Latest Posts:
Tag

Cozy

Browsing
In Home Improvement

Yard of the Week: Cozy Spaces in a Beautifully Expansive Yard

No Comments



This dreamy property in the coastal mountains south of San Francisco already had a pool, lawn areas, gardens and mature trees, including a large Japanese maple and many oaks. The homeowners wanted to make the landscape design more refined, cohesive and colorful, so they hired landscape architect Lisa Howard of Bay Tree Design. At the top of their wish list was providing lots of places where their four boys, ages 4 through 12, could play.

The new design has patios, seating areas, container gardens and more. “My clients love to entertain large groups, but [they] also wanted cozy spots for smaller groups to gather,” Howard says. She created outdoor rooms so guests could spread out during parties. New garden areas allow the homeowners to grow fresh flowers for parties, and herbs for garnishing homemade pizzas.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

Read More
By
In Home Improvement

Kitchen of the Week: Bright and Cozy in White, Wood and Blue

No Comments



There were a number of reasons this Massachusetts couple purchased their Colonial Shingle-style home in 2004. But the kitchen wasn’t one of them. The space was a good size and included a breakfast area, but a tiny island without seating, a cramped appliance setup and dark and dated finishes didn’t give these foodies the stylish and welcoming kitchen they dreamed of.

Parents of three now-grown sons, the couple were finally ready to make serious changes. They hired designer Jodi Swartz to help improve both function and style. While the overall layout stayed mostly the same, two-tone custom cabinets in a classic white for the perimeter and a robin’s-egg blue for the expansive island give the kitchen a fresh look. A dual-fuel range in a soft shade of blue and blue backsplash tiles complement the island. Touches of black add dramatic contrast. Elegant marble countertops, warm oak flooring and a cozy seating area near a fireplace elevate the kitchen with timeless appeal.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

Read More
By
In Home Improvement

10 Cozy and Inviting New Nurseries

No Comments



Nurseries should be welcoming not just for babies, but also for their parents and caregivers. After all, adults and wee ones both deserve comfortable and soothing surroundings. If you’re designing a nursery, take inspiration from these projects recently uploaded to Houzz, which accommodate everyone’s needs with their soft and sweet color schemes, plush chairs and rugs, and stylish design details. Keep in mind these rooms were styled for photography and that in real life the cribs for safety reasons would not contain soft goods.

1. Counting Sheep

This Los Angeles nursery by DAMA Interiors features fresh takes on old-fashioned details, such as vintage-look floral wallpaper, a scalloped natural-fiber rug, a lantern-like ceiling lamp and a fluted dresser. A rocking lamb, two sheepskin throws and a bouclé club chair add softness and fleecy texture.

Find an interior designer near you

2. Going Dotty

In a New York City apartment, this nursery by Studio 1820 features polka-dot-covered walls, a modern white crib and a bouclé rocking chair paired with a matching channel-tufted ottoman. A rocking giraffe and an artwork depicting a bubble-blowing bunny play off the dots, while a green floor lamp and color-blocked rug give the cute space a contemporary edge.

Shop for nursery furniture on Houzz

The Design ShopSave Photo
3. Pattern Play

The Design Shop layered this traditional Dallas nursery in toile de Jouy, stripes, gingham and florals, sticking to a mostly pale-blue-and-white palette and sprinkling in some caned and antique brass accents. The piped and box-pleated ottoman lends the space some formality while offering a comfortable place to rest one’s feet.

7 Building Blocks for Creating a Dream Nursery

4. Special Treatment

While Baby is lying in her crib in this Austin, Texas, nursery by Nuela Designs, she can gaze at a flock of cranes flying across the wallpapered ceiling. An arched and ribbed decorative wall treatment echoes the paper’s pink background, and unique clear slats offer uninterrupted views both into and out of the modern-style crib.

Ola Design StudioSave Photo
5. Secret Slumber

This Coral Gables, Florida, nursery by Ola Design Studio is full of earthy color and texture, including a nubbly bouclé on the contemporary rocking chair and macaron-like footstool, rattan detailing on the convertible crib and what looks like a plaster wall treatment. A large dresser both provides storage and serves as a changing table when paired with a removable changing pad. The room has other versatile elements too, including a Murphy bed behind the crib.

6. Brass Tacks

Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Olivia Design created this crisp, simple nursery for a baby boy. A blue area rug covers the beige carpeting, an antique-brass-toned crib adds old-fashioned character, and a crisp white dresser provides plenty of storage space for tiny clothes and other baby essentials.

How to Create Joyful, Clutter-Free Kid Spaces

Four Brothers Design + BuildSave Photo
8. Couched in Comfort

Pale terra-cotta-colored walls, a pinkish Moroccan-style rug and tiger-and-palm-print pillows give this Los Angeles nursery a worldly look that fits with the home’s Spanish architecture. Designed by 22 Interiors, the room has a small sofa that offers a bit more room for stretching out (and possibly sneaking in a snooze) than the standard rocking chair.

Ruggles Mabe StudioSave Photo
9. Wild for Bébé

In this Denver nursery, Ruggles Mabe Studio layered draperies over Roman blinds, which both control light (critical for naps) and offer a luxe look. The French influences on the home’s architecture and interior design are evident in the nailhead-trimmed crib, the brass chandelier and the cozy quilted chair with contrasting piping. A sheepskin floor covering, a tiger-patterned wallpaper and a gallery of African animals on the wall balance the buttoned-up elements with a little wildness.

Find kids rugs on Houzz

Hicks Cazenave Interior DesignSave Photo



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

Read More
By
In Home Improvement

10 Cozy Homes Nestled in the Snow

No Comments



Snow brings a quiet calm, a cozy and wintry feeling. We’ve searched on Houzz to find some of the most inviting homes covered in snow, from a log cabin in California to a minimalist house in Vermont. Whether you’re snowbound at home or dreaming of a wintry landscape, pour a cup of cocoa and let these snowy exteriors take you away.

Albertsson Hansen Architecture and Interior DesignSave Photo
Agostino Terziano DesignSave Photo
2. Dark and Dramatic Destination

A small living space and loft sit above a walkout basement entry and garage in this Toronto home by Agostino Terziano Design. The Scandinavian-inspired house creates a dramatic contrast in the snowy landscape with its simple gable roofline and charcoal-colored exterior.

Kevin Edge PhotographySave Photo
3. Classic Farmhouse With a Twist

This new home in Durham, New Hampshire, blends some of the favorite features of a traditional New England farmhouse with modern details and furnishings to create a warm, inviting and comfortable abode. Exposed beams, cozy rooms and a mix of vintage and new decor round out the space, continuing the mix of old and new inside.

Shop for outdoor lighting on Houzz

Wildwood Construction, Inc.Save Photo
4. Cozy Historical Cottage

In the downtown district of Park City, Utah, this charming cottage renovated by Wildwood Construction creates an inviting feel with its glowing interiors and tidy entryway. The historical home stands out on even the snowiest days with its emerald green siding and crisp white trim that nods to the past.

Hyperlocal WorkshopSave Photo
5. Sustainable Mountain Retreat

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this cabin by Hyperlocal Workshop is a Certified Passive House. The home is off-grid and powered by solar energy.

Summit Log & Timber HomesSave Photo
Rob Bramhall ArchitectsSave Photo
7. Rustic Ski House

A mix of stone, board-and-battan siding and exposed rafter tails gives this Maine ski house rustic appeal. Rob Bramhall Architects repeated the use of these materials inside for a cohesive feel.

Birdseye DesignSave Photo
8. Panoramic Views

Located next to a ski trail, this home by Birdseye Design beautifully fits its Vermont mountainside setting. The floor plan is upside down, which maximizes the views from the great room on the top level. The bedrooms are on the ground level.

Pella Windows and DoorsSave Photo
9. Steel, Concrete and Cedar Cabin

High-performance glass allowed Ward+Blake Architects to craft a home that allows expansive views of mountains and valleys in Alta, Wyoming, while being energy-efficient. Along with the glass, the exterior’s steel, concrete and weathered cedar create a striking and low-maintenance facade.

Cushman Design GroupSave Photo



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

Read More
By
In Home Improvement

15 Things to Do on a Cozy Holiday Weekend at Home

No Comments



The feel of flannel sheets, the sound of stories told aloud, the scent of something delicious baking in the oven — as the Thanksgiving weekend stretches out ahead, plan on nestling with family and friends in the warm embrace of your home. Whether your idea of cozy quality time is sipping cider or making wreaths, here are 15 activities to take you through the holiday.

Tradewinds General Contracting, Inc.Save Photo
1. Wrap Up in Blankets and Sit Outside

Take a cue from luxe ski chalets and pass out warm throws and mugs of hot cider or cocoa to visitors. Carry your accoutrements to the porch and light some candles or gather around a fire pit in the backyard.

Bria Hammel InteriorsSave Photo
2. Make Up the Beds With Flannel Sheets

Snuggling into a bed dressed in soft flannel sheets is the ultimate in coziness. Layer on the warmth with blankets and throws in mix-and-match plaids, and burrow in with a good book.

Shop for new bedding on Houzz

TKS Design GroupSave Photo
3. Compile Family Recipes

Ask each loved one you’ll see this Thanksgiving weekend to share a treasured recipe, then gather all the contributions into a booklet. Make copies to give to your family as a weekend memento.

Brie Stephens – Lake Life RealtySave Photo
4. Hold a Game Tournament

After the big meal is over, bust out the board games, or turn the dining table into a table tennis court, and encourage a little friendly competition. With a big crowd, you could even set up a few game stations and let people gravitate to their favorites.

SAV Digital EnvironmentsSave Photo
5. Build a Fire

Local restrictions permitting, light a blaze in your wood-burning stove or fireplace and gather round. For even more coziness, pull up a table and have a fireside dinner.

Hibou Design & Co.Save Photo
6. Settle In for a Movie Marathon

Kick movie night up a notch with homemade popcorn, hot chocolate and a double or triple feature with a theme, such as films by a single director, ones set during Thanksgiving, Oscar winners or foreign-language flicks.

Watch recent episodes of Houzz TV

7. Put Out a Pile of Unsorted Photos

Sure, carefully curated albums are beautiful to look at, but there’s something exciting about dipping into a mixed-up batch of photos and seeing what you get. It’s sure to spark fun conversations.

Delicate CreatureSave Photo
8. Share and Record Stories

You know those family tales that get told over and over? Be sure to preserve them for future generations to enjoy. Make an audio or video recording of family members telling their most-loved stories, or go old-school and set out a manual typewriter and a big stack of paper.

9. Make or Buy Wreaths

Bring a festive spirit to your home by hanging beautiful wreaths of greenery, berries or pinecones on the doors or windows. If you want to turn it into a group or children’s activity, pick up a bunch of small wreath forms and some twine, and let people forage for natural materials outdoors to make their own wreaths.

Read stories about wreath making

10. Test a Recipe You’d Like to Give for the Holidays

Thinking of making biscotti, loaf cake or granola as a holiday gift? If you give the recipe a dress rehearsal over the long weekend, there are sure to be grateful tasters on hand, and you’ll gain confidence (and iron out wrinkles) before holiday crunch time.

11. Play Old Records

The interactive nature of LPs gets everyone involved in choosing and flipping them. Try old favorites or pick up a few new ones from contemporary artists — records have made a major comeback in recent years, so you can find just about anything on vinyl that has been released digitally.

Crowell + Co. InteriorsSave Photo
12. Pull Out Childhood Books

Charlotte’s Web, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Velveteen Rabbit, Little House on the Prairie, Harry Potter — share your personal favorites with the younger generation by lending them or reading them aloud. And whether or not there are kids in the house, why not indulge in a little rereading?

10 Cozy Spots Perfect for Reading With Kids

Deidre InteriorsSave Photo
13. Cook and Freeze a Few Big-Batch Dinners

If you aren’t tired of cooking (and no one would blame you if you are after Thanksgiving), why not use a bit of your downtime this weekend to whip up a big-batch meal? Many casseroles, soups and stews freeze well and can make quick homemade dinners when life gets busy. You may even be able to work Thanksgiving leftovers into turkey soup, for example, or pot pie.

Marty Paoletta PhotographySave Photo
14. Ask the Kids to Show Off a Skill

Have the little ones been learning songs at school, or taking piano or tumbling lessons? Encourage them to display their talents with an impromptu performance. Of course, you know your children best, so if they’re on the shy side, you may not want to put them on the spot!

Hoedemaker PfeifferSave Photo
15. Find a Quiet Place to Sit

After the big Thanksgiving meal, stealing off to catch a nap or sip peppermint tea can be restorative.

Pink Fortitude, LLCSave Photo



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

Read More
By
Pin It