The Cottage Journal Christmas 2016

When you place holly berry and evergreen wreaths on the gate or door, the message is clear, “Welcome to our home.” So to help you welcome family and friends, and celebrate with plenty of holiday cheer, we’ve gathered stories from homeowners, stylists, and artists from around the country. Traditions that create wonder and anticipation are the focus of the holidays for the family in Traditions All Through the House, page 49. For many people, the process of decorating is what gets them in the holiday spirit, whether focused on past, present, or future. Collected baubles and handmade ornaments evoke memories of the season for the family of the artist in Decorating with Memories, page 33. Greenery abounds as a Maine couple use the natural evergreens from their gardens to decorate…

Kindra Clineff sees life in photo frames. That’s just the way this professional photographer looks at things, an almost involuntary reaction that explains why the holidays are a scintillating treasure hunt of evocative vignettes in her home. She might make a nest from a spare garland, lay it into a stray ironstone bowl, and roost a vintage glass bird in the center. Or, she might drop a lady apple into a timeworn button-up toddler’s boot and perch it poignantly on the mantel. Seen alone they would be okay. Pair them together, and you’ve got something memorable. Kindra is just as caught up as everyone else in the frenzy of the holidays. So only occasionally does she take time to get out the camera and document the scenes she has spun…

Advent calendars are popping up every where this time of year. The Advent season of Christianity is determined by the feast day of Saint Andrew (November 30) with the closest Sunday becoming the first Sunday of Advent. It is followed by three more Sundays to focus on the upcoming celebration. Indeed, preparing for the coming of Christmas has been a seasonal pastime since children first discovered presents under the tree. In the 19th century, the tradition of marking the days until Christmas with chalk or lighting candles was a common practice. But counting down the days until Christmas on an Advent calendar ignores the Saint Andrew tradition and simply begins on December 1. The first printed Advent calendar originated in Germany in the early 20th century with Gerhard Lang. When…

Joy to the world This musical tree bursting with brilliant gold and hints of rich red was inspired by the uplifting classic carol “Joy to the World.” We three kings This glittery silver-bedecked tree was based on the carol “We Three Kings” and its majestic star of wonder. When using glitter ornaments, make sure to balance them with matte or metallic ones. This ensures that the light from your tree has a perfect pairing of both bright sparkle and muted shine. I’ll be home for christmas Don’t limit yourself to orbs and stars to deck the halls. Character ornaments snug in their warm woolly coats and mufflers complement the vintage suitcases and plaid scarves set under the tree to carry out the theme of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” By…

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When you walk through the door of artist Lauren Dunn and husband Nathan’s 1970s colonial cottage you’ll notice a gentle nod to the homes of Williamsburg, Virginia, and thoughtful touches of Americana architecture. But as you look past the moldings, the hardwood floors, and the charming curb appeal, you’ll find the Dunns and their two young sons, Stratton and Parks, spending time together celebrating family in a home they’ve artfully curated in a style Lauren calls “rustic traditional with a twist.” The living room is where the family spends most of their nights together. “I wanted it to have a comfortable, cozy, and homey feeling,” Lauren says. At Christmastime, the fireplace is lit and casts a warm holiday glow as they sing carols and unpack the ornaments, including collected glittering…