Sunday, February 17, 2013


To Be Cozy and Warm, Must a House Be Small?

That is the question.  From the homes selected below, the answer appears to be yes. I was drawn to one earlier home because it just seemed cozier and warmer.  It is so windy and cold here today, all things warmer and cozier are more alluring.  Our weather definitely may have been my deciding factor, but don't let it influence you.  Decide yourself.  I end with more current, but still small rooms. See what you think - does small = cozy?  Or, is it just the weather in upstate New York that makes me think so?

Yes, you read it correctly - a 1996 issue of Veranda.  But the key word here is Winter.  Even Veranda was affected by winter in 1996.

Not a teensy house, but not large by today's standards.   And, I might add, not covered in snow.

View of one of the chimneys.  Aren't the windows on either side of it perfect??  They look like the eyes of the home.

Jean Keller Huff designed several other Atlanta homes for this medical couple.  Working on this house, all involved trusted one another which had to make the effort seamless - unlike we see on Million Dollar Decorators.

Main entryway.  Horses will be a recurring theme of the owners.

Besides size, the red accents, the oriental rug, the antiques, the books and the leather chair all radiate coziness.

The interests of the husband can be seen here - from travel to horses.  Love the worn-looking leather chair and antique globe.

Ah yes, one of the fireplaces and more red touches.  A warm hearth, but not a huge hearth.

Other side of living room with more red.

Someone is a firm believer that "more is more."  Even though small and cozy are the focus of the day, a bit less "more" might be a good choice below.  Have you ever dined at a table with a cloth going to the floor?  Impossible to be comfortable and even seems like a disaster in the making.  Still, it looks lovely - and warm.

































Note the fireplace in master bedroom - such a luxury.  Again, this room and hearth are not huge, just warm.

A glimpse of the window to the right of the bedroom fireplace.  Remember, we saw it from the outside.
Painted floor in the master bedroom and bath is unique.

Kitchen eating area with its fireplace roaring.

View through hallway to rear entry.

The kitchen's red AGA radiates its own heat.  On the right is a better view of rear entry/mudroom.
What did you think, a pretty house, right?  Not huge, but comfortable and warm.  It actually reminds me of our house before the great "chrome peanut purge" took place.  (See 6/12/12 post to clarify the chrome peanut reference.)

Now briefly to Malcolm Kutner's London home.  I've posted about this home earlier, but it rates another quick view here; it is so warm and cozy and the rooms are not large but so, so inviting. ( From Home magazine)

The blurry, but warm red dining room with its fireplace.


A kitchen I have loved.

Ending now with just a few random images I filed under warm and cozy, and they are also smallish.
Besides size, the colors in the first image seem to fit today's topic.

The antiques and woodwork spoke to our topic here.

And here the books, dark paneling, and leather.

Here the artwork, antiques and flooring.

The beams, the leather sofa and the tea.  Nothing huge, just cozy.

And this last image from Velvet and Linen.  How much do you love this bedroom??

Before I bore you to tears with my randomness, I'll stop.  But, what do you think?  Don't you think the smallish size of all the rooms in today's post increased their cozy factor?

Till next time, I'm off to make a warm cup of tea.
b

4 comments:

  1. Just oozing with character and charm! Love the stone chimney and fireplaces. And what a delicious collection of majolica ware. Small and intimate = cozy and warm!
    xo
    Loi
    PS - Reminds me of your English posts from early 2012 :)

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  2. Yep, Loi, this post reminded me of those previous ones too. But, English design usually does seem warm and cozy - must be all their damp weather and their need for Agas. And except for Downton Abbey-esque manor houses, English rooms seem smallish.

    By the by, I am getting more and more attracted to Swedish antiques and paint colors. Could be all your fault.
    xo,
    b

    ReplyDelete
  3. These interiors from kitchen to bed room are inviting. How about those old books in the background?
    Interior Glass Doors

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