Southern Host + Home :: Fall 2023

Southern

HOST+ HOME Home for Entertaining with Southern Studio Interior Design

LEGACY LAKE HOME REVEAL TWO HOLIDAY TABLESCAPES NEW YEARS EVE HOSTING GUIDE

FA L L 2 0 2 3 SOUTHERNSTUDIO.COM H O M E F O R E N T E R TA I N I N G . C O M

FALL 2023

A NOTE FROM VICKY This time of year is special for so many reasons – crisp days gathering fireside with friends and s’mores, football games with tailgates and crocks of chili, memorable Thanksgiving feasts with a history of family traditions, and a festive holiday season filled with wonder and cheer. In our little corner of the world in Downtown Cary, our goal is to help others enjoy these months through functionally beautiful homes, memorable experiences and special entertaining pieces to elevate every occasion.

To that end, we are proud to say that Home for Entertaining is now launched and open for business! If you haven’t checked out the retail shop filled with a curated collection of fine tableware, artisan gifts and unique pieces for entertaining, be sure to visit soon. On pages 9-12, you’ll find tips and tricks for creating one-of-a-kind tablescapes for your holiday gatherings. You’ll also find a hosting guide to create a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration.

To encourage and celebrate the art of entertaining, our Home for Entertaining classes – both public and private – are in full swing. From pasta making to floral workshops, everything we do is in the spirit of helping our clients become more confident, comfortable hosts. We invite you to check out pages 14-16 for our full calendar of upcoming classes. If you see a class that interests you, know that we can arrange for a private class for your group.

Meanwhile, the Southern Studio team continues to work on a select number of inspiring projects. Our small and mighty team is soaking up the opportunity to enjoy each of our clients. Every day, we are amazed and inspired by their quests to live life to the fullest. On pages 3-8, we feature what we call a “legacy home” – a home designed to be enjoyed and passed down through many generations. We believe the mission was accomplished.

As you prepare for the holiday season, we hope you find inspiration in the pages of Southern Host + Home. It’s all about community – sharing with those we love and giving back in meaningful ways. We are grateful to have you on the journey with us!

With endless gratitude,

Vicky Serany Founder + Principal

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Southern Studio

Home for Entertaining

Design and Layout: Samantha Beavers Editorial: Samantha Beavers, Caroline Barnhill and Stephanie Policastro Photography: Dustin Peck Photography (Front Cover, pgs 3-8); Jacqueline Reid Photography (pgs 9-12, 16, 19, Back Cover) Devyn Voorheis (pg 17), Catherine Nguyen Photography (pg 20)

CONTENTS

3

9

13

14

17

19

PROJECT REVEAL:

SEASONAL STYLING:

HOSTING GUIDE:

EVENTS CALENDAR:

MEET THE CHEFS:

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:

LEGACY HOME ON SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE

TWO TABLE SETTINGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR

WORKSHOPS WITH HOME FOR ENTERTAINING

JOAN BAUMER AND CAT BROWNE

GRAND OPENING AND GREEN CHAIR PROJECT

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? SHOP WITH US USING THE CLICKABLE LINKS IN THIS ISSUE.

relaxed lIVING ON SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE Vicky Serany, founder and principal of Southern Studio, and Paige Adams, senior designer, share about designing a legacy home with nautical views on Smith Mountain Lake. Balancing beauty and function, the home offers spaces for both personal refuge and social gathering – a special place family members can enjoy for years to come.

In January 2021, Vicky Serany got a call from a couple with an exciting challenge: to design a lake home on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia that could be passed down through multiple generations. The homeowners wanted their home to be timeless and liveable, high-quality and easy to maintain – with soft, serene details and a nod to the lake life.

“The mother-and-daughter duo found Southern Studio on Instagram, and during our first meeting, there was an instant connection,” Serany says.

“They were a trusting, collaborative team – and the design meetings were filled with excitement and energy, bringing together the family and the Southern Studio team.”

“They would share their inspiration with us and trust our design team to capture the vision and build off of that,” adds Paige Adams. “They made the project so enjoyable. I loved getting to know their family, hear their stories and learn about their desire for future generations to enjoy this home.”

To accommodate multiple generations, the home boasts two primary suites, plus a loft for sipping coffee and enjoying lake views in the morning before joining others on the first floor. At the top of the stairs is a cozy reading nook where family members can steal away for a moment of quiet.

“This house lives large and it’s certainly designed for gathering and entertaining, but it also gives everyone their own private space,” Serany says.

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Another special feature of the home is the bunk and recreation room, which offers sleeping capacity for future generations, as well as space to watch movies, do puzzles, play games and make lifelong memories. “We wanted to balance both uses – making it look like a recreation room and not just a bedroom. We also had ceiling angles to deal with, so that was another challenge,” Serany says. “We ended up doing multiple sketches and we’re quite pleased with how it turned out.”

To round out the thoughtful design, the homeowners invested in quality materials that would stand the test of time while adding beauty and character to the home. They selected copper gutters for the exterior and Fulford hardwood flooring and wooden beams inside. “Fulford’s floors add so much warmth and character to the home, which is why they are one of my favorite features. They are stunning,” Adams says.

While this legacy home is one of Southern Studio’s favorite projects to date, both Serany and Adams insist that the home’s interior design pales in comparison to the views and gathering spaces outdoors.

“The home sits on a beautiful lot with an amazing dock and great outdoor living spaces – and the views of the lake are just gorgeous,” Serany says. “We recognize that no matter how beautiful we can make an interior, we simply cannot compete with Mother Nature. Mother Nature wins every time.”

Quality Design, Expert Craftsmanship

A nautical color palette of cool blues and warm browns allowed the homeowners to capture the natural beauty of Smith Mountain Lake, as well as the spirit of their home: a serene place to relax in the presence and warmth of family.

For stunning kitchen cabinets with equally remarkable durability, the homeowners opted for fully-custom cabinetry built by Amish trades. “The cabinetry is amazing and the designer was a true craftsman,” Serany says. “We put glass on the sides of the cabinets by the sink window. I love this unique detail.”

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Styling + Entertaining Accessories V I C K y S E R A N Y ’ S FAVO R I T E S Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash

k a y l a B OY L E ’ S FAVO R I T E S Puro Whiskey Decanter

K I R S T E N G R AY ’ S FAVO R I T E S

Evelyn Linen Throw

Oversized Footed Board

Brass and Marble Tool Shaker Set

PA I G E A D A M S ’ FAVO R I T E S

Crystal Carafe & Glass Set

Wine Tasting Party Kit

Hibiscus Bud Vase

SEASONAL STYLing

THANKSGIVING Autumn in North Carolina is always something to behold. Shades of chestnut, amber, sage and pomegranate – and soft sunlight that casts a warm glow over it all. For a perfectly festive, elegant Thanksgiving, we take advantage of North Carolina’s mild weather and host dinner outdoors – and pull in outdoor-inspired tableware and décor pieces that capture the natural beauty of the season. Woodsy heirloom dishes and salt and pepper shakers add a playful, nostalgic touch that your family will treasure forever.

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Rustic Ring Natural Placemats

Magnolia Flatware

Forest Walk Cafe Au Lait Dessert Plates

Forest Walk Butter Dish

Fall Berry Trim Napkins

Forest Walk Gratitude Platter

Forest Walk Dinner Plates

Bilia Goblet

Fox Salt + Pepper Shakers

Forest Walk Animal Cocktail Plates

N

SEASONAL STYLiNG

christmas

We wanted to create an elegant, show-stopping holiday tablescape – but one that doesn’t, like so many others, strip the season of its color or cheer. One that’s fit for adults, but approachable, fun, and memorable for the little ones, too. It was a tall order, but we think this one fits the bill. We used crisp reds, greens and whites, pulled in classic tartan, and added in pops of gold with flatware, classic tapersticks, gilded serving trivets, and adorable reindeer napkin holders. Red and white florals, pinecones, and sprigs of rosemary add colorful natural elements that tie the whole look together.

The result? An elevated tablescape that’s full of Christmas magic – and perfect for celebrating with large and small groups alike. For extra special touches, we used our Bilia goblets for a few more pops of green, as well as items from our Winter Frolic collection to add some whimsical, wintry scenes to the table. The best part of this tablescape, though, is its flexibilty – you can easily add in your favorite white serving pieces and glassware for a cohesive, elevated look.

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Each year, the Serany family enjoys a traditional Polish Wigilia – a special Christmas Eve supper complete with pierogis. What traditions does your family have? We always love hearing how other families celebrate the season – the meals they prepare, the traditions they pass down and the memories they make together. We would love for you to say hello at hello@homeforentertaining.com and let us know how your family celebrates and whether you plan to try anything new this year!

If you need any inspiration for your menu, we cannot recommend Half Baked Harvest Every Day enough. If you’d like to give Polish Wigilia a try, you can find a pierogi recipe inside – but you can also find recipes for beloved holiday dishes like slow-roasted chicken, pot roast, and honey-roasted carrots with pomegranate seeds. If you enjoy listening to music while you cook, bake, and feast, check out our Holidays at Home [for Entertaining] playlist on Spotify.

Rory Trivets

Stewart Tartan Napkins

Dogwood Service Set

Bilia Goblet

Blue Ridge Bowl

Winter Frolic Party Plates

Rudolph Napkin Rings

Winter Frolic Dinner Plates

Winter Frolic Placemats

Amalia Red Wine Glass

HOSTiNG GUIDE

NEW YEAR’S EVE After the holiday hustle, the thought of planning yet another gathering can be intimidating. That’s why we’ve done your New Year’s Eve party planning for you! With tasty appetizers and touches of gold, this is an elegant way to ring in the new year – while still being simple, low-maintenance and easy to execute. Here’s to happy hosts, happy guests and a happy 2024.

the food:

the table setting:

We recommend serving appetizers throughout the night – a little something every hour or so. To divide the prep, consider asking guests to bring their favorite app to share!

This polished and thoughtful table setting wows guests – but is a snap to put together.

Jackie’s favorite: “The Farmer’s Market Board with Whipped Honey Goat Cheese from Everyday Entertaining. You whip up a honey goat cheese dip and serve it on a board alongside fruits, vegetables and crackers.”

For the dip • 4 oz goat cheese • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt • 2 tablespoons honey • Sea salt, to taste

Combine everything in a food processor and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Spoon into a bowl and serve on a board.

M E G A N ’ S FAVO R I T E : “Brussels Sprouts Clafoutis with Harissa and Feta from Home Made Basics. It’s a savory twist on a French dessert and it’s absolutely delicious.”

Gold Confetti Runner

Cork Safe

Alejandra Ice Bucket and Ice Scoop

Champagne Bottle Napkins

Mother of Pearl Flutes with Gold Rims

Sierra Modern Maia Tray

the tunes:

the activity:

Set the tone for the evening with our Social Supper playlist on Spotify.

Set out a puzzle (we love this one) that guests can work on while chatting throughout the night.

the drinks: S PA R K L I N G W I N E : Maurice Bonnamy Crémant de Loire For the mocktail • 1.5 oz blackberry puree • 1 oz lavender syrup • 4-6 oz Fever-Tree club soda, chilled • 0.5 oz half-and-half • 3 blackberries, on a pick

M O C K TA I L : Blackberry-Lavender French Soda from Zero Proof.

Shake the puree and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Strain into a glass and add club soda (or sub champagne). Add half-and-half for an ombre effect.

Garnish with berries.

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WORKSHOPS + EVENTS PRESENTED BY HOME FOR ENTERTAINING

Our interactive workshops allow you to learn the art of entertaining by experiencing it first-hand – and give you the opportunity to shop our market space at a discounted rate. Click here to purchase tickets for events that are already live on the website, and keep an eye on the page to explore new events as they are added.

FRIDAY, NOV. 10 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Date Night: Same Grape, Different Region Tasting with The Wine Feed Taste six wines from various regions and learn why two wines of the same varietal can taste drastically different.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 15 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Make + Take: A Thanksgiving Centerpiece Learn to build a beautiful, bountiful floral arrangement to elevate your Thanksgiving tablescape.

FRIDAY, NOV. 17 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Let’s Make Some Dim Sum Learn to make steamed pumpkin and pork dumplings, crispy vegetarian spring rolls and mini rangoons stuffed with caramelized apple and cream cheese and served alongside red bean or green tea ice cream.

SATURDAY, NOV. 18 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Seasonal French Crêpes with Joan Baumer Master the techniques for delicious, foolproof crêpes, including a savory crêpe with Jambon d’Alsace and Swiss Gruyère, as well as two sweet crêpes – Mexican chocolate and fig jam with blueberry drizzle.

SATURDAY, NOV. 25 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Pizza, Pints and Pours with Chef Sonya Enjoy a fun-filled evening tossing personal pies – including a tangy BBQ chicken pizza and sweet s’mores dessert pizza – while enjoying a beer or wine pour of your choice with each course.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 29 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Make + Take: Holiday Wreath Workshop with Spade and Sparrow Learn to create stunning holiday wreaths and bring one home to enjoy this holiday season.

THURSDAY, NOV. 30 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Holiday Party Appetizers with Stefanie Boisvert Impress your guests by learning to make poached shrimp paired with a Bloody Mary cocktail sauce, a tasty Port wine cheese log, goat cheese and almond-stuffed dates and rosemary sea salt mixed nuts.

FRIDAY, DEC. 1 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Make + Take: Winter Floral Centerpiece with The Skinny Vase Build a floral centerpiece with festive colors and holiday accessories to elevate your seasonal tablescape at home.

SATURDAY, DEC. 2 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Homemade Pasta with Cat Browne Learn the art of homemade pasta-making with Cat Browne, owner and head chef of Culinary Solutions.

THURSDAY, DEC. 7 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Cooking with Wine Learn to make a delicious winter salad, porcini and rosemary-crusted pork tenderloin with a red wine reduction sauce, creamy parmesan polenta and wine-poached pears with mascarpone cream and candied pecans.

SATURDAY, DEC. 9 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Home for Entertaining’s “Around Our Table” Gourmet Market Enjoy some of our favorite local vendors and explore gourmet food items perfect for gifting and enjoying at your upcoming holiday get-togethers. We’ll have a selection of gift sets, giveaways and seasonal treats.

SATURDAY, DEC. 9 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Christmas Charcuterie Workshop with Amazing Grazing Snack on gourmet treats while learning tips and tricks for designing a beautiful holiday-themed charcuterie board.

SUNDAY, DEC. 10 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Latinísimo Book Signing Event with Sandra Gutierrez Join culinary expert Sandra Gutierrez as she shares about her new book, Latinísimo.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Winter Baking Workshop with Stefanie Boisvert Learn to make sticky toffee pudding, decadent peppermint brownies, and pecan turtles for holiday gifting.

THURSDAY, DEC. 14 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Multi-Course Cheese Dinner with The Cheese Shop Enjoy a multi-course dinner highlighting signature cheeses from different regions around the world.

FRIDAY, DEC. 15 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Holiday Hors D’oeuvres with an Asian Twist with Wendy Pannell Learn to make Japanese shrimp toast, Shanghai soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) and Double Happiness fried rice.

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Holiday Cookie Baking Workshop with Joan Baumer and Jackie Serany Learn to bake an assortment of seasonal cookies and take home a box of your own treats for sharing.

SUNDAY, DEC. 17 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Macaron Baking Workshop with Amanda Boury Master the techniques for beautiful, delicious seasonal macarons.

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FRIDAY, DEC. 29 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

New Year’s Eve Interactive Mystery Wine Tasting Party with Vintage Hill Wine Events Learn about wines from around the world and put your palate to the test with a blind wine-tasting experience.

THURSDAY, JAN. 11 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Healthy Cooking in a Hurry with Cat Browne Learn to prepare healthy meals that don’t steal much time from your busy schedule while enjoying guilt-free cuisine.

SATURDAY, JAN. 20 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Designing the Entertainer’s Kitchen with Vicky Serany Whether your kitchen needs a full renovation or a few fresh updates, Vicky will walk you through an interactive instructional design workshop to help you envision and plan your perfect entertainer’s kitchen.

FRIDAY, JAN. 26 | 119 W PARK ST CARY, NC

Food Photography for All Skill Levels with Stacey Sprenz Learn the ins and outs of capturing stunning photos of your culinary creations.

MEET THE CHEFS

FROM THE HOME FOR EN J OA N B A U M E R OWNER | THE CRÊPE CAKERIE Joan Baumer, affectioniately known to many as the “Crêpe Queen,” is owner of The Crêpe Cakerie, a made-to-order custom bakery in Cary, North Carolina.

She launched the business in 2018 after her son and daughter-in-law inspired her with a special request: to make a crêpe cake for their wedding. “After building, freezing, delivering and decorating a creation for their Malibu beach wedding, more orders started falling in my lap.

Eight months later, The Crêpe Cakerie was born,” Baumer says. Through The Crêpe Cakerie, Baumer shares the flavors and flair of France in homes, at parties

C AT B R OW N E OWN ER AN D H E AD CH E F | CU LI N A RY S OLU T I ON S Cat Browne, owner and head chef of Culinary Solutions in Raleigh, North Carolina, is passionate about sharing the joy of cooking and simplifying meals for busy people. Culinary Solutions offers in-home meal prep services to provide families with fresh, seasonal meals.

“I love getting to know the families I cook for and enjoy helping them come together at the dinner table with healthy options after a busy day. I hope to show people just how good they can feel by eating healthy most of the time,” Browne says. She launched her business in 2015 after learning from chefs in Napa Valley

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at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and working in Abruzzo, Italy.

Browne brings her passion for cooking to the Home for Entertaining kitchen, where she teaches the art of pasta making. As a Home for Entertaining partner, Browne also hopes to inspire a love for supporting small businesses and getting to know the stories behind them. “Sourcing and enjoying local ingredients benefits everyone. Whether it’s a family farm or a local distillery, you find people who are very passionate and knowledgeable about their products,” Browne says.

and with businesses across the United States. Today, she is delighted to share her creations and techniques by teaching in the kitchen at Home for Entertaining. She most looks forward to leading hands-on cooking workshops featuring crêpes, bread, holiday cookies and pies. “I always aim to give a party where we combine art and science via technique, chefs’ secrets and beautiful plating,” Baumer says. “What I enjoy most is inspiring others to cook up some fun. It expands my reach and satisfies my soul.”

NTERTAINING KITCHEN WHAT IS THE FIRST DISH YOU PERFECTED? The chicken soup of my childhood! I have always believed that a good stock will guarantee flavorful stews and addictive soups.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASONAL INGREDIENT FOR FALL? Pomegranates – the sweet-tart taste, juicy texture, high nutritional content and brilliant color always thrills me. I toss them in salads, use them as a garnish on goat cheese topped crostinis, and juice them for cocktails and smoothies.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CURRENT CULINARY TREND? Plant-based bowls with brilliant color (like beets, avocados, and corn), high flavor (like salsas and tahini dressing), plenty of protein (like legumes and quinoa), and a beautiful presentation (garnished with herbs and served in hand-made pasta bowls).

WHAT IS THE BEST HOSTING ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED? Advance prep makes all the difference. If you are calm and collected, both you and your guests will have fun.

WHAT IS THE FIRST DISH YOU PERFECTED? Bananas Foster. When I was growing up in Nashville, there was a restaurant called Sperry’s that my parents took us to occasionally. They offered an impressive tableside presentation of the dish, which included lots of cinnamon, sugar and of course the grande finale of flambéing the bananas in rum sauce. Then that yummy goodness was poured over a small mound of ice cream. I was hooked before I even took the first bite.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASONAL INGREDIENT FOR FALL? This year, it’s pears. My kids love them, so I am constantly thinking of new ways to use them. I also love cinnamon.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CURRENT CULINARY TREND? Whole-food, plant-based eating (WFPB), a term created by T. Colin Campbell years ago but now growing in popularity. I hope this turns out to be less of a trend and more of a long-term movement to improve our health and the environment.

WHAT IS THE BEST HOSTING ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED? Create menus around dishes that can be made in advance so there’s more time to spend with guests once they get there.

CELEBRATing HOME FOR ENTERTAINING’S

gRAND OPENING in cary On Oct. 11, Home for Entertaining celebrated a special grand opening with Cary Chamber of Commerce. The event featured live music and an impressive spread of treats prepared by Vinnie Balducci, corporate chef for Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove, in the demonstration kitchen. After many months of scheming and planning, the Home for Entertaining team was thrilled to see this dream come to fruition – and to welcome guests in to share their excitement, enjoy the new space and shop their shelves.

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COMMUNITY PARTNER

GREEN CHAIR PROJECT As individuals with a passion for all things home, the Southern Studio and Home for Entertaining teams are proud to partner with The Green Chair Project, a nonprofit organization in Raleigh, North Carolina that provides home furnishings for individuals and families in need, including those facing homelessness, crisis and disaster. Vicky Serany serves on The Green Chair Project’s board of directors, and the Southern Studio and Home for Entertaining teams participate in its Chairity: Celebrating Home fundraiser – an annual design showcase bringing together more than 30 local designers.

Home for Entertaining provided refreshments and curated tablescapes for this year’s event, and Kayla Boyle and Paige Adams from Southern Studio sponsored five students studying interior design at Meredith College: Kendal Kwasnick, Mary Grace Teachey, Cecilia Rivera, Amber Dobbins and Rachel Kimble. “We firmly believe in serving our community through our passions and gifts, and the Chairity event is such a wonderful opportunity for us to give back. It allows us to support families in need while simultaneously investing in students who share our passion for interior design,” Boyle says. “We hosted the students in our studio and guided them through the design process, and we are so proud of their work.”

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

– PA B LO PI C A S S O

SOUTHERNSTUDIO.COM H O M E F O R E N T E R TA I N I N G . C O M

“The most special spaces have layers and layers of detail… that special trim, the bold pattern, the luxurious fabric, spectacular lighting, or a fabulous wallcovering”

Vicky Serany