Keeps For
WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I MOVED INTO OUR NEW HOME A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, it was easy to get caught up in a list of new this and new that. Despite the fact that we fell in love with our 1951 California ranch because of all the great old features, it was clear we needed a new faucet that didn’t leak, a new thermostat that reported an accurate temperature, and new Shaker cabinets and subway tile that better fit the age of the home than the sleek monstrosity that the previous owners had opted for.
But as fun as it can be to dream up ways to make a new home your own, my favorite nightly ritual was being able to drag in a box from the overstuffed garage and start to unwrap and reclaim old collections that had been boxed away for too long as we house-hunted in a steep California market. It was like Christmas every night, as I rediscovered old treasures and recounted the stories behind where I found them, why I brought them home and what they meant to me. This is the beauty of the vintage lifestyle—old things come with old stories, and your story just becomes the latest chapter.
This issue is filled with amazing homes that take this personalized approach to decorating and infuse fresh modern spaces with amazing flea-market and collected finds. We love that no two styles are alike, that all these homeowners are so inspirational with their creativity and resourcefulness. And we love seeing that they were able to make their vintage decorating visions come to life. I know they’ll introduce you to a ton of great ideas, and give you a few “Aha” moments that will inspire you to make your space your own.
Last but not least, by now I hope you’ve been able to visit our fantastic newly revamped website. It has a whole new look and feel, and we’ve worked night and day to fill it with inspirations, ideas, lessons and resources— everything you need to create your dream cottage. Check in often; we’ll have it constantly updated with new web exclusives, tours and projects, and fun extras. With this site, we so look forward to connecting with our lovely cottage community in a whole new way.