Southern Charm Revival: Tales of Treasured Homes & Timeless Decor

Story by Heather Highcove
Photography by Leidy Lester

Southern charm… a catchphrase coined to describe the timeless beauty and character of homes in the South.

From sprawling mansions to cozy bungalows, Southern homes are layered with textiles both old and new. Family heirlooms find happy companions in modern decor touches, creating spaces that are both historic and fresh. Antiques, crystal, china, silver, and florals—lots of florals! And, of course, patterns and bold colors.

As a young girl, I recall my mother turning our modest house into a cozy, darling charmer. Raising five children alone, she made the best of what she had. We never knew we were poor. She repurposed old things and added fresh, handmade touches to our home. It was her superpower—making silk purses from sow’s ears. She loved antiques and anything old, including people with rich histories of their own.

As years passed, so did my beloved mom. But she instilled in me a true love for old things. One of my favorite pastimes is thrifting for hidden treasures. Each year, as I grow older, my love for vintage deepens. I imagine the history and backstories behind each piece I incorporate into my home.

Within an hour’s drive from my home, I can find charming Floridian and Georgian resale shops. Just a stone’s throw away in Pooler, Georgia, our daughter Christie, her husband Tyler, and their two children, Kennedi and Rhett, live in an heirloom home once owned by Tyler’s grandparents.

Christie’s love for vintage decor has been passed down, too. When she and Tyler purchased their home, it needed a lot of TLC. As the renovations progressed, I enjoyed watching the transformation. They kept the integrity and character of the older home. Many floors had to be replaced, but instead of opting for brand-new, they salvaged what they could and retained the 1940s charm. It is the sweetest Southern-style home nestled in old Pooler.

Back in 2004, my husband and I purchased a small parcel of land in North Florida and, with the help of our children, built the home we currently live in. It’s a great house, but more than that, it’s a great home. We never intended to stay. It was supposed to be an investment property, but we poured so much into it—blood, sweat, and tears. We listed it for sale a few times, but I just couldn’t bring myself to leave.

You know the saying, “If these walls could talk…” That’s exactly how I feel. We raised our children here and, later, our grandchildren. We’ve shared memories with our parents here. My mom even had input on some design choices, and I cherish those memories.

Our youngest son lived with us until we lost him in an accident in 2015. It took me seven years to touch his room. It remained untouched until I was ready. Today, it’s a quiet office for my husband. His former office downstairs has been transformed into a magnificent craft room for me. It’s colorful and eclectic, much more so than the rest of our home. When our grandkids visit, they head straight for the pantry, then to the craft room. We’ve spent countless hours painting, crafting, and playing games there. I hope they carry fond memories of this house after we’re long gone. I hope they drive by and remember all the joy we shared.

When we built this house, dark wood and old-world Italian decor were trendy. Green, red, and gold were the colors of the era. But I longed for a big country home, so that’s what we built. In the 20+ years we’ve lived here, our decor has evolved, but I always come back to my roots: vintage, old antiques, and things with stories. I’d say 90% of my decor is either thrifted, heirlooms, or handmade. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s mine.

I’m no longer concerned with design trends. They come and go. A few years back, I purged 75% of our home. The Salvation Army was my best customer! Every week, they’d load up a truck of things I had thrifted or been given. But I soon came to my senses when I found myself repurchasing some of my own items at local thrift stores! It was then I decided to embrace what I love and make my home my sanctuary.

A home should represent your personality. My things aren’t perfect, but neither am I. I love to decorate seasonally and change things up to keep it interesting. As I write this, it’s mid-January. I’m still “January-ing”—keeping ten Christmas trees up with lights and icicles, lots of greenery, and white candles in the windows. It helps ward off the winter blues until daylight savings time returns.

I love the coziness of winter’s early nights, but I’m itching to bring out spring colors and patterns again. Over the years, I’ve thrifted numerous sets of dishes, crystal, and china. Instead of storing them away, I display and use them seasonally. One fun tradition I started is decorating my china cabinets and curios according to the season.

Many millennials are returning to “Grandma’s style” and swooping up treasures from thrift stores. It warms my heart to see young people embracing old pieces. Remember when brides had china registries? I hope that tradition makes a comeback.

Homemaking is an art that’s been lost for years but is now resurging. The farmhouse trend brought a renewed interest in chickens, gardens, sourdough bread, and DIY projects. I see my grandkids and daughters embracing these traditions. They love thrifting and treasure hunting. My mom would be so proud.