Country Living September 2017

The beauty of country style, as you likely well know, is that it’s inherently more timeless than other design aesthetics. “Contemporary” or “modern” style is about being now and of-the-moment, but moments, by definition, only last so long. Still, even as I comb through old issues of Country Living (one of my favorite pastimes, by the way!), it’s clear that certain country elements have staying power (gingham fabric, slipcovered sofas, Windsor chairs) while others (ahem, ruffles on everything) do not. That’s what inspired “The No-Regrets Guide to Decorating” (page 82). We consulted with design historians, archivists at iconic American companies, and esteemed designers to find out what elements seem to stand the test of time (we’re talking thousands of years). I know I was happy to learn that I’m not…

MIRROR Use mirror hanger clips (lowes.com) to secure a plain rectangular mirror to a slightly larger board, leaving a few extra inches at the bottom. Screw wire coat hooks (we used vintage ones) into the lower edge to add storage. CLOCK Drill a hole in the center of a round cutting board and insert clock hardware (High Torque Clock Movement, from $8; clockworks.com). Attach metal number tags ($10 each; aupetitmarket.etsy .com) with black steel tacks. SPICE RACK Use screws to attach small wooden cheese boxes (search for vintage ones on etsy.com) to a rectangular board. Add a leather strap for hanging. CHECKERS Tape off a 64-square pattern with painter’s tape (you’ll need at least a 16" x 16" board to accommodate standard checkers), then paint on squares with acrylic paint.…

FAIR SHARE In Cabin 82, the hotel cafe, reclaimed barnwood, patchwork quilt upholstery, and floral arrangements in vintage canisters echo the down-home offerings on the menu. (The name is a nod to Mississippi’s famed Neshoba County Fair and its 600 colorful cabins.) MAD ABOUT PLAID The rooms come dressed in their gameday finest: Ole Miss’s signature red and blue. Paintings by Oxford resident Charlie Buckley (buckleystudio.com) add more local color. Checking In Oxford, Mississippi, may claim William Faulkner as one of its most famous residents, but it’s the sound (screaming fans) and occasional fury (an interception?!) across the University of Mississippi campus on gameday—specifically, on the 10 oak-shaded acres of The Grove—that the spot is best known for. In this preppie pocket of the Hospitality State, where tailgating calls for…

So what inspired you to create an e-design service? I’d been a designer in a very high-end practice and then went out on my own, and I felt like there had to be a better way to reach more customers in a way that was affordable to them. Laurel & Wolf—named for the Laurel Canyon and Victorian design icon Elsie de Wolfe—was my solution. (For more information about how the service works, see right.) Fill in the blank: The key to good design is ________ . Whatever makes it feel like home to you. For me, that means having a living room without a television to have an escape from technology. Instead, there’s a mirror over our fireplace. Quatrefoil Mirror (1), $200; lampsplus.com What has been your biggest personal design…

It’s a match made in design heaven! We’re thrilled to team up with the popular e-design service to help Country Living readers dream up rooms with the help of a trusted designer. Basically, if you’ve ever wished Country Living editors would come a-knocking at your door, this is the next best thing. Here’s how it works: SIGN UP Go to laurelandwolf.com/ countryliving and enter your e-mail to get started. Choose a design package for either $149 to work with one designer or $249 to get concept boards from three. SHARE YOUR STYLE Answer a few questions about your personal style, budget, and the room you want redesigned, adding photos and dimensions. Select your favorite Country Living pictures and other inspirational shots to add to your design profile. GET MATCHED WITH…

For resources see p. 110 CANVAS TOTE This leather-handled, expandable bag makes heavy lifting a breeze. $160; mclovebuddy.com 2 Hand Towels Add some fringe benefits to the guest bathroom. $38 each; theloveliest company.com 3 LEATHER HATBOX Because it’s time we put a little glamour back in travel. (It also works as a well-rounded weekender.) $280; steamlineluggage.com 4 Streamlined Sofa Cover your couch with upholstery (above), or try it on for size with a low-commitment slipcover. $70 (fits 74" to 96" sofa); surefit.net 5-7 THROW PILLOWS Take your pick: Versatile stripes tend to play well with both solids and patterns. 9 Braided Rug Three colors of the iconic fabric lend a new twist to a banded rug. $250 for 4' by 6'; colonialmills.com 8 DIAMOND QUILT Matelassé weaving adds a little…