Over Memorial Day weekend, I made a nostalgic trip back to our family’s place in Atlantic Beach near New Bern, North Carolina—a stretch of coast woven into my childhood. We spent summers there, barefoot and sun-drenched, and I went to camp nearby in Arapahoe. This time, I found myself especially drawn to the town of Beaufort, a historic gem just down the road.
Beaufort is one of those rare places where time seems to pause—where the air feels thick with memory. Along its quiet streets, homes from the late 1700s stand gracefully weathered, adorned with sun-faded shingles, pastel shutters, and vines of jasmine that seem to bloom year-round. The porches, ever-present, offer both warmth and mystery.
There’s a ghostly charm here, too. Blackbeard, the legendary pirate, once made Beaufort his home after abandoning his ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, in the nearby inlet. His residence, tucked just off Fulford Street and steps from the water, is still there—and the shadow of the pirate trade lingers in the sea breeze. But it was the porches that captured me most. Wide and worn, grand or unassuming, every home had one. And every porch felt like a story waiting to be told- even Blackbeard.
In the library at my grandparents’ house, I came across Beaufort Porchscapes by Mary Warshaw—a beautiful study of these storied spaces. Her pages reminded me that porches aren’t just architectural flourishes. They’re invitations. To sit, to rest, to talk, to connect. They are the soul of Southern hospitality.
That spirit—that intersection of beauty, functionality, and hospitality—is exactly what inspires me as I design for SumnerEdit. Porches, in their essence, are where entertaining begins. They blur the line between indoors and out. They offer a first impression, a place to gather, and most importantly, a sense of welcome.
That weekend in Beaufort helped me realize: porches are more than a backdrop. They’re a stage for Southern hospitality. Lemonade with a friend, a tray of cocktails before dinner, spontaneous chats with neighbors passing by—they’re small moments that feel big when shared with intention. And they are exactly the kind of moments we hope to inspire through this new series.
Starting this month, I’ll be sharing one post a month on the SumnerEdit blog, diving into the art of entertaining—from seasonal tablescapes and hosting rituals to travel-inspired styling and meaningful details. This is a space where we’ll connect with our audience on a deeper level—bringing the SumnerEdit lifestyle to life in a warm, relatable, and editorial way.
Whether you’re setting the table or fluffing the porch pillows, I hope this series inspires you to gather beautifully, with ease and heart.