Blog Posts by Country Living

A few of Country Living's favorite designers show us how they add loads of character to interior spaces with dramatic color.

Sara Gilbane Sulllivan's Lively Living Room

A neutral backdrop of various textures--ivory stucco and oak beams--begged for punches of warm red and orange to create an intimate and approachable space in this seaside retreat. So New York City designer Sara Gilbane Sullivan started small, injecting easy beachy blue and white tones before throwing the vivid suzani-print sofa into the mix. "Without this wild pop of color, the room would have felt stagnant," she says. Now the gathering spot for her client's family game night feels cozy and happy, plus the allover print hides spills.








Plus: The hot colors of 2013 and how to use them »



Tobi Fairley's Colorful Collection

Playful color combinations enliven the rooms that Tobi Fairley designs. And the master bedroom and adjoining sunroom that she decorated for an eco-friendly show home in Arkansas were no exception. Fresh

If you're longing for the beach but miles away from the shore, take tips from this historic Nantucket cottage to transition your home into a coastal paradise.


1. Decorate with Nautical Elements

This dining room's late-1800's farm table and reproduction chairs are from Nantucket House Antiques. The verdigris chandelier is by Richard Mulligan. A model sailboat stands in the corner.










2. Take Advantage of Every Nook and Cranny

A custom linen cabinet and a ship's ladder -- both crafted locally -- make the most of an upstairs hall corner. Also notice the ship-inspired outdoor fixture, which brings light to an indoor space.














Plus: Tour a beautiful beach house, decorated on a tight budget »



3. Use Light, Beachy Paint Colors

Instead of the expected bright white interiors, opt for coastal blues and greens that enliven antique quilts and period chests, apothecary bottles, and stacked footstools. Choose paints with names that include the words mist and dew, like this kitchen painted in Benjamin

Country Living's resident country vet, Dr. Robert Sharp, give you a head's up on canine health and behavior queries you might not have already known.


1. You can leave your dog alone -- for a while

Dr. Sharp says: Every dog handles solo time different, and the amount of time left alone truly depends on the pet's age, temperament, and activity level. However, I'd say an acceptable home-alone stretch is three hours for a puppy and six hours for an adult. When you know you'll be away longer, investigate doggie-day care options of ask a friend to come by and take your pet for a walk. And anytime you leave Fido alone for a few hours, provide a fun distraction: Food-dispensing toys and Nylabones will keep him engaged -- and busy paws are happy paws!







Plus: 20+ more dog behavior questions, answered! »



2. Dogs never outgrow their need for vaccination.

Dr. Sharp says; Though it's a common and unfortunate misconception, dogs -- even older dogs -- always need to be protected. To determine which

Front porches and back patios are our favorite spot to relax in the warmer months. Make an outdoor room your favorite escape, too, with these decorating ideas.

Tudor House Patio

Clematis and confederate jasmine climb a brick wall adjoining this Alabama house's back patio.














Plus: 24 more porch & patio decorating ideas »



Garden Shed

This backyard garden shed offers extra outdoor living space, courtesy of a porch strung with Pawleys Island hammock. The lanterns and cushions are by Pottery Barn.















Plus: 70+ design ideas for your living room »




Oceanfront Patio

Colorful Adironack chairs from Charleston Gardens brighten this beach house's terrace.


















Front Porch

This California home's front porch is decked out with gliders from Grandin Road.

















Plus: 90+ beautiful bedroom ideas »



Garden Workstation

This circa-1900 oak woodworker's table was drafted into service as a potting station, then hung vintage pails and watering cans on this cottage's exterior wall.

















Boathouse Deck

Adironack chairs and

Whether you're a decades-long sewer or new to the craft, check out these ideas for fun projects using a needle and thread.


Denim Skirt Patches

Give an old skirt a fly new look with a pair of denim patches (5"W x 7"H patches, $1.89 for two; createforless.com). Place patches, wrong sides down, atop parchment paper and iron out any creases. Pin the patches together, wrong sides facing out. Next, download, print, and cut out our bird template. Place the bird shape atop the patches, and trace around it with a fine-point Sharpie. Using sharp scissors, cut out both patches at once, then separate. Topstitch all the way around each patch, close to the fabric's edges. To turn the patches into pockets, pin them to your skirt, as shown. Working atop the first stitch and removing the pins as you go, sew the pockets in place by stitching around the bottom of each bird, from the point of the beak to the tip of the tail. Backstitch at each end to finish your fine-feathered design.

Interior designer Bunny Williams shares 11 ways to make your summer houseguests feel right at home.

1. Set Out Throw Pillows

Throw pillows should serve more than just a decorative purpose. A layer of cushions instantly corrects the problem of a too-deep sofa. But avoid over-accessorizing a shallow one-remember, people need space to sit.

Plus: 10 easy party planning tips »

2. Offer Light Reading

Stock guest rooms with good reads and encourage visitors to take books home with them.

3. Keep Lighting Dim

Everyone looks (and feels) better in low lighting. So consider installing dimmers on your overhead fixtures, especially in the dining room.

Plus: 10 amazing dining room makeovers »

4. Offer Storage Space

Give visitors an obvious spot to stow coats and bags. A row of pegs or hooks in a foyer does the trick.

Leave the McMansions to run-of-the-mill rock stars. Indie musician Neko Case put her inimitable stamp on a historic Vermont farm, with quirky salvage, bold new finds, and more than a few heirloom seeds.





By the Piano
Neko Case does much of her composing in the kitchen, at an old piano she rescued from a nearby frat house. The alcove's mirrored tile, along with the white version covering the walls is by Artistic Tile. As for the border up top? Pratt & Larson custom-made that tile, dubbing the color "Neko red."





Plus: 20 Reasons Why Country is Hot Right Now! »



Living Room

An Anthropologie sofa, upholstered in Josef Frank fabric, and a Heywood-Wakefield coffee table furnish the living room, painted in Behr's Elm Bark.













Customized Kitchen

With the exception of the late 1700's beams, Case started from scratch in the kitchen-transforming the space with custom cabinetry, counters of locally quarried Danby marble, and a refurbished 1950s stove. The floor tile is by Daltile; the stools came

See impressive before-and-after photos, and get inspired to remodel your own space with our kitchen makeover tips.


basic white and wood kitchenBefore: Clean But Basic

When a pipe burst under the sink, this homeowner knew it was time to remodel. Outdated appliances, dark wood cabinets, and a boring light fixture were swapped out to brighten and lighten up the space.















Plus: Try these 12 quick makeover projects »


After: Unified White

To ensure that the new bottom cabinets matched the old upper units, the homeowner painted both with Benjamin Moore's Linen White -- a move that lightened up the whole kitchen.

Laminate countertops were removed in favor of Ikea's affordable oak option -- which cost just $800 total and can be sanded down when cooking blunders occur.












Before: Uninspired Space

The counters and cabinets in this kitchen needed a chic update, but the vintage stove had too much charm and potential to get rid of.








Plus: Fantastic deals! Check out these 50 finds for less than $50 »