THE SOUTHERN HOME

As I type this note, I am sitting in my backyard on a February afternoon. It is currently 75 degrees outside. My crepe myrtles are starting to turn green; the Indian Hawthorne and azaleas are in full bloom. The birds that frequent my neighbor’s bird houses are back. My dog has taken to sunbathing in the clover patch by the back fence and pretends to not hear me calling for her to come inside.

I know it’s still winter, but you will have a hard time convincing my yard it’s not!

This year, I am very excited about getting a little backyard garden planted for my family. Jackson has had surprising success turning an avocado seed into a tree and a sprouting potato plant into more potatoes, so I feel we are ready for a few new plants. He’s also quite particular about the vegetables he eats, so I’m thinking that by growing them himself, he’s more likely to eat them…. Right? We are going to plant tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers along with some basil, rosemary and thyme.

It’s also time to start over in our flower beds. The original landscaping was put in when the home was built in 1999. Parts of the beds are overgrown with weeds, plants that were given to us by the birds and wind, and other shrubs that have just seen better days. The plan is to start over with plants that are better suited for my version of care: ignore it and hope for the best.

March’s issue is excitedly our home and garden issue. This is one of our favorite issues to put together. Our readers love seeing inside a grand home and planning out their own home improvements. While we recognize that our area is still rebuilding from Hurricane Ida, and we know that supplies and labor are still hard to find, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to help you dream and plan for the future. Inside this issue, we also share a special advertising section where local businesses share their stories on how they can help you to make your house a home.

What would a home be without a little art? Pink Cheeks’ artist, Nichol Brinkman, brings color and character to every piece she creates. Nichol began her artistic business by making and selling homemade, oneof-a-kind baby mobiles. Her reach as an artist has grown exponentially since then, now making and selling paintings, prints, toys, soft sculptures, and even publishing books. She will also be a featured artist at the 2023 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival! Learn more about Nichol’s story and see some of her creations starting on page 20.

When it comes to style trends in the home, we decided to put our local talent to work! We asked seven local experts to share what they are seeing when it comes to color, floor plans, textiles and more! Check out our special feature on home decorating and design, starting on page 24.

Spring is such a wonderful time of renewal, growth, and fun. I hope you find the time to enjoy this issue of the Southern Home from your favorite spot in your own home! POV

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPACE IN YOUR HOME AND WHY?

Tiffany

One of my favorite spaces in our home is our screened in sunroom. This space provides a place for us to gather as a family, to read a book, or drink a cup of coffee. Of course, the best time to enjoy this space is in the spring and fall!

Grant

My favorite space in my house is our dining room. It’s full of furniture passed down through the family, so it’s as special to us as it is functional; and with my wife’s seasonal decoration updates, it’s never short on charm!

Amanda

My own master closet is my sanctuary. Since I am surrounded by my children and my husband all the time, it is my own oasis where I have made it all my own including my own water closet and refrigerator. I don’t have to talk to anyone about what happened in the Mandalorian!

Rusty

My kitchen is my favorite space, probably because I redesigned it myself post hurricane Ida, and I get to see the fruits of my labor everyday. It’s so fresh and modern and a great place to gather with friends and family with its open concept to the dining and living spaces!

Lucy

I love being in my kitchen. Whether it’s to cook for my family, bake with my kids, hang toddler artwork on the fridge, or just sit down together at the end of the day, it’s the space where we all come together.