Cottages and Bungalows December/January 2023

“COMFORT AND JOY” ARE FAMILIAR SONG LYRICS that we often take for granted, right? Yet, if we ponder those two simple words further, we find that comfort is defined as “a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint” and joy as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. “ Now, doesn’t that sound wonderful and just the feeling we aim for in our homes at holiday time? We are delighted to present a peek into five gorgeous homes that exemplify “cozy,”“comfy” and “joyful” (pages 32, 44, 58, 70 and 84). The time and care each creative spent to prepare for their family and friends (and our photographers) is so heartwarming. We know you’ll find ideas to use in your own home. We all seem to spend more time in…

cottagesandbungalowsmag.com 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. Easy Prep for Christmas Guests Refresh your guest rooms for comfort and seasonal cheer with a few easy steps—and a handy checklist to keep it all in order. O, Tannenbaum! What’s Your Christmas Tree Style? What’s the right tree style for you? And, once you’ve made your choice, how do you trim and decorate it like an expert? We’ve got all the answers for you. Vintage Christmas in a Craftsman Kitchen This charming Craftsman Christmas kitchen is decked out for the holidays with bright, vintage collectibles and natural greens. Neutral and Natural Christmas Décor Classic Christmas colors often seem like must-haves. Is it even true holiday décor if…

Author, blogger, shop owner and one of the most recognizable faces in the home décor genre on social media, Liz Marie Galvan exudes style and creativity in everything she does, including this charming greenhouse behind her main house in Michigan. It doubles as sled storage during the winter, along with sheltering other winter gear that needs to be kept dry from the snow. A red-and-white plaid sled gives this space a Christmas feeling, while greenery housed here to escape the cold temperatures brings to mind wintry evergreens. A splash of red adds such a festive touch to Liz’s day-to-day palette of woods, whites and gray tones. In addition, terra-cotta pots work year-round in any space, including this one! TO SEE MORE OF LIZ’S HOME, VISIT HER ON INSTAGRAM: @LIZMARIEGALVAN, AS WELL AS…

A charming and well-loved home exterior always grabs our attention (and we know you love them too). We hosted a “curb appeal” contest earlier this year and, after many entries, along with a narrowing-down process and a community vote on our Cottages & Bungalows website, the winner emerged as Jackie Cessna of Boise, Idaho! Born and raised in Torrance, California, flight attendant Jackie found herself assigned to a new base in Boise, Idaho, in 2017. While house-hunting, she came upon a Craftsman-style bungalow that looked rough yet exuded potential. During the purchasing process, Jackie was able to view original abstracts of the title, which each prior owner of the home had kept. These included drawings and documentation of the neighborhood and owners’ names dating back to 1869! There was even a letter…

Happy Holidays, Friends! It’s the most wonderful time of the year; and, as we start to decorate our trees and hang our stockings, let’s not forget to spread Christmas cheer to the heart of the home—the kitchen! I often get asked how to decorate kitchens for Christmas while still keeping the space functional for cooking. It’s easy really: Just keep it simple! TIPS FOR CREATING A COZY CHRISTMAS KITCHEN Start with a “fa-la-la” focal point: For my own kitchen, the focal point is the cedar garland that I drape over the window. For other kitchens, it could be a Christmas tree on an island or a wreath hung over a range hood. Scope out your space and find your kitchen’s best features. Then, highlight them with Christmas décor. Allow yourself to get creative and think…

1. Coffee Pick-Me-Up Package. A perfect package for a java-lover—gourmet coffee, flavored sugar and a mug, all sweetened by two servings of cinnamon coffee cake; $49.99. Visit spoonfulofcomfort.com. 2. Wreath Cake. Choose the perfect cake from four flavors, topped with creamy vanilla icing and bright-red and bright-green decoration. Ships in a refrigerated gift box. Serves 6 to 8; $60. Visit bakemeawish.com. 3. Wassail Gift Set. Simmer down with a warm, spicy cider wassail, or enjoy a rich, mulled wine wassail with spice blends. Set contains two kits to brew 3 gallons each; $39.95. Visit oliverpluff.com. 4. Nooch Nutritional Yeast. Perfect for the vegan in your life, as well as health enthusiasts and home cooks. In addition to the “Natural” flavor, “Sweet Cayenne” has a spicy-sweet flavor profile reminiscent of a tangy BBQ sauce;…