Cottages and Bungalows October - November 2016

I BRUSH OFF MY MOTHER’S BROWN TRANSFERWARE and glance back over my shoulder at the table coming together slowly, but surely. Prepping one of the year’s grandest meals takes time. Polishing the silver that hardly ever sees the light of day (I’ll fix that, I promise myself). Hunting down the monogrammed linen napkins, which seem to hop up and scatter when no one’s looking. No matter, we’ll take the mix-and-match approach—it’ll be fun to recount which piece came from which aunt’s hand-me-down collection. I’ve already polished the dining table—given it its annual spa treatment. And I look forward to staring pensively into the china cabinet, deciding which glasses will come out, which terrine to use this year and whether we’ll do candlesticks or something a little funkier. I soak up…

Metallic Greetings The tiny and adorably named Baby Boo pumpkin is an excellent canvas for trying your hand at some fancy lettering. Calligrapher Laura Hooper uses a metallic marker to spell out an autumn greeting. Choose a marker that will stick to just about anything, like the Sakura Pen-Touch in Gold. Practice your script before putting pen to pumpkin so you can plan for a flawless finish. For more, visit lhcalligraphy.com. Tissue, Please. Giftwrap tissue paper comes in every color and pattern imaginable, so you’re bound to find a favorite if you would like to try this craft. Heather of At the Picket Fence found this spiderweb-patterned tissue perfect for this decoupage pumpkin. First she cuts the tissue into strips and then spreads a layer of Mod Podge glue over…

As autumn approaches, take some time to slow down and appreciate the little things. By handcrafting seasonal gifts and décor, you can show your gratitude for life and for loved ones. Felt flowers are just such a touch; they have a crafted charm that can bring the beauty of a blooming garden indoors, even when the weather is chilly. Erin Randall, owner of the Etsy shop The Grey Rose, has mastered this art form. She explains, “I like my work to be something that’s both beautiful and useable.” Her pieces are often made for nurseries, centerpieces, hats, purses and seasonal décor. Felt is able to capture a flower’s fleeting beauty and is functionally versatile. For this upcoming fall season, Erin’s Etsy shop offers some great options. Felt flowers are a…

The history of clocks is a story of changing times. Technology and the sensibilities and needs of each era are reflected in clocks. From making sea travel and navigation possible (putting the “time” in “maritime”) to waking you up each morning, clocks have both reflected and shaped the times that produced them. With such a long and varied history, clocks are available in an array of shapes and sizes—from grandfather clocks to travel alarm clocks—and prices range from $0.99 to well into the thousands. With so many choices, you’re bound to find clocks that reflect what makes you tick. BACK IN TIME Materials from brass to ornate walnut and ivory, and shapes from acorn and beehive to Gothic cathedral are just the beginning of what you can find in antique…

These hammered steel bookends might not perch on a bust of Pallas like Poe’s raven, but they’ll look great holding up your books on a console table or shelf. Nevermore steel bookends, $56. Visit dotandbo.com. This antique brass-plated chandelier features uneven ribbed amber glass rods, and the oval shape looks great over a rectangular table. Royalton Chandelier, $3,799. (888) 401-1900 or rejuvenation.com. Snow White wouldn’t have been able to resist this crisp white apple sculpture in a hi-gloss finish. Large White Snow Apple, $69.95. (800) 606-6252 or cb2.com. Use these twisted tree branches to add candlelit glow to your rooms. Tree-branch candlesticks, $79. (888) 223-2423 or birchlane.com. Take a walk on the wild side with this polyresin alligator sculpture. It looks great displayed on side tables or on top of…

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