Southern Charm Inspiration
A quick visit to the South can reveal to anyone what charm and hospitality really mean. Everyone is your neighbor, cook outs are a regular occurrence, and while chilly nights are few and far between, you can be sure sweet tea is always readily available to help you cool down. One thing for certain is that this good ol’ Southern charm doesn’t end at the tea, it extends into homes to create a design style that has professionals looking to for inspiration across the States. Southern homes have a multi-faceted and layered feel of old and new that is personal, yet welcoming to all.
Here are just a few tips and tricks to bring some Southern Charm into your home, regardless of where you live!
With so much time spent outdoors, its no wonder the front porch is such a staple in the South. Creating a comfortable entrance is essential for setting the tone of your home. Whether you have a porch or not, creating the perfect entrance starts by bringing the outside in. Have you painted your front door a bright or exciting hue? Bring this same color into your home by painting the interior of the door the same color. Does your front porch have a fun patterned tile? Extend this into your front entryway and hall. You can also bring in greenery and other natural accents like rattan that will make the transition from outside to inside feel seamless.
One of the other important aspects for bringing in the charm, is color. The color green will help provide the indoor-outdoor feel, similar to the entryway transition. Whether you decide to go big and paint your kitchen cabinets in a rich moss tone, add a brilliant hue in smaller decorative accents or art around your space, or even splurge on that rich emerald velvet sofa, this fresh color is an absolute staple in Southern homes. And with Pantone’s color of the year for 2020 being colors of the sea, this use of green can keep you on trend and be used in endless ways. You can read more about this in a blog post about Pantone’s trends for 2020 here!
Most importantly, mix old with new! In the South, everything has a story. By adding vintage items, thrifted finds or family heirlooms you can introduce a depth and story into the room that new decor just can’t. New items can, however; add balance to the older items. Modern finds can keep your overall design light and fresh. By adding a geometric side table, abstract art or a contemporary rug, you can help anchor the room and prevent it from looking dated.
Whether you want to create a home right out of a Southern based romantic comedy, or spruce up your current design with a little charm, the possibilities are all yours. So as always, take your time, and have fun with it!