Cottages and Bungalows April - May 2020

I AM AN OUT AND PROUD COUCH POTATO. It’s true. In an era where fit-stagram models and self-care gurus tell you to go out and try stand-up paddleboard and get facials, my happy place is the couch in front of the TV. I love a good Netflix binge or Disney + trip down memory lane. My ideal Friday night is stovetop popcorn and the latest episode of Dateline. But I have a feeling all you home lovers out there can understand where I’m coming from. We spend all this time devising and designing our dream homes. We lovingly craft each room with a personal vision that makes us happy and, by gosh, we want to stay in it! Being so intimately acquainted with my couch, I have big opinions on…

Color Outside the Lines Looking for the little push to bring some color into your life? Tour this gallery of bold and beautiful spaces that might just have you rethinking basic white walls. Tour a Vintage-Inspired Garden From creative reuse to heirloom varieties, this sunny Southern California garden is blooming with beautiful old things. Spring Gatherings A new season of entertaining is upon us! Check out this gallery of easy and inspiring spring tabletops to fuel your ideas for hosting friends and family. The Classic White Kitchen Will white kitchens ever go out of style? We bet not. Here’s how to design a white kitchen full of depth, dimension and flair that will stand the test of time. Easy Mudroom Makeovers You don’t need a lot of space to get…

When it comes to renovating, sometimes saving the old house is more expensive than starting from scratch. For architect Timothy Clites and his team at Clites Architects, PC, that was the case with this home in Purcellville, Virginia. The original house was built in the 1990s, and the family bought it with the intention of renovating. “After a review of the home and the requested changes, it was determined to be more cost effective to build a new home on the existing foundation,” the team says. With the option to redesign the whole home, the team decided to look at the surrounding area for architectural inspiration. “We designed a bungalow-style house with period-inspired details that would make the home true to its era,”Tim and his team say. With details such…

Are you looking for a striking, beautiful art gift to give a special person in your life? Or perhaps get something truly exceptional for yourself? These lovely hand-embroidered necklaces and earrings by Philippines-based artist Ruby Thursday More are anything but ordinary. Her exquisite pieces are inspired by colors, moods or memories of life in the Philippines. EMBRACING EMBROIDERY Ruby, the artist behind these intricate jewelry pieces, has been making things since she was a girl. “My mother is a very creative and resourceful person, and I learned different arts and crafts by watching her do them,” says Ruby. “One of my fondest memories as a kid was sitting under her sewing machine as she sewed pouches made from indigenous fabrics, which she would then sell. She would let me snip…

We all have them. Those bare bones areas and spec-home spaces that just lack the architectural interest to really drive home the cottage aesthetic. Upgrading them can be easier than you think. Interior designer Sara Lynn Brennan was brought in to make over this space by a young couple soon after they closed on this new townhouse in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. “They wanted to level up the builder-grade design to something more their style,” Sara says. “I took their newly built blank canvas as an opportunity to achieve a young, moody vibe that reflected their lifestyle and personality.” Here are the big ideas you can use to upgrade your space. CREATE A FOCAL POINT “Since there was no fireplace or focal point, I created one with the deep-gray shiplap…

Living in the country has been a lifelong dream for Julie Thomas, who authors the home-décor and lifestyle blog Little Farmstead. Her first glimpse into country living came when she planted her first vegetable garden. “When I was about nine years old, I remember asking my mother if I could plant some vegetables. In her wisdom, she recommended I start with zucchini. Seeing those fast-growing green squashes take off and spread helped my confidence grow along with them. The experience opened my eyes to the wonder of seeds and the small victory of harvesting one’s own food,” says Julie. She recalls childhood memories where the love of books and animals were her daily pleasures. “Perhaps it was always in my heart: a desire for country living, with nature and…