Small Modern Living – Pick Up Cottage Living!
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Becky |
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Decorating Modern, Design Magazines, Design Press, Design on the Web, Preserving Modern Architecture | 6 Comments
Last week I let you know all about Jane Coslick, who had a recent feature in Cottage Living magazine. Do you ever pick up Cottage Living? Does the title make you fear it will be full of doilies and fish themes and pot bellied stoves? It’s NOT! This magazine is chock full of amazing ideas, hip homes, creative singles and couples who save decrepit cottages & bungalows and turn them into inspiring spaces, owners of fabulous independent shops and their homes, and people who believe living smaller is better. The styles range from modern to country, from regency to shabby chic, and I am always inspired by the photos and products that they feature.
The May issue is available in full to subscribers online, so I am able to share a few images with you that might make you go right out and buy your own copy.
The first article that knocked my socks off was about this couple in Texas who turned this:
into this:
Check out the magic they worked on the interior. They were able to preserve the original charming characteristics of their bungalow, but opened it up and made it seem much more spacious. One brilliant move they made was moving the laundry to a shed in the backyard in order to gain some extra kitchen space. This might not be as practical for those of us north of Texas who need to keep pipes warm, but it’s a great idea!
Their carefully edited collection of art, furniture and accessories really stands out against the white walls, original pine floors, and exposed brick.
The next article made me wish I were friends with the owner, Michael Lee. It’s titled “Friends Bring My Cottage to Life.” Check out this amazing setting:
This room looks so serene and comfortable. Those bookshelves are perfect; I am definitely going to swipe this photo for Bookshelves Part III:
Michael certainly understands how to use white to its fullest potential. The more organic elements (bamboo shades, wooden coffee table and floors, plants, beach stones and that awesome tree stump side table) really stand out with the white background, and his choice of rugs, artwork and pillows complement all of this perfectly.
Who wouldn’t love working at this perfect Parsons desk corner?
Finally, Michael does not seem to take it all too seriously, throwing in ship models, a bit of chrome, and a punch or two of turquoise. Aren’t you just over people who are so disciplined about sticking to a strict color palette without any fun surprises?
I was not able to find a good link to Michael Lee’s other work (he is an interior designer). If someone knows of one, please leave it in the comments so that I can share it with everyone.
All photos from the May issue of Cottage Living. Subscribers have access to entire issues online, which is a treat, and makes tossing the issue into the recycling bin slightly easier.
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April 30th, 2007 at 6:16 pm (#)
When I think of Better Homes + Gardens, Cottage Living, Country Living, Sunset, etc. I always thought of pot bellied stoves and pot bellied owners too! he he. Not really but sorta, I mean, I often visualized rooster motifs and such. But to my amazement, I started reading Cottage Living and Country Living about 4 years ago and I’m hooked. I look forward to them both and recently became a subscriber after realized that maybe 4 years of buying them monthly at Barnes + Noble was a bit stupid. I have to say, many of my ideas come from these magazines — they merge my two favorite styles for the most part – modern and flea market finds. I love architectural details, homes that feature things like transom windows, moldings, built-ins, etc. but modern furniture and a few flea market finds mixed in. I’ve lived by this style since my first apartment when I was 19 years old, so most of my life. I doubt it will ever change for me.
I love your pics from Cottage Living. I have to check out their site, haven’t been over there recently.
Do you read Home Companion? It was a fave of mine, I collected the issues since their premiere, but over the past year, I’ve been very uninspired and a bit underwhelmed by their content. Your thoughts?
May 1st, 2007 at 12:52 am (#)
i want your book but the problem is that i live in iran would you please help me?
May 1st, 2007 at 9:12 am (#)
Hi Holly, is that the Mary Englebright magazine? I’ve been getting Country Living for years, but it has become a little bit too shabby shabby chic for me lately! British Country Living is fun to flip through – more Cath Kidston/Kate’s cottage in “The Holiday” style.
Marjan – Cottage Living is an American magazine – perhaps try to google it to see if you can get a subscription. I am not sure if amazon.com does shipping to Iran, but I know that you can subscribe to it there. I would also check to see if there are any international magazine-swapping groups you could join. Also, subscribers have access to the entire issue online, so perhaps you can get some sort of online subscription.
Becky
May 1st, 2007 at 9:56 am (#)
Thank you for posting this! I was looking at this issue of Cottage Living in a nail salong and absolutely fell in love with that Texas renovation! I wanted to blog about it, but then when I went to their site I couldn’t find it! These images are such a tease.
May 2nd, 2007 at 10:50 am (#)
Hi Angela! Subscribers to the magazine now have access to entire issues online, which is pretty great. I believe this issue is still on the stands. They feature a lot of places like this Texas bungalow, probably about one per issue, where a young architect/designer type finds a near tear-down and restores it to a beautiful space.
becky
July 11th, 2008 at 4:13 pm (#)
I just happened along your blog and enjoyed reading your comments on the cottage living article. I remember seeing this in that issue and thought what a refreshing article from a publication that normally does not venture into the more modern cottages.
My ModCottages, LLC has recently completed small contemorary beach cottage in Laguna beach FL in an effort to re-establish the small Florida beach cottages that have since been so over-whelmed by the McMansion beach houses. There is some info on it and photos and links at my blog http://www.beachinmod.blogspot.com I hope you will enjoy seeing it and please comment.