Last week I shared some staff picks for our favorite china. Read more here. I had such fun with the post, I'm adding more this week.

Senior Editor, Alice Welsh Doyle chose the exotic Wedgwood Persia and still adores it.

"At the time I got married – 1998 – I was really into all things Asian," says Alice. "This pattern reflects that, but it is not too extreme in that regard. I have since retired some weddings gifts and early marriage purchases that reflect that passion. So I would caution brides not to buy into something 'themed' that they may lose interest in. The serving pieces and extras were pricey, so I did not receive many of those when I married. My husband and mother-in-law gave me additional pieces as anniversary and birthday gifts–something I would also recommend. Unless it is a super popular pattern, they do get discontinued. I’m so happy I have all the 'extras' even if I don’t use them that often."

Wedgwood Persia salad  plate from Replacements Ltd.

"The wonderful aspect of this pattern is that the coffee/tea saucer is a variation on the color scheme, but is also distinct – like coordinating fabrics – also in addition to that variation, there was an option for the accent salad plate, which really dresses the table. I don’t know if these distinctive patterns within a collection are common, but I would suggest looking at that when choosing china because it allows more variety – especially when I was starting out, I was less willing to experiment with combining patterns and colors on my own."

Wedgwood Persia cup and saucer

Copy Editor Amber Henderson went with Wedgwood Madrid for her formal china.

"I love it because it’s simple enough that if I ever tire of it, I can easily mix it with other pieces," says Amber. "I currently use it with silver chargers and Solitaire Platinum crystal drinkware by Lenox. The platinum band on the crystal glasses complements the platinum band of my china. My Vintage Jewel flatware by Lenox completes the look."

Editor in Chief, Karen Carroll chose Wedgwood's Strawberry & Vine for her everyday china and reports that this pattern and Nantucket Basket were popular when she registered 17 years ago.

Stawberry & Vine


Nantucket Basket

It’s a beautiful rainy day here in Birmingham. Just the kind of weather that most of us would write off as unsuitable for entertaining. Either you’re thinking it’s too wet for guests to travel or you wish that your summer salad and tomato tarté were a warm soup or hearty pasta instead. 

Not so for Victoria Amory. “I love the idea of a rainy afternoon,” said the Palm Beach author and hostess, when I spoke with her a couple of months ago. “A golf game is canceled, and you call everybody in and say lunch at home.”

Summer table setting designed by Victoria Amory. Photographed by Eric Striffler, July-August 2006.

Designer Elsie de Wolfe in 1936. Photo courtesy of Life.com.

While reading the latest issue of our sister magazine, Real Simple, I came across this quote attributed to Elsie de Wolfe, the legendary decorator who is quite a design heroine of mine. Can't believe I hadn't heard it before as it should probably be the motto for our blog:

I can't decide who I'd rather strangle first . . . the friend who never even bothered to RSVP to a written invitation for a dinner party or the one who replied "yes" and didn't show up (and waited almost a week to send a note of apology with no explanation). Which one would you choose?

I love posting on Fridays because I still think of them as good, old-fashioned casual days. And this Memorial Day weekend has me thinking of planning a trip somewhere fun.

 

hand-colored etching circa 1785

Jean Pierre Blanchard and John Jefferies arriving in Calais after crossing the English Channel

from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Unfortunately I won't be crossing the English Channel anytime soon, but wherever we go I'm sure my toddler will talk us into a helium balloon or two, as usual. (I've even posted a few of these old balloon prints in my son's room --- they make his eyes light up as he shouts and points: Ball! Ball!)

Wishing you all safe and happy travels on this lovely long weekend~

Notepad and all stationery by Mrs. John L. Strong. Photographed by Lee Puckett
for the November-December 2004 issue of Southern Accents

The lost art of correspondence receives a set back today with the closing of celebrated stationer Mrs. John L. Strong.

 “Luxury Paper Goods & Accessory Company Founded in the Great Depression Falls in the Great Recession,” read the email our office received today from the company’s press office, announcing that the 80-year-old company would be shuttering its boutiques, online store, and catalogue.

We’ll miss the stationer’s old world tradition of craftsmanship and just how chic it felt to put pen to her paper.

Wedding season is upon us, and I thought it would be fun to ask the staff what they registered for and if they would choose it again or go for something else if given the chance. What I discovered is that we are wild about Wedgwood. Look for a Feature on Tricia Foley's new book At Home With Wedgwood: The Art of the Table in our July-August issue. 

My everyday pattern is Countryware by Wedgwood. I would absolutely pick it again. It has been discontinued, but if I want a special piece, I can go to Replacements Ltd.  Who knew you could get a toast holder in my pattern? When I'm having a lot of people over, I supplement with  inexpensive plain white plates I picked up at Pier 1.

Stacey Hill, our office manager, inherited a set of Wedgwood Chinese Tigers in Red. "It is from my mother who died over 20 years ago, so it is special to me," says Stacey.

I just had to share a few of the latest projects from one of our favorite artists, who happens to be featured in our current issue--North Carolina's Patrick Dougherty, who weaves twigs and sticks into magical outdoor sculptures.

The Summer Palace by artist Patrick Dougherty

The Morris Arboretum 2009

Lookin' Good, Lookin' Good by Patrick Dougherty

The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 2009

Patrick gave a wonderful talk at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts recently and charmed the audience with his photos of projects around the world and pictures of his own house in North Carolina. And outdoors, where his new installation (shown above) beckons patrons, visitors, and even the joggers passing by the museum's entrance, it was striking to note the delight on people's faces as they walked around and through his site-specific sculptures. Standing inside a twig temple and looking up and around at the intricate weaving was incredibly fun. If you get a chance to see one of his installations in person, please go--you will not regret it! 

The topic of family photos comes up periodically in the pages of Southern Accents. You may have noticed that you rarely see family photos in the houses we feature—most often it's a single photo or two on an end table or nightstand. Many designers advise not having family photos in public rooms, such as the living room. ("Family on Display" is actually one of our "Seven Deadly Design Sins," but this point is referring more to painted portraits, which can come off as imposting and elitist.) As for photographs, the sin, so to speak, is that if they are not skillfully displayed, they tend to add clutter and detract from the design of the room.

I personally like to see pictures of the family when I visit people's houses--and who doesn't like to show off their children and grandchildren? For me, as a guest, photos help me get to know the family better and are often a conversation starter. Pictures can say a lot and are part of the fun of seeing someone else's home. 

I'm sure there are devotees of each opinion, as well as a happy medium.

Though they're not ubiquitious in our pages, if you flip through past issues, you will find examples of personal photos displayed in both private and public spaces. Here are some examples, along with some helpful designer advice should you decide to display yours.

Bedroom designed by Jackye Lanham; photo by Tria Giovan

• Lars Bolander says that a grouping of photographs in the same type of frame can help create a collected look even if you only have a few things. 

Room designed by Fiona Newell Weeks; photographed by Antoine Bootz

Room designed by Mimi Williams; photo by Lauren Rubinstein

• Jane Smith says, "Pieces maintain their collective impact when grouped in a dedicated space rather than spread over several rooms or tucked behind closed cabinet doors." 

Designed by Betsy Brown; photographed by Robbie Caponetto

• Josie McCarthy says, "Groups of family photos work well in a hallway, back stair hall, or dressing room. I prefer black-and-white photos, matted in white and framed in black or muted gold. In framing color prints, I use gold." She also recommends hanging them only on one side of the hallway: "It is impossible to look at both sides of the hall." Read more of Josie's advice on framing and hanging art here.

Everybody loves a stuffed animal. Photographed by Mali Azima for the May-June 2006 issue of Southern Accents.

I went to a baby's birthday party this weekend. The guest of honor turned six months old on Saturday, so her parents celebrated the milestone with a “Half Pint” party. Maybe it’s the baby in me talking, but where’s my 20-something and a half birthday?

While it may not be gracious to throw oneself such a party (or to register for  a pair of Manolos a la Carrie Bradshaw), it is gracious to gift baby with something she–or Mommy and Daddy–will love.

I like giving an unexpected gift that’s the right fit and in my search I stumbled across a company called Noodle and Boo that’s fabulously found a way to bottle that fresh soap and water smell with a hint of almond. Of course the packaging is chic too in either a light pink or blue box with a simple silhouette of a baby. Six-month-old Parker Rose cooed with delight when she “opened” her gift.

Today is 05-07-09. That makes it an "Odd Day"—a date that, when written in American numerical format, consists of consecutive odd numbers. It happens only six times a century, all within the first 15 years. What does this have to do with gracious living? Well, as it turns out, odd numbers show up quite frequently in fields such as interior design, architecture, and history. So in honor of this Odd Day, here are just a few examples of oddness.

Houses built in the classical styles, such as Georgian and Federal, often feature odd numbers of windows for symmetry. Notice the three dormers up top and the five bays of windows on the second floor. Other examples might have seven or more windows, but a true Georgian will always have a central door and window flanked by an equal number of windows.

Photo: Pieter Estersohn

Interior Design: Art, Accessories, Collections

Theories vary as to why, but groupings of odd number of objects are particularly pleasing to the eye. One theory is that having an odd number forces you to view the objects as a single group, rather than visually dividing them into two separate sets. Another is that odd numbers look less regimented than even numbers. This grouping of nine Vietnamese fishing hats works perfectly in this space. Notice the five pillows on the sofa and three objects on the coffee table as well. 

Room designed by Ginny Terry. Photo: Tria Giovan 

Photography: The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a guideline for composition in photography and other visual arts. Use imaginary lines to divide your image into three rows and three columns. According to the rule, placing the focal points of your image at the intersections of the lines makes for a more dynamic photo. Notice how the person in the photo below has been placed at an intersection. The horizon line has also been placed in the lower third of the photo. 

Photo: www.webdesign.org

Floral Design

Many floral designers, such as Paula Pryke, suggest selecting odd numbers of stems and grouping each type of flower in groups of threes, fives, sevens, etc., when arranging flowers, for a more natural look. 

Photo: Polly Wreford

Last week, I went to my neighborhood bookstore to buy a gift for a friend. The whole experience was so pleasant, I just had to share it. The owner of the store knew the person I was buying for and recommended some items, wrapped them, and gave me the scoop on a new place that was opening near her store. Sure it would have been convenient and perhaps cheaper to log on to Amazon and have the gift sent with a click, but nothing beats great personal service. Locally owned mom and pops are in real trouble with this  economy, so I'm doing my part by shopping at my local favorites.

Get in on the act with the 3/50 project.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Margaritas and queso immediately come to mind. In San Miguel de Allende, Ann Dupuy created the ideal hacienda for celebrating this Mexican holiday.