’s Vivid Peach (025).

O N D I S P L A Y : “My kitche n she lves are f i l l ed wi th ant i qu e d i sh es. The best p la ce to star t you r ow n co l le cti o n i s Etsy.”

41 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

H O ME & GA R DE N KEEP IT COZY

Warm natural accents and plush upholstery ground the bright, beachy color scheme.

won Kara over. “I started my career doing hard-core renovations for general contractors, so I’ve always had a bug for a good project,” she says. The downstairs needed a fresh start; gutting it opened the floor plan to max out space. Next, she added her sunny Florida spirit. “I’m an old soul. I like mixing objects from the past with new and (once in a while) modern things,” she says. See how Kara revived this home with punchy textiles, personal mementos, and family heirlooms.

Eliminate Excess “I’m a fierce editor. I believe in using what I have and owning only what I love. Every dish on the shelves in the kitchen gets used, so

they never become dusty. Some of them are passeddown pieces of brown-andwhite patterned Thanksgiving china, and I enjoy them. I keep cleaning supplies and

Above left and above: Kara tied together this master bedroom and bath with blue-and-white prints.

L O O K O U T S I D E : “ I desi gned the l iv i ng roo m ’s v i brant g ree n pal et te to f low sea m less l y i n to th e o u td o o r a rea s.”

42 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

A DV E R T I S E M E N T

What Frames Your Style? Troy and Mary Ludemann—visionaries behind The Bramble, a Southern Living Inspired Community—share how they choose windows and provide practical advice to inspire your next purchase.

THE BRAMBLE is a quiet community tucked

away in the greater Charlotte area. Community members have access to top-ranked public schools, ample shopping and restaurants and outdoor adventures near the Catawba River. The Bramble’s homes are a mix of traditional, classic and sophisticated styles with charming details that give the community a gracious, timeless and welcoming feel.

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Kara’s Top Textiles

H O ME & GA R DE N

LIVING ROOM AND DINING NOOK CURTAINS

Ferns Multi Greens on Tint (AC100-11) by Quadrille WHITE PILLOWS

Petite Cross + Dot in Peach (SW 6339 Persimmon) by Erika M. Powell Textiles CORAL PILLOWS

Aswan Clementine by Lisa Fine Textiles SEAT CUSHIONS

Linear in Celery (317) by Norbar Fabrics

C A R R Y O N FA M I LY COLLECTIONS

She scores cabbage ware and majolica finds from antiques shops, HomeGoods, and Etsy.

Costco goods out of sight in the pantry behind peach doors. The 12-inch-deep cabinets on the island offer more dry storage, as do the two other pantries on either end of the kitchen.” Live in the Living Areas “My 14-year-old son always comes home with sand in his pockets. I don’t want to fuss at my children and I’m also a huge dog lover, so I

made my home as bulletproof as possible. All the upholstery in the living room is done in Crypton fabric, and the floor is vinyl (better for pets). I don’t buy expensive rugs. I prefer natural fibers; they’re lowmaintenance and affordable. I have them cut to size, and if they get yucky, I can replace them. I’d rather splurge on curtains and vertical things you really can’t hurt.”

Use Sentimental Pieces “I designed the master bedroom around my grandmother’s framed crewelwork [hanging by the Quadrille Bali Hai Blues draperies]. She made me promise to take care of it, so I thought, ‘What better place to honor her than my room?’ I’m not normally a yellow person, but I like the boho feel of the Raoul Textiles linen I used for the bolster.”

Design for Company “Every little inch of space needed to be used wisely, especially since I was enlarging the kitchen. I pushed the dining area over by the window so we could have a bigger island. I knew if we wanted to host friends and family for dinner or holidays, then we would need to accommodate more seating, so I installed a wide built-in banquette.” å

M A S T E R T H E M I X : “ P lay aro und wi th pa t te r ns, p rop or t io n s, an d sca le to ach i eve a ba l an ce d , l ayered lo o k .”

44 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

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H O ME & GA R DE N

DIY MOSS MIXTURE

CONTAIN ER OF TH E M ON TH

Brighten Up Boxwoods Prep your porch pots for spring with violas and adorably droopy tulips BY GRACE HAYNES PRODUCED BY MARK THOMPSON

46 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

Give Containers Character Velvety moss adds extra charm to plain terra-cotta vessels. Speed up the growth by applying a moss-andbuttermilk mixture on new clay pots and spraying them weekly with water. Fill with Pretty Plants Try dwarf English boxwoods, ‘Icy Blue’ violas, and tulips.

Make Them Last Surround boxwoods with violas. Add potted tulips purchased from a garden center. (Or next year, plan ahead and plant some tulip bulbs in December or January for early-spring blooms.) Water plants, and let them drain thoroughly. Place in part to full sun. At the end of spring, replace the violas and tulips with summer annuals. å

ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER

Combine equal parts live sheet moss and buttermilk in a blender until a thick liquid forms. Spread on pots with a paintbrush.

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H O ME & GA R DE N

My Toddler Threw Out My Silver Polish, and I Don’t Care You can’t make me buy more BY ELIZABETH PASSARELLA

FEW MONTHS AGO, I opened the cabinet doors under my sink to get the dishwashing soap, and it wasn’t there. Thinking it could have been shoved to a far corner, I stuck my arm farther in, reached around the entire cabinet, and landed on nothing but air. It was empty. What I’ve pieced together is this: My toddler, who has been known to throw things in garbage cans and toilets like he’s playing a sorting game with remote controls and socks, spent a few rare unsupervised minutes putting the

48 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

dishwashing soap, hardwood-floor polish, Windex, and Bar Keepers Friend into the garbage can under the sink. Afterward, my sleep-deprived husband lifted out the trash bag, tied it, and then threw it outside without noticing that it contained a cabinet’s worth of household supplies. I said a short prayer of thanks that he didn’t eat anything—we’re a little better at babyprooﬁng now—and allowed myself to enjoy the clutter-free bliss of that emptied-out shelf for about 15 minutes. Then I realized that I

What’s Your Pattern? Hover your phone’s camera over the smart code to see the most popular silverware.

ILLUSTRATION: MICHAEL HOEWELER

S OCIA L GRACE S

had to repurchase everything. Well, almost everything. I’m not replacing the dang silver polish. Is there anything more gross than silver polish? It’s the color of vomit, it smells bad, and it tends to crust relentlessly around the neck of the bottle so that you can never again get the cap on securely. Over the years, people have tried to hack silver polishing. I remember my mother buying a metal disk that she laid at the bottom of the sink; this was supposed to magically (magnetically?) remove tarnish from the silver that sat piled passively on top. Some say that ketchup works, but rubbing condiments all over your forks is no picnic either. I know people who pay housekeepers (extra, I hope) to polish the silver. My mom used to do it for me when she visited—but not anymore. Even a mother’s love has limits. Somewhere in the Divine Ledger of Southern Housekeeping, there’s a mark next to my name. It says, “Allows tarnish on sterling asparagus server.” Also: “Doesn’t iron sheets.” But I’m going to let you in on a secret—my silver looks pretty good, even in its neglected state. I store my flatware in felt slots that roll up, and it appears almost as sparkly as the last time I polished it, which, by my account, was 2010. My gallery trays and Pyrex casserole holders are stored in the same tissue paper and large

HO M E & GA RDE N

white boxes they came in, from Babcock Gifts and the Gift and Art Shop in Memphis, where I registered for my wedding. They, too, appear perfectly presentable, if a tiny bit dark in the crevices. At my 20th college reunion last week, I went looking for vindication from my friend Holly. “I’m not polishing my silver anymore!” I told her. She’s the one who, during our senior year at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, made us homemade lollipops for fun on a Friday night. She spent both evenings of the reunion weekend chitchatting while needlepointing with a headlamp on. I thought that if she, a heroine of the domestic arts, skipped polishing now

Somewhere in the Divine Ledger of Southern Housekeeping, there’s a mark next to my name. It says, “Allows tarnish on sterling asparagus server.”

and then, maybe I was onto something. “That’s so funny you bring it up,” she replied. “I just polished all of my silver last Saturday!” Of course she did. “But what about the unpleasantness of that polishing goo?” I asked. “Oh, I double glove,” she said. I’m not double gloving, and I’m not buying more silver polish anytime soon. (At least until Angie’s List has a “Silver Polishing Service” section.) So what if there’s a tiny, barely noticeable

bit of tarnish on an otherwise gorgeous treasure? We all have our flaws. I called my mother, who actually does occasionally iron her sheets but (I thought) might affirm my new anti-polishing position. No such luck. She’s discovered a new product, a bucket of gel that you dip the silver pieces into. “It’s amazing!” she said. “And so easy—I’m taking some to your sister’s house to use this weekend.” å

H O ME & GA R DE N

Serrano chose SherwinWilliams Extra White (SW 7006) for the siding, brick, and trim and Uncertain Gray (SW 6234) for the shutters.

H OM E D E SIG N

The Farmhouse Charmers

This popular style has hit the city, the beach, and everywhere in between. Here, three influencers with different aesthetics reveal how they’ve interpreted the look in their homes BY ZOË GOWEN

Homeowner: C H R I S S Y S E R R A N O Instagram: @ C H R I S S Y M A R I E B L O G

Chrissy Serrano and her husband, Jose, built themselves a three-story farmhouse-style home on an urban lot in Durham, North Carolina. “It’s such a versatile look,” explains Serrano, who also admits that she loved the building process so much that it “lit something inside of me.” So she started sharing her inspiration with others. Bring In Seaside Touches “I love the fresh feeling you get at the 50 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

beach,” she says. “Incorporating coastal elements into a farmhouse gives an unexpected effect. It can be as small as the blue undertones of a gray paint.”

brick and shiplap,” she says. Maintain simplicity by choosing a neutral palette.

Say “Yes” to Shiplap “I want it in every room! Paint it any color, stain it, or leave it raw,” Serrano says. Shiplap adds charm, so you don’t have to do as much decorating.

Flood with Sunlight They put in extra windows on the south side of the house, so there’s lots of sun even on cloudy days. “Coming from a previous home that was dark (like most old farmhouses), I believe natural light is good for the soul,” Serrano says.

Embrace Cozy; Banish Clutter “I invite warmth and character into rooms using soft fabrics, collected pieces, and textures like exposed

Keep Kids In Mind “As a mom of four, I must have a family-centric house with a sit-andstay-awhile feel,” she says. In the open

CHRISSY SERRANO

Modern Coastal

HO M E & GA RDE N

living-and-kitchen area, they can all be together without being right on top of each other. “The wide front porch is my favorite spot,” she says. “We sit in our rocking chairs and take advantage of great views of the neighborhood.”

English Country Homeowner: J E N N Y BOHANNON Instagram: @ T A L L W O O D

For her dining room, Serrano chose a navy blue grass cloth from York Wallcoverings and a Pier 1 table.

CHRISSY SERRANO

Paint the Floors “My mom and I spent three days on the checkerboard floor in the kitchen, but it was worth it,” she says. “It’s my favorite part of the house and essential to the old English Country look.” Make Room for Pets She looks to historic farmhouses in England for inspiration. “There may be ducks and chickens running around

Traditional Homeowner: B R I T T A N Y J . S M I T H Instagram: @ T H O R N _ C O V E _ A B O D E

COUNTRYHOUSE

This 2,700-square-foot home, lovingly named Tallwood, is a 1960s build that sits on 6 acres in Northern Virginia’s horse country. “We are doing our best to preserve, restore, and revive the fine elements of the house while renovating it,” says Bohannon.

whelmed by the state of the kitchen,” she recalls. “But I was reminded of an estate sale I’d visited years ago. There was a small kitchen among all of these formal rooms, and it was lovely. That was my inspiration for Tallwood.”

during the day, but at night there’s fine china on the table,” says Bohannon, the proud owner of 12 Pekin ducks, eight French guinea hens, two Labrador retrievers, and two cats. Cultivate Tiny Spaces This house doesn’t have an open floor plan. “Instead, I treat each room as a bit of a discovery that’s rich with layers of art, wallpapers that are original to the house, lighting, and antiques,” she says. “Entering each space should feel like opening a jewel box.” Remember Old Is New Again “Our real estate agent thought this house was a teardown because everyone who toured it was over-

“A farmhouse is a place that has a squeaky front door and worn floors and oozes a welcoming comfort,” says Smith, who grew up in older homes. She couldn’t convince her husband to take on renovating a historic property, so they compromised and built a new old house in Chesnee, South Carolina. Celebrate Authenticity “Our exterior is very similar to my grandparents’ home,” she says. “I don’t look to modern trends much. Instead, I think about the old farmhouses that I pass by on country roads.” Design for How You Live Balancing comfort and function is key. “Every room was created with our family’s specific needs in mind,” says Smith. å 53 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

HOME SCHOOL

Shop Smart Christin Terrell of Birmingham-based King’s House Oriental Rugs says, “A well-made wool flat weave, whether vintage or new, tends to be budget friendly and practical for many spaces.”

L E S S O N S I N S O U T H E R N D EC O R AT I N G

KNOW-HOW

Choose the Right Size Rug Helpful tips for picking a ﬂoor covering that ﬁts your space ILLUSTRATIONS BY ELLEN ANTWORTH

While it’s best to fill as much of a larger room as possible (as pictured above), that can be cost prohibitive. Instead, think about your seating areas, and find several rugs that will anchor those. For added interest, float one small patterned rug atop a larger floor covering in sisal or seagrass.

THE DINING ROOM

THE BEDROOM

Eating spaces typically offer the least ﬂexibility for rugs, since the objective here is to have something that grounds the room and ties the table and chairs together. To ﬁnd the best size for your set, measure your table and add 4 feet to both its length and width to accommodate pulled-out chairs.

Bedrooms generally demand large square rugs underneath the bed while leaving room on the sides and at the foot so you can step onto something cushy in the morning. If that’s out of budget, however, consider going for a matching collection of smaller rugs or runners around the bed. å

FOUR FAN FAVORITES Flat weaves are an economical way to splash up your ﬂoors

Erin Gates Thompson Billings Rug in Denim, from $59; luluand georgia.com

Page by SB in Neutral, from $1,350; kingshouse orientalrugs.com

2 Azrou Steel Rug, from $85; jayson home.com

54 MARCH 2020

4 Bowery Rug in Ivory and Gray, from $59 each; ballarddesigns.com

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Looking for durable outdoor cushion covers? Consider a set in Sunbrella fabric, which you can clean easily with bleach and water.

RUGS: ROBBIE CAPONETTO

THE LIVING ROOM

COLOR MATCH Similar

Best Match

Similar

FIND THE COLOR IN ANY MOMENT. EASY. With the redesigned ProjectColor™ app from The Home Depot, finding the perfect color is easier than ever. Just upload a photo and find the paint to match, it’s a colorful new experience at homedepot.com/projectcolor.

ProjectColor™

H O ME & GA R DE N

BUY THE PLAN Purchase this house plan or consider hundreds more at houseplans .southernliving.com. PLAN DESIGNER:

Moser Design Group NAME: The Duplex SIZE: 1,055 sq. ft. (each unit) PLAN: SL-2014

HOUSE PLANS

Built To Share

Looking to buy a home with space to spare for a roommate or family member? Here’s the one for you

DINING SET

Springmont 3 Piece Bistro Set in Black Sand, $167; wayfair.com

| ILLUSTRATION BY FRITZ KAPRAUN

WH Y W E LOV E I T

This is not your average duplex. Though these houses are under one roof, a narrow breezeway separates the two units. What does this mean for practical living? “Both dwellers can be inside but not hear or see their next-door neighbor,” says residential designer Eric Moser. No shared wall means limited noise and lots of natural light from windows on all sides. The homes have identical 1,055-square-foot layouts, each with two bedrooms and two baths (the extra bedroom could work as an office). This customizable duplex can appeal to beachside renters, single professionals, or empty nesters. 56 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

WOW FACTOR

It’s the cottage charm, of course. With one roof and a central entry point, this Lowcountry-inspired design will blend seamlessly with the other homes in the neighborhood. From the street, you would never suspect that this structure is actually divided into two separate residences. Although the breezeway is shared, each house is outfitted with its own front porch. If you want to add more privacy to the outdoor living areas, hang lattice panels to further define them. Every inch of this house plan is built to be flexible, offering cohabitation with a degree of separation. å

LATTICE PANEL

Veranda 4 ft. x 8 ft. Privacy Vinyl Lattice—Framed in Wicker, $49; homedepot.com

SHUTTER PAINT

Blue Horizon (SW 6497); sherwin-williams.com

DINING SET: COURTESY WAYFAIR; LATTICE: COURTESY THE HOME DEPOT

BY ZOE DENENBERG

FINISHING TOUCHES

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to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed. DUPIXENT is an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver can give DUPIXENT injections, you or your caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to inject DUPIXENT until you have been shown the right way by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it is recommended that DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. Please see Brief Summary on next page.

*Limitations apply. Visit DUPIXENT.com for full program terms.

Brief Summary of Important Patient Information about DUPIXENT® (dupilumab) Rx Only (DU-pix’-ent) injection, for subcutaneous use What is DUPIXENT? • DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used: – to treat people aged 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. • DUPIXENT works by blocking two proteins that contribute to a type of inflammation that plays a major role in atopic dermatitis. • It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 12 years of age. Who should not use DUPIXENT? Do not use DUPIXENT if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT. See the end of this summary of information for a complete list of ingredients in DUPIXENT. What should I tell my healthcare provider before using DUPIXENT? Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: • have eye problems • have a parasitic (helminth) infection • are taking oral, topical, or inhaled corticosteroid medicines. Do not stop taking your corticosteroid medicines unless instructed by your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine to come back. • are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a “live vaccine” if you are treated with DUPIXENT. • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby. Pregnancy Registry. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take DUPIXENT during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and your baby’s health. You can talk to your healthcare provider or contact 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/ dupixent/ to enroll in this registry or get more information. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. If you have asthma and are taking asthma medicines, do not change or stop your asthma medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. How should I use DUPIXENT? • See the detailed “Instructions for Use” that comes with DUPIXENT for information on how to prepare and inject DUPIXENT and how to properly store and throw away (dispose of) used DUPIXENT pre-filled syringes. • Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. • DUPIXENT comes as a single-dose pre-filled syringe with needle shield. • DUPIXENT is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). • If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver can give the injections of DUPIXENT, you or your caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to inject DUPIXENT until you have been shown the right way by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it is recommended that DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. • If you miss a dose of DUPIXENT, give the injection within 7 days from the missed dose, then continue with the original schedule. If the missed dose is not given within 7 days, wait until the next scheduled dose to give your DUPIXENT injection. • If you inject more DUPIXENT than prescribed, call your healthcare provider right away. • Your healthcare provider may prescribe other medicines to use with DUPIXENT. Use the other prescribed medicines exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.

What are the possible side effects of DUPIXENT? DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including: • Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity), including a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms: breathing problems, fever, general ill feeling, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, mouth and tongue, hives, itching, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure), joint pain, or skin rash. • Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision. The most common side effects of DUPIXENT include: injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling and itching, and cold sores in your mouth or on your lips. Eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling and itching have been seen in patients who have atopic dermatitis. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. General information about the safe and effective use of DUPIXENT. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use DUPIXENT for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give DUPIXENT to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. This is a summary of the most important information about DUPIXENT for this use. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information about DUPIXENT that is written for healthcare professionals. For more information about DUPIXENT, go to www.DUPIXENT.com or call 1-844-DUPIXENT (1-844-387-4936) What are the ingredients in DUPIXENT? Active ingredient: dupilumab Inactive ingredients: L-arginine hydrochloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium acetate, sucrose, and water for injection Manufactured by: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591 U.S. License # 1760; Marketed by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, (Bridgewater, NJ 08807) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Tarrytown, NY 10591) DUPIXENT is a registered trademark of Sanofi Biotechnology / ©2019 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. / sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. All rights reserved. Issue Date: June 2019

DUP.19.08.0101

O U R GA R D E N E X P E R T A L L E V I AT E S YO U R G R OW I N G PA I N S

S T EV E B E N D E R

GRUMPY’S GRIPE OF THE MONTH

ILLUSTRATIONS: MICHAEL WITTE

Why didn’t your healthy pink or blue hydrangea bloom? It could be lack of sun or damage from a very cold winter, but often the issue is ill-timed pruning. Most French hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) bloom on ﬂower buds made the prior year. (Reblooming types are an exception, ﬂowering on old and new growth.) If you’ve been giving your hydrangea a crew cut in fall, winter, or early spring...STOP!

DEER-PROOF PLANTS FOR SHADE › I just bought a house with lots of shade near Crossville, Tennessee. Any suggestions for colorful plants that take heat and cold and that deer won’t eat? —JOHN » Ferns, ferns, and more ferns—especially evergreen ones like Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), tassel fern (P. polyblepharum), autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), and Champion’s wood fern (D. championii). Also

consider hellebore, astilbe, ‘Everillo’ carex, variegated Solomon’s seal, ﬁre pink, wild columbine, Japanese andromeda, boxwood, bottlebrush buckeye, red buckeye, and ‘Flirt’ and ‘Lemon-Lime’ nandina. MOSS IS BOSS › We have moss growing under two large oak trees. How can I kill it before it harms my grass? —BARBARA » Don’t worry. It won’t hurt the grass. It simply grows in shade where grass will not. If you kill the moss, you’ll be left with bare patches until it grows back. I like moss because it doesn’t need watering, fertilizing, mowing, or spraying and stays green year-round. NOT SO FAST › Spring officially begins on March 19 this year. I can safely set out my annuals then, right? —ASHLEY » Hold on there! The seasons are determined by the tilt of the Earth as it travels around the sun. But planting time for tender annuals depends on the date of your last frost. Search the web for “last spring frost,” and add in your zip code. You can plant on or after that day.

was fully leafed out and healthy. However, this spring, it has only one top branch with leaves on it. The rest are still bare with tiny hard buds. Is the tree dead? —IDA » Don’t give up on it yet. A tree will often have some branches that leaf out before others. Wait until mid-April to see what the rest of the limbs do. If they are still bare then, you may have a problem. SOUL KILLER › I cannot grow lavender from seed! The seedlings get about 2 inches high and then wither and die, kind of like my hopes. I’ve tried everything. Any ideas or suggestions? —MARGARET » First, have some wine.

Better? My guess is the soil is staying too wet. This encourages a fungal disease called damping-off that kills seedlings. Start your seeds with new potting soil, and make sure the container or tray drains well, has good air circulation, and gets plenty of light. The soil should be moist but never soggy. ‘KNOCK OUT’ KNOCKDOWN › Is it okay to trim back my ‘Knock Out’ roses even though they already have buds on them? —JULIE » No problem! They’ll just bloom a little later than normal. Actually, I can’t think of a bad time to prune ‘Knock Out’ roses. When left alone, they eventually grow into thorny monsters 8 feet tall or more. å “I read on the internet that snow is an excellent insulator.”

KEEP THE FAITH › I planted a large ‘Allee’ Chinese elm two years ago in Louisiana. Last year, it Ask the Grump! No question goes unanswered on his Facebook page: facebook.com/slgrumpygardener.

59 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

FU N FAC T Pit Stop Pull off U.S. 441 in Sylva, North Carolina, to see the American Museum of the House Cat, displaying Dr. Harold Sims’ collection of art and memorabilia of felines throughout history.

PETIQUETTE

Calming Companions Pets could be the key to beating stress BY GRACE HAYNES

Yet another reason to love your pets: They can boost mental health. The Washington, D.C.based Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) funds and shares the science behind pets’ beneficial impacts on our emotional well-being— especially stress, anxiety, and loneliness. “Studies have shown that when we interact with them, positive neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin (which are

WITH BELLS ON

often associated with reward, satisfaction, and parent-child bonding) are elevated in our brains,” says HABRI executive director Steve Feldman. “Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, is shown to go down too,” he says. TIME WELL SPENT

“Know the effort and cost involved in properly caring for them,” advises Feldman. “The only way you’ll get the benefits from a pet is if you’re willing to invest in a good relationship,” he says.

Dress cats for spring in washable floral collars from Austin, Texasbased Made by Cleo. CAT COLLAR

PET OF THE MONTH

The Queen of the House Meet Fiona, the coolest cat in Music City “Fiona is beautiful, and she knows it,” says owner Leslie Mosier of her 2-year-old silver British shorthair. “She rules the house.” Her big brother, Doug the Pug (@itsdougthepug), may be an Instagram celebrity and “king of pop culture,” but Fiona tends to claim the spotlight at home. “She loves to tease Doug. She’ll paw at his backside and then run away when he gets annoyed. She knows that he’s too slow to ever catch her,” Mosier says. But like every little sister, Fiona has a soft side and looks up to her older sibling—just scroll through her Instagram feed to see! INSTAGRAM: @duhitsfiona HOMETOWN: Nashville HOBBIES: Watching birds and

IN JUNGLE IVORY, GREEN, OR RED,

squirrels outside

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ALTER EGO: Parkour athlete.

60 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

When Fiona isn’t napping, she’s bouncing off the walls—literally. “She’ll leap and run up them!” says Mosier. FIONA AND DOUG’S FAVORITE MATCHING OUTFITS: Fluffy robes å

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GETTY IMAGES; ROB CHIANELLI; COURTESY MADE BY CLEO

POSITIVE PALS

All It Takes Is A Shake™ ®/™ Trademarks © Mars, Incorporated 2020. TEMPTATIONS™ Cloud design is a trademark.

Garden design is a picnic with ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia. Sit back and enjoy luscious texture and brilliant foliage year round.

‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia

Visit southernlivingplants.com for where to buy, inspiration and care advice.

& H O W

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B E S T

IN HER SHO E S

New to the Neighborhood Raleigh, North Carolina, artist Inslee Fariss talks muses, moisturizer, and moving back to the South after a stint in the Big Apple BY BETSY CRIBB

MARCH 2020

On Inslee: Cassidy dress, $198; shop.galmeetsglam .com. Flor Studs, one of a kind; for similar earrings, hyladewitt.com

SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

HAIR, MAKEUP, AND WARDROBE STYLING: SOPHIE WILSON

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBBIE CAPONETTO

BE AU T Y & ST YL E

A FAVORITE QUOTE

“HAVE NOTHING IN YOUR HOUSE THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW TO BE USEFUL, OR BELIEVE TO BE BEAUTIFUL.” —William Morris

HEN ARTIST Inslee Fariss and her husband, Anderson, first looked at their would-be home in Raleigh, the Realtor felt certain they would not be sold on the area. “The location may not appeal to some people,” says Inslee, who grew up in Leesburg, Virginia. “The agent kept telling us, ‘I don’t think you’re going to like this. It backs up to a commercial property.’ ” But after eight years of living in New York City, a little noise was just what the young couple was after. “I would be scared if I couldn’t see a Walgreens within a hundred feet,” jokes Inslee. “From here, Jackson (my 2-year-old son) and I can walk to the coffee shop or to the dry cleaner.” While her time in New York may have cultivated an affinity for the hustle and bustle, Raleigh has proven to be an unexpected muse. “For the first time in years, I have more space to fill and am starting to understand what people need in their homes as far as art goes,” she says. “That’s the puzzle I’m thinking through right now. It’s hard to fill up a house with art. And if that’s something I’m facing, other people are too.” Here, Inslee shares her spring

64 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

Kiki Dress, $198; rollerrabbit.com. The Pointe in Rose Nappa, $195; margauxny.com. No. 64 The Graphic Frame Bag in Natural Canvas/Palm Croc Embossed Leather, $248; neelyandchloe.com

wardrobe staples, three lessons she’s learned, and why she loves a particular drugstore moisturizer. My Personal Look “It’s funny; I have an eye for fashion and enjoy painting things that are inspired

by it, but that doesn’t translate to my personal style at all. As I’ve gotten into my thirties, I now have a look that I’m pretty confident about. I like classic pieces and prefer wearing a lot of neutrals and things that are a little bit more restrained.”

a The Style of Your Life. Lauren Ralph Lauren Tropical high-neck one-piece, $138. Dillards.com 1.800.345.5273

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BE AU T Y & ST YL E

INSLEE’S QUICK PICKS Impulse Buyer o or Thoughtful Shopper / Tiny Details orr Bold Strokes Morning Walks orr Sunset Strolls / Headband o or Hair Tie / Killer Coat or Dynamite Handbag / Everything Bagel orr Almond Croissant Farmers’ Market o or Block Party / Activewear o or Evening Wear

at least that’s under control! My child How I Shift My Closet for Spring is screaming and I don’t know why, “I’ve always been a dress person, but I do know why my so I’m excited about feet look stylish.’ ” getting away from jeans and moving more into Where I Find ﬂowy dresses and RALEIGH Inspiration ﬂorals. [To quote The RUNDOWN “This revival of ancient Devil Wears Prada,] Inslee reveals patternmaking and ‘Florals? For spring? her favorite block printing that Groundbreaking.’ I’m a spots in her tip I see everywhere is sucker for that for sure, of the Triangle really speaking to me. so I’ll be jumping on the 1. Boulted Bread There’s such a layered bandwagon before it’s 2. Union Camp Collective richness to the way even warm enough.” 3. North Carolina they’re being used Museum of Art in everything from Ways Motherhood Has 4. Anisette clothing to wallpaper.” Shaped My Style 5. Brewery “You’ve got to think: ‘Is Bhavana 6. Vermillion What I’m Working this going to look good 7. Poole’s Diner on Right Now with food on it? How 8. Fleur Boutique “I’m veering away from is it going to translate 9. Indigo Hot fashion illustration in a sandbox?’ Part Yoga Center and moving toward of keeping my sanity, 10. Marbles Kids Museum other types of fine especially through the art: pattern, largenewborn phase, was scale pieces, and color getting dressed and studies. It’s an exciting time, branching feeling pulled together. If I’ve into all of this new work. Having an showered, my hair is dry, and I have art history background helps me dig some cute shoes on, it’s like, ‘Well,

through the different movements and periods I’ve studied for inspiration.” A Collaboration I’ve Loved “It’s so energizing and powerfully inspiring to work with other women and small businesses and see the way we feed off each other’s energy. Neely and Chloe Burch [the sisters behind accessories brand Neely & Chloe] are so good; I love working with them. We’re on the same page in a lot of ways, so [creating a day planner together] was a natural, fun fit.” Best Advice I’ve Ever Received “In business: ‘Know your worth. If something is selling too fast, it doesn’t cost enough.’ In fashion: ‘Do not buy itchy things!’ And in my personal life: ‘Tell the babysitter to come earlier than you think you need her to.’ ” Drugstore Find I Swear By “I have really dry skin, but if I put Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment on my face and go to sleep (wearing a headband so it doesn’t get in my hair), I wake up glowing. It’s incredible.” å

@inslee Instagram Style

Studio smiles with her son, Jackson

66 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

Wanderlust captured in watercolors

Mini palette paintings in rainbow hues

Finishing touches on delicate florals

YOU CAN’T SHUT DOWN YOUR NEIGHBORS BUT YOU CAN SHUT DOWN YOUR COLD SYMPTOMS

THE NIGHTTIME SNIFFLING, SNEEZING, COUGHING, ACHING, STUFFY HEAD,

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BE AU T Y & ST YL E

BEAUTY SEC RE TS

My Mom, the Beauty Icon

A Louisiana lady with a no-makeup secret PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARTA XOCHILT PEREZ

“Squeaky-clean strands are the key to her Southern volume. She wouldn’t dream of sporting greasy hair.” Aveeno Hair Cotton Blend Shampoo and Conditioner, $9 each; walmart.com

Denham Springs, LA, 2019

My mom’s idea of beauty is something different from that of a glam-loving cover girl. Her emphasis on a pared-down look instilled in me conﬁdence and an appreciation for highlighting my natural features—never hiding them. She would much rather go with a simple, skin-care-focused routine than put on a show. But that doesn’t mean she can’t wield a round brush like a pro or give herself an enviable at-home manicure in less than ﬁve minutes—I’ve witnessed both in utter amazement. After spending a little time with my mom, you’ll learn that her wake-up-nomakeup look is only outer evidence of the way she makes everyone feel: relaxed, capable, and free to be themselves. JORIE MCDONALD

68 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

“Everyone always says we could be sisters. My mom credits her youthful glow to strong sunscreen and a hydrating eye cream.” Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream, $69; beautycounter.com

“She’s not big on heavy makeup. Investing in a good serum is worth it.” Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment, $78; esteelauder.com

“A sturdy toiletry case is essential. Mom is always on the go, and her skin-care lineup is never left behind.” Vanity Case in Rose Gold, $85; calpaktravel .com å

STYLING: MARY BETH WETZEL; PORTRAIT: COURTESY BEN MCDONALD

NICOLE MCDONALD ( AT L E F T )

“Mom says you’re never fully dressed without a smile and a coat of nail polish. A quickdrying formula leaves me no excuses.” Expressie in Party Mix & Match, $9; essie.com

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2 EYEBROW DEFINING WAX

Choose from the six shades, and apply to brows with short strokes using an angled brush. $26; ecobrow.com

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“It gives antioxidant protection during the day and repairs collagen at night,” says Sullivan. $90; marieveronique.com

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Hydrate, style, and refresh hair with a spray that calls on neroli and aloe waters to moisturize and restore pH balance. $24; playabeauty.com

5 “UN” POWDER

Use a translucent, talc-free face powder to soften skin and set makeup wonderfully. $34; rmsbeauty.com

6 VEGAN GOOD LASH +

Natural Beauties

Nontoxic and effective? This lineup redefines what it means to go clean BY PATRICIA WEIGEL SHANNON

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARTA XOCHILT PEREZ

THE CLEAN-BEAUTY movement is shifting the focus from what’s in products to what they’re made without, but knowing what actually works can get tricky. Jodi Sullivan, owner of Birmingham-based cosmetics-and-skin care boutique Beauté Therapie, gave us the scoop on where to start with picks that are safe and get the job done. 70 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

7 LIT UP HIGHLIGHT STICK

“A sweep around my temples and under my eyes cures dullness and gives a natural glow,” says Sullivan. $48; westman-atelier.com å

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S OU TH ER N VANITY

It’s more than mascara. Plant proteins and botanical extracts promote lash growth and protect against breakage. $38; fitglowbeauty.com

Plant scrumptious beauty with berry plants and fruit trees from our DownHome Harvest® Collection. You’ll reap the delicious benefits!

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PICT UR E HEALTH OF

The 411: Go ahead and play with your food! Celebrate National Nutrition

Month by treating your kids to a mealtime makeover. Check out Oklahoma’s Lunchbox Dad, Beau Coffron, on Instagram (@lunchboxdad) for fun inspiration: Think banana sushi rolls and Snow White-shaped quesadillas.

GREAT GEAR

Match Maker Serve up a game-winning look in a tennis outﬁt that’s worthy of Wimbledon

Carson Pickett

SECRETS TO A GOOD LIFE

Not Just for Kicks A Florida soccer player makes her mark on and off the ﬁeld

HOUSE CALL

Heads Up A neurologist gives us the lowdown on migraines

4 3

1. Performance Piqué Pleated-Collar Sleeveless Polo, $108; torysport.com 2. Two-Tone Pleated-Hem Tennis Skirt, $138; torysport.com 3. Stan Smith Shoes in Cloud White/ Crystal White, $100; adidas.com 4. Courtside Tennis Backpack, $108; ameandlulu.com

KN OW T HE SY MPTO M S

“A migraine is defined as a headache that is moderate to severe in intensity and is accompanied by two or more other symptoms, like nausea and sensitivity to light,” says Dr. Payman Sadeghi of the National Headache Institute.

74 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

LISTE N TO YOUR B ODY

“Pain is your check engine light,” he says. “If you cannot find a cause for your headaches and you’re having them two to three times per week, you need to see a neurologist or headache specialist.” They can recommend treatment.

PAY AT TENT I ON TO P OSTU RE

“In this age of using computers and other electronics and sitting at our desks for too long day after day, we see a lot of neck problems that lead to headaches,” says Sadeghi. “If you already have migraines, it can make them even worse.” å

MARTA XOCHILT PEREZ; STYLING: MARY BETH WETZEL; PORTRAIT; COURTESY ORLANDO PRIDE

Carson Pickett is a force. The Orlando Pride defender closed her fourth season in the National Women’s Soccer League last October and is currently ﬁnishing up her third season with the Brisbane Roar FC in Australia. And she’s accomplished it all with just one arm. “When I talk to fans with limb differences, it’s about our arms,” says Pickett, who was born without a left forearm and hand. “They think it’s great that I’m a soccer player, but they aren’t there to judge me on my skills. They see all the things I can do with one arm and know that they—or their children–can do that too.”

IMVEXXY is for menopausal women who experience moderate to severe vaginal pain during intercourse.

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Learn more about the menopausal changes you’re experiencing at myimvexxy.com IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT IMVEXXY (estradiol vaginal inserts) WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IMVEXXY (AN ESTROGEN HORMONE)? • Using estrogen-alone may increase your chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). • Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are using IMVEXXY. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your healthcare provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find out the cause. • Do not use estrogen-alone to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia (decline of brain function). • Using estrogen-alone may increase your chances of getting strokes or blood clots. • Using estrogen-alone may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women 65 years of age or older. • Do not use estrogens with progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes or dementia. • Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or blood clots. • Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women 65 years of age or older. • You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with IMVEXXY. WHAT IS IMVEXXY USED FOR? IMVEXXY is a prescription medicine that contains an estrogen hormone in a vaginal insert that is used after menopause to treat moderate to severe painful intercourse, a symptom of changes in and around your vagina, due to menopause.

WHO SHOULD NOT USE IMVEXXY? Do not start using IMVEXXY if you: • have unusual vaginal bleeding. • currently have or have had certain cancers. Estrogens may increase the chances of getting certain types of cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus (womb). If you have or have had cancer, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should use IMVEXXY. • currently have or have had blood clots, stroke, heart attack, liver problems, or a bleeding disorder. • are allergic to IMVEXXY or any of its ingredients. See the list of ingredients at the end of the full patient information. • think you may be pregnant. IMVEXXY is not for pregnant women. WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE USING IMVEXXY? • have any unusual vaginal bleeding. • have certain medical conditions. Your healthcare provider may need to check you more carefully if you have certain medical conditions, such as asthma (wheezing), epilepsy (seizures), diabetes, migraine, endometriosis, lupus, angioedema (swelling of face and tongue), problems with your heart, liver, thyroid, kidneys, or have high calcium levels in your blood. • are going to have surgery or will be on bed rest. You may need to stop using IMVEXXY. • are breast feeding. The hormone in IMVEXXY can pass into your breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. IMVEXXY may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how IMVEXXY works.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF IMVEXXY? Serious, but less common side effects could include: heart attack, stroke, blood clots, cancer of the ovary, breast cancer, cancer of the lining of the uterus (womb), dementia, gallbladder disease, high blood calcium (hypercalcemia), changes in vision, high blood pressure, high triglyceride (fat) levels in your blood, liver problems, low thyroid levels in your blood, fluid retention, low blood calcium (hypocalcemia), enlargement of benign tumors of the uterus (“fibroids”), worsening of angioedema (swelling of face and tongue), changes in certain laboratory test results. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following warning signs or any other unusual symptoms that concern you: new breast lumps, unusual vaginal bleeding, changes in vision or speech, sudden, new, severe headaches, severe pains in your chest or legs with or without shortness of breath, weakness, and fatigue. The most common side effects of IMVEXXY include: headache, breast tenderness or pain, nausea and vomiting. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 and/or TherapeuticsMD at 1-888-228-0150. The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about IMVEXXY with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. The FDA-approved labeling can be found at www.IMVEXXY.com

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N O W

CITY GUIDE

Becoming Birmingham The slow but steady reinvention of Alabamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest city has finally come into focus

BY HANNAH HAYES

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBBIE CAPONETTO

MARCH 2020

Head Downtown Owners Feizal Valli and Rachael Roberts at The Atomic Bar & Lounge

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F YOU’D ASKED ME how I liked living in Birmingham five years ago, I would’ve responded with a practiced diplomatic answer. “There’s hardly any traffic,” was a go-to. Or I might have praised the city’s proximity to other destinations: “If I leave in the morning, by lunchtime I can be in Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, or Asheville.” But with each passing year, I grew to see how lucky I was that the cosmos dropped me off here instead of any other place. There’s a line from a song by the Birmingham-born band Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires that goes, “Encase my tongue in steel in case I ever dare to say I’m stuck.” This city, which made its name by forging steel from the surrounding ironrich mountains and got its reputation during the Civil Rights Movement and the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, is definitely a complicated one to love. But what has changed it for the better is a group of residents who are claiming it again, past and all—a past that doesn’t feel stuck. They want to stay and conscientiously change its legacy. The people here will be the first to tell you that this iteration of Birmingham has been a long time coming, but it’s worth it. We don’t have gaggles of glass towers or scooter apps. National chains don’t dot our downtown. We like that. What we have isn’t perfect, but it’s homegrown. That might also be the reason why, these days, my phone lights up with more messages from friends planning to visit Birmingham, not drive through it. This is my piece of the city to share.

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Clockwise from top: Automatic Seafood and Oysters; The Atomic, with cocktails named after regulars; charcuterie at Freddy’s Wine Bar; Billy Reid’s new store

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Style Staples Morgan and Duquette Johnston own Club Duquette.

I like to joke that Birmingham feels like 300 square feet despite a sprawling metro area and hundreds of square miles of the forests, mountains, and rivers that make Alabama one of the country’s most biodiverse states. The city feels most like a small town to me when I start my morning at Woodlawn Cycle Cafe, where locals line up for sweet potato biscuits and James Taylor spins on the turntable. I rarely have to make any weekend plans to hang out with friends, because I know I’ll see them there.

says Taylor. “Together we are creating one of the most economically, socially, and culturally diverse neighborhoods in the city.” Across from the cafe, Jake Carnley, known for his Great Bear Wax Co. candles (his best seller is Succulent), has founded Bungalow Bungalow (the area’s first refill shop, where customers can purchase Castile soap, all-purpose cleaner, and laundry detergent in reusable containers, along with other sustainable home goods). Around the corner, chef John Hall will open his long-awaited Italian-inspired bistro next door to Club Duquette, a boutique owned by musician Duquette Johnston and his stylist wife, Morgan, who stock hard-to-find Levi’s jeans, house-printed bandanas, and other design-oriented basics. It was at the shop’s regular block parties that I began Izakaya South Try the Spicy meeting people like Miso Ramen at Taylor and others who casual Japanese are like-minded in bar Shu Shop.

A historic neighborhood with multigenerational residents near the Ruffner Mountain nature preserve, Woodlawn has a mini downtown that has become a hub for new businesses and initiatives. Birmingham native Mashonda Taylor, who’s the chief community relations officer for the Woodlawn Foundation, works to make sure everyone will benefit from its growth. “We get to carry out the vision of our community, and they want thriving businesses,”

taking on the responsibility of building a better Birmingham. “There’s this new wave of energy here, and we all see the potential for what could happen,” explains Duquette. “We all 79 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

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Fine with Wine Cheese boards are among the nibbles at Golden Age Wine bar and shop.

Local Beers The friendly Back Forty crew greets you at this Sloss Docks brewery.

All You Need Expect fresh, seasonal dishes and well-crafted cocktails at The Essential.

want the city to have more equitable entrepreneurship.” “We may be in retail, but we’re also in the service industry,” says Morgan. “We want to be everyone’s Southern grandma. She may not know you, but she’s going to offer you a beverage, see what you need, and show you love.” It’s an ethos that I feel in so many of the city’s independent businesses, whether I’m digging through the crates at the vinyl-and-barber combo shop Seasick Records and Newman’s 80 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

Classic Cuts, enjoying a scoop of Cullman Strawberry from Big Spoon Creamery, wandering through the

philodendron-filled greenhouse at Shoppe, sipping a cold brew at Domestique Coffee Cafe in the space-themed music venue Saturn, cracking open a can at new-old dive bar Mom’s Basement, slurping Spicy Miso Ramen at izakaya Shu Shop, or browsing the racks at Basic. Ask around town, and you’ll hear a consistent reason for the city’s energy

shift: Birmingham’s 38-year-old mayor, Randall L. Woodfin, who was elected in 2017. “I think there’s a collective spirit here,” says Woodfin, who notes he’s had family living in at least 20 of the city’s 99 neighborhoods. “I’m just fortunate to be its cheerleader.” The mayor has homed in on the less glamorous but long-needed work of neighborhood revitalization by creating a blight-removal fund and, most recently, opening a new fresh produce market at a downtown transit facility. “I remember feeling like the city wasn’t a place for my generation, but I realized in law school the only way to change it was to get involved,” he says. “We’ve committed to promoting the good in Birmingham—because despite all the bad, there’s a lot more good.” The mayor is among the city heroes who appear in an enormous folk artstyle interpretation of The Beatles’ album cover for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band that hangs over the counter at The Atomic Bar & Lounge. Owners Rachael Roberts and Feizal Valli love it when out-of-towners visit their shotgun shrine to the city. They often get to introduce newcomers to the regulars for whom their cocktails

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are named. “We want you to immediately feel like a local here,” says Valli. Fittingly, in Paul McCartney’s position on the Sgt. Pepper mural is chef Frank Stitt. With his flagship James Beard Award-winning restaurant Highlands Bar & Grill and two others, Stitt became not just a Birmingham talisman but a pillar of the South’s culinary community. He was just 28 when he opened Highlands in 1982, and the full sweep of his impact has never been more visible than now. One of the chefs who read Stitt’s cookbooks as a young line cook and hoped to start his own restaurant back home in Alabama is Adam Evans, who recently opened the ambitious Automatic Seafood and Oysters.

Designed by his wife and co-owner Suzanne Humphries Evans, Automatic represents a sea change in Birmingham’s dining scene. The menu here reflects the glory of the Gulf (just a few hours’ drive south) and shifts with each day’s catch. Murder Point oysters

fill an ice tray at the onyx-tiled bar, and guests sitting in caneback banquettes order plates of crispy fried fish collars and Adam’s signature dish, Fish Ribs, painted with barbecue sauce. Not far down the same street, Pete Halupka and Lindsay Whiteaker, the owners of Harvest Roots Ferments, will open a kombucha taproom. Meanwhile downtown, two Stitt alumni have reinvented a beloved Italian cafe into Trattoria ZaZa, where you’ll find the only brunch line I will gladly stand in. In the nearby suburb of Mountain Brook, Brandon Loper and Trent Stewart have built one of the most unique natural wineshops in the country, Golden Age Wine, with over 750 different retail bottles and a by-the-glass bar—a feat both say

Wake Up to Pasta Trattoria ZaZa serves Breakfast Pasta that will brighten your day.

Smell the Roses Co-owner Mark Thompson of Shoppe garden boutique

wouldn’t have been possible without Stitt’s influence. Loper, also a filmmaker, moved back to his home state with his architect wife (she designed the space in terra-cotta tones) and daughters after living in San Francisco for a decade. When he found out that starting a wine bar in Birmingham would cost “a thousandth of the price” and he met Stewart, a lifelong resident and professional buyer, the duo started ordering wines the state had never been able to access previously. “I really enjoy introducing people to new things,” says Loper. “I wanted a place where I could share that with everyone the same as if they’d come over to my house.” “It’s surprising to people what a big wine market we have,” echoes Stewart. “It has really been fun to stick it out here because the town has changed so much.” In a few days after I finish writing this story, I will be moving to Austin, Texas, to start a new job. It’s a temporary relocation—just a few months. And while I’m excited to have more breakfast taco options and a new city to explore, I’m just as eager, if not more, to see where Birmingham will be when I come back. 81 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

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A SPRINGTIME

Brunch Specialty

CHECK THESE OUT

The Birmingham Must List Our editors’ favorite hometown spots

Made with Torani Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup, this deliciously originally recipe from @JuleyJames is sure to be a hit at your next event.

The Essential

Downtown

EL BARRIO Eat

Lava lamps adorn the tables in the intimate, foliage-filled “jungle room,” and whimsical cocktails are served in glass soda bottles or with custom temporary tattoos clipped to the rims.

There’s a reason this is one of the first restaurants where people will take you when you move here. Hint: It starts with the perfectly chunky, citrusy guacamole and a drool-inducing beef barbacoa quesadilla and ends with the best spicy margarita in town.

BASIC. Shop

ELYTON HOTEL Stay

THE ATOMIC BAR & LOUNGE Drink

Lacey Woodroof peddles sustainably made closet staples on Morris Avenue in the bright, airy space she shares with Honeycreeper Chocolate (their bonbons and candy bars are ethically sourced too).

A boutique property in the heart of the financial district, the Elyton has a rooftop bar called Moon Shine with amazing views of the city.

BIRMINGHAM BREADWORKS Eat

Set off the cobblestones of historic Morris Avenue, this dreamy cafe is a pasta haven with house-made noodles and sauces. The intimate restaurant makes you feel at home.

On Saturday mornings, you’ll have to arrive at this unassuming gem of a bakery bright and early to have your pick of pastries (the chocolate croissants sometimes sell out by 11 a.m.). Trust us: The pepper-Parmesan loaf is worth setting your alarm.

THE ESSENTIAL Eat

PAPER DOLL Drink

CAYO COCO RUM BAR & RESTAURANT Eat

Named for an island off central Cuba, Cayo Coco brings a little 1940s Latin flair to downtown Birmingham. The menu includes everything from Mofongo Balls and Tostones to drinks like the Royal Hawaiian and Sandpiper Punch.

Paper Doll in the Loft Entertainment District is the swankiest cocktail lounge in town. With sophisticated Art Deco accents and a litany of craft beverages, this bar is an ideal post-dinner spot. PARAMOUNT Eat

You’d never guess this arcade/dive-bar hybrid has one of Birmingham’s best burgers, served with jumbo onion rings.

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BLUEBERRY MOJITOS 1 2

∕

cup of blueberries

∕

oz. Torani Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup

1 2

Fresh mint leaves 2 - 3 wedges of lime 1 oz. of rum Crushed ice Place blueberries, Torani, mint leaves (torn) and squeezed lime into a drinking glass. Muddle together until blueberries are crushed. Fill glass with fresh ice and pour in rum. Garnish with mint leaves and serve immediately.

VISIT TORANI.COM FOR MORE RECIPE INSPIRATION.

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Greenhouse is all about the fresh salads—and cookies.

Grab a local craft beer and a seat in the courtyard. HIGHLANDS BAR & GRILL Eat

Frank Stitt’s original restaurant on Birmingham’s Southside never stops earning its stellar reputation.

Crestwood, Forest Park & Woodlawn Stop by the city’s first refill store to stock up on eco-friendly home-cleaning goods.

helmed by Laura Cotten, Kristen Iskandrian, and Elizabeth Goodrich—and you’ll find an excellent selection of new releases plus a calendar of can’t-miss literary events.

CLUB DUQUETTE Shop

WOODLAWN CYCLE CAFE Eat

BUNGALOW BUNGALOW Shop Club Duquette

THE REDMONT HOTEL Stay

If you’re on the hunt for big-city lights, take the elevator up to the penthouse floor of the historic Redmont Hotel. The Roof, a classy cocktail bar, provides a sweeping, unobstructed view of Birmingham’s skyline. SHU SHOP Eat

An “izakaya” is a casual, social Japanese bar with drinks and budget-friendly food. Meet Birmingham’s own, specializing in ramen and small plates. TRATTORIA ZAZA Eat

The hip Italian bistro has a line running down the block for weekend brunch, but ZaZa has also gained a lunchtime following for by-the-slice, square-cut pizza.

North Birmingham BACK FORTY BEER COMPANY Drink

You’ll feel like a local in no time at this beer joint by the tracks. There’s plenty of room to roam and a big menu to pair with local brews. LENELL’S BEVERAGE BOUTIQUE Drink

Opened by liquor genius LeNell Camacho Santa Ana,

this unassuming stop in a small cinder block building has all sorts of surprises: bottles of gin in a claw-foot bathtub, rare bourbon tucked inside an old wooden cabinet, and a quite… er…unique fountain that you’ll just have to see for yourself.

Southside CHEZ FONFON Eat

Executive chef Frank Stitt’s laid-back French bistro serves up a can’t-miss burger and a tempting selection of house cocktails, plus the pièce de résistance: a legendary coconut cake by 2018 James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Dolester Miles. FREDDY’S WINE BAR Drink

This is the kind of place where you’ll want to become a regular, gathering your girlfriends to split a bottle of wine and a hefty but affordable charcuterie board.

Discover the ultimate in urban style at this specialty boutique with lots of personality. GREAT BEAR WAX CO. Shop

Sniff fragrant candles—Rose, Forest, Whiskey Lemon—or take a candle-making workshop. SEASICK RECORDS Shop

Old is new again in the aisles of vinyl at Seasick Records, where an hour can easily turn into an afternoon. Shiny new albums may be in stock, but the real treasure hunt takes place in the vintage stacks. SHOPPE Shop

Curbside charm makes this botanical boutique nearly impossible to pass by. You’ll find something to call your own before you’ve made it up the front steps–green thumb or not. THANK YOU BOOKS Shop

Head to this brand-new independent bookstore—

THE GARAGE Eat

This cash-only favorite on the Southside serves some of the best sandwiches in town. Order The Fritz, which comes fully loaded with “everything but the kitchen sink or marbles.”

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Trattoria ZaZa introduced its Southern-Italian food in 2009.

There’s no such thing as grabbing a quick bite here. Settle into Saturday with their Toastie Special (sweet-potato biscuit sandwich) or a veggie plate finished with almonds and house-made ricotta.

Avondale & Lakeview AUTOMATIC SEAFOOD AND OYSTERS Eat

Birmingham’s newest hit eatery is a sleek seafood spot that offers a killer selection of oysters and other coastal classics, all with a distinctly Americana spirit. BIG SPOON CREAMERY Eat

Goat Cheese Fig and Cinnamon Toast Crunch are two of the flavors you might find at Big Spoon, an artisanal ice-cream shop where the ingredients are locally sourced and the mix-ins are homemade. BRÄT BROT GARTENBAR Eat

The entrance looks like a Renaissance tavern, but it swiftly opens into a sleek “gartenbar”—a beer garden where you can sit outside or grab a table in a greenhouse. DOMESTIQUE COFFEE CAFE Eat

This funky coffee shop located

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in the music venue Saturn has bright orange tables and intergalactic decor. It’s a haven for gamers of all sorts, with crates of board games and nooks furnished with screens, controllers, and consoles. MOM’S BASEMENT Drink

From the wood-paneled walls to the portraits of mothers displayed there, this Avondale throwback conjures images of 8-tracks.

SATURN Drink

The edgy concert venue also hosts Substrate Bingo and the “Romantically Challenged Dating Game Show.”

Mountain Brook, Homewood & Vestavia Hills ALKMY Shop

Browse Crestline Village’s new, well-curated store where you can find everything from one-of-a-kind hostess gifts to adorable children’s clothing. BANDIT PÂTISSERIE Eat

Pop into one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots for a croissant so deliciously flaky that you’ll be tempted to sweep up afterward. Linger over the best latte you’ll taste this side of the Mason-Dixon Line. CHURCH STREET COFFEE & BOOKS Eat

Crestline’s neighborhood coffee shop doubles as an independent bookstore. The well-chosen selection of hardbacks lining the shelves is (almost) as enticing as the sweets in the display case. Don’t skip the legendary Breakup Cookies. The friendly, knowledgable staff guides you through vino at Golden Age Wine.

GIANMARCO’S Eat

Chef John Hall serves handtossed, wood-fired brick-oven pizzas topped with locally sourced ingredients.

Authentic Italian cuisine meets Southern charm at Gianmarco’s. Here, the relaxed atmosphere is second only to the impeccable food. The Fiocchi is a must— unless one of the numerous daily specials manages to tempt you away.

RODNEY SCOTT’S WHOLE HOG BBQ Eat

GOLDEN AGE WINE Drink

POST OFFICE PIES Eat

No one does slow-smoked, whole-hog barbecue like Charleston, South Carolinabased pitmaster Rodney Scott, who opened an Avondale spot in 2019. The exceptional pulled pork is not to be missed, of course, but don’t sleep on the sides, which are also fantastic.

Refill your green home products at Bungalow Bungalow.

Have a glass or peruse the shelves at the city’s hot new wineshop and bar. The minimalist design brings the selection to the forefront, and that goes beyond the tasting room’s assortment of sustainable wines. The charcuterie menu is an unexpected treat.

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GREENHOUSE Eat

Greenhouse isn’t just the best spot in town to construct your perfect super fresh salad. It’s also Homewood’s go-to for the decadent Ridiculous Cookie, specialty soups, tasty sandwiches, and summer slushies. HERO DOUGHNUTS Eat

Come here for brioche-style doughnuts in delicious seasonal flavors along with homemade custards and a full menu for breakfast and lunch. JOHNNY’S RESTAURANT Eat

This meat ’n’ three run by Timothy Hontzas is home to some of the best, most creative cooking you’ll find in Birmingham. Where else can you get Southern staples like fried catfish or the best-ever squash casserole as well as Greek favorites like the fork-tender keftedes (meatballs)? LEAF & PETAL Shop

Drawing in green thumbs and decor shoppers alike, this local garden shop is filled with plants, containers, art, and more. Established in 1974, Leaf & Petal has expanded to four locations, including an outpost at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. MARTIN’S BAR-B-QUE JOINT Eat

Pat Martin shows off his trusty Tennessee style of all-wood, whole-hog cooking at this

Vestavia Hills location. Place your order, grab a beer, and take a seat on the patio. SAW’S BBQ Eat

The beloved barbecue spot’s four locations are as singular as the neighborhoods they call home, from the original Saw’s in Homewood to Saw’s Juke Joint in Crestline, Saw’s Soul Kitchen in Avondale, and, most recently, Saw’s BBQ— Southside.

Pepper Place BILLY REID Shop

A Louisiana-born fashion designer, Billy Reid has long been established in Florence, Alabama, but now has opened a stylish Birmingham shop with clothing and accessories for men and women. HOT AND HOT FISH CLUB Eat

You hear about the stacked tomato salad before you see it or taste it. Executive chef Chris Hastings’ Birmingham stalwart, long a fixture on Southside, relocated to a gorgeous space at Pepper Place earlier this year. THE MARKET AT PEPPER PLACE Shop

This incredibly popular outdoor event takes place every Saturday morning from mid-April to midDecember, rain or shine. Locals turn out in droves as The Market at Pepper Place hosts farmers and makers from within a 200mile radius. å

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NEW

BEGI N N I NGS

For one family, a farmhouse in the Texas Hill Country is a chance to start fresh and live a more meaningful life BY D E B DA I S H I S C H WA R T Z

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALISON GOOTEE

The Exterior

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The Living Room

CELEBRATE IMPERFECTION

expected to find the happiness they now share. Jamie had gone through a difficult first marriage and was busy solo parenting three kids. Russell thought his days of romance and parenting were behind him. And then they fell in love. The pair got married, and Russell adopted Jamie’s children, Abby, now 16; Gracie, 15; and Carson, 11. They had a home in a nice area of Houston, but their neighborhood wasn’t a cozy one. People tended to keep to themselves. “It never felt like where we were supposed to be,” recalls Jamie. A glimpse of a different path came to them during Thanksgiving of 2016, which they spent in a 19th-century farmhouse in rural Fredericksburg. There, Jamie felt a contentment she hadn’t known in years. She was flooded with blissful childhood

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memories of time spent in small-town Michigan: riding her bike down quiet lanes, lying in the grass watching the clouds pass through the sky. Russell, who was raised in a farming family in nearby Columbus, Texas, felt the same. “All my life, I’d been wanting to get back to that kind of community,” he says. Their search ended at a 1907 farmhouse in Brenham. Handsome and in need of TLC, the home, set on a hill overlooking 90 acres and three lakes, embodies a sense of peace that Jamie didn’t foresee in her life. “This property is like the final piece of that contentment,” she says. Living in Brenham has allowed the kids to discover the joy of putting down their phones and creating their own fun, including fishing, target shooting, and tire swinging. “Being away from the hustle and bustle of the city, time slows down. I’m more in the moment,” says Jamie. Here’s how the Bradens, alongside designer Marie Flanigan, created their dream farmhouse that celebrates a slower way of living with contemporary refinement.

STYLING: MATTHEW GLEASON; ROOM-BY-ROOM PROP SOURCES: SOUTHERNLIVING.COM/BRENHAM

JAMIE AND RUSSELL BRADEN NEVER

While the Bradens wanted the home to be 100% modern in terms of functionality, they also strove to keep its authenticity. “I want people to walk in the house and think, ‘This place has history,’ ” says Jamie. “When the builder asked if he should straighten the beaded board, I said ‘No!’ ”

EMBRACE MODERN STYLE WITH EASE

Jamie is more traditional than Russell, but she didn’t want a house that looked like her grandmother’s. To balance old and new, Flanigan used casual upholstery fabrics—simple cottons and natural linens in quiet, mostly solid colors plus the occasional stripe—to soften the strong lines of contemporary pieces and help them blend into the historic home.

The Dining Room

Create Contrast To keep things interesting in the mostly white house, Flanigan used bold colors and materials like dark beams, shiny metallics, and pops of rich navy.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Natural wood adds warmth to country homes, but for the Bradens, the paneling that previously covered most of the house’s walls and ceilings felt dark and dated. To brighten things up and add a new level of sophistication, they kept the ceilings as they were in many rooms but painted most of the walls a contrasting soft offwhite for a subtly vintage look.

REDEFINE THE FARMHOUSE

Strong, statement-making materials that nod to the earthier aspects of rural life and farming—including unfinished woods, slabs of natural stone, and steel—give the house a country feel that’s authentic but unexpected in a modern farmhouse.

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The Kitchen

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FIND CHARM IN THE DETAILS

The Family Room

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Though the house features a lot of modern furniture, the bones of the structure were kept largely traditional to maintain a subtle sense of history. Much of the original beaded board and shiplap stayed in place (with any damaged parts redone), and contemporary hardware was replaced with antique brass versions.

LISTEN TO THE LANDSCAPE

A mostly neutral palette of soft beiges, taupes, blacks, grays, and browns echoes the calm of the countryside and softens the boundary between inside and out in a house blessed with beautiful views. Repeated bursts of colors that are found in nature—blues, greens, and jewel tones— add interest and create a sense of continuity from room to room. å

The Screened Porch

So You Think You Can’t Garden… “The idea of having a green thumb is a myth,” Burke says. “Everyone will kill something in their garden, so redefine that failure as a lesson learned and an opportunity to try again next year.”

1. Pick the Right Spot Location is key for successful kitchen gardens. Consider three important factors before installation.

SUNLIGHT “The first and most important thing is sun. You want to maximize the amount of light your plants get,” says Burke. “Use the compass on your smartphone to find the southern side of the tallest structure in your yard, and place the garden there. That’s likely to be the sunniest spot.”

NICOLE BURKE H A S A C A U S E. She’s championing the revival of kitchen gardening: raised beds for growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs at home year-round. For Burke, it all began with zippy chives. She became a self-taught gardener in her backyard, where through trial and error, she learned how to cultivate fresh organic produce to feed her family—starting with things like herbs and lettuces, and then working her way to vegetables and fruits. Burke capitalized on all her hard-earned planting wisdom and built a business: Rooted Garden, which designs, installs, and maintains kitchen plots in the Houston area. She has taken 100 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

out the guesswork, turning an intimidating task into an accessible hobby anyone can master. And the idea has taken off—she has designed more than 100 residential gardens and counting. “The kitchen garden is a unique place because it touches on health and wellness, mindfulness, exercise and fitness, design and beauty, creativity and art—plus community and environmental care,” Burke says. “It’s a lifestyle.” She is also spreading her mission beyond Texas with Gardenary, an online community for inspiring gardeners of all levels. Here, Burke shares her easy-to-follow advice for bringing fresh produce to your backyard.

TRAFFIC PATTERNS Here, Burke built two rectangular raised beds right outside the back door. “Your garden should be close to your home so you can pop out to grab some basil or chives and go right back to the kitchen,” she says. Plus, these border gardens keep the main landscape of the backyard intact.

AESTHETIC A kitchen garden should blend in with the existing architecture. “It should feel like a natural extension of your home,” says Burke. Here, tall geometric steel trellises complement the modern house.

2. Make Your Selections

BEGINNER

INTERMEDIATE

“You can grow a lot of a few things or a little of a lot of things,” says Burke. Prioritize what you want to bring into the kitchen. She breaks down types of plants by experience level: leafy veggies and herbs (beginner), root crops (intermediate), and fruiting plants (advanced). She encourages first-timers to start with leaves—herbs,

ADVANCED

lettuces, and greens. “They’re the easiest and most prolific to grow. You’ll feel more successful because you’ll get to harvest almost immediately,” says Burke. Add in intermediate-level roots: carrots, radishes, beets, and potatoes. Then move up to fruiting plants like cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and other climbers.

3. Plant Strategically Burke says she plants beds symmetrically, confusing pests by spreading out multiples of the same plant instead of grouping them, “so bugs don’t have one big buffet.” Another trick is intensive planting, a method she describes as “packing in as many seeds as you can.” Though they’re planted close together (around 18 inches apart instead of 3 feet), their roots still have room to grow down because the beds are deep.

MEDIUM-SIZE CROPS IN THE MIDDLE Fill the center of the bed with moderate growers like root crops. Burke staggers the seeds instead of making tidy rows to pack more plants into the small space.

3 1

LOW-LYING PLANTS ALONG THE BORDER Line leafy greens, flowers, and herbs around the front and sides of the bed for maximum light. Otherwise, they’ll be shaded by the taller plantings.

BIG & TALL GROWERS IN THE BACK She works her way from front to back when planting. Let larger climbers such as tomatoes and cucumbers grow vertically up trellises to save room inside the bed.

101 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

5. Provide Proper Nutrients 4. Invite Some Insects

In urban environments, very few things naturally welcome pollinators (especially if you spray for mosquitoes). To attract beneficial insects, plant flowers like ‘African Blue’ basil, salvias, and marigolds. By midseason, bees, butterflies, and lizards will appear.

SOIL Burke recommends sandy loam soil. “Most vegetables like moist— but not wet—feet. Sandy loam soil drains quickly but also nourishes the plants and keeps them moist,” she says.

WANT M OR E P L ANT I NG ADVI CE ?

YOU CAN DO IT! Four steps for building a simple rectangular raised bed

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 4 (2-inch by 6-inch by 8-foot) cedar boards 4 (2- by 8-inch) galvanized metal or stainless steel framing angles (find them in the decking section of home-improvement stores) 32 (2 1/2-inch-long) galvanized metal hex lag bolts with matching nuts and washers (width of bolts can vary based on size of holes in framing angles)

102 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

COMPOST “It’s the secret. Compost helps re-create a rich environment for plants to come up every season. That’s how they’ve grown naturally for thousands of years,” says Burke. Keep the beds healthy by adding 2 to 3 inches of organic compost to the top of the soil every few months.

WATER “The general rule is about 1 inch of water per week, but that depends on the evaporation rate, which changes all the time,” says Burke. Water more during hot months and less during cold ones.

Connect with a local, Burke-approved growing coach through Gardenary (gardenary.com), or pick up a copy of her new book Kitchen Garden Revival (available on April 14; amazon.com).

HOW TO BUILD YOUR BED

1 Cut boards so you have 4 (6-foot) pieces and 4 (2-foot) pieces.

2 Form boards into a rectangle, stacking 2 pieces to form

each side so bed is 12 inches tall. Put a framing angle at each inside corner. Mark the holes in each framing angle with a pencil.

with washers and

Drill holes in the marked circles.

nuts. Tighten bolts

Assemble the bed and the framing angles. Push bolts through the holes from the outside. Secure on inside

with a ratchet. Â

DAMIAN T RAVEN Lifelong athlete and devoted dad

*Among OTC pain medicines. Use as directed. ÂŠ2019 GSK group of companies or its licensor.

With a Perennials acrylic fabric on the armchairs and an indoor/outdoor material on the Lee Industries sofa, the living room can weather wet swimsuits and spills. The painting over the fireplace is by Florida artist Liza Snyder.

The Right Place

Weary of big-city living, a young couple moves back to Florida to build their familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ rst (and forever) house by Betsy Cribb photographs by Ball & Albanese

The ceiling is painted White Dove (OC-17) by Benjamin Moore.

A HAPPY COINCIDENCE brought Dorothy and Isaac Lidsky back to Florida. “We had lived in Delaware; Washington, D.C.; London; and then New York, where I gave birth to our triplets,” says Dorothy, who grew up in Windermere, a small town outside Orlando known for the sparkling lakes that surround it. Hoping for a slower pace of life for their children, the couple began searching for a new place to call home. Then, a business opportunity for Isaac presented itself in Orlando, near Dorothy’s family—kismet. The couple packed up their brood and headed south, but they didn’t want to commit to just any old house. They rented instead, waiting four years for the right place. “The same day we heard about this listing, we met here and stood on the lot,” says Isaac of their lakefront would-be homesite. “It was this Dorothy and Isaac peaceful, beautiful day, and we knew that this was where we Lidsky would build our home.” Fifteen years of living in city apartments and temporary rentals meant that the pair knew exactly what they wanted in their first home: comfortable, no-fuss spaces where they could unwind with their four children (their youngest daughter was born in April 2017) and an easy-to-navigate layout for Isaac, who is blind. Dorothy also wanted the house to feel fresh, with plenty of color and room to grow. She turned to designers Erika Powell and Meagan Burks of Urban Grace Interiors in Santa Rosa Beach for their twist on Southern traditional. “Every time someone walks into our house and says, ‘This is so you! This is your family!’ that to me is the biggest compliment because our home really is an extension of us,” says Dorothy. Here, the couple and the designers share their moves for crafting a forever home. 106 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

Make Room for a Crowd The family of six spends a lot of time in and around the kitchen, so plenty of seating was a must. Slipcovered counter benches from Lee Industries make a prime homework spot for the triplets, and the breakfast nook is a sunny place to start the day. As in the living room, Powell and Burks covered the window seats in an outdoor fabric and layered patterns with throw pillows. “You can get away with using lighter colors when you go with outdoor fabrics,” says Powell. Belgian linen shades in Radish Moon’s hand-illustrated Radish pattern in Indigo keep the kitchen windows playful.

Go (A Little) Formal

Think Smart

An antique brass-and-amber glass-rod chandelier from Arteriors was the first thing the designers found for the dining room. From there, they built off its formality, choosing an heirloom-worthy table and buffet from Baker that both work well for entertaining. To unify the space with the more casual kitchen and living room, Powell and Burks stuck to the blue-and-white color palette, layering in window treatments in Schumacher’s Nanjing fabric, an abstract painting by Florida artist Teresa Cline, and Dorothy’s antique Chinese pottery. The designers also kept the kids in mind, covering the chairs in an indoor/outdoor fabric.

Automated retractable screens along the side of the house bridge the gap between indoors and out. “We worked with a company here in town to make everything in the home automated,” says Isaac. “Speakers, lighting, pool equipment—all of it is connected to an app that’s accessible to me, so for the first time, I can actually control everything in my house.” Now, they’re working to integrate Amazon Echo Dots into the system. “That means I could reconfigure lighting or turn on a Spotify playlist with a voice command,” he adds. “Dorothy’s unrivaled favorite music genre these days is yacht rock.”

107 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

Ă&#x2019;We wanted our home to be a place of peace, a place of joy, and a place where our family would feel safe and tucked away from the craziness of this world.Ă&#x201C; ISAAC LIDSKY

In the master sitting room, bamboo-frame armchairs and a muted palette ground the space and keep the focus on the lake view. The lamps are by Visual Comfort & Co.

STYLING: MATTHEW GLEASON

The bed is from Vanguard Furniture, and the lamps are by Currey & Company. The custom pressed-hydrangea artwork is by Lauren Lachance.

Put It in Neutral

Dial Up the Brights

“Dorothy wanted this to be their retreat,” says Burks of the master bedroom. So Isaac could also appreciate its serenity, the designers chose textured pieces, like a tuftedlinen headboard and table lamps covered in ceramic petals. “The day we moved in, when I finally got to roam free and feel the different furniture and finishes with my hands— it’s difficult to describe how amazing that experience was,” says Isaac. “I couldn’t believe I got to live in this house!”

“Pink is her favorite color, so we went wild with that,” says Powell of the decision to cover the older daughter’s bedroom in pink-and-orange toile wallpaper by Manuel Canovas. Dorothy didn’t want to skimp on the children’s rooms, adds the designer, who selected high-quality furniture in styles that can grow with them, even as their tastes in colors change over the years. “This family is not planning to move again, so they wanted to get things right the first time.” å

For the girls’ Jack-and-Jill bath, Powell and Burks chose Sister Parish Design’s Serendipity Wallpaper in Red.

109 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

SEASONS

CHANGE MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

Gilliard Farms is run by partners Jovan Sage (left) and Matthew Raiford as well as Althea Raiford.

An entrepreneurial farming family in Brunswick, Georgia, plots their next steps text by

O S AY I E N D O LY N â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

p ho to grap hs by

ROBBIE CAPONETTO

Ei ght years have passed si nce c hef and farmer Matt hew Raiford and herbal i st Jovan Sage met a n d started a li fe togethe r. But i t’s still easy to catc h them in an adorabl e, wi nd in g cycl e of reco llecti on. Was i t he who a pproached her? Was sh e the one wh o inv ite d h i m for coffee? Forget about determining who made the first move; theirs was a quick match. The auspicious meeting place was Turin, Italy, at Terra Madre, the Slow Food International biennial gathering. For many food professionals, the festival is destination worthy not just for the gorgeous locale but for the chance to come together with thousands of independent food producers from more than 100 countries. It’s probably a miracle they even crossed paths at the busy event, but then it seems 2012 offered a dash of perfect timing. Raiford had just recently jump-started his family’s coastal Georgia land back to its farming origins, and Sage (then living in New York and serving as director of network engagement for Slow Food USA) was eager to become more hands-on in her work. They instantly recognized each other as kindred spirits. Sage started visiting Gilliard Farms, the historic acreage that had belonged to Raiford’s family for six generations. They hosted wine tastings, cooking classes, and pop-up dinners. She planted an herb garden. In brainstorming sessions, they envisioned a life of partnership, with Gilliard Farms as their base. Time can be funny. As a kid growing up in Brunswick, Raiford never imagined launching a career in his hometown. He left as soon as he could sign on the 112 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

Raiford and Sage on land that’s been in his family six generations

Army’s dotted line. When he was a toddler, his family moved from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Brunswick to be closer to his maternal relatives and all that land (his great-great-great-grandfather Jupiter Gilliard bought 476 acres in 1874, not long after emancipation). Raiford has fond memories of growing up on Gilliard, of the tomatoes, okra, peas, peppers, and muscadine grapes. He recalls passing time in the swing under the giant oak that still marks the center of the property. “I didn’t know that people shopped at the grocery store for fruits and vegetables until I was an adult because we grew everything,” he says. “I thought the store was where you went for flour and sugar, those kinds of things.” But segregation and its slow thaw through the 1970s made a mark on Raiford. His mother was a domestic worker out on Jekyll Island. His father had trained to be a baker in New England, but Raiford recalls that white business owners in Brunswick were not impressed by a “colored” man who seemed to know too much, so his father got work as a longshoreman. By the time Raiford was a teenager in the eighties, he’d decided not to stay. He spent nine years in the armed services and then trained as a chef at The Culinary Institute of America. After working in hotel kitchens, he led catering at the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. All the

STRAWBERRY-MINT TEA: ALISON MIKSCH; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX; PROP STYLING: GINNY BRANCH

A few months later, almost a while, he’d steeped in more than a year after Raiford earned a James decade of inquiries from Nana, his Beard Award semifinalist nod family matriarch, who wondered for Best Chef Southeast, he and who would take the reins of GilSage made the tough decision to liard. Raiford always demurred, shutter The Farmer & the Larder. but eventually, the timing seemed Soon afterward, Strong Roots to be right—he wanted to step up. Provisions closed as well. Their “Finally, I was like: ‘I’ll do it. I’ll do effort to build outward was sudit,’ ” he says. In 2010, he returned denly unsustainable. “Everything to farming with his sister and we were doing was taking us co-owner Althea. The remaining S trawbe rr y-Mi nt Tea farther and farther away from the 28 acres of the original property This family recipe is great on its own or farm,” Sage says. “We really had would be plenty. spiked with gin for a sparkling cocktail. to ask ourselves: ‘What are the While Raiford was figuring out ACTIVE 15 MIN. - TOTAL 30 MIN. things that are feeding us?’ ” how to be a farmer, Sage was SERVES 6| The land was the impetus for looking for ways to put her vast Raiford’s return to Brunswick. For knowledge into practice. Born Place 2 cups hulled and chopped fresh Sage, it was the prospect of buildand raised in Kansas City, Misstrawberries and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan; muddle using a wooden spoon. Cook ing a life with her partner where souri, she’d developed a career in over low, stirring occasionally, until sugar she could live out the principles community activism. Sage underdissolves, 5 minutes. Place 1 peppermint that she held dear. “I wasn’t sure if stood how the complex systemic sprig in the palm of your hand. Give it a I could recoup from closing two issues of race, class, and gender good slap (this brings out the volatile oils). restaurants in one year,” Raiford could impact the ways people Repeat with 7 more peppermint sprigs. says of the experience. But once buy, grow, and consume food. She Stir sprigs into strawberry mixture; remove they began to walk through a learned about herbal healing and from heat. Cool to room temperature, 15 pared-down business model for became a health coach. She and minutes. Remove and discard mint. Pour the farm, some tension dissipated. Raiford wanted to combine their mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a They envisioned a different plan. knowledge and skills and impact half-gallon pitcher. Stir in 6 cups chilled “We had good help this past their community. sparkling water. Serve over ice. year, and it opened our eyes to When they first set out, Nana how much more we could acwas 90 years old and very much complish if we lived and worked at home on the farm. It was one here,” Raiford says. Nana had passed on. Maybe it thing to host one-off events, but launching an openwas time to not just keep the farm in operation but door business practically out of her front yard didn’t to bring people back to the land. feel right. Plus, downtown Brunswick was making The future looks promising. Last spring, the couple a push for its own revitalization, and locals were hosted and prepared a ticketed farm dinner for 130 encouraging them to create a brick-and-mortar respeople with chefs including Carla Hall. Restaurant taurant. “People were recruiting us. They asked us to regulars are signing up for cooking classes, seed open on St. Simons Island,” Sage says. But the couple starters, composting and fermentation training, chef’s wanted to be in Brunswick. dinners, and tea and herbal-healing workshops. In 2015, they opened The Farmer & the Larder in a Owning more than 100 chickens has made egg narrow storefront on Newcastle Street downtown. sales a part of the farm’s business, and there will be The restaurant’s seasonal menu evoked the city’s port hogs soon. Sage’s hibiscus, deerberries, and culantro influences and Raiford’s fine-dining background with (an herb) are harvested and dried as part of a collabodishes like pork belly atop a black-eyed pea fritter and ration with local gin maker Simple Man Distillery. fresh-catch wahoo. Sage sold custom tea blends and She has also ramped up her herbal-products busimade sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickled vegetables ness, Sage’s Larder. sourced from the farm. Locals who yearned for creCooking, farming—it’s all about timing, making ative dining without having to drive to Jekyll Island the best of what you’ve got. This farm has weathered or St. Simons fell in love. In fall 2018, they opened a many seasons of change. Raiford and Sage stand second restaurant, Strong Roots Provisions, a block ready to embrace whatever comes next. å down the street. 113 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

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T H E

S E C R E T S

O F

S O U T H E R N

C O O K I N G

QUIC K FIX

Tex-Mex Tonight Tacos! Enchiladas! Five recipes to fire up dinner RECIPES BY ANNA THEOKTISTO

MARCH 2020

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GREG DUPREE

Quick King Ranch Chicken Skillet (recipe, page 119)

SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

115

T HE S L K ITCH EN

S H E E T PA N S H O R T C U T Tender, slow-cooked pork carnitas are traditionally crisped up in a skillet. Broiling the meat on a sheet pan allows you to brown the entire batch at once.

Slow-Cooker Carnitas Tacos ACTIVE 25 MIN. - TOTAL 8 HOURS, 25 MIN. SERVES 6|

3 lb. boneless pork shoulder 3/4 cup lower-sodium chicken broth 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (from 1 orange) 4 garlic cloves, smashed 1 tsp. black pepper 1 Tbsp., plus 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided Warm corn tortillas, shredded cabbage,

116 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

1. Combine pork, chicken broth, orange juice, garlic, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of the salt in a 6- to 7-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW until pork is fork-tender, about 8 hours. 2. Preheat broiler to high with oven rack 6 inches from heat. Shred pork in slow cooker. Remove pork from liquid, and transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet. Spread into an even layer. Broil until pork begins to brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Stir and broil 2 minutes more. Sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and toss well. Transfer to a serving platter. 3. Serve pork with tortillas, shredded cabbage, diced avocado, queso fresco, and lime wedges.

PROP STYLING: HEATHER CHADDUCK HILLEGAS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

diced avocado, queso fresco (fresh Mexican cheese), lime wedges, for serving

THE SL KI TCHE N

THICKENING TIP This recipe makes tender beans in a nice soupy broth. For a thicker consistency, mash 1 cup of cooked beans in a bowl; then stir the beans back into the slow cooker.

1. Combine beans and water to cover by 2 inches in a large bowl. Cover and let soak at room temperature 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse beans; set aside. 2. Cook bacon in a medium skillet over medium until crispy, about 10 minutes. Pour bacon and drippings into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 2 cups water to skillet, and scrape up browned bits from bottom. Pour into slow cooker. Add drained beans, garlic, chopped chipotle, broth, salt, and 1 1/2 cups of the chopped onion; stir to combine. Cover and cook on LOW until beans are tender, about 6 hours. 3. Stir in lime juice, oregano, and cumin. Serve over hot cooked rice. Garnish with remaining 1/2 cup chopped onion and oregano leaves.

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans ACTIVE 15 MIN. - TOTAL 6 HOURS, 15 MIN., PLUS 8 HOURS SOAKING SERVES 6|

1 lb. dried pinto beans 6 thick-cut bacon slices, chopped 2 garlic cloves, smashed 1 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, chopped

4 cups lower-sodium chicken broth 2 Tbsp. kosher salt 1 large white onion, diced, divided (about 2 cups) 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (from 1 lime) 1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh oregano leaves, plus more for garnish 1 tsp. ground cumin Hot cooked rice, for serving

T W I C E T H E T O M AT O Double-concentrated tomato paste, which is sold in squeeze tubes at the grocery store, makes this spicy sauce taste extra rich and tangy.

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BETTER THAN A HIGH FIBER BREAKFAST? A TASTY, HIGH FIBER BREAKFAST WITH RAISINS.

Cheese Enchiladas with Chili Gravy ACTIVE 15 MIN. - TOTAL 35 MIN. SERVES 4|

3 Tbsp. canola oil 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 3 Tbsp. chili powder 5 tsp. double-concentrated tomato paste 1 tsp. ground cumin 3/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 2 1/4 cups lower-sodium chicken broth 13 (5 1/2-inch) corn tortillas 1 (16-oz.) block Colby Jack cheese, shredded (about 4 cups), divided 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion 1/3 cup crema or sour cream

1. Preheat oven to 425Â°F. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Whisk

in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until light brown, about 2 minutes. Whisk in chili powder, tomato paste, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Cook, whisking constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in broth until smooth. Bring to a boil, stirring often, until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool 5 minutes. 2. Spread 1/2 cup sauce in bottom of a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. 3. Dip each tortilla in sauce, letting excess drip off. Place 1/4 cup shredded cheese in center of each dipped tortilla, and roll up. Place seam side down in baking dish. Drizzle with remaining sauce. Sprinkle top with remaining 3/4 cup shredded cheese. 4. Bake in preheated oven until sauce begins to bubble and cheese melts, about 12 to 15 minutes. Top with onion slices, and drizzle with crema.

118 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

ON THE MILD SIDE Two poblano chiles give this casserole a nice amount of heat. If you want to make it less spicy, substitute small bell peppers for one or both of the poblanos.

Quick King Ranch Chicken Skillet

1/2 tsp. black pepper 8 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups), divided

ACTIVE 20 MIN. - TOTAL 35 MIN. SERVES 4|

8 (5 1/2-inch) white corn tortillas, each cut into eighths

1 Tbsp. canola oil

Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups) 2 large poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded, and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups) 1 (10-oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (such as Ro-Tel), undrained 1 (10 1/2-oz.) can cream of mushroom soup 4 cups chopped, cooked chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken) 1/2 cup lower-sodium chicken broth 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1. Preheat oven to 425Â°F. Heat oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over mediumhigh. Add onion and poblanos, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and green chiles, mushroom soup, chicken, broth, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, and boil, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Stir in half of the shredded cheese. Arrange cut tortillas over top, and sprinkle with remaining cheese. 2. Bake in preheated oven until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbling, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro.

119 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

A GOOD SOURCE OF FIBER AND A GREAT SOURCE OF CRUNCHY DELICIOUSNESS.

HOT STUFF The beef filling should still be bubbling when you pour the cornbread batter over it. This will ensure that the cornbread will bake evenly without overbrowning.

NUTS ABOUT FIBER? CRUNCHY VANILLA ALMOND IS A GOOD SOURCE OF IT.

Beef Tamale Pie ACTIVE 20 MIN. - TOTAL 40 MIN. SERVES 6|

1 Tbsp. canola oil 1 lb. lean ground beef 1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups) 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup bottled chili sauce 1 Tbsp. chili powder 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 2 large jalapeño chiles, divided 6 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups), divided

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over high. Add beef and onion; cook, stirring often, until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, beans, chili sauce, 1/4 cup water, chili powder, salt, and 1 finely chopped and seeded jalapeño. Bring to a boil, and remove from heat. Sprinkle top with 1 cup of the cheese. 2. Whisk together corn muffin mix, milk, egg, and remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Pour batter over hot filling in skillet, spreading batter to edges of skillet. Thinly slice remaining jalapeño; sprinkle slices over top of batter. 3. Bake in preheated oven until cornbread is golden brown, 18 to 22 minutes. å

1 (8.5-oz.) pkg. corn muffin mix 1/2 cup whole milk 1 large egg

120 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

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T HE S L K ITCH EN

ONE AND DONE

Hold the Beans

Even die-hard Texans will approve of this bowl of red

Slow-Cooker Texas Chili ACTIVE 20 MIN. TOTAL 9 HOURS, 50 MIN. SERVES 8|

3 whole dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed 2 whole dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed

PHOTOGRAPH BY GREG DUPREE

1 Tbsp., plus 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided 2 lb. beef brisket, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 4 cups chopped yellow onion (from 2 large onions) 3/4 cup beef broth

3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

5 Tbsp. minced garlic (from 8 large garlic cloves)

1 Tbsp. chipotle chile powder

1 (28-oz.) can tomato puree

1 Tbsp. ground cumin

1 (14.5-oz.) can fireroasted tomatoes

1 tsp. dried oregano

MAKE IT AHEAD

This chili is best prepared a day or two in advance. It tastes even better after all the flavors have had time to come together.

1 jalapeño chile, seeded and minced (about 1 1/2 Tbsp.) 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar Toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, thinly sliced scallions

1. Place dried ancho and guajillo chiles in a blender, and cover with 1 cup hot tap water; soak 30 minutes. Drain and discard half of the liquid, reserving remaining 1/2 cup soaking liquid in blender. Process mixture until smooth, about 5 seconds. Set aside chile puree.

122 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

2. Stir together flour, chipotle chile powder, cumin, dried oregano, and 1 tablespoon of the salt in a medium bowl. Add beef cubes to flour mixture; toss to coat evenly. Set aside. 3. Stir together onion, beef broth, garlic, tomato puree, fire-roasted tomatoes, jalapeño chile, and chile puree in a 6quart slow cooker. Add beef mixture to slow cooker; stir to combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on LOW until beef is very tender, about 9 hours. Stir in sugar and remaining 1 teaspoon salt; serve with desired toppings. Â

PROP STYLING: HEATHER CHADDUCK HILLEGAS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

RECIPE BY ROBBY MELVIN

Nachos? Wings? Potato Skins? All of the above. Reynolds Wrap®, your GAME DAY M.V.P.

Recipes at ReynoldsKitchens.com/GameDay

T HE S L K ITCH EN

S OUT HE R N CLAS SI C

Liquid Gold

Is there an art to making cheese dip? We asked the queen of queso herself TEXT AND RECIPE BY LISA FAIN PHOTOGRAPH BY GREG DUPREE

124 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

PROP STYLING: HEATHER CHADDUCK HILLEGAS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

Grate the cheese by hand (and skip the pre-shredded stuff) for the smoothest texture.

THE SL KI TCHE N

Lisa Fain wrote Queso! Regional Recipes for the World’s Favorite Chile-Cheese Dip.

outside that part of the country. NE NIGHT long ago in Austin, When I first left Texas to live in New Texas, I ended up at a friend’s York City, I discovered it was a challenge house enjoying queso straight to find the traditional building blocks from the slow cooker. It was of classic slow-cooker queso, so I had to the standard party recipe—a improvise with what was available. As I can of tomatoes with green researched recipes for my book Queso!, chiles and a melted 1-pound I learned that there was a whole world brick of processed cheese. Perhaps you of chile con queso beyond spicy canned know what I’m talking about and agree tomatoes and brick cheese. that this is indeed fine stuff. Food snobs For instance, the kind may turn up their noses, you would find in El Paso but that’s their loss. and the northern Mexican After a while, I state of Chihuahua, which observed that most of Rookie is in the region where us were gathered around Mistake the dish originated, is a the slow cooker in the Don’t head thicker concoction made kitchen. And as we took to the dairy with white cheese and turns dipping tortilla chips aisle and buy American large handfuls of roasted into the golden elixir, there cheese slices. green chiles. As you travel was much connecting, Your grocery across Texas, you will sharing, and laughter store’s deli discover vegan versions among this group of old counter sells made with nuts and friends and new. This is (cheaper) bricks vegetables and quirky the power of queso. of cheese ones featuring kimchi For the uninitiated, instead of or Indian chutney. queso (or chile con queso, individually This recipe for Austin as it is more formally wrapped slices. Diner-Style Queso is one known) is an addictive of my favorites. Restaudip that’s made from chile rants that are open all night long are peppers and melted cheese and is popular spots for people to get their ubiquitous in the Southwest. Like melted-cheese fix in Austin. While this all Texans, I grew up eating it, but recipe is not specific to any place, it is that initial spark was fully ignited an easy, smooth queso that will remind when I moved away from home and you of late nights and good friends. learned that it’s not nearly as common

Three Keys to Queso CHEESE

CHILES

THICKENER

Queso can be made with many different types of cheeses, but American and brick processed cheese (such as Velveeta) are the most popular because they easily melt to a liquid state.

While canned green chiles are fine to use, we recommend also including fresh jalapeños. Either roasted or raw ones will add brightness and cut the richness of the cheese.

Queso that’s made with American cheese (or anything other than brick processed cheese) needs a little cornstarch or flour to give the dip its thick and smooth texture.

Austin Diner-Style Queso ACTIVE 25 MIN. - TOTAL 25 MIN. SERVES 8|

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/4 cup diced yellow onion (from 1 small onion) 4 jalapeño chiles, seeded and finely diced (1/4 cup) 1 (4 1/2-oz.) can chopped green chiles (undrained) 2 small garlic cloves, minced (2 tsp.) 1 cup whole milk 2 Tbsp. cornstarch 1 lb. white American cheese, shredded (about 4 cups) 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for topping 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. kosher salt ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper Tortilla chips, guacamole, and pico de gallo

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low. Add onion and jalapeños. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add green chiles and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, 30 seconds. 2. Whisk together milk, 1 cup water, and cornstarch in a bowl until well combined. Add to chile mixture in saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, 5 to 7 minutes. Add cheese; reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Stir in cilantro, cumin, salt, and cayenne. (Add additional seasoning, if desired.) 3. Transfer queso to a serving bowl, small slow cooker, or chafing dish set over a flame. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve queso warm with tortilla chips, guacamole, and pico de gallo. å

125 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

SMOOTH MOVE

Buttermilk Alfredo Pasta with Chicken and Spinach ACTIVE 15 MIN. - TOTAL 20 MIN. SERVES 6|

8 oz. uncooked rigatoni pasta 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1∕4 cup all-purpose flour 1 1∕2 cups whole milk

1∕2 cup whole buttermilk 3∕4 tsp. kosher salt 1∕2 tsp. black pepper 4 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (about 1 1∕2 cups), divided 1 (5-oz.) pkg. fresh baby spinach 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

126 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water to cover according to package directions. Drain and set aside. 2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly, 3 to 4

minutes. Remove from heat. 3. Whisk buttermilk, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of the cheese into flour mixture, whisking until cheese is melted. Stir in spinach, 1 cup at a time, stirring until wilted before the next addition. Add chicken and pasta; stir until coated and warmed through. Sprinkle with remaining 1∕2 cup cheese. å

PROP STYLING: CLAIRE SPOLLEN; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

Take the pan off the heat before you whisk in the buttermilk so the sauce will remain creamy and won’t break.

T HE S L K ITCH EN

OVER EASY

Morning, Sunshine!

Sticky-sweet, citrusy rolls are worth waking up for

Orange Rolls ACTIVE 35 MIN. - TOTAL 1 HOUR, PLUS 2 HOURS, 15 MIN. RISING MAKES 1 DOZEN|

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface 1/2 cup whole milk 1/2 cup sour cream 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 2 tsp. kosher salt 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 (1/4-oz.) envelope instant or quick-rising yeast (such as Fleischmann’s RapidRise) 1 cup granulated sugar, divided 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 2 oranges (to make 3 Tbsp., plus 1 tsp. grated zest, divided and 3 to 4 Tbsp. juice) 2 cups powdered sugar

1. Combine flour, milk, sour cream, melted butter, salt, egg, yeast, and 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until dough forms, 1 minute. Turn off mixer. Switch to dough hook attachment. Beat on medium speed until dough is smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes. (Dough should pull away from sides of bowl but stick to bottom.) 2. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover and let rise in

PHOTOGRAPH BY GREG DUPREE

a warm, draft-free place (about 75°F) until dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. 3. Lightly punch down dough. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface into a 19- x 13-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough. 4. Stir together 3 tablespoons of the orange zest and remaining 2/3 cup granulated sugar. Sprinkle sugar mixture over buttered dough, gently pressing to adhere. Starting with 1 long side, roll dough into a log, and pinch seam to seal. Turn log seam side down, and cut into 12 rolls. 5. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. Using your thumb, push upward slightly beneath bottom center of each roll, and place rolls into prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (about 75°F) until almost doubled in size, 45 minutes. 6. Preheat oven to 350°F. Uncover rolls. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let stand in pan 5 minutes. Remove rolls to wire rack. 7. Whisk together powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of the orange juice, and remaining 1 teaspoon orange zest in a bowl, adding remaining 1 tablespoon juice 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed, for desired consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Â

128 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

PROP STYLING: HEATHER CHADDUCK HILLEGAS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

RECIPE BY ANNA THEOKTISTO

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the real ingredients that make Special K really tasty.

T HE S L K ITCH EN

DON’T GO STIR-CRAZY

Once the batter is in the baking dish, don’t stir it. As the cobbler bakes, this will help it form pockets of pudding and cakelike crust.

SAVE ROO M

Memories of Chocolate

Three old-fashioned desserts ready for a comeback RECIPES BY PAM LOLLEY PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANTONIS ACHILLEOS

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, divided 1 cup granulated sugar, divided 7 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa, divided 1/2 cup whole milk 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups boiling water Vanilla ice cream

Chocolate Cobbler ACTIVE 15 MIN. - TOTAL 45 MIN. SERVES 8|

3/4 cup butter 1 cup self-rising flour

130 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place butter in an 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Place dish in oven (the oven does not need to be fully preheated). Heat until butter melts, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven. 2. Stir together flour, chocolate chips,

1/2 cup of the brown sugar, 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons of the cocoa in a medium bowl. Stir together milk and vanilla in a separate bowl. Stir milk mixture into flour mixture until batter is smooth. Pour batter evenly over melted butter in baking dish (do not stir). 3. Stir together remaining 5 tablespoons cocoa, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 2/3 cup granulated sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over batter in baking dish (do not stir). Gently pour boiling water over mixture in dish (do not stir). 4. Bake in preheated oven until edges are golden brown and mixture is set on top, 30 to 35 minutes. Serve cobbler warm with vanilla ice cream.

T HE S L K ITCH EN TA K E T I M E TO TOAST

Thoroughly toast the oats to bring out their nutty flavor.

Vintage Desserts

Hold your phone’s camera over the smart code to see the most popular cakes in Southern history.

surface. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Fold edges under; crimp. Prick bottom and sides using a fork. Line dough with parchment paper; ﬁll with pie weights or dried beans. Bake on hot baking sheet 20 minutes. 3. Whisk together egg white and 1 teaspoon tap water in a bowl. Remove Crust from oven (leave baking sheet in oven). Place Crust on a wire rack; remove pie weights and parchment. Let stand 1 minute. Brush bottom and sides with egg mixture. Return to oven (on baking sheet); bake at 400°F for 5 minutes. Place Crust on wire rack; cool completely, 30 minutes.

Chocolate-Oatmeal Pie

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

ACTIVE 40 MIN. - TOTAL 6 HOURS

1/3 cup cane syrup

SERVES 8|

CRUST

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar 3/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed 4-5 Tbsp. ice-cold water 1 large egg white FILLING

1 1/2 cups uncooked old-fashioned regular rolled oats 1 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped 1/4 cup heavy cream 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 6 Tbsp. butter, melted 1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

132 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

1/3 cup dark corn syrup 2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar 4 large eggs

1. Prepare the Crust: Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor 3 to 4 times. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 to 10 times. Drizzle 4 tablespoons of the cold water over flour mixture; pulse until moist clumps just form, 4 to 5 times. If needed, add up to remaining 1 tablespoon water 1 teaspoon at a time, pulsing 1 to 2 times after each addition, until mixture clumps. Gather into a ball; flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill dough 30 minutes or up to 3 days. 2. Place a rimmed baking sheet in oven; preheat oven to 400°F. Unwrap chilled dough disk. Roll dough into a 12-inch circle (about 1/8 inch thick) on a lightly floured

4. Prepare the Filling: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Spread oats on rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until toasted, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack; cool about 10 minutes. 5. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Stir together chocolate and heavy cream in a small microwavable bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) power until melted and smooth, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stopping to stir every 30 seconds. Pour mixture into cooled Crust; spread in an even layer. Freeze until ganache is ﬁrm, about 10 minutes. 6. Whisk together brown sugar, melted butter, cocoa, salt, and ginger in a medium bowl. Whisk in cane and corn syrups, vanilla, and vinegar. Add eggs 1 at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in cooled oats until well combined. Remove Crust from freezer, and pour in Filling. 7. Bake on baking sheet at 325°F until edges are set and center is ﬁrm to the touch, 50 to 55 minutes, covering edges with aluminum foil after 30 to 35 minutes, if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; cool completely, about 3 hours.

THE SL KI TCHE N NO BOWL REQUIRED

The batter for this quirky old-school cake is stirred together right in the baking pan, which is how it earned its name.

Wacky Cake ACTIVE 20 MIN. - TOTAL 2 HOURS, 45 MIN. SERVES 6|

CAKE

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/3 cup canola oil 1 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar 2 tsp. vanilla extract ICING

1/3 cup butter 1/4 cup whole milk 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa 2 3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted 1 tsp. vanilla extract ADDITIONAL INGREDIENT

2. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. 3. Prepare the Icing: Cook butter, milk, and cocoa in a small saucepan over mediumlow, stirring often, until mixture comes to a simmer. Remove from heat; gradually whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until completely smooth. 4. Pour Icing over warm Cake. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Cool completely, about 2 hours. ĂĽ

PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans

1. Prepare the Cake: Preheat oven to 350Â°F. Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt into an ungreased 8- x 8-inch baking pan; spread mixture evenly in pan. Make 1 large well and 2 small wells in mixture in pan. Carefully pour oil into the large well, vinegar into 1 small well, and vanilla into remaining small well. Pour 1 cup water evenly over entire mixture in pan. Stir everything together using a fork until combined.

133 SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / MARCH 2020

T I P S

A N D

T R I C K S

F R O M

T H E

S O U T H ’ S

M O S T

T R U S T E D

K I T C H E N

PANTRY PRIMER

SUPERMARKET SMARTS

Pick a (Dried) Pepper

Signs of Freshness

Four varieties that add complex ﬂavor and heat

Tips for choosing the best dried chiles The skin should be glossy and vivid, not dull.

SHINE:

Jalapeños that are smoked before they are dried for a deep, earthy taste Heat level: Medium to hot Best for: Salsas and other sauces

AROMA: It should smell spicy and a little like dried fruit.

KNOW-HOW

Rehydrate Right Simple steps for using dried chiles in recipes GUAJILLO Flavor profile: Long,

narrow chiles with bright, berrylike, undertones Heat level: Mild to moderate Best for: Spice rubs

ANCHO Flavor profile:

Sweet with notes of dried fruit (like raisins) Heat level: Mild Best for: Sauces, chilies, and stews

TRIM: Snip off each stem

with kitchen shears, and open the chiles. Discard the seeds and stems. 2 SOAK: Submerge chiles in

hot water for 30 minutes. This step can be done in a blender if you plan to puree them.

Robby Melvin

Test Kitchen Director

“I love cooking with dried chiles, but I also keep my pantry stocked with San Marcos chipotle peppers. The ﬁery chiles and smokysweet adobo sauce are a faster way to add heat to a dish.”

134 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

3 BLEND: Place them in the

blender or food processor with half of the soaking liquid. Process until a smooth paste forms, about 30 seconds. å

GREG DUPREE; PROP STYLING: HEATHER CHADDUCK HILLEGAS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL; PORTRAIT ILLUSTRATION: MICHAEL HOEWELER

FLEXIBILITY: As a test, try to gently twist or bend the pepper.

CHIPOTLE Flavor profile:

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Later, Gator

Why alligator fritters are no longer on the menu by

R I C K B R AG G ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN CUNEO

DO NOT EAT ALLIGATOR. I know this may offend many gator-eating bons vivants, but I won’t consume anything that tastes like an unholy union between a fish and a chicken. To me, it’s flavored like the lizard it is, and I will not eat that just to be picturesque. I ate alligator in Louisiana once. At the time, I said I liked it, but after much consideration, I believe I might have been less than sincere. Mostly I choose not to eat these creatures because they did not eat me. I was reminded of it not long ago. I was on a muddy bayou near Mobile Bay when I saw an alligator looking at me like I was a Boston butt. I don’t know

136 MARCH 2020 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

how big he was. I could only see the bumps of his eyes and the tip of his snout showing above the water— inscrutable, the way these reptiles can be. But I know what he was thinking: “Yeah, you just wander a little bit closer over here, big boy, and let’s see if you get lucky again.” Once, about 25 years ago, some alligators did try to eat me on Lake Okeechobee. I made it easy for them. It was one of those nights that only happen in inland Florida. The air was thick with raindrops and mosquitoes that were buzzing in my ears and biting through my wet clothes. As we glided in two boats through the lake

during a legal alligator hunt, the black water glowed with the orange-red eyes of modern-day dragons. I fell out of the boat in water 18 feet deep. No, I was not drunk, though generally, when my people fall out of a watercraft they do tend to be. I was jumping from one boat to another and didn’t succeed. I fell short, banged onto the side of the boat, and ka-woosh— it actually made that sound, ka-woosh! I thought I was going to die to the sound of a flushing toilet. I dropped like a sack of lead sinkers but, failing to drown, surfaced into a nightmare. All around me were those eyes, reflecting in the flashlight beams. Gators—big ones. The same creatures that we’d been trying to stab all night with a steel harpoon. I do not know if alligators actually hold a grudge—I hear their brains are very, very small—but I suspect they could remember being attacked by a harpoon. I hung there for several long minutes at the side of the boat, neckdeep, waterlogged, unable to pull myself back into the vessel, thinking that at any second I would feel the jaws close on me. I have no doubt they would have eaten me if I had dawdled just a little bit longer. I finally clawed my way back up over the boat’s transom to safety and went limp with rain in my face and dirty water and skeeters in my nose. There are pictures of this. I went on other alligator hunts in my life but kept my behind in the boat. Still, they had their chance at me more than once, yet I remain uneaten. So, I will not eat them. Of course, that’s easy to say. Neither will I partake of chitlins…or dirt. I do wonder sometimes what I’d do if gator meat tasted like beef short ribs or barbecued shrimp. I think I might go back to Lake Okeechobee with a harpoon. å

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