The Cottage Journal Summer 2021

FRESH EVERY DAY Summertime invites the opportunity for spending extra hours outdoors. With that in mind, we have pulled together an amazing collection of beautiful spaces to help inspire you this season. From the warm touch of sea breezes on the coast to the fragrant scents of flowers and fresh cut grass in the garden, summer brings many welcome changes. Balancing a home that is both pretty and peaceful was our top priority in this color-filled issue. On page 15 you’ll find some helpful tips to add a touch of coastal style to your home—no matter its location. Whether it’s collected antique mirrors, nautical artifacts, or vintage artwork, the right finds can add just the touch. In “A Charming Transformation” on page 91, a Birmingham, Alabama, backyard pool house turned potting shed was…

If you’ve ever found yourself torn between a fascination with clean, modern lines and a desire for the comforting texture of gently weathered pieces, then you’re not alone. Sarah Richardson’s new book series features a cumulation of styles she’s currently loving that mix two seemingly opposing vibes within a single volume. Collected: City + Country serves as Sarah’s first book in the series and showcases beloved designs for each locale. With more than 25 years’ experience working in design television and 23 of those spent running Sarah Richardson Design Inc., bringing style into the home is a way of life for Sarah. Her previous work includes two books and eight hit HGTV series she hosted and coproduced. While the Canada-based designer resides in Toronto with her husband and two daughters, she…

Both Lauren and Chip Seeger grew up in rural communities, so when it was time to start a family of their own, they decided to build a home in a thriving suburb of Arlington, Virginia. They wanted to raise their two elementary-age children in a place surrounded by schoolmates and friendly neighbors. “My childhood home was on a tobacco farm in Maryland’s countryside, a good 30 minutes from the nearest grocery store; Chip grew up in once rural Vienna,” says Lauren. “We really wanted our kids to experience growing up in an area with a vibrant sense of community.” The couple had been living in Arlington—and loving it—when the opportunity arose to build their dream home a few blocks over on a quiet tree-lined street. “I had helped them furnish their prior…

While a rainy day at the lake may mean disappointment for most, for interior designer Kelly Kole and her husband, a bit of bad weather led to something life-changing. During a visit to a friend’s home on Lake Santeetlah in North Carolina, the couple had a chance encounter that changed everything. “One rainy day, my friend said, ‘Let’s go look at houses just for fun,’” says Kelly. They went along with the whim and, by the end of the day, had found the home that would become their new summer haven. What followed was a year of renovations, during which they gutted the home and reworked the layout for functionality. And with a year to make decisions about finishes and fixtures, Kelly had plenty of time to try something new. “For…