Cozy colorful rooms, luxurious outdoor entertaining and acres of space are perfect for welcoming guests and connecting with nature, writes Elizabeth Fazzare
Lexington, Kentucky | Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty
Each year, on the first Saturday in May, horse-racing enthusiasts don frocks, seersucker suits, and chapeaus of all kinds to attend the Kentucky Derby. Many who travel to the Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Kentucky, come from the surrounding area, where their homes are just as indicative of the region as their outfits. Though the architecture of today’s luxury Southern-style homes is often stately, their interiors have a relaxed, laid-back feel, conjured by a soulful mix of antique and contemporary design objects, an unbridled appreciation for color and pattern, and designs that prioritize togetherness.
“Generous proportions, tall windows, transitional spaces like screened porches or breezeways—these all feel distinctly Southern to me,” describes Bradley Odom, an interior designer raised in the South and still based in Atlanta, Georgia. “But more than that, it’s the sense of welcome. A home that invites you in and makes you want to linger a while—that’s the South.”
Charleston, South Carolina | Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty
In Charleston, South Carolina, a 1969-built home has been redesigned to offer a taste of that Southern hospitality in its expansive living spaces, including a round sunroom topped by a vaulted wood ceiling and surrounded by windows that give panoramic views of the garden. Meanwhile, in Prospect, Kentucky a large contemporary house by local architect Daniel Fulz also prioritizes gatherings in its 14,546-square-foot floor plan, with a variety of entertaining spaces that range in size from an intimate wood-paneled study to a poolside cabana with an outdoor kitchen and living room.
Outdoor space, and an indoor connection to it, are paramount in Southern-style homes. “In the South, outdoor living isn’t just a luxury—it’s a way of life,” explains Odom. “So much of the year is spent outside, and that connection to nature is a huge part of how we live here.”
Prospect, Kentucky | Lenihan Sotheby’s International Realty
Gardens in the South come in many shapes and sizes, and so, too, do the farms. This 60-acre property in Lexington, Kentucky comprises three houses, two barns, and is particularly well suited to those who love horses, with 26 stalls, perfectly maintained paddocks, and entirely new fencing. “The cost to maintain a home and to keep a horse in Lexington is moderate in comparison to the Northeast,” says Abby Jones, global real estate advisor at Equestrian Sotheby’s International Realty and Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty. This one is in “a central location for the equestrian who travels throughout the U.S. in the spring and summertime” to train, show, or compete with their equines.
Charleston, South Carolina | Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty
Beyond the traditional portico of its main abode is an interior by local designer Matthew Carter. Jones describes the design as “The Hamptons or Palm Beach with a refined Southern charm.” Offered turnkey, the home’s buyers can live in this bespoke environment without needing to redecorate. Although, “if they wanted anything changed or tweaked, he’s local,” she adds.
While Southern-style homes may share a similar design language, uniqueness is a hallmark. “For me, contemporary Southern design is about quiet confidence; it honors history, but it isn’t beholden to it,” says Odom. “It’s less about what’s on trend and more about creating spaces that feel lived in, considered and deeply personal.”
