Speaking of new ways to use old things, I'm thrilled to announce the debut of my new flea market makeover column in this month's Southern Living! I may be a Connecticut boy, but as anyone who's ever joined me at Scott's in Atlanta or attended a lecture of mine in Little Rock, Lafayette or Richmond will tell you, I'm a Southerner at heart. 

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"In wIth the Old," the brainchild of editor in chief Lindsay Bierman, will follow me as I scour the South's best flea markets, antique alleys and salvage shops for furniture and other items to transform into modern day masterpieces.

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This month, I comb the International Collectibles & Antiques Show in Charlotte, then show you how to transform a beat-up game table with hidden storage into a glossy pink-and-white wonder!

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Here's the official press release.

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Huge thanks to Lindsay Bierman, editors Jen Kopf and Jeanne Clayton, photographer Miki Duisterhof, and everyone over at Southern Living who helped make this column possible. Thanks also to our longtime friends at Lowe's and Calico Corners for their great generosity in all we do. Back shortly with a look behind the scenes of our very first shoot for Southern Living in the new house!