The Cottage Journal Summer 2019

Welcome to the magical season of outdoor inspiration. Vacations aside, for some, just having extra hours of sunshine certainly allows for backyard gatherings, gardening, and visits with neighbors on the front porch. Entertaining friends and family is a theme we heard over and over this issue when our editors spoke with our featured cottage gardeners and homeowners. We think you will enjoy each of their stories and the personal style ideas found throughout this issue. In “Family-Friendly Redesign” on page 45, a family entertains on the patio with plenty of table space and seating for a crowd. With a palette of blues, turquoises, and pops of red, their traditional look was left behind for an updated abode. The waterfront cottage in “Newport Classic” on page 67 was refurbished with reclaimed…

There is something profoundly sentimental and blissfully idyllic about the classic country farmhouse. The simple elegance of farmhouse charm is the combination of comfort and timeless character. In Country Farmhouse, a new book by Cindy Smith Cooper, each home is filled with styles ranging from vintage to industrial farmhouse, all featuring rustic siding, calming paint colors, and plenty of natural light. With over 200 pages of cherished antique accents such as vintage quilts and textiles, wood-burning stoves, beautifully distressed furniture pieces, and flea market collectibles, Country Farmhouse represents the homes of people from all walks of life, from solitude-seeking artists and writers to multigenerational families and organic farmers. Whether a new pastoral build that honors the past or a weathered weekend getaway, each of the 19 beautifully photographed homes in…

When it came to renovating their 1927 cottage in Washington, DC, landscape architects Leslie and Scott Fritz were set on crafting a space that would foster creativity. Largely untouched until the couple purchased the property in 1996, the home was the perfect canvas for creating a cottage-style haven in the middle of the city. “There’s a feeling that you’re walking down a country lane,” Leslie says. “You know, we can’t get to the country as much as we’d like to, so we created it here.” From the curved stone pathway to the cheerful blue shutters, it’s clear even from the yard that Leslie and Scott were careful to honor the traditional Arts & Crafts style of the home. Inside, the design places an emphasis on natural light and an open,…

There’s something about older homes that designer Connie Vernich can’t help but be drawn to. Be it the charm, the history, or the architecture, the case was no different when she stumbled upon her 1920s English colonial cottage. And though renovation costs mounted, Connie saw no other option than to restore the home to its former glory. “It didn’t seem right to change the look of the neighborhood with a new home,” she recalls. “It may have cost less to actually tear down and start fresh, but my love for older homes compelled me to keep what was there and update it.” Far from a remodel novice, Connie got to work quickly, immediately knowing the inspiration for her design: the house itself. “We loved the character of the house,” she…

After a short spell in Atlanta, Georgia, homeowners Tina and Perry Williams moved to McLean, Virginia, where Tina had spent her childhood. And with two preteen children, it seemed like a great place to continue raising a family. The house they bought in 2008 for its great location and good bones remained furnished with what they’d had in Georgia until 2014, when they hired Whittington Design Studio for a redesign. “Our formal Queen Anne furniture was very traditional, which worked well in Atlanta and when we didn’t have two children,” says Tina, recalling, “There was a lot of red and gold, dark wood and brass hardware. It was time for a refresh!” Their new home had plenty of positive qualities, including hardwood floors, an up-to-date kitchen, neutral paint colors, and…

When you step into the entryway of the Flemings’ charming craftsman cottage, you understand why it’s Sonja Fleming’s favorite part of the home. From the calming gray-green tone of the walls to the 11-foot coffered ceilings, every detail is a testament to the passion that she and her husband, Ronnie, have poured into every room. Sonja notes that one of the foundations of their relationship is building together, adding that they have built two homes together in the past. Throughout the process of building their home, the couple have shared their progress on Instagram via @ourcraftsmancottage. “We’re just one of those couples that loves homebuilding; we love projects, and we love working together doing this,” Sonja says. To create a home perfect for growing old in, the couple hired a…