Southern Lady

FRESH FROM THE OVEN Here in Alabama, we don’t usually see the first truly crisp day until late October, and—like most of us after a long, hot summer—I am always impatient for temperatures to plummet. Chilly weather heralds the return of some of my favorite things: cozy sweaters, hot cider, evenings by our backyard firepit, and best of all, getting into the kitchen to bake. I’ve long been a fan of Tennessee cookbook author Anne Byrn, several of whose volumes have a time-honored place on my shelves, and her newest release, Baking in the American South, looks divine. On page 15, we share more about her inspiration for this collection of Southern treats and the stories behind them, including delicacies such as Molasses Cornbread, Satsuma Wafers, and Texas Kolaches. You won’t…

Vivid strokes of color and imaginative prints bedeck every inch of Ferrick Mason’s Versailles, Kentucky, showroom, courtesy of Alex Mason’s dreamy gouache and ink illustrations printed on fabric, furniture, and wallpapers. But the brand and its cofounder weren’t always based in this laid-back town. After years spent putting her paintbrush to paper in numerous states and countries, the Kentucky native came home and brought Ferrick Mason with her, entering a new era of success. A painter since childhood, Alex’s world expanded by leaps and bounds when her artistic ambitions took her across the country and beyond. Initially, she worked toward a fine arts degree in 1989 at the University of Southern California. “It was culture shock for me, coming from Lexington, Kentucky, which was pretty small back then,” she says. She…

Anne Byrn has long fostered a passion for blending history with the art of cooking. After years of catering to a national audience with popular cookbooks such as The Cake Mix Doctor series, the Tennessee native heeded a call back to her Southern roots with her latest release, Baking in the American South: 200 Recipes and Their Untold Stories (A Definitive Guide to Southern Baking). “I felt it was time. I had been there and done that with bigger books, but now, I could focus on recipes that are uniquely Southern and look for stories that no one has told,” says Anne, whose new volume is available as of September. In writing it, she embarked on a two-year journey, traveling to more than 14 states to research and interview people across…

The plush comfort of a rug sits at the center of so many lovely moments at home, from such milestones as a baby’s first steps to enjoying a cup of coffee in the quiet of morning. For Angie Burge and her Birmingham-based rug company, English Village Lane, the stunning patterns and fantastic durability of fine Turkish floor coverings are essential for a gracious foundation. “Oushak rugs transformed my life,” Angie says. “By buying something that easily elevates a space, my home evolved [and took on] this very curated look.” Named after the city in Turkey, Oushak rugs are set apart from other floor coverings by their distinct method of weaving, high-quality wool, and classic star or medallion patterns. Angie’s relationship with these beautiful pieces began while redecorating her breakfast nook, when…

As October foliage begins its prismatic shift, borrow from the mingling hues outdoors to fashion a spectacular arrangement for your table. White garden roses shine brilliantly against the sunset tones of mums and chrysanthemums. To create a pleasing sense of dimension, tuck white snowberry among the blossoms and fill in empty nooks with brown pears. Seeded eucalyptus and hydrangea round out the display nestled in a subdued ceramic vessel, imbuing lively dashes of green into this symbol of the season.…