Thimbleberries Cottage Comfort: Country-Cottage Style Decorating, Entertaining, Gardening, and Quilting Inspirations for Creating All the Comforts of

Jensen (Classic Country; Classic Country Christmas) takes her readers through a tour of the starter home she decorated for her newly married daughter and son-in-law, offering inventive suggestions for each room and the couple's garden. Afterward, she presents simple menus and decorative ideas for creative entertaining, including such fetes as a pumpkin-carving party, Independence Day picnic or Sunday brunch. With its beginnings in England, country-cottage style takes the best of old furniture, favorite knickknacks and flea-market finds, which, with a little ingenuity and craftsmanship, can offer budget-conscious homeowners and empty-nesters a look for either a room or their entire home of subdued elegance or quaint intimacy. As she introduces every new idea, Jensen provides instructions that are clearly worded and illustrated. Readers can learn how to make a variety of quilts, table runners, pillows, pillowcases and pillow shams, d coupage, crochet throws and potpourri; stencil furniture and walls; and organize their gardens. Jensen's beautifully photographed arrangements accompany the text. (Apr.)