Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i Country Living

A Welcome from the Editor The first half of this year has been something, huh? Maybe that’s why I’m eagerly anticipating the blank-chalkboard optimism of back-toschool season, even if it looks a little different this time around. For me, September, with all of those sharpened No. 2 pencils, evokes that “new year, new you” potential of January, but without the mind-numbing cold and holiday hangover. While planning this “How To” issue, we couldn’t help but think of old schoolhouse staples like metal lunch boxes and vintage flash cards, and you’ll see that here, but you’ll also find ample “home schooling” as it relates to our homes. We asked CL Contributor and old-house enthusiast Holly Williams to share her favorite nuggets of reno wisdom, and she went above and beyond with…

1. Mirror Fashion a mirror or picture frame from two long lengths and two short lengths of rulers, holding them together at the seams with wood glue. Drill two holes in the top, and feed cording through the holes, knotting the ends, to hang. Attach a mirror to the back with mirror clips. 2. Vase Cut 10 lengths of ruler that are one inch taller than a soup can. Paint bottom third with acrylic paint. Wrap a rubber band around the can, add dabs of E6000 craft glue ($3; walmart.com) to the backs of the rulers, and place them under the rubber band against the can to hold them in place while the glue dries. Let dry 24 hours; remove rubber band. 3. Drawer Pull Drill two holes in the…

When Lauren Akins and her country-musician husband, Thomas Rhett, were looking for rural property outside of Nashville, they found just the one in a recreational barn designed by nationally renowned architect Bobby McAlpine. (He’s also designed homes for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, among other top-billing names.) “It’s designed to be a seamless transition from the surrounding country world to the interiors,” says Bobby, who has noticed a trend in homeowners craving bucolic retreats that can serve as an escapist hangout spot at the end of the workday or week (and, yes, spaces that can house all those four-wheelers). Here’s a peek inside their pastoral playground. PEACE-AND-QUIET PALETTE The coloring and textures, says Bobby, are “designed to take you back somewhere you’re trying to remember.” The space is filled with…

OBJECT LESSON: Harper & Brothers School Charts WHAT TO KNOW: Brothers James and John Harper founded New York City–based J. & J. Harper publishing house in 1817. They changed the name to Harper & Brothers in the early 1830s and the rest is (printed) history, thanks to their magazines (including CL’s sister publication Harper’s Bazaar), countless books, and author and educator Marcius Willson’s A Manual of Information and Suggestions for Object Lessons, in a Course of Elementary Instruction. First published in 1862, his program for early education was accompanied by his and N.A. Calkins’s 22 illustrated “School and Family Charts,” shown here in their mounted forms. The company continues its publishing legacy today under its current name of HarperCollins. WHAT IT’S WORTH: $100 each OBJECT: Pencil Sharpeners SUBMITTED BY: L.B.,…

the setting A rustic menu calls for a rustic spread. Layer a homespun linen runner (food52.com for similar) on a farm table. Top with ruffle-edged soup bowls (surlatable.com for similar), pretty green wine glasses (this menu pairs well with a crispy white, such as a Sauvignon Blanc), and warm wood accents. the menu Creamy Tomato Bisque gets its richness from both milk and heavy cream. A pinch of saffron adds a slightly floral flavor, while mango chutney gives Cheddar & Chutney Grilled Cheese Sandwiches a unique hint of sweetness (both page 87). the book Modern Comfort Food, Ina’s twelfth cookbook, hits stores and amazon.com in October.…

HUE FINDER Nature delivers a bright and punchy color scheme. FIELD NOTES How an “Apple for the Teacher” Came to Fruition The tradition of gifting teachers with this fall fruit dates back to the 1700s, before publicly funded education was widespread. It lasted well into the 1800s, as families in under-resourced frontier communities continued to bring teachers their harvest as supplemental “payment.” Bing Crosby popularized giving an apple to get on a teacher’s good side in his 1939 hit “An Apple for the Teacher,” and since, teacher’s pets have been known as “apple polishers.”…

Bark-itecture Design for dog people THE DOG Rocco the corgi sits proudly in his Minnesota mudroom designed by Bria Hammel (briahammelinteriors.com). THE DIGS Multitoned brick (generalshale.com) makes for a durable floor that doesn’t sacrifice style. (Try a herringbone arrangement for an added layer of detail.) A classic white wall color (Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore) keeps the room clean and bright, while framed sailboat artwork (artfullywalls.com) and fishing-inspired wall hooks (anthropologie.com) off er a light nautical theme. A low-maintenance artificial plant (target.com) and floral pillow add hits of green to the neutral scheme. Game Changer When Pakaphon Viriratana struggled to find attire that would fit his “curvier” bulldog, Wonton, he started the Wonton Collection, a selection of more generously cut, customizable clothing, so all dogs can show their school spirit.…

MAISON LOUIS MARIE PERFUME OIL IN NO.04 BOIS DE BALINCOURT: “This scent is a long-lasting woodsy fragrance that doubles for him and her.” $57; sephora.com BURT’S BEES TINTED LIP BALM IN HIBISCUS: “I’m not big on makeup, but this tinted lip balm offers hydration with a subtle amount of color.” $5; burtsbees.com THE BLUEST EYE BY TONI MORRISON: “A classic work of fiction. I’ve read this story multiple times in my life, and each time I come back to it, I leave with a different take than before.” $15; amazon.com APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS: “I can never turn these down, especially from Millstone Creek Orchards [millstone creekorchards.com], or any fun-flavored doughnut from North Carolina–based Duck Donuts [duckdonuts.com].” THE TINY TASSEL “BENNETT” EARRINGS: “These perfectly frame my face and add a pop…

Flash Card Garland Flash cards (use vintage or new) and baker’s twine add up to an A+ garland. Punch two holes in the top of each card, and thread twine through holes. TEACHER’S AID COCKTAIL While the kids sip milk, mix this up for the parents: 1 bottle chilled sparkling wine, 1 (46-oz.) bottle chilled cran-apple juice, and 1 (12-oz.) can chilled ginger ale. Pour into glasses, drop a sugar cube into each, and garnish with apple slices. Makes 12 to 14 servings. Crayon Vase Display flowers (here, daisies) in a colorfully coordinating DIY crayon vase. Line the outside of a small glass jar or can with a single color of crayons ($2.50 for a single-color pack of 12; staples.com), attaching each with low-temp hot-glue. SNACK TIME! Keep the savories…

LIBRARY EDITION! (SHHH…) HUNTING GROUND Find the Difference! Antiques-lovers Jackie Greaney and Paul Havel styled this bookish scene to help you train your eye. Can you identify the seven differences between these photos? (Want a larger version? Print them out at countryliving.com/eye-spy.) ANSWERS 1. White pencil is facing the opposite direction. 2. Granola bar has been added to bag. 3. Glasses are now upside down. 4. Two encyclopedias instead of three. 5. Stamp handle direction has changed. 6. Catalog cards have changed color order. 7. There are fewer pencils in the cup. MERIT BADGE Spot a First-Edition Book To unearth a literary gem at an estate sale, head to the hardcovers, then check the copyright date. If it aligns with the year the book was originally published, that’s a good…

INSPIRED BY NATURE The cottage’s predominantly brown, blue, and green color scheme speaks to its surroundings. What would it hurt to go look?” Those were the fateful words Shelia Frey said to her husband, Gerard, when they heard a home in picturesque Oldfield, a small community on the banks of South Carolina’s Okatie River, was about to hit the market. The couple, who was vacationing there at the time, had been seriously toying with the idea of relocating to the idyllic Southern enclave. And so, they found themselves with noses pressed to the glass, peering through windows of said cottage when the current owner caught them red-handed—or at least a little red-faced. The house, designed by Jim Strickland of Historical Concepts (historicalconcepts.com), had a laid-back river-house feel that instantly connected…

ABC Cookies p.88 Extra Credit: Package cookies in glassine bags with ribbon and a custom-engraved pencil that says “Smart Cookie” (shutterfly.com). Kitchen Sink Bars p.90 Extra Credit: Pack ’em up in glassine bags, and jot the recipe name on “Hello, my name is…” tags. (Try chalkboardhued Carson Dellosa Education labels; staples.com.) Cereal “Ice Cream” Cones p.90 Extra Credit: Wrap a long cardboard box with Cavallini & Co.’s “Chalkboard Penmanship” wrapping paper (amazon.com). Cut 12 holes just larger than the bottom of the cone in the box. Slip finished cones into the holes. Maple, Cinnamon, and Walnut Fudge p.90 Extra Credit: Wrap each block of this creamy, rich sweet with parchment paper and tie up with ruler-print grosgrain ribbon (ribbonqueen.com). Peanut Butter–Candy Bar Thumbprint Cookies p.91 Extra Credit: At a party,…

ADD A DOSE OF DAPPER From a classic accent chair to modern melamine, the pattern brings a pop of prep to whatever it touches. Decoupage a Dresser Furniture painter Brandy Kollenborn turned a plain dresser into a statement piece with just a jar of Mod Podge and gift wrap. For a shortcut, try these peel-and-stick options. Go Top-to-Bottom Bold Another check in plaid’s favor: It’s versatile enough to work in every room and is sure to remain refreshingly timeless. IN THE OFFICE Designer Suzanne Kasler dressed the walls, chair, and curtains all in matching fabric (lochcarron.co.uk). IN THE LIVING ROOM Plaid plates (anta.co.uk) serve up a tartan-tastic twist on a gallery wall. (Hang them with adhesive hooks.) IN THE BATHROOM Plaid wallpaper (ralphlauren.com for similar) lends a prepster punch to…

Gus’s Corner Here’s what Country Living’s office dog has his eye on for fall. BACK-TO-SCHOOL EDITION! DANCE This is best for dogs less than 40 pounds. Have your dog sit. Hold a treat above him, and gradually move the treat slightly behind his head. As he naturally holds his head up and raises on his hind legs to reach the treat, immediately say “dance” and offer praise and the treat. Gradually move the treat above his head in a circular pattern. As he begins to hop in the direction of the treat, repeat the command “dance” and praise. Soon, he should be able to follow a circular pattern and associate the word “dance” with hopping in a circle. HIGH FIVE The trick for teaching this command is to make it…

LETTERMAN JACKETS & VARSITY PATCHES The iconic letterman jacket started as a simple knit sweater worn as part of the 1865 Harvard University baseball team uniform. It quickly became a status symbol used to distinguish top athletes, and by the 1930s, the jock jackets (mostly wool jackets with leather sleeves) rose to popularity. Most start around $150 but can reach several hundred dollars in value. Letters were originally wool but evolved into the chenille patches (shown) in the ’50s and ’60s. They typically go for $10 apiece (and take up significantly less closet space!). MARCHING MEMORABILIA While bands themselves are centuries old, the first school halftime show performed by a marching band is believed to date to 1907 at the University of Illinois. The shows quickly became more elaborate, involving…

currently craving METAL LUNCH BOXES Rusty-edged relics from cafeterias of yore dish out ’50s and ’60s nostalgia with each unlatching. Noted makers of these time capsules include American Thermos Bottle Co., Aladdin Industries, King-Seeley Co. (known for dometop lids), Adco Liberty Manufacturing Co., and Universal (maker of the coveted 1954 Superman box, the holy grail of pails. One sold at auction for $17,000). Hungry for more? Peruse 213 pails in the Smithsonian archives.…

Wild For… PAGE 11 Designer, Brian Patrick Flynn; @bpatrickflynn, flynnsideout.com. PAGE 12 Designer, Brandy Kollenborn; @brushedby brandy, brushedbybrandy.com. PAGE 13 Designer (office), Suzanne Kasler; @suzannekasler, suzannekasler.com. Architect (bathroom), Gil Schafer; @gp schafer, gpschafer.com. Designer (bathroom), David Netto; @davidnettosays, davidnettodesign.com. Designer (bedroom), Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey; @shazalynn_cavin_winfrey, scwinteriors.com. Home School with Holly Williams PAGES 54–59 THROUGHOUT Designer, Holly Williams; @whitesmercantile, whitesmercantile.com. Crash Course: Creating Kitchens with Character with Character PAGES 60–67 THROUGHOUT Designer, Grace Mitchell, A Storied Style; @astoried style, astoriedstyle.com. PAGES 60-61 Vintage island; simplethingsfurniture.com. Basket pendant lights and counter stools; available through email: howdy@astoriedstyle.com. Runner; shoplilyloom.com. PAGE 62 Vintage pendant lights; antiquesandvintagetexas.com. Counter stools; available through email: howdy@astoriedstyle.com Runner; shoplilyloom.com. PAGE 63 Range and vent hood; bigchill.com. PAGES 64–65 Backsplash tile; bottegadesigngallery.com. Repurposed ship lights; ogtstore.com. Flush mount lights; wayfair.com. Cast-iron sink and faucet; vintagetub.com. Vintage window and vent hood; dhwsalvage.com. Counter bench; simplethingsfurniture.com. Range; kitchenaid.com. PAGE 65 TOP Backsplash tile; wayfair.com. MIDDLE Open shelving; restorationhardware.com. BOTTOM Backsplash tile; bottegadesigngallery.com. Sink; shawsofdarwen.com. PAGE 66 TOP…