Innholdsfortegnelse for October/November 2024 i Country Living

I could live here. It’s a thought that crosses my mind every time I stumble on a new place that tugs at my heartstrings, and, last fall, it hit hard. I was fortunate enough to visit the Irish countryside, which should tell you all you need to know. More specifically, I was staying at Adare Manor, a gem of a property in County Limerick, where you can wander meticulously maintained gardens and frolic with hunting dogs (like Drake and Shadow, above) before settling in for an Irish whiskey in the warmly lit Tack Room. (Golf lovers, take note: The hotel will host the Ryder Cup in 2027.) It’s probably true that anyone could get used to manor life: the constant crackling fire! The long, leisurely teas! The Dubarry muck boots…

It used to be that heirloomworthy tableware was only to be admired from afar, tucked away neatly in a hutch. The hutch, by association, took on a tone of do-not-touchness—accessed only on special occasions. Fortunately, the dictums around dishware have lately loosened—the notion of “using the good china” has become synonymous with seizing the day, after all—but the hutch and its close cousin, the china cabinet, have for the most part maintained an air of aloofness. Until now. With newfound interest around eclectic interiors, homeowners are taking their cues from the curiosity cabinets of yore (all the way back to the Italian Renaissance), with a case-goods-as-conversation-pieces mindset. By peppering in acquired items alongside (or in lieu of) fine china—think quirky trinkets and sentimental mementos that reflect personal passions and antiquing…

William Kinnane has a bone to pick with Thomas Wolfe. Unlike the noted author, William very much believes that you can, in fact, go home again, because he’s done just that. After years of living in Atlanta—and dealing with one too many restrictions that come with a big-city homeowners’ association—when the opportunity arose, he and partner John Petersen, and their now 15-year-old daughter, Riley, picked up and moved back to the very home he grew up in on 10 acres in Warren, Maine. First up, they carved out space in an old chicken coop on the property for their business, Gunner & Lux (gunnerandlux.com), a daughter-and-dad jewelry brand that Riley and John started when she was only 5, and then they got down to business updating the 2,500-square-foot main house.…

I magine curling up by the fireplace with a soft blanket, surrounded by the warm, inviting tones of autumn. With Sherwin-Williams, you can create this cozy atmosphere right in your own home. From the earthy richness of Evergreen Fog to the gentle warmth of Shoji White, embrace the season with colors that not only reflect the beauty of the fall but also create a space where you and your loved ones can gather and make memories. Quiet Splendor Shoji White’s soft neutrality creates a welcoming, airy atmosphere that beautifully contrasts with autumn’s deeper hues. Order Peel & Stick samples to see how this shade adapts to the changing light throughout the day, with no mess and no dry time. Natural Elegance As autumn unfolds, Evergreen Fog captures the season’s serene beauty with…

Off the Hook In the Great Lakes region, spearfishing has long been a beloved pastime come colder weather. To lure in larger sturgeon and pike, which can grow to six feet, wooden fish decoys are lowered through a hole in the ice. These hand-crafted pieces have become works of art in their own right, and, today, the values of midcentury decoys cast a wide net. Unsigned, minimally adorned examples can be picked up for $50. Marked decoys crafted by known artisans, such as Michigan’s Ervin Veihl (at top), can climb well over $300. Creel Talk With a concave side that rests on a fisherman’s back and an angled, slotted lid to insert his catches, creels have been documented as far back as the Middle Ages but fell out of everyday…

FIELD NOTES Pick a Perfect Sugar Pumpkin Sugar pumpkins—aka “pie pumpkins”—are bred for flavor. (Carving pumpkins, by contrast, are stringy, tough, and have hard flesh.) Choose small, bright orange pumpkins that are dull, not glossy, and free of green spots and blemishes. They should also feel heavy for their size. Store at room temperature for up to three weeks. From the Farm to Your Table Here, five ways to embrace peak sugar pumpkin season. Recipes, pg. 96…

Michael Billingsley was just seven years old when he watched the miniseries Lonesome Dove, but it made a lasting impression. “I wanted to be a cowboy and move to Montana,” he recalls. “Its remoteness intrigued me.” In 2005, he set out from San Antonio to Big Sky Country, working a hodgepodge of jobs that eventually included a stint at a peach orchard. “I fell in love with the relationship you develop with the trees as you care for them year after year,” he says. As Michael continued to apprentice with Bitterroot Valley growers, he also tasted his first hard cider—and set out once more to create his own. Three years later, Michael and his wife, Arielle, planted the first saplings for Billingsley Cider Orchard, which is now home to roughly…

Fold house lovers, it’s often the details others consider drawbacks that tug at the heartstrings the most. Such was the case with Justin Reis and Mark Schwindenhammer when their real estate agent took them to see a foreclosure in the rural town of Hampton, Connecticut. Faded and peeling frescoes from the 194os covered the dining room walls. “The Realtor said, ‘Don’t worry, you can patch these up and paint over them,’ ” Justin recalls. “I was like, ‘Are you insane?’ These, to me, are the most special part of the house.” Justin and Mark also embraced the Georgian Colonial’s uneven floorboards and wavy windowpanes. At the time, the two were just looking for a weekend retreat from New York City, but after decamping in the house for a few months…

Set the Scene From pumpkins to planters, here’s how to re-create this richly hued porch. Bittersweet Wreath: Start with a standard grapevine wreath (“Richland”; amazon.com) and tuck in dried bittersweet sprigs. Hang using a plaid scarf. (For detailed instructions, go to countryliving.com/wreath.) Bold Branches: Tuck a vibrant gathering into the neck of a narrow-mouthed vessel, such as an antique French milk can, so that the branches remain full and upright. (You may have to snip some leaves off the bottom of the branches.) Plaid Pumpkins: Use a pencil to sketch out your desired plaid patterns on pumpkins, then alternately etch and paint as shown. Tip: Acrylic paint works best. (For detailed instructions, go to countryliving.com/plaid.) Bucket Blooms: Used to harvest and wash olives, slitted olive buckets make for rustic planters,…

Set the Scene This inviting entry can hang tight ’til Thanksgiving. Asymmetrical Leaf Garland: Hang a grapevine garland roughly two-thirds around your door, as shown. Use floral wire and picks to attach leafy branches and dried hydrangeas (see how-to below). Tip: You can also use a faux leaf garland as the base (see bottom). Leaf Pumpkins: Coat the back sides of colorful leaves with adhesive spray. Immediately attach the leaves to your pumpkin, being sure not to push down all the points so they have a more organic look. Dried Hydrangea Demijohns and Cone Bouquet: To preserve your hydrangeas, wait to cut the blooms until they have started to dry on the plant. (The petals will lose their luster and start to get papery.) Cut the stems, at an angle,…

Radicchio Pumpkin Salad with Tahini Dressing WORKING TIME 25 minutes TOTAL TIME 1 hour 15 minutes MAKES 6 servings ½ cup hazelnuts1 (2-pound) sugar pumpkin, seeded and cut into1 ½-inch cubes2 tablespoons, plus ½ cup olive oil, dividedKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus ½ cup lemon juice1 tablespoon pure honey1 tablespoon tahini1 clove garlic, chopped1 large head radicchio, trimmed and torn into bite-size pieces1 small beet, peeled and thinly sliced1 ½ ounces Feta, crumbled (about ½cup) 1. Preheat oven to 375°. Place hazelnuts on a small rimmed baking sheet and roast just until fragrant and lightly browned, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a large clean dish towel and rub until skins release; discard skins. Cool completely. 2. Toss together pumpkin and 2 tablespoons oil on a small…

1 Perusing the pumpkins at the local farmstand (There’s always room for one more, right?) 2 Prettying up the pantry in anticipation of baking season (First up, Sweet Potato-Praline Pie; see pg. 44.) 3 The joy that only a heaping leaf pile and a cluster of close-aged cousins can bring 4 Bundling up in a barn coat and exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations (Don’t miss our insider’s guide to The Berkshires; pg. 50.) 5 How the constant crackle of a fire provides the soothing soundtrack of the season 6 Tucking in under a cozy wool blanket to watch your favorite fall movie (Practical Magic, perhaps?) 7 Showcasing lush blooms and vibrant branches in your favorite weathered antique vase 8 The ritual of setting the table and the overwhelming gratitude you feel for every guest Follow us on Instagram @countrylivingmag for…

OBJECT LESSON: Handcrafted Log Cabin Models WHAT TO KNOW: Log cabins in the United States date back as far as 1680, when the concept was brought here by Scandinavian immigrants. Appraiser Marsha Dixey of Heritage Auctions tells us handmade miniature log cabin models have been created and used for display since 1840, when then-presidential candidate William Henry Harrison used the log cabin in his campaign to identify him as a commoner against wealthy elitist Martin Van Buren. “Handmade folk art cabins started to appear and have continued to surface since then,” says Marsha. “In 1916, the idea of miniature buildings sparked the production of the toy known as Lincoln Logs, to the delight of many children. Later kits used other materials such as plastic and metal to make replicas for…

WITH HER IVORY FISHERMAN SWEATER, galvanized bucket of fall branches, and signature chili simmering over the campfire, it’s easy to assume Debbie Harpe is a lifelong New Englander, not a Southern California native. After an anniversary trip to the East Coast, Debbie, her husband, Dave, and their three kids eventually relocated to rural New Hampshire, where she now runs a lifestyle blog and online store (shop.wonderfullifefarm.com). “It’s glorious here in the fall, with millions of leaves all turning at once,” says Debbie. That includes the foliage on the couple’s own wooded acreage, where they frequently entertain. In addition to a menu of fall mainstays, including cider, cornbread, and chili, the harvest party includes bobbing for apples, bowling with butternut squash, and eating donuts off a string. “It’s a convivial time of…

Lay of the Land DISTANCE FROM BOSTON AND NYC Roughly 120 miles PRONUNCIATION Berk-sherrs or Berk-sheers but never Berk-shiyers ACREAGE 946 square miles along the western edge of the Bay State NAMED BY Sir Francis Bernard in 1761 in honor of his home county in England Explore quintessential Shaker design on a working farm… …and 19 more ways to go full-in on fall among the foothills of Berkshire County. Rise and Grind: Family-owned No. Six Depot Roastery brews perfectly balanced pour-overs in a circa-1834 train station, while Marjoram & Roux delights baked good enthusiasts with creative pastries (banana granola scones!) in a quaint café. Celebrate the Scenery: The first Sunday of October marks the annual fall foliage parade in North Adams. Post-revelry, the changing leaves are best taken in at…

Set the Scene Spook those trick-or-treaters with these hair-raising how-tos. Wiry Wreath: Conjure a Gothic greeting by attaching preserved forest moss to a grapevine wreath with hotglue, then mix in Spanish moss (we used dried and artificial). Leave a few strands of moss hanging down for a dripping effect. Winged Whimsy: Scatter store-bought bats (see below) around your entry by tucking them into mums, hanging from a ceiling, or planting on bushes. Floating Brooms: Drill a hole in the handle of a corn broom, then spray-paint it black. Once dry, thread heavy-duty fishing wire through the hole and hang from a nail above the window casing. Nailhead Pumpkins: Draw a bat or crescent moon outline on a pumpkin. Next, fill in the outline with nails, using carbon steel nails for…

IN SEASON Go with the Grain A vintage grain sifter serves as a rustic base for fall foliage. To make, use wire to attach dry floral foam along the bottom left inside of a sifter. (You can also search “bentwood sieve” for similar.) Add preserved floral moss with hot-glue, then insert colorful leaves, feathers, Hypericum berries, and dried wheat for additional texture. Attach acorns with hot-glue. For more fall wreath ideas, visit countryliving.com/fall. SAVE THE DATE Country Calendar On the docket: a rural hoedown, hayrides in the heartland, and more! Head to the Hills Kentucky’s Black Mountain Jamboree (October 4–5, blackmountainjamboree.com) offers toe-tapping good times, including live music, an all-you-can-eat pancake fest, and glamping beneath the stars. Hitch a Hayride Enjoy autumn’s magic all October long in the heart of…

Masthead PAGE 4 Black Forest carved boxes; Tom and Merrilyn St. Denis, Hanna Antiques Dealer #27, Birmingham, Alabama; hannaantiques.com. In With the Old PAGE 23 Decoys: A Green Cottage Shop, agreencottageshop.etsy.com; Genesee River, geneseeriver.com. PAGES 24-25 Creels: Weston Table, westontable.com; Genesee River, geneseeriver.com; Wyrembelski’s Vintage, wyrembelskisvintage.etsy.com. Sign and net: Genesee River, geneseeriver.com. Lures: Karen’s Chic N Shabby, karenschicnshabby.etsy.com. Badges: Courtesy of Mike and Eddie Nogay, orcaonline.org. PAGES 26-27 Minnow buckets: A Green Cottage Shop, agreencottageshop.etsy.com; PSSnG, pssng.etsy.com; Jen Ornquist Erickson, @jen_designer; Wyrembelski’s Vintage, wyrembelskisvintage.etsy.com; Gray Garden Decor, graygardendecor.etsy.com; Old Fangled Finds, oldfangledfinds.etsy.com; Karen’s Chic N Shabby, karenschicnshabby.etsy.com. Plates: Replacements, Ltd., replacements.com; Ace Vintage Revival Co., ebay.com/str/acevintagerevivalco. What is it? What is it Worth? PAGE 28 Log cabin model; @black_sheep_and_co. Stewards of the Story PAGE 59 Wreath; hortandpott.com. PAGE 64 Striped duvet cover, bed skirt, and shams; piperclassics.com. Decorative pillows; ralphlauren.com. Blanket; us.tartanblanketco.com. Now That’s a Barn Raising PAGE 70…