Cottages and Bungalows October - November 2017

I LOOK AT MY TABLE AND SMILE CONTENTEDLY AT MY IRONSTONE SERVING PIECES. Last month I found a gorgeous footed bowl at the flea market and was giddy knowing it completed the collection I’d been amassing over the years intended to become my ultimate Thanksgiving tool kit. Designing the table is a ceremony I take seriously. I’m guilty of fussing and fawning over linens, serving pieces and flower arrangement ideas. I’ve been caught turning to-do lists into diagrams, then into small thumbnails to ensure I’ve thought of everything I’ll need. It’s preparation befitting a grand stage production rather than a family meal. Maybe it’s because for an American holiday, our family Thanksgivings growing up were hardly Norman Rockwell affairs. We had the turkey and stuffing of course, mashed potatoes, and my…

Have you ever thought the best way to make something new again is to use something old? When Sue Jackson, proprietress of Country Roads Antiques in Orange, California, remade this classic wingback chair, she did exactly that. Old grain-sack linen became the seat cushion, vintage ticking became an accent for the arms, and an antique French fabric with a charming crest and text has been proudly showcased for the back. The result is a chic and unforgettable accent chair that pops with personality.…

Admit it —you’ve always had a secret desire to live in a storybook cottage. Like the cottages of Snow White with her seven dwarves and Princess Aurora with her fairy godmothers, the storybook cottage is charming and romantic. For this Ferndale, Michigan, home, the transformation from plain to quaint was nothing short of magical too. “The goal was to completely transform the home’s exterior into a charming cottage without changing the footprint,” says Steven Ramaekers, Director of Architecture at MainStreet Design Build. Here are a few of the elements that contribute to the finished result. SIDING The home’s original façade was brick, but the homeowners wanted more charm, which meant adding wood. Steve incorporated shake siding into the existing brick and stone, which created a layered feel that showcases the cottage appeal.…

As autumn settles in and winter approaches, many days feel cooler and crisper. But are you wondering how you’ll add cozy warmth to your home in beautiful and timeless style? A good place to start is with the practical and pretty handmade home goods from Jacque Ann Décor. These quilts, pillows and table linens are accent pieces that fit easily into your décor for added pops of color and instant room updates. Artist and shop owner Jacque Ann Ford prefers to use natural fibers. She says, “My products are made with 100% pure premium cotton and are easy-care and machine washable. I strive to create quality, timeless designs that mix well with vintage finds and modern schemes alike.” VINTAGE-STYLE AESTHETIC Jacque Ann started her business in 2012 when her two daughters reached high…

Get hands on with this chic storage piece to add a seasonal touch to your kitchen. Gilded skeleton canister, $49. Visit luluandgeorgia.com. Juniper Books gives your favorite book series a dramatic treatment, making your bookshelves even more decorative. We love this design for the Harry Potter books for its elegant and eerie effect. Harry Potter Hogwarts collection, $275. (303) 946-1494 or juniperbooks.com. Punch up your room with pumpkin colors in a timeless way. Caitlin armless chair in Vineyard Pumpkin, $799. Visit highfashionhome.com. This modern lamp gives any room a ghostly apparition. Gatto Piccolo light, $445. Visit usa.flos.com. Spiny, spindly and splendid, this lighting accent adds Halloween glam. Golden driftwood table lamp, black and gold, $158. Visit luluandgeorgia.com. Offer up your party treats on this tray that combines chalk-friendly slate with cottage-friendly rope handles. Cathy’s Concepts…

The Windsor chair was born in England, brought over to the United States in the 1730s and popularized by America’s founding fathers. The chair comes in many different forms. It has been reinvented today with modern interpretations, but its staple feature is a curved back and evenly spaced spindles. Its shape makes the chair strong and durable, while giving it a light and open appeal. You probably grew up with one of these chairs at your kitchen table, so nostalgia is part of its appeal today. Modern designers like Tom Dixon have found them irresistible to reimagine. Whether you opt for a classic version or take one with a bit of a twist, the cottage charm of Windsor chairs endures.…