Tabla de contenidos para Christmas 2018 en The Cottage Journal

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This issue is filled with pages of personal stories and inspiring ways to create a wonderland of time together with family and friends. The designers and homeowners of the cottages within share their heartfelt desire to gather and enjoy memories of time spent celebrating the season. Within this issue, homeowners share their unique approaches to decorating for the season. One says, “I really try hard to not start until the day after Thanksgiving because I don’t like blending holidays as each has its own importance.” Well said considering we all tend to have a push to shop ahead of time! “My source of inspiration was, I think, my china room,” another homeowner says, referring to her home’s former library, which she uses…

When it comes to decorating her 1936 Tudor-style home for Christmas, Ellen Gaberlavage lets the house speak for itself. “I just stand back and visualize what I want,” she says. “This year, when I stood back and looked at the house, I could just see pine.” Her vision resulted in an exterior draped in pine garland dripping with oversize pine cones. Framing the porches and tucked into window boxes, the greenery complements the warm brick and rough-hewn stone of the home’s exterior with rich, rustic style. It’s a style that demonstrates Ellen’s passion for holiday décor, which she carries throughout her entire home. “I probably have hundreds of thousands of decorations,” she says with a laugh. “I change everything up from year to year.” This year, Ellen enlisted the help…

A self-proclaimed “dysfunctional perfectionist,” artist Rebecca Vizard takes great care in everything she does, especially her creative works. Designing pillows, ornaments, stockings, and more at her family’s plantation in Louisiana, Rebecca comes up with truly unique pieces made from luxurious textiles sourced from all around the world. Rebecca started sewing at just 5 years old, and her skills have only flourished since then. “It was Easter morning, and my grandmother was trying to keep me occupied while everyone was getting dressed for church,” she recalls. “She taught me to sew buttons onto a dish towel, and when I stood up, I had sewn the towel and buttons to my Easter dress.” From her first foray, she was hooked. “I loved that zen feeling of concentration as I was stitching.” Her…

Southern Marsh Watson Pile Sherpa Blanket This Christmas, the Watson Pile Sherpa Blanket is just what you need to provide warmth on a crisp winter night while sitting in front of your fireplace sipping on your favorite beverage with family and friends. It’s lined and bound with a beautiful, warm brushed twill flannel. Perfect season after season, it’s sure to be a cozy addition to your cottage Christmas. WHERE TO FIND IT: southernmarsh.com Spartina 449 Pia Shoulder Bag in Rhett The holiday season often means extra travel. Let the Pia Shoulder Bag in Rhett graciously welcome all your essentials. The roomy linen interior of Spartina’s Pia Shoulder Bag features a zip and two slip pockets under its hidden magnetic closure. With its contrasting geometric cadence in black and off-white, you’ll…

When Heather Brooks and her husband, Michael, began designing their dream home, they knew exactly what they wanted—which isn’t a surprise considering they’ve built three homes previously. “We complement each other quite well when it comes to designing a home—a great balance of aesthetics and function,” Heather says. With two young boys and a love of entertaining, functionality wasn’t a mere desire—it was a necessity. The home’s open-concept floor plan and high ceilings give an airy feel to the space no matter how many guests the family has. “Given that we have two very active boys, we were very focused on making our house a great space for them as well as a place that others would want to hang out,” Heather explains. “Our inspiration came from our experiences, our…

When it comes to favorite Christmas memories, the rich flavors and fragrances of the season are often the first things to come to mind. Passing down cherished family recipes, whipping up new savory treats, and sharing beloved dishes with new friends are all wonderful ways to honor the spirit of the season, and no Christmas holiday would be complete without gathering over a lovingly prepared meal. Regardless of your kitchen’s style, make sure it gets the holiday treatment it deserves. Whether draped in greenery or accented with sparkling silver baubles, the heart of your home is the perfect place to cook up Christmas memories. LOOKING UP Every inch of your kitchen—even overhead space—is an opportunity for a little Christmas spirit. Wrap your chandelier in garland and adorn it with ornaments,…

From the top of the tree to the packages beneath, creating a showstopping space that exudes stylish and quintessential Christmas charm lies in the details. Trim your tree by layering a mixture of ribbons and baubles in all sizes and textures for a curated and collected look next to a roaring fire. Select wrapping paper that feels classic yet contemporary by choosing a single color motif and coordinating ribbons.…

Renovating a house is no easy task. Attempting a renovation with two small children and a baby while also living in the home—that’s a whole different matter. But that’s exactly what Jennifer and Patrick Browne did with their 1993 home. When the couple first saw the house, they fell in love, even putting in an offer that day and getting into a bidding war with four other buyers. Luckily, the Brownes won and immediately got to work creating their dream home with the help of designer Pandy Agnew. Living out of three upstairs bedrooms, the couple stayed in close quarters while the entire kitchen and master suite were gutted. Walls taken down, floors replaced, columns removed—the entire home, including the exterior paint job, got a facelift. But when it was…

Come the holiday season, you’d expect to find your local garden center overflowing with traditional Christmas goods—bright red poinsettias, Christmas roses, lush evergreen wreaths—but at Shoppe in Birmingham, Alabama, you’ll find the classics and so much more as the store becomes awash in the splendor of the season. Owners Mark Thompson and Jay Draper both have a love of gardening and design, having worked for various garden centers over the course of their careers. Owning a store was just a dream until an evening stroll with their dog led them to the current home of their little garden shop—a 1920s bungalow nestled in Birmingham’s Forest Park neighborhood. “We talked about opening a place for a long time, but we never felt like the spot or opportunity was just the right…

Creating Christmas Pages 17–18—Tree, wreath, and mantel designs by Shelayne Thompson, Shelayne’s Botanicals & Holiday Décor. China from Arte Italica. Pillows from Tricia’s Treasures. Stockings and tree ribbon from d.stevens. Decorating Tradition Pages 19–22—Christmas ornaments from The Holiday Shop. Built for the Holidays Pages 29–38—Interior designs by Heather Brooks, The Heart Sisters Design. Practical Personality Pages 39–48—Interior design by Pandy Agnew, Pandy Agnew Interiors. Inspired by Home Pages 49–60—Christmas décor by Emile Earles, Sweet Georgia Brown. Page 56—Light fixtures from Wakefield Home. A Modern Merry Christmas Pages 61–68—Interior designs by Alison Smith Interiors. Holiday interior designs by Lisa Lester Designs. Built by Donovan Builders LLC. Page 61—Custom painting over mantel by Sarah Mason. Page 65—Lighting in kitchen and breakfast nook from Visual Comfort & Co. Page 67—Custom bed from Henry…