Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2015 i Country Living

220 SQUARE FEET. That was the size of my first “adult” apartment— that is, if an apartment can be deemed “adult” when it’s equipped with a mini fridge and a bunk bed. I was living in New York City, and I shared this tiny postage stamp of a pad with a roommate. (Hi, Emma! I hope you’re well!) You could say I’ve upgraded. These days I live in a more spacious threebedroom home in Birmingham, Alabama, but sometimes I miss those days of living small—we’re talkin’ out-of-a-suitcase small—particularly when the new year rolls around and the “get organized” version of me is reminded that I’m surrounded by too much stuff. Speaking of, is there some law of physics that says humans will fill whatever space they occupy to capacity? The…

ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, AND OTHER ONE-OF-A-KIND FINDS Make no mistake: The appeal of dollhouses extends far beyond mere child’s play. In fact, they first emerged in the 16th century as objects for adults to display diminutive furniture. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, they provided a hobby for wealthy housewives, who used the homes as a creative outlet, decorating each abode one small room at a time. Only in the 18th century, with the advent of industrialization and, in turn, mass-produced toys, did dollhouses become the domain of children. Here, we’ve gathered some of the most charming examples produced by noted 20th-century makers, from store-bought varieties made for kids’ amusement to one-of-a-kind commissions for serious collectors. Turn the page to find your (miniature!) dream home. The items in this story can…

GILFORD, NH $189,000 Vacation home alert! At 963 square feet, this fully renovated 1920 Cape Cod-style home is just off the shore of picturesque Lake Winnipesaukee. Agent: Nancy Clark; rocherealty.com MOBILE, AL $117,500 Butcher-block countertops, a circa 1930 phone nook, plus front and back porches add sizeable charm to this 858-square-foot Southern cottage. Agent: Vicky Rye; bellatoral.com LITTLE ROCK, AR $89,000 High ceilings help this pint-size 740-square-foot Victorian feel airy and spacious. Grill masters, take note: A landscaped backyard doubles the living space come summer. Agent: John Selva; pulaskiheightsrealty.com OLD SAYBROOK, CT $349,900 Located in a storybook, seaside town, this quaint, 875-square-foot gem is a short walk from a host of darling antiques shops. Agent: Bill Sage; billsage.net WEBSTER GROVES, MO $146,000 A large living room (complete with wood-burning brick…

Q My male parakeet, Larry, recently died. I know that this bird species mates for life. Is it a good idea to get a new companion for his “widow,” Lucy? –M.P., ROCKFORD, IL A Parakeets are faithful creatures, and when one loses its mate, whether in the wild or captivity, it tends to grieve. (You may have noticed Lucy calling for Larry or refusing to eat.) Because they are social birds, it’s a good idea to introduce a new mate. Start by placing the birds in separate cages on opposite sides of a room so they can begin to communicate. In a few weeks, move the cages side by side. Only after they seem comfortable with that proximity should they share a cage. As with many newlyweds, cohabitation may…

“I GREW UP IN THE STICKS, so some of my best childhood memories involve the outdoors—collecting tadpole eggs in ice-cream buckets and watching calves being born,” says Amanda Robinson, author of the popular blog naturalmommie.com. So after trying out city life, she, her husband, Jason, and their two children (Aidan, 7, and Ethan, 5) craved more space—outdoor space. “We wanted a big garden, fresh air, and enormous trees ready for fort-building,” she says. However, to afford the sort of acreage they were looking for, the family had to move into a run-down 1940s farmhouse that was—get this—1,100 square feet smaller than their city house. “It was a bit daunting, but there’s a peace here in the country that is well worth the sacrifice of, say, a hall closet.” That tranquillity…

Pancetta-and-Brussels Sprouts Linguini MAKES 4 servings WORKING TIME 25 minutes TOTAL TIME 25 minutes For even more protein, top each serving with a fried egg. 1/2 pound linguini Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 6 ounces unsliced pancetta or 6 slices thick cut bacon, diced 1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced 1 pound Brussels sprouts, sliced 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped 1/3 cup dry white wine 3 ounces Parmesan, grated (about 3/4 cup), plus more, shaved, for serving 1. Cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions; reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain. 2. While pasta is cooking: Sauté pancetta and onion in a large deep skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until pancetta is browned and onions are caramelized, 8 to 10 minutes. Add Brussels…

In this charmingly retro book, authors Josephine Camille and Gail Johnson share their secret to casual entertaining at home: a cocktail buffet filled with finger food. “Anything that can’t be handled with a thumb and a maximum of two fingers is out!” they declare. In addition to dishing out party-hosting advice, from how to get guests to mingle (hide your chairs!) to how to “cure tomorrow’s hangover tonight” (serve vegetables and skip the sweet drinks), the authors offer 70 appetizer-on-a-stick recipes, like these Asian-inspired shrimp skewers. This cookbook serves up ideas for “how to feed 4 or 40 without fuss, forks, or fallout.” Broiled Shrimp Vermouth MAKES 12 appetizer servings WORKING TIME 10 minutes TOTAL TIME 30 minutes 12 (12-inch) wooden skewers 1/2 cup dry vermouth 1/4 cup soy sauce…

Feedback “I was delighted to see the array of wonderful old pie pans in your November issue [“Vintage Bakeware,” page 21]. I’ve collected them for decades and own hundreds, so it was a pleasure to see that they’ve now become a popular collector’s item. Many thanks for your beautiful magazine.” —Lynn Turner, Rockledge, FL “I have never written to any magazine (although Country Living is my favorite!), but I have to say, the November issue has to be the best ever! I read it cover to cover. From the collecting feature to the roundup of new candlesticks and Thanksgiving recipes, I enjoyed every story. Thank you, and keep it up.” —Susan Saner, Elk Grove, CA MEET A READER! “My 8-month-old daughter, Eleanor Grace, decided she’d like to take a peek…

“I LOVE JUNK!” That was the message spelled out on the most romantic beaded clutch, a souvenir of Paris given to me years ago by some really sentimental friends. And because this is the season of valentines, I hereby declare my love for things that, like that little purse, conjure up romance. While I have certainly been known to brake for black-and-white wedding portraits, old love letters (the more tattered, the better!), and charming grade-school Valentines featuring smiling cartoon versions of everything from cowboys to cupids and handmade, handwritten messages (“I love pumpkin, I love squash, I love you, I do by gosh!”) to heart-shaped pin cushions, I believe the most romantic collectible of all is the wedding cake topper. I am always on the prowl for these vintage keepsakes…

INSPIRING IDEAS FOR IN AND AROUND THE HOUSE SHOP THIS ROOM HEADBOARD This rustic find is made from reclaimed shipping pallets. $300 for a 70" tall by 65" wide headboard (fits a full or queen); dixon anddad.etsy.com SCONCES Headboardmounted barn lighting reinforces the country vibe. $25 each; lowes.com (Note: We spraypainted the bronze fixtures white!) BEDDING A mohair throw and patterned pillows soften up the room. Cape Town Plaid Throw, $260; peacockalley.com; Dillon Patterned Accent Pillows, $80 each; pehrdesigns.com for stores.…

One year ago, Portland, Oregon-based hair stylist Michelle Spiess and her husband, Tyson, an insurance agent who dabbled in home renovation on the side, found themselves at a crossroads. They had a hankering for a big travel adventure—the kind they’d taken routinely before they got married and bought a house—but felt tied down by their jobs and mortgage. They’d also been hearing about the tiny house movement (Portland is pretty much ground zero, after all) and wondered if designing their own would help them accomplish two goals at once: free up time and money for travel and pave the way for a new business. “We’d noticed an increasing number of people interested in downsizing,” says Michelle. “It turns out the ‘bigger-isbetter’ mentality is not right for everyone.” So the couple…

1 Put your pantry on display. No space for a pantry? No problem! Just outfit a utilitarian shelving system with breathable baskets that can corral everything from various types of produce to bulky bags of dry goods like flour and sugar. For even more versatility, try a wire basket storage cart equipped with casters, which make it possible to roll it out of sight when not in use. Hopper Storage Tower Home Decorators Collection, $279; home decorators.com 2 THINK UP, NOT OUT. For a book-loving client bound by tight quarters, Washington, D.C.-based designer Lauren Liess doubled her storage space by adding a bank of extra-tall shelves that slides open to reveal a bathroom door. 3 UTILIZE THE AREA UNDER A STAIRWAY. This overlooked part of the house has tons of…

Founded by self-taught bakers Cheryl and Griffith “Griff” Day, Back in the Day Bakery is a Savannah, Georgia, institution that’s beloved for its homespun charm (it’s in a pastel-painted former dairy!) and homemade, Southerninspired comfort food (like pimento cheese sandwiches on artisan bread, red velvet cupcakes, and banana pudding). “There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of bringing smiles to the faces of those enjoying your delicious creations,” says Cheryl. “Baking from scratch gives us an incredible feeling of pride in our craft.” In their second cookbook, Back in the Day Bakery Made With Love, Cheryl and Griff share more than 100 customer favorites. Here’s a sugarcoated sampling of the recipes that will have you running for your rolling pin. Pick up your copy of Back in the Day Bakery…

COVER Trophies, $48-$148; shopterrain.com. Assorted cream books, from $8; books bythefoot.com. Seagrass boxes, $10-$18; jaysonhome.com. WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT WORTH? page 33 Chocolate box, $105; crolandco.etsy.com. COUNTRY LIVING SMALL OF FAME pages 46-47 (Top to bottom / left to right) Row 1: Broadhurst Architects / Anice Hoachlander; Tumbleweed Tiny House Company; Nicole Wolf; Creative Cottages / Trent Bell; Broadhurst Architects / Anice Hoachlander; Jeff Harris; Tumbleweed Tiny House Company; Bob Coscarelli. Row 2: Boneyard Studios / Jay Austin; Jeff Harris; Katrina Cottages / Josh Gibson; Unique Home Stays; Clothesline Tiny Homes; Timothy Valentine; Caravan—The Tiny House H o t e l / Jeffrey Freeman; Katrina Cottages / Ben Brown. Row 3: Brett Snyder; Broadhurst Architects / Anice Hoachlander; The Shepherds Hut Retreat; Yolo Country Cabin / David Duncan Livingston;…

NO 1 SWEETEN UP VALENTINE’S DAY Upgrade plain old milk and cookies with this on-target idea from blogger Shelly Jaronsky of cookiesandcups.com. Using a small fondant cutter or paring knife, create a hole in a heartshaped cookie (storebought is fine). Place the cookie on top of a milk glass, then insert a paper straw “arrow” embellished with construction paper fringe. MORE IDEAS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY Because you can do better than a last-minute trip to the drugstore. A. HEART COLLAGE Preserve your best moments with this 30-photo, foilpressed artwork. $65 for framed 8" x 8"; minted.com B. CUSTOM CHOCOLATES Spell out a sweet message of your choosing. From $26.50; chocolate says.etsy.com C. CASSETTE USB Bring back the mixtape with your favorite (digital) songs. $15; milktape.com D. BISCUITS & GRAVY PRINT…

“My boyfriend gave me this working typewriter—complete with a carrying case, manual, and love note— on our first Valentine’s Day. Does it have any monetary value?” —L.W., BLUE RIDGE, GA WHAT IT IS: ROYAL PORTABLE TYPEWRITER The Brooklyn-based Royal Typewriter Company introduced their portable version in 1926; the serial number on this Quiet De Luxe model dates it precisely to 1957. While other companies made portables—Remington, Underwood, Smith Corona to name just a few—none could compete with this one. Designed to minimize the clacketyclack of the keys, it was the top of the line at the time, says antiques expert Helaine Fendelman. But the real pageturner is its color. Common black models don’t go for much, while bubblegum pink is a rare find. Because many examples still exist, scratches and…

WALL MIRROR This stately arched piece has big impact in a small space. Cathedral Wall Mirror (28" x 38"), $179; wayfair.com LIGHTING Radiate rustic charm with a reclaimed wood sconce. Regina Andrew Sconce, $122.50; shopcandelabra.com PAINT Go bold, not bashful, on walls and trim with this grassy hue in a semigloss finish. Guilford Green, benjaminmoore.com for stores VANITY With a granite counter, turned feet, and louvered doors, this painted piece is as pretty as it is practical. Hamilton Shutter Vanity, $599; homedecoratorscollection.com LOTION This Californiamade hand-andbody lotion boasts baa-tastic packaging. Black Sheep Lotion, $14/8 ounces; theblacksheepsoapco.etsy.com WALLPAPER Have a chair rail? Cover walls above it with this paper. York Tree Silhouette Wallcovering, $80/60 square feet; homedepot.com PAPER HOLDER This free– standing iron number evokes a shepherd’s hook. Moen Sienna Paper Holder, $26; amazon.com HAND…

BIG IDEA! A thrift store ledge painted to match the home’s cheery blue trim stands in for a window box below this 13-inchwide window. Nearly every surface in Fifi O’Neill’s Sarasota, Florida, home displays some sort of collection: weathered accessories, antique linens, white pottery, vintage enamelware, more pottery— you get the picture. And yet, at only 1,375 square feet, the two-bedroom, two-bath cottage feels cheerful and open, not cluttered or overcrowded. Her secret? Putting her favorite finds to work, not just up on a shelf to be admired. “The beautiful things in this house are meant to be touched—and meant to touch you,” she says. Here’s how Fifi filled her home with the things she loves while also eking out ample efficiency. BIG IDEA! Slots carved into the farm table…

PRIZE PICKS AND SHOWSTOPPING RECIPES FOR THE HEART OF YOUR HOME EIGHT WAYS TO COOK UP A COZY KITCHEN Instead of going for streamlined and all white, homeowner Dave Weich embraced his kitchen’s compact size with in-plain-sight storage, salvaged finds, and plenty of wood. 1 BUTCHER-BLOCK COUNTERTOPS Dave preps food right on the 3-inch-thick European beech wood (reclaimed from a cargo ship), thereby eliminating the need for cutting boards. 2 RECLAIMED DRAWERS Made out of antique leaded glass cabinet doors, they put their contents on display, cutting down on time spent digging through them. 3 VINTAGE WIRE BASKETS Set atop a custom-built wooden shelf and iron frame structure, they store linens and pantry items in an organized, at-a-glance fashion. 4 DOUBLE-BASIN SINK Dave skipped a dishwasher and opted for this…

Slow-Cooker Meatballs MAKES 12 servings (36 meatballs) WORKING TIME 30 minutes TOTAL TIME 9 hours, 30 minutes 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs 2 ounces Parmesan, grated (about 1/2 cup) 1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 1/3 cup milk 1 large egg 7 large garlic cloves, finely chopped, divided 2 pounds 85% ground beef 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed Canola oil, for baking sheet 1 medium sweet onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes 1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce 2 teaspoons sugar 1 small bunch fresh basil, finely chopped 1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine panko, Parmesan, parsley, milk, egg, and 3 garlic cloves in a bowl; let stand 10…