Do Neutrals Ever Qualify as Warm and Cozy?
Does Dan Carithers Quaify as Warm and Cozy?

A resounding yes and yes on both counts - as we'll see in today's blog.  So far the elements of cozy have included fireplaces, libraries and books, touches of red, wallpaper, tapestries, antiques, plants, beams and stonework, leather furnishings, a smallish size. A home need not have all of these elements to be cozy, yet even with all his use of neutrals, Dan Carithers's home and design definitely remain cozy and warm.  See if you agree.

Today, readers still bemoan the loss of Southern Accents.  I never subscribed to it, but checked it out in bookstores, and purchased it when homes like the Carithers's one appeared.

Even though this issue is sixteen years old, Carithers's home is timely, beautiful, warm, cozy - and neutral.  The following images of his foyer contain glimpses through to the living room.
                       
                                                                           
                         

Glimpse of the living room fireplace from foyer.

The living room's slipcovered daybed could be in today's homes, and its height provides "a bit of privacy for seated guests by blocking part of the view from passersby."  Brilliant.

The study with its books, antique map of Paris and statue of St. Joseph.  The use of vintage religious statues is a technique often used by designers like John Saladino today.

The family room with its fireplace and beams.  Love the paisley throw hung casually on the railing.

I, of course, love the kitchen - the antique settle-like chair, the copper, the beams, the island and two of the Carithers's children actually cooking (I think).  The kitchen is a new addition to the back of the house.

                                             
Kitchen's breakfast room with collection of Staffordshire.                  

 
Dining room's three styles of chairs, trompe l'oeil medallions on the wall, and French doors leading to the garden.                                                                      

Cozy bedroom with toile wallpaper and shutters.  I love, love shutters.

 
Pink bedroom overlooks the garden off the dining room.                                              

Dan and Nancy Carithers.  "I like houses that look like they grew up out of the ground instead of being placed on it," says Dan.  My husband would have agreed whole-heartedly.  It took him months to place our house just right.  Sadly, too many builders ignore this step.

Don't you love white painted brick?  Last post's home showed stone with white shingles.  This home with painted brick and clapboards is equally charming.  It's perfect.

So far in the Carithers's house, we've seen two fireplaces, antiques, beams, wallpaper, shutters, brick work and a study with its books.  What could it possibly be missing?  That touch of red perhaps, but Dan takes care of that at Christmas as seen in the following issue of Southern Accents.

Red on the outside...

With Dan bringing it inside.

Just the right touches.

In all the right places.

And now to some favorite images of Carithers's work gleaned from Pinterest.  (Hope you will forgive me if I've stepped on any copyright toes by repeating your images here.)

Another view of the Carithers home.

And its beautiful garden.

A very neutral and welcoming Carithers living room.

And lastly, true to my blog's name, are two Carithers kitchens that I have loved.  The beams, the oriental rugs with their reds, the leather and checked chairs, the plants, the antiques - all warmly speak to me.

Another view of same kitchen.  Such great storage - something my own kitchen lacks.

And lastly, his kitchen from Kiawah island.  More grays than neutrals, but don't you love it?  The beams, the stove's hood, the furnishings, the books - all so good.

So, my friends and readers, even when neutral, isn't Carithers's work the warmest and coziest?  Guess you know my opinion.

Still cold in my area, so I am still not finished with warm and cozy.  Do you think of John Saladino's work as warm and cozy?  You will after my next post.

Till then,

b