13 Southern Decorating Tips That Have Stood The Test Of Time

Designers Evan Krenzien and Pierce Jordan of Shane & Pierce recently renovated a Dallas home, offering a contemporary reinterpretation of Southern living. Their design philosophy blends classic Georgian architectural elements with modern functionality, focusing on warm hospitality rooted in tradition. The renovation showcases seven distinct design ideas that can be adapted to various home styles and sizes. The first idea features a striking black and white marble diamond tile, which is used throughout the entry and hallway. This design choice provides a timeless, Georgian-inspired aesthetic without appearing overly formal. The use of checkered tiles, combined with French doors that allow ample natural light, creates an inviting and dramatic entryway. Evan emphasizes the importance of wide, open hallways and clear sightlines between rooms, even in a more traditional layout, to maintain a sense of flow. Secondly, the design advocates for uniquely defined rooms, moving away from the open-concept trend. Pierce aimed to create spaces with distinct purposes, incorporating traditional elements. The living room, for instance, is anchored by a mix of smaller, sculptural tables rather than a single oversized coffee table, offering flexibility and artistic visual interest. The seamless transition from marble to wood flooring further helps to define individual rooms while maintaining overall cohesion. Evan highlights that despite a move toward dedicated spaces, a modern home still requires easy flow between areas. The third principle is to blend heritage with modern needs. The kitchen exemplifies this with its stunning verde antigua marble, sourced from Verona, Italy, paired with vintage sconces and sage-framed windows. This combination creates a layered, tonal effect that is both classic and fresh. Evan notes that a balance of old and new, incorporating traditional or heirloom pieces into a modern setting, is a enduring aspect of Southern design. The kitchen itself is designed to feel clean, classic, and airy, accommodating both informal gatherings and formal dining occasions. Fourthly, the design prioritizes indoor-outdoor flow. Given Dallas's outdoor-oriented lifestyle, the home's U-shaped footprint wraps around a private pool courtyard, creating natural gathering points for both entertaining and quiet moments. A two-way sofa in the primary bedroom further blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living, inviting both views and conversation. The fifth idea encourages taking design risks. The designers integrated art deco lighting, British-inspired wallpaper from House of Hackney, and custom marble selections to introduce unexpected flair while preserving a classic foundation. Pierce specifically points to the blend of art deco elements in the primary bathroom with traditional marble as a successful risk. Sixth, the home embraces color, as seen in the office with its deep purple, richly textured wall, signaling a trend for 2026. Finally, maintaining symmetry is a key element. The bathroom tile design echoes the entryway's checkerboard pattern, scaled down to create a cohesive yet charming detail throughout the home. Pierce concludes that timeless Southern living is characterized by understated elegance, rich details, poise, and comfort. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #SouthernStyle #DallasHome #GeorgianArchitecture #MarbleTile #DefinedRooms #IndoorOutdoorFlow #DesignRisks

Designer Erin Vogelpohl, through her brand My Texas House, has introduced a new line of budget-friendly holiday decor at Walmart, focusing on farmhouse aesthetics with a modern twist. The collection, featuring prices starting at $7, aims to help consumers infuse their homes with Southern charm and rustic elements for the festive season. The My Texas House holiday decor storefront at Walmart offers a variety of items designed to enhance seasonal displays. Among these are wooden candle holders, various wall art pieces depicting reindeer and pine trees, and artificial trees intended to bring a touch of nature indoors. The collection also includes decorative pillow covers, Christmas stockings, and tree skirts, all designed with a distinctive Southern flair. Key selections from the collection include the Red Reindeer Framed Canvas Christmas Wall Art, priced at $15.88. This piece features subtle festive artwork on an ivory canvas, with burgundy sketches of reindeer, holly, and pinecones, framed in sturdy wood. It measures 16 by 20 inches and is suitable for year-round display. Another highlight is the Downswept Pine Tree With Red Berries, available for $24.98. This 24-inch tall artificial tree is designed with realistic pine branches and red berries, presented in a woven black basket, making it a versatile addition to coffee tables, mantels, entryways, or front porches. It can also be embellished with mini Christmas ornaments. The Red/Green Oakley Holiday Decorative Pillow Cover, priced at $14.98, offers a simple way to update furniture for the holidays. Measuring 20 by 20 inches, it features a reversible dark red and green woven plaid pattern and is made from 100 percent cotton. Additional items in the collection include Shatterproof Mercury Ornaments (3-count) for $14.98, a Pinecones Framed Linen Print (2-piece set) for $59.97, and a Blush Ribbed Glass Votive Candle Holder for $7.96. The Stacy Green Printed Velvet Decorative Pillow Cover is available for $14.98, and an "All Is Calm" Christmas Sign costs $12.88. Smaller items like the Small Burgundy Glass Votive Candle Holder are priced at $6.98, while a Pinecone Tree is $24.98. A White Ceramic House is offered for $9.96, and a Natural Wood Pillar Candle Holder for $12.98. The collection emphasizes timeless designs and affordability, allowing consumers to incorporate seasonal decor with a distinct regional style without significant expense. The wide range of products caters to various decorative needs, from accent pieces to larger display items, all reflecting a rustic and modern farmhouse aesthetic suitable for Southern homes. #HolidayDecor #FarmhouseStyle #Walmart #ChristmasDecor #HomeDecor #MyTexasHouse #AffordableDecor #SeasonalDecor #RusticDesign

Southern homes reflect a distinct subculture, and designers frequently incorporate specific decor pieces to achieve this aesthetic. Key elements often found in Southern interiors include ferns in urns, crewel upholstery, julep cups, blue and white chinoiserie, four-poster beds, and pineapple motifs. These items are not just decorative but often carry historical significance and embody Southern hospitality and tradition. Ferns in antique urns are a prominent Southern trademark. Designers like Stephanie Brown of Saint Louise Design use lush ferns, particularly Boston ferns, for their elegant, arching fronds, which evoke Southern charm and warmth. While thriving on humid Southern porches, they are also popular indoor decor, and bringing them inside during winter helps protect them from cold temperatures. Crewel upholstery is another staple, as observed by North Carolina designer Colleen Bennett. This embroidered fabric, often seen on throw pillows, has been a part of Southern homes since colonial times, especially in places like Charleston. Crewel designs range from floral patterns to animals and narrative scenes, adding detail and a distinctive Southern vibe. Julep cups, as highlighted by Kentucky-raised designer Ashley Bruggeman, are versatile pieces with deep regional ties. They are used as vases for hydrangeas or as traditional vessels for bourbon, symbolizing Kentucky's equine industry and the Kentucky Derby. Engraved monogrammed julep cups are common wedding gifts and considered a Southern rite of passage. Blue and white chinoiserie is immediately recognizable in Southern homes, according to Bennett. This classic pattern appears on jars, oversized pots, and fine china displayed in cabinets, typically reserved for special occasions and guests. Its presence instantly conveys a Southern ambiance. Four-poster beds are deeply rooted in Southern history. Historically, their canopies served a practical purpose in managing humidity, insects, and retaining warmth during harsh winters. Although modern homes have air conditioning and heating, the stately appearance of a four-poster bed ensures its continued presence in Southern design. Family heirlooms of this kind are particularly cherished. Finally, pineapple motifs are synonymous with Southern hospitality. According to an old Southern legend, sea captains would place a pineapple on their gate upon returning home from voyages, signaling their safe return and welcoming guests. This tradition has cemented the pineapple as a symbol of welcome and warmth in Southern decor. #SouthernDecor #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #SouthernHospitality #FernsInUrns #CrewelUpholstery #JulepCups #Chinoiserie #FourPosterBeds #PineappleMotifs

This article highlights seven affordable decorating tricks from Southern Living's 2025 Idea House, designed by interior designer Charlotte Moss, which aim to infuse personality, charm, and a sense of history into new construction without significant expense. Moss emphasizes her role as a teacher, aiming for visitors to gain actionable ideas rather than merely admiring a beautiful home. She explains how these strategies can be applied in one's own living space. The first trick involves keeping color palettes simple yet impactful. In the living room of the Idea House, Moss demonstrates this by using only two primary colors, green and brown, with their various shades. This approach creates a cohesive and restrained look, inspired by curtain fabric that visually connects the indoors with the outdoors, making the room feel larger. A contrasting cerise lampshade adds a focal point. Secondly, the article champions bold paint choices as a budget-friendly way to transform a room. Moss used Sherwin-Williams Chartreuse in the living room, a strong green that works well due to ample natural light. She also applied a rich Studio Blue Green in utilitarian spaces like the mudroom and laundry room, ensuring these areas feel integrated into the home's overall design, rather than being an afterthought. This strategy underlines paint's power to elevate and unify spaces, especially when budget is a consideration. Creativity with fabric is the third key takeaway. Moss encourages repurposing items, such as turning a linen tablecloth into cafe curtains for the kitchen, highlighting that not everything needs to be meticulously constructed. She also suggests using an abundance of inexpensive materials, like muslin, to create a luxurious effect. Another inventive idea is upgrading ordinary items, like a mirror from a hardware store, by wrapping its frame in a patterned fabric to add a custom touch. Fourthly, the article advocates for the incorporation of antiques. Moss argues that antique brown furniture is often undervalued and can be acquired at a lower cost than new pieces, while adding patina, contrast, and a unique narrative to contemporary rooms. Antiques contribute a sense of history and depth that newer items might lack. The fifth trick focuses on visual illusions to enhance architectural interest. In the foyer, striped wallpaper was mitered to create the illusion of a tented ceiling, demonstrating how architectural features can be simulated without structural changes. Similarly, the use of black and white marble tiles with a weathered appearance on the entry floor gives the new house a desired sense of age and gravitas, an effect achievable with ceramic tiles that mimic a worn look. Sixth, Moss emphasizes the importance of creating flow between rooms. She achieved this in the Idea House by using a consistent color palette inspired by the surrounding landscape, pulling shades of green, cream, and brown into every room in varying proportions. This subtle repetition creates a cohesive feel throughout the home, whether applied on walls or through smaller accents like throw pillows. Finally, the article suggests setting creative guardrails for design decisions. Moss designed a tucked-away bedroom by imagining a fictional client—a young girl inspired by Gloria Vanderbilt—and basing the decor on her imagined interests, such as collages, quilts, and old chintz. This method helps maintain focus and prevents unnecessary purchases, allowing for distinct yet well-defined design choices, even incorporating DIY elements like a lampshade made from a quilt fragment. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #AffordableDecor #DIYHome #PaintColors #FabricDecor #AntiqueFurniture #ColorPalette #SouthernLivingIdeaHouse

This holiday season, a diverse array of Southern makers and shops offer unique ornaments and stockings designed to enhance festive home decor. These items range from traditional to whimsical, aiming to tell a story, inspire joy, or start family traditions. The selected businesses prioritize craftsmanship, distinct design, and often, ethical production practices. Bauble Stockings, based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in hand-stitched needlepoint stockings and ornament-sized "Baubles." These items are crafted to be heirlooms, with stitching work completed in Haiti under fair trade labor practices. Their signature "Baubles" are intended to hold or hint at a special gift, fostering a unique holiday ritual. The collection includes both small needlepoint ornaments and full-sized custom stockings available for pre-order, featuring designs like Woodland Creature, Jingle Bells, and Christmas Birdie. From Knoxville, Tennessee, Glitterville Studios, led by designer Stephen Brown, offers maximalist and visually striking ornaments and stockings. The collection includes hand-painted and often gold-leafed resin and glass ornaments in various shapes, such as skiers, celestial bodies, and whimsical characters. Glitterville also provides bold satin ruffle stockings and matching tree skirts, appealing to those who prefer vibrant and distinctive holiday decorations. Raleigh, North Carolina's Furbish Studio is an online gift emporium known for its eclectic design approach. Their extensive ornament collection features over 400 pieces, including "matchbook destination" ornaments, humorous needlepoint statements, and pop-culture references. The studio's holiday decor is characterized by witty motifs, strong colors, and unique patterns, offering items like a "no peeking" stocking. Coton Colors by Laura Johnson, based in Tallahassee, Florida, is recognized for cheerful, hand-painted glass ornaments. These round ornaments are available in a wide range of themes, from sports to life milestones and general holiday motifs, making them suitable for personalized gifts. Each ornament is gift-boxed and ribbon-tied, facilitating a yearly gifting tradition. Baton Rouge, Louisiana's Fig & Dove, founded by interior designer Colleen Waguespack, offers luxury holiday decor. This brand provides classic, high-end ornaments and stockings that integrate into sophisticated home aesthetics. They feature collaborations with Southern artists for exclusive hand-painted glass and acrylic ornament sets, including themes like Nutcracker, 12 Days of Christmas, and Nativity. The collection also includes monogrammed alpaca stockings and coordinating tree skirts. Noonday, from Austin, Texas, presents a collection of intricately detailed felt animal ornaments, such as the Wonder Whale and Giddy Goldfish. These hand-stitched pieces, adorned with glass beads and sequins, reflect artisan craftsmanship and a global connection, suitable for display year-round. Rifle Paper Co. in Winter Park, Florida, expands beyond its stationery roots with holiday ornaments and stockings featuring artistic charm. Their embroidered velvet stockings, available in nutcracker, floral, and nativity designs, combine timeless elegance with fresh appeal. Matching porcelain and felt ornaments echo the brand’s distinctive whimsical artwork. Seltzer Goods, an Asheville, North Carolina-based design studio, infuses wit into its holiday collection. It offers embroidered felt ornaments with cozy motifs like coffee shops, bookstores, and woodland animals. The studio also provides unique canvas stockings that deviate from traditional designs, praised for their fresh and whimsical aesthetic. Dallas, Texas's Tart by Taylor, led by Taylor Dean, specializes in modern and playful ornaments and seasonal decor. Her collection features acrylic items with bright colors and bold shapes, including best-selling ornament frames suitable for displaying photos, miniature artworks, or even baby handprints. LucyCreatess, an Etsy shop from Glen Allen, Virginia, creates personalized ornaments. Notable items include snow globes filled with miniature custom books and hand-stitched portrayals of names in children's handwriting, offering highly personal and thoughtful gifts. The Textile Treasure, located in Round Rock, Texas, offers artisan-made block-printed cotton home decor. Founder Renu aims to bring Jaipur's textile traditions to U.S. homes, with items like customizable Christmas stockings and tree skirts handcrafted in India. These pieces are appreciated for their authentic artistry and thoughtful details. The Tiny Tassel in Charleston, South Carolina, celebrates its 10th anniversary with a new collection of hand-beaded ornaments. These designs incorporate coastal references, Charleston-inspired lettering, and whimsical motifs like pets and desserts. The ornaments are affordable, ready to ship, and suitable for gifting. Finally, Eugenie from Summerland Key, Florida, dominates the Etsy stocking market with a wide variety of styles, including Faire Isle cable-knit, velvet, tapestry appliqué, and Scandinavian patterns. Her shop offers strong personalization options, making each stocking feel custom-made for family collections or individual needs. Brentwood, Tennessee's Lauren Dunn specializes in colorful, acrylic creations for her holiday collection. Her ornaments, napkin holders, and table toppers are described as functional modern art, featuring designs such as angels, team mascots, and playful graphics. She also offers display-ready curios like whimsical nativity scenes and three-dimensional villages. #HolidayDecor #ChristmasOrnaments #ChristmasStockings #SouthernDesign #HandcraftedDecor #HomeDecor #ArtisanCrafts #Gifts #SeasonalDecor