A Tale of Two Owners

But first, a quick little response to the ending of my last post.  I, of course, feel that the Bunce home in the Hudson River Valley is much more cozy than the one in Ojai, California for one major reason - the weather.  California does not need cozy with its beautifully warm weather year round, so homes there reflect the weather with their open, serene, calm and uncluttered decor.  Homes in the northeast with subzero temperatures and two feet of snow need cozy.  Let's look at a home I've admired for years, that of Bill Blass in Connecticut, a man who knew how to do cozy.

This 1998 Italian edition of Elle Decor featured the following images of his home.

Here we see the designer in the throes of winter with his two goldens.   Even the dogs look cozy.

The beautiful stone exterior.


The wood tones of the floorboards, beams and antiques warm winter viewed through his french doors.

The cool white tones of the living room walls are warmed again by wood tones.  The fire in the hearth and the books add more.  I hesitate to add the word cozy - not a word associated with Blass - but this room and its fire are definitely inviting on a cold winter day.

Another living room view with such interesting antiques.

And more.

His dining room replete with antique maps and silver candle holders.  Love his simple table setting.

Library bookcases, mantel, and antique mirror.

Library's other side.  Blass has a library, I have a den with bookcases - somehow that defines the vast difference between his cozy versus my cozy.  His is so lovely.

The staircase model on the bedroom's table always fascinated me.  Again a fireplace stands ready for duty.

The designer himself amid his collections.  (Personal aside: love men in corduroy in the winter.)

Summer views from the internet.  Note at least three chimneys for winter warmth.

The following images were all found on Google images.

Another view of his mudroom.

More living room and collections and antiques.

From the ceiling molding, I believe this room is from his NYC apartment, not from Connecticut,  but the leather chair and the books and the antiques, and another staircase model all speak to me of, dare I say, cozy.  Had to include it.

Close up of Connecticut bedroom.  So, so tasteful.

"In 1981, the Vogue described it as “a house with integrity . . . and the best kind of American good looks.” As Blass’s friend and neighbor Oscar de la Renta noted a decade ago, Blass “achieved perfection in an extremely simple manner,” and in this, as in the effortless clothes he designed, which melded insouciantly chic practicality with silver-screen glamour, he was “totally American.”'  

Sadly, Bill Blass died in 2002 and his home was sold.  Vogue featured an article showing the changes made by this new owner, Daniel Romualdez, himself both a designer and architect.

Exterior still so beautiful.

Much brighter color in living room and fewer antiques.  Cozy?

Brighter dining room with some great antiques.  I really like this room.  Cozy?

Interesting entry way.  I've never been a fan of stuffed animals, but somehow I love the goose.  Cozy?

And because neither article from above showed the home's kitchen, I thought I would end with this kitchen from Colonial Revival Shingle Style.  It's both warm and cozy, I love it, and, after all, it suits the name of my blog.

Have a warm and cozy week end.  Till next time -
b