Part of what makes The New Southern so inspiring is the notion of mixing tradition with newness. There's no more authentic way of integrating tradition into a space than injecting inspirations from your family, childhood, and heritage into a home. For my friend Raquel Garcia, who spent her childhoods in spaces honoring her Cuban background and always just steps from the beach, this is her M.O.

Based in coastal Connecticut, Raquel has broken the stereotype of New England prep and stuffiness. Her designs are a breath of fresh air, full of airy textiles, unexpected pastel pairings, and unique objects that reflect the home's adjacency to the shore. Upon entering her spaces, their warmth and subtle beauty basically envelope you in and embrace, and you can almost feel the sea breeze wafting through the room as you look at the images. It's these kinds of spaces that I find such joy in shooting, because their light, charm and beauty translate so perfectly behind the lens.

Today, Raquel and I are excited to share a few tips for styling such spaces as these. Head over to StyleMePretty Living to learn Raquel's five tips for adding a coastal touch to your home, then find my styling tips for the perfect laid-back, coastal Valentine's Day tablescape!

MANY THANKS AND BIG HUGS TO THE LADIES AT STYLE ME PRETTY LIVING. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL FEATURE. Xx

Photo + Styling: ©AlyssaRosenheck Design: Raquel Garcia

It was such a treat to shoot and style designer Raquel Garcia's recently revamped home on Connecticut's Gold Coast. Raquel's design story is a sweet one: the home's previous owner, a mother of three, was careful to choose the home's new owner. Raquel was looking for the perfect home to raise her own three girls, and this Connecticut gem was the perfect fit. After totally gutting the interior and adding several endemic Southern accents (think: a painted staircase, white ship lap, and killer custom acrylic and brass details), the home feels totally fresh and open. It's yet another illustration of Southern styling and attention to detail subtly implemented throughout a home... one on the Long Island Sound, nonetheless! I'm so happy to finally share this space with you—and a big thank you to Elle Decor for the amazing feature!

To see the entire home, visit ElleDecor.com! Xx