Country Living July - August 2015

IT STARTED WITH a Little Free Library (littlefree library.org; see bottom right). Kay and Steve, our lovely neighbors down the block, installed one in front of their home, and now my 2-year-old daughter, Emmy, lives for our semi-nightly pilgrimage to the take-abook, leave-a-book wooden depository. Board book in hand, we amble along the jagged sidewalk in our historic (read: old!) neighborhood to this charming literary landmark. I look forward to these walks because they force me to slow down and look at the world—or at least a quarter-mile stretch of pavement—through a toddler’s eyes, at a toddler’s pace. We pause to admire a neighbor’s flowers. (“Blue!” observes Emmy, who is not quite yet learning her colors.) We stop to pet Parker, a neighbor’s friendly golden retriever. We marvel over an…

Feedback “As a proud owner of an original 1925 Pyrex measuring cup, I was delighted to read your article on the brand in the May 2015 issue! This two-sided spout model [pictured above] was only made for one year. I thought you might like to see what the original looked like!” -Marsha Rochester, Oxford, ME “Your May issue is what Country Living is all about—mixing old with new and repurposing finds. As someone who works at a recycling center, I know that reusing shouldn’t be just about bottles, cans, and plastics. Hope you’ll continue this theme in future issues!“ -Kathe Warden, Hebron, NY BETTER LATE THAN NEVER! While doing some major spring cleaning, Rita Chute of Grantsburg, WI, stumbled across this December 1996 Country Living invoice. She snail-mailed the bill…

Turn the page to see how we used this image from the countryside to inspire a breezy blue bedroom. DUVET COVER This gathered green bedding reinforces the room’s earthy palette. King-Size Rosette Duvet, $329; lazybonesusa.com (10% off with code countryliving10) LIGHTING The see-through base of this teardrop-shaped mercury glass lamp keeps even a small space feeling airy. Teardrop Lamp, $79; pier1.com RUG Braided from recycled fabrics, this 5-footwide rug lays the groundwork for a textured space. Rug, $119; landofnod.com BED Bring on the summertime blues with this sophisticated arched pick. Queen Bed, $799; crateandbarrel.com COASTERS Plant a bedside drink on a handcrafted, copperand-glass accent. Coasters, $42/set of four; bensgarden.com PAINT This subtle shade of green acts as a neutral. Forest Light by Glidden; homedepot.com SIDE TABLE This 2-foot-wide rattan piece…

PAGE 22 An indoor/outdoor rug brings a pop of color and pattern underfoot. PAGE 93 This watery blue accessory freshens up any room. Glidden® paint provides beautiful color and coverage. You’re guaranteed happy results at a low price. The Glidden Premium Paint Collection includes lowodor, no-VOC interior paint and tough yet elegant exterior house paint. PAGE 59 A simple windowpane fabric is a classic choice that will never go out of style. PAGE 38 We cherry-picked this vintage needlepoint purse for its bold, rich colors. PAGE 20 This ice-cream bowl is perfectly shaped to be held in your hands so you can slurp that last drop!…

DESIGNER SARAH SHERMAN SAMUEL’S picnic wares are dreamed up in her California studio and then lovingly crafted by her Michiganbased father (a retired computer technician-turnedwoodworker) and a handful of other artisans across the country. Her summery line features graphic cotton napkins and hand-carved cutting boards, but our favorite is this picnic basket woven from Appalachian white ash and lined with green-and-white gingham. (Potato salad not included.) Picnic Basket, $125; sarahshermansamuel.com…

STEP 1 Cut a 15- by 11-inch rectangle from ticking stripe fabric (fabric.com) and a 6- by 5-inch rectangle from denim fabric. STEP 2 Use a “disappearing” pen (available at crafts stores) to trace a five-point star on denim. Outline by passing a needle and thin white yarn through each of the points. STEP 3 Sew the denim to the top left-hand corner of the ticking stripe. (Iron-on adhesive will also do the trick.) STEP 4 Create a relaxed frayed edge by pulling out threads along the placemats’ border.…