Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2023 i The Cottage Journal

When a semiretired couple decided to downsize from a 2,745-square-foot row house to a 1,450-square-foot single-level home in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, they decided they needed some professional help. Interior designer Anne Marie Hauer of Choux Designs was up for the challenge. “I often share with clients that one of my favorite things to do is shop their homes,” Anne Marie shares. “Whether I am designing a single room or a whole house, I love to wander from room to room in search of interesting pieces that can be better served elsewhere.” With this project, Anne Marie hit the jackpot, as the homeowners have some truly beautiful antique furnishings, including a gateleg dining table, Chippendale-style chairs, and a four-poster bed, not to mention a wide array of heirlooms, collections, and…

At first glance, the riverside mountain home has all the traits of a classic farmhouse. Surrounded by breathtaking views, the custom-built structure is dotted with dormers and features vertical planked siding in rich, varied shades of barnwood. “Because of all the aspen and cottonwoods on the site, we wanted to keep the color tone in the aspen trunk color,” says architect Janet Jarvis of The Jarvis Group. She worked alongside the homeowners to create a space that breathes traditional farmhouse style—but with a twist. “They wanted to do something that felt farmhouse-like and that fit the area, but they just liked the aesthetics of Swedish design,” Janet says. “So, we moved in that direction.” She points out details like the white windows and trim that contrast against the darker wood…

Creativity was always in Kristie Shelton’s blood. “I grew up with a mom and grandmothers who sewed and crafted on a daily basis,” she says. “I followed their lead and find fulfillment when I have a creative endeavor in the works. Becoming an artist was definitely a surprise that evolved from a path of related experiences.” Now an oil painter, Kristie finds distinctive inspiration in antiques and other well-loved accents that she’s collected over 35 years in the interior design industry and inherited from the artistic women in her family who came before her—giving the time-honored pieces a second life as she captures them on her canvas. Kristie launched her first business as an interior decorator in 1985 when a friend noticed pillows and draperies Kristie had sewn and wanted…

From entertaining friends and family for holiday and birthday gatherings to simply honoring the turn of the season and bloom of beloved flowers, James Farmer’s elegant and inviting inspiration makes for unforgettable parties. In his ninth book, Celebrating Home: A Time for Every Season, James invites readers into his two cottages for a look at year-round festivities and provides a well-written guide for any new host. Between Joe Pye Cottage in North Carolina and Farmdale Cottage in his hometown in Georgia, James has plenty of space to hold memorable and indulgent events. In the book’s 272 pages, James walks through each season and its coordinating celebrations. With the arrival of dahlias in autumn and camellias in late winter, his toasts are surrounded by the florals worth praising. Table settings highlight…

In need of a change after her husband passed away, Lucia Hillenmeyer found an ideal community in The Grove, a neighborhood just outside of Franklin, Tennessee, where she could live comfortably with her two Aussies, foster her avid golf hobby, and build the farmhouse filled with antique treasures that she’d always dreamed of—with the help of her go-to designer Connie Vernich of Nashville-based Vernich Interiors. “We have worked together over the last 20 years on three different homes,” Connie says. “This new build is a classic Colonial-farmhouse style. We seldom see a [true] farmhouse style anymore. Everyone wants the modern-style farm home, but this home exudes charm and character from a bygone era. Over the years, Lucia has collected some very beautiful antiques and has a few pieces that her…

As the frost sets in, gardeners all over the globe are cutting back, bringing inside, and settling in for a season of what Danish garden expert Claus Dalby calls "armchair gardening." Winter is the perfect time to dive into research and plan a garden space that will provide stunning views all the way through next fall. To help with that, Claus’s latest book, Containers in the Garden, provides 176 pages of expert insight and inspiring photography designed to help you look ahead and plan for the year to come. In his fourth book on potted gardens, Claus highlights the virtues of container gardening and the unique advantages it can lend to your outdoor space. Whether you’re a veteran or new to the craft, cultivating your blooms in planters and pots…

Kassie and Kevin McElhaney built their forever farmhouse in the same county where they both grew up. “I was born and raised within 10 miles of where the farm is,” says Kassie of the 250-acre farm that overlooks Breton Bay in Maryland. Since they both considered the area home, it was an easy choice to settle in with their two sons—and family’s not far away, as Kassie’s parents also live on another part of the property, and Kevin’s have plans to join them in the future. “I grew up showing horses competitively … so I’ve lived on a farm and had animals my entire life,” Kassie says—and she and Kevin, who co-own Shady Lane Construction, agreed that they want their two young sons to have the same experience. They situated…

After discovering interior designer Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths on Instagram, this Rockville, Maryland, chef teamed up with the designer to bring her dream kitchen to life, gaining a new friend in the process. Known for her ability to balance function and beauty in the heart of the home, Tanya reimagined the previously closed-off space, creating the open kitchen her client desired. “Her inspiration was more organic,” says Tanya. “She wanted it to be more of an earthy kind of kitchen.” Inset cabinets painted a custom blend by Sherwin-Williams evoke fine craftsmanship as their soothing shade infuses a dash of color to the primarily neutral scheme. Capturing the allure of marble while boasting greater durability, quartzite countertops were the ideal option for the expansive island and surrounding counters,…

Tucked in a box canyon surrounded by impressive 13,000- and 14,000-foot mountain peaks, Telluride, Colorado, is full of unique heritage, breathtaking beauty, and fun-filled activities for the whole family. Consistent winter snowfall makes for the perfect backyard with easy access to snowshoeing, fly-fishing, biking, and perfectly groomed cross-country trails day or night at North America’s top-rated ski resort. And if your idea of an alpine adventure is one enjoyed indoors with a cup of hot cocoa, Telluride has you covered with plenty of opportunities for shopping and pampering. Designated a National Historic Landmark, the charming mining town is an ideal place to enjoy stunning views from the valley floor as you explore the historic buildings that line downtown, which is home to stylish boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and a thriving arts…