Ep. 113: designer Susan Sully

This week, we welcome best selling author of over 18 books, Susan Sully. She tells us all about Southern Hospitality At Home, her new book that details the inspiration behind the art of finding joy and generosity in hospitality. Susan talks about what surprised her most about the history of Southern homes and hospitality in her research for the book, the importance of a welcoming entrance hall, why the door was almost always open in the South and her go to tips for entertaining at home. We also talk about dining room etiquette including the rules on lighting candles, ways we can update tradition, and incorporating high/low into your entertaining.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Trials regarding a cool Ballard lamp, a Prosciutto haunted hand, and failed kitchen outlets.

Triumphs of rediscovering the right way to use a fan, a killer centerpiece, and new dining table.

Why Susan thinks that hospitality and comfort have remained so ingrained in Southern culture.

Why old Southern houses work with the climate to encourage an environment of fun times and great parties.

Why porches were arranged on the side in Charleston, and the difference between a porch, Side piazza, and gallery.

No matter how big or small the entrance way in a home, do something to make it welcoming.

The hilarious story of how cheese straws and the bald eagle are both a thing.

Some of Susan’s must-haves for decorating including cloth napkins, beautiful place cards, comfortable chairs, things that gleam and glimmer, and how to get ahead of the game by setting the table the night before.

The etiquette around lighting candles, and ways we can update tradition with boldly colored candlesticks and candle holders.

What we need in our guest rooms to make our special visitors feel appreciated and welcomed.

Mentioned In This Episode:

Susan Sully books

Susan Sully

@susan.sully

Southern Hospitality At Home

Devon Lamps

Blair Bench

Mrs. Whaley’s Garden

University of Georgia

Erika Powell

Florida Water

The Charleston Silver Lady

Decorating Dilemma

Susan loves the idea of a wicker bar cart with you changing out flowers or greenery. She said a polypropylene runner to put along the front of your house, to soften up the floor and bring color. You can paint the bar cart a color to go with it. We love the idea of having that table next to your door, with plants on it to add some depth and color.

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One of Susan’s mottos is “there is no problem that a good curtain can’t fix”, but here it can be dramatic and make it feel like a pavillion. Her advice is a very long curtain rod with two panels on either side all the way down the floor. Susan also throws out that two curtain rods with two panels on either side and treating them on individual windows may work really well too. We also throw in the idea of Roman shades, to help add softness.