Ashley Gilbreath’s design aesthetic is guided by her respect for family and tradition with an eye on practicality. In her debut book, The Joy of Home, Gilbreath showcases her breadth of style with the nine homes featured and firmly establishes herself as a fresh voice in the design world. The book illustrates gracious everyday living in city, beach, and mountain homes. Gilbreath has mastered the art of mixing antiques with newer furnishings and art to give a room soul. Her work is comfortable and understated, and will stand the test of time. Ashley Gilbreath’s The Joy of Home Ashley G ..read more

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Charlotte, North Carolina’s The Duke Mansion bed-and-breakfast combines Southern charm and modern amenities in a beautiful setting. Built in 1915 and named after its most famous owner, James Buchanan Duke, The Duke Mansion was nearly lost in 1996 before being acquired and subsequently converted into a bed-and-breakfast by The Lynnwood Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the historic site. Guests will delight in the serenity of The Duke Mansion’s 4½ acres of gardens and grounds while staying in one of its 20 sophisticated guest roo ..read more

Text: Lydia Somerville Photos: Jeff Herr When a couple from New York decided to build a Southern getaway in Georgia’s Reynolds Lake Oconee, they sought out the talents of residential designer William T. Baker to design the retreat for gathering with their grown children and grandchildren. Baker, whose projects at the luxury property are numerous, took on the enviable site, a peninsula encompassing three lots with 180-degrees of lakefront. Lakeside Deluxe Lakeside Deluxe Lakeside Deluxe Lakeside Deluxe The clients, being native New Englanders, desired a house in their familiar vern ..read more

Before inviting guests to your first outdoor soirée, make sure your patio is prepped and ready for entertaining with these affordable essentials. Black & White Brands Set of 4 Turkish Beach/Pool Towels Photo: Amazon Price at time of publishing: 69.99 Lean into classic charm with these striped beach towels. Reviewers say these stylish towels can double as sarongs. Diamond Geometric Handmade Flatweave Platinum/White Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug by Dash and Albert Rugs Photo: Wayfair Price at time of publishing for 3’x5’: $138.00 This beautiful and versatile rug can be used in a variety of settin ..read more

In today’s digital age, it is easy to forget that clocks were once considered so important that they were almost always displayed prominently in one’s home, a domestic tradition that was born in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Often a combined effort between clockmakers, who were responsible for the movements that allowed a clock to tell time, and craftsmen, who designed and built the cases that housed a clock’s movement, clocks intended for use at home were limited early on to either tall floor clocks or table clocks. That changed, however, by the mid-18th century, when sophisticated Frenc ..read more

Text and Styling: Charlotte Safavi Photography: Darren Setlow Looking for a change of scenery, interior designer Leigh Johnson and her husband, Craig, decided to relocate from the hustle and bustle of Richmond, Virginia, to the small-town charm of nearby Charlottesville. The empty nesters share a blended family of six children, five grandkids, and a golden retriever named River. Lookout Farm Lookout Farm Lookout Farm Lookout Farm Lookout Farm “Having graduated from UVA, I knew how welcoming this area could be,” recalls Johnson. “We started house hunting in Charlottesville proper and t ..read more

Text: Courtney duQuesnay Photos: Mali Azima, John O’Hagan Tucked away in the heart of Haynes Manor, a Buckhead neighborhood overflowing with character and charm, sits Atlanta’s “Manor House.” The home’s exterior is unique, taking cues from Tudor and neo-Gothic styles that were popular in the 1920s when it was built. The surrounding farmland was gradually sold off, and rolling hills and pastures turned into grand residences with manicured lawns. The Manor House sat largely untouched for the next 90 years. Spitzmiller & Norris Refresh and Refine Buckhead Manor Spitzmiller & Norris Ref ..read more

We are committed to providing unbiased reviews of products and services. Note that we may receive compensation from the companies that make or sell them. Listed prices are subject to change at any time.  KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender   Photo: Amazon The KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender is a powerful and versatile tool that can be used to make a variety of blended dishes, from smoothies to soups. The variable speed trigger switch allows you to control the blending speed for precise results, and the removable pan guard helps to protect your cookware when b ..read more

By Robert C. Martin Most of us have some idea about what types of flora best suit our region’s fauna, but when it comes to picking the right surface for a driveway, terrace, or walkway—that’s where things can get a little tricky. Selecting a well-suited ground cover can invariably enhance or diminish an otherwise pristine property. Further still, factors like texture, heat gain, and maintenance have as much to do with the use and function of an outdoor space as they do with looks and longevity. Because such decisions are best left up to a pro, landscape architect Keith Williams certainly fits ..read more

Text: Andrea Nordstrom Caughey Photos: Brie Williams Creation of a soothing, restorative home is on trend today. Charlotte designer Kim Mauney, founder of Kim Mauney Interiors and her boutique/studio Maison, riveted on just that formula when she downsized into a cozy Southern cottage home. California Simplicity Meets Southern Charm California Simplicity Meets Southern Charm California Simplicity Meets Southern Charm California Simplicity Meets Southern Charm California Simplicity Meets Southern Charm California Simplicity Meets Southern Charm Born in Texas, raised in Northern Califor ..read more