Country Living March 2016

WIN A $1,200 REFRIGERATOR! If you find the horseshoe hidden in this issue,* go to countryliving.com/win (see page 100 for details), and enter for a chance to win this GE refrigerator. (Psst: White appliances are having a moment; see page 66.) I have a soft spot for hardware stores—the aisles lined with widgets and whatnots, the distinct smell (is it the paint? the wood? the fertilizer?), and the salespeople who seem to know everything about everything. I likely get this trait from my dad, who I am convinced purposefully breaks things around the house so that he has a fresh excuse to peruse thingamajigs alongside like-minded people, all of whom feel they are just one nail, bolt, or roll of duct tape away from fixing what’s broken. Perhaps it’s that…

1. “Sitting on my front porch.” JULIE SCHMETZER, CINCINNATI, OH 2. “Spring cleaning my house and opening all the windows to bring in the fresh air.” TANIA MIRONOW, FREEHOLD, NJ 3. “More sunshine!” LYNN WILTON, LAKE CITY, MI 4. “Bees, birds, and blue skies.” HEATHER LEVESQUE, DIEPPE, NB 5. “Turning over dirt in the garden to get ready for planting.” MARGOT EDLIN, HUNTINGTON, NY 6. “Flowers coming up through the snow. A sure sign spring is around the corner.” MYRA SUTTON, HANNIBAL, MO 7. “My wedding anniversary.” DEVON LUERS, WELLINGTON, NV 8. “Gathering maple syrup sap from the sugar maple trees on my Grandpa’s farm.” CHERYL WACHON, MISSISSAUGA, ON 9. “Saint Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage— washed down with a beer!” MICHAEL ROCKWELL, DANVILLE, VA 10. “Camping and hiking…

Check out the spring crop of new finds designed exclusively for Country Living readers! Find them all at countryliving.com/generalstore. BUSHEL LID PRINT Celebrate your favorite hobby with letterpress words of wisdom. $52 (includes 18" whitewashed bushel lid frame); belleandunion.com/countryliving FARMSTEAD PRINT Farmstead at Lamb County pays homage to artist Mary Gregory’s Texas roots. Giclée canvas framed in reclaimed wood, from $54 for 10" by 10" (up to 40" by 40"); marygregorystudio.com/countryliving MATCH STRIKER Add a little flair—and flare— with a handmade stoneware pot. Countryman Match Striker, $40 (matches included); farmhousepottery.com/collections/countryliving FRESH FLOWERS Celebrate the arrival of spring with a tulip arrangement. $90 for 40 stems (free shipping); flowermuse.com/countryliving QUILT KIT This handy set has the pattern and fabric for a perfectly cozy quilt. Dash and Dot Kit, $65 (makes one…

COMPLETELY FUN, NO-OBLIGATION WAYS TO ENJOY THE COUNTRY THIS MONTH 1. TABLE LAMP Spiraling horns in a milky-white shade pack a sculptural punch. Lamp, $179; westelm.com 2. ROPE TRAY Provide your guests with a little something to corral their personal items. Tray, $46; jaysonhome.com 3. GREEN PAINT Round out the room’s blooming palette with this grassy hue. Stem Green; benjaminmoore.com 4. DRESSER Gotta get guest-ready in a hurry? This ninedrawer chest ships fully assembled—no bull! Dresser, $831; jossandmain.com 5. COWHIDE STOOL Beef up the rustic feel of the room via this spoton seating solution. Stool, $599; roomandboard.com 6. BLUE BONNET PILLOW Cozy up ’til the cows come home with a hand-hooked bolster made of New Zealand wool. Pillow, $49; wayfair.com 7. SPINDLE DAYBED No more hoofing out the old air mattress.…

Barb Blair’s new book, Furniture Makes the Room ($28; amazon.com), features tons of her smart ideas for turning the old into something fresh and bold. 1. PAINTED SOFA Re-cover an old couch in canvas drop cloth and then paint whimsical strokes on the fabric for a whole new seating scheme. 2. CHALKBOARD BED Transform a traditional Federal-style bed into a playful piece where kids can both dream and doodle. 3. SKYLINE DRESSER Make a custom stencil to pay tribute to your favorite city. 4. DIP-DYED CHAIR Turn a dated armchair into a stylish new perch with upholstery that’s been dipped in indigo dye.…

BEDROOM Sleep tight with this soothing, foolproof palette. LIVING ROOM Spring up your space with a playful patterned piece. KITCHEN Liven a neutral workspace with this crisp combo.…