Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2017 i The Cottage Journal

Amid roaming moose and thickets of old trees lies a most spectacular assembly of towers, enclosed bridges, and vaulted rooms composed of reclaimed timbers and Montana moss stone. But before you think it’s a vintage Western lodge from times past, look again. There are enough contemporary amenities and clever features tucked under the split cedar-shake roof to accommodate any fun-loving family—with the emphasis on fun. “We wanted a whimsical house that looked like it had been there forever,” explains the homeowner, a New York-based attorney. “Likewise, my wife and I sought to build a place that was comfortable for the two of us, as well as for family reunions, with close proximity to backcountry skiing and hiking.” The corral board-clad hideaway is designed in small discretely scaled sections, rather than…

“Cottages are about cozy spaces, but when it comes to entertaining you want your home to feel spacious, not confining or claustrophobic.” —RUTHANN ROSS Tennessee-based interior designer Eric Ross and his wife, Ruthann, spent years traveling to the western mountains of North Carolina where their daughter attended camp. “We loved the luxury mountain resorts in the area,” Ruthann says, “but it was breaking the bank.” That’s when the couple decided to start looking for a place of their own that they could share with friends and other mountain travelers. What they found was a cozy mountain retreat nestled in Highlands, North Carolina, equipped with good bones—especially when it came to the bathrooms and an updated kitchen that didn’t need much work—leaving the renovations affordable. One year later, with a…

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” – EDITH SITWELL Roasted Herbed Chicken with Root Vegetables and Mustard Greens Serves 4 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh sage 4 bone-in skin-on chicken breasts 1½ tablespoons olive oil, divided 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided 1 cup cubed peeled turnips ¼ pound multicolored baby carrots ¼ pound fingerling potatoes, halved ¼ pound Brussels sprouts, halved 1 cup chopped mustard greens 1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl. Rub herb mixture under…

Milder weather in winter draws many travelers to states like Florida, where the sun shines bright all year long. A visit to Orlando, Florida, in the off-season might lure you to spend a day in one of the world-famous Walt Disney theme parks, laughing with the dolphins at SeaWorld, or screaming on a Universal Studios roller coaster. For a slower paced afternoon, enjoy the quiet natural beauty of the Harry P. Leu Gardens, or golf and spa treatment at Rosen Shingle Creek resort. Savor fresh local ingredients at one of their James Beard nominated restaurants, as you enjoy the sunset on each beautiful day. You can also venture to nearby Winter Park, Florida, and visit The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, tucked away among boutique shops, dining, and…

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…

As a realtor in a large market, Lauren Davis has seen her share of homes that are overwhelmed with “stuff.” That’s why she prefers her 1931 Tudor-style cottage to be simple, uncluttered, and calming. When Lauren decided to refresh her 2,250-square-foot space, making it more cohesive, she turned to a professional for help. “In my line of work, I’m in other peoples’ houses all the time, surrounded by their stuff. When I come home, I want my space to be serene and simple,” says Lauren, who shares her Chevy Chase, Maryland, home with husband Steve, 6-year-old daughter Georgia, and black Labrador named Blue. Lauren began renovating the three-bedroom house by fully enclosing a side porch, creating a useful mudroom entry and a much-needed powder room. She hired Washington, D.C.-area designer…

When Myron and Teresa Palmer found their own slice of Tennessee heaven in the form of Smyrna’s Bloomsbury Farm, they thoughtfully made plans to build their dream home on the land. While they waited for their home to be built, the couple converted the space above a horse boarding barn on the property into a one bedroom loft instead of renting an apartment in town. This afforded the Palmers a prime location to oversee the building of their Bobby McAlpine-designed farmhouse and allowed them to create a space that could later serve as guest quarters. For 18 months, the cozy 600-square-foot loft was home, and Teresa made sure to bring all the elements she deemed necessary to design a space that felt both comfortable and authentic. “I like to mix…

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…

In recent years, Brian Midkiff’s job has required moving his family around the country, but packing up this time was a challenge for his wife, Tobie, and their two daughters. The Midkiffs had just finished a massive renovation of their home that resulted in Tobie’s dream kitchen. Nonetheless, they went searching for a home in their new location. Even though they had gutted the kitchens in their last four homes, this time was different. “We were looking for a house that would fit our family needs, but did not require a lot of improvements. Yet, we wanted one we could put our mark on,” Tobie says. Find one they did—a 1930s classic with beautiful bones. It even had enough room for a cozy sitting area where Tobie could hang the…

As a boy growing up in New Jersey, Anthony Rudisill taught himself to draw and paint the birds and wildlife he found in the state’s coastal marshlands. His gift for close observation and meticulous illustration led to a successful career as a commercial artist as well as an award-winning fine artist. His paintings have been shown in museums and galleries, including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., and featured in the National Wildlife Federation Stamp Program and the Franklin Mint. He also mastered wood carving and won top honors in world championship competitions for his lifelike bird sculptures. The only exposure he’d ever had to America’s national parks, however, was what he saw on calendars. Then one year he and his wife, Marianne, visited their daughter…