Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2015 i Country Living

CAN YOU FIND IT? WIN A GIRLS’ GETAWAY TO THE COUNTRY LIVING FAIR! Don’t forget to look for the horseshoe hidden in this issue.* If you find it, go to countryliving.com/takeme tothefair (see page 110 for details), and enter for a chance to win a Girls’ Getaway to the Country Living Fair in Atlanta! (Retail value: $1,015) *Not required for winning. As we started planning this issue devoted to Country Know-How, I asked our Decorating Editor Page Mullins if she had any hard-earned wisdom when it comes to home design. (For her hard-earned wisdom related to paint removal, see below!) Page’s answer: “It really comes down to what makes you happy.” And I agree. To a point. Every now and then, isn’t it sort of refreshing to have someone tell…

COMPLETELY FUN, NO-OBLIGATION WAYS TO ENJOY THE COUNTRY THIS MONTH! 1. METAL CHANDELIER Round out the room’s playful palette with this sixlight fixture in brushed bronze. Chandelier, $335; lampsplus.com 2. PEACH PAINT Freshen up your walls with this sweet-as-a-funnelcake hue. Whipped Peach by Valspar; lowes.com 3. BAR CART Available in 24 colors, this cheery cart boasts a removable tray top and weatherproof finish. Luxembourg Bar Cart, $950; fermobusa.com 4. RIBBON FRAME Flaunt a best-in-show photo in a first-prize frame. 4" Picture Frame, $20; papersource.com 5. PLUSH PILLOW Soar to stylish heights with this embroidered accent pillow made of 100% natural linen. Pillow, $124; coralandtusk.com 6. WOOD TABLE Juggle up to six guests, thanks to a 12-inch leaf extender. Dining Table, $345; hayneedle.com 7. BISTRO CHAIR Step right up! Woven in classic…

“These football programs belonged to my grandfather, a proud Yale alum. What is their value today?” —K.C., SAN ANTONIO, TX WHAT IT IS: FOOTBALL PROGRAMS Early Harvard vs. Yale sports items are highly collectible, and turn-of-the-century examples like these can be difficult to find. “Of your three programs, the 1897 item is the most rare but also in poor condition,” explains Marsha Dixey of Heritage Auctions. Meanwhile the 1899 and 1909 items are easier to come by but wonderfully preserved. Together the three relics command a winning sum. WHAT IT’S WORTH: $700 “My husband gave me this coffee grinder for my birthday. I love the color—is it a unique shade?” —L.W., CHATTANOOGA, TN WHAT IT IS: HAND-CRANKED COFFEE GRINDER “This kitchen utensil was made by the Peugeot Freres Company in…

INSPIRING IDEAS FOR IN AND AROUND THE HOUSE MAKE IT WITH FABRIC Whether you use an honest-to-goodness vintage grain sack or reproduction fabric-by-the-yard, these projects will help your decor walk the line between pretty and practical. 1. Laundry Bags Stitch twill tape loops to an intact grain sack (from $55; textiletrunk.com). To replicate the “L” (for lights) and “D” (for darks) shown here, download our template at country living.com/grainsack. 2. Frame Pockets Cut fabric 1/2-inch longer and wider than the cardboard insert of a picture frame; adhere cut fabric to insert with hot glue. Cut new strip of fabric and wrap around bottom half of insert to make pocket. Place in frame and hang. 3. Upholstered Pouf Starting with 3 1/2 yards of fabric ($17/yard, farm housewares.com), cut out nine…

Call it the Goldilocks effect: Darryl and Annie McCreary had lived in a roomy 1800s farmhouse and a cozy English cottage, but they craved something in between the two. “We wanted enough room for entertaining and for the kids to have their own space, but we didn’t want to be extravagant,” says Annie. The solution: A cabin in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, in idyllic woods fittingly similar to the ones the towheaded heroine might have explored way back when. But for this creative duo—Annie makes custom slipcovers through her business, My Swallow’s Nest (myswallowsnest.com), and Darryl is a trim carpenter who can build just about anything with a hammer and nail—just any run-of-the-mill cabin wouldn’t do. “We wanted authentic charm with all of today’s modern—and energy-efficient—comforts,” says Darryl. Together, they took…

Think your kitchen needs a remodel? Imagine how homeowner Daniel Flebut felt when he first laid eyes on the cook space of his overgrown 1700s stone house in New Paltz, New York. Fortunately, the architect-by-day welcomed the challenge of restoring the room to its old glory. Here’s how he and partner William Charnock paid tribute to its past while adding a few modern-day upgrades. 1 IMPERFECT FLOORS Rather than replace the “flawed” flooring where the fireplace once stood, Daniel embraced the pieced-together texture, leaving the original wide plank boards and stone hearth untouched. 2 AGA OVEN The cream-colored cast-iron cooker—William’s favorite feature in the kitchen—sits on the footprint of the home’s old fireplace hearth. Next to it, a restored (but no longer functioning) beehive oven serves as a focal point…

“Best issue ever! Thanks for a great read. I grew up in New Braunfels, TX, so seeing the decorating ideas inspired by Gruene Hall [page 58] was a real treat.” —Beth Dodson, Humble, TX “Thanks for your fried chicken article [‘Summer’s Greatest Hits,’ page 96] in the June 2015 issue. I absolutely love fried chicken but have never made it successfully. I tried the buttermilk recipe and was amazed at how well it turned out—I’ve already served it twice!” —Patricia Langenegger, Omaha, NE “To my amazement, the photo on page 18 of your June issue is of my parents’ porch (with me, my brother and sister, and some friends). It brings back so many memories!” —Blair Beasley, Colerain, NC…

WIN A TRIP TO THE ATLANTA FAIR! Go to CountryLiving.com/TakeMeToTheFair to enter! GREAT SHOPPING • LIVE MUSIC • SEMINARS & DEMONSTRATIONS • DELICIOUS FOOD COLUMBUS, OH SEPTEMBER 18, 19, 20 Ohio Village ATLANTA, GA OCTOBER 23, 24, 25 Stone Mountain Park Appearances by: • The Fabulous Beekman Boys Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell • Cari Cucksey of HGTV’s Cash & Cari • Joanne Palmisano, Contributing Designer for DIY Network • Country Living Editors, Special Guests, and More! Appearances subject to change. Visit countryliving.com/fair for appearance details. One Day $16/$13 in advance Weekend Pass $20/$15 in advance Early Bird Weekend Pass $40 For tickets and more information, contact Stella Show Management Co. 1.866.500.FAIR | stellashows.com countryliving.com/fair #clfair SAVE MONEY, SKIP LINES! Buy your tickets in advance! (available up to 3 days…

HERB APPEAL Prolong the life of fresh herbs by stashing them in this container before putting them in the fridge. CB2 Glass Herb Keeper, $19.95; cb2.com PURE SWEETNESS These cool treats feature good-for-you juice blends like kale, banana and pineapple. Eat Pops, $6.99 for 3; eat-pops.com HARVEST TIME This organizer sports pockets for garden tools— and doubles as a perch. Uncommon Goods Gardener’s Tool Seat, $30; uncommongoods.com SIMPLY CREAMY Yogurt is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Toss ingredients into this machine and you’re set! Williams-Sonoma Automatic Yogurt Maker, $49.95; williams-sonoma.com A MESSAGE FROM CHEVROLET EQUINOX Compact SUV buyers not wanting to sacrifice the space and comfort of larger SUVs will love EQUINOX. (Which Car and Driver said combines “flexible seating and exceptional cargo space, wrapped in a…

LESSON NO. 1 Be a good member of the herd. Shortly after our sweet cow Rosalie (who has since gone to pasture) gave birth, I noticed the other mama cows began to gather around her. While she regained her strength and her new calf struggled to rise and take its first steps, the cows stood guard, protecting Rosalie and her new calf while they were at their most vulnerable. Last fall, my husband had a terrible accident resulting in a head injury, which he has thankfully since recovered from. As I worried for him and tried to gather courage for my family, my friends rallied around me— they brought food, cared for my daughter, and held my hand until I was stronger. I accepted the help and will offer the…

After leaving Seattle in search of a “slower, more intentional” lifestyle, Erin Benzakein found more than just a home in Washington’s Skagit Valley; she found a calling. Shortly after her greatgrandmother passed away, Erin planted a double row of sweet peas in her vegetable garden as a tribute to her flower-loving relative. They grew in such abundance that Erin started sharing bundles with anyone who would take them. From that first humble crop nearly eight years ago, a flower business was born. Now that Floret Flower Farm is in full bloom (in addition to a packed calendar of weddings and events, Floret flowers are carried at local Whole Foods stores), Erin has turned her attention to sharing her homegrown wisdom with budding flower enthusiasts. Several times a year, the Floret…

SHRIMP CHOWDER WITH HERB DROP BISCUITS Why casseroles matter A new baby. A new neighbor. A time of loss. A holiday. Any day, really. There’s no occasion a casserole won’t serve. That’s partly a matter of convenience—a 9- by 13-inch dish travels better than a bouillabaisse or chicken fricassee. But it’s also because a casserole provides more than just a meal. Yes, a casserole tastes delicious by definition. Topping off your favorite foods, in any combination, with a heaping helping of fried onions or buttery crackers or drop biscuits makes sure of that. And yes, a casserole feeds a crowd without much fuss. When you think of the times you’ve given or received one, though, it’s likely not the taste you remember. It’s the occasion that was marked, the milestone…

Erin Henley Kunce from Hendersonville, TN, named her family’s homemade chicken coop “The Hen-Lay Chicken Chapel,” a plucky nod to her maiden name. Stefanie Schiada of Brooklyn, NY, perked up her kitchen with this three-tiered storage unit made from vintage coffee tins. Brooke Christen of Fairfield, CT, updated her great-grandmother’s old piano with a fresh coat of chalk paint (Paris Grey by Annie Sloan). Using wood from an old cedar fence, Lauren Crouch of Senoia, GA, put up this wall paneling—and a reclaimed sliding barn door—in her son’s bedroom. Reader Pet of the Month Meet Maddy (age 6) and her Shetland pony Penny (age 20) from Pawling, New York. Penny spends her days munching on carrots and taking budding equestrians on rides around the farm. SHOW US YOUR PETS! Send photos…

ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, AND OTHER ONE-OF-A-KIND FINDS 1. CORK-TOP JAR This unmarked, mid-1800s model featured cork, which did little to preserve its contents. The unique topper makes it of note today. VALUE: $150 2. UPSIDE-DOWN JAR BY BALL Issued only from 1900 to 1910, this jar could double as a dispenser for a coffee grinder. The short production window gives it considerable cache. VALUE: $1,000 3. E-Z SEAL BY ATLAS The amber hue is more than just decorative. When it was produced in 1910, there was a misconception that the dark shade prevented spoilage. VALUE: $60 4. BEAVER JAR The lid of this 1880s jar (made in Canada) has a metal band with a glass top—the result of the government deeming it unsanitary for metal to directly touch canned foods. VALUE:…

THE TIME-TESTED TOOL KIT After untold hours in the field with Country Living stylists, these handy items have earned our stamp of approval. 1. VINTAGE BOOKS The prop of choice for instant character. booksbythefoot.com 2. SMALL STEAMER A powerful and portable wrinklereducer. $18; hsn.com 3. FLAT EXTENSION CORD Keeps unsightly bumps at bay. $40; amazon.com 4. GARDENING GLOVES Like a magnet for pet hair. 5. PAINTER’S TAPE Use it to cheat a fabric hem or mark where furniture goes. 6. HINGED RULER More versatile than its not-so-bendy counterparts. 7. METALLIC SPRAY PAINT Krylon is the gold standard for a glossy, gilded finish. $5; lowes.com 8. SEEDED EUCALYPTUS It’s fragrant, hardy, and available at grocery stores. 9. TOOTHPASTE Dab it on a picture frame hook and place the frame against the…

WHEN SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, RESIDENT Alyson Jones came across a snug 1,600-squarefoot Spanish colonial, it struck her as the perfect spot for her and her husband, Michael, to raise their two boys. With its 1920s architecture—original floors, casement windows, cove ceilings—intact, the house had the character Alyson (who was raised in a historic New England farmhouse) had been craving. But beyond those charming details, it was a blank slate begging for personality. Seeking to create a bright, happy home for her family, Alyson turned to childhood friend Frances Merrill of Reath Design. “I’ve loved Frances’s style since our teenage days, and I trusted her to push me toward design choices, especially colors, I wouldn’t be brave enough to make on my own,” Alyson says. Here’s how Frances warmed her up…

THE CHECK LIST PAGE 22 Antique chest; triciastreasures .us. Painted floors by Katie Hesse of Bella Pittura Interiors; facebook.com/bellapitturainteriors. Vintage wooden stool; huntandfound.etsy.com. WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT WORTH? PAGE 34 Football programs; collectableivy.com. PAGE 37 Coffee mill; chanteduc.etsy.com. PAGE 38 Book; levieuxsalon.etsy.com. PAGE 39 Locket; curtparker.etsy.com. Perfumatic; mshavershamsattic.etsy.com. PAGE 40 Silver server; sterlingisland.rubylane.com. Needlepoint sashes; susiechoice rubylane.com. THE 2015 COUNTRY LIVING DECORATING ALMANAC PAGE 62 Ava dhurrie rug, from $325; serenaandlily.com. Drifting Stripe table runner, $48; coyuchi.com. Piedmont 4 pendant light in navy, $249; ballard designs.com. Rush dining chairs; lolo frenchantiques.com. Flower arrangement; hothousedesignstudio.com. Upholstered chair; glass-upholstery.com. Manor House reclaimed elm trestle table, $2,190; stock andtrade.com. PAGE 64 Ribba frames in various sizes; ikea.com. Buffalo check pillow, $16; pillomatic.etsy.com. Sofa; gabbyhome.com for pricing. Tropics sisal rug; surya.com for pricing. Barley Twist coffee table, $1,199; wisteria.com. Various artwork; artfullywalls.com. Necked pot form lamp, $496; circalighting.com. Carolina Irving Chios table skirt fabric and…