Country Living August/September 2023

I will never tire of hearing about the connections Country Living readers feel to their homes, whether they thoughtfully restored a family farmhouse (pg. 10) or bought a post-and-beam barn sight unseen (pg. 74). I particularly love how reader Bambi Costanzo speaks of the cozy West Virginia cottage (pg. 82) she’s loved for two-plus decades: “I hope that, many years from now, a certain scent or sound or the sight of old pitchers full of flowers will remind the kids of their childhood in this little house.” Her words are a refreshing reminder that creating a home really comes down to reinforcing a feeling—of comfort, of belonging, of familiarity. Bambi’s musings got me thinking about what memories my own house may someday conjure up for my children. I have a…

1 Discovering a covered bridge while on a weekend adventure 2 Delighting in freshly clipped dahlias from the cutting garden (Shown: ‘All That Jazz’) 3 Squeezing in one last getaway to the lake before schedules return to normal 4 That new-school-year feeling and how it inspires us to get organized, regardless of our ages 5 Reveling in the way the late summer light just hits differently 6 Pulling out your jackets and boots in the hopes that crisp temperatures are right around the corner 7 Enjoying dinner outside under September 29th’s Harvest Moon 8 How the pears and apples at the farmers’ market all seem to whisper, “It’s time for cider.” Be sure to follow us on Instagram @countrylivingmag.…

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 HOMES, GARDENS & OTHER HAPPY HABITATS Maybe you’re not quite sure where it should go. Maybe you can’t find the right nail. Maybe you’re waiting on the elusive final piece to round out a collection. We’re here to tell you: Whatever your hang-up, just hang it up already. Life, after all, is too short to stare at a blank wall. While most advice related to installing artwork tends to involve tedious how-tos that require a measuring tape, level, and butcher paper cut to the dimensions of your framed finds (seriously, who has the time?), here’s a happy little secret: The most dynamic and interesting gallery walls typically take shape far more casually. Think of your walls like blank pages of a scrapbook that should be added to over…

1 CHARACTER BUILDER Statement Wall Relocating the kitchen from a small back room to its current spot just off the main living area made the layout of Ronnie Thompson’s old farmhouse more livable for today. Designer Trinity Holmes (circa34.com) anchored the open space with an eye-drawing bank of 12-pane windows that lets in tons of natural light and overlooks the 11-acre farm. The custom window ledge, with its adjoining shapely Carrara quartz backsplash, makes a charming display spot for potted herbs and collected finds. 2 MATERIAL MATTERS Concrete Sink Hardworking concrete sinks lend kitchens a rustic-meets-refined feel. To get the look with added durability, Trinity installed a handcrafted apron-front sink made from a mix of natural jute and cement (above), which is significantly lighter than most standard concrete models. A protective seal…

$689,000 Eustis, FL 5 BR; 4 BA; 4,836 SQ. FT. WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Custom wood-paneled walls, soaring ceilings, and countless cathedral windows make for refined, sun-soaked interiors in this pretty former church. It’s currently an event venue with a kitchen, bedroom, full bath, and multiple half-baths, but it’s also prime to be fully converted into a heavenly primary residence. AGENT: Yana Ogor; the1883.com WORK REQUIRED: $950,000 Alburtis, PA 5 BR; 4 BA; 4,916 SQ. FT. WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: A unique layout makes clever use of this historic mill’s structure. Wood beams crown the open-plan main level, and a floating staircase hovers above the stone slab where the original waterwheel once turned. Want to start a side biz? The property’s restored stone barn is perfect for events! AGENT: Stephanie…

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 ANTIQUES & TREASURES FOR A MORE COLLECTED LIFE Spool Chests With the 1846 patent of the American sewing machine came the need for spools of pre-wound thread, which were displayed for sale in handsome wooden chests in general stores. The cases became increasingly embellished toward the end of the century through the early 1900s, when brands competed for customer attention with elaborate logos and rows of glass-front drawers. Today, chests from this period typically range from $200 for smaller pieces to $3,000 for larger, multidrawer cases. Names such as J.&P. Coats and Clark’s O.N.T. were best-known for opulent cabinets, but age, condition, original hardware, and uniqueness of design are what really up the ante. Micro Mosaic Frames Though the art form dates back to the Byzantine era, Italian…