Country Living June 2021

Rachel Hardage Barrett EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @RACHELHARDAGEBARRETT A A Welcome from the Editor During a trip to the lake on a recent Sunday, I sat back in an Adirondack chair as my husband, Brian, taught our children how to skip a rock. I admired his patience as he coached our 6-year-old son on slinging a stone across the water. Maybe it was the morning fog or hazy light, but the moment, even as it happened, felt like a memory I needed to soak up. While I watched, I couldn’t help but reflect on the assorted father figures in my life—my husband, dad, father-in-law, grandfather, and other mentors—who’ve patiently coached me (knowingly or not) through similar moments, whether driving a stick or raising children. This June issue is full of ideas for enjoying the dad-beloved domain known as…

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HUE FINDER This happy palette evokes a nostalgic summer-camp vibe. FIELD NOTES Become a Better Bird-Watcher First, you’ll need the right binoculars. At less than 20 ounces, the lightweight Nikon Prostaff 3S 8x42 ($130; nikonusa.com) passes muster with the National Audubon Society. To identify and track feathered backyard visitors, download the organization’s free app (audubon.org/app), which includes photos, calls, songs, and in-depth info about more than 800 species of North American birds. ILLUSTRATION BY MELINDA JOSIE; FIELD NOTES WRITTEN BY LEIGH CRANDALL; MARKET WORK BY CATE GEIGER KALUS.…

Create a Pass Though Window Better connect the space you already have to the outdoors by switching out a standard window with an enlarged accordion-style or French version that opens wide to the outside (as seen in this California kitchen by Kim Dempster and Erin Martin). Add an exterior counter and outdoor bar stools (galvanized “Tolix Marais”; dwr.com) for a transportive hangout that’ll feel more “New England shrimp shack” than suburban backyard. Carry Indoor Style Outside This dreamy open-air kitchen looks nice enough for any indoor setting, which just goes to show that weather-resistant materials have come a long way. Here, beadboard-fronted cabinetry and butcher block and Dekton countertops offer up plenty of work space and storage. Above, bronze lighting (that chandelier!) that carries a damp UL-Listed rating reinforces the fancy-enough-for-inside feel. Install a…

Curve Appeal Victorian-style scallop-shaped shingle siding is often referred to as fish-scale siding (foundrysiding.com). Pretty in Pink Designer Katie Sarokhanian gave this kitchen playful personality with a border of semicircles. Get a similar look using a cereal bowl as your template. Making Waves In a Katie Davis–designed powder room, a graceful vanity (oomphhome.com) of blue curves evokes coastal calm. GARDENER LESLIE CLAPP DESIGNED HER GARDEN SHED IN MAINE. KITCHEN, KELLY CHRISTINE SUTTON; SHELF, WILLIAM F. DICKEY II, BATHROOM, KERRY KIRK; OVERALLS AND COCKTAIL NAPKIN, WILLIAM F. DICKEY II.…

IN THE DIRT WITH… Carmen Johnston @CARMENJOHNSTONGARDENS A landscape designer by trade, Georgia native Carmen Johnston’s true passion is creating lush, beautiful potted containers (like the one at left). Here are her tips for making your own. Think outside the pot. Carmen suggests trying something a little more unique than a plain ceramic pot. Some of her favorite vessels for planting include French copper jam pots (think wide and shallow) and antique chicken feeders (many compartments for loads of plants). “Look for things with timeless quality and character. And invest in your containers so they can move from home to home and be passed down.” Follow the three Ts. For the strongest visual mix, incorporate elements that are thick, tall, and trailing. “Stuff and shove plants in for a thick look. Plant tall bloomers in the back…