The Cottage Journal

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 enamel

These days, cutting boards come in all shapes and sizes and are often displayed on kitchen countertops and walls. Although maple has long been the wood of choice for the boards, bamboo has also become a popular option. Collectors often focus on a sin

When Ginger Hain and Larry Hart first found their mountain property in charming, artsy Waynesville, North Carolina, the newlyweds knew the 1940s cottage would offer cramped quarters. The couple was so smitten with the location, they planned to simply

Homeowner Jackie Wise is quick to admit that she and her husband, Jimmy, didn’t really know what they were getting into when they purchased their 1950s fixer-upper in Jimmy’s hometown of Springville, Alabama. “After we bought the house, we gave my si

In 2010, Pennsylvania couple Cyndy and Barry Olliff invested in a large hunting preserve and turned it into a world-class comprehensive equestrian operation. Known as Stable View, it is a top-notch eventing (dressage, cross-country, and show jumping)

Yvonne Pratt has always loved decorating, but she realized early on that, as much as she enjoys color in other people’s houses, she prefers the serenity of whites and neutrals for her own home. “I like a calm look,” she says. The spacious country hom

A garage with a carriage house above was supposed to be a temporary home for Patsy and Jeffrey Schmidt of Christiana, Tennessee. They would live there with their daughters, Emme Grace and Rayley Beth, while the main house was under construction. But

Amy and Brian Kleinwachter were destined to meet. Their passion for antiques started early in childhood and would eventually draw them together later in life. Brian’s love for antiques sprouted from growing up in the business with his parents—from ye

On 400 rolling acres outside Franklin, Tennessee, Gentry’s Farm has been owned by the family for seven generations. From cotton and cows to hogs and hay, diversified efforts have kept the farm flourishing while summer camps and fall festivities allow

Jan and Bryan Pruitt relished the excitement of discovering new towns and the challenge of creating new homes along the way, but there’s an undeniable element of disappointment in knowing that it’s only temporary—especially for a family of six. So, n

It’s not every child who has mystery doors lining the halls of their home, but Becky and Roy Morton’s children are lucky. It all started when Roy hung one old barn door in their home. “I had this large wall, and I could have hung art, but I had doors

Sue Charles of Washington Boro, Pennsylvania, always knew that she loved painting. Her affinity for drawing began when she was a toddler and continued throughout childhood. She often copied pictures from books and made greeting cards for her family.

Vivian Gregory was her mother’s best pupil. In fact, Vivian was her mother’s only pupil after she gave up teaching high school home economics to raise her two children. Although Vivian was 4 years old at the time, she can still recall her mother teac