Country Living October 2020

A A Welcome from the Editor There are as many reasons to love October as there are crunchy leaves under my red-laced duck boots, but one of my favorites is the amount of inventiveness on display everywhere you look. From clever costumes (pg. 30) and decked-out doorways (pg. 24) to “spiderweb” spiced buns (pg. 78), October is peak season for creativity, and you’ll find gobs (and goblins) of it in this issue. You’ll also encounter spirits of the kindred sort, including homeowners Rebecca O’Donnell and Christopher Griffith, who transformed an Upstate New York dairy barn into a dream property overlooking the Catskills (pg. 52), and Heather Wells, whose sundappled New Hampshire lake house is basically autumn in architectural form (pg. 68). Finally, I’m thrilled to say our monthly cross-stitches—the handiwork…

HUE FINDER Look to the season’s color trifecta for a warm palette. FIELD NOTES How to Preserve Leaves To make the season’s foliage last a little longer, combine one part glycerin to two parts water in a shallow vessel such as a baking dish. Add leaves (yellow leaves hold their color best), making sure they are completely covered. Weight the leaves with a plate to keep them submerged. Let stand for two to six days. They’re ready when they look waxy. Remove from the solution, and pat dry. The leaves will be flexible and are perfect for use in wreaths or on your table.…

Bubbling Cauldron Add dry ice (available at grocery stores) and a little water to a footed cast-iron Dutch oven ($37; amazon.com), and watch the creepy fog roll across the buffet. SPIDER “BITES” & LIQUID WEB COCKTAILS Wash down cookie bites (made with Oreo cookies! Recipe, page 87) with a creepy, creamy cocktail. Combine 3 oz. each chocolate liqueur and coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa), 2 oz. milk, a large dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream, and ice in a cocktail shaker; shake until chilled. Strain into cocktail glasses. Garnish with pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg and small plastic spiders. Makes 2 servings. WINE BOTTLE CANDLESTICKS An eerie flicker is a must at any Halloween gathering. Paint wine bottles with matte-black spray paint. Once dry, insert an orange taper candle in…

PRESENTED BY “Casual and comfortable rule in this room that invites you to kick back and relax. It’s a space where family can congregate for weekend game night and friends can gather for a laid-back evening of cocktails and conversation. We went with an edited, clean palette that was inspired by nature and kept the furniture and decor simple but classic, allowing for layers of personal art and collected finds.” “When designing a living space, I try to keep things functional, but most importantly, fun! We balanced mid-century-modern-inspired shapes with layers of texture and bright colors to feel inviting but not overcluttered. Stylish storage solutions keep things organized and family-friendly, while graphic prints and patterns add loads of personality.” GET THE LOOK LOUNGE AWEIGH SHIP SHAPE “The shapely silhouette and…

FIELD NOTES A Short History of Faux Bois This centuries-old French term (pronounced “foh-bwah”) translates to “false wood.” Today, the phrase relates to techniques aiming to emulate the look of real wood, most seen in wall treatments and furniture. The former began in the 1800s, when homeowners wanted the look of exotic wood species but the building materials were cost prohibitive. The solution? Fake it with paint, a process that became known as graining. The furniture interpretation—think tables, benches, and chairs with curved and gnarly forms—got its start with early-1900-era garden designers in France, who used the rocaille technique to transform concrete into convincing works of art.…

Get the Wood-Grain Look Buy It Like trees themselves, there are many different grain patterns to emulate. This bold wallpaper mimics tree rings. DIY It A rubber empaistic wood-graining paint roller or handled tool helps achieve a custom look on walls and more. The Versatile Appeal of Faux Bois A timeless designer rule of thumb: If it works in nature, it’ll work in your home. This not only applies to color combos, but also to the highly adaptable organic motif known as faux bois. Tip: Larger-than-life motifs and unexpected colorways add modern edge. FUN FLOORING The late designer William Diamond took a playful approach with hand-painted floors in this exaggerated design. WHIMSICAL WALLCOVERING Every country house needs a log pile on hand, and you won’t have to swing an axe…