Indholdsfortegnelse for French Cottage 2023 (#2) i The Cottage Journal

Storied Elegance There’s something simply magical about decorating in French-inspired style and its enduring aesthetic that so often tells a story. I visited France for the first time while in college. I was on a writing assignment for a travel publication, and it was unlike many popular French journeys with stops in Paris or Versailles. Instead, I entered the country via a ferry ride across Lake Geneva from Switzerland. Surrounded by the Alps and a glistening waterfront, I skipped the big cities for an adventure in a charming small town, dappled with a breathtaking château-covered shoreline. And it did not disappoint. From that very first step off the boat, I was transported to a scene straight out of a fairy tale. My first glimpses of France were too charming, too…

Melissa Sturdivant Smith can trace her fascination for French style’s unparalleled beauty back to childhood, where her dreams of European travels spent exploring extravagant castles and châteaus took root. Now, as senior director of design for an internationally distributed magazine, those romantic visions are becoming her reality. Newly acquired antiques sourced from her latest excursions find their home amongst cherished pieces procured over the past 20 years from her favorite antiques stores. “I think that the inside of the home should be a reflection of who the owners are on the inside,” Melissa says. “It should be a way of communicating who you are, where you have traveled, and what you are inspired by.” Step inside Melissa’s English Tudor-style home located in Birmingham, Alabama, and you’ll quickly discover her affinity…

With formal interior design training and a lifelong love of French style, Paige Kontrafouris and her husband started life in their New Jersey home with plenty of plans—and not much else. “Basically, we had a mattress, and that was it,” Paige says. “I started looking at furniture online and thinking, ‘There has to be a better way to furnish a home that isn’t as expensive.’” She soon discovered the world of secondhand shopping, and their home is now almost entirely furnished with found pieces—and with her expertise at mixing and matching every find, the result is a classically curated space that pays homage to her favorite influences. “I think my own personal style is a bit of French design [and] a little bit of English, but I just love that…

Taste of the Countryside Pages 13–16—Interior designs by Kasey Bedford and Arianna Pannoni, Winsome Interior Design. Kitchen and cabinetry designs by Tanya Smith-Shiflett, Unique Kitchens & Baths. Walls painted in James White by Farrow & Ball. Trim painted in Shaded White by Farrow & Ball. Light fixture from Il Fanale. Roman shade fabric from Osborne & Little. Range from Wolf. Hampton and Newport kitchen cabinetry designs by Unique Kitchens & Baths. Hardware from House of Antique Hardware. Living the Dream Pages 17–22—Interior designs by Melissa Sturdivant Smith. Page 17—Intaglios from Belle Gray Designs. Abstract painting by Caroline Gatling. Lamp from Maison de France Antiques. Antique Italian chest from Antiques on Jackson. Page 18—Cornice board, relic panels, side table, and altar sticks from Maison de France Antiques. Mantel clock from Adams…

Once an essential tool for Parisian chefs, copper cookware lends striking color that melds perfectly within a cottage kitchen. Tucked among other décor, the gleaming collectibles grab the attention of guests. The rich history of the utensils in French cooking makes them must-have vintage finds for everyday use or an attractive display.…

Nestled in a historic Maryland neighborhood, this French-country-style charmer built in 1931 was in desperate need of a renovation. When the current homeowner purchased this gorgeous property, she lived in it for about a year before reaching out to Anthony Wilder Design/Build’s principal Anthony Wilder and architect George Bott. The team spent the first two to three months of the project fixing preexisting mistakes from a prior haphazard house flip. “It was a can of worms, and we turned it into a silk purse,” Anthony says with a smile. “We brought [the house] back to its original intent.” George echoes the sentiment, noting the home’s incredible exterior character simply did not match what was happening on the inside. The team had their work cut out for them, but thankfully, they…

When she spotted the feed sacks at an antiques market, Brenda DeWitt knew she had found the centerpiece for her guesthouse named Chelsea Cottage. “I wanted the space to be beautiful and durable. I wanted guests with children and dogs to feel comfortable,” she says. “That is why I love feed sacks—they are sturdy yet inviting.” Repurposed as curtains, pillowcases, and lampshades and also used in the dog bed that Brenda created, the upcycled material is just one example of her eye for the possible. After she and her husband, Tim, purchased their 1940s bungalow, they tore down a dilapidated detached garage in the backyard to make room for a guest cottage and an oak-shaded courtyard. Now, the welcoming retreat houses a trove of found objects and salvaged furniture that…

The founder of Thompson House Interiors, a firm specializing in fine European antiques and original art, Staci Thompson’s own home in Birmingham, Alabama, is a living, breathing testament to her impressive inventory layered into a refined yet entirely inviting family setting. Six years ago, Staci and her husband, Ben, traded their previous historic home for this French provincial abode that would better accommodate their stage of life while still offering a fitting foundation for the trove of time-honored treasures they’ve amassed through the years. “We wanted a more open plan with newer construction to complement our sons’ growing families—[something] comfortable for all,” Staci explains. “I’ve always been drawn to French lines and style … color and gilding, the history and stories behind the pieces. When we bought the house, the…