Country Living September 2018

Four decades ago, Country Living came into being when a few very perceptive editors at Good Housekeeping recognized the growing popularity of American period homes and antiques in areas beyond New York City and Los Angeles. (I recently crossed paths with one of those editors; see left.) And what’s particularly impressive about those early issues is how well they hold up today. Country style is truly timeless (okay, give or take a 1980s obsession with harvest gold appliances and wall-to-wall chintz). So, as we were planning this celebratory 40th anniversary issue, I was conflicted. Do we mine our archives for our greatest hits, or look ahead, celebrating the undeniable momentum of country style now? In the name of having our anniversary cake and eating it, too, we did a little…

I recently had the pleasure of spending time with the founding editor of Country Living (above, left). Here are some of the “original Rachel’s” musings on our big milestone. She can’t believe it’s the big 4-0! “When you said the 40th anniversary was coming up, I was astounded. I still remember working on the 10th anniversary issue, which featured my New York apartment. Getting my mind back into the Country Living days has been a nostalgic joyride. I’m thrilled the magazine is still a living, breathing entity.” She’s traded her passion for collecting for painting. “Since 1998, I have been studying landscape painting in Italy once a year. I now study classical still life in New York. My husband, Michael Lucas of the Phyllis Lucas Gallery (phyllislucasgallery.com), is an art…

Great Moments in Denim 1978 The film Grease debuts, and jeans becomes the word, thanks to the T-Birds’ perfectly rolled 2-inch cuff. 1979 Neil Diamond releases the Top 40 tune “Forever in Blue Jeans.” 1979 Also that year, The Dukes of Hazzard debuts, with cousin Daisy wearing denim cutoffs so short that NBC censors demand she pair them with flesh-colored pantyhose. 1981 A 15-year-old Brooke Shields sparks controversy in a Calvin Klein ad, asking, “You wanna know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.” 1981 Wrangler becomes the primary sponsor of race car driver Dale Earnhardt and his famous yellow-and-blue “Wrangler Jean Machine.” 1983 On the design front, Ralph Lauren launches his home collection, which comes to include an array of denim furniture fabrics and blue jean-hued paints and…

EMBELLISH A HEADBOARD Draw an arched outline as shown and paint within the space with an oil-based paint.* Add a thin border, then stencil “Fern Stencil by Stencils for Walls” in Medium and Large (amazon.com).*See page 106 for all paint colors. ADD WHIMSY TO WALLS Using green acrylic paint, create a linear pattern using “Large Fern Leaves” (cuttingedgestencils.etsy.com) interspersed with the “Victorian Ceiling” border (royaldesignstudio.com). Paint the border a complementary gold shade. SKIRT A TABLE Using acrylic paint (treated with a fabric medium), stencil assorted motifs from the “Eight Ferns Wall Stencil” (designerstencils.com) on to linen or cotton yardage. (This project required 4 yards.) LAY OUT A FRINGED “RUG” Using an oil-based paint, outline a rectangle in the desired rug size (say, 3' by 5' or 5' by 7'). Next,…

1 Stenciling is a “dry” technique, so after dipping a brush in paint, dab it on a paper towel until most of the paint is removed. 2 For detailed patterns, try a small brush (FolkArts stencil brush set; amazon.com). For larger patterns, try the Bartsh chalk brush set (amazon.com). 3 Clean stencils often with warm water, dish soap, and a scouring sponge. Dried or built-up paint on the stencil can cause smudges. 4 To secure stencils and ensure sharp edges, use painter’s tape such as ScotchBlue Walls + Wood Floors. 5 Work from the outside of the design inward to run less risk of a paint bleed.…

THROWBACK: A layered living room from March of 1992 features stenciled floors, upholstered sofas, and primitive wood pieces. WHY IT STILL WORKS: Airy white walls and clean-lined silhouettes offset the weathered wood and Americana-inspired accents. THROWBACK: A blue-and-white kitchen from February of 1993 is a mix of old-world charm and contemporary patterns. WHY IT STILL WORKS: Practical open shelving, of-the-moment pine furniture, and hand-crafted tile in a classic color combo remain relevant. THROWBACK: Plaid-topped beds made of sassafras—including a mini one for the cat!—make for a rustic guest room in September of 1993. WHY IT STILL WORKS: Cabin fever endures, with preppy tartan, Hudson Bay stripes, and rustic furniture as coveted as ever. LOVE REVISITING THESE OLD ROOMS? You’re in luck! Coming soon: the Country Living Back Porch Club, an…