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HOLIDAY 2015

COUNTRY HOUSE

Christmas at

COUNTRY HOUSE NANTUCKET STYLE

NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE 1

Welcome

The Country House lifestyle – inviting and relaxed, at one with its surroundings, a celebration of warmth and comfort, a home of every season – is something I’ve always loved, even before I could name it. And it’s so easy to live the Country House lifestyle, wherever you call home. It thrives one little moment at a time. It’s not a location; it’s not a point on the map. It’s a little romantic; a little nostalgic; and all about a simplicity that everyone can share. Let me show you how. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re an old friend, welcome to Nora Murphy Country House and to the wonderful treats, tips, ideas, and inspiration this issue has in store! Happiest of holidays to you! Love,

Nora 2

NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE Holiday 2015

Nora Murphy Founder and Editor in Chief

NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE Holiday 2015

We can never go back to the way it was W H E N T H E B O Y W A S L I T T L E A N D O U R FA M I LY W A S N E W, T O T H E F I R S T S U M M E R O N N A N T U C K E T, T H O S E G I D D Y D AY S . WE DIDN’T KNOW IT COULD GET EVEN BETTER; EACH YEAR WE GREW AND CHANGED, YET DEEPLY LOVED WHAT STAYED THE SAME.

Why go back? we take the best parts with us! T H I S Y E A R WA S E X T R A - S P E C I A L , T H E B O Y O N H I S WAY T O C O L L E G E . I R E L I S H E D E V E RY M O M E N T. I S T I L L A M , & T H AT ’ S

WHEN SUMMER JOY became HOLIDAY CHEER. P R E P P I N G T H E H O U S E F O R T H E S E A S O N I S A N A C T O F L O V E . I A D O R E C H R I S T M A S W I T H I T S C O Z I N E S S , T H E WAY T H AT EVEN WITH A CROWD, EVERYONE IS FAMILY. AND TO MY SURPRISE, INSTEAD OF REACHING FOR MY BELOVED TARTAN PLAIDS,

I IMAGINED SAILCLOTH AND STRIPES, GARLANDS O F R O P E A N D T W I N E . C H R I S T M A S S TA R S T U R N E D I N T O S E A S TA R S , S N O W B E C A M E S A N D . S I M P L E A N D H O N E S T.

THE PLEASURES OF CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT B Y W AY O F A V I N TA G E C O T TA G E O N A T I N Y I S L A N D . N O T H I N G FA N C Y, B U T W E W O U L D N ’ T T R A D E I T F O R T H E W O R L D . THE MORE I PICTURED A HAPPY HOLIDAY, THE MORE NANTUCKET IT WAS. WELL! A GOOD DESIGNER GOES WITH HER INSTINCTS.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE — I’LL COUNT IN MY BLESSINGS MEMORIES OF THE OCEAN AIR AND PICNICS AND BEACH GARDENS I’VE ADMIRED —

A N D M Y H A P P Y H E A RT I S F U L L O F L OV E . W E C A N L I V E O U R B E S T D AY S E V E RY D AY W I T H A L I T T L E I N S P I R AT I O N !

NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE Holiday 2015

Christmas at

COUNTRY HOUSE NANTUCKET STYLE

NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE Holiday 2015

CONTENTS NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE Holiday 2015

CHRISTMAS DAY 10 HOW TO SET A BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY TABLE 36 COMFORT & JOY 42 PRETTY PACKAGES 56 ELEMENTS OF A COUNTRY HOUSE WORKING KITCHEN 68 FESTIVE EVERGREENS 78 SWEETS IN THE SUMMER ROOM 82 RECIPES 92 WINTER BLOOMS 100 NEW YEAR'S EVE 108

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At NoraMurphyCountryHouse.com, each seasonal issue is filled with a compilation of work (original design, photography and copy) that is produced year-round at Connecticut Country House, and on locations. This incredible body of work is the effort of a very small team, all fabulously talented and exceptionally dedicated. Nora Murphy Founder and Editor in Chief Carol Hubner Art and Features Director Stephanie Fuda Web Producer Deborah Golden Copywriter Robyn Szarka Roos Content Producer Sister Linda Boccia Copy Editor Darryl Arbesman Duanne Simon Nora Murphy Contributing Photographers Aida Kiernan Styling Assistant

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SEA STARS, SEASHELLS AND GARLANDS OF GREEN. IT'S ANCHORS AWAY TO A NAUTICAL COUNTRY HOUSE

Christmas Day

NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE Holiday 2015

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NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE Holiday 2015

Our last trip to Nantucket – the one before The Boy became The College Boy – was something special. I soaked up every detail – and when the holidays rolled around, they spilled back out! Also falling into place, my long search for a bigger, better farm table ended – and my new/old simple, hearty late 19th century French work table (found on 1stDibs.com) has 10 glorious feet of space. Love!! The more the merrier, that’s my motto – not a bad way to kick off the season. In its first Christmas after Project Refresh, the old house feels happy for the change. And why not? The Country House lifestyle is about celebrating what moves you.

NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE Holiday 2015

“Set the mood by simply stringing lights casually over greens gathered from the forest.”

NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE Holiday 2015

Unusual finds and natural elements combine to create the perfect setting. Sea Bags handcrafts totes and bags of all shapes and sizes from recycled sails up in Maine. Iâ€™ve bought a couple of them over the years, so when I saw these placemats last summer I was crazy for them â€“ had to have. Little did I know that they would be the foundation for my Nantucket-styled holiday table. My homemade ice votives are filled with sea stars, and cedar sprigs that remind me of seaweed!. Learn how to make your own on page 40.

NORA MURPHY COUNTRY HOUSE Holiday 2015

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