A Milieu Moment
The Winter 2025 issue of Milieu marks a special milestone for Bungalow.
Milieu is more than another interiors publication—it is a nationally distributed magazine that brings together the best home and garden designers and projects from around the country . To see North House featured in its pages is both humbling and exhilarating. The editors’ decision to devote space to this Prescott retreat signals that the same magic Linda felt in the property resonated with them as well. If you happen to be near a bookstore or newsstand, look for Milieu on the shelves; the current issue shares photographs, by Stephen Simms, and storytelling about North House alongside other inspiring projects. Below, we revisit that story and Linda’s own reflections on her design journey.
Stagecoach Roots and an English Dream
When Linda Criswell first set eyes on the Prescott, Arizona, property that would become her “North House,” she knew it was unlike anything else in the state. Nestled among tall pines are three buildings — the main house, a coach house and a one‑bedroom cottage that began life as a 19th‑century stagecoach stop. The compound even retains traces of the old trail that once passed by. Built in the 1920s, the main dwelling blends adobe‑thick walls with vertical timbers, pitched roofs and recessed soffits, creating a rare Tudoresque profile in Arizona. A flight of stone stairs, said to have been carved by local Native Americans, leads to the front landing. Locals long knew the home by its Native American name, Witch Aki — “North House”.
Linda, co‑founder of Bungalow, purchased the property in 2023 after dreaming of “a house that looked and felt like a country house in England”. Her vision wasn’t about pristine perfection; instead she embraced what she calls perfectly imperfect — layers of pattern, texture and color that make a place feel warm and lived in.
Layered Living: Mixing New and Vintage
Upon moving in, Linda started the furnishing process with just three pieces: a black vintage chest, an antique wood chandelier and a drop‑leaf dining table. From those anchors she let the rooms evolve organically. In true junkin’ fashion, she scoured flea markets and antique shops without a fixed plan — buying what spoke to her and building the interiors episodically. The result is a space where vintage treasures mingle effortlessly with new finds, echoing Bungalow’s signature mix of maximalist layers.
She repurposed an antique Americana quilt as a shower curtain, framed a Turkish rug as art when there was no floor space to unroll it, turned a barn door into a sliding partition for the Doll House and displayed floral china as wall décor. This inventive reuse underscores her belief that meaningful pieces can be functional and beautiful. For readers inspired by her approach, explore our decorative objects and trays & vessels to find pieces that add soul to a space.
A Palette Inspired by Place
North House reflects Linda’s love of English cottages yet remains grounded in its Southwestern setting. On the exteriors she chose moss‑green hues and off‑whites, while the dining room glows in moody teal. Royal blue appears on doors, walls and Roman shades in the coach house bath, and a crisp country white brightens the rafters and beams of the Doll House. In her video conversation she explains that using green — a departure from her usual palette — brought the outdoors in and harmonized with the natural landscape. She also layered the house with vintage Arizona landscape paintings, Native American baskets and subtle Southwestern motifs.
The Heartbeat: Living Room and Doll House
In the accompanying Milieu Magazine interview, Linda calls the small living room the heartbeat of the house. When you step through the front door you’re immediately greeted by a cozy space anchored by a stone fireplace and an ottoman upholstered in a Clarence House floral fabric. That ottoman, she notes, became the launching pad for the color story throughout the common areas. It’s a reminder that one extraordinary textile can inspire an entire room.
Another beloved space is the Doll House—a tiny structure that once served as storage and a playhouse. Linda opened it up into a light‑filled rec room with a sleeping loft, using her granddaughters as the design muse. She anchored the room with the Nandina chaise from Lee, upholstered in a hard‑wearing performance fabric. “It became a launching pad for reading, relaxing or kids and dogs piling on,” she says in the video. To recreate this feeling of a casual retreat, explore Bungalow’s accent seating and our range of performance fabrics in-store.
Perfectly Imperfect in Practice
Throughout North House, nothing feels too precious. Linda laughs about not worrying when her grandchildren or dog Pearl track in mud from a hike; this home is for living. That ethos resonates with anyone seeking to build a sanctuary that welcomes daily life. Her mix‑and‑match philosophy shows that a small home can be as fun (and sometimes easier) to design as a large one. In fact, smaller rooms allow you to layer patterns, textures and collections more intensely — an approach Linda hopes Milieu readers will take away from her story.
Dreams and Horizons
Linda isn’t finished dreaming. In the interview she muses about adding a new bunkhouse with a big porch for family meals and projects, and maybe even a deck overlooking the creek. She’s also updating railings and swapping out basic black light fixtures for copper ones. Meanwhile, she just completed an exciting project in Greenwich, Connecticut, set to be photographed soon. For your own outdoor aspirations, explore our outdoor furniture and lighting in-store to bring warmth and charm to porches and patios.
Vibe Check: Songs, Words and Takeaways
If North House had a theme song, Linda says it would be “Come On Home” by Everything But The Girl — a nod to her time living in England and the cottage vibe she created. Asked to describe the house in three words, she chooses historic, cozy and perfectly imperfect. Most importantly, she hopes readers will see that design doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. A small home layered with vintage finds, everyday objects and personal artifacts can be every bit as rich and inviting as a sprawling estate.
Ready to infuse a touch of North House magic into your own space? Browse our home goods for vintage‑inspired pottery and baskets, decor for artful accents, and books for stacks of design inspiration. Whether you’re furnishing an entire home or just adding a new layer, remember Linda’s advice: shop with an open mind, mix the old with the new and create a home that feels perfectly imperfect.
