Cottages and Bungalows April/May 2022

I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I’M READY FOR SPRING BY FEBRUARY! But, alas, when you live in the Midwest, it just doesn’t show its pretty face that soon. Growing up in Minnesota should have toughened me up, but after spending 34 years in Southern California, my recent move back to the plains has been a bit of an adjustment, to say the least. I can laugh about it now, but after the first long, bitter winter, I was deeply longing for fresh air. At the chirp of the first bird, I excitedly flung open the curtains and prepared to lift the windows. However, Old Man Winter (and excess paint) had frozen them shut. In tears of frustration, I attacked them with paint scrapers, screwdrivers, warm water, WD-40—anything I could get my…

DESIGN IDEAS: A Style Upgrade A designer breathes new life into a Westchester, New York, spec-home kitchen and adds comfortable touches along the way. ENTERTAINING: Our Favorite Cakes for Easter We went on a quest to find the loveliest coconut Easter cakes on the Internet, and we can’t wait to show you our dreamy finds. LIFESTYLE: Minimalism Perfected Does an organized, clutter-free home seem to be a goal you can never achieve? Minimalism expert Shira Gill has created a “tool kit” to help you optimize your living space and regain your peace of mind. LIFESTYLE: Spring Cleaning Basics Don’t know where to start your spring cleaning? Here are 10 places in your home that probably need it! OUTDOOR/GARDEN: How to Grow and Care for Lilacs Lilacs are springtime treasures that make your garden look and smell amazing. Gather some…

When Sara McDaniel decided to return to her Louisianaroots after years of being away, she had no idea where she would make her permanent home. But, after just one look at this neglected and vegetation-covered 1926 cottage, Sara was smitten and devoted to calling it her own. After a 22-month wait that required faith and steadfastness, the owners were ready to sell Sara the property. “I saw the resilience and charm hidden beneath the rot, decay and neglect,” says Sara. She signed the contract and was on her way to creating a second life for the home … as well as a new season of life for herself! Since that time, Sara has not only revitalized this cottage, she has also taken on several others in her small town of Minden, Louisiana. Her effervescent…

• When Sara and her team pulled up the floor joists, they found a typed-out—and scandalous—autobiography of Belle Howard Mayfield (a pioneer woman who was among the earliest settlers of Ruston, Louisiana; 1854–1937) hidden away in the old flooring. (You can read it on Sara’s blog at simplysoutherncottage.com.) • All the woodwork is original and came from one of the first sawmills in Louisiana. Sara repurposed as many of the original features as she could, such as lighting, doors, trim, etc. • Not only had squirrels taken up residence in the attic, the beams under the house had been gobbled up by powder-post beetles. As a result, an entirely new pier-and-beam system was needed. • Everyone in Minden told Sara that she would never be able to buy this cottage. Well, we know…

Happy spring to each and every one of you! The winter season is so full of magic. However, as spring begins to dawn, a new kind of magic awakens, and it’s full of enchanting outdoorscapes that stir all kinds of new inspiration. It’s the perfect time to begin crafting a beautiful new patio, yard, garden—you name it! To help get you started, here are my “golden” guidelines to start your garden growing and your outdoor spaces glowing: Tidy up your winter spaces. Depending on where you live, winter often leaves behind a multitude of fond (but messy) reminders of its presence. With spring upon us, it’s time to scoop up any fallen debris or store away any leftover winter décor until later in the year. Grab the waste bin, and make sure…

Easter is undoubtedly the time to showcase spring’s most beautiful colors. It’s a wonderful seasonal holiday, because it represents the new life emerging into the world around us. What better way to celebrate such a miraculous occasion than by hosting a gracious gathering? I follow simple steps to ensure my Easter gathering is festive and creates lots of joy: • Steer toward lighter color tones and pastels in your dishes and table linens. • Fresh flowers are your ideal centerpieces. I like to use stems from my yard (cherry blossoms, lilacs, roses or tulips—whatever is in bloom). If you can’t gather them from your yard, grab a bundle from a local grocery store or market. • Make clever use of Easter- and spring-themed ingredients with your appetizers and desserts; for instance, chocolate rabbits, egg…