The Cottage Journal Autumn 2021 Special

HARVEST SPLENDOR This special edition of The Cottage Journal magazine celebrates the glory days of autumn. Throughout this collection, you will find plenty of inspiration for creating welcoming spaces as you gather friends and family from the game room to the dining room. From fall foliage to pumpkins galore, a harvesttime feeling is in the air, and this issue will entice you with the spirit of the season. Whether you style your home with a lovely autumnal wreath on the door or with a cozy outdoor setting by a firepit, we have you covered with plenty of ideas for adding fall flair. In “Pumpkin Style” on page 13, the simplest shapes grouped together make a festive scene. For the perfect spot to dine or to watch the big game in style, check…

Squash and pumpkins are native to North America and have always been used for both food and ornamentation. Native Americans first introduced the produce to the Pilgrims, who made it an important part of their diet. At one time, the pumpkin was thought to remove freckles and cure snakebites, and explorer Christopher Columbus even took seeds back to Europe. Today, pumpkin is found in a variety of recipes for soups, breads, and pies. But this time of year, pumpkins are just as likely to be found sitting decoratively on a front porch. Orange, green, fat, or squashed—stacked, scattered, or lined in rows—the pumpkin is the herald of fall.…

There’s nothing better than coming together with family and friends to share a meal and make memories. From a fall supper club to Thanksgiving dinner, the season of get-togethers has begun. Lay the typical orange pumpkins aside and incorporate the neutral shades of autumn into a seasonal tablescape to achieve an elegant yet welcoming atmosphere. Decorate an understated wooden table with muted white roses in earth-tone pitchers, mixed and matched silver or pewter accents, and fall gourds in shades ranging from off-white to pale orange. A solid napkin in a darker tone and off-white plates tie the scene together, creating a natural and effortlessly chic table presentation.…

As the hot summer months transition to a more mild autumn, spending time outdoors—especially in the South—becomes much more enjoyable. Homeowner and landscape architect Gary Wills of Natchez, Mississippi, created an outdoor living room that takes autumn in the garden to a whole new level. Autumn in the South is often translated as football season. And what better place to enjoy the season than in your living room with family and friends? What if that living room was outdoors—complete with a cottage-style patio kitchen and grilling station? This open-air “room” takes full advantage of the afternoon shade and is centered with a rustic brick exterior fireplace, allowing the details of the hardscape to shine while a lush landscape brings rich pops of color and interest. A casual grouping of relaxed furniture…

When Fran Morris and her husband, John, moved into their new home in 2009, the interior designer knew that the cottage-style spirit of the house and neighborhood called for a classic approach—and that was just fine with her. “I wanted to use antique reproduction elements to preserve the charm of the area and the look of the house,” she says, noting that her own style is decidedly traditional. Fran, however, isn’t afraid of a little change, and she enjoys adding splashes of contemporary style, “to keep it fun.” The result is a design that, while built on a base of neutral tones and dark woods, pops with varied shades of blue—like the clock-inspired wall art over the antique reproduction credenza in the living room. When the weather begins to cool, the blue…