The Ascot House

For my grandmother's 85th birthday this past weekend, the girls in my family - aunts and cousins - went to the Ascot House B&B in Marietta, PA for a British "afternoon tea".  (While it sounds light, it actually included soup, salad, quiche, 3-tiered trays of mini sandwiches and desserts, English trifle, and scones).  The food was delicious, but the house alone was almost worth the visit.  As their website describes,

"When you arrive, a stately fan-light entrance welcomes you into the magnificent interior of this elegant example of Federal style architecture (circa 1800). The beautiful hand painted floor in the entrance hall leads you to the graceful central staircase. The kitchen, breakfast, family and laundry rooms were featured in Colonial House Magazine in October 1994. With 17 fireplaces and central air conditioning and heating, this exquisite historic property is a perfect destination at all times of the year." 

And there are actually 18 fireplaces - one in almost every room including most bathrooms, like this one:

Some weirdos waving from the back outside stairs

 


A balcony off one of the guest rooms



Part of the kitchen - another fireplace...





A cute silver pheasant used as a dining room table decoration - there were a few of these on the table



It was a great afternoon, and it made me want to open my own B&B - complete with fireplaces and the cozy feel, but with a more modern and updated design aesthetic!

A (To-Be) Southern Eclectic Bedroom

My friend Sara and her boyfriend Justin recently bought and moved into their first home.  There is a great foundation to work with; designing any room in the house would be fun.  I've been asked to help with the bedroom - so far it's just been painted a butter yellow color.  (I actually think the paint color was called "Melted Butter", if i recall correctly...)

I'm thinking amber and/or warm brown accent colors might work well - not too contrasting and still warm.  Maybe a few accessories or curtains - Sara indicated she might want to try to make her own curtain panels -  in colors similar to these (minus the ruler and carpet...):



I think a trip to HomeGoods for inspiration is in store in the near future...

What is Cozy?

co·zy also co·sy 

                            adj. co·zi·er also co·si·er, co·zi·est also co·si·est

                              1. Snug, comfortable, and warm.

                                2. Marked by friendly intimacy.

The faces on these dogs (Max, my parent's border terrier, and Cleo, my boyfriend's pit mix) say it all.  That's how I want to feel when I'm at home!  But what does that really mean?  Cozy means comfortable, but that doesn't say much.  The ideas and photos on this blog will stem from that word, but more so the feeling that word produces, and how it can manifest itself in physical aspects of a home. 

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My "StyleScope" Results...

I love HomeGoods (see it listed on the left sidebar under "some of my favorite places..."); I'm like a kid in a candy shop whenever I'm there.  There are just so many colors and patterns and shapes bombarding my eyes - in a good way.  I took their "stylescope" quiz, and I'm finding the description pretty accurate, surprisingly.  The words in red are spot-on!

If you're not sure exactly what your interior design style is, (or are just curious what HomeGoods thinks it is), try it out here: http://www.homegoods.com/hghq_quiz.asp

Anne, you are a Glamorous Classic

You have a refined sensibility with an appreciation for history and tradition in your furniture and your rooms. You value beauty and craftsmanship. You are visually sensitive and understand how symmetry and a balanced layout give order to a room. But you definitely like to shake things up with some unabashed luxury and glamour to keep things from getting boring. You go for rich materials like velvets, one-of-a-kind objects, lady-like touches, glimmering accessories, and a sense of old-Hollywood romance that makes your home dramatic and elegant.

You value comfort. Your home is a warm and open friendly place, and you feel happiest when everyone is cared for and relaxed in your space. Elements like pillows, throws, overstuffed furniture, and good lighting set the mood. You may also enjoy layering different fabrics or mixing patterns to create a cozy effect.

Let's hope I can live up to this description!

Welcome!

So, this is my first post.  I guess at this point I should explain my purpose: interior design fascinates me.  I have no special "training" in the field, beyond the countless design shows I've watched on HGTV.  

I just want a home, mine especially, to be cozy.  Cozy to me means liveable, warm, welcoming, makes you feel like you're home, and that nowhere else could feel the same.  There are so many things that make a home cozy that aren't things - the people who live there, the lives that take place inside it.  For me, the way a home looks and feels influences the emotions and well-being of those who inhabit it.  At least, that's how I've always been; if a place feels off, I feel off.  I know what feels at home to me, and I've decided to have some fun by putting some ideas out there.  If nothing else, I'll have documented for myself exactly what I want when I own my own home one day.


Thanks for reading!