Country Living September 2021

If you ask a dozen people to describe how the ideal country house should be decorated, you’ll get as many different answers. For every person who prefers a period home with primitives, there’s another who favors a farmhouse with flea market finds and a third who craves a cottage with kitschy collectibles. But if you ask the same people how the ideal country house should make you feel, the answers are far more universal. Because that’s what it really all comes down to, isn’t it? A kick-up-your-feet, linger-a-little-longer sort of feeling. At Country Living, we often talk about whether a home passes the “no-coaster test.” In other words, do you feel like you could put a drink down on the coffee table without scrambling to locate a coaster? Ideally, the…

Aroom without books is like a body without a soul.” While the sentiment behind this phrase (commonly attributed to Roman philosopher Cicero) is some 2,000-years-old, the words feel more relevant than ever. In this era of the ephemeral, transitory tidbits of information and decluttering at all costs have fallen into favor at the expense of a happily hoarded home library. But building a personal collection of books is character-building in the richest, truest sense. As is the case with any well-designed room, the personalities in the pages (Jane Eyre, Mr. Darcy…) invite you to sit and stay awhile. But here’s the plot twist: Perfection has no place here. Like the most memorable and relatable literary characters, the most interesting bookshelves are beautifully messy and a tad unpredictable. Symmetrical stacks? No,…

1 CHARACTER BUILDER Wood Beams & Plaster Walls Keith added layers of texture to his personal space, similar to the interiors of the restaurant he’s known for in New York City, Balthazar. The ceiling is clad with roughhewn paneling and handhewn beams, while the walls have three coats of plaster (then chalk-style paint and various waxes), for a look that’s decidedly not drywall. 2 COUNTRY CLASSIC Plate Rack Popular in unfitted European kitchens, a wall-mounted plate rack is an alternative to an otherwise monotonous run of cabinetry, plus it keeps pretty pottery on display. (Search Etsy makers such as 1766Co for a similar look.) 3 BRIGHT IDEA Wall Sconces In lieu of less friendly overhead lighting, Keith peppered his kitchen with single sconces placed around the perimeter and a brass double sconce on the central column. GET THE LOOK: “Elisha”…

$519,000 Townsend, MA WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: A stunning five acres and a spacious party-ready barn accompany this restored Federal-style Colonial. Throughout, its original extra-wide, pine-planked floors, restored millwork, and multiple cast-iron and potbelly wood stoves add to the appeal. AGENTS: The Tom & Joanne Team; tomandjoanneteam.com WORK REQUIRED: THE CL FIXER-UPPER SCALE MOVE-IN READY NEEDS MINOR IMPROVEMENTS INVEST IN A DECENT DRILL PUT THAT CONTRACTOR ON SPEED DIAL $375,000 Granville, OH WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Who can resist that cheery yellow exterior? Inside, this ca.-1836 gem boasts an eating nook with a wall of double-hung windows overlooking the backyard and a family room wrapped with gorgeous wood paneling honed from local cherry trees. AGENT: Mary Paumier; thevillagepartners.com WORK REQUIRED: $379,900 Mendham, NJ WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: This home’s original ca.-1782 details are still intact and are fabulously Federal, like six-over-six windows and—the real…

Growing up, Victoria and I were library kids,” says Marcus Ford (@marcsford), referencing the couple’s love of reading. So when it came to overhauling their home’s lackluster living space, having a cozy spot to curl up with a good book was a top priority. “We wanted to have a room that felt like the best library you’ve ever been to,” says Marcus. But the likely spot for this endeavor was the bowling alley–esque 25-by-15-foot living room. Awkward space aside, its underwhelming architecture was far from warm and welcoming—hardly the ideal spot to get lost in literature. But a few smart updates (built-in shelves, a tufted leather sofa) take the space from boring to bookish. LIVING ROOM Here’s how the couple transformed an outdated den into a luxe library–living room hybrid. Add interest with…

PRESENTED BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS is thrilled to be partnering with Country Living on an inspiring before-and-after renovation of lifestyle blogger Victoria Ford’s dated Dutch Colonial-style home in Cary, NC. Below, we go behind the scenes of the spaces that were featured in the May (bedroom and bathroom), July/August (shed), and September (living room) issues and on CountryLiving.com as Victoria shares her thoughts about the Sherwin-Williams paint color choices. Keep an eye out for the kitchen and breakfast room in Country Living’s December issue to see more Sherwin-Williams colors revealed! BEDROOM Victoria and her husband, Marcus, focused on creating a quiet bedroom retreat by picking a restful palette that includes a light blue for the walls. Darker blues in the rug and quilt bring the room a tone-on-tone look. “Soothing with out being moody, this wall…