Three years ago, my husband gifted me a Meyer lemon tree for my birthday. I planted it in a pot, and every winter I bring it into our sunroom to protect it from the cold. When the warmer months arrive, my husband hauls it back outside to bask in the sunshine. It’s a bit of work, but it’s so worth it—the glossy green leaves shimmering, tiny lemons just beginning to form.
At the time, I saw it as a thoughtful and unique present, something that would brighten our outdoor space. But over the years, that lemon tree has become so much more than a gift—it’s a symbol of growth, patience, and the beauty of thoughtful planning.

Many people associate lemons with summer, picturing pitchers of lemonade on a warm afternoon. Surprisingly, lemons are at their best in January, thriving in the chillier months when most other fruits are dormant. It’s a reminder that growth and fruition don’t always align with our expectations—a lesson I’ve embraced both personally and professionally.
As the Principal Designer at Dogwood Proper, this lesson resonates deeply. Luxury design, much like cultivating a lemon tree, requires time, care, and thoughtful planning. Just as my tree needed years of nurturing to produce its first full crop of lemons, designing a home that reflects a client’s personality and lifestyle requires an investment of time and trust. It’s about planting the seeds of intention and watching them grow into something extraordinary.
From Lemons to Lifestyle
Our ethos at Dogwood Proper is rooted in family and legacy. Every design we create is meant to enhance how our clients live and connect within their homes. It’s about more than just beauty; it’s about building spaces that feel personal, welcoming, and enduring—just like the meals and memories shared around a table.
This brings me to my grandmother’s lemon square recipe—one she originally found in Southern Living magazine. Every Christmas, she gifted us a subscription to Southern Living, a tradition that became as cherished as the recipes themselves. Simple and elegant, the lemon squares were always made with fresh lemons. The first time I used lemons from my own tree, I felt a deep connection to the past while also appreciating how far I’ve come. It’s the same feeling I hope to inspire in my clients when they step into their newly designed spaces—a seamless blend of timeless tradition and thoughtful innovation.
Here’s the recipe to try for yourself:
Classic Lemon Bars
Active time: 20 minutes
Chill time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Total time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Makes: 16 bars Link to recipe source here
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
1/2 cup salted butter, cubbed and softened
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
6 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 large lemons)
1 tbsp. grated lemon zest
Powdered sugar
Directions
Step 1 - Prepare oven and baking pan:
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in center position. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray; line bottom and sides with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang.
Step 2 - Make crust:
Stir together 1 cup of the flour and 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Add butter. Work butter into flour mixture, using your fingers, until a shaggy dough forms and no large chunks remain, about 1 minute. (Mixture should hold together when squeezed.) Press evenly into bottom and about 1/2 inch up sides of prepared pan. Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven until lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.
Step 3 - Make filling:
Meanwhile, whisk together remaining 1/2 cup flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add eggs and lemon juice, whisking mixture just until combined. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl, using a spatula to press mixture through strainer. Discard solids. Whisk in grated lemon zest.
Step 4 -Bake lemon bars:
Reduce oven temperature to 300°F. Carefully pour filling over crust. Bake, uncovered, until filling is set around edges and jiggles slightly in center, 20 to 25 minutes.
Step 5 - Chill lemon bars:
Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool 20 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until filling is completely set, 1 hour, 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Step 6 - Finish and serve:
Carefully lift up and out of baking pan, using parchment paper as handles. Transfer to a cutting board. Cut into squares. Sprinkle lemon bars with powdered sugar just before serving.
Planning for the Future
Just as January is the perfect time for lemons, it’s also the perfect time to plan for the year ahead. At Dogwood Proper, we believe that proper planning is the foundation of timeless design. Whether you’re dreaming of a full-scale renovation, refreshing a room, or simply creating a more luxurious lifestyle at home, now is the time to begin planting those seeds.
Let’s Plan Together
Are you ready to grow into your dream home? Let’s start the conversation. Dogwood Proper proudly services homes in the Nashville and Houston areas with full-service interior design. Schedule a consultation here, and let’s plan for a future where your home is a true reflection of your story, your family, and your aspirations.
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