Traditional home design with connected rooms, layered rugs, and warm natural materials.

Traditional Home Design: Five Foundational Elements That Last

The highest compliments I have gotten as an interior designer were when my grown kids asked me for advice when decorating their own homes. Even when they were very small, I took them with me to go sourcing antiques for our home and my retail spaces.

Over the years they absorbed the importance of quality construction and materials. They know that if you buy a quality piece of furniture or decor, that you may not ever have to replace it in your lifetime.

People often confuse traditional home design with being old-fashioned. On the contrary, timeless home design is created by using classic elements that never go out of style.

The homes that stay relatable throughout the decades often have less to do with trends and more to do with the decisions that shape them over time.

What Defines Traditional Home Design

Labels are used frequently when talking about interior design. Contemporary, minimalist, and traditional are all terms you’ve likely seen online and in magazines. So, what exactly is traditional home design?

The word traditional is used to describe decor that often has a European influence. Traditional home decor often emphasizes symmetry.

Other elements that are trademarks of traditional interior design are layering of fabrics and patterns, curved and ornate wood carvings, and pieces that have been collected over time.

Spaces with traditional home design are a reflection of who lives there. At the heart of traditional home design is an understanding that rooms should feel visually balanced before they are ever fully decorated.

Proportion and Scale in Traditional Interior Design

If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt something about the decor was amiss, but you couldn’t put your finger on what it was, it was probably because something was off with the proportions or scale in the room.

Traditional dining room with carved wood table, patterned rug, and collected wall decor.
Traditional interiors often rely on proportion, natural materials, and collected details that feel layered over time rather than purchased all at once.

After moving into a new house, a friend told me, “I love this sofa so much, but no matter where I put it in the new living room, it just doesn’t look right.”

The problem wasn’t finding the right space for it, and there was nothing wrong with the sofa itself. The issue was that the sofa was purchased to fit in her last house, and it was entirely too big for her new space.

In traditional decor, designers often use the 2/3 rule of scale and proportion. This rule gives a pleasing sense to the eye as you take in the space as a whole. Large rooms can handle larger pieces of furniture, and in turn, smaller spaces need furniture on a smaller scale.

When scale is handled well, a room feels comfortable almost immediately, even if the viewer can’t explain exactly why.

Materials that Shape Timeless Home Design

The most successful traditional designs use materials that could have either been installed yesterday or one hundred years ago, and it’s difficult to know which it is.

Many of the materials associated with traditional homes share two qualities. First, they’re made of something found in nature, like wood, stone, linen, or leather. Second, they’re crafted from something man-made that can stand the test of time, like brass, copper, bronze, or nickel.

Choosing materials that are often found in traditional home decor will result in a timeless home design. As a bonus, these are often superior materials that not only withstand trends, but also physical wear and tear.

Over time, these materials also help create continuity throughout a home, allowing rooms to feel connected rather than separate from one another.

Creating Continuity in Traditional Home Decor

I remember watching the television show Trading Spaces, where neighbors would swap houses to redecorate one room with the help of a designer. As seasons went on, the designs became wild and unrealistic for everyday living.

The room reveals on the show often featured an outlandish space that the designer used to showcase their own creativity, instead of the tastes of the homeowner. As a result, these new rooms never blended with the rest of the house.

Traditional home design showing continuity between adjoining rooms with layered artwork and warm wood tones.
One of the defining characteristics of traditional homes is the sense of continuity between rooms rather than dramatic shifts in style or color.

In traditional homes, rooms are rarely treated as isolated spaces. Whole house color palettes create a smooth flow without disruptive color changes.

Using uninterrupted flooring finishes and repeating decor elements throughout homes also  creates continuity in traditional home decor. Traditional homes are often memorable not because of a single room, but because the entire house feels connected in both design and purpose.

Functional Layouts in Traditional Homes

In traditional interior design, floorplans have dedicated spaces for each living function. Rooms are designed to fulfill a purpose in the home, and the purposes of adjoining spaces are considered for how they relate to each other.

A kitchen will be designed for optimal workflow, but the kitchen design will also consider the placement and decor of the dining room, since the two often function in tandem.

In a classic home design, a living room layout will function to encourage conversation, and a bedroom layout will be designed to be peaceful and relaxing.

While decorating styles may shift over time, the ways people gather, cook, rest, and converse remain remarkably consistent.

A Collected Sense of Time in Traditional Homes

I love watching renovation shows on TV that surprise the homeowners with a brand new, completely styled room that they always fall in love with at the end. But the truth is that’s not always reality.

Traditional bedroom with antique wood bedside table, patterned textiles, layered artwork, and soft lamp lighting.
Traditional homes often feel collected rather than perfectly coordinated, with furnishings, artwork, and personal objects accumulated gradually over time.

Some people hire an interior designer to redo an entire room in their home. But there are far more people who call designers for help with one thing: draperies for a bedroom, a new sofa and loveseat with custom fabric, or flooring.

As you are making changes to your home, you’re also picking up a piece of art here and there, a basket to hold throw blankets in the living room, or a secretary desk to organize books and stationery in the corner of a study.

Classic home elements aren’t just beautiful; they tell a story that’s been written over time. Perhaps this is why traditional homes rarely feel finished all at once; they are shaped gradually through years of living.

Vintage books and blue-and-white ceramics styled on built-in shelving in a traditional home.
Collected interiors rarely feel overly matched; instead, they reflect years of retained books, furnishings, and meaningful objects.

How to Apply Traditional Home Design in a Real Home

Traditional homes tend to resist short-lived trends in favor of choices that remain appealing over time. In recent years there was an explosion of popularity in barn doors and vinyl plank flooring. These were new and exciting ways to decorate a home, but they weren’t enduring. Classic home decor is beautiful in any era, regardless of what is trending on the internet.

Traditional homes rarely feel assembled all at once, which is one reason perfectly matched furniture suites can feel overly uniform. Unmatched pieces can beautifully complement each other for a more collected look.

The most important thing to remember when creating a home with classic pieces is to go slowly. It’s okay if rooms are incomplete while you search for the right pieces to tell your home’s story.

Why Traditional Home Design Endures

As trends move faster online, interiors have also become more vulnerable to cycles of rapid consumption and replacement.

With instant access and saturation of influence on the internet, home furnishings and décor have become disposable. Composite materials and cheap construction mean that many things purchased today won’t be around in ten years.

Timeless home design endures because of quality craftsmanship and materials that last a lifetime. Traditional interior design considers functionality and cycles of everyday living, not what savvy influencers tell you is trending. Homes built slowly and thoughtfully often remain relevant far longer than those shaped by rapid cycles of consumption.

Check out these other reader favorites:

Traditional home design with connected rooms, layered rugs, and warm natural materials.
Traditional homes are often memorable not because of a single room, but because the entire house feels connected in both design and daily living.

Abby SmolarskyLeave a comment
herbs planted in terracotta pots arranged on steps near a kitchen door in a Southern home

How to Grow Herbs in the South: A Guide for the Southern Kitchen

A Kitchen That Begins Outdoors

The morning sun is streaming through the windows as I open the kitchen door to reach for herbs growing in terracotta pots just outside. It takes me less than a minute to snip some chives for our eggs and pinch some basil for our lunch later. Herbs are something I use almost every day, and most people don’t realize how simple it can be to learn how to grow herbs in the South.

Homegrown herbs add a lot more than flavor to our food; they add a connection to the way we cook and eat each day. Learning how to grow herbs in the South is something anyone can do. You can cook differently, without changing much at all.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

fresh culinary herbs including parsley basil sage chives and lavender arranged on a wooden surface
A simple mix of herbs, gathered and used in everyday cooking.

The Best Herbs to Grow in a Southern Garden

The South has a long growing season, which means we can grow a wide variety of herbs successfully. There are a few key things to keep in mind before deciding which ones are best for your garden.

Everyday Culinary Herbs to Keep on Hand

The most common herbs to grow are ones that you’ll use frequently in your own cooking.

Basil is one of the most common herbs to grow in the Southern garden. It’s extremely easy to grow, and it appears often in summer dishes. Pinch leaves from the top of your basil plant as you need them.

Parsley is another garden favorite. It tolerates heat well and can survive mild winters in the Southern climate. Harvest parsley for your recipes by trimming the outer stems.

Chives are a beginner-friendly herb if you want to start an herb garden. They can be cut frequently, and even the flowers are edible.

Heat-Tolerant Herbs That Thrive in Southern Climates

The Southern summer heat is something to consider when you start an herb garden in the South. Heat-tolerant herbs will thrive and reward you with abundant flavor.

Plants like rosemary, thyme, and oregano prefer full, direct sun. These are heat and drought tolerant options if you’re looking for plants that do well under the Southern sun.

sage growing in a raised bed with lettuce and tomato plants in a Southern garden
Sage adds structure to a raised bed and pairs well with both vegetables and heartier dishes.

Herbs to Grow with Care in the South

There are a few herbs to carefully consider before deciding to include them in your Southern herb garden.

Mint is a favorite herb for gardeners to pick up at the garden center, but it should be planted with extreme care. Due to its aggressive growing habits, mint should never be planted directly into the ground. Mint is best planted in a pot and can even be grown indoors.

We often think of cilantro in dishes with summer tomatoes and jalapeños. However, cilantro is a cool season crop in the South. While you may see it being sold in the garden center each spring, in the South it is best planted in the fall.

Dill is a popular companion plant for summer garden vegetables, but it does have a few attributes to consider. Dill tends to bolt in extreme heat, and it can attract unwanted pests like aphids.

How Southern Climate Affects Herb Growth

The Southern climate makes it possible to grow herbs for much of the year, but it also requires a closer look at heat, sun, and moisture.

Understanding Sun, Heat, and Humidity in the South

Plants are often described as needing full sun or partial shade. The tags on many popular garden herbs will call for full sun. However, full sun in the South is vastly different than full sun in other parts of the country.

In the peak of summer, full sun can be damaging to some garden plants. Look into whether your plants could benefit from some afternoon relief from the heat by giving them shade cloths or finding an area that is screened from harsh sun at the end of the day.

The humidity is also something to consider in many areas of the South. When humidity is high, plants tend to stay wet, and that’s not a good thing.

Common Challenges When Growing Herbs in the South

A few common problems while growing herbs can be easily avoided by taking some preventative measures.

mint and lemon balm growing in a terracotta pot with visible plant issues in a Southern garden
Mint and lemon balm can grow quickly, but they also require attention to water and airflow in the Southern heat.

Bolting can occur if a plant gets stressed by too much heat or light. To keep plant production focused on foliage, and not flowers, check to make sure it is placed in the right light exposure.

Powdery mildew is very common, but it can be avoided by watering at the base of the plant and avoiding the leaves. Be sure to leave enough space in between plants so that air can circulate to dry leaves off properly.

Our instinct is to keep our plants watered, but overwatering can lead to big problems, including root rot. Research what kind of watering your herbs prefer. Some, like mint, prefer the soil to be moist. Others, like oregano, prefer dry soil.

Where to Plant Herbs: Pots, Raised Beds, or In-Ground

Sometimes the hardest part is deciding where to plant herbs. Depending on your soil and the space you have available, consider which of these options is best for you.

Growing Herbs in Pots Near the Kitchen

My favorite place to grow herbs is right outside the kitchen. I pick up terracotta pots as I’m out and about at thrift stores and estate sales. It’s so convenient to grab a handful of fresh mint right outside your kitchen door.

“Out of sight, out of mind,” often applies to the garden. When you can easily see your herbs from the room you spend most of your time in, you’re more likely to use them and remember to water them.

herbs planted in terracotta pots arranged on steps near a kitchen door in a Southern home
Keeping herbs close to the kitchen makes them part of everyday cooking.

Planting Herbs in Raised Beds for Better Drainage

We may be blessed with a long growing season in the South, but many of us also deal with difficult clay soil. One solution is to create raised garden beds with soil more suitable for plants to spread their roots and receive nutrients.

portrait view of basil and parsley growing in a raised bed with tomato plants
A raised bed allows herbs and vegetables to grow together in a manageable space.

Amend raised garden beds with aged manure and natural composted materials to give your herbs the best chances to succeed.

Growing Herbs In-Ground for Long-Term Growth

There are a few herbs that thrive when planted directly into the ground. Hardy herbs that can withstand mild winters and drought conditions are the best choices for planting in-ground.

rosemary plant growing in-ground in a Southern perennial garden bed
Rosemary is one of the most reliable herbs to plant in-ground, thriving in sun and well-drained soil.
lavender growing in a perennial garden bed in the South with surrounding plants softly blurred
Lavender benefits from space and good drainage, making it well suited for in-ground planting.

Rosemary and lavender can live for ten to fifteen years in the right growing conditions. Oregano can live for five to seven years as a perennial shrub.

How to Use Fresh Herbs in Everyday Cooking

Once the herbs are growing well, they naturally become part of what’s happening in the kitchen each day.

Cooking with What You Grow

The easiest way to use your fresh herbs is by swapping them out for dried herbs in recipes you already use and love. A roasted chicken with fresh sage or rosemary is a simple way to add depth without changing the dish.

Fresh herbs elevate everyday recipes like salads and roasted potatoes. Even a stick of softened butter can be transformed by mixing finely chopped herbs into it.

One of my favorite ways to use fresh herbs is also one of the simplest. Fresh tomato slices layered with mozzarella, basil leaves, and balsamic glaze are the simplest way to use what’s growing outside.

Building Flavor with Fresh Herbs

If you plant several kinds of herbs, you’ll have countless ways to create flavor combinations. A simple way to think about combing herbs is that woody herbs pair well with other woody herbs, and soft herbs pair well with other soft herbs.

Another way to combine herbs is to think about regional cuisines. Italian dishes often use a combination of basil, oregano, and sage. A delicious herb combination for fish is dill, tarragon, and lemon balm.

Use your favorite recipes as a guide for combining herbs and adding depth of flavor to your everyday dishes.

How to Start an Herb Garden in the South

Before you head to the garden center to buy seeds or plants, here are a few quick considerations to give you the most successful results for growing herbs in Southern climates.

herbs in plastic nursery pots placed closely together on outdoor steps before planting
Starting with a few herbs from the garden center is often the easiest way to begin.
  • Soil type matters. Clay or poorly draining soil may be better suited to pots or raised beds.
  • Water needs vary. Some herbs prefer dry soil, while others need consistent moisture.
  • Light exposure should be considered carefully, especially in areas with intense afternoon sun.
  • Determine what you’ll use. There’s no point in planting herbs that you won’t use. Stick to what you normally cook with.
  • Evaluate accessibility to the kitchen. Plant your herbs in a spot that is easy to reach when you’re cooking.

I’ve put together a simple, one-page guide you can keep on hand as you plan your herb garden.

Download the guide

I’ve linked helpful items here if you’d like to learn how to grow herbs in the South.

A Kitchen That Feels Lived In

Every time I bring herbs into my kitchen, I feel a little bit like a magician. The sprig of fragrant mint that I use in my summer garden sangria is just the trick I needed to create a refreshing treat to share with my neighbors on the patio during a hot summer evening.

Let herbs be your little magic tricks from the garden in your kitchen this summer. All you need is a little pot, a little sun, and the right amount of water for the herbs you choose.

fresh herbs from a Southern garden including parsley dill sage basil and chives spread on a wooden surface
A mix of herbs gathered from the garden, ready to be used in the kitchen.

If you’re learning how to grow herbs in the South or planning your next meal, you may also enjoy:

Southern Garden Sangria: A Vintage-Inspired Summer Sip

Fall Garden Prep: Essential Tasks for a Beautiful Start to Spring

Abby SmolarskyLeave a comment
Lemon chess pie with slice removed

Lemon Chess Pie: A Classic Southern Recipe That Still Belongs on Today’s Table

In the decades that I’ve been collecting antiques, I’ve never forgotten the first piece of antique furniture that I fell in love with. It was a primitive pie safe with wood worn so soft from daily use that it felt like butter when I ran my hands across it.

The latch had been opened and closed so many times that the wood around the knob had grown deeper and darker. I’ve always wondered what kind of pies filled its shelves, and I think that surely a lemon chess pie was among the offerings.

Fresh lemons in natural light for lemon chess pie
Fresh lemons are essential for the bright flavor of a classic lemon chess pie.

I recently came across a classic chess pie recipe in a 1941 Southern cookbook I found at a local library sale. The recipe was rich, simple, and written in a way that assumed you already knew your way around a kitchen.

Encountering that recipe in the vintage cookbook brings to mind a Southern lemon chess pie recipe. Bright and satisfying, with a smooth custard filling and the tang of fresh lemon, it’s a pie that feels both simple and enduring on the table.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

What Makes a Chess Pie a Chess Pie

Chess pies are quintessentially Southern. There are varying opinions as to the origin of the name, but one of them says that it derived from “chest pie.” Chest, meaning that it could be kept in a pie safe at room temperature without spoiling.

All chess pies share a few basic ingredients to form a custard-like filling. Eggs, butter, and sugar are used in each version, and flavors like lemon, chocolate, and coconut are common because of how they cut the sweetness in this very decadent dessert.

Although all chess pies have a few basic ingredients in common, they often have many differences. Some use cornmeal, and some use flour. I’ve seen recipes that use neither. Some use buttermilk, cream, or no milk at all.

Why Lemon Chess Pie Feels Like Spring in the South

Chess pies are eaten all year long, but a chess pie made in the spring simply must be lemon. Spring brings brighter days and warmer temperatures, and a Southern lemon chess pie is the perfect dessert for this time of year.

Lemon freshens the taste buds and awakens our senses. Lemon zest and juice cut through the richness of the sugar and decadence of the butter, which bring a brightness to the dessert.

Why This Is the Lemon Pie to Start With

I know there are people out there who don’t like lemon; I just haven’t met them yet. Since most people love lemon desserts, a classic Southern lemon chess pie recipe is a good place to start.

Chess pies aren’t complicated. With a careful hand, you’ll be rewarded with a delicious pie.

Ingredients You Likely Have on Hand

Chess pies are made with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Ingredients for lemon chess pie including eggs, butter, and lemons
Simple ingredients come together to create a classic Southern lemon chess pie.
  • Eggs – allow them to come to room temperature first
  • Butter
  • Sugar – regular white sugar is best
  • Fresh lemons are crucial to the quality of this recipe
  • Cornmeal is traditionally used in many chess pies and acts as a thickening agent.
  • Pie Crust – I use premade pie crust to keep this recipe simple, but you can use homemade as well.
Mixing lemon chess pie filling
Whisk the filling until smooth before baking.

Lemon Chess Pie Recipe

This lemon chess pie recipe keeps the ingredients simple while relying on fresh lemon, eggs, butter, and careful cooling for the proper texture.

Lemon chess pie with slice removed
Abby Smolarsky

Lemon Chess Pie

A classic Southern lemon chess pie with a smooth custard filling, balanced with fresh lemon and a slightly set, golden top.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Rest Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp fine cornmeal
  • 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • pinch salt

Equipment

  • 9-inch pie dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Parchment paper
  • Pie weights or dried beans

Method
 

Parbake the crust
  1. Preheat oven to 375 °F
  2. Line the pine crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans
  3. Bake for 10-12 minutes
  4. Remove weights and parchment, then let the crust cool for 10-15 minutes.
Prepare the filling
  1. Reduce oven temperature to 325 °F
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar and melted butter until smooth
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition
  4. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, cornmeal, flour, and salt until fully combined
Rest the filling
  1. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to allow the cornmeal to hydrate
Bake the pie
  1. Pour the filling into the parbaked crust
  2. Place the pie on the lower-middle rack of the oven
  3. Bake for 60-70 minutes, until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle
Cool completely
  1. Remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or overnight
  2. The filling will continue to set as it cools

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon juice; bottled juice will not give the same flavor
  • The pie is done when the center moves slightly but is not liquid
  • Avoid overbaking; the filling will firm as it cools
  • A parbaked crust helps prevent a soft or soggy bottom
  • Fine cornmeal is recommended for the best texture
This lemon chess pie is simple in ingredients but rewards careful baking and proper cooling for the best texture.
Lemon chess pie with slice removed
A properly set chess pie will slice cleanly once cooled.
Close-up of lemon chess pie filling texture
The filling should be smooth, set, and slightly custard-like.

What Matters Most When Baking a Chess Pie

Classic chess pies have simple ingredients and uncomplicated directions; however, there are a few key steps that simply must not be skipped to have a successful pie.

Parbaking pie crust with weights for chess pie
Parbaking the crust helps prevent a soft or soggy bottom.

Par-bake your crust before adding the filling. This helps prevent a soft or soggy bottom and ensures the center sets properly.

Rest the filling for ten minutes prior to baking. My traditional recipe uses cornmeal. Cornmeal is included as a thickening agent. When the filling rests for ten minutes prior to baking, the cornmeal has time to absorb liquid and begin to thicken properly.

Bake your pie in the lower 1/3 of your oven. Baking your pies in the lower portion of your oven will make sure that the crust and filling are properly cooked in the center of the pie.

For the filling to fully set, the pie must cool on the counter for a minimum of four hours but overnight is best. When you remove the pie from the oven, the center will appear slightly set, but still a little jiggly. As the pie cools, it will fully set.

Chess pies can be made with pre-made crust or a crust you make from scratch. I like chess pies because of the simplicity, so I opt to use pre-made refrigerated pie dough that is rolled. If you like to keep ingredients on hand so that you can prepare something in a pinch, pre-made pie dough can be kept in your refrigerator or freezer.

Only use fresh lemons when you’re making a Southern lemon chess pie. The quality of your pie will be noticeably better, and the lemon zest is an important ingredient that shouldn’t be skipped.

How to Serve Lemon Chess Pie

Chess pies are best served at room temperature, like pumpkin pies and pecan pies.

You can garnish a Southern lemon chess pie with a dusting of powdered sugar and top each slice with homemade whipped cream as you serve them.

Slice of lemon chess pie with whipped cream
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream for a simple finish.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Chess Pie

Lemon chess pie cooling on counter
Allow the pie to cool completely so the filling can fully set.

Why is the top of my pie brown?

Classic chess pie recipes have a high ratio of sugar in them. The top of your pie will caramelize and often crackle, similar to what takes place with a crème brûlée.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, and you should. Chess pies must be allowed to cool properly before slicing, or you’ll end up with a runny pie. You can make this pie up to two days ahead of time.

Why is my pie runny?

There are a few reasons why a Southern lemon chess pie could turn out runny. Make sure you rest your filling for ten minutes prior to baking, measurements are followed precisely, and you allow it to cool for the proper amount of time.

Does it need refrigeration?

Old-fashioned chess pies can safely be kept on the counter for up to three days. For the safest food conditions, refrigerate your pie after two days.

Can I freeze it?

You can freeze this lemon chess pie by taking a few steps to prevent it from drying out or getting freezer burned. First wrap your pie completely in plastic wrap and then wrap the pie completely in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to one month.

A Pie That Doesn’t Need Reinventing

I’m not a fan of changing things just for the sake of change itself. I take the expression, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” to heart. I know when I see something that’s been perfected by generations before me, and one such thing is lemon chess pie.

Just like my vintage 1941 cookbook shows, chess pies have been baked by Southerners for many years. There’s no need to reinvent the chess pie, because it’s already been perfected.

I’ve linked useful kitchen items here if you’d like to try this recipe.

If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out these other reader favorites:

A Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe from a Vintage Southern Cookbook

Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas: Easy and Delicious

Zesty Pickled Carrots (Easy Refrigerator Pickle Recipe)

Abby Smolarsky1 Comment
Living room end table styled with a painted tole tray, stacked books, and a large vintage silver trophy bowl

Decorating with Silver: Bringing Vintage Pieces Back Into Everyday Living

A shift toward more casual living gradually reshaped the American home; walls came down, dining rooms disappeared, and somewhere along the way, we stopped decorating with silver.

Silver has been considered elegant and formal. We often think of it as being reserved for special occasions, but in older homes, silver was simply used.

I don’t think silver ever stopped belonging in our homes; we simply forgot how to live with it. It’s time to reconsider how silver lives in our everyday lives.

Decorating with Silver in the Everyday Home

With the shift towards a more casual culture, silver pieces were discarded as people asked themselves, “When would I ever use this?” I think a better question is, “How are you going to use it?” The solution for how to decorate with silver is to find an everyday use.

Living room end table styled with a painted tole tray, stacked books, and a large vintage silver trophy bowl
Layering a silver trophy bowl over books and a painted tray creates depth, blending traditional elements with a relaxed living space.

Silver shouldn’t be kept at a distance up on a shelf or behind china cabinet doors. It should be touched, appreciated, and used as interactive pieces in your daily life.

When we stop looking at silver pieces as objects to be perfectly preserved, and we embrace their natural patina, the possibilities become endless for using silver in home décor.

The Working Kitchen: Where Silver Feels Most Natural

Decorating with silver starts in the kitchen. You’re probably not having guests over for a formal tea service, but you can still use those pieces in new ways to fit your lifestyle.

Decorating with silver in a coffee station using a vintage silver tray, white china cups, and a wooden plate rack display
A silver tray brings structure to an everyday coffee station, layered with white china for a collected, timeless look.

Sugar bowls can be repurposed to hold loose tea or kitchen twine. A petite creamer makes the perfect vase for small flowers picked in the garden.

Silver bowls that were once reserved for main dishes function perfectly for holding fruit, herbs, or other frequently used kitchen items.

Silver should be embraced in everyday spaces. It’s not a thing of the past.

Beyond the Dining Table: Unexpected Ways to Use Silver

The dining room was where we would’ve found the most abundant displays of silver. Today, those same pieces are used in new, creative ways when we incorporate vintage silver décor in our homes.

Decorating with silver using a vintage trophy tray styled with a Christmas cactus in a blue and white ceramic pot
A silver trophy tray grounds a simple plant display, elevating everyday greenery with contrast and character.

Trays that once held entrees become layering pieces on counters or islands. They’re designated places to organize everyday items like your coffee accoutrements or spice jars.

Silver doesn’t need its original purpose to be useful. A footed bowl becomes a beautiful vessel for holding fruit or a seasonal collection, like ornaments.

On the other hand, we can reinvent a silver piece that was never meant for the dining room, such as a trophy, and fill it with beautiful flowers for a centerpiece.

Antique silver teapot repurposed as a pencil holder on a secretary desk with a brass lamp and blue willow details
A small silver teapot takes on new life as a pencil holder, proving that even the most traditional pieces can be used in everyday ways.

Decorating with Silver in Living Spaces

Decorating with silver in living spaces is successful when it is blended with other objects, rather than being used as a featured object.

Vintage silver tray styled with a crystal decanter, cocktail shaker, lowball glasses, and a silver sugar bowl with pheasant feathers
A vintage silver tray anchors a layered bar arrangement, blending glass, metal, and natural elements for a relaxed but intentional display.

A coffee table is undoubtedly beautiful when layered with a silver tray topped with candles, books, and matches. Your side table is perfect for a silver bowl that acts as a catch-all for everyday items.

Silver is easily incorporated into home décor by mixing materials. The formality of the metal is toned down by mixing it with other materials like wood, linen, glass, or even paper objects like books.

Decorating with silver using a small vintage bowl placed on books on a white nightstand in soft evening light
A simple silver bowl layered over books adds a quiet, reflective detail to a softly lit bedside space.

Mixing Old and New: How Vintage Silver Works in Modern Homes

A more modern and relaxed aesthetic is achieved by avoiding the tendency to match each piece with another. Silver pieces can be mismatched or stand on their own.

Vintage silver mint julep cup used as a vase for red roses on an antique desk styled as a nightstand
A vintage mint julep cup becomes an unexpected vase, adding a refined touch to a personal, collected bedside vignette.

Vintage silver décor is modernized by intentionally pairing it with modern pieces. Silver candle holders with black taper candles or a silver tray topped with a modern piece of art are examples of how to blend different styles when decorating with silver.  

Find Pieces to Use, Not Just Display

You will find silver pieces in antique stores, thrift stores, and estate sales. Silver pieces, which were unremarkably lurking in the background, will now jump out at you, ready to be found.

Check your silver pieces for damage before purchasing them. If silver plated pieces are polished too harshly, there will be places where the silver has been removed. Check for wobbly candleholders or broken feet. Damages like that are difficult to repair.

Vintage silver pedestal bowl displayed for sale in an antique store, suitable for decorating with silver in the home
A silver pedestal bowl spotted in an antique store; pieces like this are often waiting to be brought back into everyday use.

Once you find pieces to love, let your imagination flow on how to use them in your home.

A collected home comes together when we buy with intention. Choose pieces you’ll use in your home and avoid buying for the sake of buying.

A More Collected Way of Decorating with Silver

At some point, we forgot that beautiful objects weren’t just for guests; they are for us to enjoy in our homes as well. Vintage silver is meant for everyday use.

So, here’s your permission slip: Start with one silver piece that you love and incorporate it into your daily life. You deserve to have a bit of elegance in your own home.

There’s more to explore, try these articles next:

Patterns & Patina: How to Layer Like a Southerner

How to Style Vintage Blue and White China for Summer Entertaining

Abby Smolarsky1 Comment
Chalreston antique shops in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina.

Charleston Antique Shops: A Guide to Antiquing in Charleston

I just returned from an antiques road trip to Charleston, South Carolina, and I’m sharing a curated selection of the best Charleston antique shops and vintage stores.

If you’re planning a trip to do some antique shopping, make Charleston your next destination. Charleston has been a major port city since its founding, which means the city is rich in antiques that have both European and Southern influences.

Why Charleston, SC is One of the Best Cities for Antiquing

The people of Charleston love their city. This is evident by the preservation of the buildings, history, and culture throughout the town. While many cities bulldozed historic architecture to make-way for modern ones, Charleston’s historic buildings are living and breathing examples of how history can be preserved and lived in today.

The preservation culture in Charleston didn’t just apply to buildings. Beautiful furniture and art with patina and history fill antique shops there. Pieces can be found for every shopper, whether on a high-end budget or a more modest one. Explore different neighborhoods and shops to find your favorite place to treasure hunt.

Five of the Best Antique Shops in Charleston, SC

George C. Birlant Antiques & Gifts

Exterior of George C. Birlant antique store on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina
George C. Birlant Antiques & Gifts is a well-established antique store on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina.

Located in the bustling King Street shopping district, this longstanding shop is known for museum-quality English and American antiques. Inside, you’ll find the fine traditional furniture, art, and accessories. Scattered throughout, there are affordably priced trinkets and glassware. This shop epitomizes Charleston’s historic character.

Interior photo of George Birlant antique store in Charleston, South Carolina. Fine traditional furniture and porcelain accessories.
George C. Birlant Antiques & Gifts features some of the finest antiques available in Charleston, South Carolina.

Whether you’re buying or just window shopping, you don’t want to miss this stop. It’s the kind of place to study quality construction, materials, and proportions of antique investment pieces.

Wynsum Antiques & Interiors

Exterior of Wynsom Antiques, a Charleston, SC antique shop
Wynsom Antiques on King Street in Charleston has parking available.

Just beyond the main King Street stretch, you’ll find Wynsum Antiques & Interiors. This shop blends top quality pieces with more approachable ones for everyday living.

Interior photo of Wynsom antiques store in Charleston, South Carolina. Furniture, quilts, art, and accessories are available for purchase.
Wynsom Antiques is one of the best antique stores in Charleston for fine furnishings, art, and other decorative pieces.

Consider stopping into Wynsum Antiques & Interiors for accessories and artwork. We were especially impressed with the selection and quality of oil paintings available here.

Detail photos of an art gallery wall at Wynsom Antiques store in Charleston, South Carolina on King Street
Traditional, framed art at Wynsom Antiques on King Street in Charleston.

Antiques of South Windermere

A short drive from the walkable downtown district, you’ll find Antiques of South Windermere in the Windermere district of Charleston. This shop may seem small and unassuming from the sidewalk, but inside you will find it well stocked with a mix of vintage and antique finds.

Interior look at Antiques of South Windermere Charleston antique store, showing various art, furniture, and accessories.
Antiques of South Windermere has a well curated mix of traditional and unique antique pieces.

If you’re looking for unique and one-of-a-kind pieces, this is worth the short drive. While you’ll still find the usual antique store merchandise here, we were amazed at the cool finds that were available here.

Close-up of antique accessories found in the South Windermere Charleston antique shop. A jug, figurine, brass tray, and candleholder.
Unique art and accessories can be found in the best antique stores in Charleston.

Mount Pleasant Mall Antiques

Exterior photo of Mount Pleasant Mall antiques, a Charleston antique store on the antiquing guide.
Just outside of Charleston, SC, Mount Pleasant Mall antique store has a wide selection and approachable pricing.

A short drive outside of Charleston, you’ll find Mount Pleasant Mall Antiques in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. This is a very large antique store with many different dealers. You’ll find a wide variety of styles and price points here.

A silver pedestal bowl in front of a silver tea service set, found at Mount Pleasant Mall antiques while antiquing in Charleston.
Timeless silver pieces are worth looking for while antiquing in Charleston, South Carolina.

This was one of our favorite stops on our trip. While we don’t usually prefer antique stores that carry new merchandise, we found there was a nice balance between antiques and high-quality gifts available.

East Cooper Home Store

Exterior of East Cooper Home Store in Mount Pleasant, a stop on our Charleston Antiquing Guide.
Outside of Charleston in Mount Pleasant, East Cooper Home Store is a stop on the Charleston Antiquing Guide.

While you’re in Mount Pleasant, you’ll want to stop at East Cooper Home Store. This nonprofit thrift store made our list because you’ll likely find one of the most affordable selections of vintage finds here.

Proceeds from sales at the East Cooper Home Store Benefit Habitat for Humanity. You’ll find everything from vintage and antique dishes to furniture, art, and plumbing fixtures. This is a stop where someone else’s donation could be your treasure to take home.

What to Look for When Antiquing in Charleston

Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to finding the perfect pieces for your home.

Detail of handmade dovetail joint construction on a classic antique side table found in a Charleston antique shop.
Quality, handmade furniture will usually be evident by dovetail joinery.
  • Open drawers to inspect the joints. Well-made pieces will have visible dovetail joints. Glued joints are a telltale sign of modern construction.
  • Look for furniture with classic shapes and finishes.
  • When traveling, focus on pieces that can be easily packed, such as brass, silver, oil paintings, and small decorative accessories.
  • Pause before purchasing, especially in downtown shops. You’ll find higher prices in the historic downtown district. Research to compare prices.
  • Check for damage and poor repairs before falling in love with a purchase.
  • Save the haggling for garage sales and swap meets. This isn’t the time for negotiating.
Detail closeup of a group of antique decorative accessories made of brass.
Antique accessories made of brass are easily packed into a suitcase for safe travels home.

A Simple One-Day Antiquing Route in Charleston

With a well-planned route and list of what you’re looking for, you can easily visit multiple stores in one day. Try this route when visiting Charleston antique shops.

A view through a historic gate in downtown Charleston while shopping for antiques
History, architecture, and preservation make Charleston the best place to go antiquing in the South.

Morning

Begin in historic Charleston along King Street and surrounding areas. This is the best place to see a concentration of traditional antiques and well-established shops.

Midday

Stop for a quick lunch, then head to West Ashley and the Windermere area for a second round of shopping. This area offers a strong mix of furniture, larger pieces, and more approachable pricing.

Afternoon

If you still have time for more shopping, explore the areas just outside of Charleston, like Mount Pleasant. This is where you’ll find lower prices and affordable pieces for everyday living.

Pro Tip: It’s standard for antique stores to be closed Sundays and Mondays, as well as to close each day around 5 pm. Be sure to check store hours before heading out.

If you’re planning a trip, I’ve put together a printable Charleston Antiquing Guide with my full list of antique stores, organized by area, along with a simple route you can follow. You can download it here.

Get the printable guide here

In Closing

Collecting antiques over time fills a home with stories of adventure and exciting finds. When you take your trip to explore Charleston antique shops, avoid buying just for the sake of making a purchase.

In the spirit of Charleston history and tradition of preservation, one antique piece with a story to tell is worth more than a trunk full of hurried purchases.

Happy antiquing!

Check out these other articles that you may be interested in:

How to Create a One-of-a-Kind Father’s Day Gift from the Antique Store

Abby SmolarskyLeave a comment
cherry blossom tree in bloom against blue sky for spring floral arrangements inspiration

Spring Branches in Bloom: Easy Spring Floral Arrangements from the Garden

Bringing Spring Indoors with Simple Branch Arrangements

When spring arrives, you’re likely to find something unusual in my car. Open the glove box, and you’ll find a pair of bypass pruners tucked between a stack of old church bulletins and a handful of well-used lip glosses.

Don’t mistake these garden tools for personal protection, but as a sign of the season. Across the South, branches are just beginning to bud, and it becomes second nature to keep pruners close at hand.

In this region, flowering trees and woody perennials offer some of the most beautiful materials for spring floral arrangements. When branches are cut just before they bloom and brought indoors, they make a big impact that can rarely be replicated with store-bought flowers.

A row of bright yellow forsythias in the yard may draw attention outdoors, but a few thoughtfully clipped branches can create an even more remarkable display inside your home.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you choose to shop through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Why Branches Make the Most Beautiful Spring Floral Arrangements

We love a decorative moment created by a dainty vase filled with early spring daffodils, but have you met her flamboyant older sister, the blooming branches? Budding branches cut from the yard to bloom inside make a dramatic statement to take center stage in your spring décor.

Blooming branches are perfect for spring floral arrangements for a variety of reasons. These stems can be displayed on their own as a complete flower arrangement, or used to create structure when paired with additional flowers and greenery.

When cut and cared for properly, branch arrangements can last for weeks in your home. These blooms are longer lasting than many of the cut flowers found in other spring flower arrangements.

We think the top reason to love blooming branches in an arrangement is that they’re cost effective. You can often cut them from your own yard or a friend’s for free.

With just a few branches, you can create an arrangement that feels both effortless and intentional.

The Best Flowering Branches for Spring Arrangements

If you’re deciding which plants will provide you with beautiful flowers, keep an eye out for these showy bloomers in your yard or local nursery.

close up of cherry blossom branches in a spring floral arrangement indoors
A close look at delicate cherry blossoms, one of the easiest branches to bring indoors for spring arrangements.

Eastern Redbud Tree

The Eastern Redbud tree can be found in many areas of the United States. It’s extremely successful in the southeastern region, and it’s one of the first signs of spring in the South.

The Eastern Redbud has showy flowers in various shades of magenta pink. It’s a striking choice when you want an arrangement that feels both seasonal and distinctive.

Forsythia

Forsythia is a woody shrub often seen used in borders, roadways, and city parks. The bright yellow flowers are unmistakable.

Forsythia is one of the earliest bloomers, sometimes called “Easter tree.” If you want to force Forsythia buds to bloom indoors, you’ll need to start looking for buds very early in the season.

Japanese Cherry Tree

Cherry blossoms are synonymous with spring throughout the world. The blooms can vary from pale to saturated pink.

Japanese cherry trees bloom sometime between March and April. In our experience, these are especially long lasting when forced indoors.

Dogwood Tree

These native trees are often found at the edges of wooded areas. You may not even know you have one in your yard until it blooms in spring.

Dogwood blooms can be seen in varying shades from creamy white to bright pink. The stems tend to be more delicate than others on this list, giving arrangements a softer, more relaxed shape.

Magnolia

Magnolia is often associated with summer blooms in the South. However, there are many spring blooming cultivars.

Look for varieties such as ‘Jane,’ ‘Ann,’ and ‘Butterflies’ if you’re selecting a spring-blooming tree for your garden.

A Note from the Garden

Another favorite bloomer that works well to force indoors is Spirea. These delicate and airy blooms are a wonderful addition to your spring floral arrangements.

One to avoid: We advise against using Bradford Pear. While beautiful, the blooms create an offensive fish-like odor. This invasive tree is structurally weak and not one to include in your garden.

How to Force Flowering Branches in Early Spring Arrangements

Once you’ve identified a spring blooming tree or shrub in your yard, there are just a few simple steps before you can enjoy them indoors.

spring branch arrangement in glass vase by window with natural light
A simple vase of flowering branches brings natural light and softness into the room.

Choose branches before they bloom.

Depending on when your buds bloom naturally outdoors, start looking at your branches in late winter to early spring. Once you see buds are fully formed, it’s time to cut your branches.

Cut with intention.

There are a few things to consider when deciding which branches to cut. Look for small, healthy branches with an abundance of buds on them. Avoid cutting branches larger than appropriate for your vessel. Take cuttings from several areas of the plant so that you don’t cause damage or create a noticeable hole.

Using sharp pruners, create a clean, angled cut on your stem. Doing so will prevent damage to the host plant and give your buds a healthy start in the vase.

Bring them into warm water.

To encourage your buds to bloom, place them into slightly warm or room temperature water. Avoid giving them water that is too hot or cold. Give your branches fresh water every few days.

Encourage the branches to open.

A variety of methods can be used to encourage your branches to open. One method is to use your pruners to create a vertical split at the end of each stem. Another method is to use a floral hammer to lightly crush the end of each stem.

This step is optional, but it can help encourage the buds to open more quickly.

Give them time in the right place.

After you’ve cut your stems and placed them in water, find a nice spot away from direct light and heat. It may take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, but with proper care and conditions, your buds will bloom indoors.

Once the branches begin to open, the arrangement itself becomes simple.

How to Create Easy Spring Flower Arrangements with Branches

Now that you’ve collected your spring blooming branches, there are a few simple steps to follow for a beautiful floral arrangement.

how to arrange spring branches indoors in a vase by a window with natural light
How to arrange spring branches indoors for a simple, natural arrangement using just a few cut branches and a vase.

What You’ll Need

Step-by-Step Arrangement

Choose a vessel that supports the branches.

Your branches will be taller and heavier than flowers typically used in spring flower arrangements. Be sure to select a vase that will be able to support their height and weight without tipping over.

Trim branches to scale.

Compare the size of your vase to the length of your branches. You’ll want to make sure that buds are above and branching from the top of the vase.

Make a clean cut to shorten your branches to the ideal size for your particular vessel.

Clear the lower stems.

Using sharp pruners, trim away any lower stems, leaves, and buds that will be below the water line. Remove any bulky lower stems that will crowd the vase.

Start with your strongest branches.

Beginning with your biggest branches first, begin to place your strongest stems into the vase. Use several of these to create a structure that will support the smaller stems.

Layer naturally and step back.

After creating structure with your larger branches, begin filling in the arrangement with smaller stems.

Be sure to occasionally turn your vase to add stems at all angles. Step back regularly to look for any areas that need additional branches.

Styling Notes for a Natural Look

Due to the nature of spring blooming branches, your floral arrangement will likely have an organic, asymmetrical form. Look at your arrangement from a distance and determine if the shape is nicely arranged while keeping with the characteristics of the stems.

These types of spring floral arrangements should feel gathered, not arranged. Let the branches be the statement in your design.

styling spring branch arrangement at home with flowering branches in a white vase
Styling a simple spring branch arrangement at home using flowering branches and garden greenery.

Where to Style Spring Floral Arrangements in Your Home

Once your arrangement is complete, placement becomes just as important as the arrangement itself.

I enjoy placing a vase of cherry blossom branches on my kitchen counter. Since I’m in this room several times a day, I’m able to see the natural progression of the buds turning into beautiful flowers.

This year I created a spring flower arrangement for my Easter table. I purchased this extra-large vase recently, and it was the perfect vessel for an arrangement I created with some eastern redbud branches from my backyard.

We also enjoy bringing in some Japanese cherry buds to bloom on our fireplace mantel each year at the start of spring. They would even look beautiful on an entry table to impress your guests as they come in the door.

spring centerpiece with flowering branches and white hydrangeas on dining table
A layered spring centerpiece using flowering branches and seasonal blooms for a full table arrangement.

A Simple Way to Welcome Spring into Your Home

If you can look out your window and see branches beginning to bloom, you already have everything you need.

With a simple pair of pruners and a bit of patience, you can bring that same beauty indoors and enjoy it for weeks to come.

Flower arrangements don’t have to be expensive or difficult to be beautiful. A few carefully chosen branches can transform a room, bringing in a sense of the season that feels both natural and lasting.

If you enjoyed this article on how to create an early spring floral arrangement from your garden, you’re invited to stay awhile and read some of the other spring articles from Belle Antiquarian. Here are a few others we suggest:

A Beautiful Easter Table: How to Set a Class Spring Easter Table

The Southern Easter Menu: Classic Southern Easter Recipes for a Traditional Holiday Meal

How to Create a Thanksgiving Floral Arrangement

Fall Garden Prep: Essential Tasks for a Beautiful Start to Spring

Abby Smolarsky2 Comments
Classic spring easter table setting with layered vintage and new tableware, pink linens, crystal glassware, and floral centerpiece

A Beautiful Easter Table: How to Set a Classic Spring Easter Table

An Easter Table Set with Intention

In the South, there isn’t a great thaw of ice and snow at the end of winter. Our spring thaw is more of a metaphysical one. We are starved for the changing angles of the sun after months of darkness searching for signs of spring: velvety buds, chartreuse sprouts, and fervent birdsong. Winter may keep us indoors, cocooned in thick blankets, but when spring arrives, we are liberated from the imprisonment of cold and darkness.

As a culture, Southerners aren’t solitary people. Warmer temperatures and longer days in spring give us opportunities to show hospitality and connect with others. Naturally, when Easter arrives, it’s an occasion to reunite with our friends and family around the Easter table to share a meal.

Easter is the perfect time to set the table with a mixture of new and collected pieces. Your Easter table setting can be planned beautifully by layering thrifted, collected, and new elements. Here’s how to build a layered, classic Easter table using a mix of things you already own, and perhaps a few new additions.

Easter table setting with vintage rabbit dinnerware, pink napkins, gold flatware, and spring floral centerpiece
A classic Easter table layered with vintage rabbit dinnerware, soft spring linens, and a gathered floral centerpiece.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Start with a Foundation You Love

Spring gives us our greatest inspiration with soft pastel colors, new life, and warmer temperatures. The first step in creating a beautiful design is to consider your foundation, the tablecloth. The tablecloth sets the color palette and anchors the rest of the table.

When choosing a tablecloth for Easter, consider one that is neutral or one that brings in soft, seasonal colors. Choose a tablecloth that can be used for multiple occasions, not just one day.

The Easter table setting in this article uses a classic William Morris design, Sweet Briar. This pattern brings in soft pinks and greens on a cream background with occasional brown accents. These colors, reminiscent of spring, will be incorporated throughout the rest of the table setting.

Layering Pieces for a Collected, Timeless Look

After selecting a tablecloth, consider ways to create a layered look on the Easter table. Layering pieces over the tablecloth creates visual interest and depth to the design.

Layered easter table place setting with woven placemat, charger, rabbit dinner plate, pink napkin, and gold flatware
Layering a placemat, charger, and patterned plate creates depth and gives an Easter table setting a collected feel.

Layers can be achieved in many ways. Take inspiration from the colors and textures in the tablecloth and begin to build each place setting with intention.

I’ve selected a woven placemat, which adds texture and pulls in color found in the tablecloth. On top of each placemat, I layered an off-white charger. The off-white color creates a soft contrast to highlight the next layer. Finally, on top of the charger sits the focal point plate. These Spode Woodland Rabbit dinner plates are a classic design. The colors from the plate pick up colors from the previous layers, especially our tablecloth. Creamy white, pink, soft green, and chocolate brown; the color palette is cohesive from our base to the top plate.

Consider using elements for each layer of the place setting that have varying textures and tones. Doing so will create a visually interesting space at the table that makes each guest feel special sitting in front of it.

How to Mix Vintage and New Without It Feeling Disjointed

Often a collected table setting feels much more interesting than one where everything has been purchased all at once. Using pieces collected over time feels polished and approachable.

When shopping, keep in mind colors and materials that work well throughout the year. For this Easter table setting, gold flatware was purchased in an online auction years ago. The gold brings in a warm tone on the table that reflects the temperatures of spring, but it can also be used at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The off-white chargers were recently found at a thrift store for one dollar each. These were fabulous finds because they can be used in endless scenarios throughout the year.

The woven placemats were purchased many years ago on clearance, and it’s wonderful that they pick up the same color found in the tablecloth, which was purchased new this year.

The soft pink napkins were new this year and selected specifically to bring the pink from the flowers on the tablecloth to another layer of the place setting.

Each of these pieces, new, found and old, tie to each other to create a cohesive design.

Choosing Glassware That Feels Special But Practical

Don’t be afraid to integrate everyday pieces into your Easter table setting. Pink drinking glasses repeat the pink found in the tablecloth and dinner napkins. If your everyday pieces complement your tablescape, by all means, use them.

Glassware is another opportunity to layer pieces that you have found, collected, or purchased new. Clear Godinger crystal wine glasses pair with pink drinking glasses to create a subtle seasonal layer.

Easter table setting with crystal wine glasses, pink water glasses, and a lit taper candle centerpiece
Mixing crystal and colored glassware adds warmth and interest to a classic Easter table.

When mixing glass styles on the table, be sure the styles work well with each other and the other elements being used so that the tone is cohesive. Often glassware styles can be bridged with other pieces. Clear glass candlesticks with pink taper candles unite the pink and clear drinkware on the table.

Adding Simple Easter Touches Without Overdoing It

Nearly everything in this tablescape design is versatile. The tablecloth, napkins, and items in the plate stack could be used anytime in spring or even for Mother’s Day. Adding a few restrained touches to the table can show that it’s Easter without overwhelming the design.

Easter table setting detail with rabbit place card, gold flatware, pink napkin, and vintage-style dinner plate
Simple seasonal details, like a rabbit place setting, add charm without overwhelming the table.

In this case, simple die-cut paper rabbit decorations are placed under each knife and spoon. These simple touches can be discarded after the meal. Understated elements effortlessly communicate the occasion without cluttering the design.

Let the Flowers Be Effortless

Flowers for the Easter table don’t need to be elaborate. Often, something from the yard in a simple vase is enough. For this table, branches from an Eastern Red Bud tree were cut to bloom indoors. The pink flowers reflect the shades of pink used throughout the tablescape.

Spring easter table centerpiece with white hydrangeas, flowering branches, and pink taper candle
A simple spring centerpiece with seasonal branches and soft blooms brings height and movement to the table.

I share more about spring arrangements and using branches in this article.

A Simple Formula for Your Own Easter Table

If you’re not sure where to begin, or you’re overwhelmed with planning a special Easter table setting, here are a few simple steps that you can use to recreate this look in your own home.

  1. Start with a soft base – Select a tablecloth or runner that gives you a strong foundation and inspiration to layer other elements on top.
  2. Layer texture – At each place setting, use pieces like placemats, chargers, and different sizes of plates to create a beautiful scene in front of every guest.
  3. Mix one vintage element – A collected piece that tells a story brings character and depth to your Easter table. Try using a vintage deviled egg plate, candlesticks, or silver tray to bring some character to the table.
  4. Repeat a color – This Easter table setting uses pink, green, cream, and brown in various ways. Let the colors in your tablecloth or feature plate guide the color palette that repeats on your table.
  5. Add one seasonal detail – Keep your Easter table setting enjoyable and classic. Too much holiday décor can visually clutter the table. Choose one seasonal detail to take the focus.
  6. Finish with simple flowers – Flowers are synonymous with spring. Whether you purchase a simple bouquet from the grocery store, or you cut a bunch of daffodils from the yard, simple flowers are the perfect touch for your Easter table.

A Table Meant to Be Lived In

While it is satisfying to see a well-laid Easter table, the goal is to gather with friends and family around the table for a meal. The Easter table is more than a lovely work of art to fill a dining room. It’s meant to be used and lived in. Each person seated at the table should be considered more precious than the items used to decorate it.

When you’re planning your Easter table setting, consider how each guest will feel seated at your table. It’s important to make sure everyone feels comfortable and relaxed enough to want to come back.

If you’re looking for help with your Easter menu while you’re planning your tablescape, check out this article on the Southern Easter menu.

In Closing

The thing about a collected design style is that it takes time. Your table doesn’t need to be perfect to invite others in. While a beautifully set table is a nice thing to have, those gathered around it will remember the food, laughter, and love most of all.

Don’t wait until you have the perfect pieces to create a place for laughter to linger.

Happy Easter!

Abby Smolarsky1 Comment
Southern Easter dinner ideas featuring traditional holiday dishes like ham, deviled eggs, potato salad, ambrosia, and pineapple cake.

The Southern Easter Menu: Classic Southern Easter Recipes for a Traditional Holiday Meal

A Classic Southern Easter Menu

Easter is one of the most celebrated days of the year in the South. For weeks beforehand, mothers will have been busy curating their family’s church attire: Little boys in seersucker john-johns, girls in white patent leather Mary Janes and lace gloves, fathers in their madras bowties, and mothers in their newest dresses. The whole family will be looking their best at church on Easter Sunday.

While church is the main event at Easter, lunch afterwards is a very close second. Dining room tables across the South will be set with nearly identical dishes that make up a traditional Southern Easter menu. Easter is another reminder of how Southern culture gathers around the table. From the big city to the town with no stoplight, you can believe that these dishes will appear year after year.

A glazed ham anchors the table, while dishes like deviled eggs, potato salad, and ambrosia appear almost by tradition every year. Are there variations? Of course there are. In my own home, we prefer homemade chicken salad on croissant rolls instead of ham. A lighter meal can still feel festive and familiar.

These tried-and-true dishes delight everyone at the table, from the youngest family members to the young-at-heart. While every family may have small variations, most Southern Easter menus share a familiar collection of dishes.

Southern Easter menu with traditional holiday dishes including ham, deviled eggs, potato salad, ambrosia, pineapple cake, and sweet tea.
A Southern Easter menu filled with traditional dishes often served across the South.

The Centerpiece: A Glazed Easter Ham

Brown sugar glazed ham served for Easter dinner
A glazed ham is the traditional centerpiece of many Southern Easter tables.

Ham is traditionally the main dish served on Easter. At first glance, it may seem like a big undertaking to prepare one. However, many families will bake the ham ahead of time. Baking the ham the day before makes meal preparation easier when families return home from church.

Try this Southern Easter recipe for ham: Southern Living Brown Sugar Bourbon Glazed Ham

Southern Potato Salad

Classic Southern potato salad with mustard and eggs
Southern potato salad is a must-have side dish for Easter and spring gatherings.

Southern potato salad isn’t reserved for Easter alone. You can find it on the table at nearly every Southern gathering. Potato salad perfectly complements ham, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Southern potato salad is different from other potato salads with the addition of a few ingredients:

  • Mustard – Yellow prepared mustard is included in the salad dressing.
  • Eggs – Chopped hard-boiled eggs are added.
  • Relish – Either sweet or dill pickle relish is included, according to preference.
  • Mayonnaise – Southern potato salad has a mayonnaise-based dressing, instead of a vinegar and oil base found in other parts of the country.

Pro Tip: The flavor of potato salad improves when it’s chilled overnight. Try making it the day before!

Looking for a potato salad recipe for your Southern Easter menu? Try this one by Grits & Pinecones.

Deviled Eggs

deviled eggs garnished with paprika
Deviled eggs are a classic appetizer on Southern Easter tables.

While ham may be the star of the Easter table, the deviled eggs will be the first thing completely eaten. Deviled eggs are an extremely popular appetizer and side dish in the South. So much so, that a crystal deviled egg plate is usually placed on a bride’s wedding registry.

Easter is the perfect time of year to make these due to the tradition of dyeing Easter eggs. Making deviled eggs is the perfect way to use up leftover eggs.

Deviled eggs don’t have to be boring. There are many ways to get creative with this Southern Easter recipe. Try some of these fun add-ins:

  • Chopped bacon
  • Caviar
  • Chives
  • Pickled onions
  • Smoked paprika, instead of regular

Check out this deviled egg recipe that I shared in a previous article, which shows how you can change the deviled egg color by using a little beet juice before you cut them.

Ambrosia

Traditional Southern ambrosia fruit salad with coconut
Ambrosia is a nostalgic Southern dish often served during holidays and family gatherings.

The word ambrosia means food of the gods. And my goodness, it sure tastes heavenly. Of all of the foods on our Southern Easter menu, ambrosia may be the most controversial. (Is it a salad or a dessert? What is the best recipe?)

Ambrosia is a nostalgic Southern fruit salad. It typically includes canned mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, coconut, and marshmallows. From there, we begin to see that there are many versions, each family passing down their favorite. As I tell my family, “There are many versions of ambrosia out there, but mine is the right one.”

Here’s the recipe I use in my Southern Easter menu.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple upside-down cake is a classic Southern dessert. The brown sugar and pineapple found in this cake complement the brown sugar and pineapple used in other dishes on our Southern Easter menu.

Like many of the other dishes on our menu, pineapple upside-down cake is a bit nostalgic, maybe even a little retro. It’s always fun to flip the pan and reveal the cake right-side-up.

Pro Tip: Traditionally pineapple upside-down cake is prepared in a cast iron skillet in the oven. However, it’s easily adapted to cook in many forms, like a 9 x 13” rectangular pan, round pans, or even cupcakes.

Want to add this Southern Easter recipe to your menu? Here’s a great version from Southern Living.

Sweet Tea and Lemonade

Southern sweet tea and lemonade served in glasses
Sweet tea and lemonade are refreshing beverages perfect for Easter gatherings.

In the South it’s standard to have at least two beverages available for the dining table at Easter: sweet tea and lemonade. It’s not unusual for family members of all ages to have sweet tea with their meal, but for those avoiding caffeine, lemonade is a great option.

Here are some easy recipes for each:

Pro tip: If you aren’t familiar with Southern sweet tea, there’s one important step that sometimes gets missed. It’s crucial to add the sugar while the tea is still hot. Adding sugar to cold tea creates a different drink entirely, and not necessarily one that Southerners want.

Preparing a Southern Easter Menu Ahead of Time

Something that everything on our Easter menu has in common is that it can be prepared ahead of time. Chances are that families will be returning home to eat after a hectic morning getting ready for church. Family members could even be meeting them there to share the meal. Preparing your recipes ahead of time will make for a more relaxing Easter afternoon.

If you’re planning your table setting too, you can find more ideas in my Easter table article.

In Closing

This Easter, I hope you take the time to start or continue a tradition with your family or friends. Perhaps you share a potluck meal where each person brings a dish, or maybe your family has favorite foods that appear on the table year after year. Whether you follow a traditional Southern Easter menu or serve something entirely your own, I hope your table is filled with good food, love, and laughter.

Happy Easter

Abby Smolarsky1 Comment
jars of zesty pickled carrots with jalapeño slices on a kitchen counter

Zesty Pickled Carrots (Easy Refrigerator Pickle Recipe)

Last summer I shared my favorite refrigerator pickle recipe with you. The truth of the matter is that my family loves all kinds of pickles. By popular request, today I’m sharing my zesty pickled carrot recipe with you for the first time.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Why we love Zesty Pickled Carrots

It may surprise you to know that when I met Mr. Belle Antiquarian, he was an extremely picky eater. I, on the other hand, will eat almost anything. Being the youngest of four, I knew that I couldn’t afford to be picky or the other kids would eat my share, too. And so our marriage began; him eating almost nothing, and me enjoying it all.

Over the course of our marriage, my husband has come a long way in his willingness to try, and even enjoy, different kinds of foods. So when he enjoyed my zesty pickled carrot recipe, it quickly became a regular in our food rotation.

These zesty refrigerator pickled carrots are crisp, bright, and lightly spicy with garlic, black peppercorns, and fresh jalapeno. They are easy to make in under 15 minutes and develop even more flavor after a day in the refrigerator.

In Southern kitchens, quick refrigerator pickles have long been a simple way to add brightness to a meal; crisp vegetables, a tangy brine, and a little patience in the refrigerator are all it takes.

peeled whole carrots and carrot peels on a cutting board preparing to make pickled carrots
Fresh carrots are peeled and cut into sticks before being packed into jars.

Key Ingredients

These pickled carrots are made with similar ingredients as my cucumber refrigerator pickles, with a few changes. Once you make them, you’ll want to keep a few ingredients on hand so that you make them easily any time you get a hankering for a batch:

carrot sticks, sliced jalapeños, garlic, and peppercorns for zesty pickled carrots
Carrots, jalapeño, garlic, and whole peppercorns give these pickles their bright flavor.
  • Whole, Unpeeled Carrots: Don’t try to take a shortcut by using peeled baby carrots. Those are treated with a solution to prevent them from going bad, and it also prevents them from absorbing the pickling brine. I buy whole carrots in a bag from Aldi or Costco, and it only takes a few seconds to get them peeled and cut into sticks.
  • Jalapeno: This may be the one ingredient that keeps people from even trying this recipe. I don’t know the science behind why, maybe it’s the sugar, but we’ve never had a batch of these carrots come out spicy – just zesty with depth of flavor from the jalapeno. Use half or remove the seeds if you’re worried about the heat.
  • Fresh Garlic: not jarred garlic; fresh.
  • Whole Peppercorns: Ground pepper isn’t going to work for this. You need whole peppercorns.
  • Salt: Whatever kind you like. I happened to use pink Himalayan salt in mine.
  • Sugar
  • Vinegar
  • Water
pouring hot pickling brine into jars of carrots and jalapeños
A simple hot vinegar brine transforms fresh carrots into crisp refrigerator pickles.

Tips and Variations

Once you get the hang of this brine for the zesty pickled carrots, you may want to start experimenting with pickling other things. We frequently use this brine to pickle fresh asparagus. In the spring when you can find thicker stalks of asparagus, it’s the perfect time to make some zesty pickles. Red onions are another favorite pickled veggie at our house.

This recipe will make one quart-sized jar of zesty refrigerator pickles. Since these aren’t shelf stable, and they’ll only be kept in the fridge, you can use an old (cleaned) spaghetti sauce jar to make your pickles if you don’t have a canning jar.

Not sure if you have the supplies you need to make zesty pickled carrots? I’ve linked the very basic essentials to help you get started on my LTK, click HERE.

jars of homemade refrigerator pickled carrots with fresh jalapeño slices
After a day in the refrigerator, the carrots become tangy, crisp, and full of flavor.

How to Store Zesty Pickled Carrots

These pickles must be kept in the refrigerator, and they’ll last for up to one month. For the best flavor, allow them to chill for at least 24 hours before eating them. If you can wait 2-3 days, they’ll taste even better.

What to serve them with

Most of the time these zesty pickled carrots get eaten straight from the jar when we’re feeling a little peckish. They’re so good that they only last a couple of days before they’re gone. However, these would go well as a side dish for a casual sandwich lunch or light dinner. I would also happily serve them as a cocktail hour appetizer.

How to Make Zesty Pickled Carrots

Making zesty pickled carrots is surprisingly simple. Fresh carrots are packed into a jar with garlic, peppercorns, and sliced jalapeno, then covered with a hot vinegar brine. After a day in the refrigerator, the carrots become crisp, tangy, and full of flavor.

jars of zesty pickled carrots with jalapeño slices on a kitchen counter
Abby Smolarsky

Zesty Pickled Carrots

These zesty refrigerator pickled carrots are crisp, bright, and lightly spicy with garlic, black peppercorns, and fresh jalapeño. They are easy to make in under 15 minutes and develop even more flavor after a day in the refrigerator.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 45
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
  • 1 small jalapeno, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup sugar, adjust to taste
  • 1 Tbsp sea salt, kosher salt, or pickling salt
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ tsp whole black peppercorns

Equipment

  • 1 Quart sized glass jar with lid
  • Saucepan
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Pack the carrots tightly into a clean, sealable glass jar, leaving about ½ inch headspace at the top. Trim carrot sticks as needed to fit your jar.
  2. Add the minced garlic, black peppercorns, and jalapeno slices to the jar, distributing them evenly around the carrots.
  3. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 2 minutes, stirring until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
  5. Carefully pour the hot brine over the carrots until they are fulling submerged. Leave about ¼ inch headspace at the top of the jar.
  6. Allow the jar to cool completely at room temperature, then seal with a lid and place in the refrigerator.
  7. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours before eating. Flavor improves after 2 to 3 days.

Notes

  • These carrots are refrigerator pickles and are not shelf stable. Store in the refrigerator and keep the carrots submerged in the brine. They will keep for up to one month.
  • Adjust spice level by adding more or fewer jalapeno slices or removing the seeds for milder heat.
  • You can use this brine recipe for all sorts of pickled vegetables. I also like to use it with pickled asparagus and red onions.
  • Failure to let the jars cool completely before refrigerating them can result in the glass cracking due to rapid temperature changes. You don’t want to clean up a brine-y mess in the refrigerator – let them cool!
Zesty pickled carrots in mason jars with jalapeño slices, an easy refrigerator pickled carrot recipe
Crisp, garlicky zesty pickled carrots made with fresh carrots, jalapeño, and a simple vinegar brine. This easy refrigerator pickle recipe comes together in minutes and develops even more flavor overnight. A bright, tangy addition to sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or a Southern lunch plate.

Abby SmolarskyLeave a comment
Simple Valentine’s Day decor in a kitchen using red transferware, fresh flowers, and small seasonal accents.

Simple Valentine’s Day Decor: 4 Ways to Decorate Without Clutter

Just as the Christmas décor is boxed up and put away until next year, I start to see photos and videos reminding me that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I’ve been enjoying the clean counters and empty corners after months of seeing all my beloved Christmas treasures in every room. If you’re like me, and you’re ready for a break from visual overload, you will find these tips for simple Valentine’s Day décor helpful.

Today I’m sharing four ways that you can affordably decorate for Valentine’s Day without cluttering your space or overwhelming your senses.

This article may include affiliate links, which help support Belle Antiquarian at no additional cost to you.

Simple Valentine’s Day decor in a kitchen using red transferware, fresh flowers, and small seasonal accents.
A collected kitchen makes seasonal decorating feel effortless and unfussy.

Color

The easiest way to decorate for Valentine’s Day without spending a lot of money on décor is to introduce everyday items in typical Valentine’s colors. I like to “shop” my house for anything red, pink, or white.

Simple Valentine’s Day decor on a mantel using framed family photos, red books, and a vintage Valentine garland.
Gathered red books paired with a wedding photo create a simple Valentine’s Day scene.

Once you’ve gathered items you already own in Valentine’s colors, you can create little vignettes throughout your home that subtly nod to Valentine’s Day without being over the top or spending a lot of money. Here are a few examples of creating simple Valentine’s Day décor by shopping your house for color:

  • A stack of red books with a pink candle
  • A pink photo frame next to your child’s red baby shoes
  • A stack of red and white transferware plates tied with pink velvet or lace ribbon

Using items you already own and love in Valentine’s Day colors is an easy way to decorate without a big shopping trip for junk you’ll only use once.

Pattern

Often patterns in table linens, decorative pillows, and bed linens can be used for multiple seasons and holidays. If you are shopping for Valentine’s Day décor items, and you want to be able to use them in various ways, here are a few patterns worth looking for:

  • Red and white gingham
  • Red ticking stripe
  • Pink or red florals
Simple Valentine’s Day decor using red transferware plates tied with ribbon and styled with candles on a tabletop.
Everyday red and white fabrics evoke a Valentine’s Day feeling when paired with red and white transferware dishes.

A red and white gingham tablecloth can be reused for 4th of July or a game-day tailgate. Red ticking stripe fabric can also be used in Christmas vignettes. Keep in mind which fabrics and patterns can be used in a variety of ways throughout the year.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for fabric that can be used in a variety of ways, steer clear  of anything with hearts on it.

Easy Swaps

One of the easiest ways to update your décor for different holidays and seasons is to have a few things that get swapped out seasonally.

In my living room, I invested in some nice down pillows. Instead of buying new throw pillows each season, I simply swap out the pillow covers in a seasonally festive color.

In the fall I used pillow covers in a rusted pumpkin color. During Christmas I used a pine green color. I recently swapped out my pillow covers for a light pink color that will work well for both Valentine’s Day and Easter. Pillow covers are much easier to store than full sized pillows, and they cost a lot less.

Simple Valentine’s Day decor in a living room using soft pink pillows layered with a vintage quilt.
Soft color swaps are one of the easiest ways to decorate for a holiday.

Another idea to easily swap out décor is to use a coordinating set of small picture frames. I found a beautiful set of four gold gallery frames for my mantel. For Valentine’s Day, I can either use images from a vintage children’s book or vintage Valentine’s Day cards in each frame. For Easter, I will easily swap these out for little rabbit or egg pictures.

Pro Tip: If the images are thin enough, they can be stored behind each other in frame. Otherwise, just keep an envelope of images in a drawer to easily reuse and swap out.

Use Fresh Flowers or Fruit

If you’re overwhelmed by how many bins for holiday decorations you have, and you truly want to decorate with something that won’t take up any storage space, then I recommend using fresh flowers and fruit.

Pink and red carnations, along with some baby’s breath, clearly signal that you’re decorating for Valentine’s Day. Dragon fruit and strawberries also look lovely on a counter near Valentine’s Day.

Don’t be afraid to browse your local produce section to see what you can use in your home this year.

Pro Tip: A vintage berry bowl or red transferware filled with red produce is beautiful at this time of year. Elevate it even further as décor by placing the bowl on top of a vintage silver tray.

Simple Valentine’s Day decor using red carnations in a white pitcher styled beneath vintage red transferware plates.
Fresh flowers and everyday pieces are often all it takes to decorate for the season.

Seasonal Decorating, Simplified

It’s easy to feel burned out when every season calls for a full overhaul. Allowing your home to rest, with less clutter and décor, often makes it easier to imagine what comes next.

Whether your reason is to save money or storage space, live more sustainably, or give your home a rest, I hope you find these ideas for Valentine’s Day décor helpful.

Simple Valentine’s Day decor featuring a pink candle in a vintage teacup styled with red transferware plates.
A pink candle in a red transferware teacup is an easy way to decorate for Valentine’s Day without spending money on new decor.

This year Belle Antiquarian has plans to bring you new, creative ideas for home décor, gardening, Southern recipes, and travel. Be sure to use the box below to subscribe to our latest articles. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LTK.

More Valentine’s Articles from Belle Antiquarian

Abby SmolarskyLeave a comment