{"id":341677,"date":"2024-05-16T14:00:42","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T18:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/blog-api\/?p=341677"},"modified":"2024-05-16T14:00:42","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T18:00:42","slug":"a-guide-to-classic-southern-design-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/a-guide-to-classic-southern-design-features\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Classic Southern Design Features"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

There are a few good reasons why the Kentucky Derby is often called \u201cthe greatest two minutes in sports.\u201d First, it\u2019s riveting; the world\u2019s most well-trained, well-groomed thoroughbreds\u2014each three years old, each captained by an elite jockey\u2014sprint the one-and-a-quarter-mile track at Churchill Downs to receive an iconic trophy, a blanket of red roses, and a lifetime of prestige in a flurry of pulse-pounding excitement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, it\u2019s singular in its glamor; the event is as much a gala as a horse race, with guests arriving in high fashion\u2014the derby is famous for its fascinators. And third, it\u2019s a celebration not only of sport, but of heritage; the customs of the \u201cRun for the Roses\u201d have as much story and history behind them as the American South itself, and the classic architecture that has become its signature in fiction, film, and culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Kentucky Derby is always extraordinary\u2014but the event is extra-extraordinary in 2024, as it commemorates its 150th anniversary. And as the world turns its collective attention to Louisville, here\u2019s a look at what makes the <\/span>classic Southern design<\/span> and style of this region so remarkable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Southern Design, Defined<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>Danielle Claroni and Christian Perry – Sotheby\u2019s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Of the original Southern-style homes still standing, many now operate as museums and historic sites. However, other homes have been built over the past two centuries that pay homage to distinctly Southern design features.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s because classic Southern design was more than just majestic in its appearance\u2014it was also functional. The vast, vaulted ceilings of the neoclassical architecture afforded excellent airflow and ventilation in the humid climate, and the colonnaded exteriors doubled as covered patios that provided shading from heady sunshine and shielding from heavy rainstorms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sandy Poe – Alliance Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Other classic features also have a pragmatic purpose. Large windows allow breezes to pass through the home, and raised foundations not only guard against flooding, but generally contain partially above-ground basements that supply additional space and storage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Embracing the Equestrian<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>Danielle Claroni and Christian Perry – Sotheby\u2019s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

From the gables to the stables, <\/span>Southern-style homes<\/span> are often also well-suited for animal husbandry\u2014particularly the raising, rearing, and riding of horses, in line with the time-honored traditions of the Kentucky Derby. Many have ranch-like features, including paddocks and pasture.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong>Danielle Claroni and Christian Perry – Sotheby\u2019s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just the outside of the home that\u2019s fashioned for refined country living. <\/span>Modern Southern decor<\/span> carries these themes inside, with <\/span>Southern living rooms<\/span> often showcasing the chic yet practical \u201cmodern farmhouse\u201d style of interior design\u2014organic textures and materials that lean into comfort without clutter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Picturesque and Pastoral<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong>Sandy Poe – Alliance Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one word to describe the vibe of the Kentucky Derby, it\u2019s opulent. It’s an aesthetic that extends to Southern-style homes, and is especially evidenced by their exteriors. Sloping external staircases lead to wraparound porches that are beautifully elevated, both literally and figuratively, with their columns of pillars.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong>Sandy Poe – Alliance Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

And on the porch and across the grounds, the laidback luxury of the Southern living room continues in the form of well-furnished outdoor seating areas. <\/span>Southern garden design<\/span> frequently features stately fountains and fabulous statuary that embellish and enhance the property\u2019s grandeur.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Transition of Tradition<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong>Danielle Claroni and Christian Perry – Sotheby\u2019s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Times, trends, and traditions are all subject to evolve, and that applies to the resplendent antebellum residences of the past. Today, experts estimate that fewer than a fifth remain. But reclaimings and reimaginings of classic Southern design continue to find expression in more modern contexts\u2014just as the Kentucky Derby continues to evolve year after year, decade after decade, while still staying true to its origins.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong>Danielle Claroni and Christian Perry – Sotheby\u2019s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

So as the glitterati gather, engraved silver cups of chilled mint julep in hand, to sing \u201cMy Old Kentucky Home\u201d at the start of this year\u2019s race, take notice not only of the splendor of the spectacle, but of the elegance of the setting. Southern architecture and design is entirely unique unto itself, and unsurprisingly, this has given rise to some of the world\u2019s most enviable homes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interested in more Southern-style homes? <\/span><\/i>Check out these four winning equestrian estates<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n


\n<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are a few good reasons why the Kentucky Derby is often called \u201cthe greatest two minutes in sports.\u201d First, it\u2019s riveting; the world\u2019s most well-trained, well-groomed thoroughbreds\u2014each three years old, each captained by an elite jockey\u2014sprint the one-and-a-quarter-mile track at Churchill Downs to receive an iconic trophy, a blanket of red roses, and a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64295786,"featured_media":341679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1399],"tags":[1428,1497],"class_list":["post-341677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-and-design","tag-connecticut","tag-tennessee"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1qSV","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341677","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64295786"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=341677"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341677\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=341677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=341677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=341677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}