Elements of Southern Style

Low Country Interiors signature style is southern, elegant design.  But what makes a design “southern”?  The hallmarks of southern design lie in the balance of old and new and outdoors and in, with a feel of hospitality at its core.  The southern home doesn’t need to be perfect, but always ready to welcome an impromptu guest! 

Beloved Antiques or Heirlooms

Good southern design loves family and family history but no one wants to feel like their home is a museum or like it’s stuck in a time warp!  The key is blending a fabulous antique with a new, fresh, more modern piece to achieve a collected and rooted sense of style.  Traditional design is back with a vengeance, but what I think is more important is that a space is TIMELESS. 

Check out these antique tables and coffee table with a fresh white sofa a fun pillows and lamps.

Or how about an antique farm table and hutch updated with some fabulous chairs? Simply amazing!

In this image a traditional dining table & antique art are updated with fun accessories and a creamy sideboard.

A Luxurious Bed… and dare I say, a Four Poster One?

Nothing screams “southern” more than a four poster bed, but you need not have that level of formality to achieve southern style. A luxurious bed topped with layered linens and beautiful (and bountiful!) pillows is key! 

Four Poster Bed

This is one southern bedroom!  The bed started as a four poster but after seeing it in the space, we felt the footboard posters cut into the room and so we opted to keep them low.  The homeowners fell in love with the butter matelasse, so we paired it a flowing bedskirt and gorgeous pillows.

Patterns and Quilts

Here, the homeowners wanted to use their existing quilt so we paired it with lots of different blue and white patterns to keep it current and inviting.  The bamboo bed is a nod to chinoiserie and coastal, breezy summers!

 

Monogrammed Linens

Reese Witherspoon once said, “If it’s not moving, monogram it!”

I like to use monogrammed linens in a couple of key places… towels, napkins and bedding.  A powder room is a perfect place to add some monogrammed guest towels.  The edge of pillowcase or on pillow shams is another place to kick up the southern.  Even a decorative pillow “casually” placed in a chair is a win! Last but not least, a dining table to make a mama proud includes beautiful monogrammed napkins!

Natural Elements

Southern homes reflect the beauty of the outdoors in their interiors.  We love to include florals in fabrics and wallcoverings and often you will find marsh scenes and birds in a variety of art and patterns.  Natural fibers like grasscloth, wicker and cane make frequent appearances in southern homes particularly along the coast.

This powder room features an iconic wallcovering that is all about the birds! 
It is paired perfectly with the walnut counter top and antique mirror!

Sweet Porches

Southern homes treat their porches… or verandas as they’re called here…. like additional rooms!  Rocking chairs or swing beds, screened or not, porches are a staple in a southern home.  Outfitted with outdoor fabric- covered cushions and pillows, rugs, even accessories and lamps, southern homes capitalize on warm breezes and awesome views.  And they’re the best places to sip tea and sit a spell!