An Ode to Cottage Living Magazine
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…)
EveryĀ 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.
I miss Cottage Living so much! I moved into my 1000 sq ft old cottage following a divorce and this magazine was opened up a whole new world of creativity for me. I held onto them for several years in nice storage boxes, but alas, small space living eventually got me to throw them out. I regret it. I had looked at them so many times I thought I had every image and detail memorized and couldn’t possibly glean anything more. But now, I would LOVE to look again with fresh eyes. They were inspirational and had so many ideas that were not over the top for a modest budget.
I saved mine for years, but moving to a small house, they had to go. Now on my 3rd. Residence, maybe on to building a fourth. I regret not having them! Was a well produced publication. I have a book, The Not So Small House. It takes away some of the pangs. Sarah’s house on HGTV, briefly, on to short a time, was good too.
I agree completely…there were always too many things to tear out. And that they don’t feel dated at all…like Renee said, just good design. Glad to know I’m not the only one reading my old issues!
Best magazine ever. I still have most of mine too. I was so sad when it ended. I haven’t found anything that compares.
Count me among the fans. I have all but the first 5 issues, which I hope I will come across somewhere. Like the rest of you, I have not found another magazine so completely satisfying. I would read it from cover-to-cover, repeatedly, studying the photos until the next issue arrived. I agree with Rene. They are so timeless. They still seem current when I reread mine. The “new” (best of)cottage living magazine is such a tease. For a split second, until I get it in my hands(AND see the price), I think “oh, my gosh, they brought it back!”
Omg! That magazine was so beautiful, I kept every issue also!! Is coastal living like it? š
Sadly, no – coastal living is, well, all about living near water. š Though some of the features are great, the magazine as a whole doesn’t come near Cottage Living!
I agree. Cottage Living will remain my all time favorite. The publishers substituted Coastal Living but since I live five hours away from any coast, I cancelled.
Hello! I’ve just come across this blog. I miss Cottage Living too. I’ve been desperately looking for an article from one that was most likely in one from the 1st half of 2008 (could have been ’07). I’ve scoured the web and can’t find it. It is the “Dear Cottage Living” article from the last page–the Hoyte Johnson Curb Appeal ideas. Could you help me? What I’m looking for is the home where (I think) the bottom floor is half underground. It has a big window on the right. The makeover shows a patio with a fountain in front of that window. I would be most grateful you could assist me in finding this! If possible to scan the article, please email to sunnyinbham@aol.com. Thank you!!!- Sunny
The March, 2008 issue has a Hoyte Johnson makeover house that looks the way you described. I have an extra copy if you haven’t found it elsewhere.
ha! I also have ALL my Cottage Living magazines! I don’t even have a cottage! I love, love, love those magazines, they were exactly how I wanted to decorate and live life =) I was so upset when they stopped publishing…I mean of all the magazines out there, please don’t stop my favourite one!!aarrgghh! Nice to know others feel the same way =)
I loved that magazine too! I love my Country Livings from the early 2000’s — they had the same inspiring “make-do” eclecticism. I do subscribe currently, but the content isn’t as good as it was. But those Cottage Livings! I am asking for a full set for my birthday. š
Wow- I didn’t know a full set could be had anywhere- did you find one on ebay? I guess you really can get anything there. š
I believe I have a complete set of that great magazine, too. Just today I was trying to decide if I
could possibly part with them. Hubby would love it if I did. I decided to Google the title
and found this blog. I happily read some of the comments to hubby and he said, “Do what you want.” He always says that. He’s a perfect man. Also, he was born and raised in Oregon!
I am keeping those mags. Now I just have to find a good place to put them. Let’s see……if I move some things around and put all my old children’s books in a different spot I might be able to fit my magazines on the bookshelves. That’s the perfect answer. Then I will be able to see them
easily and pull one out from time to time to reread. Thanks!
I love this magazine. I found some at a thrift shop and felt sorry for the person who got rid of them. They are timeless inspiration specially for a recycle artist as myself.
Worker Bee- Sure, send me an email with the link and I’ll see if I can find it!
I am amazed I found your blog but I was looking for information about 1 issue of Cottage Living Magazine in particular. I have a picture of the cover but do not know the month (date) of the issue. I figured if I just had that info I could find out about the paint colors used on the cottage on the cover. Can I send you a link on picasa to a picture of the cover? Maybe you know at least the issue date?
Add me to the list as well! OH how I deeply miss Cottage Living Magazine and Life Just Right. Nothing else compares, if I could I would climb into the pages of that magazine a live there forever! Please, Please bring this back!
Ooooo…write me down as another Cottage Living admirer! (and Do It Yourself as well…funny)
I’m striving to turn my house into a lovely little cottage as well so I’ve saved several of their issues as inspiration and some days I spend several hours lost in daydreams of an organized, simple cottage life. …sigh…
I also have many of the cottage living magazines and was sad to see it go. Another one I really miss is Home Companion. As a fellow Oregonian I have enjoyed checking in with your blog every so often:) Thanks!
This post brings tears to my eyes! I have all of my Cottage Livings too. Funny how even now when I look at them, they don’t seem dated at all, just good timeless design and inspiration. I’m so glad that yours have a good home now which gives me the nudge to get some of those nice little holders. Have a great day!
Jen-I’m glad to meet another cottage-lover. š
Lynn & Arielle- I love finding great items at sales, too! (but I don’t really need 2 copies of the magazine, I’m not that in love with it! š
Kathleen- thanks for stopping by and hope you get to try the waffles.
I loved that mag! I hate that its not being published. BTW your waffles sound great!
My husband and I went to the beach this summer and I found a bunch of these at a thrift store for 25 cents apiece. Not only were they great beach reading, but I love looking back through them for inspiration!
-Arielle
I felt the same way about “Victory” magazine when it went out of print. Happily, I was able to get most all of the back issues for 10 cents each at a library book sale. I noticed a ton of “cottage living” magazines there. You might check your local library sale.
I miss Cottage Living magazine!! I loved that magazine and wish I had the whole collection like you do. It was so inspiring.
I enjoy your blog. I’ve been working on creating a cottage-like atmosphere in our home: simple, clean, uncluttered, welcoming. We’re getting there!