It’s confession time. Well, actually, to myself. Southern interiors are my obsession.  When I say obsession, I mean like if my husband would agree, I would pack up and move to Atlanta or Charlotte, or Louisiana. Well, maybe not the bayou. Love their design, but I’m more of a southeastern girl.  But I am totally obsessed with all things southern when it comes to interior design. Why?  The homes in the southern regions of our country make me feel like I could walk right in and “set a spell.”

Collected

Just take a look at that antique chest in the picture above for starters.  There is always a collected piece of furniture or two or three in every room.  What I love about antique pieces is that they don’t always get stripped and refurbished to perfection.  Southern interiors are collected over time or at least made to look that way.  You get the hint that there is some heritage there.  My husband’s great aunt would say, “Child this stuff is so old.”  And I would just drool over the beautiful fine woods .  The craftsmanship showed pride. Not typical of furniture you would get at a chain store or at the mall.

Hospitality

Every southern home that I’ve admired always has that guest room where the bed is perfectly made like this one shown in this picture from Leontine Linens designer fabric collection.  The interior is always layered with colorful, yet tasteful, linens.  Monograms and border details on the linen are usually what makes me feel like the host or hostess went to a lot of trouble just for me.  And have you ever noticed that the dining room table is always set with a beautiful place setting?  All. The. Time?

This foyer designed by Melissa Miles Rufty is a surprise in tradition all rolled into one. The antique chest and major art pieces on the gallery wall fulfill the expectations of a classic and traditional look. But the print on the corner banquette is an oversized fretwork pattern updates the look.  And the of-the-moment lucite table is begging for you to “set a spell” and enjoy a mint julep.

Wallpaper

Yes, wallpaper is back in a big way.  Let’s be honest.  We who love all things southern never really gave up on it.  Tastefully done in a jewel of a room here and a powder room there, wallpaper is the perfect way to give character to an otherwise utilitarian space.

This bathroom by Dering Hall shows a beautiful damask wallpaper.  The oversized scale in the pattern kicks a traditional look right into today’s fresh new style.

Family

There is, more often than not, a wall of pictures showing cousins, uncles and aunts, grandmas and grandpas alongside various stages of the immediate family. Yep, it’s a bit folksy.  It’s also nice to not forget your roots and all the people who make up your family tree.  As you can see by the picture below, I absolutely love that.

If you are local to Orange County, California and are obsessed with Southern Interiors as much as I am, let’s talk.  We would love to help you bring a touch of southern charm to your southern Cali home.  Call Mary Etta Designs at 714 340-3214 or go here and contact us by email.