Step inside the pages of Southern Sensibility, a new interior design book celebrating the sophisticated, colorful warmth of Southern living. You’ll find beautiful interiors that bridge modern everyday living with the time-honored past.
Happy Wednesday!
I have a beautiful new interior design book to share and giveaway, courtesy of Gibbs Smith Books:
by Edith-Anne Duncan, photography by Susie Peck and Dustin Peck
There’s a special kind of beauty in a Southern home — a blend of grace and comfort, where tradition meets personality and every detail tells a story. I’m delighted to share this new interior design book that captures that essence so beautifully: Southern Sensibility by Edith-Anne Duncan, with photography by Susie Peck and Dustin Peck.
There is a unique way of living in the South, a more gracious style with a modern twist. Sophisticated casual interiors with pops of color have always been Edith-Anne’s design aesthetic, as well as a respect for heritage and history. Growing up as a child in the South, Edith-Anne’s family home was filled with inherited furnishings mixed with modern touches of chinoiserie and unexpected moments, like a white leather bench with emerald-green piping. Those surroundings sparked her love of home and decor.
The homes featured in Southern Sensibility are all respectful of family, history, and fashion, but are meant to offer a balance between family time, cherished moments, and everyday modern life. A home should be elegant, but without the fuss of formality. It should welcome guests and family with open arms, where nothing is too precious, but everything is thoughtfully beautiful.
“Old and new, timeless and modern. I absolutely love the juxtaposition of these elements in a home, and it’s a treatment that I use in almost every space I design. When you walk into a room, it’s fun to see a few classic elements alongside something a little unexpected or more contemporary like an eye-catching light fixture, a more current finish, or a bold color scheme. I believe it’s this mix that gives a space character and personality.”
I love her design philosophy when it comes to “the fifth wall” and showcasing ceilings with style!
“When I start to design a room, I am always looking up. The fifth wall, or the ceiling, is a canvas that can be overlooked, neglected, or covered with a coat of neutral paint and forgotten, but not in my book. I like to use every square inch of space, and that most definitely includes the ceiling. I typically choose one or three: paint it in an accent color, cover it with wallpaper, or apply a millwork treatment.”
“Collecting and artfully, displaying works that bring us joy is a natural way to ensure we are creating space as we love. For this reason, art plays a significant role in my work as a designer. It’s about capturing a feeling and being instantly transported back to it each time you enter a room or look it up specific peace – a reflective practice that is at the heart of being Southern.”
I have kitchen envy perusing the pages of this book and loved the upholstery treatment and pattern on the back of these kitchen island stools!
“As the saying goes, ‘If it’s not moving, monogram it!’ There are a few things I deem more southern than a monogram. It’s an elegant way of displaying your family heritage. Bedding is a natural place for a monogram, whether you choose to order the shams, duvet, sheets, or an accent pillow.”
“Whether it’s an embroidered cocktail napkin or a monogrammed notepad with a beautiful bamboo pen, I feel everyone should live with easy elegance, and use collections and furnishings they have. As my witty mother says, ‘Use your sterling every day, dear, because if you don’t, the second wife will!’ ” ;)
In the chapter, “Bringing it Home”, you’ll see Edith-Anne’s personal home. I love how she framed wallpaper murals, to hang as art.
And her beautiful kitchen!
“Reusing and repurposing are at the heart of a Southern home—it’s what we do and it’s no different when it comes to furnishings. So, don’t hide those heirlooms you love in the attic. Bring them out, pair them with colors and fabric you’re drawn to, and place them where you can enjoy them every day.”
Gibbs Smith Publisher has provided me a copy of Southern Sensibility to give away to one reader.
🏡 Enter to Win
To enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Southern Sensibility:
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Leave a comment below telling me what you love most about Southern style or hospitality.
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For an extra entry, share this post on Pinterest or Facebook and let me know you did!
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This giveaway is open to those living in the continental U.S. through midnight October 22nd
(Book provided by Gibbs Smith Publishers; all opinions are my own.)
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Congratulations to Susie L.
If you love interior design or simply appreciate artful homes filled with warmth, color, and personality, Southern Sensibility is a delight. It makes a beautiful coffee table book, highly recommended for design lovers, Southerners, and anyone who enjoys a home that feels vibrant and welcoming.
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase anything through an affiliate link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you to Gibbs Smith Publisher for providing a copy of Southern Sensibility for my review and giveaway.
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What a beautiful book! I’d love to have a copy for some design inspiration. One of my favorite Southern home features is the flow of outdoors and in, with an extended outdoor living space for dining and covered porch (with swing!) for morning coffee or an evening cocktail. I’ve always loved the haint blue ceilings on porches too. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Teresa
Wow, looks like a fabulous book! Thank you for sharing. I live in St. Louis but would love to move to Alabama or the Carolinas. I enjoy southern cooking, love Southern Gospel, Dixieland, and Cajun music, I like how women seem to dress more modestly, southern friendliness, manners, people are more God loving, or at least the Southerns I know talk about church and God more openly and often. And I really like a beautiful southern accent!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful book. The many beautiful pictures and ideas that were shared sparks imagination and ways to introduce new ways to use some decor I have and how by adding a new piece or two can change the whole aspect of a tired looking room.
Thank you for the preview of this gorgeous book, I’d love to win a copy! Some of my favorite features of Southern homes are large porches with beaded ceilings, exposed beams, high beaded ceilings, transom windows for lots of natural light!
Oh my, what a beautiful book! I’m not familiar with her work but I got a chuckle out of ‘use your sterling every day, dear, because if you don’t, the second wife will!’ 😂 I always associate color and the mix of patterns with Southern interiors, which I love BTW, no neutral palette for me. Thanks for sharing and a chance to win!
One word, GORGEOUS, what an inspiring beautiful presentation. A truly perfect decorating book.
Thank you Mary for sharing this
Mary, I shared this on my Pinterest board
Forgot to say I pinned your collage to my ‘Inspiring Interiors’ board.
What a lovely book! I think Southern style has a timeless quality. It also seems to easily convey an elegant comfort.
Good morning Mary, your posts always come at the perfect time! I’d been delaying my fall decorating and seeing this post has given me inspiration to pull things together today. I love Southern style for the warmth and family togetherness it brings. I try to show my guests Southern hospitality when they visit and in my cooking. I’ve shared this post on Facebook with my niece who also loves Southern style. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Happy Fall!
I pinned your the first photo to my book board on Pinterest so I can remember to be on the look for this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
The warmth and beauty of americana furnishings as well as warmth and kindness of Southern people.
(If talking hospitality and food..yum…Natalie Dupre and Paula Deen come to mind.)
Another wonderful giveaway! What I like about southern living/decor is the welcoming feeling when you enter the home or a room! I won’t enter this time. I already have several decor books. I’ll give someone else a chance!! GOOD LUCK to all the entries!
What a fun peek into the lovely pages of Southern Sensibility. No matter the level of detail and sophistication, there is an obvious level of comfort in these southern homes. They speak, “come in, make yourself at home.”
Mary, what a beautiful book! So true about using your heirloom pieces every day and enjoying them. Being from the south and living in rural Georgia, I love how everyone seems to know everyone else and it’s so nice to just love home! Porches, enjoying a glass of sweet tea, and Sunday dinners all say southern to me. Thanks for sharing the book and offering the giveaway.
I often think of Southern as a little more formal then my choice but do love the outdoor/ indoor living the South encourages and the mixing of old and new ( although I think that is common everywhere). The pages of the book you shared showcased some beautiful rooms.
Mary, I saved the first picture and also the dining room picture to Pinterest. Beautiful photography!
Lovely book! Thank you for the teaser photos and opportunity to win a copy. I was born and raised in Alabama and have lived in South Carolina for 22 years. There is something special about being a Southerner. What I love most about Southern hospitality is that it’s a reflection of my true self. When guests (not Southern) come into our home they are always shocked that our home isn’t painted neutral; that I use real cloth napkins, flatware with Bamboo handles, pink Depression plates and glasses, etc.; and that I don’t want help washing the dishes before they leave! It is part of who I am and how I show love. But, don’t tell my Southern Mother, I only iron the napkins for formal dinners! She would die!
Such beautiful homes with the sneak peek. I am happy to see wallpaper coming back into the fold. I love rooms with wallpaper. Very southern for sure. Hugs and Happy Wednesday. Kris
Beautiful book Mary! Color and a few family antiques makes a home special. Clara❤️
What an amazing book- The pictures are stunning!
My grandma was the picture of Southern Hospitality(she was from Tennessee) To her everyone was a friend-I can still see all the holidays where she invited everyone who did not have a place to go. Everyone was welcome at Grandma’s house!
This looks wonderful! My favorite aspect of Southern homes is the blending of neutrals and patterns to create an effortless grace and elegance that invites the guest in, particularly when custom wallpapers are used. We have used the same lovely wallpaper for our formal dining room in every house we have moved to. It’s a lovely continuity with antique furnishings and old silver. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!
Hi Susie, I’m trying to get in touch with you. If you get this message can you check your email / spam folder?
I love the detail in every picture of this book! Such warm, inviting rooms that make you want to sit down and stay awhile! Love it!
True Southern decor warms the heart and Southern hospitality warms the soul. Beauty in every endeavor.
These are swoon worthy pictures that inspire me!
A southern kitchen should always sweet tea and pimento cheese ready to serve. I will be pinning these pictures to my dream home board.
“VINDICATION!” Looking through design publications is rewarding to the “decorating soul” for that “ah-hah!!” moment (s)…this IS what I’m feeling… Design books are my escapes…the more the better! franki
This looks like something I would buy. Southern hospitality is all about people, more about them then their selves. I love antiques but I also love color and brightness. This has it all!
OH DEAR. – looks like there is another Michele M. now – this isn’t Finch Rest Michele so I will now have to identify using Finch in my name too.
It’s impressive that an abundant use of beautiful accessories can be displayed without appearing cluttered.
Something I very much need to learn !
One of the most interesting details that stood out from all the beauty in each home was the wallpaper samples framed on one of the walls-very unique! I will remember this idea to use in my own home.
Kathy
Mary, I love this designer’s eye for beautiful rooms mixed with color and pattern! Thank you for sharing her book, she is new to me!
Hi Mary, Finch Michele here. What a lovely give-away – please don’t enter me, but did want to say without a doubt the 2 things I love best about the south – the food and the warmth and politeness of the people. Really can’t be beat.
This book is truly the epitome of Southern style and charm…my very favorite way to decorate. I have seen her book mentioned in other publications and have contemplated purchasing it. After seeing some images of the pages from this book, it’s definitely on my list to get!! I have always admired Edith-Anne Duncan’s work! Her designs are masterpieces.
Thank you for sharing this book. It looks to be quite a gem! While born in New England and residing there now, I lived in the Charlotte NC area for 11 years. It gave me such a foundation for my decorative style. I like the way it feels, comfortable!
Mary, what a gorgeous book. I have been trying to decide how to address our bay living room window for years now. When I saw the photo of the dining room with the beautiful roman shades, I was inspired! I am going to look into my options. Thank you for offering this fabulous giveaway. Happy Fall!
I love southern style – a mix of inherits items, something new, and color
I’d love to win the book. I’m in the South and what I love is all the “STUFF” in a southern house! No sparse but filled with treasures.
I’m so glad to see that wallpaper is making a comeback. I’m glad to know about this book. Thank you for sharing such lovely photos and interesting content.
Edith-Anne Duncan is new to me, but I love her use of color and pattern in wallpaper and textiles. When I think of Southern interior design, I think of Lowcountry style and large wrap around porches and high ceilings. I’ve always wanted a Charleston rice bed. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of this beautiful book.
What a beautiful book! The layering of these rooms are amazing, there is so much beauty to look at in each area of a room…even the ceiling. Thank you for sharing and giving us an opportunity to win this book!
The best of Southern hospitality is an expression of kindness, charm, and warmth, seen through actions like politeness, helpfulness, and welcoming others into one’s home or community. It is often embodied by sharing food, creating an intimate atmosphere, and offering gracious service.
Such a beautiful book Mary! I love all the color and pattern she so masterfully uses and weaves together in her design work. I have always loved the look of a porch bed swing on those expansive Southern porches! Thank you sharing this book.
An inspiring and beautiful book! I’d love to win a copy to peruse. I’ve always admired Southern architecture and interiors, thanks for the peek.
Oooh this is right up my sister’s alley and she is impossible to buy for as she has everything! Thanks so much!
Southern Style and Hospitality go hand in hand. I love the “brave” component of Southern decorating. Mixing color and pieces for that unexpected “Wow.” The elegance is accomplished while staying true to comfort and livability. It shows how you can mix old with new and create your own style….the sky’s the limit! Home decor has always been at the heart of my soul……I would treasure turning the pages of Edith Duncan’s Southern Sensibility.
I shared this with my friend of Facebook who I know would cherish this book!
I’d love to win a copy of this beautiful book! I struggle with mixing patterns and colors, so inspiring!
I pinned the last photo to Pinterest.
Beautiful book Mary, full of gorgeous eye-candy!
Jenna
Beautiful book! Thanks for sharing.
This is my favorite style. Beautiful and elegant, yet totally livable and comfortable. I love the pics from this book.
Having lived in the Deep South for five years as a child, I especially remember the fabulous cooking and warm hospitality.
What I love about the decorating sensibility is the wonderful use of color and, often, maximally of decor. In this case, I loved Ms Duncan’s use of the ceiling as a “fifth wall”- beautiful!
I love looking at beautiful homes with decor. The rooms are gorgeous with lots of inspiration.