title: Mary Emmerling's American Country Classics: The New American Country Look
author: Mary Emmerling
description: ng takes a fresh look at American Country decorating, showing classic examples of the style in updated, sophisticated, and eclectic settings for the 1990s. <b>400 full-color photographs.</b>
zlib_text: ![cover](images/cover.png)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Chapter 4**
  
  
  ![flourish](images/flourish.png)
  
  
  
  
  
  _December 1884, Arizona Territory_
  
  
  There were still moments when Mary did not recognize her reflection. It
  happened the first time as she was packing her trunks in preparation to leave
  New York. Passing the tall, narrow swivel mirror in her room, she had been
  taken aback by the presence of a stranger. She stopped in mid stride and
  stared blankly at the person returning her gaze. It was an odd, disconcerting
  feeling to realize she was looking at herself.
  
  
  Mary's red-gold hair was still unfashionably short, but the new maid had
  proven herself adept at making something out of nothing. The cut had been
  reshaped and smoothed to flatter Mary's face, and where her headdress had once
  framed her features in severe black and white, they were now offset by vibrant
  color.
  
  
  Her manner of dress had given her pause as well. Her traveling costume
  featured a tight-fitting bodice with a narrow-banded collar a