Country living magazine

Country Living is a lifestyle and decorating magazine published by the Hearst Corporation. The magazine focuses on cooking, decorating, gardening, and collecting antiques

For people who are interested in making home improvements, cooking good food and creating a relaxing garden, Country Living Magazine is a source of inspiration. It offers advice, tips, information and ideas in its traditional print form and on line. Published by the vast Hearst Corporation, it was launched in 1978.

The publication covers many aspects, including home décor, recipes, furniture and furnishings and antiques and collectibles. There are articles for the beginner and the more advanced in many pastimes. Country Living Magazine is there for readers who want to do a makeover on a room or a big, renovation project. Subjects covered have included rugs, quilts and American and European desks and sideboards. Arts and Crafts are also discussed, such as dressmaking and basket weaving.

The garden is considered just as carefully and there are articles on garden design and creating an environmentally friendly garden. There is an Ask the Experts section that deals with advice on selecting and looking after flowers, shrubs and plants.

The online version of the magazine is extremely user friendly and interactive, complementing the print version very well. The recipe section is divided into useful categories for the search facility. The search offers cuisine from different regions, such as Asian, Caribbean or Pacific Rim. There are also sections for Jewish recipes, vegetarian dishes and children's menus. It's also possible to search by calorie content, preparation time and ingredients. All aspects of entertaining are explored and not just the food. Articles show ideas on table decorations and different occasions, such as picnics and barbecues.

House plans, in the form of diagrams are available online along with descriptions of different properties and pictures of the houses. This is a valuable resource for anyone who is looking to buy new property or wanting to gain ideas about altering their current home. There are House Tours on the Country Living Magazine web site that show pictures of different styles of house architecture in the USA and Europe. These include a traditional rural French house, a New England Cape design cottage and a New York farmhouse.

Readers can also order goods online from the magazine store, including the range of furniture, rugs, bedding, quilts, plants and shrubs. There is also a food line that includes top quality preserves, conserves, pies and pie fillings. Further inspiration can be obtained form articles on women entrepreneurs. However, Country Living Magazine isn't just for the women in the home. Men enjoy reading it too and it has become a family affair over the years.