Is there anything that takes your breath away like the look of a classic Southern plantation-style home? Simply looking at pictures makes you imagine sipping mint juleps on the veranda. Even if you don’t come from old stock like Emily Grierson in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” you can incorporate such details into your decor.
Don’t think Southern decorating means hanging a velvet Elvis painting on the wall. The features below are far more elegant and classic — although if you absolutely need The King hanging in your den, go ahead. Here are 10 design details that can beautify a home, bed-and-breakfast or hotel of any style anywhere in the nation.
1. Rustic Stone Walls
In the Old Country, most farmhouses featured stone walls, and when immigrants began traveling to America, they brought the tradition with them. Stone has a considerable advantage over wood and aluminum siding. It is less prone to rot, and termites prove less of a concern. Additionally, stone, brick or concrete walls absorb sound more effectively, so if people in neighboring properties love to party all night, you still can sleep soundly.
2. Outdoor-Inspired Wallpaper
When you think of wallpaper, grandma’s house may come to mind — but the right kind adds a touch of rustic charm to any home. However, today’s wallpaper is more than a step above.
Think about using a woodland landscape on an accent wall for Southern charm. Decorate bedrooms with an accent wall of lavender fields to help guests relax before going to sleep. Add an aromatherapy diffuser for additional relaxation.
3. Wraparound Porches for Sipping Lemonade
If there’s one thing every Southern-style house needs, it’s a big, old wraparound porch. These instantly transport guests to Tara where they can sip lemonade without worrying about keeping their waistlines tiny enough for a man’s hands to span them.
Are mosquitoes and other bugs a problem? Go with a screened-in porch. You can set up a bar cart station for guests to enjoy or create an outdoor office space.
4. Real Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors not only look beautiful — they also enhance the value of a home. Many people will pay more for homes with flooring such as hardwood and tile than they will for those with carpet, which costs a fortune to keep cleaned regularly. If your guests have pet allergies, hardwood will minimize allergens that otherwise become trapped in carpet nap.
Real hardwood is easy to clean. A broom and dry mop are all you need. Wood can last for generations — many Southern homes contain floors the same family has trod upon since the 1800s.
5. Big, Bold Curtains
Old-style Southern farmhouses often feature glamorous, heavy curtains in any color of the rainbow. These do double-duty in protecting guests’ privacy when evening falls and keeping the home cooler during summer months.
Here’s where you can indulge your love of velvet if you so desire or pick a floral pattern complementary to your wallpaper. You also can’t go wrong with old-fashioned lacy curtains.
6. Old, Rustic Furniture
Are you the handy type who loves hitting yard sales and swap marts? You’re in luck if you love rustic furnishings. You can find these on the cheap, and a bit of elbow grease and stain is all you need to make a piece of furniture that will look right at home with the rest of your decor.
7. Cozy Throws Everywhere
Is there anything better than curling up with a good novel under a rustic knitted afghan? I haven’t found one if so. Stack every couch in your bed-and-breakfast with a cozy throw or two. If you don’t knit or have a relative who does, take up the habit or hit the swap mart on Saturday.
8. Classic Gooseneck Lighting
Harsh, overhead fluorescent lights flatter no one’s complexion no matter how fair or dark, so outfit your bathrooms with classic gooseneck lighting — guests will get an instant ego boost every time they look in the mirror. You also can use these in kitchens to shed light on the recipe book your mama handed down to you. Go with tons of cute accent lights in living areas, perfect for reading by. Yes — they can feature chickens if you like.
9. Fresh Flowers Add Country Charm
Fresh flowers bring the outdoors in, plus plants help improve indoor air quality. If you have a garden, plant some sunflowers and use the blooms to decorate the kitchen table, replete with red-checked tablecloth, of course. Do you have some acreage you grow wildflowers upon? If allergies are no concern, pick an arrangement, but leave the roots to spring up again next year.
10. A Huge Double Oven
Do you enjoy putting together the classic Thanksgiving feast for your guests? Make doing so easier by installing a double oven. This allows you to cook items at different temperatures, so there’s no need to wait for the turkey to set to pop in the dinner rolls. Plus, you can whip up twice the food in half the time, leaving you more leisure to spend with your guests.
Southern Style for Every Design
Sure, you may live in the industrial Northeast, but if you crave Southern style, there’s no reason you can’t add a touch to your hotel’s decor. Follow the tips above so your guests can enjoy your cozy, country home.
