Our issues are full of so much great content that we’ve decided to start posting our greatest hits to the website, too! Here’s a favorite from our Summer 2010 issue.

Timeless Bohemian
By Lesley Graham

Carrie and I talked about what I would wear to the Oscars: “something similar to Michelle Williams’s yellow dress, red lips, vintage, glamourous.” I was asked to describe my dream home: “Easy. Restored farmhouse, new retro appliances, exposed beams, fresh cut flowers, big porch with a swing.”

It was so liberating to answer questions based on dreams rather than budgets. I think we all live trapped by what we perceive to be in reach.

As we wove through the questions, some easier to answer than others, I found that I did really know what I like and what I don’t like. I have a pretty firm grasp on my ideals, my personal style, and even my weaknesses. After we hung up the phone I waited to call Carrie back to get my “statement,” Timeless Bohemian. Although sort of a contradiction in itself, I felt she hit the nail on the head. I love things that are classic (read:old-fashioned), but I also love beating to my own drum and having a quirky sense of style. I walk away with a greater understanding of how both sides of my personality can work together and a goal of caring less about what others think!

Our issues are full of so much great content that we’ve decided to start posting our greatest hits to the website, too! Here’s a favorite from our Summer 2010 issue.

Text by Liza Graves | Photography by Bridgett Ezzard

Jake and Luke Herring like to refer to their hand crafted furniture as Modern Rustic. This also happens to perfectly describe where they have set up shop in the beautiful rolling hills of Williamson Co, TN, just south of Nashville.

The Herring brothers, both in their 20’s and originally from Oklahoma, had a dream: to open an eco-friendly green construction company and call it Natural Design. They did just that but the downturn in the economy had them searching for ways, outside of construction, to add more green projects to the books. Fate intervened with a chance drive-by of an old barn slated for burning. Immediately inspired by all the repurposing possibilities this old weathered wood could accomplish, they bought the barn, saving it from death and giving life to a new side of the Natural Design company: TN Barn Project furniture.

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Our issues are full of so much great content that we’ve decided to start posting our greatest hits to the website, too! Here’s a favorite from our Summer 2010 issue.

Photos and text by Natalie Broulette

There’s something magical about Savannah, Georgia. Whether it’s the rich history and moody Spanish moss hanging from the trees or the slower pace and eagerness to entertain, if there’s one thing this city’s got, it’s character. Elegant and mysterious, yet warm and welcoming, the “Hostess City” has plenty of shops, sights and especially, eats to offer.

Day 1 – Downtown Delights
8 a.m. – Start your day off in downtown Savannah with breakfast at J. Christopher’s. Casual and quaint, they’ll even leave a pot of coffee on your table. If you’re looking to hit the ground running, grab a pastry or breakfast sandwich at family-owned Harris Baking Company. And be sure to pick up a decadent pecan chocolate chewie for decadent mid-day snacking.

10 a.m. – When it comes to shopping, Broughton Street has a great mix of popular chains and charming local shops. You’ll find Urban Outfitters, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Banana Republic, but stores like The Paris Market & Brocante, Bleu Belle Boutique, James Gunn, Copper Penny, DC2 Design and 24e are the true draw. You’ll find clothing, shoes, accessories, antiques, home décor and more. Be sure to stop by the Savannah Bee Company. This honey producer sells food and beauty products throughout the country, but their flagship (and only) store is a feast for the senses. Step up to the honey bar to sample their artisan flavors and pick up sweet souvenirs for friends and family.

1 p.m. – You may have heard that a certain butter-loving southern chef calls Savannah home. Yes, just about every tourist in town wants to have lunch at Paula Deen’s restaurant The Lady and Sons. If you’re interested, plan ahead and start off your morning in their reservations line. If you’re looking for a place that’s a little more low key, head to Soho South Café. It’s an eclectic and inviting spot – part restaurant, part gallery – and they serve up a mean meatloaf sandwich.
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We here at Southern Flourish love a good blog written by a Southern gal. So, we’ve started a new blog of the week feature! This week we’re highlighting Christina from Down and Out Chic, one of my personal faves!

Down and Out Chic (D&OC) is a spunky, fun and chic blog written by the lovely Christina. I love the mix of art, interior design and lifestyle posts that keep me smiling and constantly clicking to learn more about the people and products that she features!

D&OC has featured the art of Melissa Chaib…

…as well as serene shots of unnamed landscapes…

In addition to running her fabulous blog, Christina is also the proprietor of a vintage-chic Etsy store (also called Down and Out Chic). Just a few of the thing we love from her store…

5 Questions for Christina…

Where do you find inspiration for your blog?
Inspiration for my blog comes from everywhere and anywhere I spot beauty and good design: magazines, internet, art, photography, other blogs, the crafting community, etc. I started blogging in order to be able to offer a different perspective on affordable design because I was getting increasingly discouraged clicking on items on style blogs that I could never feasibly afford (or would want to pay for if I could). My inspiration comes from knowing there are quality handmade, indie, eco-friendly, and ethically conscious products that are accessible to all economic levels and that you don’t have to be rich to be a conscientious and stylish consumer! Inspiration abounds when you realize that beauty and good design really have very little to do with money.

How does Southern culture influence your blog?
I don’t know that there are any overt Southern themes on D&OC but I do live in the small, culturally rich Southern town of Athens, Georgia and I blog about my own experiences selling my work at local craft fairs and I do end up featuring many Southern artists and local designers. I received an art degree from a Southern university so even my formal art “training” is steeped in Southern themes and culture which I’m sure shines through on the blog now and again.

What is your favorite place in the South to visit?
Any beach, any beach at all will do for me! Unfortunately, due to the recent oil spill, how Southerners vacation will be greatly changed (although this is the least of our worries surrounding this tragedy, it’s still a reality). I love visiting the historic town of Savannah, GA as well as other culturally rich cities like Nashville, TN and Asheville, NC. I really should take more advantage of weekend trips to these great local cities.

Favorite Southern tradition?
To give some perspective here, I was raised by Puerto Rican, native New Yorkers in the South so my cultural experience is a mixed bag. My family isn’t your typical Southern family by any stretch of the imagination so many of my experiences surrounding Southern tradition have come from friends and my fiance’s family. I think my favorite Southern “tradition” are afternoon pot lucks involving a variety of local foods, Kentucky Whiskey and plenty of mojitos and lemonade for all!

3 blogs you can’t live without?
Ooooh, now this is a difficult question as I read a lot of blogs! If you must make choose though…
Design is Mine – I like a blogger who seems down to earth and posts about accessible design. Summer’s blog is just that- lots of inspirational posts and eye candy delivered consistently and without pretense.
Art at Heart – This UK blog is my daily art and conceptual design blog. Max finds some of the neatest products that walk the line between functionality and non-functional art object.
desire to inspire – This Canadian/Australian dream team are (in my humble book) the interior inspiration mavens of the blog world. If you like interiors that run the gamete of styles, this blog will keep you busy searching through the impressive archives of interiors stylists, photographers and designers.

In our summer issue, Barb Blair of Knack Studios put together a super cool article about how to use photos and nature to inspire interiors. LOVED the article. Barb sent all of the right links to the products, but somehow in the last-minute rush to get the issue out we mislabeled a bunch of stuff.

Below is an updated image with all of the updated/fixed information. Plus, we’re uploading the new spread to the Summer issue in Issuu as we speak!

Big thanks to the fantastic stores and craftspeople featured in the article for their understanding:

Thomas Paul

Vagabond Vintage

Ferm Living

Gleena

…and, of course, the always wonderful Barb Blair of Knack Studios.

The summer issue is here! To read the full-screen version, simply click the issue below!

Organized by Charleston Magazine (which we love, BTW), Charleston Fashion Week has become a huge event in the fashion world.

Don’t miss our article in the Summer issue about CFW, featuring amazing photos by the talented David Despeaux. Only five days left!

We’re talking about Matt Moore, author of Have Her Over for Dinner, and one of our summer issue contributors. Here’s a little shot of his handiwork…look for more in the summer issue of Southern Flourish!

Photo Courtesy of Matt Moore. Learn more about Matt at www.haveheroverfordinner.com.

Sorry we’ve been MIA lately…we’re super busy putting together an AMAZING summer issue for you all! To make up for it, we’ll be posting teaser photos every single day for the summer issue–which goes live on June 15!

First up is a photo by Bridgett Ezzard for an article by the wonderful Liza Graves about the super talented guys at the Tennessee Barn Project!