Innholdsfortegnelse for April - May 2021 i Cottages and Bungalows

A new season is approaching and, if you’re like me, you’re so ready for it! Winter is necessary; nothing can bloom year-round. But oh, the wonder, color and joy of spring! In this issue we bring you loads of lively homes to inspire you to splash some color into yours (pages 34, 48, 60, 70 and 84). We urge you to dust off your gardening supplies and start planning a cottage garden (page 122) or sans a yard, use your green thumb with a container garden (page 118). And it’s a perfect season to whip up a few yummy fruit desserts (page 104) and give some thought to breathing new life into your front patio or porch (page 20). Obviously we love all things cottage, and we know you do…

Hi friends ! Happy spring! I’m so excited to be hanging with you! I don’t know about you, but with the blossoming of spring comes the bug to change things up. Whenever I am craving change in a space, or want to make a bold statement, I always paint something. I love DIYs, especially one done on a budget. And paint can be found in wide variety of price ranges. The power of paint is real, and it’s a definite game changer! For this project, I wanted to bring a whole new feel to our dining space. A little more modern and refined with a moody vibe, but without giving up our cozy cottage ambience. A dark paint color on our built-in hutch was the perfect answer, so I purchased…

• Step one: I begin with an item, even if it’s just one that I really love and then build around it. It can be as small as a vase or as large as a sofa. • Textural variation: Bringing in texture from rugs and pillows and jute helps to make a space feel cozy and complete. • Something old, something new: I always love to pull in something antique or vintage in each space. Bonus points if it’s something meaningful. • Storage: We did everything we could to make sure we maximized storage in our home. From building a pantry using the dead space under the stairs to taking our kitchen cabinets to the ceiling, we made sure to make use of the space we had available.…

When spring arrives, it’s always fun to sweep away the last remnants of winter. Give your front entry area a dose of on-trend color, comfortable seating and charming details to liven things up.…

Playing with bright colors and organic shapes is something that defines retired research librarian Sara Beazley’s style and brings her joy. With a jungle-green dining room and pink living room, her vintage Chicago mid-rise unit is full of color and character. “I’m a colorful person,” she says. When she retired in 2017, Sara decided it was time to tackle a project she had planned on since she bought the condo in 2012: a complete kitchen renovation. After some research, she found just the right person, designer Susan Klimala of The Kitchen Studio, to help her bring her vision to life. The result of their collaboration is a bright, colorful cottage kitchen that sparkles with Sara’s unique flair while maintaining an overall timeless feel. VINTAGE ROOTS When Sara first stepped into…

Every room—no matter how small—deserves to have something special in it that becomes a conversation piece as well as a statement piece. “The color palette was really limited in this house, so it was fun and challenging to try and make a few bold statements within those limitations,” Alison says. Here are a few ways you can make a space stand out: • FURNITURE – A unique furniture piece or grand piano are perfect focal points. In the Shanfelds’ home, the tequila bar with its sparkling, colorful bottles is an outstanding piece. • ART OR NEEDLEWORK – The focal point of this home’s living room is an intricate dragon needlepoint made by Shari’s mother. • WALLPAPER – A beautiful wallpaper instantly infuses a space with personality and character. It also makes the room…

Working from home is the new normal. Whether you have plans to set up shop in a styled-up office or need to carve out a corner of a room to call your own, these designer ideas for your desktop, practical ideas to keep things neat and tidy and slick solutions for even the smallest office spaces will keep you motivated to keep up the good work. CORNER OFFICE. How to transform a formerly nondescript corner into something seriously impressive? Paint or paper the background in a dramatic color or print. This tiny space oozes urban smarts and designer appeal. Design Notes • Simplicity is key to the success of this small yet sorted desktop empire. Simple wooden shelves are suspended on black brackets, while the shiny stone top is a…

It’s time to start planning. We mentioned in our last issue that this year’s Project House will include both a farmhouse renovation and a guest cottage new build. We asked designer Kara Christensen of Garden Gate Homes to give us information about her design process and her vision for the guest cottage. WHERE TO BEGIN When starting a new construction project, Kara and Matt study the location of the land and plan the overall style of the house. “We specialize in in-fill lots, so I start with a good look at the streetscape to see what style would fit the best,” says Kara. “We want our homes to match the character of downtown Franklin, and varying architecture styles is one way we do that.” Choosing one of the many talented…

Plants breathe life and beauty into our spaces, but for some people, gardening can seem intimidating. In her new book, Modern Container Gardening: How to Create a Stylish Small-Space Garden Anywhere, author Isabelle Palmer walks us through an introduction to gardening on a smaller scale. She believes experimenting with a few small plants in containers can help build knowledge and confidence without the commitment of a full-sized garden. Offering advice on selection, preparation and care, Palmer simplifies the basics and includes a variety of projects to inspire, all with details on how to recreate the look yourself. BREAKING DOWN THE BASICS Modern Container Gardening packs in all the practical knowledge you need to start a successful garden. Palmer suggests buying containers first. “Starting with the containers means that you can…

THE MAGICAL POWER OF PAINT To see more of Toni’s creations and home, visit her on Instagram @toni_marianna. Primer: Zinsser BIN Ultimate Stain Blocker Primer, zinsser.com. Paint: Behr Ultra Scuff Defense in Flat Black, behr.com. Florals: Afloral silk peony in light pink, pink faux cherry blossom flower branch, artificial spring cherry blossoms in cream, afloral.com. ONE TO FOLLOW For more on Victoria, visit her blog at prepfordwife.com and Instagram at instagram.com/prepfordwife. For more on Jo-Anne Coletti, visit vintagerosecollection.com. MASTER BEDROOM Rattan headboard: Target, target.com. Striped duvet: Target, target.com. Nightstand: Joss and Main, jossandmain.com. Wall sconce: Lamps Plus, lampsplus.com. Bumble Bee pillow: Chandler 4 Corners, chandler4corners.com. GUEST BEDROOM Desk: Target, target.com. Hummingbirds art print: Janet Hill Studio, etsy.com/shop/janethillstudio. Wall color: Malted Milk from Valspar, valspar.com. BATHROOM Bathroom faucet: Wayfair, wayfair.com. Wallpaper,…

Do you dream of finding unique, amazing furniture you could use as the perfect statement pieces to anchor the look of some of your rooms? Do you long for beautiful, one-of-a kind pieces to be focal points in your favorite spaces? Well, seek no further than the awesome, creative furniture pieces at Latina Patina, hand painted by artist/designer Alena Lara. Her products are created to be furniture that customers will absolutely love and can rework their current spaces around. NEW BEGINNINGS Before Alena started painting furniture, she was a hairstylist, but she’d had a car accident that was keeping her from working in the same capacity as before. She says, “I had a lot of time to think and decided I needed to do something different but that I could…

1. Birds and Butterfly Herringbone Riptide, paper-backed fabric wallcovering by designer Traci Zeller for Bassett McNab, stain-repellant, hand-printed linen. The best of both wallpaper and upholstered walls without the time, labor or expense.Visit www.bassettmcnab.com. 2. Oshkosh 3 Sky, fabric wallpaper, 100% cotton. Visit estout.com. 3. Semi from New Hat Project, peel-and-stick wallpaper in red. Try an unexpected place for a design element to add a sense of wonder and whimsy, from $40. Visit chasingpaper.com. 4. Gosford Cranberry Wall Mural, comes in one roll with four referenced, sequential panels, overall size is 9'x 9'2", $350.Visit lauraashleyusa.com. 5. Sydney Harbour Paint Company Lime Wash Sample Kit, includes Interno Lime Wash pint, base coat primer pint, mini tray and roller set, and 4-inch brush. Try out this subtle wall treatment for just $38.95.…

Have you been wanting to make your kitchen palette more colorful, but aren’t sure where to start? Susan Klimala of The Kitchen Studio gives her advice on how to inject color into your kitchen design for a fun yet timeless feel. Find inspiration. Sometimes the best design choices are the result of an unlikely inspiration. Look for something you own that can serve as the starting point for your new kitchen color design. “A painting or antique rug can be a great jumping off point for the palette,” Susan says. This is a good way to give your kitchen a unique feel that is distinctly your own. “It’s all about what you love,” she says. Tone it down. Bright and bold colors make a statement but are more easily dated…

Greg and Christy Leimone had worked closely with the builder on the architectural details of their new home, and they wanted to give the same attention to detail to its décor. The Leimones hired Melissa Lee, principal designer at New South Home (newsouthhome.com), a referral from friends and neighbors, to add functionality and dimension to the 2020-built home’s open floor-plan design. “After reviewing the inspiration photos and architectural plans provided by Greg and Christy, our first impression was that it was going to be comfortable and casual, even though it was a larger home based on square footage,” Melissa says. Located in a suburb of Greensboro, North Carolina, the home has five bedrooms. The architectural style is a mix of modern farmhouse and Craftsman. “The different exterior textures used—such as…

1. Are we being smart with this investment as far as how much money we are putting into it? If you invest too much money, you will be overpriced for the neighborhood upon resale. If you invest too little, your home won’t be comparable to local homes, which may not meet the buyers’ expectations when you’re trying to sell your home in the future. 2. What are some examples of unexpected costs that can occur in the process, based on your experience? In old home renovations, unexpected costs can easily arise once demo begins and the home’s secrets become visible. Builders with renovation experience can give you some possibilities to be aware of. Even in new construction, costly surprises can occur if you don’t spend enough time up front in…

“Peace on earth, can it be? In our gardens, yes,” affirms Greg Loades. An author and editor who has spent his career writing about and caring for plants, Loades knows the world of horticulture and gardening constantly evolves, but new iterations of “classic” gardens don’t have to eschew the whimsy of an old-fashioned cottage garden. In his book The Modern Cottage Garden: A Fresh Approach to a Classic Style, Loades describes the characteristics and path to a current yet cottage-esque landscape, assuring green thumbs everywhere that various styles can live in harmony. The modern cottage garden combines the best elements of traditional and new gardening techniques, embracing spontaneity and nostalgia by incorporating both organic growth and orderly planting. “It celebrates diversity and shows the surprising results that can be achieved…

As you walk through the streets of Elgin,Illinois, a quaint city north of Chicago, the walls of older homes whisper their stories. This charming, 3000-square-foot, c. 1873 beauty, owned by Krissy Palermo, surely has one of the most colorful of tales to tell. Krissy, along with her two children, moved from California to Chicago in July of 2009; she spent 20 minutes touring the house, made an offer and was under a contract for purchase three days later. The home was bank-owned and had fallen into disrepair over the four years it was empty, even succumbing to drug dealers and shady interactions. The house also had served as a multi-unit dwelling during its 175-year history, and Krissy discovered many secrets, including a big hole running from the roof to the…

Finding creativity during a pandemic can be challenging, but for lifestyle blogger and Instagram influencer Victoria Ford of the PrepFord Wife, it’s all about a positive attitude and inspiring DIY updates. “I would describe my style as classic with a wink,” says Victoria. “I love timeless, functional design, but there will always be a special moment to make it unique.” Victoria conveys a breezy, fun-loving quality and makes you feel like a special friend tagging along on her adventures. With warm, charming and cheery posts, Victoria engages her loyal 27.5k Instagram followers with feel-good content, like day trips around her hometown in North Carolina with her husband, Marcus, and their giant dogs, Remus and Sirius; design solutions, DIY renovations, travel and seasonal preppy fashion, just to name a few. Victoria…

COASTAL CHIC Bright and light, lots of dreamy shades of blue, clean lines and a bit of sparkle. 1. The Essential Sofa, 8 fabrics including velvet made of recycled water bottles, $1,095. Visit sabai.design. 2. Seaward White Coral Branch Chandelier wrought iron and enhanced with natural-looking sand, $1,047. Visit caronsbeachhouse.com. 3. Blue Surf Tobago Natural Area Rug, 100% jute, available in 6 sizes, from $65. Visit caronsbeachhouse.com. 4. Madaket Throw, made by a nonprofit to provide women education and work. For every blanket sold, one is given to a needy child, $158. Visit cailinicoastal.com. 5. Vinewood Coffee Table, kiln-dried mahogany with semi-gloss paint, topped with sealer, $730. Visit wayfair.com. 6. Playa Marques Turquoise Lamp, with bronze sugar accents and finished with brushed nickel-plated details, $327. Visit caronsbeachhouse.com. 7. Cote de…

1. RELY ON ARTIST’S PRINCIPLES. “Artists develop an eye for composition, for scale and for using color theory in everyday life,” Lauren says. Approaching your designs with composition, scale and color theory in mind is a recipe for success. 2. IT’S A BALANCING ACT. “I approach rooms and styling the same way that I would a painting,” Lauren says, “by keeping things balanced.” 3. MIX NEUTRALS WITH COMPLEMENTARY COLORS. Lauren uses neutrals and complementary colors in her paintings as well as in her home. “I use lots of white and creams and grays in marble and glass, with blues and greens thrown in as textiles,” she says. 4. WHEN TEXTURE MEETS WARMTH. “I rely on wood for warmth,” she says. It can be seen throughout her interiors, and it brings…

Thanks to our generous and supportive sponsors, the farmhouse renovation with a new-build guest cottage onsite is well underway. We hope you will visit their sites to learn more about them as we journey through the build together. 1. Cherokee Brick features Andersonville from the Antebellum Collection, which captures the warmth of the artisan spirit and creates an authentic, traditional context that resembles reclaimed brick but is more durable and longer lasting.Visit cherokeebrick.com. 2. Emtek features a design-focused electronic lock solution. The EMPowered Smart lock is key free, with an all-metal construction. Manage up to 25 unique codes, customize settings and operate from your smart phone from anywhere in the world. Visit emtek.com. 3. Riverbend Home provides the high-quality brands you love at the best possible value every day, including…

• MIX AND MATCH. Combine classic garden species like roses with perennials like echinacea. Use pastel colors for a soft, harmonious color scheme. • BORDERS MEAN ORDER. If you have the room, craft borders with potted or herbaceous plants to organize and control your space. Layer borders with low-growing, sprawling species paired with long-stemmed varieties that can tower above. • BE FLEXIBLE. Switch things up throughout the year if one or two plants aren’t growing well. To avoid too much replanting or rearranging, include a multitude of plants that stay strong throughout the winter. • HONOR TRADITION. Incorporate that weathered door, hand-me-down bench or classic archway into your gardenscape for a touch of historic garden style.…