The Cottage Journal Southern Cottages 2015

When you think of Southern cottages your mind probably drifts to white picket fences, wide front porches, and lawns shaded by grand magnolia trees and old live oaks. And while that vision may be true on occasion, we know that there’s more to the story. Southern cottages— and their homeowners—have strong ties to tradition, graceful living, and a casual elegance that never goes out of style. In this special issue of The Cottage Journal we’ve curated a collection of 13 unique Southern cottages. From country inspired to artful and eclectic, these cottages showcase a wonderful blend of styles. One of my favorite stories in this issue is “Southern Charm” on page 73, which conveys the essence of cottage living. Beyond its white picket fence, the true charm awaits inside as…

Elisabeth Hays and her husband, William, purchased this charming bayside cottage in 2011 and have spent the past few years decorating and redecorating their humble abode. When asked about their style, Elisabeth laughs as she admits, “It’s always changing!” And while her tastes may change, the eclectic, casual, and, most importantly, practical nature of her home stays the same. “I have a black lab that is on everything from the sofa to the chair to the bed, so I need things to be pretty durable,” she says. Nestled in the heart of Fairhope, Alabama’s, historic fruit and nut district, Elisabeth takes cues from her surroundings and listens to what her house is telling her when it comes to decorating. Like life on the bay, she wants her home to have…

Cascading layers of creeping fig drape the entrance to the enchanting countryside home that Avery Rhodes shares with her husband, Chris Akins, and their three children. It gives the house a magical fairy-tale feel, one Avery likens to Sleeping Beauty’s vine-covered castle under the hundred-year spell. “I like to think we have a slightly ‘sleepy’ household,” Avery says. “We try very hard to slow things down when we are at home and just enjoy each other and our moments together.” The open and airy interiors of this cottage definitely offer a tranquil retreat, and the pretty and polished furnishings belie the fact that an active family lives in every square inch of these sunlit spaces. Avery has created a kid- and pet-friendly abode where daughter Willa Rose and sons Hopper…

Gena Knox loves her family, her Southern roots, and her career—all of which are evident in her cookbook Southern My Way and in the way she decorates her home. Her cookbook focuses on fresh local ingredients and simple, delicious recipes that highlight those flavors. She prides herself on presenting traditional Southern cuisine with a modern twist. The décor in her Athens, Georgia, home follows that same logic in its blend of vintage furnishings with a contemporary perspective. “We have wonderful, traditional pieces that were my husband’s grandmother’s. It’s been fun to mix them with more modern pieces,” she says. Her love and appreciation for simplicity influences both the construction of her cookbook and the style of her home. “I love clean lines and very little clutter and accessories. I try…

When home builder Scott Thomson asked homeowners Tom and Kay Worley what they wanted in their new home Kay was ready with answers. “I want light and lots of windows. I want nooks and crannies, places for my books, and a garden I can see from my kitchen window,” Kay says. “And that’s where we started.” Scott sketched three plans, and Kay and decorator Pandy Agnew kept tweaking them until a plan was in motion. Kay had always loved French Country design for what she calls its “softness.” This decorating style is identified by its curving lines, chandeliers, and antiques and is known for being comfortable. Achieving this feeling in a brand-new home with an open floor plan isn’t easy, but Pandy’s talent and Scott’s vision proved a successful collaboration.…

Although front porches are commonly found in both well-established and new neighborhoods, these days it seems like many homeowners lack the time and incentive to appreciate them. But that’s not true of Michael and Connie Winsberg. With their home situated in New Orleans’s lovely University/Carrollton district—and just steps away from Audubon Park and Tulane University—this couple has plenty of reasons to seek the solace and comfort of their porch’s rocking chairs. “Frequently, particularly in the evenings, we enjoy watching the locals and college students walking their dogs or going out for a stroll,” Connie says. “Also, since we’re very close to coffee shops, a bakery, clothing stores, and several restaurants, the customers generated by those establishments add to our favorite pastime of people-watching and visiting with those passing by.” Not…