The Velvet Season: Using Texture and Rich Tones in Fall Home Decor

A Five-Year-Old’s Treasure

When I was about five or six years old, I walked a couple of houses down the street to a neighbor’s yard sale. The driveway was lined with various unrelated items my neighbor was hoping to sell. One of those things was a harvest-gold crushed velvet throw pillow. To an adult, it was probably a hideous 1960s relic from a musty basement. But when my small fingers touched that fabric- velvet for the first time- I thought it was the most luxurious thing of beauty that I had ever seen.

Being a child, of course I didn’t have any money to buy it, but I returned several times that day to admire the velvet pillow. Finally, at the end of the day when the lady was packing up her unsold items, the pillow remained, and she gave it to me.

Even now, decades later, I still believe that there’s something decadent and luxurious about a well-placed velvet pillow. It makes the whole room seem more cared for.

This is the third entry in the Falling for Home: A Weekly Autumn Journal, a Friday series dedicated to timeless seasonal living, traditional Southern décor, and creating a home you love year-round. (Find links to previous entries at the bottom of this post.)

A Season of Layers and Light

During the weeks of late summer to early fall, it feels like a quiet transition. Supple textures like velvet mimic the season’s natural softness. The transition to spring is dotted with turbulent thunderstorms, and the starkness of winter jolts us with its biting winds. But the South seems to float imperceptibly from summer to fall. It’s a soft and gentle glide into the autumn season, like fingertips trailing across velvet.

It’s easy to feel the pressure to head to a big-box store each season to buy the newest décor available for our homes. However, today I want to talk about intentionally investing in a few timeless, quality pieces that we can layer with our existing, collected décor to decorate for fall. In this way we will invite calm, rather than clutter, into our homes. We’ll use our creativity in ways that will repurpose objects we own and love with a few new things that we find along the way.

Touchpoints of Texture – Decorating the Living Room

When my kids were small they had several beloved “stuffies.” You know, those precious stuffed animals with ears rubbed thin and matted fur that was once fluffy. However, after a few years’ worth of birthday parties, I quickly learned that if a family member asked what one of the kids wanted for their birthday, my response included that we didn’t need any more stuffed animals.

Throw pillows are our grown-up version of stuffed animals. They really are! Unfortunately throw pillows take up a lot of storage space in our homes. My solution to this is to invest in some quality pillow inserts and only buy pillow covers. Not only does this save on storage, but it’s far cheaper to buy pillow covers than the whole throw pillow.

This season I traded the navy blue pillow covers that I used throughout summer for some rich, copper colored velvet ones. If you’re looking to switch your pillow covers this fall, aim for saturated tones like copper, plum, or chocolate. If you want to add more texture to your space, consider tactile materials like velvet, raw linen, or boucle.

In addition to switching out your throw pillows, another great addition to your fall décor are copper and brown glass pieces. These are easy things to “hunt” for throughout the year as you’re antiquing. A copper boiler or basin can be used to hold books, magazines, and even throw blankets. A collection of brown and amber vases set in front of a window catches the fading sunrays to cast a magical glow around the room.

A collection of brown glass pieces catches the light to cast a warm glow in the space.
An antique copper boiler is used to hold cozy blankets for chilly nights.

As you decorate for fall, don’t overlook lighting. When the daylight grows shorter, we have opportunities in the evening to create a warm, cocooned glow that invites rest with well-placed lamps and even candles. Lighting is a way to add to the rhythm of the season and awaken our senses to calm and comfort. The glow of a lamp in the corner of your living room or the flicker and scent of an autumn candle invites us to the small moments that spark peace within.

Many of my favorite fall items that I used throughout our home this season can be found in this curated grouping on LTK. You can either click HERE to find the complete list, or click the image to be taken directly there.

The Velvet Ribbon Effect – Small Luxuries

If investing in new décor isn’t in your budget this year, or you feel like you already own enough of it, there are ways to take your existing décor up a notch to freshen it up. A budget-friendly fall décor update is using some velvet ribbon. Taking ordinary objects like a stack of books, a candle, or even a piece of artwork, and tying a length of velvet ribbon around them, will transform the ordinary into a piece of intentional seasonal décor.

Well placed bits of velvet ribbon transform ordinary objects into decorative pieces fit for the autumn season.

You can find seasonal velvet ribbon at craft stores or online. Look for shades like cinnamon, olive, rust, or plum to layer with your existing palette.

In my home, I used seasonal toned velvet ribbon around a stack of books, a little amber vase, and large brown bottles. It changed them from ordinary objects into objects d’art. It’s the slightest changes– a bit of ribbon, a tempered light – that tell us it’s time to slow down in this next season.

A length of rust-colored velvet ribbon adorns an otherwise plain ceramic vase.
A group of vintage green books is decorated with some gold velvet ribbon.

Permission to Linger

Will this be the autumn that you finally allow yourself to linger? I want to gently encourage you to embrace the comfort that you create in your own home without rushing into the chaos of the holidays. Remember, when you invest in your own home this season, that quality is better than quantity, collected is better than consuming, and luxury can be quiet and accessible. I invite you to observe your own home and find ways to soften your décor this season.

Invitation

Thank you for joining me with this week’s article from my series Falling for Home. Each Friday from August through September, we’ll meet here at BelleAntiquarian.com to reflect on a slow, intentional rhythm of seasonal living, rooted in tradition, home, and memory. Join me next week for Chicken Mull, a lesser-known Southern heritage recipe.

Never miss a post – use the box below to receive the latest Belle Antiquarian articles directly in your in-box. Want to see more of our daily lives? Find me HERE on Instagram.

Explore More from Falling for Home: A Weekly Autumn Journal

This article is part of my Falling for Home series. Be sure to check out these reader favorites:

Each week during the Falling for Home series I am featuring a paint color palette inspired by the topic we discussed. The Velvet Season inspired me to create a moody, rich palette that brings velvet textures and antique finishes to mind. Perfect for living rooms, libraries, and layered interiors.

Abby Smolarsky10 Comments

How to Update a 1930s Bathroom Without Losing Its Charm

Updating a historic bathroom doesn’t have to mean losing its original charm. Our 1939 bathroom still features the vintage wall tile and fixtures that first caught my heart, but a few thoughtful additions gave the space new life. By keeping the original tile and layering in a teak table, relaxed roman shade, coordinating artwork, and a touch of live greenery, I created a bathroom that feels both timeless and livable. If you’ve ever wondered how to refresh a 1930s bathroom without replacing its historic character, you’ll love this approach. I’ve also included a Benjamin Moore color palette inspired by the original tile, perfect for anyone looking for bathroom design inspiration rooted in history.

Historic Bathroom at First Glance

The first time I saw the main bathroom in our 1939 Colonial Revival Home, I knew it wasn’t living up to its full potential. It’s a rather large bathroom for its era, full of the original soft peach tile on the walls and in the shower. The original bathtub is cast iron with a porcelain enamel finish. It’s very large compared to modern bathtubs. These were elements that I found to be valuable and desirable while looking for a historic home to purchase, and I wanted to honor them in my design.

The bathroom as it looked when toured prior to purchasing the house.

When we viewed our home prior to purchasing it, the large space under the window had a tiny vanity and some wall shelves. After purchasing it, I wanted to update it in a way that made it more functional, while keeping the vintage charm typical in a 1930s and 1940s home. Since nothing was broken, I was able to update without replacing anything major.

The walls in the whole bathroom have peach-colored tile. In this photo you can see a built-in storage cabinet that is set into the wall.

Refreshing a 1930s or 1940s Bathroom

As you might guess, the peach tile was the springboard for the whole design. This color might have been a reason other homeowners would have ripped it out. However, I knew that finding the right paint color to complement the peach would create a better feeling in the space. For the walls above the tile, I went with Benjamin Moore China White OC-141.

Again playing with peach tile, I leaned in a bit to the orange tones, and selected a teak table to place under the window. I also added a relaxed roman shade over the window blinds to soften the edges of the window. A lucky find, the seagrass basket was a clearance rack find, and it fits perfectly on the bottom shelf of the table.

Adding greenery brought in my accent color and helped to create a spa-like environment in our vintage bathroom.
This seagrass basket was a lucky find – it fits perfectly on the shelf.

Next, I added a few plants to the space. The live greenery adds a spa-like touch, and brings in green as an accent color. The last selection that I made for this design was the artwork. It’s the only artwork in our whole house that isn’t an original piece, but it brings together all of the colors in this bathroom perfectly.

Best Paint Colors for Bathrooms with Vintage Tile

The color palette for this bathroom is built around the original 1939 bathroom tile. For a similar color in wall paint, use Benjamin Moore Clementine Rose 1219. A complementary neutral trim color is Benjamin Moore China White OC-141. If you’re looking for an accent color that pairs well with the other two colors, try Benjamin Moore Paris Rain 1501.

Adding Modern Comfort to a Historic Bathroom

I hope this inspires you to rethink a total remodel. There are many ways to add modern comfort to a historic bathroom without gutting it. For us, the space functions well and the original tile and fixtures are in fantastic condition. (What you might not be able to tell is that the built-in cabinet is set deep into the wall, so we didn’t have a need to create additional bathroom storage.)

I know there’s a temptation from social media, TV, and Pinterest to “update” every space that isn’t decorated in a modern way. But the best way to truly honor a historic home is to allow it to be what it was built to be. Most historic homeowners will embrace the imperfections and charm of designs from by-gone eras.

The finished design. A 1930s vintage bathroom with modern comfort and classic accessories.

Shop This Look

If you see something you like in this design that you’d like to incorporate into your own space, you can find many of the items linked HERE for shopping.

Click to Shop

While You’re Here…

While you’re here, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to “look around” and read a few of our other articles. We’re currently in a series called Falling for Home: A Weekly Autumn Journal, which is all about falling in love with our own homes again as we meander through the autumn season together.

Let me know what you think of these bathroom colors in the comments below. Would you ever live with peach colored tile?

Abby SmolarskyLeave a comment

Gathering Baskets & Dried Blooms: A Gentle Transition into Fall

Welcome back to the second installment of Falling for Home: A Weekly Autumn Journal. This series is all about falling in love with our homes again. Each week you’ll find inspiration to embrace your space by layering beauty, warmth, and meaning into everyday life as we move slowly through fall.

Each Friday you’ll find a new article to explore seasonal touches, décor, traditions, heirlooms, and a peaceful atmosphere. You’re invited to enjoy ideas that feel timeless, not trendy.

Today’s installment is all about noticing the beauty that is still blooming and gathering it in simple, meaningful ways.

The Beauty in the Gathering

As we approach the end of summer, our daily rhythm begins to shift. Each day the sun rises just a few minutes later, which slows our mornings down as the world outside lingers in stillness a little longer. We are entering the season of gathering, and everything from football games to bonfires will soon bring us together for connection, warmth, and celebration.

The zinnia patch that I planted early in the spring is dwindling to just a bloom here and there, instead of the dozens that seemed to emerge overnight a few weeks ago. I begin to look around at my gardens through a new lens, as I survey what I can save to enjoy inside during the coming months.

The baskets that I used a few weeks ago to harvest tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons are now going to be used to gather the things of beauty in my garden. This beauty will feed our souls as we softly begin to shift towards an inward season – gathered in the kitchen as we cook together, sitting beside the fire reading, or watching our favorite team make a touchdown. We’ll also begin to look inward as well, as we do when the days get darker and the air a bit colder.

A Time to Tend and Tuck Away

At the transition from summer to fall there are opportunities to honor the plants that brought beauty and life into our summer spaces. The zinnias and cosmos that delighted the bees can now be gathered for seed saving and future seasons. Saving flower seeds from zinnias and cosmos is one of the most satisfying and sustainable garden rituals for late summer. If saving seeds isn’t something that fits into your schedule, take advantage of the last few blooms by tucking tiny bouquets into unexpected places like a powder room or a nightstand.

This year I will be drying blooms from allium, lavender, and limelight hydrangeas growing in my backyard gardens. The allium and hydrangeas will be placed into vases to dry. I will tie the lavender into little bundles to use in various ways over the next few months.

A few things that will come in handy if you want to try your hand at saving seeds:

My lavender harvest. This year we planted 20 lavender bushes in our perennial garden.
Selecting limelight hydrangea stems for drying.
Allium flowers are beginner-friendly dried blooms. These came from my perennial garden.

The Quiet Power of Baskets

If you’ve been following me on Instagram stories, you know that I sometimes joke about how Ken thinks that I have too many baskets. I love baskets for many reasons. They add texture to spaces in ways that other objects don’t. They’re both beautiful and utilitarian… we always need things to hold other things, so why not use a beautiful basket? Even better if it is time-worn and handmade. What a way to honor the original maker than to reuse what they spent their time and energy creating.

I use baskets in my home to hold books and blankets. I have a tray-shaped basket on my nightstand to hold items that I sometimes use while I’m relaxing in the evening, like a heating pad or a linen eye pillow for evening relaxation. And, of course, there’s always a harvest basket hanging beside the door out to my garden that I can take as I head to gather whatever each season has to offer in my backyard gardens.

Rather than grouping baskets in a way that feels cluttered, try hanging a group of 3 on an empty wall, or use a basket on a bookshelf to hold bookmarks and card games. One of my favorite ways to use baskets is underneath tables, like an entry table or nightstand, to fill the empty spaces with texture and purpose.

Historically baskets are a symbol of abundance, care, and hospitality. Remember Little Red Riding Hood, carrying a basket to her grandmother? Or the picnic basket at the heart of every good summer memory? Adding a basket to your space is a nod to the storied symbolism of baskets through time.

A basket under a nightstand serves to hold an extra blanket for guests, as well as to fill an empty void.
This basket holds some of my favorite Martha Stewart books.
A basket of books on an accent table offers those who rest in the chairs something alternative to look at instead of their phones.

Gentle Blooms in Quiet Corners

Once you have dried your cut flowers, or purchased them from your favorite retailer, there are a number of ways to use them throughout your décor. You’ll notice that the colors of your stems have likely dulled and become a bit more muted than they were in the peak of their season. This blends seamlessly into fall décor when we combine the dried stems with materials such as linen textiles, ceramic and clay vases, and woven baskets.

A vase of dried limelight hydrangeas on your mantel or a basket of dried lavender on your bathroom counter is a nod to the transition of seasons we are currently in. What a metaphor for life – these flowers have changed, softened, and yet remain beautiful in their new season.

Each week during the Falling for Home series I am featuring a paint color palette inspired by the topic we discussed. Gathering Baskets and Dried Blooms inspired me to create an earthy and botanical palette. Inspired by dried flowers and vintage baskets, this paint palette is perfect for early fall layering.

Living Beautifully Through the Shift

In life we will experience many periods of transition. We can look back and realize that change didn’t happen all at once; it was gradual and slow.  The change between seasons happens in a similar way. What an abrupt and unsettling disturbance it would be if we didn’t ease into fall. We certainly would be troubled if one week it was 90 degrees and daylight until 9 p.m. every day, and then it dropped to 50 degrees and dark by 6. As the temperatures gradually cool and daylight slowly decreases, allow yourself to gently transition into this new season as well. We don’t have to rush into the holiday season. What a relief it will be to let your home breathe and the beauty of autumn to slowly gather throughout your home. Just as we gently transition our home décor for fall, we can allow our routines and energy to shift with the season.

Shop Late Summer and Early Fall Favorites for Your Home

I’m often asked to share my favorite finds of the season. Here you’ll see items that I use in my own home, as well as others that I have carefully curated for you. To see more, either find my LTK shop HERE or click the image below,

Invitation to Return

Thank you for joining me with this week’s article from my series Falling for Home. Each Friday from August through September, we’ll meet here at BelleAntiquarian.com to reflect on a slow, intentional rhythm of seasonal living, rooted in tradition, home, and memory. Join me next week for The Velvet Season, a sensual post full of texture, depth, and richness.

Today I’ve shared what I gather during this time of year. What have you gathered this week to treasure – blooms, memories, or moments? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Explore More from Falling for Home: A Weekly Autumn Journal

This article is part of my Falling for Home series. Be sure to check out these reader favorites:


You can subscribe here to receive new articles, seasonal inspiration, and vintage-style favorites delivered right to your inbox.

Abby Smolarsky11 Comments

When Summer Lingers: Late Summer to Early Fall Home Decor Ideas

The First Golden August

It was August, and the kitchen was half-gutted… yet I loved it. We had only been in our 1939 Colonial Revival home for a few short months. Boxes of floor tile were stacked in corners, appliances were missing, and decisions layered like dust on every surface. But in the late afternoon, as the summer sun tilted toward evening, our old house glowed with promise.

I remember standing in the quiet, listening to the hum of the ceiling fan and the soft creak of the old wood floors, and thinking, “We’re really here.”

We didn’t yet know where things would go, which paint color would win, or how the new kitchen would come together. But the bones of the house were good, and the light was kind. In that golden August, it felt like the house was giving us space to figure it out, letting us breathe.

This year, I wanted to honor that in-between season, where summer lingers and fall waits just outside the door.

Falling for Home is a new weekly series dedicated to this gentle shift: a way to celebrate the spaces we live in and the beauty of making them feel like ours. Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at meaningful ways to transition your home from summer to fall. Today, we begin by sharing a conversation on how to style your home between seasons.

The Beauty of the In-Between

It feels like so much of the year is spent rushing from one holiday to the next. There aren’t many months on the calendar when we don’t feel the pressure to decorate the mantel for one occasion or another. In August and September, the days are still long, and we can still enjoy the evenings outside after dinner. In the South, it certainly won’t feel like fall until we’re well into October. But we’re also back into our normal fall routines of school and work.

There’s a temptation to rush into what we’re longing for. By August, we are tired of the sweltering heat and oppressive humidity. Simply put, we’re over it. We know crisp breezes and chilly evenings are coming soon, and in anticipation, we feel the pull to sprinkle the house with pumpkins and all things fall. And instead of allowing ourselves to look forward with quiet excitement, we try to force the season into already being here. I’m over summer, so I’m decorating for fall.

What if we waited, though? What if we gave ourselves permission to linger in the in-between? To pause before the rush of Hallo-Thanks-Mas? There’s value in this transitional space. A restful hush. A moment to recharge. We can give ourselves a period of intentional rest, one that renews our creativity for what lies ahead, if we find rest in the lull of August and September.

The last of the zinnias that I planted in early spring can still be found on my kitchen counters.

A Gentle Transition: Letting Your Home Breathe

In this time of transition from summer to fall, I am choosing to let my home breathe. I am still using my light gauze blanket that is a “barely there” covering during the warm evenings on the porch. The melamine dinnerware is still getting plenty of use as we take advantage of the sunlight to eat outside many evenings. Most days I am still filling vases with zinnias for the kitchen table. The windows are still open in the morning, and the cicadas hum well into the evening.

I’ve packed away all of our patriotic decorations that we had out from May through July. Instead of replacing it with other décor, I’m letting those spaces be empty for a bit. If I really need to swap it out with something, I’ll use something plain or neutral. It becomes a restful place for the eyes to land during a time of “in-between.”

In preparation for the next season, I browse the thrift and antique stores for items of amber glass, brown transferware, and pieces of copper or brass here and there. As slowly as the leaves turn in fall, I may sprinkle a special piece of collected décor into a bookshelf or the dining room sideboard. The rest are put away until it’s time for the next season. This feels different than pulling a big bin of fall décor up from the basement. I am not rushing. The warmth of summer is still welcome. And less feels like more during this time, because it’s intentional.

In late summer, I focus my thrift shopping on collecting items for the upcoming fall season. Warm copper, amber glass, earthy baskets, durable yellow-ware & oven-safe bowls are lovely to both decorate with & use in the home.

In My Home

On the fireplace mantel, I’ve taken down the cluster of American flags that filled the silver vessels and replaced them with pheasant feathers. Instead of the garish orange and black of Halloween, which will have its time, there’s a subtle nod to harvest ahead.

The kitchen counters have been covered in ripening tomatoes all summer. As the last of the tomatoes slowly comes off the vine, the counters are making room for an early butternut squash and a bowl full of apples. Fall, we see you, but you’re not here yet.

In the dining room, where we’ll gather so many times together as a family in the coming months, the sideboard is lightly styled with a simple linen runner and a stack of vintage books tied in velvet ribbon. Subtle clues that the seasons are on the cusp of changing.

Pheasant Feathers replace patriotic flags from summer decor.
A transitional fall vignette on the dining room buffet.
Late summer to early fall is an opportunity to let your spaces rest between seasons. If you mix in anything, neutrals are a great addition.

Invitation

As we walk through the doors of our favorite big-box stores, it’s easy to feel like we’re behind. It was just the 4th of July, yet Halloween décor is on clearance, and boxes of Christmas ornaments line the shelves. It’s okay to linger in summer for a while. It’s okay to stop the cycle of, “I’ll be happy when…” and “I can’t wait until…”

In this series, Falling for Home: A Weekly Autumn Journal, we’ll take a slow, intentional walk from summer to autumn, falling in love with our homes again through shared traditions, inspired recipes, and timeless, collected décor.

Perhaps fall hasn’t fully turned just yet… and maybe, that’s the very best part.

Colors for the Season

Each week during the Falling for Home series I am featuring a paint color palette inspired by the topic we discuss. When Summer Lingers inspired me to create a graceful palette thing bridges summer and early fall. The warm cream and the soft white are elevated with a green that nods to the fading garden.

Thank you for joining me with this week’s journal entry from my series, Falling for Home. Each Friday from August through September, we’ll meet here at BelleAntiquarian.com to reflect on a slow, intentional rhythm of seasonal living, rooted in tradition, home, and memory. Join me next week for Gathering Baskets & Dried Blooms, a post about saving and savoring the beauty around us at the end of summer.

For sources to items featured in this post and others inspired by the season, find them HERE in my LTK shop, or click the image below to shop.

Explore More from Falling for Home: A Weekly Autumn Journal

This article is part of my series called Falling for Home: A Weekly Autumn Journal. Be sure to check out these reader favorites:

You can subscribe here to receive new articles, seasonal inspiration, and vintage-style favorites delivered right to your inbox.

Abby Smolarsky7 Comments

How to Style Vintage Blue and White China for Summer Entertaining

A Season of Graceful Gatherings

As I stand at the kitchen sink washing dishes after dinner, I notice that the light is fading just a few minutes earlier each day. The hands of autumn are stretching to steal the daylight hours as we creep closer to the start of a new season. I look down at the dish in my hands, a blue willow dinner plate, and I’m reminded that while our time this summer is slipping away, some things remain ageless, like my favorite blue and white dishes… always in style, always familiar.

Today is the final installment of the Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays series. Over the past few weeks, we have touched on timeless summer traditions, seasonal recipes, and vintage-inspired living. I hope that I have inspired you to seek your roots and remember traditions. Although we live in a world moving at warp speed with innovations, we can enrich our lives in traditional ways to improve the quality of our daily living.

If you’ve found your way here via Pinterest, Google, or Instagram… welcome! I invite you to check out the other segments in this series, which can be found linked at the bottom of this article.

Why Blue and White Never Goes Out of Style

My soon-to-be-21-year-old daughter moved into a new apartment at school this fall, and I sent her off with a set of six blue willow dinner plates. Something that I love about Gen Z is their enthusiasm for thrifting and appreciation for vintage. Sam spent weeks browsing thrift and antique stores to furnish her home in her personal, unique style. She has the capability to go online and buy many of these things new, but she prefers to find pieces with a story, better quality materials, and (usually) a better price point. She took a set of blue willow dishes made by English Ironstone Transferware because of their weight and durability. We didn’t find anything modern that compared to the style and quality of these vintage plates.

If you’ve followed me on Instagram for a while, you’ve seen me use my Churchill Blue Willow plates time and time again. I have featured them at holidays like Christmas, Easter, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving. Today I want to show them to you in a different light, as they were meant to be: the quintessential everyday dinnerware. While I do love how beautiful my blue willow plates look in the china cabinet, they are everyday elegance that I encourage you to take out and use.

Summer Styling Tips with a Twist

If you love blue and white transferware, but you don’t know how to get started using it or how to integrate it into your everyday dinner service, I have several simple styling tips for you.

  • Any pattern of blue and white transferware pairs beautifully with natural textures like seagrass, rattan, and wicker. I like using my seagrass chargers and rattan napkin rings to help transform these dishes from feeling too precious to use, to becoming a part of your everyday elegance.
  • Something fun about blue and white transferware is that different patterns are often combined to create a full set. For example, Churchill Blue Willow and Myott Finlandia are two patterns that complement each other well. In addition, Staffordshire Liberty Blue and Meakin Blue Nordic make a nice combination. Pick up a plate here and there while you’re on your thrifting and antiquing adventures. It won’t be long before you have a complete set of blue and white dinnerware, and you’ll have a unique story for each piece.
  • Another way I like to incorporate pieces from my blue and white transferware collection is to use the larger serving bowls on my kitchen counter as fruit bowls. This way, they aren’t hidden away, and I get to enjoy them every day.

Invest Once, Use for a Lifetime

My first stop at any estate sale is the kitchen or dining room sideboard. I love to hunt for blue and white transferware to add to my collection, and maybe add a few to Sam’s collection too! Buying second hand is an approachable and affordable way to get started.

If I could go back and give myself some advice when I was just starting out, I would say to invest at the very beginning with dishes that are timeless and well made. Instead of following trends that try to convince you to switch patterns every few years, I want to encourage you to go with something everlasting.

Whether you’re collecting family pieces or starting your own legacy, here are a few timeless sets worth exploring:

From Summer to Fall: The Beauty of Longevity

Today I’ve shared with you how I incorporate my Blue Willow dishes into everyday casual dining for summer. As we begin to transition into fall, I’ll add touches of amber glass vases, dried florals, and maybe some velvet ribbon as a napkin ring.

Today concludes the Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays Series. I hope you’ll find your way back here next week as I start a new series called Falling for Home. In the meantime, remember that Summer is fleeting, but style like this… it lingers, season after season.

Explore More from Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays

This article is part of my Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays series, where I share timeless inspiration for warm-weather living. Be sure to check out these reader favorites:

– Timeless Red, White, and Blue Decor Ideas for the Porch
– Heirloom Tomato Dreams
– Classic Summer Whites: Timeless Linen Dresses and Southern Style Staples
– Refrigerator Pickles—A Southern Summer Staple
– Simple Garden Joys
– Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake Cake
– Creating a Cozy Summer Reading Spot
You can subscribe here to receive new articles, seasonal inspiration, and vintage-style favorites delivered right to your inbox.

I’m often asked for sources for my favorites blue and white items. I’ve rounded them up in one place in my LTK shop, which you can view and shop HERE or click the photo below.

Abby Smolarsky8 Comments
A woman, Abby, stands in front of her garden holding a large basket full of tomatoes. There is a brown dog by her side.

Simple Garden Joys: Everyday Moments from a Southern Summer Garden

The Heart of a Southern Garden

I have found that there are few things in life as empowering as gardening. The humbling act of placing a tiny seed into rich, dark soil, watering it, and waiting for the sun to penetrate the earth…only for a pair of green leaves to emerge a few days later is a series of small miracles. Knowing that I have the capability to do this, regardless of anything else happening in the world, is a grounding force.

As a child I watched my mother use a rototiller to turn the soil and create her own garden in our backyard. I was awe-struck at the zucchini, yellow squash, and corn she grew. She told me the names of the wildflowers she planted: Black-eyed Susans, Bachelor’s Buttons, and Zinnias. I witnessed that by simply placing seeds in dirt, my mother had the power to make things grow. What I didn’t know then is that gardening would grow to become an important part of my life.

This article is part of my Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays series, a weekly look at timeless summer traditions, seasonal recipes, and vintage-inspired living. This week we’re in the garden, talking about the simple joys that gardening will enrich your life with. Gardening, especially in a Southern backyard, offers more than food or flowers…it offers a sense of peace, purpose, and tradition.

If you’ve found your way here via Instagram, Pinterest, or Google, I hope you’ll take the time to check out the other articles in this series, which you will find linked at the end.

Morning Stillness & Rituals

In the South we are fortunate to have an incredibly long growing season. I begin my planting in February, and by the time July and August arrive, I find myself tending the garden in the early morning or late evening to avoid the sweltering heat. Not long after the sun rises, I make my way to my vegetable garden with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand, dragging the hose behind me with the other.

As I water the thirsty soil around my tomatoes and honeydew melon, there are no cellphone alerts or sounds from the morning news. It has become a time of stillness, peace, and meditation. I lose track of time as I breathe slower and think clearly. My early morning garden routine has become a quiet ritual, an antidote to a busy world and the heartbeat of my Southern summer days.

The thing is, gardening is something that anyone can do. With a little patience, you can create a garden to cultivate as an act of self-care. Whether you have a large backyard, a small deck at an apartment, or just a sunny window, I encourage you to plant a few seeds and become their caretaker.

The Joy of Tending

There is something sacred about working in the garden with your hands. In the rhythm of pulling weeds, tying up tomato vines with old twine, and gently snipping herbs for supper, I find a quiet joy that asks for nothing but presence. My garden is home to heirloom varieties passed down through generations. Cherokee Purple tomatoes, Rattlesnake pole beans, and Mammoth sunflowers stand taller than me by August. These plants, chosen with care, are more than produce; they’re a living thread between the past and present. Gardening reminds me that growth isn’t just about the harvest. It’s about showing up, getting your hands dirty, and tending to something with love.

Unexpected Visitors

As a result of tending a garden, I feel a gentle responsibility for the other visitors that come as a result of this habitat that I’ve created. Every year I breathe a sigh of relief when the pollinators arrive, because they are an integral part of gardening success. I look to see how many varieties of bees are moving from flower to flower. This year I have seen Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee, and Blueberry Digger Bee.

The butterflies arrive a bit later in the season when the high temperatures settle in. The American Lady and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail flit by quickly as they search for nectar in nearby flowers.

In the evening, the song of the Cicadas starts soft and low, but by the time the sun sets, the Fall Southeastern Dusk-singing Cicadas are loudly calling in unison to each other. It is the song of a Southern summer night.

As I walk though the garden, past the cucumbers and beans, these creatures and I…the toads, bees, birds, and even the bats…we are all together, living on this marvelous earth, depending on one another for food, safety, and cooperation.

A butterfly taking off in flight above a pink zinnia flower.

Gathering the Harvest

There have been years when I have not harvested a single tomato. The squirrels got to them before they started to blush, or the soil I planted them in wasn’t healthy. This year I planted a new bed full of zinnia seeds, and the results were disappointing, to say the least.

In other years, like this year, I am begging neighbors to take grocery bags full of cucumbers so that they don’t go to waste. (We made pickles more times this year than I ever have before.)

Regardless of the Southern summer harvest, there is joy simply in the act of gardening homegrown vegetables. The process of caring for something other than yourself turns into just that, caring for yourself. Gardening is both self-less and soul-sustaining.

A woman, Abby, stands in front of her garden holding a large basket full of tomatoes. There is a brown dog by her side.

A Garden is Never Just a Garden

Gardening feels like it is a huge part of who I am. It is something that I think about even on the cold, dark days of winter. I have wondered, though, would I still have followed this path if I hadn’t witnessed my mother gardening? My Great Aunt Fern was a gardener into her 90s, so is this something in my DNA?

Maybe the idea of a Tomato Hornworm has you swearing that you will never plant a Cherokee Purple heirloom tomato within 500 miles of your house. Maybe you’re not “outdoorsy.” That’s okay, but I encourage you to figure out what you ARE interested in that brings you simple joy. And I’m willing to bet that it’s not glowing back at you from a screen.

Whether you’re planting tomatoes or simply sitting among the blooms, slowing down with nature invites you to notice life again.

Explore More from Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays

This article is part of my Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays series, where I share timeless inspiration for warm-weather living. Be sure to check out these reader favorites:

– Timeless Red, White, and Blue Decor Ideas for the Porch
– Heirloom Tomato Dreams
– Classic Summer Whites: Timeless Linen Dresses and Southern Style Staples
– Refrigerator Pickles—A Southern Summer Staple
– Creating a Cozy Summer Reading Spot
– Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake Cake
– Blue and White China for Summer Entertaining
You can subscribe here to receive new articles, seasonal inspiration, and vintage-style favorites delivered right to your inbox.

I often get asked to recommend things that I use while gardening. You can find the items I recommend in my LTK shop HERE, or you can click the image below to be taken directly there.

Abby Smolarsky9 Comments
Abby holds a plate of strawberry shortcake.

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake: A Southern Classic for Summer Gatherings

If there’s one thing the South is known for, it’s good old-fashioned Southern hospitality. And while we may be known for it, it’s no secret that it’s a practice slowly fading from modern culture. Between the rise of social media and the quieting effects of social distancing, our homes aren’t as open to guests as they once were. Today I’m sharing a recipe for old-fashioned strawberry shortcake cake.

This recipe is part of my Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays series, a weekly look at timeless summer traditions, seasonal recipes, and vintage-inspired living. This week we’re in the kitchen, adapting a tried-and-true recipe found in How to Cook Like a Southerner by Johnnie Gabriel.

If you’ve found your way here via Instagram, Pinterest, or Google, I hope you’ll explore the other articles in this series, which are linked at the end of this article.

Rediscovering the Art of Visiting

As a child, my mother often took us along when she went “visiting.” Visiting meant stopping by the home of a friend or neighbor on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to catch up on news, share a story or two, and enjoy a little company.

It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t perfect. But it was personal.

Sometimes we stayed for an hour or two, simply catching up. Other times, the conversations were more meaningful…the kind you didn’t want little ears overhearing in the vestibule after church.

Visiting was a verb. We would say, “We’re going visiting this afternoon.” And our hosts would graciously open their doors to welcome us in.

Today, with Pinterest boards and Instagram reels showcasing elaborate charcuterie boards and styled cocktail bars, it’s easy to feel like hosting must be an event. But back then, our hosts weren’t serving sparkling lemonade in etched glasses or arranging cheese by country of origin.

If we were offered anything at all, it might have been a slice of Sara Lee pound cake from the freezer or some saltine crackers with cheddar. And it was more than enough.

With a little preparation and the right mindset, hospitality can still be simple, meaningful, and joyful. You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy home to host a friend or two, just an open heart and a bit of forethought.

A hand holding a heart shaped strawberry in front of a blurry background of many other strawberries.
A heart-shaped strawberry, freshly picked and ready for shortcake. Sometimes the sweetest details are the smallest.

Create a Signature Summer Dish

One easy way to take the stress out of hosting? Choose a signature dish.

When you’re known for something, it becomes your calling card. With this recipe, guests will know that if they stop by your house during the summer, they’re likely to enjoy Strawberry Shortcake Cake.

“It’s what she’s known for.”

Near our home in North Georgia, we’re fortunate to have dozens of small, family-owned farms that offer strawberry picking each spring. These are the reddest, juiciest berries I’ve ever tasted.

Since my children were in strollers, we’ve made it a tradition to pick them by the bucketful, enough to enjoy fresh and still have plenty to freeze for later. Keeping berries in the freezer means I can recreate this dessert any time a guest drops by.

Why This Version Works

You’ll love this twist on a Southern classic for its slightly sweet, cake-like texture that offers the nostalgia of strawberry shortcake without the fuss of difficult biscuits. After years of experimenting, this recipe is my favorite. It’s simple, consistent, and always delicious.

an overhead view of a jadeite green bowl of sliced strawberries on a kitchen counter. The corner of a blue and white striped kitchen towel can be seen.
Sweet and simple in a vintage jadeite bowl; summer memories often start in the kitchen.

Host with Less Stress: Make-Ahead Tips

The easiest way to simplify hosting is by being prepared.

Here are two simple ways to do that:

  1. Keep pantry staples on hand—flour, sugar, baking soda, and vanilla extract, plus frozen strawberries and whipped topping or cream in the fridge.
  2. Make the cake ahead of time. After baking and cooling, wrap it well and freeze. When you need it, just thaw, warm, and serve with strawberries and cream. (Full instructions included in the recipe notes.)
an overhead view of an 8x8 square glass baking dish that is buttered and floured, along with a jadeite green batter bowl full of raw cake batter.
Preparing the cake for strawberry shortcake; a buttered dish and jadeite bowl make summer baking feel special.

The Power of a Personal Tradition

By creating a signature dish that’s always ready, you’re doing more than preparing a dessert. You’re establishing a tradition, one your guests will remember fondly.

Years from now, they’ll say, “Remember how she always served her homemade Strawberry Shortcake Cake every summer?”

A strawberry shortcake dessert on a jadeite green plate.
The finished dish, ready to share. A summer classic that tastes like tradition.

Recipe (keep reading for more details)

A slice of old-fashioned strawberry shortcake ready to serve
Abby Smolarsky | Belle Antiquarian

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

A classic Southern strawberry shortcake cake adapted from How to Cook Like a Southerner by Johnnie Gabriel. Tender cake layers, sweetened strawberries, and fresh whipped cream make this an easy, nostalgic dessert for summer gatherings. Includes make-ahead and freezer-friendly tips.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill/Rest Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 9 servings
Course: Dessert
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 one-pound cartons fresh strawberries washed, hulled, and sliced (or frozen)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar for strawberries or to taste
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar for cake
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2-3 cups heavy cream
  • ¼-⅓ cup powdered sugar optional

Equipment

  • Stand mixer with paddle attachment
  • 8 x 8-inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Saucepan
  • Wire cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Six to eight hours before serving, place strawberries in a large bowl and sprinkle with sugar. Cover and refrigerate until syrupy.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease and flour an 8 x 8-ince baking pan.
  3. Heat milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until butter melts
  4. Beat eggs in a stand mixer with paddle attachment until thickened. Add sugar and vanilla; beat well.
  5. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to egg mixture and mix on low speed.
  6. With mixer running on low, slowly add warm milk mixture. Mix just until combined.
  7. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 25 to 30 minutes, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool in a pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Whip cream in a chilled bowl, gradually adding powdered sugar if desired, until soft peaks form.
  10. Cut cake into 9 equal pieces. Slice each horizontally. Assemble with strawberries, syrup, and whipped cream. Garnish with a strawberry slice if desired.

Notes

Using Frozen Strawberries: Thaw completely and drain excess liquid. Simmer strawberries for 10 to 15 minutes until softened and syrupy. Cool before serving.
Make-Ahead and Freezer Instructions: Wrap cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. For best texture, warm unwrapped cake in a 300* oven for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Abby holds a plate of strawberry shortcake.

Vintage Finds for a Strawberry Summer

Strawberries have long symbolized the sweetness of summer. Over the years, I’ve collected countless vintage and antique pieces featuring strawberry motifs, many of which have found their way into my kitchen.

I’ve rounded up a curated collection of vintage and new strawberry-themed items in my LTK shop for you to browse. From berry bowls and tea towels to charming serving pieces, these finds add a bit of timeless cheer to your summer table.

A Gentle Invitation to Open Your Home

I hope this week’s article encourages you to open your home the way our mothers and grandmothers once did.

Let friends and neighbors know they’re welcome by simply saying, “Please stop by anytime. I’d love for you to try my Strawberry Shortcake Cake this summer.”

Southern hospitality doesn’t have to be old-fashioned if we choose to make it part of our everyday lives.

Friends, may your summer days be sweet, and your doors always open to good company.

Explore More from Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays

This article is part of my Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays series, where I share timeless inspiration for warm-weather living. Be sure to check out these reader favorites:

– Timeless Red, White, and Blue Decor Ideas for the Porch
– Heirloom Tomato Dreams
– Classic Summer Whites: Timeless Linen Dresses and Southern Style Staples
– Refrigerator Pickles—A Southern Summer Staple
– Creating a Cozy Summer Reading Spot
– Blue and White China for Summer Entertaining
– Simple Garden Joys


You can subscribe here to receive new articles, seasonal inspiration, and vintage-style favorites delivered right to your inbox.

Abby Smolarsky9 Comments

Creating a Cozy Summer Reading Spot: Southern-Inspired Porch and Garden Retreats

If I think back to the summers of my childhood, the memories that stand out most are filled with adventure and journeys to far-off lands with friends whose names I couldn’t always pronounce. I’d lay flat on the cool floor, escaping the Southern heat as I read my way through stories brought to life by authors like Frances Hodgson Burnett, Roald Dahl, and Lucy Maud Montgomery.


These days, on certain golden afternoons, the light on our sleeping porch turns honey-colored, and the only sounds are the hum of cicadas and the dogs snoring nearby. That’s when I return to the same quiet habit of reaching for a book with a well-worn spine and a story that stretches out like a July day.

That’s where the idea for my dedicated reading spaces began. A soft place to sit, a lamp, a light blanket, and a little side table for a cool drink. Nothing fancy, just a small retreat tucked into the edges of our home.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a quiet corner like this, a retreat made just for you, I hope today’s article will show you just how easy and beautiful it can be. This post is part of Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays, a weekly series where I share timeless Southern joys, from gardening and seasonal recipes to vintage-style living. If you found your way here from Instagram, Pinterest or Google, I’m so glad you’re here. I hope you’ll stay a while and explore the other articles in the series.

A cozy spot to read a book. A floral couch has a plaid pillow, a lightweight cotton blanket, and an open book. The table next to the couch is a white marble top with an iron stand. On top of the table are plants and a lamp. The room is full of windows showing trees outside.

Why You Need a Summer Reading Retreat

Creating a cozy summer reading spot is about so much more than decorating a corner of your home. We are constantly bombarded with screens, alerts, and noise. Carving out a small space for yourself (a place to rest, reflect, and read) is an act of care.

It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be yours.

By intentionally designing a retreat, you’re choosing a lifestyle that’s slower, purposeful, and deeply comforting.

Choosing the Perfect Spot, Indoors or Out

When looking for a spot to dedicate to reading this summer, consider the kind of environment that soothes you.

– Do you enjoy a warm breeze, the sound of wind chimes or cicadas, or the smell of garden flowers?
– Is a hammock or shady porch your idea of heaven?
– Or do you prefer the feel of a ceiling fan and the hum of the air conditioner indoors?

Even a corner by a window can become your reading haven with a few thoughtful touches.

This year, I created two reading spots, one indoors and one out. On our sleeping porch, I open the windows and turn the ceiling fan on low. I keep a small table nearby to set down my sweet tea and bookmarks.

Outside, I’ve placed a comfortable chair in the shade garden on our deck. There’s a little side table and a cordless rechargeable lamp for when the light begins to fade. It’s peaceful, quiet, and entirely mine.

Layering Southern Charm and Comfort

As you’re thrifting or antiquing this summer, keep your reading nook in mind. You might find the perfect wicker chair or vintage iron rocker. Or maybe you’ll spot a plant stand that becomes a charming little table with the addition of a tray.

Here are some ideas to inspire your setup:
– Seating: Wicker, wood, or vintage metal chairs layered with soft cushions and a light quilt
– Tables: Repurposed plant stands, small stools, or antique side tables
– Accessories: A linen napkin as a coaster, a glass of iced tea, a jar of flowers from the garden
– Lighting: A small table lamp, string lights, or a vintage-inspired cordless lamp

If you’re going for a vintage look, or just prefer to shop online, I’ve linked a few of my favorite finds HERE and in my LTK shop.

A collage of recommended items that can be used to create a cozy summer reading spot. Included are comfy chairs, side tables, lamps, a light blanket, and some books,

Favorite Books for a Southern Summer

There are certain stories that seem to belong to this season. When I think of summer reading, these titles immediately come to mind:

– Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café
– The Secret Garden
– Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
– Where the Crawdads Sing

You can find my full list of summer book recommendations HERE, or click the photo below to shop.

Your Own Slice of Stillness

I encourage you to create your own cozy summer reading spot, somewhere quiet and beautiful, made just for you. It doesn’t take much. A little time. A few thoughtful details. And the decision to rest.

Imagine how rested and refreshed you’ll feel at the end of the season, having given yourself the gift of a little peace, a little story, and a little corner to call your own.

I always look forward to hearing what others are reading, and I’d love to know what’s in your summer stack. Let me know in the comments below!

Explore More from Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays

This article is part of my Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays series, where I share timeless inspiration for warm-weather living. Be sure to check out these reader favorites:

– Timeless Red, White, and Blue Decor Ideas for the Porch
– Heirloom Tomato Dreams
– Classic Summer Whites: Timeless Linen Dresses and Southern Style Staples
– Refrigerator Pickles—A Southern Summer Staple
– Simple Garden Joys
– Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake Cake
– Blue and White China for Summer Entertaining
You can subscribe here to receive new articles, seasonal inspiration, and vintage-style favorites delivered right to your inbox.

P.S. I’m giving away a little something to help stock your summer book basket—details are on Instagram!

Abby Smolarsky8 Comments
A woman stands in a kitchen holding a red heirloom tomato.

Heirloom Tomato Dreams: A Simple Southern Tomato Sandwich and Summer Garden Ritual

Some memories are sun-warmed and red-stained, like tomatoes still warm from the vine. In my Southern garden, heirloom tomatoes aren’t just vegetables. They’re history, flavor, and summer all wrapped in one.

There’s no mistaking the smell of a tomato vine that’s been brushed by little fingers searching for the ripe fruit on plant. I’m immediately transported back to summers when my children were small, very excited to see what we grew in our tiny backyard garden. There are certain smells that say “summer” to me, and a tomato vine will always be one of them.

A woman stands in a kitchen holding a red heirloom tomato.
It’s a Tomato Girl Summer. Click the photo to shop this look.

This post is part of Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays, a weekly series where I share timeless Southern joys, from gardening and seasonal recipes to vintage-style living. If you found your way here from Instagram, Pinterest or Google, I hope you’ll stay a while and explore the other articles in the series.

A red heirloom tomato with a tomato slicer knife
A special tomato slicer makes cutting a breeze.
Salted and peppered, of course.

The tomato is one of the most popular and versatile treasures in the Southern garden. While many gardeners will grow enough to can and preserve tomatoes for their pantry, the vast majority of us backyard gardeners are chasing the heirloom beauties for one major purpose: the tomato sandwich. It’s a sandwich that has graced generations of Southern tables, humble in appearance, but unforgettable in flavor.

It’s undisputed that the Southern tomato sandwich consists of two slices of Sunbeam bread dressed with Duke’s mayonnaise and filled with slices of garden-fresh tomatoes (salted and peppered, of course). However, today I would like to offer a couple of variations of the classic Southern tomato sandwich.

A southern tomato sandwich made from a heirloom tomato, Duke's mayonnaise, and sunbeam bread
An undisputed classic, the heirloom tomato sandwich.

The first variation on the classic Southern tomato sandwich is to add another Southern delicacy, pimento cheese. I love to cover one piece of Sunbeam bread in pimento cheese, instead of the Duke’s mayonnaise, and add my fresh tomato slices. From here you can go one of two ways in order to finish the sandwich: a slice of cooked bacon or some zippy refrigerator pickles. Both are equally as delicious with the fresh tomato and pimento cheese, but my favorite way is to add the refrigerator pickles. The tartness of the pickles slices right through the richness of the pimento cheese. A pickle and pimento cheese sandwich? Absolutely not. A tomato sandwich with pimento cheese and refrigerator pickles? You do not know what you’re missing out on! (Refrigerator pickle recipe HERE.)

The second variation on the original Southern tomato sandwich is to swap the Sunbeam bread for some sourdough slices. We’re making a summer tomato grilled cheese sandwich. Instead of using the Duke’s mayonnaise on the inside of the sandwich, we’re going to “butter” the outside of the bread with it. Select some cheese slices of your choosing, but I suggest some mozzarella slices for the direction we’re going in. After you salt and pepper some tomato slices, add them to your sandwich before cooking it like you would any other grilled cheese sandwich. All you need at this point is some balsamic glaze or dressing to dip your sandwich in. It’s heaven on a plate.

A vine-ripened tomato is a thing of glory. But if I have to be honest, I’m often fighting the squirrels for my ripe tomatoes. I usually pick them when they are just starting to blush, and I allow them to finish ripening in our bright kitchen windows. Our kitchen becomes dressed in the colors of our harvest, and the air becomes scented with the fruits of our labor. I found this wonderful candle scent called “tomato and vine.” It’s not the exact same thing as a fresh tomato on the windowsill, but it’s nostalgic and beautiful. I just had to share it!

two heirloom tomatoes on a kitchen counter next to a beautiful glass jar candle scented "tomato and vine"
Click to shop this “tomato and vine” scented candle.

There’s something sacred about the slowness of tending a tomato vine. It’s a ritual, a heritage, a love letter to simpler days…and one bite brings it all rushing back.

Below is a round-up of a few of my favorite tomato-related things! Click the photo to shop or find the complete list HERE. I hope you’ll come back next week for the newest installment of Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays.

Click the photo to shop my tomato related favorites.

Explore More from Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays

This article is part of my Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays series, where I share timeless inspiration for warm-weather living. Be sure to check out these reader favorites:

– Simple Garden Joys
– Timeless Red, White, and Blue Decor Ideas for Summer Porch Styling
– Classic Summer Whites: Timeless Linen Dresses and Southern Style Staples
– Refrigerator Pickles—A Southern Summer Staple
– Creating a Cozy Summer Reading Spot
– Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake Cake
– Blue and White China for Summer Entertaining

You can subscribe here to receive new articles, seasonal inspiration, and vintage-style favorites delivered right to your inbox.

Abby Smolarsky13 Comments
A southern garden at golden hour. A woman wearing a white linen dress and a straw hat pours a glass of sweet tea.

Classic Summer Whites: Timeless Linen Dresses and Southern Style Staples

This article is part of my Old Fashioned Summer Saturdays series, a weekly look at timeless summer traditions, seasonal recipes, and vintage-inspired living. This week, we’re covering the important topic of what to wear in the South during the hot, sticky months of our beloved Summer.

I think people who move to the South often assume that us native folks hate the summer as much as they do. Do we complain about the heat? Of course. Will you overhear us say, “It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity.” You certainly will. But what newcomers may not realize is that our love of summer in the South runs as deep as a magnolia tree’s roots. It is truly our time to shine.

A southern garden at golden hour. A woman stands behind a limelight hydrangea, wearing a white linen dress and straw hat.
Classic summer whites, the dresses we reach for when the humidity rises

Where most transplants go astray is that they often assume what is good for the summer in Nantucket is good for the heat in Georgia. That is simply not the case. We love a linen. A seersucker. A caftan. Lululemon isn’t making anything that Southern girls want touching their skin in mid-July, because darlin’, we will be getting “sticky” in this heat.

A southern garden at golden hour. A woman wearing a white linen dress and a straw hat pours a glass of sweet tea.
White linen, sweet tea, and the quiet hum of summer

Many have strayed from the Labor Day through Memorial Day rule for wearing white clothing. But here in the South, we WILL be wearing white during the summer to reflect the heat. Lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton aren’t just breathable; they’re part of our heritage. Just ask any Southern grandmother why her Sunday dress was always starched and white. These materials move with the heat, not against it.

flat lay of an outfit featuring a white linen dress, sandals, straw hat, and pearl necklaces. The scene is framed by a few flowers against a checkered background.
Perfect for garden parties, porch evenings, and everything in between. Tap the links below for my shoppable picks.

Here are a few of my Style Staples for a Southern Summer

A southern vegetable garden at golden hour. I woman wearing a white linen dress and straw hat enters the garden through a gate.
Nothing beats the feel of a linen dress in a Georgia breeze.

So yes, we may gripe about the heat, but make no mistake, we were made for this season. From porch swings to garden parties, there’s a quiet elegance to the way Southerners dress for summer, and classic whites are right at the heart of it. Whether it’s a crisp linen dress, a cotton blouse that’s seen a dozen Julys, or a pair of pearl drop earrings that feel just right in the glow of twilight, our style says: we belong to this place and this moment. If you’re new to dressing for Southern summers, start simple. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite timeless summer staples HERE, pieces that look just as lovely on a back porch as they do at a bridal shower.

Explore More from Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays

This article is part of my Old-Fashioned Summer Saturdays series, where I share timeless inspiration for warm-weather living. Be sure to check out these reader favorites:

– Timeless Red, White, and Blue Decor Ideas for the Porch
– Heirloom Tomato Dreams
– Simple Garden Joys
– Refrigerator Pickles—A Southern Summer Staple
– Creating a Cozy Summer Reading Spot
– Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake Cake
– Blue and White China for Summer Entertaining

You can subscribe here to receive new articles, seasonal inspiration, and vintage-style favorites delivered right to your inbox.

Abby Smolarsky9 Comments