from our house to yours

Let these decorating ideas inspire you.

Southern Living marks its 40th anniversary this year. In recognition of this milestone, we wanted to build a home that was inspired by our past but lives for today. To accomplish this, we partnered with The American Village in Montevallo, Alabama, to build The President's House.

Comfortable Surroundings

After a fantastic meal, there's nothing like relaxing in an inviting room to make a great holiday complete. In this house, the family room serves that function. The deep sofa and two comfy chairs offer plenty of seating. The grouping helps to break up the large room into more intimate, usable areas. A table and chairs, such as the one in the bay behind the sofa, is a great addition to any family room. It provides a great place for family members to play a game or work a puzzle together in lieu of flipping on the TV.

One of the most unique features in the room is the double mantel. It made for a difficult decorating challenge, but keeping it simple did the trick. On the lower shelf, the focal point is a symmetrical collection of books. The top shelf holds five hydrangea-covered containers filled with roses to help bring down the eye from the painting framed with trim. (See the box at right for easy directions to make your own.) The flowers are fresh for the holiday, but the same look could easily be done with dried materials.

The elegant arrangements on the family room mantel are actually simple. Wrap glass vases in cellophane, and coat them with spray adhesive. Roll them in hydrangea blooms. Finally, fill the vases with flowers you love.

Gather for Dinner

The dining room takes its cues from traditional design while offering a fresh look. The circular table, perfect for easy conversation, is surrounded with upholstered chairs to make a holiday meal more comfortable. The walls are a neutral cream; they are made more elegant with the addition of a subtle stencil design. Warmth comes in the way of sumptuous tobacco-colored silk draperies, red upholstery, and an Oriental rug. Finally, the dramatic chocolate-andred painting punctuates the wall above the fireplace and pulls together the entire room.

These two rooms are just a preview. The entire home and garden will be featured in an upcoming 2007 issue of Southern Living. We also invite you to come for a visit.

The American Village

It is dedicated to teaching schoolchildren and visitors American history and government. On campus, you'll find versions of Mount Vernon, the Oval Office, and Williamsburg's Bruton Parish Chapel, so it was only fitting we choose a historic structure as inspiration. Our model was George Washington's Presidential residence in Philadelphia. This project has similar architectural details, but the updated floor plan includes baths, a master suite, and a modern kitchen.

We combined three square glass vases and filled them with seasonal bounty. Select eggplant, apples, and pears, attach to florist picks, and insert into florist foam. Fill in gaps with grasses and flowers.

The Team

* Location: The American Village, Montevallo, Alabama

Tom Walker, David Pritchett, Beth Hamer

* Architecture: Blondheim & Mixon Architects, Inc., Eufaula, Alabama

Mike Hamrick, Frank Mixon

* Interior design: Hatcher Design Associates, Birmingham

Ruth Mears, Rebecca Hatcher

* Landscape architecture: Nimrod Long and Associates, Birmingham

Joel Eliason, Nimrod Long

* Landscape installation: Landscape Services, Inc., Birmingham

Bob Newton, Alton Bearden

* Chief benefactor: James B. Braswell, in loving memory of Sylvia S. Braswell

* Program support: The Alabama Power Foundation

Come Visit The American Village

The President's House, a Southern Living Showcase House at The American Village, opened to the public on Saturday, October 14, and will remain open through December 2007. The home is located off Exit 234 on 1-65, just south of Birmingham. For directions to the house and sources visit southernliving.com/ november2006. Plans for The President's House (#1139) are available from Southern Living House Plans. To order, visit southernlivinghouseplans.com.

Special Thanks

Alabama Businesses

ABSCO Fireplace and Patio; Arledge Antiques; Baker Lamps & Linens; Bill and Beth Hamer; Blair Guy; Braden Furniture; Brantley Homes; Brewer Cabinets & Appliances; Brombergls; Carter Homebuilders; Cedar Creek Antiques; Chemical Lime; Citizenship Trust at The American Village; City of Montevallo; City of Pelham; Closet Factory; Colonial Fireplace Company, Inc.; Cornerstone Millwork; Dan Young; E&K Concrete Pumping; Framin' Shoppe; Green Valley Farms, Inc.; Henhouse Antiques; Henry Brick Company; Hunter Trees, LLC; Issis & Sons Carpet and Oriental Rugs; J.F. Day & Co.; Joe Davis; Kari-Lane Network Cabling; Lagniappe Designs; Lisa Hayles; Littrell Lumber Mill, Inc.; Lovelady Signs; Mary Adams Antiques; Mike and Cathy Hamrick; Monty Stabler Galleries; O'Neal Steel, Inc.; Pate-Meadows Designs; Petals From the Past, Inc.; Portrait Brokers of America; PrimeTime Treasures; Ready Mix USA; Regions Bank of Shelby County; Rhynes Select Turf; Richard A. Kilgore; Robert F. Henry tile Company; Safe & Sound Systems, Inc.; Safeguard Fire and Alarm; Select Granite, Inc.; Shelby County; Southern Living At HOME; State of Alabama; Sue Hoffman; Summer Classics; Triciais Treasures; Ward's Cabinetry