Goin’ South

I just got back from a visit to my cousin Pam (I still think of her as "Pammy," but really, a grown woman should have a more distinguished name; hence, "Pam"). She lives in a gorgeous cottagy house outside Washington, D.C. surrounded by peonies and lilacs and wisteria.

When I arrived, the living room was a wreck---chairs half-dressed in their slipcovers, furniture in disarray, cats flying out the doors to escape the chaos.

She explained this was the bi-annual changing of the look of the house. Every spring, the winter slipcovers --- dark maroon, deep blue, rich cream --- come off, the decorative things on the bookshevles come down, even the dishes go into the cupboards. Out come the springtime things, the slipcovers in floral chintz, the pale green throw rugs, the white porcelain vases.

"Your mother must have told you about this crazy thing that those nuts in Maryland do twice a year," she said, and then I did remember, and could hear my mother saying, "I think they're out of their minds---can you imagine? It's bad enough having to try to keep up with the vaccuuming and dusting."

Well, yeah, they are out of their minds. But what a wonderful, wacky tradition. How great to be able to completely change the look of your place twice a year, and to know that twice a year everything will be shaken out and sent off to the cleaners. The house, when Pam was done with it, felt crisp and immaculate and fresh as a springtime bouquet. And then, there were mint juleps as we all sat in the garden.

Here's a photo to illustrate the fresh springtime look. It's from a site by Abbey Koplevitz, a designer whose work we love. You can see more at http://abbeyk.com/

So, what do you think? Is this nuts, or what? Has anyone else ever heard of this custom?

Comments

[Marie]

I didn't know it was a tradition, but back when I was younger and lived in New York City I too would change the entire look of my apartment in Winter and in Spring/Summer. It was a wonderful feeling.

[Allie]

My grandmother used to do this. I remember being at her house once when she was changing the slip covers on her sofa and chairs. It really is wise. Our next couch will be slip covered, so we can do this. Everything lasts much longer this way.