Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i Country Living

A A Welcome from the Editor There’s a saying that about half your life is spent trying to get out of a small town, and the other half is spent trying to get back to one. As a farm-town Tennessean who skipped off to New York City right after college (and is now in Birmingham, Alabama), it certainly rings true. Despite my love of soaring skylines and salty street-cart pretzels (don’t judge), these days I seem to spend every free moment browsing real estate listings in map-dot destinations like Highlands, NC (pg. 67) and Laurel, MS (pg. 69), towns where I imagine I can sip a root beer and peruse the local classifieds (“1950s Ford truck for sale!”) as I wait for my prescription at the old-timey drugstore. This issue…

Grow Forth and Conque “I started BGWG because I saw a huge lack of women who look like me in gardening spaces.” Feeding the Future “Showcasing Black people’s approach to gardening is important to both the sustainability of our community and food systems. We provide representation, support, and education.” Spring into Action “I’m really excited about my hoyas flowering this spring, as well as growing more varieties of peppers. Sweet banana peppers are a favorite.”…

No 1 Sp eckled Egg Garland Use an awl to poke holes in ends of papier-mâché eggs ($6 for 12; factorydirectcraft.com), then paint eggs white, robin’s-egg blue, and turquoise with acrylic paint. Once dry, spatter with dark blue paint. Thread twine through holes, and hang, adding a tassel detail, if desired. No 2 Easter Grass Display Simply plant wheatgrass (available at garden stores or flower shops) in milk glass vessels such as the sugar dish, goblet, and vase shown here. Water as necessary to keep fresh. Sugar dishes also make for sweet placecard holders; simply tie a card to each handle. No 3 Pom-Pom Bunny Wreath Make or buy 17 large white pom-poms. Attach to a 12-inch craft ring ($5; joann.com) with hot-glue. Cut ears from white and pink felt;…

OBJECT LESSON: The U.S. Playing Card Co.’s Congress Playing Cards WHAT TO KNOW: Founded in 1867, Cincinnati-based printing company Russell, Morgan & Co. (the name later changed to the U.S. Playing Card Co.) issued their first playing cards in 1881. While Bicycle (introduced a few years later) is the most well-known of the company’s brands, it’s their Congress line that was the cream of the crop. The higher priced cards were originally printed under two stocks: the standard No. 404 and the deluxe No. 606, which sported fancy gold edges that later became the standard. Recognized by their pictorial backs—from early mythological characters to, later, dogs, flowers, horses, and more—the stylish cards were marketed for home entertaining. In the 1920s, they introduced double decks of narrower cards to accommodate the…

Word of Mouth “I’d drive 100 miles for the collard greens and buttermilk pie at Wilson Cafe. Luckily, it’s just a few steps away on the square.”–Holly Williams, owner of White’s Mercantile Wilson, AR POPULATION: 1,013 MOTTO: “Small town, big ambitions” WHY WE LOVE IT: Everyone loves a comeback, and Wilson’s is one for the ages. Founded in 1886 as a hub for timber and cotton production, the town fell into disrepair in the 1950s as agricultural work declined and residents moved elsewhere. Then, in 2010, the Lawrence Group acquired it as part of a larger land purchase. “It was an opportunity to not only restore Wilson to its former glory, but make it a hub of food and culture in the Delta while staying true to its roots,” says…

currently craving DEVILED EGG PLATES Deviling, a term for mixing hot spices into foods, was popularized in the 19th century. But it was the early 1900s, when shelf-stable mayo and electric refrigerators became mainstays, that the deviled egg of today got its crack at snack stardom, with platters designed to showcase these creamy creations by the dozen. Find vintage versions from makers like Johnson Brothers (red and white, above) and Pfaltzgraff (top right) for as little as $25 on replacements.com.…

HUE FINDER A fresh palette serves up spring year-round. FIELD NOTES How to Train Your Wisteria To guide new wisteria across an arbor or pergola, loosely twine two or three vines around each other, then fasten them to the structure with fabric ties or garden twine. As shoots grow longer, they’ll begin to grip the frame and the ties can be removed. Once vines reach the top, prune the tips to encourage side shoots to branch out horizontally and flower, redirecting with ties as needed.…

SPLURGE VS. SAVE PETITE PREP TABLES A moveable counter-height table is ideal for small spaces where a fixed island won’t work. Look for distinct furniture details such as turned legs, a stretcher, or a warm wood finish to lend character. SPACE SAVER BACKLESS STOOLS Backless counter stools (aim for 24 inches tall) are perfectly shaped and sized to tuck under a countertop overhang, freeing up valuable floor space. STATEMENT-MAKER PATTERNED ENCAUSTIC TILES A graphic, quilt-like patterned floor (like “Eastern Promise,” opposite page; annsacks.com) adds a grounding element to a light and bright space while also giving a nod to the linoleum kitchen rugs popular in the early 1900s. COUNTRY CLASSIC BRIDGE FAUCET The graceful curves of a traditional bridge faucet go a long way to soften a streamlined space. First…

HUNT & GATHER The find: A vintage French egg-collecting basket The flowers: An assortment of lilacs, anemones, Scabiosa lavender, allium, and ranunculus is placed in a water-filled glass vase that’s nestled in the wire basket and surrounded by dyed eggs or painted wooden eggs ($12; amazon.com).…

Bird’s-Nest Fern Long, bright green leaves spring from the center “nest” of this humidity lover. Set in a warm spot that gets indirect light. Button Fern With small, dark leaves shaped like buttons and attached to thin stems, this petite fern is ideal for spaces with low light. Staghorn Fern Mature plants should be mounted to a board or hung in a basket in a bright spot. Water and mist weekly. Maidenhair Fern Beautiful and delicate, this fickle fern is a slow grower and likes indirect sunlight and very high humidity. Eyelash Fern With leaves shaped like eyelashes, this beauty enjoys a bright spot with indirect sunlight and weekly watering so the soil stays moist but not soggy. Rabbit’s-Foot Fern Furry rhizomes that grow above the soil resemble rabbits’ feet,…

Floral Paintings These pretty bouquets span continents and decades (some of the most coveted stem from 19th-century Europe). Visible nails and staples securing the canvas are telltale signs of age-old artwork, typically valued at more than $300, depending on the condition and artist. For more affordable options, opt for mid-century pieces ($50 to $200 each). For more visual impact, collect by color (pink, yellow, purple) or bloom (roses, peonies, lilacs). Paint-by-Numbers This kitschy category first gained popularity in the early 1950s, when manufacturers (notably Palmer Paint Co. in Michigan) began to produce paint-by-number kits as a way for everyday art lovers to try their hands at painting. Most were made with acrylic paints, and flea market finds typically date to the ’50s and ’60s (although comparable kits can still be…

OBJECT: Glassware Set SUBMITTED BY: V.S., Leechburg, PA PROVENANCE: Passed down from her mother WHAT IT IS: “You have a ca.-1950 Hazel-Atlas ‘Pink Elephant’ cocktail set with a shaker and matching glassware,” says appraiser Bene Raia of Raia Auctioneers. “Cocktails after work was the norm in midcentury America, and several companies manufactured glassware sets such as yours in all types of fired-on patterns.” She adds that these sets usually included a hammered aluminum tray and sold at the time for $2.98. WHAT IT’S WORTH: $200 (without tray) OBJECT: Porcelain Toaster SUBMITTED BY: C.H., Flint, TX PROVENANCE: Was a gift from her great-grandfather to her great-grandmother WHAT IT IS: “This is marvelous!” says appraiser Marsha Dixey of Heritage Auctions. “Your passed-down piece is a 1930s porcelain ware toaster by Greensburg, PA–based…

SPRING CHICKENS The Rise of the Hen-fluencer The return of warm weather makes April ideal for hatchlings. If you’re considering joining the growing flock of chickenkeepers, follow these accounts for inspiration For Farm Fantasies @wildfeatherfarm Caroline Scott posts snaps of her Texas homestead, which she shares with about 50 chickens (plus goats, geese, mini donkeys, and a potbellied pig). For Practical Advice @fresheggsdaily Author and blogger Lisa Steele documents life with her flock in rural Maine and shares helpful tips for raising chickens. For Lots of Laughs @littlehenandco “They’re hilarious, sassy, and inquisitive,” says Ashley Register of the seven chickens that star on her funny feed from North Carolina. FARM STAY Liberty Hill Farm & Inn Offering guests a taste of country life since 1984, this Vermont property has a…

Old Village Mercantile You’ll find 600 varieties of old-fashioned candy and 24 flavors of fudge at this circa-1909 Caledonia, MO, shop. F.H. Gillingham & Sons Family owned and operated since 1886, this Woodstock, VT, standby stocks its shelves with local fare like cheese and maple syrup. The Floyd Country Store Browse local crafts, sip a fountain-poured root beer float, then dance to live music at this Floyd, VA, shop’s Friday Night Jamboree.…

SUNDAY CELEBRATION PAGE 82 Ricotta Pancakes WORKING TIME 30 minutes TOTAL TIME 30 minutes MAKES 4 servings ¾ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled½ teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon kosher salt1 cup whole-milk ricotta3 large eggs, at room temperature and separated1 tablespoon pure maple syrup2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract¾ cup whole milkRoasted Maple Rhubarb and Strawberries (see recipe, at right) 1. Set a wire rack in a baking sheet. Preheat oven to 200°F. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together ricotta, egg yolks, maple syrup, and vanilla in a second bowl; whisk in milk. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined (mixture should be lumpy). 2. Beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Gently fold egg…

The Outfitter PAGE 16 Myrtlewood garden trug; westontable.com. Aged piecrust planters; thompsonhanson.com. Cottage Comeback PAGES 52–61 VINTAGE RUGS Blue Parakeet Rugs; shopblueparakeetrugs.com. VINTAGE FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Big Daddy’s Antiques; @bigdaddysantiques, bdantiques.com. Some of Jen’s other favorite shopping sources, both around California and through Instagram: Prize Home + Garden; @prizekc. Found Co. Shop; @foundco.shop. Shoppe Amber Interiors; @shoppe amberinteriors. Nickey Kehoe; @nickykehoe. Patine; @patine. deKor; @dekor.living. PAGE 54 Contemporary paintings by Todd Mossman; bdantiques.com. Our Insider’s Guide to the Country’s Best Small Towns PAGE 63 GENERAL STORES Old Village Mercantile; oldvillagemercantile.com. F.H. Gillingham and Sons; gillinghams.com. The Floyd Country Store; floydcountrystore.com. PAGE 63 WILSON, AR wilsonarkansas.com. White’s Mercantile; whitesmercantile.com. The Grange at Wilson Gardens; wilsongrange.com. Wilson Cafe & Tavern; eatatwilson.com. Hampson Archeological Museum; arkansasstateparks.com. PAGE 64 JOSEPH, OR josephoregon.com. The Jennings Hotel; jenningshotel.com. Prairie Mountain Folk School; @prairiemountainschool. The Gold Room; goldroompizza.com. Arrowhead Chocolates; arrowheadchocolates.com. Stein Distillery; steindistillery.com. Chief Joseph Days Rodeo; chiefjosephdaysrodeo.com. Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts; josephy.org. M. Crow; mcrowcompany.com. Del Sol Wild erness Adventures; delsolwildernessadventures.com. Eagle Cap Excursions…

FIELD NOTES What is Eyelet, Exactly? An eyelet is simply a small hole in fabric that’s finished off with embroidered edges. Although eyelet is often thought of as decorative (lace, for example), it also serves a functional purpose. For instance, button holes are also known as “eyelets,” and many shoes utilize eyelets for lace insertion. Round and oval eyelets can be combined with other embroidery techniques to create elaborate patterns, a needlework tactic known as “broderie anglaise” (see “Textile Timeline,” pg. 14).…

LELA ROSE may live in New York City, but you’ll rarely see the designer hailing a taxi. Instead, she happily cruises around the concrete jungle, dog in tow, on a bike, as she has done for the past two decades. “I get to go at my own speed, never waiting on the subway and without the inconvenience of sitting in traffic,” she says. Biking, of course, is especially blissful come spring, providing the perfect transport to a picnic in Battery Park (above) or on Governors Island. The more daisies on-site, the better. “I love that they’re lighthearted, not fussy,” says Lela, citing the words of fellow Texan Lady Bird Johnson: “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” Here’s how the pedal (and petal!) pusher plans a picnic. FIELD NOTES How to…

Shipping Pallet Staple landscape fabric to bottom and back of a pallet. Fill with soil, and add plants. Lean it against a wall, or add two-by-fours to stand it up. Wine Barrel Lay the barrel on its side, and use a saw to make an opening. Fill with soil and plants. Laundry Basket A laundry basket is easily transformed into a towering planter when filled with soil and plants.…

THE MAGPIE Courtney Barton Houston, TX SEW IT BEGINS: My grandmother embroidered nearly every linen in her home, personalizing them with initials and patterns. My mother was also a beautiful seamstress and made my high school formal dresses. Her work was so good I could have worn them inside out, instilling in me the importance of quality finishing. FINDS OF FANCY: I often scoop up fabric and linens without having a plan, hoping I’ll figure out a way to use them. When I was pregnant with my first child, I bought pillow shams at the Round Top Antiques Fair embroidered with a big pink “A,” thinking they were a sign I’d have a girl. I now have two sons! FAVORITE PIECES: My collection is about 60 pieces. I adore Indian…

When Jennifer and Dave Dawson spotted a circa-1800s farmhouse on 50 lush acres in the alpine vacationland of Cashiers, North Carolina, it felt like a proverbial breath of fresh air—plus a dream getaway for their two adventurous boys, James and Jack. But, at 1,200 square feet, the house was a matchbox, with only one full bathroom and a powder room so teensy they’d taken to calling it the “chamber pot.” So the couple—the aesthetic masterminds and owners of Charleston, SC–based Urban Electric Co. (urbanelectric.com)—set about maximizing every square inch, while preserving the storied bones they fell in love with. To make the compact home feel bigger, they painted most walls and ceilings white, putting the focus on the verdant grounds lush with hydrangeas, peonies, and ferns beyond the windows. Downstairs,…

Want more? Check out the new cookbook by Edd Kimber, the inaugural winner of The Great British Bake Off. $21; bookshop.org…