A family finds their forever home right across from their first one. Built in 1912, this charming cottage sits on the south shore of Long Island in a hamlet named “America’s Friendliest Town” in 1994. As a seaside village along The Great South Bay, Sayville is known for its Fire Island ferries and is about equidistant to The Hamptons in one direction and New York City in the other. BEFORE We lived on this street when we originally moved to Long Island, but our jobs took us to Pennsylvania for two years before we were able to return. At the time, the housing market was flooded with buyers and w ..read more

Make this large appliance both pretty and practical. Spring, or the arrival of any new season, is an ideal time to clean up and clear out clutter—including organizing the fridge. We asked content creator Margaret “Mickie” Johnson, who shares her home décor, innovative upgrades and DIY projects on her Instagram account @cottageonmainst, how she keeps her cozy kitchen clean, organized and stylish.  Mickie’s Kitchen Tips My tip for decluttering the kitchen is to first clear off the countertops and give the area you’re working on a good cleaning. I even temporarily move items out of the area ..read more

Personalizing Mother’s Day with Artful Memories Mother’s Day is a special occasion to honor and celebrate the extraordinary women who have nurtured, guided, and loved us unconditionally. While there are countless ways to express our gratitude, a personalized gift that captures cherished memories and reflects the unique bond between a mother and child can hold immense sentimental value.  In recent years, canvas prints have emerged as a popular, touching gift option, allowing you to transform your favorite photos into stunning works of art. With a few thoughtful design choices, a canvas pri ..read more

After a nationwide search resulting in a terrific Top 10 and a fab Final 4, Bryan Cosham won your hearts and votes to become the creator to represent Cottages & Bungalows this year.  Hello, Cottages & Bungalows family!  I am honored, humbled and beyond grateful to have been chosen as the 2024 Cottages & Bungalows Brand Ambassador, and I can’t wait to show you our cozy little home all year long!  My passion for home décor is rooted in decorating our home to reflect the four beautiful New England seasons and hosting gatherings for our family and friends. I hope that y ..read more

Spring has officially sprung, and it’s time for a little spring cleaning! The term “spring cleaning” actually has roots in Persian or Jewish ceremonies in which homes would be deep cleaned either just before the Persian New Year or before Passover in the Jewish tradition. It also became a staple in eighteenth-century America because early spring was the perfect time to open all of the doors and windows to get all of the dust and dirt out of homes—it was warm enough to leave the home open, but bugs weren’t yet a problem. So open up your windows and start dusting! Don’t know where to start? Here ..read more

Growing your own produce is an all-around smart practice, from the money you’ll save at the grocery store to the contributions you can make toward a cleaner planet. Maintaining a garden takes some effort, but it’s a project even a beginner can tackle with ease. Consider these tips to start growing your at-home garden: Select a perfect spot. You’ll want to place your garden in an area where you see it often so you’re reminded to weed and care for it regularly. Find a flat area you can access easily, where erosion and other pitfalls (including hungry wildlife) won’t be a problem. Choose betwee ..read more

For this Project House 2023 installment, we are talking shop—specifically, The Fox Shop. It’s a dream destination for homeowners, where Cara Fox offers her local Utah community luxurious pieces and curated collections. While not everyone will be able to live in the Fox Group’s handiwork when the Project House 2023 is complete, anyone can get a little bit of The Fox Group’s refined design aesthetic at its brick-and-mortar shop, aptly named The Fox Shop. With its stunning blue façade and a diverse collection of wares, including custom furniture, European antiques, lighting, rugs, dresses, jewelr ..read more

Antique signs are a great way to bring character and history to a room, but they can be expensive and difficult to find. Although a wood panel works great, these pieces can be made out of almost anything. Paneled doors, shutters and bead board also make excellent signs. You can even add vintage graphics to the sign for additional charm. Collect some materials from around your house and make your own farmhouse favorite. What you’ll need: 12-inch wide pine board cut to desired length Acrylic craft paint (at least three colors) 2½-inch sash brush 1-inch artist brush, 1.0 liner brush ½-inch angled ..read more

Bountiful home gardens in Maine, were brought to life by a couple who have spent the past 12 years pouring their hearts into their home’s landscaping. When Erin and Dan Clark met, they both had children, and Dan owned an extensive property with good bones, but with an aesthetic best described as “man cave.” The couple fell in love and have spent the past 12 years sharing life and loss. Sadly, one of Dan’s sons passed away. He lives on in their hearts, and turning the former bachelor pad into a home complete with stunning home gardens that thrive thanks to Erin’s green thumb has been healing fo ..read more

A bigger, brighter area to cook and eat in was on the menu for this reimagined home and its open kitchen. When you’re an interior designer and your client has a growing family and frequently hosts dinner parties, but their kitchen, built in the early 1900s, is not up to the task, what do you do first? You make the kitchen open and as fresh as the food. “We completely renovated the kitchen, not only by bringing in more light, but by adding more counterspace and storage—there are now three large pantries!” say Lina Galvao and Erin Coren, principal designers at Curated Nest Interiors, a full-serv ..read more