Cottages and Bungalows December 2016 - January 2017

I CAN’T AGREE WITH ANDY WILLIAMS MORE: Christmas is undoubtedly the most wonderful time of the year. And when it comes to fluffing up and preening the house, Christmas is like the big dance or the school recital. It’s the day we build up to all fall and winter, so that whether we are opening up our homes to guests or simply waking up to a Christmas morning with our own little families, we hope that we wake up to the stuff that holiday dreams are made of. Sure, this time of year can buzz with stress and planning, but to me it buzzes with excitement. We’ve put this issue together to help you feel the same, we hope. We’ve got ideas that brim with elegant simplicity. We tour houses…

We all have old items we love from our past that have either lost purpose or are too worn for use. Instead of throwing them out this year, get creative and breathe new life into them by recycling your treasures into vintage Christmas decorations. Sue Templin, owner of The Heirloom Shoppe on Etsy, creates new decorations from vintage items that are charming and elegantly festive. “I have always been drawn to antiques, and creating these pieces truly comes from my heart ” says Sue. OLD MADE NEW “I find my items at flea markets, estate sales and garage sales. I’ll amp them up with new things like boughs I’ve found at a local craft store ” Sue says. Whether or not the objects once belonged to you, they bring a…

Cooler weather means more time indoors. Take advantage of the chilly weather to create a few winter-worthy accessories for your home. While Christmas trees and angels will only last the month of December, a few snowflakes will help your home look seasonal all the way through March. Use the template on the next page to create a flurry of different felt projects with the same snowflake, which will maintain a cohesive look throughout your home. Copy the template on your printer, increasing the size as listed for the various projects. Then pick out your favorite felt and get crafting. Snowflake Pillow Add an embroidered snowflake to an accent pillow for an eye-catching addition to your couch or bed. You can add this snowflake to a store-bought pillow with a zipper,…

Whether it’s turning on Nat King Cole, pulling out your grandma’s china or sifting through ornaments you and your loved ones made decades ago, Christmas is a time for nostalgia. When it comes to Christmases past, no collectible seems more appropriate than Holt-Howard’s ceramics. BORN FOR CHRISTMAS A company named after founders Robert Howard and Grant Holt, Holt-Howard got its start with Christmas items in New York City in 1949. The first few years of its existence, Holt-Howard focused on Christmas ceramics, from winking Santa mugs to angel candleholders and even Christmas planters such as one with Santa on a train that is hollow for planting. Their playful designs quickly earned them success, and the business expanded and relocated to Stamford, Connecticut, in 1959. They changed certain Christmas designs each…

Aching for one of the holiday season’s blissfully silent nights? Nothing complements that mood quite like this silvery setting. Wondrously woodsy yet sophisticated and serene, it’s a multilayered look that turns curling up by the fireside into one of the winter’s best activities. While this cabin touts the patina of natural wood finishes worn over time, there’s no reason you can’t recreate the vibe in any space. Here are our top tips for getting this look. KEEP IT MONOCHROMATIC The use of a single putty-gray color scheme gives this room its rustic simplicity. It not only balances out the many rough and rugged textures, but its cool tone creates a serene mood. COZY TEXTURES Wool, cable-knit textiles and even a woven cotton rug hug this room like a comfy sweater.…

Light and feathery, this dainty tree stands 7 feet tall and comes strung with lights. Vienna twig artificial tree with stand, $142.99. Visit wayfair.com. Deck your tree with signature Parisian black and white. Jeanne d’Arc ballerina ornament, $8.95. Visit vintagemarketanddesign.com. With gold tips, an antique patina and a regal crown accent, this wall art is a stunner. Angel wing wall décor, $152.99. Visit wayfair.com. Rustic charm and classic detailing combine in this accent piece. Customize it by choosing your ribbon detail. Country reindeer grain-sack throw pillow with insert, $40. Visit simplyfrenchmarket.etsy.com. This elegant tableware touts a timeless toile-inspired design made from melamine. It is a durable and nearly unbreakable material that is perfect for kids and adults alike. Yuletide Holly serving platter, $48. 12-piece dinnerware set, $152. (888) 978-8895 or…