Innholdsfortegnelse for December/January 2019-20 i Cottages and Bungalows

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS OFTEN CHANGE OVER THE YEARS. Families grow, and sometimes families get smaller. Homes change, rooms get bigger and storage gets smaller. What we hang onto as the pieces of Christmas evolves over time, too. Maybe you’re like me and you just have to have the same star on the top of the tree, the same ratty stockings on the mantel or the same cheap velvet ribbon ornaments on the tree that you bought for your first Christmas with your husband when you were young and broke. Or maybe you do what I sometimes wish I would do more of—be always up for fresh new looks; trying out fun new accents, colors and motifs; or changing it up for Instagram. No matter which way your holiday bell rings, though,…

For the Entertainer For the Fixer Uppers For Him For Kids For Pet Lovers For Vintage Collectors Stocking Stuffers…

EVEN THOUGH THIS KITCHEN’S CABINETRY IS RED, GREEN AND WHITE, it’s gussied up even more for the holiday season with cozy, thoughtful touches. To bring warmth to your kitchen, along with a smile to your face, Heather shares her top tips for natural, seasonal décor. 1. “I love using décor that is edible! I feel most items you can pick up from your local market that are native to your area will work as holiday accents while also adding holiday color.” 2. “I normally will forage outdoors in autumn before the snow falls and gather items and place them in the garage or basement until I need them for the holidays. I can’t see buying pinecones when they are everywhere outside.”…

What makes this North Carolina home’s holiday décor truly remarkable is a combination of subtle, intentional details and over-the-top statements inspired by the home’s original interior design. In this North Carolina spec home, the welcoming and comfortable interiors were designed by Traci Zeller of Traci Zeller Designs. “I generally think of my aesthetic and what I tend to do for my clients as modern classic,” Traci says. “It’s always polished, pretty and peaceful.” Traci approached the design with an initial focus on highlighting the home’s existing architectural detail. She wanted to create the perfect floor plan and use fabrics that would accentuate the space and that her clients loved. “I wanted them to touch and see the fabrics,” she says of the decision process. “We used all performance ... and…

PROS • Artificial trees are hassle free. Forgot to water the tree all week long? No problem. Don’t have time to sweep before company arrives? That’s no problem either. With an artificial tree, you’ll never have to worry about its condition changing over the month or two that it’s around. • The more you save, the more money in your wallet. The holidays can be stressful, and there’s nothing worse than worrying about your holiday shopping list. If you don’t have to purchase a new tree every year, that’s more gift money right there (or more holiday décor money). CONS • You’ll miss out on that fresh, outdoorsy scent. While artificial tress might be the right choice for a someone with allergies—or a furry friend with allergies—you will miss out…

• Make it personal. It’s okay to make it all about you. Sunday says the key to styling is heartfelt décor that reflects you. “I like nature, so I collect tidbits from my hikes and use them on my packages and wreaths,” she says. • Change it up. You are always evolving and so should your décor. Sunday suggests changing your holiday adornments, even slightly, from year to year. “Even if it’s only a different tree topper, it gives a sense of surprise,” she says. • Keep it simple. If you complicate the process, it will become a chore, Sunday warns. “And if it’s a chore, you might not take it down until February!” • Spread the magic. As you can see in her home, Sunday decorates most areas of her home, not just…

Decorating the Christmas tree is one of the most beloved traditions of the holiday. But you may be wondering how you can kick it up a notch this year to set it apart from your previous versions. In The Christmas Tree Book: The Step-by-Step Guide to Buying and Decorating Your Tree with Lighting, Ornaments, Ribbons, and More!, author Cassie Kitzmiller says you should think of your shining shrub as a three-dimensional piece of art. As an interior designer and holiday-season enthusiast, Kitzmiller has been using her design skills for over a decade, experimenting with contemporary styles to decorate the perfect Christmas tree. The Christmas Tree Book takes a pragmatic approach to tree decorating. It presents an easy-to-follow manual on how to adorn any fir, ensuring that if you keep a…

How do you make a small home festive and functional during the Christmas season? The answer is a covered porch and lots of garland. “This is a shotgun house,” says interior designer Kaitlyn Blair of Spruce Homes. “They take out one house and put two houses in instead. We have a lot of these in Saskatchewan.” WINTER WEATHER For an area with short summers and long winters, it’s important for the homes to have all-season capabilities. “In Saskatchewan we get up to minus 40 degrees during the winter,” Kaitlyn says. That means building a large porch for functionally. “People like to have a big porch to hold outdoor equipment and be able to put on their boots,” she says. Conversely, during the summer, the porch serves for relaxation. “Summers here…

Home décor during the holidays is more than just a visual experience. “You have to touch on all the senses for the holidays; people are so busy you have to grab their attention,” says event designer Ashley Smith. Here are a few of her ideas for engaging guests in the experience of your home. 1. Light. The warmth of Christmas lights creates a glowing and ethereal sense. “It just makes your heart happy,” says Ashley. 2. Music. While most people don’t have to be reminded to play Christmas music, it is essential for creating a holiday experience, and there are so many different stylistic possibilities. 3. Baking Smells & Tastes. There’s no better way to make people feel at home during the holidays than the warm smells wafting from the…

Nature is a great source of inspiration when it comes to Christmas decorations at Emma and Anders’ home. The fragrance of Christmas flowers and fir trees drifts throughout each room and creates a lovely atmosphere on the old family farm. This is where their family gathers to celebrate Christmas. Just where they should, in the countryside. Driving towards the courtyard, guests immediately sense the Christmas mood. The snow has settled like white powder over the ground. The frost is nipping at the trees. The grand entrance has been decorated with spruce and beautiful wreaths that give a welcoming feeling. The beautiful family farm is a perfect place during Christmas. The rustic atmosphere is soothing. The hyacinths and fir trees spread their lovely scent, and the crackling of the tiled wood…

This coastal cottage has a lot in common with the Christmas season: Homeowner and style guru Claudia Reese, better known as Fabiana on her Instagram @ciaofabiana, designed the home to evoke feelings of warmth and serenity. So during the holidays Claudia doesn’t run from her cozy blue-and-white seaside aesthetic. Instead, she embraces it. FESTIVE REFRESH The year-round furniture—wooden tables and patterned chairs, among other pieces—is transformed with a few key and conscious design choices. Red-and-white décor pillows and throws adorn the modern-style chairs, while the shelves trade summer décor for winter splendors. “Of course, I’ll put away décor—like a picture of a garden—that doesn’t make sense with the theme,” Claudia says. “But it’s also nice to leave some year-round décor out, especially items like my woven basics, which add a…

• Make sure the item you fashion your diamond out of is unified, with an outline that looks cohesive and not distracting. • Secondly, make sure the item you choose is just large enough to stand out. You want the shape to be apparent yet controlled. • Lastly, select an item that fits the intended theme or style you’ve chosen beforehand (Kitzmiller suggests using a tree bouquet—a combination of items such as ribbon, greenery or flowers bundled together—or a bow). The Christmas Tree Book: The Step-by-Step Guide to Buying and Decorating Your Tree with Lighting, Ornaments, Ribbons, and More! by Cassie Kitzmiller, published by Skyhorse Publishing, skyhorsepublishing.com; © 2019.…

What better way to set the holiday stage than right at the front door? This English cottage on our cover inspires all things jolly and bright. The simple but eye-catching ideas are ones anyone can recreate. Here are the keys to bringing this look to your home. GAGA FOR GARLAND You probably deck the halls inside your home with plenty of seasonal greens, but have you overlooked your porch? Here a country-inspired garland of pine needles, pinecones and plenty of red berries trims the trim just beneath the porch eaves. It not only helps soften the area, it brings the eyes up and adds warmth. THE BIGGER THE BETTER An oversized wreath gives the home massive merry spirit. Chock full of ribbon, ornaments and toys, it’s fresh, fun and unquestionably…

THIS KITCHEN WAS CONSTRUCTED NEARLY A CENTURY AND A HALF AGO, but many nods to the original design are still in place. Heather has advice for those who desire a modern kitchen that still brims with vintage flair. She advises, “Stay away from trending colors and use colors that are unique and unexpected. Vintage homes can get away with a variety of colors that will always look authentic.” You also can stick to a bygone kitchen layout if you wish. “You don’t have to convert your kitchen to a contemporary layout … The charm of the old New England farmhouses is how they were not designed for visuals, but for purpose, and by incorporating the right materials, the aesthetics will follow.”…

Make your own warm and cozy home for the holidays by following Tammy’s top tips. 1. Don’t follow any trends. “Be authentic,” Tammy says. She combines her passions for DIY and salvaged treasures into her décor. They’re true to her style and it shows! 2. Don’t overbuy holiday décor. It can be easy to go crazy in the Christmas aisle, but Tammy says to remain measured and use what you already have in unexpected ways. 3. Stay away from themes and go for what you love. Mixing elements is fun and surprising. Tammy says, “It’s okay to be eclectic.” 4. Add small touches of whimsy. Lighthearted touches are always appreciated by guests. 5. Incorporate family heirlooms. “Whether in the form of ornaments, dishware or even photos, family heirlooms tug at…

• Swap out Christmas lights for lanterns. Christmas lights were invented in the late 1800s, so of course, traditional holiday décor didn’t include string lights. But using lanterns and smaller candles also gives you the ability to customize your décor, whether you prefer gold or silver lanterns—or for that matter, short, tall, fat or skinny ones. • Trade intricate ornaments for more intimate designs. Sure, everyone loves to pick out new ornaments to refresh the tree. But old-timey decorations completely reinvent the look of the tree. While Claudia used small houses and birds, additional old-fashioned decorations include strings of popcorn and candy canes—more natural materials that remind us of the season. • Look to the outdoors for inspiration, and bring it inside. Maybe our most obvious tip, but it remains one for good…

EXTRA: PURE & SIMPLE For more on Liz Galvan: lizmarieblog.com, @lizmariegalvan on Instagram and Pinterest, LizMarieBlog on Facebook. For more on LP Shed: @LPBuildingSolutionsHomeowner on Facebook, @lpbuildingsolutions on Instagram and Pinterest. For more on Tuff Shed: tuffshed.com, and @tuffshed on Facebook and Instagram. COTTAGE KITCHENS For more information on Heather Alton, nedesignelements.com. Cabinetry, island: Cabico, cabico.com. Backsplash: Trikeenan Tileworks, trikeenan.com. Houndstooth chairs: Pasha Furniture, pashahome.com. HOLIDAY HAVEN For more on Tammy Akel, visit @MyVintageGrind and @MyColonialFarmhouse on Instagram. Dining room sconces: The Fancy Flea Antique Show in Plant City, Florida, fancyflea.net. Dough bowl: Adjectives Market in Winter Park, Florida, adjstyle.com. Chargers: Pier 1 Imports, pier1.com. Tobacco basket: Vendors Lou and Steve at Meant To Bee Treasures located in historic, downtown Mount Dora, Florida. Magnolia wreath: Decor Steals, decorsteals.com. Custom light…