Innehållsförteckning för Country Cottage 2023 (#2) från The Cottage Journal

SIMPLE DELIGHTS One of the hallmarks of country cottage style is its seemingly effortless nod to relaxed living. It can manifest in simple things like a stack of vintage dishes that feel special yet aren’t too precious for everyday use, a foraged bouquet of wildflowers set for the table or shared with a neighbor, and upcycled furniture that gets new life thanks to a fresh coat of paint and some creative styling. Country style is certainly not confined to a specific geographic location nor does it require rolling pastoral acreage—rather, it’s a state of mind that is often nostalgic and appreciates the timeless treasures of years gone by. The eight featured homeowners in this special issue of The Cottage Journal each showcase elements of country charm all while highlighting their…

Bailey and Brian Archer were on one of their daily walks in their historic neighborhood of Alamo Heights in San Antonio, Texas, when a charming cottage on the corner caught their eye. As luck would have it, the house came on the market shortly after the Archers sold their home in hopes of downsizing. Upon entry, the interiors proved to be an ideal fit for the couple to raise their three boys. “When we first started our family, we thought we needed this huge home, and the more we lived in it, the more we realized we preferred being closer together,” Bailey says. Built in the 1950s, the cottage offered a functional floor plan with a great flow and plenty of natural light, allowing Bailey to focus her design attention…

As an antiques dealer, an affinity for timeworn treasures comes with the territory. Owner of Old World Antieks, one of the largest antiques stores in the country, Amy Brown has an eye for good design and loves giving old pieces—and places—a fresh new life. So, it was no surprise that this historic 1900s home in Fayetteville, Texas, captured Amy’s attention long before she even stepped inside. “It was always my favorite house in Fayetteville,” she says. “My friend and I would drop our kids off for school and go on walks, and we’d always stop at this house and say, ‘This house is so cute!’” As fate would have it, Amy purchased the home a few years later and quickly began to incorporate her classic, vintage-style aesthetic into its design.…

Krystle Marie Nickels fondly remembers the state her family’s home was in when they purchased it nearly a decade ago. “When we first moved in, it was straight out of 1990,” she jokes, recalling blue countertops, sponge-painted walls, and dolphin motifs as a few of the main offenders. “So, it was definitely … something that we knew we wanted to change up, but we also knew that we could put our own style and our own flair into it.” And that’s exactly what Krystle Marie and her husband, Garrett, did—introducing an inviting neutral colorway, removing the carpets, and doing whatever it took to create a home that reflected the couple and their two children, Haylee and Hunter. Throughout the process, family played an important part, lending inspiration and even the…

When Mickie and John Johnson happened upon their century-old home in the northwest suburbs of Cary, Illinois, two years ago, the connection was immediate. Mickie could easily picture her signature country aesthetic on display throughout the true farmhouse, and the resourceful couple was up to the challenge of bringing her vision to life. “I’ll admit it needed a lot of TLC, but we were instantly drawn to its rustic charm and simple, straightforward floor plan,” Mickie says. “I just knew we could turn it into our dream home.” Starting at the structural level, the couple embarked on this journey by incorporating authentic foundational character—from both original discoveries and DIY additions. “This 111-year-old house has a lot of quirks and unusual features,” Mickie says. “Throughout the renovation process, we uncovered original…

Four years ago, Becca Lopez and her husband, Mike, downsized and moved into a more modest 1976 home, which was nearly half the size of the one they had been living in. “We knew that it would be a challenge—moving into such a small home,” Becca says. “But we’ve done our best to create a cozy, country home for our family.” Layering has been a key design element in achieving the relaxed country style found throughout the Lopez home. “I really love the lived-in and curated look. To me, it says, ‘Come in and get cozy,’” Becca shares. “That’s what I want for our family and our guests!” The house was already fully renovated when the family moved in, so the biggest project they’ve taken on to date has been…

Drop in on Stacie and Greg Stowers in their Georgia cottage today, and you’d never guess that the home was built as recently as 2000. With charming vintage-style details in every corner, it’s far from the fixer-upper the couple purchased five years ago. “It wasn’t in really bad condition,” Stacie says. “It was just very basic.” Fortunately, Stacie had just the thing to breathe a little life into the space—a lifelong love of cottage-style charm. “That’s what my mom had growing up, and my grandma, and I’ve always loved that style,” she says. Her personal take on the passed-down preference leans decidedly feminine—and a little bit shabby chic, with pale pinks and blues playing major roles alongside an assortment of lace and gingham. But it’s the details that really help…