The Cottage Journal features decorating ideas, style tips, creative inspiration, and delicious recipes - and now you can enjoy every single page on the tablet! Create a warmer, more magical home with the beauty of nature and The Cottage Journal!
Welcome to our Christmas Cottage issue—a place to find inspiration for filling your cottage or home with the glory of Christmas. There’s something special about a cozy cottage at this time of year. No matter the size or your personal style, it’s the comforting feeling of home, its warmth and the spirit of kinship, that makes spending a holiday there so precious. Our hope is that you’ll rediscover the joy of the season or maybe indulge in a bit of nostalgia as you bring out cherished decorations, ornaments, and keepsakes you’ve carefully collected through the years. Recall your own childhood—the aroma of cookies baking in the oven; your mother’s colorful collection of nutcrackers; sitting by the tree just trimmed, enjoying a cup of cocoa as old favorite carols fill the…
Accent Idea Step outside the box, and make a big statement in a subtle way. A bright tree outfitted in Mardi Gras colors and bold decorations liven up a neutral, contemporary living room, proving you truly can incorporate any style tree into your home in a tasteful way. Soft AND Sweet, SUBTLE AND Quiet OR ColorfuL, BIG, Bright, AND BOLD EACH Unique, SPECIAL, AND Meaningful A FAMILY’S Personality AND Story TOLD one-of-a-kind Make your tree your own, whether the style is traditional and comfortable or over-the-top and dripping with glitz and garland—or somewhere in between. Notice the detail in the ornaments, tree toppers, garlands, and even in the gift wrap on the packages beneath. charming elegance Exquisite ornaments, beaded garland, and gauzy ribbon in browns and golds reflect the existing…
Accent Idea When you look closely at this white cottage, you’ll find that everything does not need to be stark white. Look for contrasting shades of off-white, eggshell, beige, cream, and even some soft gold. As a whole, it creates a winter wonderland but offers some needed character and depth. A close look at the collectibles throughout the whitewashed cottage shows figurines, linens, and keepsakes in varying shades of white and ivory. Silver goblets and gold ornaments add contrasting color that illuminates the white even more. The emphasis is on a snowy Christmas with white trees, snowballs, snowmen, and snow globes throughout. Even the white stockings are hung from a white chimney and filled with white snowmen and goodies.…
Ornaments come in glass, knit, crystal, wood, and felt. Some shimmer and shine, some are fragile and beautiful, and others are handmade and thoughtful. The type you choose should be a reflection of your home, your sense of style, and the overall character of the cottage. Of course, it is also fun to group ornaments according to style, with a tree full of keepsakes made by children and grandchildren and maybe another tree filled with exquisite crystal and glass collectibles out of the reach of little admirers. Most importantly, ornaments need not find their home simply on the tree. They can make a lovely statement in bowls, platters, vases, and more. They can show up on kitchen counters, mantels, back porches, and bathrooms. You can mix and match colors or…
Accent Idea The Sunburst Wreath. To make this wreath, you will need a pack of long wooden shims, 1 (12-inch) flat cardboard wreath form, 1 (20-inch) cardboard wreath form, and an old convex hubcap. Simply glue shims around 20-inch form. Glue 12-inch circle on top of shims and 20-inch circle. Put hubcap in center, and glue shims to 12-inch circle. Cover hubcap, and spray-paint. faux metal letter swag To create this piece, you simply need letters, aluminum foil, white glue, and a dowel or branch. Tear foil into small pieces. Paint shiny side with a thin coat of glue, and cover front of letter by overlapping pieces. Gently pat out air bubbles as you glue. (Small amount of excess glue on front of letter is OK.) Hang letters on dowel…
This cottage is surrounded by the serenity only nature can offer. Inside, the rooms are warm and inviting, dressed in their holiday best for special family celebrations. Fresh greenery gathered nearby frames the front door and inside adorns the mantel and the banister. It enhances candle wreaths large and small and adds a holiday touch to vintage pieces in almost every room. The big beautiful tree, the star of the show, embodies the holiday spirit. cozy dining The intimate family dining room, aglow with lamplight, a gathering of Christmas candles, and a rustic chandelier, is cozy and comfortable. Seasonal china and sparkling crystal sit ready for a special Christmas Eve feast around the large farm table. Plenty of chairs assure every member of this large family can share the joy…
