Back in the summer I was contacted by the editor of Country Woman magazine about featuring my Christmas kitchen. After the shock wore off and I got up off the floor, I went to work putting everything together.
I had to go back through the photos they wanted, which were pre-photography workshop, pre-manual setting and pre-Lightroom, so panic set in and I was very *sure* at that point they would scrap the story, but they didn’t.
I then started to write the story based on the specifications they gave me. I don’t really *write* here on the blog, but having been trained as a military public affairs officer in journalism, I actually do have a writing background. I loved my job as writer and editor of an Air Force Reserve newspaper, so the chance to write a feature was welcomed, and that turned out to be one of the most rewarding aspects of the whole experience.
I was seriously humbled and a little overwhelmed at first feeling like I could not measure up to the expectation of, well, anyone. If you haven’t noticed, my home is *very* modest — especially in the home decor community of bloggers. It is small at 1,500 sf with typical 8-foot ceilings, no granite counters or custom 42-inch cabinets. And add to that, I’m a little different. I mean, who has blue walls and gray trim? But the funny thing is, that is exactly what caught the attention of the editor.
So I got to work and focused the story on how I turned my basic little house into a home with found vintage and reclaimed items with an interesting past and ended up with a wonderful tribute to my family—especially my father and grandfather.
Everyone at Country Woman was so professional to work with, and the experience was wonderfully rewarding. I could not be more honored to be part of this lovely magazine.
But, wait, there’s more!
If that wasn’t enough to be thankful for in the month of November…
…I got another pleasant surprise from Jennifer at The Old Painted Cottage. I have been a fan of her style and monthly series, Cottage of the Month, for a while. I cannot wait until the first of every month to see who she features. She always has so much variety in style that I keep going back to browse– so much so that I have COTM bookmarked. This month she has featured my humble home! Really!?! I am pinching myself and am *so* honored to be featured amongst some of my favorite bloggers in this series. You can click on the link to see her feature.
It just goes to show you that you don’t have to have a castle to have a warm and welcoming home, but a humble cottage filled with creativity, love and family can be just as lovely. After all, it takes a whole lot more than “things” to make a home:-)
I’ll be joining:
Congratulations! I love your story in the magazine and the pictures of your Christmas kitchen. But they will have to do it again with your beautiful wooden counter tops! Also in the Cottage of the month, those wonderful counter tops didn't make it in. I am crazy about vintage wood being used to make counter tops. We used old oak wood flooring to make our first new counter tops for our old house. I loved it and never regretted having wood tops. Keep up the good work.
Thank you SO much! I know, I was wishing all the updates had made it in too:-) We sure are loving the wood counters, though, and I'm so happy with my finish choices too. They are just holding up wonderfully. I stand there and just look at them sometimes…
Congrats! How exciting for you. Can't wait to see your article and check out your pictures over at the Cottage of the Month.
Congratulations Anita! Your home is beautiful and magazine perfect!
These things are well deserved, Anita. I am not surprised at all but truly and very sincerely happy for you.
You have created a truly remarkable home for you and your family – thanks for sharing it with all of us.
Have a blessed and wonderful week!
Oh I am so thrilled for you and so happy you had both features. I think you are so deserving and I adore your style and your home. It is fabulous. I can't wait to go read the article. How exciting. Congratulations!!!!! Also, thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Anita, it could not have happened to a more deserving person! BOTH honors!!! I love, love your home and how you reclaim your family's past in your decorating. I love reading and seeing every post. Now I am off to see the features!!!!
congrats!! Your home is so welcoming, and warm. I love your style, and all your vintage treasures. Congrats on cottage
of the month too.
kathy
Congratulations! Your home is lovely and people want to see something different and lovely at the same time.
Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design
LOL your home is not modest at all. You are a rockstar. 🙂 Congrats, but truthfully what I see in Blog Land most of the time surpasses the magazines on the stands…isn't that why they approach bloggers like YOU ! ? ! 🙂 yep it is 🙂 Happy for you ! 🙂
Congratulations, Anita. I can see why you were chosen. Now if they could ONLY hear you sing O! Holy Night! xo Diana
You deserve it….your hard work shows…Love your kitchen!
Congratulations! They couldn't have chosen a better kitchen – and cottage – to honor. You deserve the 'audience'.
~Adrienne~
well deserved honor….you have a beautiful home……..
How lovely and well-deserved. I must admit I am not familiar with that magazine, so I'll go see what's online. What a lovely honor to be featured. Kinda makes all that hard work worth it, huh? Vicki in Louisville KY
I will be looking for the magazine! That is so exciting! I have loved your kitchen at each stage, even before it was blue! But what I love the most is how it is so important to you to use the things from your grandparents and parents that some would have thrown away without realizing the intrinsic honesty and beauty in them.
Congratulations!! Your home is so beautiful. How exciting to have both features!
Heather
Anita, I have not visited for a while. I loved the article so much. You do have a flair for both decorating and for writing. It truly is a wonderful tribute. So nice to live in a home with such meaning. Congrats on your other feature too. Joni
Congratulations Anita!! I loved your kitchen the first time & saw it & now I'm going to run out to buy the magazine so I can see it again. Lovely job, Honey!!!
Congratulations, Anita. I'm so excited to see that you've been featured in a magazine I subscribe to. I can't wait to see the article!
Congratulations! I will be looking for the magazine as soon as I get to the store!
Congratulations!!!! I'm going to go out today and look for the magazine so I can see more pictures of your great kitchen (and read your commentary too…I'm sure it is wonderful).
Bravo, Anita! Anyone can spend a lot of money on 42" custom cabinets. Your creativity is what makes your home the one we want to see!
Congratulations! I just read the online copy, it was such a beautiful touching story (gave me little chills) thanks for sharing. How blessed you are to be able to create a space filled with so many special things/connections. Visiting from Savvy Southern Style.
Double congratulations! I LOVE your style and your gorgeous home. It has so much character, and history.
Warm and inviting. You deserve it!
Hugs,
Patti
A huge congratulations goes to you, Anita! Wow, the exposure a blogger receives is overwhelming sometimes, isn't it. I have to tell you that I found your Christmas kitchen on Pinterest last year,and I pinned it of course. I was looking at it last week, looking for ideas for decorating my kitchen and living room for Christmas. I also enjoy using vintage items in my decor. All that to say that I am not surprised that a magazine would consider using your kitchen photos for a layout, I am going to find that magazine and read it!
Congrats again!!! You deserve it, in my humble opinion, the magazine layout and the Cottage of the Month. I am going now to peruse it! Thank you so much for sharing your brilliant ideas with the rest of us!
Hugs, Cindy
Congratulations Anita, so happy for you….you deserve the honor. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home and homestead with us.Encouragement and inspiration are always part of each post and at the heart of your wonderful blog . God Bless you, your family and ministry.