This Colonial-era signature space is making a big comeback in new builds. While the keeping room has historical roots, its purpose couldn’t be more on point for today. The hearth kept them warm, hence the name. The keeping room in Erin and Ben Napier’s Mississippi country home.Credit: Brooke Davis-Jefcoat Because the fireplace was the main attraction, these were sometimes called “hearth rooms.” Comfortable seating comes next. After that, it can flex according to your needs....

Lone Star State residents love this pillowy, fruit-filled treat. Your mind might initially go for the obvious: brisket and tacos. Heck, make it abrisket taco. Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle What is a kolache, you ask? Read on for more about where kolaches came from as well as where to find them today. What Is A Kolache? (These are technically referred to as “klobasniky.") Plan an early pit stop....

Here’s what you gotta know about this delicious tropical fruit native to the South. They hit the ground almost always all at once:Thud, thud… thudthudthud. What Are Pawpaws? Credit:Getty Images: krblokhin James L. Chamberlain, pawpaws are the largest tree fruit native to the United States. They ripen only for a very short time in late summer and early fall. What Do Pawpaws Taste Like? “[Flavors] go from fruit salad to caramel as they age....

This sour-sweet combo is a must-try. But for many Southerners, this new-found obsession with this sour-and-sweet combo is in fact nothing new. What Exactly Is a Pickle Dr Pepper? Credit:Getty Images Memaw insists on not including any pickle juice in the drink, and well follow her lead. Add ingredients to a tall glass, and stir. For an extra sour punch, add one tablespoon of dill pickle juice. While Memaw keeps it simple with dill pickles, theres plenty of room for customization....

We all know what pimiento cheese is, but what actually are those little red things? We can’t discuss pimientos without talking about pimiento cheese. Though we all know and love this Southern delicacy, the starring ingredient often flies under the radar. What is a pimiento? You’ll generally find them fresh in the produce section or jarred on a shelf. How are pimientos used? Have you’ve ever wondered what the red stuffing inside your green olives is?...

The answerand its originmight surprise you! The funniest thing happened in our weeklySouthern Livingstaff meeting the other day. Whats a Plate Lunch? Credit: Robbie Caponetto In general, a plate lunch is a casual, no-frills meal intended for hustling folks on the go. Different from fast food, a plate lunch typically featureshome-style fare. Youve heard of a blue plate special, yes? Credit:PHOTO: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLING: HEATHER CHADDUCK HILLEGAS...

Learn more about the Southern-favorite fern. It’s a classic image ofSouthern landscapesand of regional ecology. Read on to learn more about this plant and why it is called resurrection fern. Credit: Daniela Duncan/Getty Images Does Resurrection Fern Harm The Plants It Grows On? Though it grows atop other plants, resurrection fern is not parasitic. Where Does Resurrection Fern Get Its Name? The common name comes from the plant’s response to rain....

If you remember the pre-AC world, you’ve likely enjoyed this cool way to beat the summer heat. At the peak ofsummer in the South, there is no possession more valuable than an air conditioner. This is why many Victorian-era andearly 20th-century homeshave what’s known as a sleeping porch. Credit:Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller What Is A Sleeping Porch? Folks of this era saw another added benefit to sleeping partially outside: bolstering their immune systems....

For starters, its the unsung hero of the Southern household. Here’s everything you should probably know about this kitchen textile. What Is a Tea Towel? Credit: Ann_Zhuravleva / Getty Images Unlike your run-of-the-mill, super-absorbent bath orhand towels, tea towels are generally flat-woven from linen or cotton. It’s thought that they first became popular during 18th century England when textiles became more easily accessible. Often made from soft linen, tea towels were a favorite accessory amongst the upper echelons of English society....

We’re breaking down everything you’re gonna wanna know about the white sweet potato. When you think of sweet potatoes, you probably don’t imagine them white. Instead, you picture a ruddy orange potato, copper-skinned and slightly thinner and longer than a russet spud. Credit: Lori Andrews / Getty Images What Is A White Sweet Potato? On the other hand, white sweet potatoes have lighter, golden-colored skin and white flesh. Orange Vs. White Sweet Potatoes: How Are They Different?...

They may look similar, but butterscotch and caramel are not the same. Here are the key differences. So what is butterscotch, and what is the difference between it and caramel? Credit:Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely What Is Butterscotch? It’s a confection made by cookingbrown sugarand butter together. Where Does the Name Butterscotch Come From? Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell...

Here’s everything you gotta know about crabgrass and how to keep it from returning next summer. Dr. John Kauffman is a regional technical manager forTruGreen, the world’s largest lawn and landscape company. What Is Crabgrass? Credit:Getty Images Crabgrass is not a form of grass, contrary to what its name might imply. What Does Crabgrass Look Like? Let’s say you missed the window for the pre-emergent route and find yourself in a post-emergent crabgrass world....

Necessity is the mother of inventionand affordable glassware. Glassware became more accessible to struggling families (think $2 for a 12-piece set of dinnerware). What Is Depression Glass Worth? Credit: skhoward The colors range from yellow, amber, blue, green, pink, and crystal. The more unique or less produced color, the more valuable it is to today’s collectors. Since manufactured widely produced yellow and amber tableware, these colors are not considered as valuable as other colors....