Decades are characterized by style,

from fashion to decor to music. But photographer Alyssa Rosenheck is defining a fresh era for Southern design to last longer than a few years – a lifestyle.

In her book, The New Southern Style, Rosenheck lays out a master plan for decor and habits that value tradition while using design to share stories and celebrate cultural differences. Her passion for a reconnection to Southern roots and a sense of community comes from a life spotted with rough patches.

From working as a secretary to breaking into the medical device industry, Rosenheck felt unstable and dishonest about her own dreams. After a cancer diagnosis, she decided to pursue a more enriching life, turning to photography as a means of catharsis and coaxing out imagination. After snapping shots of her home to list online, Rosenheck fell in love with cameras and embarked on a career in architectural and interiors photography.

“When I discovered my creativity, I became a pioneering voice in my industry and I found my community,” she writes. “I reconciled the hand I was dealt in my past and started betting on myself.”

In The New Southern Style, Rosenheck outlines six design schemes, developing each category through interviews with Southern-influenced creatives, from chefs to designers to activists, who inspire embracing change and deepening curiosity.