When Veronique Rouleau and husbandDavidfirsttoured their 1988 Lake Nipissing (in northern Ontario, Canada) home, they had wildly different reactions. “This home was my first pick,”Veronique says, “but Dave needed some convincing.” It’s understandable

Try adding a splash of color to your door, shutters or flowerpots. And adding a sky-blue porch ceiling is a breeze with help from our friends at Clare and Behr paints. Visit clare.com and behr.com. 1) "Flirt Alert”/Behr 2) "Big Apple”/Clare 3) "Ch

Summer salutations, wonderful friends! I hope that the summertime sun has been brightening your days in all the right ways. Here, in the Pacific Northwest, we often yearn for the smooth sands and warm temperatures of the beach. So, what better way to

Did you know that the first known modern picnic table was documented in a 1903 patent application by Charles H. Nielsen of Kreisherville, New York? It was both portable and collapsible, so he was onto something big! Whether you have space for a perma

There are homes that make us raise an eyebrow and wonder, “What’s happening here?” and those that fill our eyes with wonder and admiration. Adding charm and personality to your exterior doesn’t have to be a daunting task with inspiration from these

Nestled in the northern “neck” of Virginia on the state's east coast, surrounded by the Potomac River to the north, the Rappahannock to the south and Chesapeake Bay to the east sits the amazing cottage of DJ and Phillip Stalter. The couple purchased

Living on or near the beach is not a requirement to consider yourself a “beach person.” Some people are just born with a natural love of the ocean and the laid-back atmosphere of coastal living. When homeowner and Instagrammer Ann Osborn lived in Tex

1 Cooler Tote Bag in Navy Stripe. Made from canvas with custom-printed, waterproof vinyl lining in light-blue floral with stylish leather handles; $99. Visit cailinicoastal.com. 2 Campus Backpack. Made of recycled cotton; generously sized backpack i

One of Kara Miller’s signature design aesthetics is making rooms come alive with color, texture and pattern via the use of beautiful wall coverings. “We used several Phillip Jeffries wall coverings in the dining room, primary bathroom and seafoam lau

co-founder of the popular accessory brand, Vera Bradley, has built a career on expertly weaving together vibrant patterns and colors. “People always remember their first Vera Bradley bag—or who gave them the bag,” Barbara says. The brand’s fanciful s

• ABOUT-FACE. Face them inward. Books aren’t just their spines—they also have paper with a range of different textures and finishes. Turning them inward celebrates this aspect. • ORGANIZATION STATION. In order to know where her books are when they f

according to the ocean’s fluctuations and between the verdant scene of the natural salt marsh reserves and the beautiful marine composition. The owners, expatriated abroad, were looking to create a family home in France. “Finding this idyllic place w

Here are some sea-inspired staples that are sure to spark your creativity: • Seashells and coral: It’s hard to go wrong with the classics. Play with seashells and coral to create coastal emotions. • Vintage flair: Items such as vintage sailboats,

Caron’s Beach House was created in 2010 to share a passion for creating a distinctive coastal home lifestyle. Company founder Caron and her staff constantly research nautical home decorating trends, coastal styles and current modern color palettes th

When you live near the water, the inspiration for your décor is right outside your door. That was the case for homeowners Nika and Mark Ciarfella, who contacted local interior designer Kara Miller, principal at Kara Miller Interiors (kara-miller.com

• Layer woven natural-fiber shades with beautiful drapery patterns. • “Try to make sure there’s a tight weave on any piece that’s woven. If it’s for outdoor use, I always use a resin material,” Kara advises. • “I love collecting things along my trave

The Villas at Spanish Court are slowlyawakening from their years-long slumber as Sara McDaniel of Simply Southern Cottage renovates them. Although they were originally used as housing, they’d been abandoned. Now, they are being transformed into bouti

Start with standard vanilla cupcakes, dress them up with a light-blue frosting, and sprinkle with “sand” (crumbled graham crackers). The edible, sugared seashells on top are the finishing touch. Creating these cupcakes is as easy as a summer breeze!

Since 2003, DutchCrafters has been the pioneer in connecting people with authentic Amish furniture that lasts for decades. Visit dutchcrafters.com to find these—and many more—options. Troutman Chair Company has been making handcrafted, solid-wood fur

Roxanne Packham, the principal designer at Sunset and Magnolia, forged a strong friendship with Jane when they were just kindergartners in Newport Beach, California. “We bonded quickly over play dates,” Roxanne says. “Her family was a sailing family,

Have you ever dreamed of owning a beautiful home near the beach? Do the sounds and smells of the ocean speak to your soul? If so, you’re not alone. In her new book, Faded Glamour by the Sea, designer Pearl Lowe discusses how she turned her lifelong d

“It was a dream come true to win. I’m still pinching myself!” says Jenny Brooks, founder of Bloom Interior Designs. In March, Jenny entered our Small Business Superstar Contest on social media. After being selected as a finalist, she rallied her vote