Innholdsfortegnelse for June/July 2025 i Country Living

A few years ago, lifestyle blogger Joanna Goddard (cupofjo.com) introduced me (and millions of her readers) to the concept of a “glimmer.” The opposite of a trigger, a glimmer is a micro-moment of joy—maybe it’s inserting the final piece of a 1,000-piece puzzle (pg. 10) or enjoying the season’s first peach from the farmstand (pg. 42). Experts say that when we make a point of looking for and recognizing the glimmers in our lives, we’ll feel calmer and more connected to the world around us. While working on this issue celebrating the old-school joys of summer, I couldn’t help thinking of how fireflies bring the concept of glimmers to life. Unlike the fanfare of fireworks, fireflies surprise you when you least expect it, with a subtlety that requires your attention.…

In a world where it can be disconcertingly hard to disconnect, nothing sets a put-down-your-phone tone quite like an old-fashioned game table. Typically square in shape and occasionally wobbly of leg, this recreationally inclined piece of furniture encourages fellow houseguests to congregate in the name of friendly aboveboard competition. (That means no cheating, Grandma.) The particulars are up to you—rainy days may call for a formidable 1,000-piece puzzle (or dueling puzzles—see below); other nights may warrant more trivial pursuits. Whatever the playing preference—Scrabble, Yahtzee, mah-jongg, Clue—every-one knows that as soon as some-one opens that unassuming storage cabinet (have you ever seen so many faded, decades-old cardboard boxes?), it’s game on. As far as multigenerational pastimes go, there’s simply not much that can rival Friday-night Go Fish—and the reminder that, when…

IN THE MIDDLE AGES, boxy, cupboard-like spaces were designed to offer private sleeping quarters to weary farmhands after long workdays. Built-in bed enclosures have recently been experiencing a resurgence, but thankfully today’s interpretations aren’t quite so primitive. Featuring painted millwork, plush bedding, and hidden storage, they’re far more modern than medieval. Curtains add to the cocoon-like feel, as evidenced by this relaxed yet refined seaside guest room designed by Philip Mitchell (philipmitchelldesign.com). See more at countryliving.com/boxbeds.…

“I bought this nonworking woven bicycle from a Pennsylvania antiques dealer.” —R.B., Birmingham, AL WHAT IT IS: Rattan Bicycle “This fabulous life-size bamboo and rattan bicycle was made in the 1980s and appears to be in great condition,” says appraiser Bene Raia of Raia Auctioneers. “This and similar life-size rattan pieces, such as a motorcycle and a scooter, were crafted as a form of folk art and used as decorative objects for display in yards and homes.” As with much folk art, the original manufacturer is unknown. WHAT IT’S WORTH: $700 “I recently purchased this at the Brimfield Antique Shows.” —K.T., Dunkirk, MD WHAT IT IS: Oyster Display Case Antiques Roadshow’s executive producer Marsha Bemko shared your piece with appraiser Timothy Luke of Hindman Appraisals, LLC. He tells us it is an Arctic oyster…

On Finding Your Place Craig Muraszewski of Cold Spring General Store Cold Spring, New York Sure, online shopping has its conveniences, but “if you need a last-minute gift, it’s easiest to pop by your local shop,” says Craig Muraszewski, a former business consultant who opened Cold Spring General Store (coldspringgeneralstore.com) in 2014 precisely because the residents of his Hudson Valley hamlet had to drive 45 minutes to find giftable pantry provisions and elevated homewares. Three years in, business was booming enough to warrant a move to a historic 2,500-square-foot building on Main Street with beautiful double-doors and large, welcoming windows, which also allowed him to add men’s and women’s clothing to the mix. “A storefront with a story is key to success,” says Craig, “but all the foot traffic means…

Currently Craving PAGES 12-15 THROUGHOUT Architect seasweptdesign.com. Builder outerbanksbuilders.com. Winsome Interior Design cabinet line cabinetry; uniquekitchensandbaths.com. PAGES 12-13 “Christie” pendant lights; originalbtc.com. “Adelaide” sconce; lyngard.com. “Oleander” bar stool cushion fabric; schumacher.com. PAGE 15 Banquette and shelf; @harmonycabinets. “Bizantino” banquette cushion fabric and “Isolde Stripe” pillow fabric; schumacher.com. “Noor” pillow fabric; lisafinetextiles.com. “Holborn” lantern; visualcomfort.com. Country Comeback PAGE 16 “Saddle Blanket” curtain fabric; kravet.com. Bedding; onekingslane.com. Gold mirrors; target.com. Antique maps; delakeltd.com. In With The Old PAGE 25 Burgees: Atlantic Attic, atlanticattic.com; Mate Gallery, mategallery.com. PAGE 27 Knot boards: Nantucket Antiques Depot, nantucketantiquesdepot.com; Annapolis Maritime Antiques, annapolismaritimeantiques.com. PAGE 28 Dishware: Replacements, LTD., replacements.com. PAGE 29 Boat cleats: Beachcombers Bounty, ebay.com/str/beachcombersbounty; Circa Hardware, etsy.com/shop/circahardware. Out Back PAGES 52-54 THROUGHOUT Landscaping Red Mountain Landscapes & Gardens; 828-772-7732. Antique chaise lounges; paularoemerantiques.com. Iron sofa, chairs, and coffee table; amalfiliving.net. PAGE 52 Lantern; architecturalheritage.com. Pineapple finial; mosestablecompany.org. Treasure Chest PAGES 60-69 THROUGHOUT Pillows; noramurphycountryhouse.com. PAGES 62-63 Mirrored wall sconce; ethanallen.com. PAGE 65 Handcrafted Scofield Lighting “English Box” wall…

Our First Texas Issue! Netflix star Josh Duhamel (Ransom Canyon) graces the cover of Hill Country Living. Learn more at countryliving.com/hillcountry. Farmers’ Market Companions Find our favorite recipes for summer produce at countryliving.com/summerrecipes. 60+ Ideas for Screen-Free Fun Camp Country Living is officially in session! Learn more at countryliving.com/camp.…

Competitive speed puzzler Rebecca Taylor can thank chicken pox for her puzzling prowess. When she got the virus at age 5, her parents gave her a 5,000-piecer to distract her from scratching. These days her record is 500 pieces in 29 minutes and 35 seconds (about 17 per minute!). Strategy-wise, she says breaking tasks down (arranging pieces by color or shape, or grouping together straight edges) will save you from repeatedly scanning the entire pile. It also helps to have an engaging puzzle, such as one that’s thematic to the occasion; Rebecca likes the designs at Pomegranate Puzzles and New York Puzzle Company. (For a challenge, she suggests black-and-white or double-sided puzzles.) Competitive sorts can battle it out around two puzzles. For 1,000-piecers, stick to two teams of four. Otherwise,…

FIELD NOTES Picking Blackberries Whether at the market or in the thicket, seek out plump berries that are slightly tender and black in color with a dull appearance—a shiny skin means the berry is not quite ripe. If you’re at a U-pick farm, ripe berries should be easy to pull off the bush. (You may want to wear pants and long sleeves, as some plants can be quite prickly.)…

Crack open a few hard-shells before setting off on a chartered sailboat… …and 16 more ways to get a taste of the quintessential Eastern Shore summer. Begin with Breakfast: Pancakes and omelets fill the menu at the retro Easton Diner, while Weather Gage caters to the cappuccino-and-croissant crowd. Walk Through History: Take a self-guided tour of the Hill Community, one of the U.S.’s oldest free Black neighborhoods. Shop Small: The Market at Dover Station brings a variety of makers under one roof, while home decor finds at Arrae include nautical flag wineglass charms (below right). Must-see stops for antiquers include The Modern Bulldog, Antiques on Talbot, and Foxwell’s Antiques & Collectibles. Hop Aboard: Cruise the Miles River, a nearly 13-mile-long tidal tributary at the heart of the local boating scene,…

When Ralph Lauren dishes out design advice, you listen. Nora Murphy knew as much while working for the famous purveyor of prep in the 1980s as Polo Ralph Lauren’s design project manager of furniture. “He said, ‘When you walk into a room, no one should have to explain it to you,’” Nora recalls. “I still use that.” Today, Nora’s narrative begins at her doorstep with a plaque bestowed by the National Register of Historic Places that her Federal-style Connecticut house wears like a badge. Inside, the story unfolds with coastal country collectibles that reflect a lifetime of treasure hunting and memory keeping. Everywhere you turn, an interesting item or a compelling vignette catches your eye—there are pieces of coral, nautical art, beach find-filled cloches, and more. Five years ago, when…

IN SEASON Salty Salute A collection of oyster shells makes for a fitting waterfront welcome. To craft, wrap a loop of jute rope around a 16-inch wire wreath form and hang. Drill a small hole in an oyster shell using a 3/32-inch drill bit and attach it to the form with thin wire. Repeat until the wreath is covered. (You’ll need roughly 60 shells.) SAVE THE DATE COUNTRY CALENDAR It’s always the season for antiquing, but here’s where to do it sooner rather than later. (For more events, visit countryliving.com/shows.) Madison-Bouckville Antique Week June 6-8 | Bouckville, NY Discover fantastic finds like vintage fabrics and iron garden furniture at this massive 2,000-dealer show. (You’ll also find great deals the week prior, when local vendors sell collectibles along Route 20.)  madison-bouckville.com…

It was a big summer for Midwesterners. The Rockford Peaches stole bases—and our hearts—in the movie A League of Their Own; Iowa-born Johnny Carson bid farewell to The Tonight Show; and Country Living was smitten with the Mitten State, the location of this clapboard house overlooking Lake Michigan that was featured on our cover. ALSO IN THE ISSUE: An 1857 cottage kitchen (left), a guide to walking sticks, and an essay by Jo Northup on “summertime delights” including watermelon for breakfast, soft cotton bandannas, and zinnias in a spatterware jug. See More! Country Living All Access subscribers can enjoy this entire 1992 issue (plus others!) at countryliving.com/archives.…

1 Kitschy lake house decor that sets a casual, come-as-you-are tone (Tour our all-time favorite lake houses at countryliving.com/housetours.) 2 The first sighting of fresh peaches at the farmers’ market (For our best-ever peach cobbler, see pg. 42.) 3 Meeting the newest crop of jovial teenagers scooping out rocky road ice cream for the season 4 Patriotic bunting gracing picture-perfect farmhouses along back roads 5 Crusty rowboats just waiting for a memorable family adventure 6 Calling first dibs on the cutest bedroom in the vacation rental 7 Roadside wildflowers that shine as bright as the midsummer sun 8 Those moments when you can rejoice in the schedule-free chaos—this is what you’ve waited for Be sure to follow us on Instagram @countrylivingmag for a daily dose of Simple Country Pleasures.…

Mixed Signals Introduced in the 1800s as a way to call vessels back to shore, burgees are now used to identify a ship’s yacht club or affliated sailing organization. Typically, but not always, triangular or swallow-tailed in shape, these pennants are flown from the top mast or the front of the bow and are often exchanged as souvenirs when a boat visits another club. Vintage versions can be picked up today for between $30 and $300 apiece, with older wool and cotton flags bringing more than their nylon counterparts. Setting Sail First popularized as an adult pastime in Victorian England, pond yachts are working wooden boat models built to be sailed on small bodies of water. Though a sportsman’s knowledge of wind and water was needed to navigate these larger…

Sometimes certain places just speak to your soul. For interior decorator Heather Chadduck Hillegas (heatherchadduck.com) and her husband, photographer David Hillegas, such a place is Round Hill Hotel and Villas, the resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where they got married and return to yearly. When the couple had the opportunity to build on the lot next to their Birmingham, Alabama, home, Heather collaborated with architectural designer James Laughlin (@jamesblaughlin) to dream up a folly that paired their favorite aspects of the resort’s Caribbean architecture—louvered doors, stucco walls, beadboard ceilings—with exterior wood details in keeping with Heather and David’s 1920s Colonial-style home, from its columns to the exposed rafter tails below the standing seam metal roof. Heather also brought Round Hill’s dressed-down island luxury to the interiors, giving the space a…

Blackberry Gin Smash WORKING TIME 5 minutes TOTAL TIME 5 minutes MAKES 1 serving 4 blackberries, plus more for garnish1 lemon wedge3 mint leaves, plus 1 mint sprig for garnish2 ounces gin½ ounce maple syrup 1. Muddle blackberries, lemon wedge, and mint in a cocktail shaker. Add gin, maple syrup, and ice. Shake until well chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass. Top with ice and garnish with blackberries and mint sprig. Berry Good Salad WORKING TIME 15 minutes TOTAL TIME 15 minutes MAKES 4 to 6 servings 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar2 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon pure honey1 small shallot, finely choppedKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper5 ounces baby spinach⅓ cup Marcona almonds2 ounces Manchego cheese, thinly sliced1 cup blackberries¼ red onion, thinly sliced 1. Whisk together vinegar, oil, honey, and shallot…