Cottages and Bungalows December 2021 - January 2022

COULDN’T WE ALL USE MORE GOODNESS AND LIGHT IN OUR LIVES? It may not be possible to control the state of the world at large, but we can influence the ambience within our four walls, and Christmas time is the perfect time to bring in goodness and light. We traveled the country to peek inside homes glimmering with gorgeous décor, from snow-laced homes in Connecticut and Massachusetts, to sunny California, the plains of Kansas and the heart of Dixie, Alabama. These ladies sure know how to make a welcoming, festive home, and we know you’ll find ideas to try in your own home. We also loaded up our shopping guide for all the guys and gals on your list along with the couples in your life and those who love the sea.…

Home Tour: Modern Beach-Cottage Christmas When the holidays arrive in Southern California, the shells and sand don’t go away—instead, they set the tone for a refreshing beach-cottage Christmas. Get Your Holiday Gifts in Order Santa’s made his list and checked it twice. How’s your list coming along? For some, gift giving is a breeze, while for most of us, not so much. We’ve got some easy-to-follow tips and tricks for you in this timeless guide you can use year after year. Fun and Functional Christmas Décor Using colorful boxes in place of stockings can be functional, fun and eco-friendly, too. Design Ideas: Prep for Christmas Guests Refresh your guest room for comfort and seasonal cheer. Be it friends and loved ones from afar coming to stay for a long haul or just a quick overnighter, you’ll find…

“One day we should do something with that little redwood barn,” said Caroline and Stuart Titus about the small, neglected structure that stood adjacent to their home. They’d thrown some plastic over a broken window to protect the interior from the wind and rain, but that had been the extent of their attention to it. Their larger circa 1884 Victorian cottage was where they made their home, and between running the 143-year-old local newspaper, The Ferndale Enterprise, and raising their children, they had their hands full. However, seasons of life change, and “barndominiums” were growing in popularity, so one day the couple decided to at long last work on the tiny structure. “The barn had a hayloft door upstairs with a pulley system, but we closed that off to make a great alcove.…

• Barndominium: The term was originally used in 1989 by real estate developer Karl Nilsen, who envisioned a community based on equestrian activities and homes built from metal barn shells in Colebrook, Connecticut. Conversions of all sorts of rural structures have now become popular across the country. • Redwood: Redwood is known for its durability and weather resistance, as well as its resistance to insects and UV rays. Even unpainted, its characteristic red look is fun and easy to maintain with just a coat of sealant.…

Hi friends ! Happy Holidays! It is with so much emotion that I write this, my last column as the 2021 Brand Ambassador. Having this honor was a dream come true and an incredible experience I will never forget! Thank you for all your kindness and support. Thank you for your friendships. I hope you have felt my love, and I also hope you’ve found inspiration in my columns. I look forward to staying connected. Love you lots and lots. I’m not going to lie: Setting up and styling a Christmas tree in August was awesome. I had so much fun! I quickly decided I wanted to decorate our tree the same way I style all the spaces in our home, with my favorite mix of old and new. I used vintage…

For three years, I struggled with this space in our music room. Since our Steinway grand piano is truly part of the family and may just be the most used piece of furniture in our home (okay, maybe second in line to our beds), our entire front living room is dedicated to its daily use. Making the room feel complete and cozy was a challenge, but when we found this 10-foot vintage apothecary, I knew it was exactly what the space needed. I completed the look with two vintage chairs and a vintage French basket for a little sitting area. An 1890s door frame became a DIY mirror, flanked with vintage sconces. Decorating this space for Christmas made my heart happy! I knew I wanted it to have a curated, collected…