FROM THE EDITOR
CAN YOU FEEL IT?
There’s change in the air! We are slowly getting to the other side of this devastating pandemic, warm summer breezes are blowing and cautious optimism grows for safe family gatherings, concerts and sporting events. How wonderful for us all!
We’ve made a few changes at Cottages & Bungalows as well. You may have read in our last issue that our talented and beloved Director of Content, Jickie Torres, who has also been the long-time editor of this magazine, gave me the tremendous honor and blessing of adopting her role as Editor and Brand Leader. To say I am humbled and delighted is a massive understatement!
May I share with you how that unfolded? Flashback to 2016 when I was decorating a 450-square-foot place at the beach, posting before/after photos on Instagram, just having fun. Out of the blue, an editor from Jickie’s team contacted me and came to do a photo shoot with a crew, including Jickie. That day was a sweet and complete surprise for me—how in the world did my years of magazine hoarding, flea-market hunting and quirky obsessiveness with décor result in this edification?
An entirely new season of life began for me, and doors started opening. Little did I know that by 2019, I would be working for Jickie and being mentored by a supportive and trusting team. Discovering something you love in your late 50s is beyond rewarding, and even better is being around colleagues who believe in you and continually expand your role and responsibilities. I am deeply grateful.
I share all of this to implore you to follow your passions, hobbies and individual style. Do what you love even when no one is watching … you may never know who you are inspiring, who you are encouraging or who may need what you uniquely offer.
Two new columns appear with this issue that we hope you enjoy. The first is “Style It Right” (page 18), which addresses how to style common
(and sometimes frustrating) areas in the home. And in the second, “Savvy vs Splurge” (page 22), we’ll share fun cottage-style décor options for every budget.
Thank you for joining us both here and on our social media platforms and website. We do not take your loyalty for granted as we work to bring you all the charm of the cottage lifestyle, including both inspirational and aspirational homes of all kinds that reflect the cottage life.
Here’s to a wonderful summer!