The Cottage Journal Spring 2012

As the weather warms and those first tiny buds and sprouts lend their patina to the bare winter landscape, our creative wheels begin to turn. Our local nurseries and farmers’ markets, which are just beginning their busy season, abound with flowers, bulbs, and other spring offerings to bring fresh looks to our yards. Inspiration is all around us. In our homes, we think about revamping a room with a fresh coat of paint in a bold shade, such as tangerine orange. Or perhaps, for a bedroom, a subtly romantic and calming hue like a soft shade of turquoise is in order. It’s also fun to bring new life to the weathered and worn. That tattered old book of botanical illustrations gathering dust on the shelf? Its pages would be lovely…

Cottage style is warm and welcoming, often with an eclectic twist—precisely the look Trissy Holladay has achieved in her dwelling. With her eye for design, she has created cottage treasures from what many would call junk. Days of “antiquing” in flea markets, antiques stores, and junk stores from New York to Florida have provided her with hours of fun and entertainment. As a result of her travels, Trissy’s back porch displays a compilation of treasures. The two large corbels, thought to be originally from New York, had been in her mother’s basement for some time when she decided they would make ideal supports for a buffet top. A 7-foot length of iron fencing became the back, and Trissy ordered a piece of zinc for the top. With the help of…

First called watering pots, this garden tool has changed in design only slightly over the years, with a single handle moved toward the back of the can. This “modern” version was designed in 1885. Today you can find metal, ceramic, and even plastic watering cans in all sizes. Our collector started with one watering can and then decided she needed a different size. Then she wanted one for the front yard. A tiny little can caught her eye, and her collection began to sprout. On a trip to England, home of the watering can, she scoured antiques shops until she found a black metal can with a long spout. She carried it wrapped in a plastic bag on the airplane home while other passengers looked on quizzically. Now her collection…

The history of botanicals is a treasured one, with European illustrators mastering the exquisite craft in the 18th century. Since then, collectors have marveled over the artists’ use of vivid detail and vibrant color to capture nature’s beauty. Perhaps a result of the greenhome trend, botanicals are becoming more and more in vogue these days, finding a place in both contemporary and traditional décors. Integrating these organically inspiring prints is especially desirable in cottage style, as they pair effortlessly with unfussy furniture and natural textures. Of course, these lively images aren’t limited to framed prints. Ferns, leaves, feathers, and berries are popping up on upholstery, window treatments, dishware, and wallpaper, too, providing yet another reason to adore Mother Nature. Nest Idea Want your walls to talk? A grouping of favorite…

When the residents of this home in Birmingham, Alabama, first moved from Miami nearly 15 years ago, the wife couldn’t have been more thrilled to have a fitting home for her beloved French antiques. A number of projects were soon under way as the couple made the cozy cottage their own. A complete kitchen redesign opened up the space for cooking and entertaining (favorite pastimes), while the master bath was decked with a striking pair of pedestal sinks and antique mirrors. table talk This contemporary dining table made of wooden dowels has been a conversation piece in each of the couple’s homes. The wife says she simply changes out the chairs to fit the new home’s style. Still, the most dramatic transformation occurred in the backyard. A true labor of…

Downsizing doesn’t have to mean bidding your prized possessions farewell—just ask this homeowner, who brilliantly blended furniture from her old abode into her new cottage-style space. With the help of a friend with an eye for design, the family chose pieces like a distressed wood entertainment center and a beloved heirloom chair to add the familiar feeling of “home.” “I was instantly drawn to this house because it reminded me of the historic homes in Old Salem in North Carolina,” says the homeowner. “I was charmed by the idea of living in such a cozy place.” A tour of the rooms reveals an aesthetic that is “a little bit city-cottage and a little bit European-country.” A dreamy traditional dining room featuring sunny yellow wallpaper and coordinating china coexists beautifully with…