When Country French magazine chose my breakfast room to be on the cover of their Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 (which was a reprint) issue it was a dream come true.
Well maybe not a dream come true, because I never would have dared dreamed it. Then our farm was on the cover of Prairie Style magazine this Summer 2016.
This week I also got word that our farm was featured in Casa Chic in Italy, and Maison Chic in France this June 2016.
I asked to see the cover and found out that my house was on it! It is the same magazine, but they print it in French for France and Italian for Italy. (But of course I count it as two covers.) Check out the bottom left 2 photos and the upper right photo, those are mine.
That makes 17 features and 4 covers. And what I want to say about that is –
If it can happen to me, it can happen to you.
I have never taken a photography class or an interior design class. I was told I was not creative. I could go on and on about how people didn’t believe in me, but I think you get the point.
I still remember submitting a photo to Southern Living magazine and being told (I’m paraphrasing) “Don’t call us, we’ll call you (like never.)” I don’t hate them for it. It forced me to improve and improve, so it was a good thing. And hey that’s one magazine I haven’t been in, so if you’re listening Southern Living, it’s not too late to change your mind. (wink, wink)
So it’s true this isn’t my first time in a magazine, but this time it’s not just my house that was featured, it’s me.
They selected 3 of their favorite designers to feature as stylemakers – The Giannettis, Annie Sloan and me. Can you believe it? I am still pinching myself. I keep wanting to sing that song from Sesame Street
“One of these is not like the others. One of these just doesn’t belong…”
As you probably know, I don’t exactly do things by the books. I make it up as I go along. I hope you are getting my message. Be yourself. Don’t try to ‘fit in’. I just decided to be who I am, and decorate the way I like. I even wore my favorite jeans and boots for the photo. Love yourself the way you are.
Well it’s on the newstands now, so check it out. I shared some of my favorite resources too.
Just a friendly reminder that I have a giveaway going on, and every time you comment you are automatically entered to win.
For the fine print, click here.
How exciting! I will look for it today!
Anita, I enjoy each and every one of those features! I wish the Italian and French magazines were available for purchase so I could get those! Congratulations! Well deserved! Look out…..Southern Living might be next! 🙂
Anita,
I so enjoy your blog and agree with the prior reply, “wish the Italian and French Magazines were available for purchase!”
Janet Lee Soucek
Congratulations! I have the other magazines you have been featured in and will be looking for this one the next time I’m out shopping.
Congratulations on yet another beautiful feature in Country French!
Congratulations Anita! I’m so happy for you! You have a beautiful home! I hope that you have a wonderful day!!!
Congratulations !
Congratulations Anita!….I got my copy as soon as it hit the stands and your feature is wonderful along with the many beautiful features in this issue.
Congratulations Anita ! You are the real deal…. ! Beautiful design and your photos are always so inspiring ….your advice is spot on. When are you coming to the Brimfield Antiques Fair ??? We would welcome you with open arms !! …Smiles…….Anne
Anita,
Absolutely love your designs. Gotta get to store to buy those magazines. You must have been so excited to find out about your farmhouse being shown in Europe.
Linda B.
You go girl.
Congratulations! I love “all things French” , and love your blog!
How exciting for you. I love this magazine and buy it every year but it is always so much nicer when an article is about a blogger I have followed. Congrats.
Congratulations, Anita. How exciting for you. I am looking forward to reading the article. Have a lovely day.
So exciting!! Congratulations!!
You go girl!!! You really inspire me, as I have those same “loves”, like, not everybody understands!!! What is the old saying “YOU ROCK” !!!! Just love all your designs.
Anita, I can’t wait to get a copy. Congrats to you. I love everything you do. awesome?.
Congratulations on being featured in the magazines! I enjoy reading your blog.
Congratulations! Your creativity & enthusiasm abounds!
So excited for you! Went from grocery store to lunch with magazine in hand and meeting my friend I said “Look, a friend of mine is featured in Country French!” Then I had to clarify. Well, you DO feel like a friend, and many French “accents” in my own home are from you! And I’m just so proud! Sounds like a friend to me!
Ginger
Yes Ginger, we are friends absolutely!! Most of my friends I have never met in person, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t friends. I claim you as dear friend.
Hi Anita the most lovely story about your life and special sharing about your lovely daughters .Down’s children have so much to offer us , my mentor is Little 11 year boy named Clarky who was born with it ! First time picking up country French a few days ago and thought I would check things out more on line thanks for sharing your gift with the world . Dawn
Thank you Dawn. I love that he’s your mentor.
You rock, Girl! You personify the message – “Believe in yourself.” You are such an inspiration – thanks for sharing!
Chris
Living your dream! Beautiful and well deserved.
Congratulations! You deserve every bit of the recognition and success that is coming your way. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
Congratulations Anita. It’s heartwarming and inspirational to those of us who have had similar journey to hear your success story. Thank you. Keep up the great work as I look forward to my emails with ideas for my home.
“One of these is not like the others. One of these just doesn’t belong…” Oh, You definitely belong!
Congratulations!!! You are truly an inspiration!
Congratulations on another well deserved acknowledgement of your hard work. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity too. xo
Thanks so much for your inspiration each day. I so enjoy my morning blogs. Congrats.
Wow! France and Italy? Just proves that style speaks its own language!
I picked up my issue and was to busy to sit down and indulge in every page when I got home. So I did a quick flip through the pages, and saw your chair. Sorry I didn’t recognize you, it was your chair. Later that evening, I grabbed a glass of wine, for my health, and went page by page. Then I came to the picture of “the chair” again. I really looked at you and said Humm she looks like a person who’s blog I follow, hey wait,..I got my phone out found your post and said HEY I KNOW HER to my husband who was watching TV with his eyes closed
I felt so proud for you and that I’ve chosen my blogging friends well. I’ve read it 3 times already and I think I’ve got the other issues because I never throw my magazines out. Congrats!!
Oh Barbara Ann, that’s funny!! My chair is more popular than I am. Bwahaha!!
I have my Country French magazine all ready to savor!!!!! I am so HAPPY for you!!!!! You are very accomplished and you should be very proud of yourself! By the way, I LOVE your blog! Thank you for posting!
How exciting and wonderful for you! Congratulations!
Hi, Anita,
Congratulations on being featured, along with your CHAIR, in the latest Country French magazine. Barbara Ann’s comments are too funny. Do you remember how excited I was to meet you in person at a blog conference in Galveston a couple of years ago? For me, it was meeting one of the ROCK STARS of blogging. So indeed, you do belong.
Judith
Yes Judith! I do remember meeting you in Galveston for Blog Elevated. That was so much fun. You are so kind, thanks!
You are really funny Anita…of course, you have been recognized! Your style inspires so many of us. It is refreshing to see a home that is lovely and can be lived in comfortably in the French style. Congratulations! Many decorators do French way too fussy! I love that your pic was in jeans too. Viva la difference…
Pressing on toward the mark of a higher calling has certainly blessed you because of your perseverance!
Great job, Anita! Congratulations!!!!
I love your house because you don’t follow the rules!
Wow! Congratulations, it’s well deserved! I always look forward to your blog posts too, I’m loving French Country design and have learned so much.
I love Country French… and your blog. Wonderful ideas…thanks for sharing.
I’m in blog heaven. My two blogging BFF’s just texted each other ! Anita and Judith from Botanic Bleu. Best midnight snack read ever!
How exciting and incredible this all must feel!!!! I can’t even imagine!!!! I think what people love about you is you are so real….down to earth and very relatable! I think we all think we could have you over for a cup of tea and just sit and chat about decorating! So if your ever in Minnesota please stop bye! 😉 once again Congratulations on your success!!!!! ♡ Roxann
you love what you do and your home reflects and says everythng about you congrats i’m happy for you
Congratulations! What great advice for all us in every walk of life!!
You are being rewarded for your hard work and perseverance. Congratulations! Staying true to yourself and enjoying what you do, decorating for yourself and not for someone else is the answer and it comes across beautifully. I love your wonderfully decorated homes and your kind responses to our replies. You are as beautiful as your homes. Jill
Very inspiring!
Congratulations!!
You are quite the all around LADY!
Congratulations on your cover and story! I have followed you for quite some time and love your aesthetic even though I can’t follow it in my home.
Congrats!! How exciting!!! I love your breakfast room and for that matter all your decorating. I love hearing how you were able to defy all that told you you couldn’t!! That is the best, way to go girl and keep sharing your beautiful ideas and decorating tips!! I have the issues of the magazines you are talking about and feel great knowing I am on the right track with what I love!! Thank you for your hard work. I am planning our retirement home in a patio home here in Charlotte, NC and plan to use many of your decorating ideas!!! Thank you and keep them coming!!!
I’ve never heard of French Country Magazine. I live in a small town in the Texas Hill Country but I will be looking for that magazine next time I go to the big city.
In my dreams my house looks just like yours! Lol! Congratulations!
So very well deserved! Enjoy the honor!
I can’t wait to check out the magazine spread! God has given you favor, favor, favor.
Wow! Good for you!
I love your decorating style and that is pretty much my way of decorating. My Mother often told me ” don’t be like everyone else, just follow you instincts and do what pleases you”. If you love something you will make it work. I am so happy for your success and keep doing what you do.
Good for you. It’s refreshing to see that we all don’t have to have cookie cutter homes any more.
So happy for you, Anita! So glad these magazines have realized what a wonderful decorator you are! Congrats on your accomplishment! Hope the rest of them find you soon! Your homes are just so beautiful! You have been such an inspiration to all of us. Just love your French Country style! This has always been my favorite in our country home!
How exciting and what a compliment to you and your style. I am always impressed by your posts. Congratulations.
I’m so gad you continened to believe in yourself and have been persistent in living your dreams! Love your style and your enthusiasm to share it with others! Thank you so much!
Congratulations Anita! I love your blog. I can’t wait to pick up the magazine and see your beautiful home.
Major congratulations on each and every accomplishment Anita. I absolutely love that you are self taught and follow your own aspirations.
Southern Living missed the boat!
Anita, I bought the magazine last week and recognized you and your home right away! Love your style and enjoy reading your blog! Keep up the good work – Southern Living is next!!!
Celia
What an honor! Congratulations!
Congratulations!!! I have the French Country 2015 and the new Prairie Style and was sooo excited when I saw your porch on the cover. Love these magazines and love these even more with you/your home in them. Congratulations again!
Blessings,
Candy
I truly love everything you do. Your words are also an inspiration!
Congrats…again! That’s wonderful news for all of us. I, too, will be picking up a copy in the next day or so. Thanks for not believing you weren’t creative..lol.
Good for you! Love it!
Hi Anita. Congratulations on making Country French again! I discovered it when I was flipping through the magazine and was very happy to recognize you! It has been an inspiration to follow your blog. I really like your French Farmhouse style and the tips your give for creating the look. Thanks so much!
Brenda
Yay, YOU!! and a big thank you for your generous, sharing heart!
I love french country style with a farmhouse touch, so I completely adore your style. Congrats on all the magazine features!
Hi Anita! I saw your home when we were at Barnes and Noble two nights ago. I was sitting with my family. “Mom, it’s our friend from Round Top!” You have very beautiful style. Never doubt that. And yes, any writer whom I have met once – is my friend for life. Keep going!
Could I order a Country French magazine from you? I would like the Spring/Summer 2020 issue. My address is 127 Mottley Mill Rd., Cumberland, VA 23040. Please let me know so I can send you my information to pay for it. Thank you
Carol McGonigal
Carole, I was featured in the magazine, but I don’t sell them. This is the link to where you can buy the fall 20019 issue. The Spring issue is always a repeat of the past fall issue, so this issue should be exactly the same as the one they are selling this spring. We are Amazon affiliates, and can earn a small fee on qualified purchases at no cost to you. CLICK HERE FOR FOR COUNTRY FRENCH MAGAZINE