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.

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 4^th 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.

August 8, 2025March 16, 2026

Abby7 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.

August 2, 2025March 16, 2026

Abby8 Comments

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.

July 26, 2025March 16, 2026

Abby9 Comments

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:

Keep pantry staples on hand—flour, sugar, baking soda, and vanilla extract, plus frozen strawberries and whipped topping or cream in the fridge.
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

Cook Time 30

Chill/Rest Time 6

Total Time 6 45

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

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

July 19, 2025March 16, 2026

Abby9 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!

July 12, 2025March 16, 2026

Abby8 Comments

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.

A special tomato slicer makes cutting a breeze.

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.

July 5, 2025March 16, 2026

Abby13 Comments

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

Classic white linen dress
Seersucker sundress
Wide-brim straw hat here or here
Cotton shirt dress or this one.
Leather sandals here or here
Vintage-inspired pearl earrings here or here
Light-weight cotton pajamas here or here
Cotton gauze shirt or this one
Linen Pants here or here.
Bonus tip Get a good steamer if the wrinkles bother you.

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.

June 28, 2025March 16, 2026

Abby9 Comments

How to Make Old-Fashioned Refrigerator Pickles in Weck Jars: A Southern Summer Staple

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 garden, putting those homegrown cucumbers to good use with a classic refrigerator pickles recipe…no canning required!

If you’ve ever grown cucumbers in your garden, you know how quickly they multiply. This easy refrigerator pickle recipe is my favorite way to preserve them without needed a canner, water bath, or any special tools. It’s fast, crisp, and full of flavor. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, you’ll love this vintage-inspired method.

Why I love this method:

No canning, no fuss. Plus it’s a great way to use homegrown produce.
This is a modern take on a timeless tradition.
There are no daunting tasks.
This recipe is easily adaptable and hard to mess up!

Supplies You’ll Need (affiliate links)

Recipe (keep reading for more details)

Abby Smolarsky | Belle Antiquarian

Old-Fashioned Refrigerator Pickles

A no-canning refrigerator pickle recipe using fresh cucumbers and classic Southern flavors. Crisp, sweet-tangy, and easy to make; no special equipment required.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 14

Additional Time 2

Total Time 2 14

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Southern

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes