The Cottage Journal Southern Cottage 2023

A PERSONAL TOUCH In this special edition of The Cottage Journal, we’ve pulled together a collection of our favorite Southern style ideas and unique home tours from years past. Friendly homeowners from across the South gave our team a warm welcome into their personal homes and shared special stories of how travels, family, and more influenced each of their decorating styles. Inside the pages of Southern Cottage, you’ll discover beautiful homes and gracious entertaining spaces, each of which highlights the hallmarks of classic Southern style. Vintage pieces and playful patterns can make bold statements in any home’s décor. One of our darling featured cottages in North Carolina is the home of Margaret Jordan, who uses her 1953 ranch-style home as a creative canvas. When hunting for treasures, she doesn’t shy…

When your home boasts bountiful beautiful views from an abundance of windows, it just makes sense to design a space that draws from nature’s charms—and that’s exactly what Atlanta, Georgia, designer Clary Bosbyshell did in this Haynes Manor neighborhood home, where classic blue hues reign. Woven among the timeless Southern elements Clary is known for, the varying shades walk the line between neutrals and focal tones, appearing in everything from paint to upholstery. The palette is the perfect backdrop for Clary’s textile choices, which range from modern geometrics to classic florals. Displayed together, the contrasting shapes and styles combine to create a curated spirit throughout the home. In the living room, a textured linen on the sectional and a solid sky-hued coffee table balance bolder choices like the Greek key…

When Chris Jackson and her husband, Ronnie, purchased their Alabama abode in 1975, the young couple was enamored by the neighborhood and saw great potential in their red brick ranch. Over the years, the home has undergone a grand transformation as the Jacksons have painted and planned, renovated and restored. The couple even raised the roof line, unveiling an architectural beauty that fits the feel of their Tudor-style street. Preferring a cozy, clean-lined, and neutral-toned aesthetic, Chris has created a warm and welcoming home filled with abundant seating, storage, and room for an expanding family. A new den and screened porch have allowed the family to add to their home without sacrificing the framework of the house they first fell for. No doubt a labor of love, the years of…

First impressions were of the utmost importance to March + May Design’s Rachel Anderson, who took the lead in furnishing Elizabeth and Jon Macklem’s cottage in the quaint Southern town of Fairhope, Alabama. The home’s open-concept layout left no room to hide, meaning the view from the front door needed to be a memorable one. “It was already such a charming foundation,” Rachel says, noting that the home was built by its previous owner, founder of Fairhope Building Co., who “put a lot of care into it.” The goal, then, was to work within that foundation to create a space that would be personal to—and functional for—the young family. Layering atop the blank slate of white shiplap and rich hardwood floors, the team introduced a mixture of quality furnishings and…

Stumble across this quaint Tennessee cottage on an afternoon stroll, and you’ll likely expect the inside to reflect time-tested style and a classic spirit designed to last—and you’ll be right. But the classic appeal Nashville designer Julie Couch introduced to this Southern charmer comes with a side of contemporary elegance and plenty of light. Spilling into the living room, the sunlight sets the bright and airy palette aglow with a welcoming ambience that paves the way for an abundance of sweet pastels. Subtle shades like the pink velvet armchairs to one side of the fireplace imbue the design with a feminine elegance, and expertly layered finishes fill every inch of space with interest. From the Greek-key rug to the warm wooden beams, floor-to-ceiling textures and patterns are thoughtful details that…

This 1953 ranch-style home in North Carolina is packed with playful color and vintage charm. For more than 20 years, homeowner Margaret Jordan has been thoughtfully layering each of her rooms with unique collections and found treasures that hold a story. She describes her decorating style as a blending of traditional, hip, and a whole lot of happy. “My home reflects my Southern heritage, my travels, and my many, varied interests,” she says. The painted pink front door gives a friendly peek at the vibrant personality that awaits inside. Stepping into the living room—Margaret’s favorite room in the house—you’ll find comfortable, stylish furnishings surrounded by art, chinoiserie, oyster plates, tobacco leaf porcelain, and needlepoint pillows. “This is where I really like to play with color and art,” Margaret says. “I…