The Cottage Journal features decorating ideas, style tips, creative inspiration, and delicious recipes - and now you can enjoy every single page on the tablet! Create a warmer, more magical home with the beauty of nature and The Cottage Journal!
Leave your boots at the door and settle in for a warm cup of tea and cozy up with our newest issue of The Cottage Journal. As we look to the new year with fresh plans and inspiration, we hope you enjoy each issue with us. In this winter issue, we take a look at several homes that standout in their hushed, snowy surroundings. Chilly and frosty on the outside, our Maine cottage “Farmhouse in the Snow,”on page 37 is the perfect winter feature. A cozy interior invites you to drift in through the front door, leaving skis and boots behind. Another special home awaits in Wyoming, “Lodge Living,” on page 49. Constructed of reclaimed wood and situated for scenic views, the overall feel displays a tremendous respect for the…
Stone fireplaces have long been associated with cottages, often providing a natural and singular focal point for a smaller space. Lew French, a master stonemason, started working with stone right out of high school and has been designing incredible fireplaces and sculptures for decades. Here we share some of those unique stone fireplaces in an excerpt from his new book, Sticks & Stones: The Designs of Lew French: I focus on using stone in the most natural ways possible, with the least amount of alteration and in settings meant to highlight the natural beauty of these wonderful objects. A fireplace is often the central visual and physical feature of a room, and sometimes of an entire house. My stone fireplaces, therefore, cannot be heavy or clumsy—the designs need to be…
Interior designer Deborah Hastings learned early in her career that she wouldn’t be able to afford all of the fine furnishings and luxury wares for her own home that she found while shopping markets for her clients. Instead, she discovered creative ways to emulate a luxe look that fit both her style and budget. “I learned to improvise,” Deborah says. “My buying strategy created a comfortable look that became my trademark—I call it relaxed traditional.” Timeless interiors evolve around key furnishings that anchor the room—allowing colors, fabrics, and accessories to create visual interest that can easily and affordably be changed with the seasons or trends. “Good design relies on basic formulas that pair certain shapes, patterns, and textures to create harmony,” she says. “Cost becomes secondary if you get the…
1. Otto vase from Birch Lane, birchlane.com or 888-223-2423. 2. Port 68 buffet lamps in Nottingham gray from Lamps Plus, lampsplus.com or 800-782-1967. 3. Set of storage baskets by Ibolili from Wayfair, wayfair.com. 4. Weathered driftwood floor lamp from Lamps Plus; lampsplus.com or 800-782-1967. 5. Tiffany table lamp by Uttermost from Lamps Plus, lampsplus.com or 800-782-1967. 6. Dragonfly burlap pillow cover from Birch Lane; birchlane.com or 888-223-2423. 7. Global Inspirations area rug in green by Kaleen from Home Depot, homedepot.com or 800-466-3337. 8. Custom arm tray from Fern & Forest Wood Designs; fernandforestwooddesigns@gmail.com. 9. Emerald Interior paint in Popular Gray from Sherwin-Williams, sherwin-williams.com. 10. Midtown premier swivel glider in chocolate by La-Z-Boy, la-z-boy.com or 800-375-6890. 11. Bali natural woven wood blinds from Home Depot, homedepot.com or 800-466-3337. 12. Ikat pillows from…
In the historical neighborhood of Belle Meade Links in Belle Meade, Tennessee, homeowner Allison Jones decided to upgrade her home that was originally built in 1919. Allison wanted a slightly more modern space, while still maintaining its 1920s charm. The house is protected by the local Historic Commission, which has strict rules as to what changes could be made. For example, the exterior of the house had to look the same. Construction consisted of knocking down the wall between her dining room and kitchen to merge these spaces into one. She also built a screened porch as well as an attached garage with an apartment above. In order to accomplish her modern yet historically compliant home, Allison sought help from designer Julie Couch of Julie Couch Interiors. So they would…
When Jonny and Susie Marshall’s four daughters grew up and left home, the large, century-old house in Portland, Maine, where the family had lived for three decades no longer suited their empty-nester needs. The couple turned to longtime friend Nicola Manganello, the creative force behind the design company Nicola’s Home in nearby Yarmouth, to build a residence that embraced this new stage of their life. The Marshalls have known this designer extraordinaire since she was a child and have enjoyed watching her artistic talents develop, so it was a natural fit for them to work together. Nicola was hands on with every stage of the home-building process, from working alongside the architect and choosing materials to selecting home furnishings and fittings. “She guided me every step of the way,” Susie…
