The Cottage Journal Classic Cottage 2022

As timeless as it is beloved, true cottage style speaks to the soul in a way that no other style can. As a return to the roots of the spirit we celebrate every day, we’ve assembled a collection of homes that embody the essence of cottage living in its purest form. Despite occupying sunny spots everywhere from the California coast to the Lowcountry of South Carolina, every abode in this special issue shares the common threads of cozy dwellings, small-space charm, and enchanting personal details curated with care. From historic homes dressed with ageless blue-and-white accents to farmhouses freshened with contemporary décor, we hope this issue inspires you to recall the moment you first fell in love with classic cottage style. —The Editors of The Cottage Journal…

White picket fences call to mind summer days, a yard full of pets and children, and the ideals of family and home. Before it was associated with the American Dream, the picket fence simply served a purpose—to mark property lines while still allowing for a beautiful view. Popular since colonial days, white picket fences now offer so much more than security to our yards, both in the front and back. No matter the size of your lawn, garden, or home, white picket fences exude charm and cottage style. The simple whitewash of the fence provides a wonderful backdrop for flowers and greenery. Monkey grass, towering floral bushes, and climbing ivy coexist beautifully with picket fences of all types. Flower beds or hedges along the fence line will turn a plain…

A unique shape and a colorful enamel coating give the French body pitcher a signature look that makes a statement in any room or garden. Originally used in European households in the late 1800s and early 1900s to carry water for bathing, these enamelware antiques are now more often sought out for their bright aesthetic. As a stand-alone piece or grouped in a collection, the pitchers add a subtle French flair wherever they sit. Many collectors fill their antique pitchers with fresh-cut flowers to create colorful vignettes that can brighten up a tabletop, doorstep, or garden pathway with ease. “Their tall shape sets off a large bouquet to perfection,” says antiques dealer Lidy Baars, owner of FrenchGardenHouse antiques. “A few pitchers hung on pegs outside are a wonderful way to…

We often feel nostalgic about those bygone days when neighbors knew each other, laughter and conversation wafted from ample front porches, and kids delighted in catching lightning bugs and playing hide-and-seek until dark. If you’re convinced these images exist only in the past, think again. Washington state-based architect Ross Chapin not only believes that such neighborhoods are still viable, but he also designs refreshingly insightful homes and enclaves to actively combat urban sprawl. “My firm and I strive to create places that nourish the individual, support healthy family relationships, and foster a strong sense of community,” he states. Sharing Ross’s vision is a Seattle construction and development group that is appropriately called The Cottage Company, which has completed many of the architect’s projects. A prime example of this collaboration can…

This homeowner can remember the exact day she fell in love with all things blue and white. She was living in Des Moines, Iowa, and feeling homesick for her Southern roots when she popped in to see a friend for a little cheering up. The home’s breezy blue-and-white decorating scheme spoke to her own sense of style, and she was immediately smitten. She eventually found her way back home to a beautiful mountaintop cottage in a charming historic area in Alabama. For many years, the residences along this tree-lined ridge had served as summer retreats for those wishing to escape the heat of the city below. Thanks to expansive windows that once drew cooling breezes, the home’s interiors are open, airy, and washed in sunlight—the perfect milieu for the homeowner’s…

As a professional photographer, Heather Cummans knows that the first shot— the initial impression—can speak volumes about the subject of a portrait. That’s why curb appeal, that great first look, became Heather’s top priority when she moved into her cozy cottage. “It didn’t take much work to spruce up the front of the house,” Heather recalls. “In fact, I was surprised what a difference just a little money and time could make.” A white picket fence, pale painted shutters, and planted flower boxes added color and quaintness to the faÇade while Mother Nature completed the inviting look with lush jasmine, boxwood, and ivy. Inside, Heather worked with the home’s assets and was able to limit major renovations to the kitchen. Creamy cabinetry and updated appliances are accented by treasured pieces…