Country Living

I have a soft spot for every issue of Country Living, but I’ll admit that this one is extra sentimental. That’s because it features a farmhouse belonging to our executive editor, Jennifer Kopf. Upon discovering that her great-grandparents’ nearly 120-year old Missouri home, which had gone out of the family, was being sold at auction, Jen took a big swing and decided to make it her own. Her labor of love (pg. 42) maximizes soul per square foot, and you can see even more at countryliving.com/kopf. This issue is also a special one because—here goes!—I can officially announce that the Country Living Fair will be returning to Rhinebeck, New York, October 2-4, 2026. Go ahead and mark your calendars, because we have many fun things in the works, and the…

1 Welcoming friends in from the cold, adorable goats included 2 Plotting your spring beautification projects, from picket fences to pretty paint colors (Visit countryliving.com/paintcolors for our top 100.) 3 The quirky kindred spirits you’ll meet courtesy of that stack of new books on your nightstand 4 Transforming your hardest-working space into the happiest room of the house (Get started at countryliving.com/mudrooms.) 5 Cozy country breakfasts made from farm-fresh eggs (Psst: Spring chick days are a-comin’!) 6 Using Valentine’s Day as an excuse to ask Grandma to pull out her old wedding photos 7 The unparalleled comfort of a good hand-me-down quilt 8 The first sighting of daffodils, those happy-hued harbingers of spring Be sure to follow us on Instagram @countrylivingmag for a daily dose of Simple Country Pleasures.…

There’s something so wonderfully “ye olde” and Little Women–esque about a kitchen centered on a fireplace, where the daily flicker comes from tinder, not technology. The soft crackle of burning wood and the shifting glow of flames breathe life and energy into a room, mingling beautifully with the gentle clatter of dishes and—if you can surreptitiously tease it out of them—a child’s recap of the school day’s events. It’s no secret that people tend to congregate in the kitchen, but a fireplace almost ensures it. Even when it’s not in use, the hearth’s weathered bricks, with their subtle imperfections, bring a tactile comfort that modern finishes and sleek appliances simply can’t match. Given its ubiquity in older homes, a kitchen fireplace is also a through line (or should that be…

The CL Fixer-Upper Scale MOVE-IN READY NEEDS MINOR IMPROVEMENTS INVEST IN A DECENT DRILL PUT THAT CONTRACTOR ON SPEED DIAL $399,000 Atmore, AL 6 BR; 3 BA; 4,194 SQ. FT. WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: That storybook exterior! But that’s only the beginning. Inside this pretty Victorian, the beadboard-wrapped living room has soaring 12-foot ceilings with heart pine floors below. The rest of the light-filled house offers tons of potential—yes, that’s hardwood hiding underneath the carpet. AGENT: Taylor Helton Lee; phdrealty.com WORK REQUIRED: $750,000 Boyertown, PA 3 BR; 3 BA; 3,217 SQ. FT. WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Room after room is filled with historic details like deep-set windows, six-paneled doors, and built-in cabinetry. Nearby, the impressive 18th-century Pennsylvania German stone barn, previously home to an antiques shop, offers endless live/work possibilities. AGENT: Kelsey…

1 Tweaked Footprint When significant water damage required homeowners Caitlin and Andrew to restore their 188-year-old home, they reached out to architect Keri Murray (kerimurrayarchitecture.com), who specializes in historic restorations. While thankfully the original ceiling beams could be saved, the rest of the lower floor had to be gutted, so Keri took the opportunity to relocate the cook space to the window-lined wall, where there had previously been a seating area. 2 Bespoke Cabinetry Maine-based cabinetmaker Jewett Farms + Co. (jewettfarms.com) worked closely with Keri to reimagine the kitchen in an English style, which meant replacing the previous flat-front cabinets with more elevated inset maple ones, hand-painted a dusky blue. Unlacquered brass bin pulls boost the British feel. GET THE LOOK: “Massey” Bin Pulls $17 each; rejuvenation.com 3 Warm Woods…

Eagle Needlework To mark America’s bicentennial in 1976, companies such as Vogart Crafts and Avon Creative Needlecraft released limited-edition needlepoint, cross-stitch, and crewel patterns featuring the bald eagle. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, these completed pieces have become sought-after collectibles. Prices range from $15 for smaller works to over $200 for larger framed pieces. More commonly found designs, such as promotional patterns offered by coffee company Maxwell House (yellow, top center), also tend to be more affordable. Passata Bowls Once a staple of rural Southern Italian kitchens, these wide-rimmed terra-cotta vessels were used to process crushed tomatoes for an uncooked puree called passata. The bowls’ distinctive green splatter-glazed interiors weren’t just decorative—they served a practical purpose, deterring insects. Currently coveted by devotees of European farmhouse style,…