2022 07 05TheCottageJournal
2022 07 05TheCottageJournal
2022 07 05TheCottageJournal
AUTUMN COTTAGE 2
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CONTENTS
AUTUMN ALLURE
11 Crisp Air with a Side of Color
13 Carved from History
15 Festive Pumpkin Style
HARVEST TABLE
101 Creating an Autumn Setting
105 A Bounty of Layers
109 Fall Bliss
D I G I TA L M E D I A A D M I N I S T R AT I V E
MARKETING DIRECTOR Kristy Harrison DEALER PROGRAM MANAGER Janice Ritter
ONLINE EDITOR Rachel Marshall
DIGITAL DESIGNER Stephanie Lambert
I N T E G R AT E D M A R K E T I N G S O LU T I O N S
Autumn Cottage is published by Hoffman Media, LLC, 1900 International Park Drive, Suite 50, Birmingham, AL 35243. The cover and contents of Autumn Cottage are fully protected by
copyright and cannot be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. All rights reserved in all countries.
©2022 Hoffman Media, LLC. Printed in the USA.
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All-new, exclusive 2023 WALL CALENDAR
straight from the pages of The Cottage Journal!
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AUTUMN
ALLURE
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Crisp Air with a
Side of Color
Gather inspired ideas for using
the fruits of the harvest season
in your garden arrangements.
For an elevated garden style this season, go beyond a
simple bowl of gourds or jack-o’-lanterns. Autumn is
all about texture. Try layering pumpkins and squash
into a collection of baskets or straight into garden
beds, piled high among the Áowers like bright jewels.
The rich red-oranges, buttery yellows, and crisp whites
make bold companions for mums and marigolds.
On the porch, where displays are protected from
the weather, arrangements of autumnal harvest
fruits and vegetables can create beautiful inspired
moments—whether they’re enclosed in rustic lanterns
or used as an accent to a wreath or centerpiece.
Try adding some of nature’s most beautiful fruits to
your next dinner party or garden picnic for a look
that will not only impress but also inspire others to
embrace the coming fall months.
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Carved from
HISTORY
See why these stunning carved
pieces with roots in a lakeside
Swiss village are worth collecting.
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Festive Pumpkin Style
Celebrate the season with gourds of all varieties, shapes, and sizes.
Piles of pumpkins thoughtfully stacked to create a table’s autumn centerpiece, or a friendly front porch welcome, exude
effortless cottage charm. Whether you opt for muted neutral tones or classic vibrant oranges, you can’t go wrong with
these seasonal delights!
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Create a simple arrangement or focal point
using miniature pumpkins, gourds, and freshly
picked apples. A bounty of harvest fruits
grouped together provides rich color and
fragrance—as well as stylish charm—to nearly
any space in the home when paired with your
favorite vessel or serving dish.
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Decorating with pumpkins outdoors isn’t limited to the front
door! Give your cottage garden an extra dose of fall Áair by
adding the unexpected. Heirloom and fairytale pumpkins
stacked along a garden gate or gently piled in a wheelbarrow
or wagon offer a touch of whimsy to your space. Pair with
mums or your preferred autumn Áorals to really set the scene.
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DECORATING
WITH FALL FLAIR
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Clean, Serene,
and Classic
Neutrals are the key to timeless style
for the woman behind decorating
and design blog StoneGabl e.
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Y 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 home near Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, that she shares with her husband,
Bobby, has a semi-open floor plan, so sight
lines travel through several rooms. “You have
to go through a lot of things visually, and you
don’t want it to overwhelm you,” she says,
“so the calmer and more neutral the palette,
the better.”
Even seasonal decorating obeys the quiet
neutrals rule. For fall, autumn leaves pressed
between glass and a few pillows embroidered
or printed with pumpkin designs nod to the
season’s traditional earthy colors, but the
pumpkins she piles in baskets and on tables
are all white or pale blue-gray. Most of
Yvonne’s pumpkins are plastic decorations
she’s painted white, interspersed with fresh
ones from an Amish greenhouse. The strictly
white-and-pastel palette plays up the interesting
shapes of the pumpkins and gives them an
unexpected elegance.
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After more than 27 years, blogger Yvonne Pratt replaced her
18th century-style mahogany dining table and chairs with an
updated concrete table, upholstered wingback chairs, and a
bench slipcovered with a painter’s drop cloth. Yvonne painted
and reupholstered two of the original side chairs (much to the
horror of her blog readers). “The carving shows up so much
better,” she says. An affordable indoor-outdoor rug offers low
maintenance and high style underfoot.
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Deep crown moldings
and Áuted corners on the
cabinetry give an upscale
look to the farmhouse-style
kitchen. The soapstone
countertops are durable
but have a soft touch that
Yvonne appreciates. The
electric-candle chandelier
came from a popular
hardware chain.
Dedicated to DIY, Yvonne is always working
on projects to share with the readers of her blog,
StoneGable. Her home is her laboratory, and every
room showcases her handiwork: in the family room,
a secondhand desk with a chipped paint finish
and floor-length sheers with burlap headers; in the
dining room, an artful wall display and tablescape;
in the living room, trendy atomic orbs and simple
window treatments. For bigger projects, such as
painting the stairs and banister or building a headboard
out of salvaged shutters, her husband lends a hand.
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In the guest bedroom that was
once their son’s room, the Pratts
used distressed furniture, country-
style fabrics, and a headboard
Bobby made from old shutters in
honor of their daughter-in-law’s
fondness for the chipped-paint look
and vintage Ànds. Above the bed
in their daughter’s former bedroom
is a map of the area. Yvonne marked
the location of StoneGable with a
little heart, “because I wanted my
daughter to remember where her
second home was.”
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Eclectic DESIGN
Hidden away in the mountains of Wyoming, this home provides
refined, comfortable style with a dash of history.
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A repair shop sign in the living
room adds to the “reÀned
masculine aesthetic” that
interior designer Kate Binger
says inÁuenced much of the
home’s design, balancing
the more contemporary
artwork on the opposite
side of the French doors.
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The wooden beams in the living area ground the space, adding
interest to the white walls and ceiling while tying in many of the
natural materials found in the furniture. The interior wall opens
onto the kitchen, making it easy for the family to interact with
guests while preparing dinner.
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Upholstered in charcoal and
almond linens, the dining
chairs demonstrate the expert
juxtapositions that Kate utilized
throughout the design. The
antler chandelier is a classic
choice for many mountain
homes, and a rustic wooden
bowl on the table holds a
collection of billiard balls for
a touch of color.
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In the kitchen, classic design choices are elevated
by a number of standout details, like the butcher
block placed throughout the space for convenience
during dinner prep. White cabinets and subway tile
create a soft contrast with warm gray walls and dark
countertops, and the beautiful view out the bay window
over the kitchen sink makes the chore of washing
dishes less daunting.
Wooden barstools topped with leather are both a
comfortable place for guests to enjoy one another’s
company and an eye-catching detail of the design,
and a set of brightly colored jugs on the counter
contribute a splash of personality to the space.
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The home’s bedrooms up the coziness
factor with welcoming neutrals, rich gray
tones, and layered textures. Clean lines
paired with details like cowhide throw
pillows and varnished wood surfaces
maintain the masculine character found in
every room, keeping the spaces comfortable
for everyone.
Kate’s original goal for the project
extended to the home’s exterior, where
regional flair is evident in every detail.
Various outdoor spaces, including the
firepit and the rocking chairs on the porch,
draw together friends and family alike,
inviting everyone to sit back and enjoy the
unique beauty Wyoming has to offer.
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Barbara and Charlie Tickle’s
home in Cashiers, North Carolina,
celebrates a rich history and
unique sense of place with a
number of reclaimed elements
from the historic Inn at Millstone.
The millstone that once hung
above the Àreplace in the main
living room of the inn was incor-
porated into the backsplash
above the stove in the kitchen.
F
For nearly three decades, retreating to the cool North
Carolina mountains to escape the sweltering Alabama
summers as well as to enjoy the vibrant fall foliage has
been a tradition for Barbara and Charlie Tickle and
their family. Perched high in the hills with breathtak-
“We have been coming to this area for over 25 years,”
says Barbara. “We always stayed at our favorite place,
the Inn at Millstone, before finally building our own home
in Mountaintop [Golf & Lake Club] in 2005,” she adds.
A historic property with a rich and storied past, the
ing views, the charming little community of Cashiers, Inn at Millstone had originally been built as a vacation
North Carolina, holds a lifetime of precious memories home in the 1930s by the Stoddards, a New York couple
that are fondly recalled each and every time the couple who summered there for 10 years before the area
returns to this special locale. even had electricity. The Stoddards eventually sold their
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vacation home, which then became The Silver
Slip Lodge. Since then, the property has taken
on multiple owners and name changes over
the decades before becoming the fabled Inn
at Millstone. Sadly, in 2011, the inn was closed
and boarded up for three years. Hearing that
it might soon be for sale, Barbara and Charlie
kept a close eye on the property so they might
snap it up when the time was right.
“My tenacious husband picked and picked
until we finally closed on it in March 2014,”
Barbara says with a laugh. “Unfortunately, the
inn had fallen into disrepair, so we salvaged
everything we could. We had no intention of
taking it down, but it was too far gone,” she says.
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The incredible craftsmanship found both inside and out
showcases a cozy warmth year-round while the windows
allow for breathtaking autumn vistas as the leaves begin
to change. Though the mountain cottage has large living
spaces and inviting, open rooms to gather, the thoughtful
design elements welcome touches of relaxed cottage
living. Reclaimed chestnut wood from the old Stoddard
home now covers the Áoors throughout the new home.
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The couple worked with local team Maxine
and Jeff Sikes, owners of both The Global Craftsman
and Curated Home in Cashiers, to restore and
preserve every possible remnant from the original
Inn at Millstone to incorporate into their new
home. Jeff disassembled everything he could from
the old property, and Maxine helped Barbara pull
the interiors together.
“We wanted to put it back as close to the original
as possible,” says Barbara, “which was a challenge
because of the predominantly gray-and-white
color palettes popular today. It’s almost impossible
to recreate an earth tone 1930s look,” she jokes.
To avoid disturbing the character of the original
property, the couple decided to build their new
home on the same footprint as the inn. They
called on architect Mark Paullin of Charlotte,
North Carolina, and local builders Dearl Stewart
and Dave Parmelee of Dearl Stewart Construction
to help execute their vision.
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“They all did such an incredible job with our
Mountaintop home, so we knew we could trust them
to do the same here,” says Barbara. “Everyone had the
sensitivity of the historical piece we were trying to
achieve, and the craftsmanship is outstanding,” she adds.
Special features that were reclaimed from the original
construction include the chestnut wood that now
covers the floors throughout the new home as well as
the ceiling and walls in the study. The millstone that
was above the fireplace in the main living room of the
inn now resides above the stove in the kitchen, and the
signs and keys from all the original rooms at the inn now
hang on the new bedroom doors.
“This home has incredibly taken on the spirit of the
old Inn at Millstone,” says Barbara. “We’ve had nonstop
company since we moved in—everyone here is warm
and inviting, and that’s why we love Cashiers,” she says.
“And of course, autumn is the absolute best—pumpkins,
apples, the smells, the colors of the trees—it all makes
me smile.”
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Creative
SOLUTIONS
This rustic mountain cottage proves that
the most challenging situations can result
in the most beautiful of outcomes.
A
As an interior designer, Katie Payne Confer of That Girl
Katie Design Studio knows how to tackle a difficult project.
But when she and her husband moved from San Francisco,
California, to a mountain home in Jackson, Wyoming,
they were faced with the task of turning the space into
the perfect home for their family. “There were just weird
angles and . . . some odd things that didn’t make sense,”
Katie says, noting that the basement was in particularly
bad shape.
But adding square footage and reworking the flow of
the layout wasn’t the only obstacle that needed to be overcome.
Originally brown cedar, the home’s exterior had been
painted yellow, and it was nearly too much for Katie. “We
almost didn’t buy the house,” she says.
In the end, the Confers decided to paint the exterior
brown rather than letting the ruined cedar deter them, and
Katie now considers the dilemma just another puzzle in
the process of designing a home.
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In the entryway, a typewriter that
belonged to Katie’s grandfather sits atop
a Welsh dresser that she altered to Àt
the space. Katie uses the typewriter
to display welcoming notes to visitors,
and it’s a favorite among children.
“It’s fun to have items like that used
and not just sitting in a box in a closet,”
Katie says.
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“It’s such a great family
house. It’s super cozy,
and you feel like you’ve
used all the spaces,”
Katie says, noting that
every space in the home
is utilized regularly. “We sit
at our dining room table
pretty much four to Àve
nights a week.”
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The warmth of the color palette is made
cozier by the ample, varied textures used in the
design, like the barnwood cabinets in the kitchen.
While the couple originally considered all-white
cabinets, the home’s rustic surroundings made
it clear the choice would have been a mistake.
“They’re only going to get better with age,” Katie
says of the cabinets.
Throughout the home, Katie furnished spaces
with pieces from her family and her childhood
home in West Virginia. China given to Katie by
her mother sets the dining table, and sconces
crafted from snowshoes that Katie’s uncle gifted
her when she was a child adorn one wall. “For me,
it’s more meaningful,” Katie says. “It has history
and a story to it.”
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“I wouldn’t say I’m a complete
minimalist, because I like things
that have meaning and tradition
and are sentimental,” Katie says.
“And it’s those things that tell
a story.”
Katie designed the woven headboard in the main bedroom and had it made by local craftsmen. “I came up with the
plan and then they executed it,” she says. The painting hanging over the bed is a portrait of Katie and her daughter by
artist Dominic Avant.
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In the family’s media
room, the wallpaper
bears a map of the
area, including Grand
Teton National Park,
where the family
often go camping.
The antique desk
against the wall
belonged to Katie’s
father. “He actually
learned to read at
that desk,” she notes.
Downstairs, the Confers were faced with
yet another puzzle—that of creating the ideal
space for visiting friends and family. Despite the
contractor’s hesitation, Katie knew that she
wanted a guest suite that adjoined the family’s
media room. “We opened up the windows and
we added the texture of the shiplap ceilings and
made the flow of the basement open up,” she says.
Just like in the rest of the home, it was a
creative solution that resulted in a unique,
welcoming experience for all who enter.
To keep up with Katie’s design journey, visit
Instagram at @thatgirlkatiestudio.
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I
It’s no secret that Doug Sutton loves life on the lake.
After renting a cabin on Lake Martin in eastern Alabama
for years, he and his partner, Andrew Nix, finally decided
it was time to purchase their own—but it wasn’t as
easy as they thought. “We had a tall order, and we were
determined to avoid compromising on things like privacy,
big water views, sunsets, and a casual flow between indoor
and outdoor living,” Doug says.
After a long year of searching, they found the perfect
home on the banks of Smith Lake in northern Alabama
in the fall of 2017. “We toured a ton of homes on the
lake, and none of them felt quite right,” Doug says.
“When we pulled up to this house, it reminded me of
a general store, which I loved.” The cozy cottage has a
humble exterior, with brown siding that acts as camouflage
among the waterside evergreen trees. Doug knew at first
glance that the cabin would need a decent amount of
work, but after stepping foot onto the porch, he admits,
there was no other home for them. “I really didn’t care
what the inside of the house looked like; I just knew that
we were home,” he says. “From the screened porch, you
could see the breathtaking views of the water from the
home’s perch on the cliff above the lake.”
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Though owner Doug Sutton has an
extensive list of renovations, he and
his partner, Andrew Nix, kept many
features the home’s previous owners
installed, including the lighting Àxture
above the outdoor dining table and
the copper chandelier in the living
room. “I love them both, and I’m so
happy that they left them for us to
enjoy,” Doug says.
Not long after purchasing the dream home, the differently than the previous owners.” Doug and
couple got to work renovating the interior. “Initially, Andrew gutted the entire lower level of the cabin,
we didn’t think that we would have to do much to ripping out shag carpet and polishing the concrete that
the house. The previous owners had done a great job lay underneath. They also added height to the ceilings
already,” Doug recalls. “However, once we got into and updated all the trim work in the home, in addition
the house and started living in it, we just got excited. to completing an extensive electrical update.
It became obvious that we would live in it a little But one of the key renovation additions is the
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While most of the lakeside cabin
maintains a rustic atmosphere,
Doug was sure to add nautical
elements throughout the home
as a nod to Smith Lake. Along
the staircase and above the
Àreplace mantel, he hung
vintage-style life preservers
and wooden oars throughout
the home.
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One of Doug’s favorite features of the home is the open
kitchen. “I love to cook,” he says. “Nothing makes me
happier than having a house full of family and friends and
cooking them a big meal after a day on the lake. Everyone
gathers around the island and pitches in when it’s time to
start prepping a meal, and we laugh and tell stories from
the day while we sip on wine.” Adding to the general
store feel of the home, Doug opted for open shelving in
the kitchen, where he displays a variety of vintage and
handcrafted pieces.
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“adult camp.” Doug originally got the idea from their rented
cabin on Lake Martin, but as with the rest of the house, the
original got an upgrade. He traded out the twin beds that
were in the old house’s bunk room and opted for three
queen-size beds and a king, so now, there’s plenty of room
for guests, which is perfect since the couple loves entertaining
friends and family at the lake.
Doug describes the design process as “snowballing” after
the completion of the bunk room. Once they finished one
room, ideas started flowing for the next. For all of their
furniture, they commissioned Stray Cats Home Decor in
Birmingham, Alabama. “Working with the furniture makers
at Stray Cats was really fun. If we could dream it up, they
could build it,” he says. “So, we just kept challenging them
with our designs and vision for the house, and with every
project, they kept exceeding our expectations.”
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At the end of the day, Doug and Andrew
usually find themselves in the place they
originally fell in love with—the porch. “As
we first toured the space, the sun set right
in front of the house over the water. It lit up
every room with gold and purple hues,” Doug
recalls. “There’s nothing more relaxing than
to have a glass of wine on the front porch,
laughing with friends and enjoying that
sunset view. Alabama has the most beautiful
sunsets, and we are really fortunate that this
house has a year-round front row seat.”
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A Stylish
RETREAT
A beautiful collaboration of family and friends, this
couple’s second time building a home results in a
relaxed Southern style that can only come with
passion, experience, and a sincere joy of living.
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E
Effortless, easy style happens, not surprisingly,
with practice. As any designer will attest,
it is a delicate aesthetic and balancing act
that requires a sharp eye, an even sharper
sense of restraint, and plenty of practical
experience. In other words, practice makes
perfect—especially when it applies to
constructing a home. For Alabama residents
Dorie and Pat King, building a second home
illustrates a picture-perfect case in point.
Described as a labor of love by the
homeowners, the project was a joyful
collaboration of family and friends that
took on a decidedly natural and inspired
momentum throughout the entire process.
“Because this was the second house we’ve
built, we knew more of what we wanted and
how to get there,” Dorie says with a laugh.
Partnering with local residential designer
and friend from college, Richard Holman,
Dorie and her husband could focus on
every detail while also having the fun and
familiarity of working with an old friend.
Classically designed, the bones of the
house include spacious interiors, elegant
arched doorways, impeccable finishes, and
a beautiful coffered ceiling in the great
room. Generously proportioned rooms
flow together, the dimensions of each
planned meticulously to suit the needs
and functionality of the space. Lavish
floor-to-ceiling windows throughout
provide an abundance of natural light as
well as blissful views of the lush Southern
landscape outside.
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“My husband and Richard clicked in every way framed with mismatched pieces of brownware and
while designing this house,” Dorie says, “from how to greenware that Dorie has collected over the years, it
position it on the lot and where to add arches in the brings a focal point to this decidedly charming space.
interiors to the exterior paint color.” “My kitchen is the heart of our house and in the
To accommodate the couple’s love of family and center of all the places we like to gather,” says Dorie.
entertaining, the kitchen was intentionally positioned “It’s a great place to spend time together, share food,
just off the living area and the screened porch, where and catch up with each other.”
everyone loves to gather. A spectacular butcher Just off the kitchen, an inviting screened porch
block-style island provides more than enough room with plenty of comfy cushioned seating makes an
for everyone to sit and visit while Dorie cooks, and a alluring retreat where guests and family love to lounge
comfy banquette tucked into the corner of the kitchen and relax, especially on crisp fall days. “We love to
makes a cozy spot to enjoy food and conversation. watch football out there with friends. We build a fire
A custom oval window—an architectural feature and go in and out of the kitchen, cooking, visiting,
Richard designed—gives the kitchen an element of and cheering on the Tide,” Dorie says, referring to the
surprise and a pleasing sense of visual unity. Cleverly University of Alabama.
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Nostalgic pieces and meaningful accents sprinkled
throughout this home bring a special sense of purpose
and personality to every room. A painting in the
dining room is one of Dorie’s favorite pieces, made
especially for her by her husband. In the study, an
abstract painting of the Rose Bowl stadium—also created
by Pat—commemorates one of the University of
Alabama’s college football national championship wins.
Even in the powder room, a personal mark is evident
with a pair of ceramic boots purchased on a Kentucky
Derby trip and upholstered walls depicting horses, all
reflecting Dorie’s passion for the equestrian life.
Other pieces are keepsakes that have been with
the couple for quite some time. “The chest in our
foyer is the first piece we bought as a young married
couple,” notes Dorie, adding it has been well-loved
throughout their decades of marriage.
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The great room is perhaps one
of the most memorable and beloved
places in the entire house. It was
specifically designed to reflect the couple’s
desire for their home to always embrace
warmth and comfort. “We love to have
our three girls, their husbands—and all
their dogs—over for dinner, birthdays,
holidays, and football games,” Dorie
says. “It was important for us to have a
comfy room that could work for different
occasions.”
Interior decorator Fran Rawls,
who also happens to be one of Dorie and
Pat’s daughters, brought her creative
vision and design expertise to the family
project. Against a soft and serene palette
of neutral tones, she introduced subtle
pops of color sparingly, layer by
layer, with evocative, one-of-a-kind
accents—patterned fabrics, sumptuous
textures, eye-catching furniture pieces,
antiques, and whimsical artwork.
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A window seat can create lots
of warmth and charm when
tucked into an otherwise large
and open-Áowing Áoor plan.
Snuggled neatly into a corner
of the study, this plush perch
beckons moments of quiet
contemplation and blissful
afternoon reads. The painting
under the sconce was rendered
by Pat and brings a treasured
personal touch to the space.
Beautifully serene, the
main bedroom and bath
are enveloped in a soothing
palette of soft whites, creamy
ivories, and pale blues.
Dressed in Alabama marble
and natural light, the spacious
en suite bath emanates an
understated elegance that
Áows throughout the entire
home. A wrought-iron canopy
bed that was custom-made
many years ago for Dorie and
Pat’s Àrst home was reworked
to enhance the design and
color scheme of the couple’s
second home. Residential
designer Richard Holman
worked with Dorie to create
the perfect sitting room
and adjacent porch to
complement the bedroom’s
tranquil ambience. “It’s my
little getaway,” laughs Dorie.
“I often sit out there with the
dogs in the morning and
watch the walkers in our
neighborhood getting their
workouts in—it’s incredibly
peaceful.”
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“It’s been a joy working alongside Fran,” says Dorie. room, come together to create their warm and personable
“She has truly helped me enrich the décor by guiding haven Dorie calls “updated traditional.” Their style
the changes we made after we moved in, and adding conveys an unmistakable ageless feel that can only be
the finishing touches that really make our home feel achieved one careful piece at a time.
like a reflection of us.” “We’ve been here years now, and it still feels as
Pat’s exceptional knack for architectural details and special as the day we moved in,” she says. “I think that’s
blending many different styles together, along with really a tribute to our home being a well-thought-out
Dorie’s love of layering and finessing the décor of each project with lots of attention to detail.”
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Contemporary
Elegance
Washed in shimmering sunlight, this Alabama home
features a balance of sophisticated European antiques and
the simple yet stunning lines of modern design.
F
From the moment she and her husband laid eyes on
their 1928 English Tudor, Brooke Bell knew she had
found something special. “The first time we walked
through the front door into the living room with
a 14-foot barrel ceiling, I knew we’d found our next
Brooke and her husband, Andrew, began shaping the
home to enhance that inviting energy. Now, a space that
was already drenched in natural light and airy tones
has been heightened by Brooke’s blend of classic and
contemporary styles that speaks refined elegance and
home,” she says. “The house had the positive, inviting comfort. Elements like the bamboo side table balance
energy we were looking for.” the details of the minimalist chandelier and graceful
Working with friend and architect Elizabeth Tullos, china hutch, taking the room to a new level.
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Since Brooke is a professional in the
world of food magazines, one of her top
priorities was creating a kitchen that
“Even as a food-obsessed magazine editor, I
met her needs while fitting in with the
prefer a minimalist kitchen,” Brooke says. “You
truly only need a small amount of quality kitchen style of the home. “I knew the less than
tools and cookware to create an amazing meal. 2,000-square-foot home would never have
My rule: If I haven’t used it in my kitchen in six
months, I likely don’t need it.” a massive square box kitchen with an
island the size of a king-size bed,” she says.
“I simply wanted an efficient, workhorse
kitchen space with lots of natural light.”
In the interest of letting in more light
and making better use of some awkward
spaces, Elizabeth suggested moving the
kitchen from the back of the house to
the front. Now, the galley-style kitchen
features custom-designed lower cabinets
with contemporary lines and floor-to-ceiling
subway tile that reflects the glow of the
sun. Ceiling beams contrast with the
bright white of the space, drawing the eyes
upward and pulling out natural elements
like worn cutting boards and antique
artwork tucked into the open shelving.
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In the dining room, the juxtaposition of old and
new is heightened, with classically styled slipcovered
chairs boasting a vibrant chartreuse velvet paired with
acrylic seating. Founded on a cowhide rug, the room is
topped with a lavish chandelier dripping with hand-cut
Baccarat crystal and backed by a Louis Philippe
mirror. Brooke notes that the square space “begged for
a round dining room table,” so she and her husband
had the white oak English-style table custom-built by
a local artisan. On one wall, a collection of vintage and
antique French oyster plates is a nod to Brooke’s roots
on the Gulf Coast.
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The main bedroom is a dreamy space lined
with subtle European elegance. Drapes in
a subdued shade of blue dress the windows
and accent the cloud-like bedding, elevated
by notes of antique gold on the pillow by
Rebecca Vizard and the sunburst mirror that
hangs over the bed. The warmer tones of the
nightstand and hardwood floors ground the
room’s soft white interior, calling out the details
of the curtain rods hung high on the walls.
It’s a stunning culmination of the rest of
the home’s style—a style that Brooke says
wasn’t so much a conscious decision as a
natural expression of her own tastes. “I buy
what I love, and it becomes a beautiful mix
of French and English antiques and more
contemporary pieces,” she says.
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Old-World
CHARM
Warm accent hues and a mixture of textures
combine in this kitchen to bring a beautifully
lived-in feel to a well-loved space.
W
When the Holt family was renovating their
mid-century ranch-style home, the kitchen was
a top priority in the design. With three young
daughters and a husband who loves to cook,
Jordan Holt knew the space needed to be both
an enjoyable place for the family to spend time
together and durable enough to hold up to the
wear and tear of the five of them. Fortunately,
interior designer Caitie Morgan understood
their needs and got to work creating the kitchen
of their dreams.
When Jordan originally approached Caitie
about the renovation and redesign, she came
with a good idea of exactly what she wanted. “She
actually saw a home I’d designed for a mutual
friend and said she wanted to take the look of
one of the bathrooms and make her whole house
like that,” Caitie recalls with a laugh.
The Holts’ home renovation was extensive
and included rearranging the floor plan and
removing the wall that separated the kitchen and
living room to create a more open area. Now,
the couple has the freedom to move between
both spaces while still being able to watch their
children and chat with each other.
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Drawing on Old-World charm with the warmth
of rough-hewn wood, a neutral and cozy color palette,
and classic lines, Caitie incorporated the Holts’
vision while honoring the history of the home,
keeping in mind the functionality of the space,
and adding in a few contemporary elements.
Texture played a key element in the space, with
the woven Ballard Designs barstools and wood
beam above the range. Caitie also customized
undulated tiles for the backsplash to complement
the rest of the kitchen’s aesthetic. To match the
timeless style of the space, she had each tile cut
down from a rectangle to a square shape to give it
a more “natural” feel.
The vintage-style elements in the design also
play into the overall practicality of the space. A
heavily used and well-loved room in the family of
five’s abode, the kitchen has become a gathering
space and a cozy nest in the center of their
renovated dream home.
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HARVEST TABLE
106
Mixing and matching is simple when
you remember to keep a common
theme. Here, two glassware options
featuring a similar shade contrast with
one another in terms of shape and
texture, resulting in an unexpectedly
perfect pair. Set atop a set of
mismatched brass candlesticks,
these tricolor taper candles Àt
splendidly amid the visual feast,
helping the party transition from an
afternoon in the golden sun to an
evening warmed by Àrelight.
A real Áower adds a fresh note to the place setting,
pulling in the ruby-toned throw pillows in the nearby
chairs. Breaking up the color palette with a hint of
natural material, woven rattan chargers contribute an
added textural element, and the splash of blue from
the plates highlights the details of the tablecloth.
A
As the long summer months lazily draw to
a close, take comfort in the cozy charms
of autumn’s gentle warmth. A new energy
buzzes in the air, calling for a change of pace
and scenery. Bring your dining table outside
to create a memorable experience for family
and friends amongst a bed of freshly fallen
leaves. While the seasons are in transition,
opt for a subtle nod to late autumn’s more
lively hues with a table dappled in a palette
of soft peach and orange-colored hues. And
if you’re not quite ready for a pumpkin
presence, skip the gourds in favor of a
fruitful harvest or floral arrangement.
Whether your dining space is set for a crowd
or an intimate gathering, these fresh style
ideas are sure to welcome your guests and the
season in style as you prepare a table teeming
with cottage charm.
With a tablescape layered thick with rich textures and interesting design
elements, you may need to prepare an additional buffet or bar cart to
act as a sideboard or serving station. Assembling a collection of your
favorite glassware, trays, and serving pieces is not only a practical space-
saving solution but it also anchors the setting as a stylish gathering place.