Innehållsförteckning för Spring 2025 från The Cottage Journal

WELCOME, SPRING! If you’ve had the pleasure of living in, or even visiting, the Southern United States, you know that hospitality is considered an art. That sentiment applies to the homeowners and designers behind the homes in this issue, each of which is located in the American South. In sharing their insights and welcoming you into their personal spaces, they invite you to enjoy the homes and projects they hold dear; to linger over every curated detail and relish in the coziness that suffuses each room. There’s no better season for us to present this Southern-centric issue than spring, when blooms are bursting outside and every color seems just a little brighter. While you soak in the scenes that follow—from a vibrant cottage in Virginia to a daisy-inspired outdoor table…

Striking in its serenity, the palette of this Atlanta, Georgia, cottage was inspired by personal taste. “She loved blues and greens,” says interior designer Virginia Cheek of the homeowner, who brought her on to redesign the space. It was a jumping-off point that led the two women on a path to a beautiful, comfortable cottage—one that would grow with the homeowner through the next stages of life. In the spirit of Southern hospitality, the homeowner emphasized the need for a formal living room that was conducive to events such as the Bible study she was hosting at the time. “She wanted it to be a comfortable place to host gatherings like that—comfortable, but also feminine,” Virginia says. She creatively incorporated extra seating, such as the stools tucked under the foyer…

Only the second inhabitants to call the house their own, this Homewood, Alabama, family of five was drawn to the home’s expansive layout and the architectural details—from arched and coffered ceilings to cased openings with wooden beams—that keep it from feeling like a recent build. When it came time to furnish their new abode, they turned to interior designer Meg Wallace, who had previously worked with the family. Describing the homeowner’s style as transitional, Meg notes she was able to work in a range of styles while maintaining a cohesive feel in the design. “They kind of like a mix,” she says. “They have a lot of very traditional pieces, some mid-century items, antiques, and then they like contemporary art.” Warm wood tones and vibrant antique rugs set the tone…

Experience was what led the Daniel family to turn the small-scale backyard of their new-build home into a private and practical oasis. “We came from a home that had a similarly sized backyard,” says Haley Daniel, “but we hadn’t utilized it well.” With two young children and neighbors close by, she and her husband came to the new space with a clear vision—one that included as much function as it did beauty. As the list of goals was substantial—including space for the kids to play, a spot for outdoor dining, and a corner for a chicken coop—it was crucial to maximize every inch of space. Toward that end, each element was carefully selected to serve a purpose while adding beauty to the family’s view. “We tried to create a natural…

“I’ve been an artist my whole life,” says Trisha Patel, whose full-time job as a critical care pharmacist, while deeply fulfilling, left little time for creative pursuits. It was the desire to spend more time with her children by making a living as an artist that finally lit the spark for change. In 2021, she found herself immersed in the world of surface pattern design and began licensing her designs with various industries, including fabric and wallpaper manufacturers. It wasn’t long before Niyavii Design was founded—derived from the names of her two children—and she began producing her own products in addition to licensing her designs. While she recently changed the name of her brand to simply “Trisha Patel,” her original goal remains the motivation behind her work. “It is ultimately,…

In the heart of Fort Wayne, Indiana, amidst a burgeoning food scene and buildings made vibrant with public art, sits a boutique hotel that’s well-known for its namesake. Conceived in part by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, co-founder of design company Vera Bradley, the luxury hotel is an ideal landing spot for exploring the growing list of attractions in the city and the communities beyond. Starting your day with breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant, Arbor, is a fabulous option for dipping your toes into the culinary scene, but if you’re looking to branch out, nearby options include Fortezza Coffee, which offers a selection of baked goods throughout the week and fresh pastries every Sunday. With latte in hand, check out visitfortwayne.com, where you’ll find a guide to the Fort Wayne Public Art…

To find out more about product sources or to contact the design professionals, see credits and contacts listed below. Porch Panache Pages 13–16—Architectural designs by Adams Gerndt Design Group. Pages 13–14—Place mat, napkin ring, dinner and salad plates from Juliska. Tumbler from Vietri. Pillow covers from Serena & Lily. Pages 15–16—Pillows from Lacefield Designs. Platter and wineglass from Bromberg’s. Artfully Arranged Pages 17–19—Tulipiere from The Enchanted Home. Page 20—Tulipiere from Abigails. A Charming Refresh Pages 27–34—Interior designs by Virginia Cheek, Virginia Cheek Designs. Page 27—Wallpaper by Gracie. Page 30—Painting over mantel by Renée Bouchon. A Fun Twist on Traditional Style Pages 35–44—Interior designs by Erin Myers, Erin Myers Design. Page 36—Grass cloth wallpaper by Thibaut. Pages 39–49—Wallpaper by Cole & Son. Page 41—(Bottom right) Wallpaper by Hygge & West. Page…

TRANQUIL HARMONY Plush wicker chairs and a stylish weathered-look table yield the perfect perch on which to enjoy stunning panoramic vistas on this veranda. Whether you cast your gaze toward the horizon or overlook the charming poolside scene, a pleasing view prevails with the gentle breeze. Vivid garden blooms and accessories enhance the casual tabletop while perky yellow-and-white pillows invigorate the sunny scene below, where friends enjoy a swim and gather for a sip of lemonade. COLLECTED CHARM An abundance of plump pillows imbues a comfortable and inviting air, ideal for sharing a beverage and an afternoon snack with fine companions or curling up alone with a good book. Groupings of ceramic vessels, some filled with summer’s favorite blooms, lend visual elegance and a sense of continuity. White wicker furnishings…

Playful patterns and a floor plan fit for entertaining hint at homeowner Maggie Lyon’s charming Southern roots, while traditional touches bring balance for a warm and welcoming home ideal for a young family. After moving from a row house in Washington, DC, Maggie and her husband, Troy, quickly realized that while the new build in Alexandria, Virginia, offered a lot more space, their current furniture was no longer the right scale. Thankfully, Maggie had already been working with interior designer Erin Myers of Erin Myers Design, who describes her firm’s approach to design as “rooted in traditional and classic elements but always looking for ways to inject some modernity and personality.” For Erin, it’s all about achieving just the right juxtaposition to elevate a space. “Maybe it’s a classic or…

Although the Davidsons’ motivation for moving across town was family— their children and grandchildren live in the neighborhood, notes homeowner Tom Davidson—the English Tudor-style cottage they moved into had plenty of draw on its own. “We found this house before it went on the market and kind of got excited,” Tom remembers, “and I had the idea of an English-style garden around the house.” There was already a strong foundation to work with. Previous owners had built structures such as stone and retaining walls, and original features, including iron gates, remained intact. But the property had its fair share of challenges. “When we bought the house, at least half the backyard was a mud pit,” Tom says. He laid brick pavers and added drainage, creating a terraced patio, and hired…

It wasn’t Johanna Vernick’s plan to start from scratch when decorating her new home in Dallas, Texas. But when the buyers of her family’s Austin residence asked to purchase the furniture along with the home, she found herself presented with an exciting opportunity. “We really did start from scratch in a big way,” says Johanna, who partnered with interior designer Margaret Chambers to execute a brand-new vision far removed from the more modern spirit of her previous space. “When I contacted her, what immediately came to mind is that she was a good listener,” Johanna says—something that was important, as she wanted her home’s design to reflect her personal style and preferences. It just so happened that this desire aligned perfectly with Margaret’s design philosophy, and it wasn’t long before…