The Cottage Journal Country Cottage 2023 (#2)

SIMPLE DELIGHTS One of the hallmarks of country cottage style is its seemingly effortless nod to relaxed living. It can manifest in simple things like a stack of vintage dishes that feel special yet aren’t too precious for everyday use, a foraged bouquet of wildflowers set for the table or shared with a neighbor, and upcycled furniture that gets new life thanks to a fresh coat of paint and some creative styling. Country style is certainly not confined to a specific geographic location nor does it require rolling pastoral acreage—rather, it’s a state of mind that is often nostalgic and appreciates the timeless treasures of years gone by. The eight featured homeowners in this special issue of The Cottage Journal each showcase elements of country charm all while highlighting their…

SUBTLE SPLENDOR Against a backdrop of sprawling acreage cloaked in autumn’s kaleidoscope of color, set a scene steeped in the relaxed appeal of the season with a festive tableau dressed in an eclectic blend of fanciful touches. At the foot of an old stone gate with a whitewashed wooden entrance, stage a warm fall welcome with a pair of grapevine wreaths enrobed in russet-hued leaves. Drape tables and chairs in well-loved heirloom quilts, filling a few baskets with extras to ensure cozy comfort. COLLECTIVE APPEAL For a setting as free-spirited as this easygoing season, create a look with as much variety as possible—starting with an assortment of worn wooden chairs and benches around the table. Mismatched china bearing both woodland and floral motifs reflects the lovely natural accents across the…

Quaint cottages and farmhouses require a certain touch of ingenuity to make their small scale feel as grand as a multilevel mansion. In her new book, author and style editor Fifi O’Neill gives an informative guide on embracing the limitations of modest homes while optimizing design and creativity. In Small Spaces, Big Appeal: The Luxury of Less in Under 1,200 Square Feet, learn how to love your home, no matter the size. Throughout the book’s 160 pages, Fifi showcases a variety of décor styles for homes across the country, ranging in size from as tiny as 400 square feet to 1,100 square feet. Owning a small home doesn’t mean you have to abandon aesthetics, and Fifi’s tips on how to maximize your space provide realistic practices for downsizing. Her advice…

Bailey and Brian Archer were on one of their daily walks in their historic neighborhood of Alamo Heights in San Antonio, Texas, when a charming cottage on the corner caught their eye. As luck would have it, the house came on the market shortly after the Archers sold their home in hopes of downsizing. Upon entry, the interiors proved to be an ideal fit for the couple to raise their three boys. “When we first started our family, we thought we needed this huge home, and the more we lived in it, the more we realized we preferred being closer together,” Bailey says. Built in the 1950s, the cottage offered a functional floor plan with a great flow and plenty of natural light, allowing Bailey to focus her design attention…

When Mickie and John Johnson happened upon their century-old home in the northwest suburbs of Cary, Illinois, two years ago, the connection was immediate. Mickie could easily picture her signature country aesthetic on display throughout the true farmhouse, and the resourceful couple was up to the challenge of bringing her vision to life. “I’ll admit it needed a lot of TLC, but we were instantly drawn to its rustic charm and simple, straightforward floor plan,” Mickie says. “I just knew we could turn it into our dream home.” Starting at the structural level, the couple embarked on this journey by incorporating authentic foundational character—from both original discoveries and DIY additions. “This 111-year-old house has a lot of quirks and unusual features,” Mickie says. “Throughout the renovation process, we uncovered original…

Drop in on Stacie and Greg Stowers in their Georgia cottage today, and you’d never guess that the home was built as recently as 2000. With charming vintage-style details in every corner, it’s far from the fixer-upper the couple purchased five years ago. “It wasn’t in really bad condition,” Stacie says. “It was just very basic.” Fortunately, Stacie had just the thing to breathe a little life into the space—a lifelong love of cottage-style charm. “That’s what my mom had growing up, and my grandma, and I’ve always loved that style,” she says. Her personal take on the passed-down preference leans decidedly feminine—and a little bit shabby chic, with pale pinks and blues playing major roles alongside an assortment of lace and gingham. But it’s the details that really help…