Southern style has never been more popular (just ask Florence, Alabama, menswear designer Billy Reid, who took home a coveted Council of Fashion Designers of America award in November, probably the most prestigious award in the industry). So it's no surprise that we've had plenty to talk about over the last twelve months.

As the year comes to a close, here are my picks, in no particular order, for the breakout stars, outstanding stories, and design movements that defined 2010.  

NASHVILLE INTERIOR DESIGNER RACHEL HALVORSON

Our New Faces of Southern Style issue debuted in August/September, and from pieces on The American College of the Building Arts to the bright young architect Stan Dixon in Atlanta, there was plenty of talent to go around. But our cover girl, twenty-something Rachel Halvorson, stood out for her work on the barn she designed for country music legend Ronnie Dunn. The space had a great rustic-meets-modern perspective, and Rachel also happens to have an acid wit and an unpretentious view of design, which is refreshing. Check out her blog here.

THE HANDMADE CRUSADE

We've been championing entrepreneurs and craftsmen since the inception of the magazine, but in our December/January issue, Garden & Gun launched the first-ever Made in the South Awards to bring more of that talent to light. Charleston-based jewelry designer Gabrielle Bratton won a prize in the Style category, and I'm smitten with the intricate detail of her hand-crafted, cast-lace pieces (pictured above). 

ALL THINGS SALVAGED WOOD

It's hard not to be charmed by the one-of-a-kind patina and history of salvaged Southern wood and the look is here to stay for sure. I'm a huge fan of artisans such as Michael Moran, Benji Wall, and the outdoor container designs (pictured above) by Jon Carloftis for Longwood Antique Woods.

RAG RUG CHIC

In our New Faces of Southern Style issue we featured the rag-rug inspired work of North Carolina-born jewelry designer Elizabeth Yarborough. Everywhere I look, I'm seeing the same primitive texture used in new ways. The Made Goods Nico bench (pictured above) is one of my favorite interpretations, as are the rag-rug pillows available at John Derian's wonderful shop right now.

DESIGN FAVORITE: SELVAGE SOUTHERN DENIM 

There's nothing more Southern than hardworking denim, and we've highlighted Nashville's Imogene + Willie and Raleigh Denim in North Carolina. Both mom-and-pops specialize in the kind of old-school, timeless styles that just get better and better as the years go by.

Given all that I've seen in 2010 I can't wait to find out what 2011 holds. Happy New Year!