The Cottage Journal Christmas 2022

WANT MORE COTTAGE STYLE? Sign up for our FREE newsletter today at thecottagejournal.com. HOLIDAY JOYS Christmas is my favorite time of year and one of the most enjoyable seasons to decorate my home. I am the type of person who thinks about—and shops for—holiday décor all year long. A cherished tradition my husband and I share is collecting ornaments whenever we travel. Instead of purchasing magnets, postcards, or T-shirts as special trip mementos, we aim to find unique Christmas ornaments—all throughout the year. As avid travelers, we have amassed quite a collection! This year, we were delighted to finally complete and move into our new-build cottage nestled in the hills of North Alabama. Our first Christmas here is sure to come with many different experiences—and decorations—but pulling out the familiar baubles that we’ve spent…

The holiday season has a unique way of making time spent with family feel extra special, and Christmas traditions are best enjoyed while snuggled up together under a festive homemade quilt. That’s why textile designers and bloggers Sherri McConnell and Chelsi Stratton are introducing their debut book, Home for the Holidays: Quilts & More to Welcome the Season, as an easy handbook to Christmas quilting. Handmade quilts have often served as sentimental pieces to be passed down through generations, a treasured custom in Sherri and Chelsi’s family. Their love of quilting stems from a beloved tradition started by Sherri’s grandmother, who would spend all year hand-stitching items to gift to each family member during the holidays. Now, Sherri and Chelsi have created their own selection of easy-to-stitch designs perfect for Christmas…

Entertaining in style is a trait that comes naturally to Tina Schaible, whose fondness for a beautiful tablescape stems from treasured childhood memories of helping her mother set the table for gatherings. While Tina doesn’t need an excuse to create an eye-catching table, there’s no better time than Christmas to pull out all the stops. Inspiration for her innovative designs comes in many forms—from lovely linens to striking dishware. An avid collector of tabletop accents, Tina appreciates the stylish versatility MacKenzie-Childs’s signature black-and-white pattern offers as it blends elegance with a subtle touch of whimsy. Introduced to the New York-based company about 25 years ago, she keeps finding fresh ways to style the classic pieces. “The Courtly Check goes with anything,” says Tina. “You can put red sparkly candles on…

Step across the threshold of Amber Reatherford’s cozy cottage in Germantown Hills, Illinois, and you’ll find yourself warmly embraced by its quiet, peaceful aesthetic where layers of soft textiles mingle with cherished vintage finds. The home’s soothing scheme is further enhanced this time of year as seasonal accents draw inspiration from the property’s surrounds. “We live in a natural, wooded area, and I just wanted [the decorations] to be a continuation of that,” says Amber of the swags of greenery and assorted trees thoughtfully placed throughout the home. Not only does the scenic property inspire her holiday décor, but it was what sold Amber and her husband on the home 37 years ago. Nestled on 3 acres at the end of a cul-de-sac in a quaint neighborhood, the location offers the couple…