If it's Southern, we want to know about it. In Southern Made, we look for products -- from art and apparel to food and furniture -- from across the South. This week, we feature some reader favorites: men’s polo shirts from Alabama, pretty place mats from Nashville and bed frames made in Americus.
Preppy polo
Southern guys often own a closet full of preppy staples, including bow ties, khakis and polo shirts -- many of which are well-worn favorites. For some, it’s not the logo on the shirt, but how the shirt wears and feels. High-quality fabric and a comfy feel were important to Brent Howell, owner of Southern Point Co. in Birmingham. After much research, the University of Alabama grad found the right combination with his Greyton polo, available in 15-plus colors. The signature Greyton logo (a German Shorthaired Pointer) is embroidered on the chest. Howell named the durable, no-pill polo and designed the logo after his dog Greyton. The polo shirts are $68 to $72 at www.southernpointco.com and at area H. Stockton stores. Look for new polo shirt colors, visors and boxers this spring.
Pretty papers
Add elegance and fun to your table with realistic, hand-drawn paper place mats from Nashville-based Cake Vintage Table & Home. Try them for bridal showers or everyday entertaining. Use the popular place mats, which show where the silverware goes on each side of the plate, for etiquette training and let your kids color on them afterward. The pad of 50 Perfect Setting place mats measures 12 3/8 inches by 19 inches. Available for $20 at www.cakevintage.com. The company’s other paper place mats include: the Italian Scroll, Laurel Wreath and Artichoke. The Perfect placement is also available at area Anthropologie stores (www.anthropologie.com) and the Paper Source, 1052-54 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. (www.paper-source.com).
Hit the bed in style
For old world European elegance but modern functionality, check hand-crafted furniture made by Old Biscayne Designs in Americus. Founded by Nick and Gretchen Gabrielli, the company has manufactured iron beds and custom wood furniture since 1990. Consider the classic French-inspired Margeaux bed. Made of driftwood and driftwood cane, the bed is painted in a distressed metallic gray. However, other custom finishes are available. A queen-size Margeaux headboard and footboard are $4,625 (a king is $5,375) at Suite Spot, 1465 Chattahoochee Ave. N.W., Suite 450, Atlanta. 404-891-1000, suitespot.net. The newly opened home boutique also has other bed frames by Old Biscayne Designs on the floor.
Your Southern favorites
Do you have favorite finds from around the South that you give as gifts, buy for your home or rave about to friends? If so, please share them with us. Send your idea to: ljerkins@bellsouth.net. In the subject line, write Southern Made. Please include your name and contact number.
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