The Cottage Journal Spring 2022

WANT MORE COTTAGE STYLE? Sign up for our FREE newsletter today at thecottagejournal.com. COLOR & CHARM Welcome to our color-filled issue featuring beautiful homes and gardens with verdant charm. From cottages across the country, we see a resurgence of classic floral patterns to modern geometric prints, adding vibrant life to spaces and calling for mixed-and-matched designs to reuse furniture pieces that bring interest to cozy settings. This time of year, spring gardens influence home interiors with the natural warmth of accents like rattan and classic blue-and-green motifs that add an extra touch of cottage style. In this issue, a charming Southern home, featured in “Pretty in Prints” on page 75, shares timeless styles with an updated palette. Greek key patterns and exposed hardwood flooring adorn plenty of light-filled rooms in this classic cottage. In…

To see more of Amanda Barkley’s creative styling, follow her on Instagram at @amandabarkleyfloral.…

Beloved for their elegant yet whimsical charm, nothing signals the transition into spring quite like topiaries. Given the season’s unpredictable temperature fluctuations, their ability to thrive both indoors and out makes topiaries an even better fit for this time of year. “The fact that you can grow them indoors and have a little piece of nature inside is really special,” says Loi Thai, founder of Tone on Tone, a Maryland-based residential interior and landscape design firm. These verdant accents impart an air that is at once formal and fanciful, making them a versatile option for any space. Style larger plants as a stand-alone statement piece or assemble a collection of smaller varieties displayed en masse—Loi’s favorite way to make a striking impact. Regardless of the presentation, sunlight is a must for topiaries, and…

Sharing influential words from her childhood and the story of how she ended up as a potter, multitalented artist Frances Palmer thoughtfully expounds on how to cultivate a creative life in her first book, Life in the Studio: Inspiration and Lessons on Creativity. From step-by-step instructions on how to throw a pot to the best way to arrange dahlias to tasty recipes, this book has it all. Throughout the book’s 256 pages, Frances shares her story in three sections, giving insight into how to stimulate your own passions and creativity. Through moving words and life lessons, she sheds light on the importance of doing things you love, seeking inspiration from all around, and establishing a daily routine. For those interested in the methods of pottery, Frances’s in-depth instructions on throwing and sculpting…

Situated on Alabama’s Lake Martin, Chris and John Hutcheson’s 1998 home serves as a welcoming waterfront retreat filled with cherished mementos the couple has collected over the years. “We love simple lines, layered textiles, and all things that have a story to tell,” says Chris, owner of interior design studio Hutche and Co. based in Atlanta, Georgia. Since purchasing the home in 2017, the Hutchesons split their time between Atlanta and Lake Martin, bringing along their two water-loving English cocker spaniels, Sam and Gus. To accommodate lots of guests, wet bathing suits, and their furry companions, the couple set out to create a space that was stylish yet comfortable. With entertaining in mind, Chris and John opted for an open floor plan between the living, dining, and kitchen spaces to ensure they…