Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2011 i The Cottage Journal

Welcome to our Christmas Cottage issue—a place to find inspiration for filling your cottage or home with the glory of Christmas. There’s something special about a cozy cottage at this time of year. No matter the size or your personal style, it’s the comforting feeling of home, its warmth and the spirit of kinship, that makes spending a holiday there so precious. Our hope is that you’ll rediscover the joy of the season or maybe indulge in a bit of nostalgia as you bring out cherished decorations, ornaments, and keepsakes you’ve carefully collected through the years. Recall your own childhood—the aroma of cookies baking in the oven; your mother’s colorful collection of nutcrackers; sitting by the tree just trimmed, enjoying a cup of cocoa as old favorite carols fill the…

Ornaments come in glass, knit, crystal, wood, and felt. Some shimmer and shine, some are fragile and beautiful, and others are handmade and thoughtful. The type you choose should be a reflection of your home, your sense of style, and the overall character of the cottage. Of course, it is also fun to group ornaments according to style, with a tree full of keepsakes made by children and grandchildren and maybe another tree filled with exquisite crystal and glass collectibles out of the reach of little admirers. Most importantly, ornaments need not find their home simply on the tree. They can make a lovely statement in bowls, platters, vases, and more. They can show up on kitchen counters, mantels, back porches, and bathrooms. You can mix and match colors or…

Built around family with a focus on the warmth of home, this cottage is an ideal place to spend the holidays. The Christmas village along the buffet in the dining room, the ornaments on the tree, and the toys underneath delight the child in everyone. A crackling fireplace and a dining room table set with red candles and rustic tableware beckon loved ones to gather round and celebrate the season. Style Idea “It’s in the details” is never more true than when decorating for Christmas. The warm tones of the trim and the furnishings and a stone fireplace surround create a cozy country feel. Timeworn wooden blocks, whimsical birdhouses, and an abundance of Santas are perfect touches. awe-inspiring In this home every space recalls happy golden days of yore and…

Style Idea The staircase is the perfect place to display holiday collectibles like these nutcrackers from around the world. Swags of greenery tied with big pouffy bows provide the perfect surround. Traditional elegance and beauty define this cottage and its Christmas finery. Paintings framed in gold, decorative brass accessories, and furniture pieces in both rich, dark finishes and natural stains all embrace the lovely seasonal touches throughout. A welcoming, warming fire invites friends and family to gather for the exchanging of gifts and the reading of the Christmas story. the finest details Two gilded, heralding angels flank the garlands of greenery, entertwined with crimson ribbon and gold baubles, atop the mantel. Soft crimson stockings, their bows offering another touch of gold, await Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve. Gold, silver, and…

Style Idea Repeat the rustic décor of the home in table settings and centerpieces. Here, rich colors of the china and stemware combine with natural materials in the place mats and in the small Christmas tree that serves as the centerpiece. This home exudes character and charm. Wood walls, exposed beams, and other natural elements inform its personality and give it a simple beauty. The homeowner chose a neutral palette that would not overpower. At Christmas, seasonal reds, greens, and golds are tastefully incorporated into the existing décor, adding to the natural warmth of the home and heightening its holiday atmosphere. Natural materials—grasses, pinecones, berries, and twigs— add just the right touch to some of the homeowners favorite finds or are fashioned into simple wreaths. Style Idea Don’t forget to…

This traditional home shines throughout with a seasonal color palette of red, green, and gold. The front door, its twin stockings topped with rich red berries and wisps of foliage, opens to reveal banisters entwined with holiday greenery and lush velvet bows and festive rooms where Christmas trees are trimmed with cherished ornaments. Each tree is different to reflect the personality of the space, but all are true to the theme’s trio of hues. From a quiet little nook to the exquisite fireplace, favorite treasures and fragrant foliage make this yet another holiday to remember. Style Idea Add color and depth to your tree by lacing it with regal ribbon from head to foot. If choosing ribbon first, a couple of basic colors—jewel tones or neutral hues of winter silver…

CORNMEAL COOKIES WITH ROSEMARY —Adapted from The Cookiepedia: Mixing, Baking, and Reinventing the Classics by Quirk Books. Photography Tara Striano. 3/4 cup salted butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 2 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour 1/2 cup cornmeal 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt Dried Rosemary (optional) 1. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg yolks and beat well. Mix in the vanilla. 2. Stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Add them a third at a time to the butter mixture and beat until incorporated. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and stick it in the fridge until firm, about 1 hour. 3. Roll out dough on a lightly…

For two centuries, Louisville Stoneware has been producing fine pieces of dinnerware, bakeware, serving pieces, and other collectibles. Each one is a work of art, handcrafted from raw materials—the basic elements of earth, water, air, and fire—and without the use of machinery. The company, dedicated to its tight-knit community of Louisville, also sources the clay from local suppliers. Maintaining this sense of community has played a big part in its success. The focus is on pieces that have a practical application in homes and that can withstand frequent use. Artisans at Louisville Stoneware still use centuries-old ceramics techniques, and they hand-paint the beautiful patterns on each piece. Pieces can also be personalized with names or dates for special wedding or baby gifts. The extensive product line includes pieces for the…

Page 8: Dove, garland, and stockings from Arcadia Home Page 9: Ornaments from Christopher Radko Page 11 and 15: Garlands and tree designed by Seibels Pages 60-63: Interior design and home restoration: Kelly and Shari Warnick. Kitchen cabinets: Paul M. Magleby Construction, Lindon, Utah Pages 104-109: Reclaimed brick from Old South Brick Company; table and chairs from Paula Deen Home by Universal Furniture; Rustic White Dishware Dessert Stand and Oval Serving Platter from Wisteria; Puccinelli glassware and Martellato flatware from Vietri; Green Snowflake Stocking and Green Silk and Chenille Pillow from Arcadia Home Page 125: Energy efficient window shades by Hunter Douglas; interior designer: Katrina Blades, Inc. NATIONAL ARCADIA HOME 212-366-1836 or arcadiahomeinc.com CHRISTOPHER RADKO 800-723-5609 OR christopherradko.com HOMEGOODS 800-614-4663 or homegoods.com HUNTER DOUGLAS 800-789-0331 or hunterdouglas.com LOUISVILLE STONEWARE 800-626-1800…

Accent Idea Step outside the box, and make a big statement in a subtle way. A bright tree outfitted in Mardi Gras colors and bold decorations liven up a neutral, contemporary living room, proving you truly can incorporate any style tree into your home in a tasteful way. Soft AND Sweet, SUBTLE AND Quiet OR ColorfuL, BIG, Bright, AND BOLD EACH Unique, SPECIAL, AND Meaningful A FAMILY’S Personality AND Story TOLD one-of-a-kind Make your tree your own, whether the style is traditional and comfortable or over-the-top and dripping with glitz and garland—or somewhere in between. Notice the detail in the ornaments, tree toppers, garlands, and even in the gift wrap on the packages beneath. charming elegance Exquisite ornaments, beaded garland, and gauzy ribbon in browns and golds reflect the existing…

Accent Idea The Sunburst Wreath. To make this wreath, you will need a pack of long wooden shims, 1 (12-inch) flat cardboard wreath form, 1 (20-inch) cardboard wreath form, and an old convex hubcap. Simply glue shims around 20-inch form. Glue 12-inch circle on top of shims and 20-inch circle. Put hubcap in center, and glue shims to 12-inch circle. Cover hubcap, and spray-paint. faux metal letter swag To create this piece, you simply need letters, aluminum foil, white glue, and a dowel or branch. Tear foil into small pieces. Paint shiny side with a thin coat of glue, and cover front of letter by overlapping pieces. Gently pat out air bubbles as you glue. (Small amount of excess glue on front of letter is OK.) Hang letters on dowel…

Beloved symbols of the Christmas season are the focus of this charming home. Nativity scenes, jolly Santas, stockings at the mantel, and a carved box filled with shiny baubles fascinate little ones and recall holiday celebrations of long ago. Gifts wrapped in cheerful holiday paper and wispy bows sit under the tree, and the stockings wait to be filled with treats from Santa’s bag. A special tree on the screened porch, filled with birds and winter foliage, stands next to a diminutive rocking chair, where a child might keep watch on Christmas Eve through sleepy eyes. Style Idea Give the mantel a simple elegance with garlands of fresh, aromatic greenery entwined with sparkling gold ribbon and topped with glass ornaments. joy of home “Joy” fills every inch of space in…

Vintage homes seem to expect holiday get-togethers that are as simply festive and warm as those of generations ago. Farmhouses are functional, practical, durable homes that feature big working kitchens. In restoring the house, designing the interiors, and decking the halls for the holidays, the creative homeowners focused on preserving the beauty of the original and letting the vintage character shine through. The tree, the Dickens Village, and light decorative touches augment the structure’s unique design that combines Victorian and Craftsman influences. collections tell stories The collector’s interests, the search to find the right pieces, and the artisans who made them are all stories behind collectibles. Historical collections also speak about a different era of attitudes and lifestyles. The Dickens Village displayed on the mantel and reflected in the mirror…

Style Idea Display your prized possessions in an unexpected way during the holidays. Here, White House ornaments collected from the 1960s to the present are arranged on a simple white platter. FULL OF good cheer Today AND ALL YEAR FANCY, merry, AND BRIGHT FREE TO dance around IN jubilee AND DELIGHT Joy TO ALL FRIENDS LOVE TO ALL family Wishing IT NE’ER ends sassy and simple BELOW RIGHT, Mix ornaments into your centerpiece to add pops of color and cheerful whimsy to your table. RIGHT, Bright green silk ribbon is tied loosely around a red napkin and accented with a broach.…

Style Idea To achieve a traditional look that will last year after year, choose a palette of subtle crimson red, green, and gold, classic colors of timeless elegance and beauty. Style Idea Often, less is more during the holidays. Keep tablescapes simple to let the Christmas feast shine. simply stunning This beautiful colonial home with its period furnishings needs nothing elaborate to create a feeling of Christmas. Garland and wreaths tied with red bows hang from the balconies and porches. Inside, the mantel holds small beribboned topiaries and colorful stockings, while a tree trimmed with traditional ornaments and topped with shimmering gold perfectly fills another corner of the room. Candles, bits of greenery, seasonal fruit, and pinecones sit atop the dining tables. All is calm and bright and every inch…

Style Idea Let your table décor reflect your personal style. In this rustic but elegant setting, twigs, fresh greenery, and pinecones are paired with clean white china, silver, and crystal. Touches of bright green add holiday cheer and the hint of a new season to come. BUTTERNUT SQUASH, PUMPKIN, AND APPLE SOUP Makes 6 to 8 servings 1 medium butternut squash, cut in half 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 cups peeled, chopped Golden Delicious apples 1/4 cup chopped shallots 1 teaspoon chopped garlic 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin 2 cups vegetable broth Garnish: apple slices 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place butternut squash, cut sides down, on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes or until tender. Let cool…

GRANOLA Makes about 4 jam jars This makes a fabulous gift to take for your host or hostess if you’re invited away for the weekend. You can add any selection of dried fruit and nuts—try dried cranberries, cherries, or blueberries, or, if you prefer something more exotic, an assortment of dried tropical fruits. Adapted from Gifts from the Kitchen: 100 Irresistible Homemade Presents for Every Occasion by Annie Rigg/ Kyle Books. Photography Catherine Gratwicke. 1/3 cup whole almonds 1/2 cup pecans 1 1/4 cups rolled oats 3/4 cup pumpkin seeds 3 tablespoons sesame seeds 1/3 cup sunflower seeds 2/3 cup desiccated coconut 4 1/2 medjool dates, pitted 3 1/2 oz dried apricots 2 tablespoons sunflower oil 1/2 cup honey 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. Roughly chop the almonds…

Start with plastic foam balls and velvet or grosgrain ribbon (these types of ribbon stick best) of your choice. Pin one end of ribbon into the ball, and wrap to form a pattern. Wrap a second ribbon around in a cross pattern. As you go, use small straight pins to secure. Layer ribbons in an alternating pattern until ball is completely covered. You can use these balls as ornaments or as decorative balls throughout the year. To turn into an ornament, make a loop with twine or ribbon, and tie a knot to close. Attach by pushing a straight pin through the knotted end of the loop into the ball.…

Accent Idea When you look closely at this white cottage, you’ll find that everything does not need to be stark white. Look for contrasting shades of off-white, eggshell, beige, cream, and even some soft gold. As a whole, it creates a winter wonderland but offers some needed character and depth. A close look at the collectibles throughout the whitewashed cottage shows figurines, linens, and keepsakes in varying shades of white and ivory. Silver goblets and gold ornaments add contrasting color that illuminates the white even more. The emphasis is on a snowy Christmas with white trees, snowballs, snowmen, and snow globes throughout. Even the white stockings are hung from a white chimney and filled with white snowmen and goodies.…

This cottage is surrounded by the serenity only nature can offer. Inside, the rooms are warm and inviting, dressed in their holiday best for special family celebrations. Fresh greenery gathered nearby frames the front door and inside adorns the mantel and the banister. It enhances candle wreaths large and small and adds a holiday touch to vintage pieces in almost every room. The big beautiful tree, the star of the show, embodies the holiday spirit. cozy dining The intimate family dining room, aglow with lamplight, a gathering of Christmas candles, and a rustic chandelier, is cozy and comfortable. Seasonal china and sparkling crystal sit ready for a special Christmas Eve feast around the large farm table. Plenty of chairs assure every member of this large family can share the joy…

THERE’S MORE, MUCH MORE, TO Christmas THAN candlelight AND cheer; IT’S THE SPIRIT OF sweet friendship THAT BRIGHTENS ALL YEAR. IT’S thoughtfulness AND kindness, IT’S hope REBORN, FOR peace, FOR understanding, AND FOR goodwill to men!…

Modern AND magical, JOYFULLY DONE CLEAN AND NEUTRAL, elegantly SIMPLE Uniquely ORIGINAL, perfect AND CHIC The contemporary design of this new home includes high ceilings, neutral walls, shiny wood floors, plenty of natural light, and lovely light fixtures and furniture. To guide her Christmas decorating choices, the homeowner chose a bright turquoise color that would not intrude on the existing palette and furnishings.…

special touches Caring for those gathered and making them feel important are expressed in the special touches given to the table and the surroundings. Here a hand-painted ornament that matches the pattern of the napkin announces the name for the place setting. In a way, decorating a home for the holidays is similar to completing a painting with foreground and details: The home’s décor provides the basic forms and color palette, and the seasonal trim builds upon the design’s intention and accents it with color and detail. This elegant and comfortable Florida home has traditional and slightly formal painted white moldings and woodwork. The furnishings and colors tend toward British Colonial, with natural wicker furniture, sunshine gold wall color, and framed botanical prints. The natural elements of the design serve…

Kitchen Idea For kids big or small, stringing popcorn or other goodies for Christmas-tree garland is a fun and tasty activity. Let the kids brainstorm ideas for making the garland and the goodies they want to include on it. It keeps them busy, and they love hanging their homemade garlands on the tree for all to see. BROWNIE GIFT JAR Brownie fixings layered in a jar with recipe Nothing says holiday like baking, and cool mint gives these brownies an extra wintry nip. Giving jars of brownie mix as presents means the recipients get in on the action, too! Consider using this idea for other recipes and holidays throughout the year. Adapted from Holiday Crafting & Baking with Kids by Jessica Strand/Chronicle Books LLC. Photography Aimee Herring. MATERIALS Paper towel…

BLACK-EYED PEA SALSA Makes 6 cups 3 (15.8-ounce) cans black-eyed peas 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil 1. In a large bowl, combine first 8 ingredients. Toss gently with olive oil. Serve with pita chips. BACON-WRAPPED BREADSTICKS Makes approximately 36 breadsticks 3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar 3 tablespoons chili powder 1 (16-ounce) package thin-sliced bacon 1 (3-ounce) package thin breadsticks* 1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a pie plate, combine brown sugar and chili powder; set aside. 2. Cut bacon in half lengthwise. Wrap 1 piece of bacon around each breadstick. Roll each breadstick in…

Few moments in life allow one to let loose and experience pure adventure, speed, and thrill in a fun-filled, childlike way. Brice J. Hoskin believes such joy comes from sledding, He writes, “Speed. That’s really what sledding is about—barreling downhill, face to the wind and thinking only faster, faster.” In The Sled Book (Skipstone, available in bookstores), Brice covers the history of sleds, the types, sledding styles, how to build sleds, and other fun notes, along with memories of sledding in his small hometown of Silverton, Colorado. He tells readers what to wear to go sledding and shares two recipes to enjoy “après sleddings,” as well as good movies and books that have memorable sledding scenes or good information on the sport. Brice describes The Sled Book as “notes concerning…