Pigtown Design isn't exactly the most glamorous sounding name, but the first time I saw it on a blog roll, it definitely captured my attention. Turns out the blog takes its title from a historic Baltimore neighborhood where its author, Meg Fairfax Fielding, lives. And not only does Meg's own name sound like it could have come straight out of a Jane Austen novel, she also happens to be one of the most gracious women I've had the pleasure of getting to know both through her posts and our correspondence. 

Meg comes from a long line of Baltimoreans on her mother's side and her father is from England. Though she has lived in Maryland most of her life, did spend several years in the UK, and thus her blog, which she has been writing for the last couple of years, is a mix of style and design news from her hometown as well as from across the pond. Below, Meg shares a few of her thoughts on gracious living:

I define gracious living as . . . Making other people feel comfortable, following the Golden Rule, and being thoughtful.

Three things I need to live graciously . . .

1.  Books are first! I am always reading, I can't sit still without reading something. I try to balance fiction and non-fiction, so that I keep learning. I barely watch television because I feel that there's always something better I can be doing. Have a free bookstore in Baltimore has helped fuel the addiction to books.

2. Second, beautiful china, glassware, and silver.  I was given some Royal Copenhagen china, William Yeoward stemware, and Mappin & Webb silver last summer. Even though I live alone, I use it all the time. It elevates everything I eat – even if it's just a snack or a quick drink – to an elegant event.

3. The third thing is giving to others through charity work. All of my life, my parents have encouraged us to do things for others, and I try to maintain this in my life today. Both the work I do professionally, raising money for a center that helps traumatized children, and what I do as a volunteer, being president of our Main Street program, hopefully make life better for others. I think that is something that can potentially fall by the wayside in our busy lives, but it's crucial that people volunteer if they can.

Nothing could be more gracious than giving back to others less fortunate. This year Meg and Chris Cox of Easy & Elegant Life created April Food Day, a coordinated effort to encourage bloggers to raise awareness about hunger in America by writing posts and encouraging donations to Feeding America, as well as local food banks. Over 150 bloggers participated.

I make guests in my home welcome by . . . having a house where people feel comfortable. Guests have always said that my houses feel cozy and comfortable. They shouldn't feel like they're in a museum and they can't touch things. Because I have a large yellow lab, there's nothing that I can worry about being broken. Life's too short!

Meg loves antique linens. We think the ones above, photographed by Monica Buck for Southern Accents, would be perfect additions to her collection.

The key to a successful party is . . . a mix of fun people from different aspects of my life, and good food and drinks. I used to do some catering and event planning, so I know how to present a party. I have a friend whose slogan is "Linen makes the party," and I think that's so true! I have collected old linens for ages and try to use them, even for the smallest occasions.

If I could ask any four designers (past or present) to dinner, I'd invite . . .

1. Baltimore-born Billy Baldwin. I'd love to know more about life in Baltimore during his era. His designs are still classic and understated and I am sure he'd be lots of fun.

Guess who's coming to dinner? Legendary decorator (and Baltimore born) Billy Baldwin, photographed here in his New York apartment by Alfred Eisenstaedt. Courtesy of Life.com.

2. Stiles Colwill, another Baltimore decorator and shop owner whose taste I've admire for years. I think that he and Billy Baldwin would have loads to talk about and it would be an education to hear their conversation.

Baltimore designer Stills Colwill would add life to the party. Photo by Wyatt Counts

3. Not really a decorator, per se, but Sir Joan Soane, the English architect who designed some of the most beautiful buildings in England, including the Bank of England Building and the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London. His house at Lincoln's Inn Fields has fascinated me for years. There are so many little details that make the house special, and he was so creative in his architecture.

Meg would invite Sir Joane Soane, the British architect whose amazing house at Lincoln's Inn Fields, shown above, is now a museum.

4. Sir Simon Jenkins, who has written two of my favorite books -- England's Thousand Best Churches and England's Thousand Best Houses. Writing books like this would be my dream job and I would welcome the chance to listen to his stories about finding these special places and then researching them. 

Sir Simon Jenkins would entertain dinner guests with his wide knowledge and perspective on the best buildings in Great Britain.

At this dream dinner party I'd serve . . . Maryland is known as the Land of Pleasant Living and has great traditional and locally-grown foods. I would start with Maryland cantaloupe and honeydew melons wrapped with prosciutto, followed by a crab salad in fresh Eastern Shore tomatoes with good summer corn. For dessert, a strawberry shortcake with goat cheese mascarpone, made by my best friend, who is a pastry chef. For summery drinks, I'd serve Southsides, Pimms Cups, or prosecco.

My no-fail entertaining secret . . . Work hard to have a lovely party, but don't worry if it isn't perfect. Usually, no one will know something is wrong but me! If I am cool and calm, that will convey to my guests and they will be comfortable.

My style icon is . . . Charlotte Moss. I love her style in decorating and design, as well as her interesting clothes. Every time you see a photograph of her, she is wearing an unusual piece, not necessarily pegged to one particular designer, but maybe a vintage kimono or an elegant ball skirt. I love classic with a twist!

The always elegant Charlotte Moss photographed by Brooke Slezak

The last time I wanted the etiquette police to make an arrest . . . I am on a board and I was having a discussion with one of our staff members. I would make a suggestion, and he would flatly contradict everything I said by just saying "no." I was always taught not to answer with one word sentences. When I finally countered him on a point, he threw a tantrum. He called off the meeting and stormed out, leaving those of us on the board stunned and upset.  I was horrified that a grown up person would act that way in a business setting. It was so unprofessional and immature, and I wanted to sit him down and give him a good talking to!

The most gracious person I've encountered recently . . . There are two people. My mother, first. She tried to teach us well, beginning when were were small. She and my father entertained a lot and taught us how to interact with their guests, including how to shake hands and curtsy (and then make ourselves scarce!). My mother taught us to write thank you notes, be polite on the phone, make conversation and other small thinks that make a gracious person. My parents ensured that we were well-rounded by sending us for lessons in sports, but also exposing us to the arts. 

My other person is the uncle of my nieces and nephew on their father's side. Mark and I call each other the out-laws. He's gracious and charming and lives an elegant life in every way. He's always thinking of little things that have a meaning for friends and family, like sending an article or a little book because he knows the recipient will appreciate it. I've learned an incredibly amount from him about antiques and decoration and the art of gracious living.