Cottage Living Magazine Inspires!

[Midori]

Which article(s) in Cottage Living Magazine have inspired you? And why?

[zuzus_garden]

Hi Midori - fun idea! Can't wait to hear what has inspired you!

Here's my favorite...

I LOVED the article on Heather Chadduck's home in the Nov/Dec issue.

...her fun mix of antiques and modern pieces (like the art on pg. 185)
...her use of texture, like the pristine white ironstone in the weathered cabinet
...her choice of fabrics - toile, stripes, leopard skin, floral, old leather, paisley
...her cement countertops
...her wicker lampshade on the swing-arm, wall-mounted lamp

but, I especially loved the surprise touches that are uniquely her own...
...her use of graphic numbers (back of chairs, brass #2 in living room)
...her beautiful and creative floral arrangements
...her chalkboard in the dining room
...her chemistry lab stools
...her chicken feeder used to store spices
...her candle chandelier

Americans are pounded with advertising to go out and buy mass-produced, biggy-sized furniture and home accents with drive-thru convenience. What I loved most is how Heather stepped out of the norm, and pulled up her sleeves to create a home that expresses who she is and what she loves. And, as a result, she inspires others to do the same.

:)
Zuzu

[Midori]

Thanks ZuZu! I guess I forgot to post the Cottage Living article that most inspired me. I, too, really admired Heather Chadduck's home in the November/December issue! But I have to confess this is the article that most inspired me...

It was the "A Simple Scarf Turned into a Full-Blown Love Affair..." byCarolynn Carreno in the January/February issue (it's about knitting!) After reading Ms. Carreno's article, I was inspired to find a yarn shop so I could buy some wool yarn and knitting needles and I could start a knitting project - a pair of wool socks for my husband's Valentine gift. Oh my gosh, she is so right about knitting becoming an Obsession!!! I spend all my time Scheming how to find More Time to Knit and Wanting to Buy More Yarn!!!! I finished the socks in a week and a half, knit a pair of fingerless mitts also for my husband and am knitting another pair of socks!!! I find myself spending all my leisure time knitting! Knitting brings back wonderful memories of my beloved Grandma. My dear Grandma taught my sisters and brother how to knit years ago, my Dad would come home after work and find all of us sitting on the back porch before dinner knitting!!!! I'd forgotten how fun it is!!! (And this is really wild, I think my husband is actually inspired to start a knitting project too! He asked me to show him how to knit and wants to go to the yarn shop next time I go!)

Who's next?

Midori

[zuzus_garden]

Midori - that's awesome!

I don't want to get you into any trouble here, but if you love to knit, check out PippiKneeSocks (http://www.pippikneesocks.com/)! I don't knit, but her handspun, handpainted yarns are yummy!
:)
Zuzu

[Midori]

Thank you Zuzu! Oh MY!!!! (swoons delightedly) What wonderful colors of yarn! Oh Yes, I shall Definitely have to get some of Pippikneesocks yarn to knit!!! Thank you again for the website!

Warm regards,

Midori

[Karinbob]

I totally agree with all that you said here! :D


Hi Midori - fun idea! Can't wait to hear what has inspired you!

Here's my favorite...

I LOVED the article on Heather Chadduck's home in the Nov/Dec issue.

...her fun mix of antiques and modern pieces (like the art on pg. 185)
...her use of texture, like the pristine white ironstone in the weathered cabinet
...her choice of fabrics - toile, stripes, leopard skin, floral, old leather, paisley
...her cement countertops
...her wicker lampshade on the swing-arm, wall-mounted lamp

but, I especially loved the surprise touches that are uniquely her own...
...her use of graphic numbers (back of chairs, brass #2 in living room)
...her beautiful and creative floral arrangements
...her chalkboard in the dining room
...her chemistry lab stools
...her chicken feeder used to store spices
...her candle chandelier

Americans are pounded with advertising to go out and buy mass-produced, biggy-sized furniture and home accents with drive-thru convenience. What I loved most is how Heather stepped out of the norm, and pulled up her sleeves to create a home that expresses who she is and what she loves. And, as a result, she inspires others to do the same.

:)
Zuzu

[mckenzygirl]

The article that inspired me was the cover story about Claudia Darr.
I like everything she did to her cottage.
I even got some ideas for my own cottage.

I like Heather chadducks home too and also got ideas from that article.
By the way where is the update on Heathers new place that she is doing? Anyone know?

I also liked Carolyn Malones article about her home. In the premier issue.

I really liked the article on "Creating cottage style"
"This room was like a dark cave"
That is how I felt about my kitchen!
With it's dark walnut cabinets and orange counter tops.
I have the same drawer pulls on my cabinets and I love 'em!
My floor is also going to be a checkered board floor only in black and white liad on the diagonal to make the room feel larger.
I'm also thinking about taking down a cubinet and putting up some open shevles that are "chunky looking" I have a pot rack made out of an old ladder and the doors to the cabinet gets in the way of the ladder. I got loads of ideas from this article!

Another article I liked was in the Jan/Feb on Sally and Matt Craven, their kitchen was a great help to me also. I love the red and white checkered floor!
One thing I'd like to know is where can I find a bread ox like the one on Sally's counter ? Anyone know where I could purchase one just like it?

I also love the bathroom in Sally's home! And I would love to someday have a bath tub just like hers!