Cottages and Bungalows December/January 2026

THERE’S JUST SOMETHING about December that feels magical, isn’t there? The twinkle lights, the scent of pine and cinnamon, the way a cozy cottage glows even brighter this time of year. It all makes me want to slow down, soak it in, and eat a few more cookies! Inside this issue, you’ll tour amazing holiday homes brimming with charm and inspiration, dressed in their Christmas best. They each hold clever decorating ideas you’ll want to try in your own space and traditions you just may want to adopt. Especially meaningful this year is the story of Bambi Costanzo and her family, who’s home was destroyed by flood waters this past Spring. How grateful we are that we were able to capture the home in all its Christmas splendor before this…

cottagesandbungalowsmag.com Cozy Christmas in Connecticut Please join us in Granby, Connecticut at the home of our former Brand Ambassador, Bryan Cosham! Come enjoy this over-the-top Christmas home tour and learning sessions! See the website for full details and tickets. Holiday Kitchen Inspiration Give the hardest working space in your home a big serving of holiday cheer. See inspiring kitchens that will get your creative ideas cookin’. A Pantry Hill Christmas in the Country Pantry Hill, a spec home transformed into a turn-of-the-century escape by a creative family, proves that the best heirlooms are special holiday memories. A Neutral and Natural Holiday Cottage This cottage in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is filled with life and character with neutral and natural holiday décor. Make Your Own Cookie Ornaments Evoke the…

We asked our 5th annual Christmas tree contest winner, Janice Benoit, to share how she decorates her tree each year, what inspires her color and style choices and what recommendations she has for creating a holiday showstopper. Growing up, Christmas decorating always began the weekend after Thanksgiving, and I couldn’t wait. It’s only in the past few years that I’ve decided to break with tradition so that I can take my time and enjoy the season a bit longer. Decking the halls now begins the first of November and I immerse myself in the warm glow of twinkling lights and cozy clutter. My tree of choice has been a lifelike faux tree. The options available are not only beautiful, but incredibly realistic, and who doesn’t love an easy-to-pop-up, flocked, pre-lit…

Nestled in the heart of White Bear Lake, MN this 1912 bungalow captures the spirit of another era while still feeling wonderfully at home today. Its broad porch, deep eaves, and sunny windows speak to classic Craftsman design, lovingly preserved by the current owners. At Christmastime, the house truly comes alive with garlands draped across the porch rail, red ribbons tied with care, and soft twinkling lights glowing against the winter sky. It’s the kind of scene that instantly stirs memories of simpler holidays and small-town charm, as if the house itself is ready to welcome you in with a cup of cocoa. TO SEE INSIDE THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME, TURN TO PAGE 44 OF THIS ISSUE.…

Last Christmas in our old home was nothing short of magical – the kind of magic you feel deep and carry with you forever. The tree stood in the living room, dressed in gold ribbons and heirloom ornaments, its warm glow racing across the floors we had walked a thousand times. Evergreen garlands framed the mantel and draped over mirrors, filling the air with the scent of pine, as if the house itself was breathing in the season. When I decorate for Christmas, it’s about more than beauty – it’s about telling a story. The mantel became a lush cascade of greens, glass ornaments catching the firelight, and velvet ribbons in deep rich tones. Wicker baskets brimmed with pinecones and cozy throws, while tabletops glowed with brass candlesticks and bowls…

WHetHER from pouring through endless home décor magazines, or from finding the perfect thrifted or flea market find, inspiration can come from any source. This Seattle home, built in the 1940s, was in desperate need of a new vision. The homeowners reached out to designer Jessica Dorling of Dorling Design Studio to create the kitchen of their dreams. Dazzled by design and architecture in childhood after constructing a dollhouse with her father, Jessica’s passion for home design led her to study interior design in college, and then eventually to open up her own design studio. As is the case with many mid-century homes, the original footprint of this home was small and segmented, making it feel cramped and closed off. The exterior of the home was a patchwork of different…