Southern Homes & Gardens Blog

We love Vera Bradley, but you know how the saying goes “out with the old & in with the new”…well, we’re doing just that!  We’re making room for the gorgeous new Spring 2011 collection debuting January 13th (save the date!) – which means there are lots of Vera goodies that are going on sale.  But hurry in as supply is limited and color selection will vary upon availability!

Retiring Colors now at 40% off:

Totally Turq is retiring - all pieces 40% off (while supplies last)

Loves Me is retiring - all pieces 40% off, while supplies last

Retiring Styles now at 40% off:

Mini Zip wallet is retiring - mini zip wallet in any in-stock color now 40% off, while supplies last

Sleek wallet is retiring - sleek wallets in any in-stock color now 40% off, while supplies last

Special Collections now at 40% off:

*while supplies last, in-stock items only

Canyon Collection - courdoroy shown aboveCanyon - plaid style shown aboveCity Sport - navy shown above

City Sport - gray shown above

Winter Crossroads - Baroque shown above

Winter Frill - Buttercup shown above

Apron Gift Set - decorative tin holds matching adult-sized apron and includes a sugar cookie recipe!

Knit Hat - shown in Baroque

Knit Scarf - shown in Hello Dahlia!

Knotty & Nice headband - shown in Buttercup

Little Hip Bag - shown in Twirly Birds Pink

Travel Pill Case - shown in Buttercup

Watch - shown in Very Berry Paisley

On Top of Things desk calendar (goes thru Dec. 2011) - shown in Very Berry Paisley

Agenda calendar (goes thru Dec. 2011) - shown in Very Berry Paisley

Student agenda calendar (goes thru Dec.2011) - shown in Barcelona

All Gift Bags (small, medium, large) -shown in Very Berry Paisley

Wrapping paper - shown in Baroque

All Readers 40% off

All Sunglasses 40% off

While most blossoms are quiet for the winter, Camellia japonica has waited out the long, warm season to shout out their brilliance. One minute, they have tight buds on their branches, and then they’re out with a bang. Thick-petaled, perfectly shaped, the flowers burst forth and sit elegantly for weeks in the garden.

Plant winter-blooming camellias in odd numbers in a border, or perennial bed for remarkable color in winter. The dense shrub with its glossy leaves are a beautiful evergreen canvas for flowers during the rest of the year.

This elegant shrub, or tree, grows 10 – 20 feet tall and 3 – 10 feet wide, with most falling between 6 – 12 feet tall. Camellia japonica, with its exceptional flowers, is a class act that does well in borders, as a specimen plant, or in containers.

• Camellias are native to China, Japan, and Korea
• Blooms from winter to early spring. Depending on the variety, you can expect flowers anywhere from December – April.
• Flowers can be single, in pairs, or clustered depending on the variety.
• Foliage is dense, bold, and glossy.
• Blossoms are perfect for cutting, exhibiting, and floating.

Growing Camellia Japonica

• The camellia likes rich, well-drained, acidic, and organic soil. Coffee grounds are very appreciated.
• Enjoys filtered, bright light.
• Prefers protection from strong wind, and hot sun. Good places are by a wall, fence, over-hang, and bigger trees.
• C. japonica likes to be fed a well-balanced fertilizer in the midspring and again in early summer.
• Likes the soil evenly moist, but can do with less watering in the winter.
• Maintain a 2″ thick mulch on the soil surrounding the roots of the camellia, being careful to keep mulch away from the base of the shrub. Shredded bark, or leaf mold work well.
• If C.japonica is in a zone with heavy winters, protect roots with straw placed around the base of plants.
• The shrub likes to be planted with the base of the trunk just above soil level.
• Prune right after flowering or in the summer for a strong show next season

Home is where the heart is – and where we outwardly express our personalities through color schemes, home decor and furniture style.   Each home and its interior style says a great deal about who lives inside and what happens on a daily basis…our homes are very personal spaces, but speak so loudly on our behalf.

Mix & Match: elements like leather & linen add stylish contrast when combined together

Style sense comes to homeowners through magazines or catalogs received in the mailbox – often spurring flourishes of “make-over madness” in one area of the home.  Style sense can hit us by a fabric we touch, a wooden chair we sit in or even a place we visit.  When incorporated together, these special style and design elements make up the very ‘personality’ our homes express – way beyond the numerical address that is assigned to it.

Light & bright: natural light will make light-colored furniture & decor glow

Traditionally speaking, most people cannot afford to completely make-over an entire room or house all in one shot – rather doing it piecemeal instead.  Whether it is painting the walls a new color (or going neutral), adding an occasional chair, rug or other piece of furniture, we all can transform a drab room or home into our own stylish masterpiece. 

Style, not stress: create your home with favorite colors, textures, and styles - a surefire way to succeed.

For several years, Southern Homes & Gardens has carried high-quality, durable, unique and stylish furniture and home decor.  We have many varieties of furniture from dark & dramatic wood, to bleached, weathered and rustic too.  We search high & low for unique, comfortable and beautiful chairs – whether they are for dining or lounging, we carry styles suitable for every palate: wood, upholstered, woven, and leather.   We are inspired to bring high style to our customers each and every season by offering furniture and decor that is unique, yet affordable.

If you have been bitten by the interior ‘make-over’ bug recently and are itching to get started, we are offering our customers 20% off all furniture* now through December 31st, 2010!  Now that is one great way to wrap up 2010 and begin fresh in 2011…

*Discount valid 12/22 – 12/31, 2010 with Garden Rewards card.  In-stock items only – includes wooden tables (dining, side, end & coffee), chairs (wood, upholstered, woven & leather), wood armoires, chests, & cabinets.  Excludes patio furniture – other exclusions may apply – see stores for details. 

‘Tis the season when all of the hustle & bustle wears us out, and frankly, leaves us feeling less than holly-jolly.  Fret no more as you can stop by  and check off your holiday to-do list…all in one place….at one time!

Shop our huge selection of ornaments…all ornaments now 30-50% off!  Whether you are looking to trim your tree, or give as a gift, our ornaments will put a twinkle in your eye and leave some extra green in your wallet!

Shop hundreds of unique ornaments!

Do you still need to add some fresh and fun Christmas decor to your home before friends and family descend upon it for the holidays?  No problem, all Christmas decor is 20% off! Choose decor from many themes including Elegant, Traditional, Whimsy, Candy/Gingerbread, Woodlands and more…

Sweet gingerbread houses that light up - no plug or cord required!

Stumped on choosing gifts for those that made the ‘nice’ list this year?  Don’t stress, we’ve got LOTS of great gift ideas!  Whether you need an inexpensive teacher or hostess gift, or you are looking to spoil that special someone with a new patio set or wood furniture, we have it.  Not to mention all the fun purses, girly gifts, home accessories and more…not sure what to pick?  Just ask us…we LOVE to help!

Wrapped and ready to give! Linen handtowel and silver ornament combine for the perfect gift!

We just got in a HUGE shipment of orchids this week that are absolutely gorgeous.  SH&G has the largest selection and best quality orchids in the state!  They make great gifts for this Christmas Season and will make your house festive and beautiful for entertaining.

Have you gotten your Christmas tree yet?  Now is the time and we have fresh cut trees, wreaths and garland all at 20% off starting today!  Come get yours before they are gone!

Poinsettias are easy to keep beautiful and blooming throughout the holidays and beyond as long as you follow a few simple tips:

•   Avoid exposing your poinsettia to freezing conditions. Do not leave it in the car while you finish shopping. Take it home and place it inside the house as soon as possible after purchasing it.

•  Place your poinsettia in a spot with bright natural light, but do not expose it to direct sunlight.

•  Do not place your poinsettia in an area where it will be exposed to drafts, heat from appliances, radiators, or ventilation ducts.

•  The color of your poinsettia will last longer with temperatures around 65 degrees F during the day and 60-65 degrees F at night.

•  The soil should be kept moderately moist; check every few days and water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Before watering, remove the  pot covers or foil wrapping; water to saturate the soil, and then allow the pot to drain. Do not let the plant sit in standing water!