Country Living October/November 2023

It’s no secret around the Country Living office that fall is my favorite time of year. (Maybe it’s the wool blanket that’s perpetually draped over my desk chair?) There’s something about the traditions that come with this sun-dappled season—the pumpkin picking, the corn maze carousing—and how these annual excursions serve as visual hash marks of our family. With every visit, the pumpkins seem more petite as my children inch closer to seeing over the stalks. The pumpkin patch is just one small slice of all there is to celebrate—cooler temps! college football! candy corn!—this time of year. And that’s before we even start talking turkey. So, we’re here to help you make the most of every second of this fall-iday season, whether it’s hosting an apple cider social (pg. 54),…

1 Waking up early to soak in the moody, misty magic of a foggy fall morning 2 Stockpiling enough split wood to fuel a season’s worth of conversation around the fire 3 Coming home to a warmly lit log cabin, even if it’s just yours for a weekend getaway (You can rent the charming cabin featured on pg. 86.) 4 Watching trick-or-treaters meticulously categorize their hard-earned candy haul 5 The joy of baking family recipes using passed-down pieces 6 Packing into the family car (pets included) in anticipation of grandma’s famous stuffing 7 Pulling your favorite wool blankets out of storage and layering them over everything 8 How the colorful foliage reminds us that change can be beautiful Follow us on Instagram @countrylivingmag for more Simple Country Pleasures.…

Of all the decorative items that literature has imbued with magic, the carpet has a particularly storied history. Since as far back as the early eighth century, authors have created high-flying fantasies around the humble floorcloth. But while a rug at first seems like an unlikely object of a storyteller’s attention, it’s actually quite a fitting choice for tales of far-flung adventure. There’s something about a worn and weathered rug that feels particularly transportive. Just think of the old souls—and soles—that have passed over the very same fibers, hurrying on their way to and from their busy lives in places near and far. And that’s not even to mention the dogs and cats that have napped through the decades, leaving impressions of their curled-up contentment. Equal parts dutiful (so soft!)…

High Pile “Generally, the higher the pile, the longer it will last,” says Sheila. “Most Persian rugs and Chinese and Turkish oushaks tend to have a high pile; flat-weaves do not.” Tight Weave The finer a rug’s weave (as in the more knots per square inch) means the tighter the stitches. A tightly woven rug will also appear more detailed and less pixelated. Decorative Back Turn the rug over. Can you still make out the woven pattern? “The clearer the pattern on the reverse side of the rug, the greater the quality,” says Sheila.…

1 CHARACTER BUILDER Contrasting Woods While the phrase “cabin kitchen” may bring to mind images of dark woods and ruddy hues, architect Ken Pursley (pursleydixon.com) wanted this home to feel light and airy but still reflect the simple mountain aesthetic. Rough oak floors stained in a warm finish (“Dark Walnut”; minwax.com) set a welcoming cabin tone, while a pine ceiling sourced from a nearby forest adds understated texture. 2 MATERIAL MATTERS Concrete Countertops Equally rustic and modern, the two-and-a-half-inch-thick gray concrete countertops offer the same refined feel as stone but without the fuss. “We intentionally chose a material that didn’t have a lot of movement and pattern to reinforce our serene palette,” says Ken. 3 COUNTRY CLASSIC Drafting Stools A symbol of the industrial style popular at the turn of…

Why We Love Them Their Deep-Seated History: Likely a riff on Irish and Welsh stick-back chairs, the first bow-back Windsors appeared in the 18th century thanks to new steam-bending techniques. Some say the name comes from the furniture town where they were made. Other lore says that King George II discovered these spindled chairs in a commoner’s home while taking refuge from the rain during a country walkabout. Shortly thereafter, he commissioned a collection for Windsor Palace, hence the name. Their Time-Tested Practicality: With their sturdy splayed-leg stance and, quite often, saddle-shaped seats, the Windsor is a coveted combo of comfort and craftsmanship. Chairs made of English elm are considered especially durable. Their Of-the-Moment Appeal: As Colonial style (see: spongeware! samplers! oil portraiture!) moseys its way back into the mainstream,…