Do you mourn the loss of Cottage Living Magazine, too? This is the only magazine that I've kept and still refer to every so often.
What do you think is behind these unassuming magazine holders? (Side note: aren't they nice? The are from the defunct Shabby Chic line at Target and have a pretty floral lining...)
Every single issue of Cottage Living magazine, from the very first issue in September of 2004 to the last Nov/Dec issue of 2008. They hold a place of honor in my nicest holders on the living room shelves. And there they remained through all the living room makeovers.
As you may guess from the name of this site, this magazine was near and dear to my heart and I l.o.v.e.d. every one of these issues, reading them cover to cover. Numerous times.
I've gotten many magazines over the years (Too many? Ahem, maybe...) and only felt the need to save one other, Do It Yourself, mainly because of the tutorials and information in them. Updated to add: A few years after writing this, I gave away the Do It Yourself issues because I wasn't using them and many things seemed dated. So now I'm down to just the Cottage Living!
Cottage Living was the only magazine I saved just for the content. It spoke straight to me and all the things I enjoy: simple and hands-on decorating, reusing, gardening, and even cooking.
There were always too many things to tear out, so I just had to keep the issues and find a place for them.
Simple window treatments. Warm, happy colors. Sink in and put-your-feet-up furniture. Mixing in things you inherited from grandma. And all within the realm of possibility, cost-wise and ability-wise.
White cupboards. Wood counters. Farm sinks. Stainless appliances and accents. Lots of windows. And kitchen islands. Oh, how I wish I had room for a cool kitchen island that used to be a table.
I've not found any other magazine to match, though I still get Country Living which occasionally comes close.
So I find myself every once in awhile grabbing a cup of tea, and curling up on my sink-in-and-put-my-feet-up couch and losing myself in these past issues. And I'm inspired again.
Anyone else miss this magazine? Have old issues? Please tell me I'm not the only one!
Please Note: While I do have all the issues, I don't have them memorized or catalogued, lol. While I wish I could help all the people who've asked, I simply don't have the time to look up the "green house with the white trim" you remember. I hope you understand. I have seen stacks of issues in used book stores, though.
Katie Liljenquist says
I feel you!! I realize your post was 11 years ago, but I am STILL missing Cottage Living. Just last night, my son had to make a collage for school, so I rustled through the house to find some old magazines to cut up and came across a bunch of Cottage Livings I could never bear to throw out from 2007-2008. I could hardly focus on his project because I kept gazing at the beautiful images in the pages of those magazines. I was particularly impressed with how captivating and charming and rich with CHARACTER all the images are....every single one of them could still be featured in the latest shelter magazine even 14 years later. Cottage Living really nailed homes with timeless style. And I loved their garden layout ideas and perhaps my most favorite is the feature at the back of every magazine where an architect would sketch a new facelift for an old blah house and transforms the exterior into the most charming home.
I'm actually searching ebay for some old editions because I feel they are more timeless and relevant than current decor magazines! Anyhow, a google search for old copies is how I stumbled onto your blog post and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out there who still pines for Cottage Living! Please let me know if you've ever found an adequate substitute?...I've liked Southern Living, but not the same. House Beautiful features some lovely and impeccable homes, but I find them *too* impeccable and styled--not near the character and welcome of the homes in the pages of Cottage Living.
Jami says
Yes, Katie - the timelessness is so perfect. I'm still in disbelief they've never brought it back in this form (they did do one of those expensive ad-free magazines for awhile that I got but it wasn't the same). With the whole "cottage core" movement right now, it would be a good time. 🙂
I've been subscribing to Country Living for years, too, and they have always been close. Country Home was another, but they folded, too, not long after Cottage Living.
Mary Beth says
I just pulled mine off the shelf to go through for the first time in several years. They are the only magazines I have kept throughout the years. I just can’t seem to part with them. 🙂
Jami says
You and me both, Mary Beth. 🙂
Melinda says
Hi Jaime
I found you in a google search for Cottage Living Magazine. Would you by chance still have the March 2008 issue? I am looking to source a mirror I found in Pinterest which was featured in the article on Chaffee Braithwaite Heilman's Home. The mirror is a very large round freestanding pedestal mirror and is shown in a photo of a bathroom, standing on a vanity which is in front of a window. The photo is more about paint finishes used so does not mention the accessories but there is a reference to refer to the source page for more info.
http://www.duchessfare.com/2010/06/yesterdays-post-is-jumping-off-point.html
If you could help me source the mirror, I would greatly appreciate it.
Best wishes
Melinda
Jami says
I found it, but they only say for a similar look, try "the magnifying and makeup mirrors at seattleluxe.com"
Hope that helps!
Shannon says
I too miss them and have just a few of them saved. I wish I’d saved them all!!
Lisa Jenkins says
Hi Jami- I’m jealous of your Cottage Living collection! I had a similar collection years ago and Imwish I would have saved it. You might be the only person who can help me. I remember a home featured in one of the magazines, I believe it was under the heading, “New Old House” but I’m not sure. It was called the Tower House and it was a cute little guest house that the owner had built until she built her permanent home but loved it so much she decided not to build a bigger house. It was three stories with the living/kitchen on the second floor and master on the third floor. Do you know the article and what issue it’s in? I would love to find it again! -Lisa
Jami says
Sorry, I don't Lisa. Try used book stores - I've seen old issues there. Good luck!
Roxanne Westfall says
I would like to purchase your complete collection.
Do you have an asking price?
Thank you
Jami says
What - really? Wow, I haven't ever thought of that, Roxanne - but now that I do I'd say it isn't for sale. I've seen a lot of issues in thrift stores and used books stores if it's any help...
Roxanne Westfall says
Jami,
Thank you for your response.
I am trying to find a house plan that was in one of the early year magazine subscription of Cottage Living.
It was a Victorian house plan that had 2 bedrooms down in the back of the house and two bedrooms up stairs.
It had a screened in porch in the back of the house.
I moved and cannot find the copy, I kept forever.
I cannot (for the life of me)remember what was on
the front of the magazine.
I am desparate to find the Houseplans to build.
Di you know if the Magazine has an archive department.
Thank you for your response.
Roxanne W.
913-530-8782 cell
Jami says
I'm sorry, Roxanne, but all the issues are packed in storage right now and I can't get to them. I don't know if those plans are anywhere else, but I think I've seen some in Southern Living's online plans? You might try googling it!
Trudy says
Southern Living has the house plnns that were published in Cottage Living.
Jami says
Oh, thank you - I didn't realize that either!
Elaine Hall says
Hi! Yes, I still have every addition published! I am trying to cull a lot of my hoarded items (because my adult daughters keep on nagging!) I have a few country living mags and real simply and a group of Martha Stewart, but nothing compares to Cottage living. I use my computer a ton, so I don’t lack any ideas or views of vintage, cottage decorations or stimulations! But when you open a cottage living mag, the decorations are timeless and always, still, will be my
favorite home ideas! Thanks! Thought I was the only one!!❤️
Jami says
Nope, not the only one!