AUTUMN 2018
Autumn Entertaining Country House Style
A Halloween Party
A Country House in the Woods
Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes Hunt Club
The Thrill of the Hunt
Autumn
entertaining issue
Welcome Hello friends! Imagine an atmosphere of warmth and welcome, both down to earth and elegant. It rolls with the rhythm of the seasons. It has an easy grace, and it’s surprisingly simple to switch on. I’m describing what I love most about my Country House Style. And when it comes to entertaining, this special issue kicks off the holidays in a beautiful way— filled with decorating and seasonal styling ideas, along with the best comforting, autumnal recipes, that are sure to inspire! Here’s to all this good stuff that will make you feel happy and creative, content and refreshed, surrounded by beauty, loved, and most important, at home—no matter where you live. That’s country house style. That’s the feeling I wish for you. Cheers! Love,
Nora Murphy Founder and Editor in Chief
My new book, Nora Murphy’s Country House Style – Making Your Home A Country House (published by Vendome Press) has been a #1 New Release and Best Seller for Interior Design books on Amazon! Get your copy at your favorite bookseller, Amazon, or a signed copy on noramurphycountryhouse.com. 2
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contents Welcome
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Nora Murphy's Country House Style Snippet:
A Country House In The Woods Trick or Treat and Something Sweet
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Halloween fun for little kids & big kids Country House Celebrates Snippet:
Making A Garland of Leaves
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Autumn Entertaining Country House Style 58 Autumn Alfresco 60 A Dramatic Setting For Celebrating 78 Harvest Gathering 96 Taste & Tradition 108
My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
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Connecticut Country House Roasted Turkey with Sage and Sausage Stuffing 124 Julia’s Mashed Potatoes 128 A Nantucket Cranberry Sauce 130 Hearth-Sautéed Green Beans 131 French Apple Tart 132
The Thrill of the Hunt
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Sharing notes on what catches my design eye Follow Nora Murphy Country House on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. © 2018 Nora Murphy Country House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Nora Murphy Founder and Editor in Chief Carol Hubner Art and Features Director Deb Golden Copy Writer Donna Solomons Marketing Director November Rawlings Publicist-At-Large Criana Web Producer Aida Kiernan Styling Assistant Duanne Simon Darryl Arbesman Nora Murphy Contributing Photographers All design, photography, and copy on NoraMurphyCountryHouse.com, is original, produced year-round at Connecticut Country House and on location.
Please direct all inquiries to:
noramurphycountryhouse@ gmail.com.
Visit
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inspiration Aut um n 2018
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Nora Murphy's Country House Style Snippet
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a Country House in the
Woods Meet Kris and Shawn, the homeowners of A Country House in the Woods, one of the six homes featured in my new book, Nora Murphy’s Country House Style – Making Your Home A Country House (published by Vendome Press). Here’s a behind the scenes look into Kris and Shawn’s Woodman House —their dream country house and the oldest house in their neck of the woods.
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a porch that welcomes Outdoor living. When these self-poclaimed city boys are in the country, They take full advantage of the space they have. Their favorite "room" is the deep, wide, wraparound porch, the repair of which was their first big project. "it's where we spend most nights, three seasons of the year," Shawn explains. "Looking out to the porte cochere, where a horse and buggy would have pulled up with visitors, it's like stepping back in time." Just add flowers. The hand-crafted screen doors are original to the house. All they needed were new screens and a fresh coat of paint. Like me, Shawn and Kris say hello with flowers. 8
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Trick or Treat And
Something Sweet Hooray for Halloween! At Connecticut Country House that means it’s time to drape the entries with brilliant leaf garlands and perch our “murder” of crows (that’s what a group of crows is called—how perfectly ghoulish) above the door. And this crew of crows was such an unexpected find at the dollar store, I had to buy them all!
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I love to see their costumes and their pure glee on the one day of the year it’s okay to ask everyone for sweets!
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Autumn
Entertaining COUNTRY HOUSE STYLE
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The brilliant color of the leaves and the crunch of them under foot. The crisp air with a tinge of wood smoke. That late afternoon magical sunlight. The natural instinct to style our dinner tables—inside & outside—with the best elements that this season offers. Making it special for the people we love, that’s what all this fuss is all about!
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autumn
al fresco 60
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Tucked away in the “Back 40” corner of our country house property is a fire pit; a spot to roast, sauté, and toast a variety of high-calorie delights via long, pointy sticks over hardwood coals. To clarify, the Back 40 is a split-rail fence and stonewall-enclosed section of the property (perhaps a third of an acre). Half of this section is shaded by mature maples and half is a meadow that we let grow wild (the former owners raised sheep in this enclosure; clearly during a pre-coyote era). This corner of the property, surrounded by ancient forest, is the perfect spot to invite a dozen or so friends to enjoy a late fall roast.
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Country House Kitchens
my favorite
Thanksgiving recipes
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If you’re coming to Country House for Thanksgiving, roll up your sleeves and put on an apron, because we’re putting you to work! The kitchen here becomes the hub of any party or gathering, but never as much as mid-morning on Thanksgiving Day. We have come to realize that most people love to be in on the action; conversation comes easily as a cousin mashes potatoes, grandma stirs the gravy, or teenager helps stuff the turkey. People become more invested in the meal and the whole experience as they work together preparing the meal. The camaraderie is joyful!
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Country House Kitchens
Connecticut Country House Roasted Turkey with Sage and Sausage Stuffing INGREDIENTS One turkey, brand and size of your liking (I prefer a fresh, organic bird if at all possible; just order a few days ahead of time from your butcher) ¼ cup olive oil Ample kosher salt and fresh ground pepper ¾ pound loose sausage 1 stick unsalted butter 1 bag stuffing croutons ½ large onion, finely chopped 2 sticks celery, washed and finely chopped 6 to 8 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped ½ cup whole milk 6 to 8 slices thick-cut bacon DIRECTIONS If you’re using a frozen turkey, thaw it completely before starting. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the turkey from its plastic wrap in the kitchen sink. Find and reserve the turkey neck and giblets for later. Rinse the turkey very well with cool water, outside and inside both the neck and abdomen cavities. Pat dry. (continued) 124
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the Thrill of
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What to look for to give your home Country House style
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Rain or shine. Brimfield, antique shows, flea markets, auctions and estate sales are my best go-to’s to find all those special one of a kinds.
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1 Seek the Unique
I am always searching for that special something; you know, that one-of-a-kind thing that you just can’t live without; the kind of piece that makes your home distinct and memorable.
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