Beth Woods

A Dose of Southern Hospitality

Some people just have it. That knack, that green thumb, that giant creativity bone that sparks the imagination and fuels an eagerness to take on any project. Some people just have the ability to always succeed in whatever they take on. Some people have it, and some don't. Beth Woods definitely has it.

Beth grew up in the small, rural town of Hampton, SC with a mother who was born to entertain. However, since living in a small town didn't offer the luxuries of professional help in a lot of areas, she learned from a young age to get creative and do it herself. "My family and I have a long-running joke to always check if there is a flower arrangement in the bathroom when we go to a party. If you are throwing a party, why wouldn't there be a flower arrangement in the bathroom? Maybe it is a lost art or a Southern trait, but my mom always taught me that if I was going to make the effort, I should do it the right way, down to the last detail."

The work ethic that Beth's mother instilled in her is evident in every aspect of her life, from the care she takes in raising her children to the many creative hobbies and projects she puts her heart into. She enjoys painting, decorating, writing, cooking, theatre, a lot of flower gardening and a little boxed gardening, because, "every Southern woman wants to plant a tomato in the ground."

Besides the time spent on her hobbies and raising her 13 and 11-year-old children, she is also on the Beaufort County Open Land Trust Board, the Historic Bluffton Preservation Society and the May River Theatre Board. "I'm a very visual person and I love to do anything creative. My mother and I are very busy and we always have projects to do, because I think that is what keeps you young. My mother taught me to be a lady but to work hard, and never be afraid to get my hands dirty."

Beth's work ethic is also evident in the pride she takes in decorating her beautiful home, nestled alongside the Okatie River. The home is decorated in a self-described traditional, yet eclectic style, that immediately makes guests feel comfortable and invited. From the stunning wood floors to the beautiful portraits of herself and her children hanging on the walls, you can tell that Beth has taken great care in the little details that have made her house a home.

Her advice to individuals who feel lost in decorating is: "Don't be afraid to try! Most people are more creative than they think. It's important to remember that it's just a house. I am constantly moving things around; I may like something one month and the next I don't anymore. I also never buy something thinking of a place to put it; you should buy something because you have a reaction to it or it stirs an emotion in you. What makes everyone's house unique is picking things you love and building a home with the pieces that make you happy."

Another benefit to living in a beautiful house, surrounded by the things that make her happy, is the joy she takes in inviting the people she loves into her home. Just like her mama, she is a born entertainer, who loves making the effort for the people she cares about most. "One of my favorite things to do is to go out into my yard or into the woods and pick out beautiful things from nature - whether it's wild flowers or just a bundle of sticks - and bring them into my house. Anyone can go to a florist for a flower arrangement, but there's something very personal about inviting someone into your home, and I think people really appreciate it when they can tell you made an effort; it shows you really care they came. That's true Southern hospitality."

Up Close:

Family: Husband, Eric Woods; children, Haigler (13) and Reece (11); mother, Deanne Yeomans
Favorite color to decorate with: Black
Favorite flower: Orchids
Favorite place in her home: Living room, because it's where she can sit and spend time with her friends and family.
Future plans: "People tell me all the time I should do someting creative as a job, and someday I will. I'm just waiting for the right time and opportunity."