Pretty Southern

Author: kat

  • Peachy Keen

    Peachy Keen

    Inspired by the South’s most famous fruit I have gathered some of the prettiest peachy finds for your home and wardrobe.  Peach is popular in fashion and interior design right now but it is always a perfect summer hue for anyone living in the South.  Peach is a universally easy color to wear, setting off a sun kissed tan and pale freckles alike- you are sure to look your best in this cheery shade.  Or you can easily brighten up your home with peach accessories by adding a throw pillow or blanket, an inexpensive way to add a punch of color that is not a permanent design overhaul.

    For your summer wardrobe find a breezy peach tank, a lightweight skirt, or a large accessory to set off your entire outfit.  I love this striped linen tank by J.Crew in poppy for a modern, preppy take on the color that is perfect for any summer activity.  Pair it with shorts for a bike ride. To view the full Wisper e-bike range click here. Pair it with skinny jeans and heels for a girls night out.  Or keep your outfit simple and layer this chunky peach necklace by Urban Legend over a simple black tank or under a crisp white oxford.  These lovely baubles are constructed from vintage lucite beads and will be everything you need to dress up a summer outfit.

    In your home throw in some punches of peach to freshen up an otherwise bland room.  Peach will go with any wall color from white to blue and is an easy way to modernize your space.  Before you paint all of your walls in this bright shade, try simply layering in some accessories to see how you like living with the color.  You can easily switch out your accessories seasonally to create a completely different look for your room.  I love this gorgeous handmade vessel by Up In the Air Somewhere with a subtle peach fade.  Place it on a table or shelf for a soft punch of color.  In your bedroom toss this peachy ruffle quilt by Urban Outfitters on your bed and layer with some pillows in various shades of peach, pink, coral, and white for a monochromatic look that will add polish to your place.  Lastly, send out these chevron note cards with a personalized note to add a splash of cheer to someone’s day.  By etsy shop, Mr Handsome Face, they are a simple, elegant way to share this summer shade with someone you love.

    However you choose to use it, you really can’t go wrong with this delightful summer hue that captures all of the South’s sweetest moments.
    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

  • Picks for a Pretty Spring Picnic

    Picks for a Pretty Spring Picnic

    Pollen season is almost over. Before the mosquitoes hit, get out to enjoy Springtime in the South. Y’all, now is the prime time for bike rides, lazy afternoons, and picnics.  Why not shake up the traditional picnic by hosting a pastel picnic party with more style and whimsy?  Instead of the traditional plastic utensils and paper plates, pack up your finest dinnerware set from https://farandaway.co/ and wear your prettiest floral sundress for a picnic that is certainly out of the ordinary.

    Today’s inspiration board has some of the essentials for a pretty summertime picnic in the sweetest pastel hues.  Clockwise from top left:

    1. Instead of sandwiches why not serve these colorful macaroons?  They are pretty, perfectly bite-sized, and easy to pack.  Try some from Maison Robert in Atlanta.

    2. Wear these lovely pastel baubles from Leif with your favorite floral print dress.

    3. Bring along a balloon bouquet for perfect photo props while on your picnic.

    4. Treat each of your guests to this ingenious idea by Kate, an individual-sized watermelon adorned with a pretty ribbon.

    5. Hang some paper lanterns in the trees, stack some old boxes, and toss some pillows around the ground for a cozy atmosphere.

    6.  Serve your guests with these adorable, modern tart servers also from Leif.

    7. Curl up on these pastel print blanket by Horne that will tie the whole scene together.  After your macaroons and watermelon, stretch out and enjoy a summer siesta!

    Images: 1. Lola’s room, 2. Leif, 3. Lola’s room, 4. You Are My Fave, 5. Picnic image, 6. Lief, 7. Horne.

     

    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

  • Decorating With Vintage Letters

    Decorating With Vintage Letters

    Hello lovelies!  Today I would love to introduce to you a new series I am working on for Pretty Southern called Decorating With.  It will be a guide to decorating with a certain item, trend, color, or idea each week.  This week I want to introduce the idea of decorating with Vintage Letters.

    This is something that has been somewhat trendy and often featured at online sites like Archute but has not gotten to the point of being overdone or too much.  My husband and I are constantly on the lookout for unique, old, wood or metal letters; but you certainly don’t have to be a designer or type junkie to love this idea.  It is a great, one-of-a-kind way to personalize a space, whether it be a child’s room or a modern kitchen.  Use a random collection to spell out a name or add a moniker or personal mantra to your favorite room.  While this might not be an original decorating idea, it will most definitely be personal to you and your combination of letters will be completely unique to your space and arrangement.

    The relatively low cost of tooling makes sand casting a process of choice for lower volume needs, learn more about Cast Technologies’ sand casting process.

    So where do you find your very own vintage letters?  While some big chain home design stores may have jumped on this idea and began producing their own “vintage” style letters- they are sure to be overpriced and less special than that one of a kind treasure you will be seeking out.  My top choices for searching for authentic vintage letters are online sources, flea markets, and architectural salvage stores.  Online sites like etsy.com, ebay, or amazon have great, already curated finds that would make it easy for you to seek out specific letters when trying to spell out a name, quote, or initials.  If you are not hunting for a specific set of letters then you may have more fun trying your luck at a flea market or an architectural salvage store.  These may take more hunting, but that’s half the fun of decorating, and a bit of elbow grease to get your letters into display-worthy shape- but you can finds tons of treasures for cheap at places like this! 

    So take a look around your house and see if there is a room that could use a little sprucing up or personalization.  How sweet would it be to spell out your baby’s name in a found collection of classic letters?  Or to put together as a lovely gift for a friend moving into their first home?  So the next time you are out thrifting or flea market hunting be on the lookout for your next decorating treasure!

    A droopy roof may indicate that your beams have weakened over time, either due to inclement weather, pests, or a failing roof. When the frame support wears down, this could put your home in imminent danger. Call in the roofers here before the roof caves in.

    image sources: image 1, image 2, image 3, featured image.

    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

  • Pretty Up Your Office Space

    Pretty Up Your Office Space

    As the summer is coming to an end and children are packing their book bags with new notebooks, fresh pencils, and colorful accessories it may be a good time to reevaluate your own work space.  Have you had the same office accessories, photographs, and stack of papers to be filed sitting their for months?  August is a perfect time to spruce up your work space, add some color to a drab office, and get your organization on!

    I love these colorful office supplies from Design Public for adding some life to your desk, cubicle, or corner office.  Whether you work from home or in a busy corporate setting, we all spend many, many hours at work and deserve to have a comfortable place to pass the work day in.  Take just a few minutes this upcoming work week to see what works and what isn’t working for you!  Clear out old papers, commit to getting through that stack of files that has been looming over you, print out some new family photos, and grab some colorful accessories to add some cheer to your space.  You will not only feel refreshed, organized, and ready to start your work week, but you might also motivate some of your coworkers to spruce up their work space as well.

    I head back to work this week, starting my fifth year of teaching, and I know that a few fun, modern accessories will lift my spirits and get me in gear for the upcoming school year.

    All photos from Design Public.

    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

  • Dressing Up Your Dinner Table

    Dressing Up Your Dinner Table

    As the summer heat presses on you may be more inclined to turn off the barbecue and move your hosting to the air-conditioned indoors.  Whether you are throwing a backyard fiesta or an elegant dinner inside, it is always fun to dress up your table a bit with flowers, beautiful dishes, and colorful linens.  Cloth napkins are an easy, affordable way to add some color and style to your table, just layer over a white tablecloth for an instant tablescape face lift.

    I love attending or hosting a good dinner party, complete with flowing wine and a seasonal menu, and I think paying attention to those little details can make all the difference in your dining experience.  Things like fresh flowers, name cards, and cloth napkins all say that you took the time to make your guests really comfortable.  Here I have rounded up some of my favorite cloth napkins in a variety of styles to match any occasion.

    graphic 1, 2, 3 natural 1, 2, 3 floral 1, 2, 3

    Any of these picks would really add a punch to your dining table and would set off the most simple white dishes and serving ware.  So put away the paper napkins and plastic utensils and play a little dress-up with your table!

    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

  • Marco Suarez Southern Landscapes

    Marco Suarez Southern Landscapes

    Marco Suarez is a photographer, artist, designer, and musician living in Greenville, South Carolina.  His take on Southern landscapes is absolutely stunning.  He uses photo retouching services to give his circular photographs a moody and mysterious vibe that immediately draw you in to the stories of the south.  While he has worked all over the world, I am immediately drawn to his lovely scenes of Tennessee mountains.  One look at these photos will take you back to a hazy morning in the Blue Ridge Mountains, standing on your cabin’s porch, sipping coffee, and breathing in the scenery. 

    Marco’s work also includes bright, playful scenes of the beaches of Florida- reminiscient of 1960’s South Beach with crisp blues and mid-century architecture.  These will immediately transport you to a warm summers day, soaking in the sun on a sandy Southern beach.

    Marco’s other work includes amazing colorful collages, clean graphics, and intricate web designs.  Read about and check out more of his work here on his site.  You can buy prints of some of his beautiful work here. Bravo, Marco, for creating such a unique, enlightened vision on some of our favorite Southern scenery!

     

     

     

    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]