Country Living August 2022

By the time you’re reading this, you’ll likely be steeped in the “dog days of summer,” an expression that dates back to the ancient Romans. This hot, sultry season—often considered unlucky (see: droughts, famine)—was associated with the rise of Sirius, aka The Dog Star. Still, despite this Farmers’ Almanac factoid, I prefer to think the phrase refers to the countless canines lounging on front porches across the countryside, because it’s too darn hot to bother with things like playing fetch and chasing squirrels. I’ve also heard the month of August described as the “Sunday” of summertime, and I prefer the spirit of that sentiment. This time of year may lack the Friday-like anticipation of June and the abuzz-with-activity, hyper-scheduled Saturday energy of July, but that’s precisely what sets it apart.…

1 Grabbing a spot on the dock to watch sailboats drift in and out of view 2 Improvised mudrooms that reflect life at this very moment 3 When the neighbors kindly swing by to share their bumper crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, melons… (See how to put that bounty to good use on pg. 33.) 4 How outfitting a home with a ping-pong table lowers the stress level of its inhabitants by at least 20 percent* *Not scientifically proven 5 “Gone Fishin’” signs in the windows of Main Street retailers 6 How you’re never stumped for fun when nature is your playground 7 Seizing the dog days of summer—and the sight of four-legged sidekicks suited up in life jackets 8 Lazy late-afternoon naps on a handcrafted hanging bed Follow us on…

If you’ve been fortunate enough to while away time in a rustic old cabin or clapboard cottage, then you are likely familiar with the happy-accident sort of shelving that presents itself along the exposed-framework walls. Intended to provide support, these noggins and headers—sometimes symmetrical, sometimes haphazard— help a country house maximize its charm per square inch. For a collector, the tucked-in two-by-fours present an opportunity to pack in quirk at every corner—a figurine here, a petite painting nestled between studs there. Nature-lovers tend to use these nooks to display the wares of their morning walks, be it a starfish or seashell, a few river rocks, or a sculptural piece of driftwood. And then there are the book-lovers without borders, whose summer syllabus can’t seem to be contained to a proper…

Object Lesson Whoosh, There It Is: The summer of 1886 was a hot one, and the Manhattan office of C. & C. Electric Motor Co. was abuzz with something refreshingly cool—the first electric table fan. Dr. Schuyler Skaats Wheeler, a Thomas Edison protégé, built the workbench fan by attaching a two-blade propeller to a small motor, thus revolutionizing personal cooling forever. Fan Craze: The 1910s heralded the Golden Age of fan design. Necessity was the mother of invention during these years as Americans relied solely on fans to keep cool. Engineers like Philip Diehl and George Westinghouse worked hard to perfect their designs made of heavy cast-iron and brass blades. Protective metal cages came soon after. Country Cred: The new electric fans weren’t just for cooling rooms. Farmers also installed…

Cool Lamp Swap standard blades for Edison bulbs (left) for a modern lamp with vintage flair. (Visit a lighting shop for wiring assistance.) Breezy Bookend A fan’s heavy weight and sculptural shape make for one perfect endcap to a row of books. Opt for smaller ones (around 8 inches tall) on a typical bookshelf. Well-Rounded Scrapbook Put sentimental photographs, postcards, or even concert tickets on display by clipping to a fan’s front cage with clothespins or metal clasps.…

$700,000 Georgetown, ME 4 BR; 1.5 BA; 1,700 SQ. FT. WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Nestled right where the Sheepscot River meets the Atlantic Ocean, this clapboard cottage has water views from every room! The three levels of living space include wide-plank wood floors, beautiful moldings, and a shady screened-in porch for lazy summer lounging. AGENT: Nancy Carleton; raveis.com WORK REQUIRED: $749,000 Port Huron, MI 4 BR; 4 BA; 3,930 SQ. FT. WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Let the never-ending staycation begin! This charming coastal home has a wraparound porch that overlooks the spacious yard and blue waters of Lake Huron. Interior highlights include pristine wood floors, vintage wallpaper, and picture windows that bring the outside right on in. AGENT: Beth Ryan; coldwellbanker.com WORK REQUIRED $330,000 Andalusia, AL 3 BR; 2 BA;…