Innholdsfortegnelse for Southern Cottage 2019 i The Cottage Journal

Home Sweet Home If you travel to or live in the South, you know Southerners love their homes. From heirloom furniture and antique china patterns to quilts and plant cuttings, we hand down and pass on our most cherished treasures to preserve our heritage—the place we call home. And whether it is down a country road or in the city, we find special joy in decorating doors for the seasons and filling window boxes with cheerful blooms that say, “Come visit!” As we looked through our favorite cottage features, we selected a number of hero homes and gathered them in this special issue of The Cottage Journal. A second home can be the favorite, as it is for the homeowners in our cover story, “A Winter Haven by the Lake,”…

Regardless of age or style, there is a print for every person, and behind each original antique print is a story. In years past, prints served as a way for scholars to transcribe anything from maps to architectural sketches to botanical diagrams. Every print is a time capsule of history. “Prints were done primarily to document and disseminate information,” says Helen Stewart, print collector and director of Rare Prints Gallery in Franklin, Tennessee. “There was a purpose behind creating these pieces.” That purpose didn’t die with the original owners. Antique prints now offer homeowners a chance to exhibit their interests by displaying images like a map of the family’s country of origin or a sketch of a building with a fond memory. Many collectors find prints with similar themes, such…

When Margaret and Jeff Rickard set out to build a vacation home that would perfectly suit their family’s needs, they didn’t want it to be a typical lake house. “I wanted it to have more of a rustic elegance,” Margaret says, noting that she tends toward a French flair in her designs. To accomplish that, she crafted a space that is perfect for curling up and enjoying the water views—no matter the time of year. “I just wanted it to be warm yet airy and light,” Margaret says, adding that she opted for on-trend, lighter finishes. In the upstairs living area, the vaulted ceiling is planked with natural wood, which provides a glowing contrast to the crisp shiplap throughout the space. The stone fireplace at the center of abundant comfy…

At first glance upon entering the Reynolds Lake Oconee cottage in Georgia, you feel the illusion of a spacious floor plan. The high ceiling and clever use of vertical windows and wide plank flooring appear to add to the small cottage interior, as does the smaller-scale furniture used throughout—which is precisely what interior designer Alicia Mooney of Alicia Mooney Interiors intended. In order to add a feeling of simplicity and retreat, she used soft lines and color throughout the home, creating a retreat from the big city hustle and bustle not far away. In the living room, gray, blue, and aqua tones are used in artwork and accessories, while rugs, curtains, and upholstery tend toward shades of cream and taupe. The dining room kilim rug is a beautiful slate blue…

Chattanooga, Tennessee, homeowner Lanis Littlefield jokes that after being involved in the political scene for 30 years with her husband, Ron, his “payback” upon retirement would be building her a potting shed. “When he retired, I decided that he was going to have to pay me back,” Lanis says with a hearty laugh. And in April 2013, he was happy to oblige. For years, Lanis, an avid gardener, longed for a creative space where all her tools and seeds could be organized for her horticulturist pastime. Luckily, the Littlefields had an existing unused room by the side of their garage that had been a maid’s quarters at one time but was in terrible condition. Lanis shares, “I had been collecting pictures of potting sheds all this time. And I told…

It’s really no mystery why the American Dream conjures up images of a cozy cottage with a shady front porch, all surrounded by a white picket fence. Such sentimental visions represent cherished ideas—like home, family, security, and the ability to claim a plot of land—that are near and dear to our hearts. With this said, modesty and quaintness have always been hallmarks of cottage style. Historically, these meager homes contained few, if any, frills. Instead, they provided the basic essentials of shelter for European peasant farmers known as cottars (hence the origin of “cottage”). In time, the diminutive dwellings expanded their roles to include vacation houses and lakefront cabins that didn’t require the year-round accoutrements of a primary residence. Even today, cottages are generally smaller in scale and appearance when…

Nestled among three of the most charming vacation destinations along the South Atlantic coast, Brays Island Plantation in Sheldon, South Carolina, presented these fortunate homeowners with their own slice of paradise. With Beaufort and Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, all just a short drive away, Brays Island and its world-class sporting, natural beauty, and Southern charm welcome homeowners and visitors alike to a community unlike any other. While building their dream home, these homeowners opted to include an additional guest cottage on the property as well. To make their Lowcountry cottage style a reality, they worked with a team of home experts, including interior designer Sheena F. Jenkins of SF Jenkins Interiors, Inc. in Port Royal, South Carolina, before moving in 2014. “I was fortunate to work [alongside] the…

When Lisa and Randy Freeman moved into their dream home nearly 10 years ago, the couple soon discovered that the house had a reputation. “Everyone knew it as the home on the corner with the dish room,” Lisa says. There’s no doubt that the three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows displaying shelves of stacked dishes attracted the attention of passersby in this historic neighborhood. It was one of the features that first captivated Lisa, too, when she happened to browse the home’s real estate listing online. “One night while perusing, I came across this house and twisted the laptop toward my husband,” she recalls. “To my shock, he said, ‘Let’s go look at it.’ The rest is history.” History, indeed, is esteemed in this timeless circa 1927 abode. Although the home’s…

Though quaint abodes have plenty of charming perks, most cottage homeowners know that they also come with their fair share of constraints—namely in size. But as these homeowners discovered, a few creative design hacks can transform a small space into a comfortable spot in no time. The owners of this cozy kitchen made the most of their small space with a minimalist design that highlights the room’s beauty. A large wall of windows invites the outdoors in and welcomes plenty of natural light to open up the room. They also opted for open cabinetry instead of traditional in order to create the illusion of spaciousness. Another key feature is the color palette. Light and bright neutral hues reign supreme, paired with white cabinetry, marble countertops, and light wood accents. The…

Cottage Charm 101 Pages 11–16—Select architectural designs by Ross Chapin, Ross Chapin Architects. Passion for Rare Prints Pages 21–26—Antique prints from Rare Prints Gallery. Lowcountry Cottage Pages 27–34—Interior designs by Sheena Jenkins, SF Jenkins Interiors, Inc. Architectural designs by Grady L. Woods Architect, LLC. Built by Langford Construction Co., Inc. Pages 29–30—Sofa from Stanford Furniture. Coffee table from Uttermost. Swivel chairs from Theodore Alexander. Rush chair and ottoman from Currey & Company. Pages 31–32—Drop leaf table and orb light fixture from Gabby. Café chairs from Sarreid Ltd. Page 33—Headboard from Old Biscayne Designs. Grasscloth wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries. Page 34—Headboard from Fremarc Designs. Chair from Sarreid Ltd. Bedside table from Fauld. Built to Last Page 35—Chandelier from Gabby. Dining table from Victoria’s Antique Warehouse. Page 36—Exterior siding from James Hardie.…

While some collectors of vintage tableware have personal ties to their assortments, stemming from cherished memories, others simply found themselves admiring an aged platter in an antiques store and stumbled across a new passion. Regardless of how you become interested, collecting vintage pottery and dinnerware is a charming way to preserve a piece of history and fill your home with timeless character and storied beauty. And the possibilities are extensive. From the vibrant tones of majolica to the unique personality of Staffordshire figures to the understated elegance of caneware, you’re sure to find something to fit the spirit of your space. Style Ideas When growing your collection, patience is always a virtue. Whether scouring antiques stores and estate sales or searching through online auctions, keeping your eyes peeled is key…

Leslie and Michael O’Kelley always dreamed of building their own home from the ground up. An interior designer and an architect respectively, the two finally realized their dream in 2016 when they began work on a new home in their Alabama community of Mt Laurel. The deep green of the home’s exterior is a nod to the early days of the town when an emphasis on the area’s natural beauty meant that homeowners were required to choose nature-inspired tones. “And my husband being the town architect, he really wanted to keep to the true theme of Mt Laurel,” Leslie says. Inside, the rich, earthy tones give way to a palette of bright whites and intentional pops of vibrant color. Interspersed with contemporary lines and touches of retro style, antique pieces…

There isn’t a room in Kim Corretti’s home that doesn’t bear the touch of a friend or family member. In fact, the home was built three years ago by Kim’s father, a retired builder who also helped to inspire the love of French style that can be encountered inside. Featuring an open-concept layout that creates a flow from the kitchen to the living area and onto the patio, the home combines antique warmth with a modern flair—all wrapped up in memories. “In my [previous] home, I had several antiques,” Kim says, “and I wanted to mix my antiques with some things that were more stylish.” Working with interior designer Dana Holcombe of Holcombe Interior Design, Kim mixed her collection of antiques with pieces that provide a touch of updated style…

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home—and with good reason. This is a space where friends and family alike will gather throughout the day for food and fellowship. When conceptualizing a kitchen’s design, it is not only important to consider workflow and practicality but also to be mindful of the homeowners’ unique personalities and needs. Durable materials should be used throughout, as kitchens are exposed to a great amount of everyday wear and tear, but necessity and beauty can blend perfectly, just as they do in this Southern-style kitchen. An open floor plan leaves plenty of space for cooking and community without sacrificing seating for meal time. The homeowners also opted for a timeless style, with white cabinetry and light granite countertops. Brick floors add…