As a girl raised in the South, I had romantic fantasies about sipping mint juleps under a magnolia tree. I would be wearing a long dress with ruffles on the sleeves and neckline, my hair swept up in a knot fastened with a jeweled flower ornament. Multiple layers of pastel chiffon flowed from my waist and draped over the arms of the white wooden bench where I was sitting. A sprig of mint tickled my nose as I sipped from the crystal highball glass.
Reality reveal: I have never had a mint julep, and I’m thinking maybe I should put that on my bucket list and go find a magnolia tree.
It likely will not surprise you that I loved the character of Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind,” though I could never understand how she could not love Rhett Butler until it was too late. If you have ever seen the movie version with Clark Gable as Rhett, I’m sure you understand.
I don’t really talk about these romantic fantasies much, but that all changed when I toured the 2026 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, where my long-time friend Barbara and I were celebrating our close together birthdays. Each room had been decorated by a different designer to inspire possibilities and raise money for local musical programs and the arts.
When I walked into the Magnolia Room, I wondered if the designer, Steven Cordrey, had been privy to my southern daydreams. One of five bedrooms in the Baldwin Oaks Estate in Arcadia, the wall behind the bed was covered with custom magnolia blossom wallpaper.
I wouldn’t even have to hunt down a magnolia tree under which to sip my mint julep. No hard wooden bench would be needed; I could just relax on the elegantly appointed bed and lean into rows of designer throw pillows beneath the large white blossoms. My ice-filled crystal glass could rest on the straw bed tray holding real magnolia blossoms exuding their sweet scent.
If Scarlett and Rhett had lived in this room, perhaps they would have stayed together. Cuddled on the luxurious white chaise lounge framed by a lush potted palm, perhaps they could have worked out their problems. A girl can dream.
About my mint julep deprivation, maybe it’s not too late. To quote Scarlett, “… tomorrow is another day.”
Email patriciabunin@sbcglobal.net. Follow her on Patriciabunin.com.