Laura Kostelny

5 days ago | countryliving.com | Laura Kostelny

Long before the Tarek and Christina drama—and even prior to Chip and Joanna Gaines coming and going—HGTV was a very different place. Back when it launched in 1994, no one was arguing about whether a homeowner should love their home or list it or joining forces with the Property Brothers to buy and renovate houses while hoping for a Zooey Deschanel sighting. The fare was quieter and centered around arts and crafts projects, on-the-cheap renovation ideas, and the ins and outs of builder techniques.

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Laura Kostelny

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."There's no denying Martha Stewart is having a moment. But before she became a household name (and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model!), she was a stylish caterer assembling herb garden centerpieces in her Connecticut kitchen equipped with crocks, baskets, spongeware, and a cast-iron cookstove. Turkey Hill, that beloved country home, has since been sold, but her appreciation for country style remains.

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Laura Kostelny

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."There's no denying Martha Stewart is having a moment. But before she became a household name (and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model!), she was a stylish caterer assembling herb garden centerpieces in her Connecticut kitchen equipped with crocks, baskets, spongeware, and a cast-iron cookstove. Turkey Hill, that beloved country home, has since been sold, but her appreciation for country style remains.

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Laura Kostelny

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."There has always been something magical about the historic 200-year-old Federal farmhouse on Riverside Avenue. Interior design and antiques shop owner Ali Mahon grew up right next door and spent weekends leaning over the wall to admire the grounds. “I used to meet the owner, Mrs. Hatch, there, and she would hand me raspberries picked from her elaborate gardens,” she says.

3 weeks ago | countryliving.com | Laura Kostelny

In a world where it’s so easy to focus on self—whether that’s curating just-right Instagram posts, working on wellness, or figuring out family and career—we can miss out on making meaningful connections with the people around us. But that’s easy to remedy. The next time you see someone you’d like to get to know better, simply ask them a good question. But wait, you’re saying, “I’m very busy writing pithy captions, working on my mental and physical fitness, and solving childcare issues.