The Cottage Journal Autumn 2022

NEW BEGINNINGS Hello, friends! It is a privilege and a joy to greet you in this issue as the new editor of The Cottage Journal. I have been working on this beautiful publication for the past nine years, and during that time, I have traveled across the country to meet many of the innovative artisans, skilled designers, thoughtful collectors, and creative homeowners who have graciously invited us into their lives to share their uplifting spaces and personal stories of home. I am excited to continue bringing you the coziest cottage décor ideas for stylish and relaxed living. In this autumn edition, we once again explore the marvels of nature-inspired design. Fall is a great time to redecorate or refresh small spaces in your home with the color palettes found outdoors. Draw inspiration…

Robbie Mahlman first dipped her toes into the world of Instagram in 2018, in the wake of a breast cancer diagnosis and a new role as an empty nester. Years later, things are looking brighter, and her creative outlet has blossomed into something beautiful, allowing her to share vibrant seasonal inspiration with her growing following. Take a few cues from a handful of her favorite fall porch displays and welcome the season with an extra touch of harvest cheer. To see more of Robbie’s décor, visit her on Instagram at @homehydrangea.…

From special holidays to backyard get-togethers, Kathryn Crisp Greeley’s Chestnut Cottage is the perfect gathering place to host friends and family. In her book, The Collected Cottage: Gardening, Gatherings, and Collecting at Chestnut Cottage, Kathryn celebrates every season spent in her 1920s cottage, inviting readers to explore the joys of welcoming guests in to experience all Chestnut Cottage has to offer. After buying Chestnut Cottage from its first owners in 1987, Kathryn spent six years transforming the modest Waynesville, North Carolina, bungalow to its original state and turning it into her forever home. Throughout The Collected Cottage’s 362 pages, Kathryn shares a glimpse of a year at the cottage. In spring, her daffodils and peonies take center stage while she hosts Easter luncheons and Mother’s Day celebrations. Come summer, herbs are…

After selling their primary residence in Atlanta, Georgia, Jamie Elliott McPherson and Tra Raines decided to spend the winter at their rental property in Highlands, North Carolina, while they pondered their next move. “In doing so, we actually really got to know the community here and the people in Highlands,” says Jamie Elliott, who had until that point been running his design studio, J. Elliott Style, out of Atlanta. “And we decided we wanted to make a full-time residence out of it.” Shortly after, Jamie Elliott’s mother followed them, and he set about renovating the guesthouse to create the perfect spot for her to spend her golden years. “This was one of the first projects I did upon moving up here to the mountains, so we definitely wanted it to have…

After living many years in their 1935 residence and developing a change in taste, these Arlington, Virginia, homeowners decided to freshen up their traditional interiors—opting for a transitional aesthetic with subtle modern flair. With a style described as “where classic and modern hang out and drink gin,” Annie Elliott Design was the ideal firm for the redesign. “We create fresh, delightful spaces that reflect our clients’ personalities and make them smile every time they walk through their door,” says Annie Elliott, principal designer and CEO. Working with a handful of existing pieces the homeowners wanted to keep, Annie set out to rework the interiors, highlighting the beloved furnishings in new and thoughtful ways. In the living room, Annie drew inspiration from the homeowners’ rug for a tranquil color palette. “Instead of emphasizing…