“SPEND THE AFTERNOON, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU.” ~ Annie Dillard

It’s Friday evening…the leaves upon your  kaleidoscopic maple trees are brilliant in their hues of bright red, electric yellow, chocolate browns and royal tones of orange…The air is  cold and crisp, the wind is blowing against your face and it tickles your cheeks in a great, nostalgic way…The gorgeous Autumn season has arrived. 🙂 The excitement stirs as your packing up your car with fresh linens, books, groceries, fine wine, candles, blankets, your favorite pillow sprayed with your regal, delightful perfume, your bubble bath, suitcase and a flashlight…You are all set to drive to your mountain cabin by the lake…It’s just you and your ipod, books and journal, some good food, wine and fresh air, the night critters, songs of the  myriad of birds, the ripples of the water slowly reaching the shoreline then leisurely receding…the  dancing, glistening amber’s of the flames burning in the hearth, smell of smokey wood, and, finally, some alone time. It’s YOUR Quiet, Cozy Corner.

It’s 80’s degrees outside, blue skies, a cool breeze, not a cloud in the sky. You grab your umbrella, colorful beach towel, cooler, sunblock, beach hat and favorite book…You are set for your resplendent day at the shoreline… Just you, the bright sunshine, the wondrous sounds of the crashing waves, the sound of the gulls squawking, delicious food to snack upon, and the cool breeze. It’s YOUR Quite, Cozy, Corner…place of refuge and time ‘just for YOU.’

It’s your favorite time of the year…a time of new beginnings and rebirth…fresh new blooms upon all of your rose bushes and umbrella shaped Mimosa tree along with bright , motley gardens  bursting with color everywhere you look. The skies are ocean blue, and nature is busily proclaiming a new song everyday,  rejoicing  over its glorious, abounding beauty. You just got off work and the sun is laggardly  starting  it’s stunning descent. You change into your jeans, make a pot of robust, French roast coffee, pour it into a thermos, and walk down to your “little bit of heaven,” along the sandy shore, your boat  faithfully awaiting you at the weathered dock. You venture out into the water at the precise time the sun is setting in it’s honored rhapsody…  The baronial lighthouse brings forth an abundance of whimsy emotions and the air feels unbelievably refreshing…You are now safely in YOUR Quite, Cozy, Corner. Does life get any better?

 

What is it about human beings and their desire as well as need for that pampering, compact niche, corner, secret hideaway? The one place that you know is JUST YOURS? I believe it starts when we are tiny, precious, animated and perky babies…Perhaps sooner, in that secure and warm place we spend our 9 months developing…the womb. Then, once we’ve entered this place, called ‘the world’,  we know that our chromatically, soft and cozily decorated tiny bed with it’s wooden walls, OUR CRIB, is ‘just ours’…our secret, SAFE dwelling place. (Though baby can not live by bread alone,) 🙂  so we have to do that loud crying thing to be held, coddled, changed and fed some of that delicious white liquid,  🙂 then, it’s back to “our cozy corner.” Even as little kids, we build our tents…create rustic,  sturdy tree houses amongst the thick branches of our colossal trees in the back yard…We make wooden signs , with “KEEP OUT” painted on them in what ever color of paint we can find in our dad’s garage. 🙂

This blog is solely about a ‘tree house’ or ‘cabin by the lake,’ within your own blissful home that is just for the lady of the house.  I hope  to share some wonderful ideas with you, that will give you some things to ponder as you create that one special place that is beautiful, coddling, peaceful, and “just yours.”

 

THE DISTINGUISHED QUOTE CORNER.

“I still find each day to short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see.” ~ John Burroughs

“Dogs are wise…They crawl away to a quiet corner and lick their wounds and do not rejoin the world until they are whole once more.” ~ Agatha Christie

“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, YOU MUST MAKE IT.” ~ Charles Buxton

“May you LIVE all the days of your life.” ~ Jonathon Swift

“If you can’t get quiet enough to hear yourself, your life is to LOUD!” ~ Terri Guillements

“The Arctic expresses the sum of all wisdom; SILENCE.” ~ Walter Bauer

“Honk if you hate NOISE POLLUTION!” ~ Author unknown…seen on a bumper sticker. 🙂

“I take it that, what all men are really after, is some form of, perhaps only some formula of Peace. ” ~ James Conrad

“True Silence is rest of the mind, it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.” ~ William Penn

 

Women are not only busy and loving mom’s, they are gourmet cooks, expertise budget planners, insightful and clever grocery shoppers, creative bakers, respected and admired at their jobs, (whether at home or in an office,) wives and partners, the keeper of all the pets the kids ‘promised’ they would take care of, 🙂  landscapers, gardener’s,  errand runners, nurturers, someones best friend, housekeepers, a gym buddy and beautifully talented in their God given gifts. With all that we do as women, don’t you think we deserve a place of our own, some time to our selves to rejuvenate, think and enjoy the things that bring us pleasure and  felicity in our cozy, quite corner?  If we do not take the time for ourselves, we will never have it…It is a gift , a present we give to ourselves and in the long run, to all those we love… (as we are better people when we nourish, pamper and  strengthen ourselves.)

 

All in a Woman’s “Day of work!”  🙂

 

Let’s begin our cozy and quite corners, ‘just for the ladies,’ TOUR!

Ah! The wondrous invention of the bath tub. It is definitely one of my most favored quiet places on earth… There is just nothing like a hot bubble bath to sooth your muscles and clear your mind. This  bathtub is especially alluring with it’s vintage, country-cottage style, dressed up with ivy and hints of serene nature. (Make sure you have your ‘Downey soft,’ luxurious bath towel awaiting you, along with your favorite bathrobe and slippers so you can continue to stay in that “pampered and relaxed state of mind.”  🙂

These “cozy corners” are the perfect retreat . The voluminous chairs are not only comfortable but pleasing to the eyes… Both of these serene niches are blessed with sun lit windows and a quaintness that immediately inspires you to sit, relax, read, write in your journal or work on your needlepoint pillow. Two entirely different styles of decor, but both perfect, for a relaxing get-away. This is an impeccable  place, that is set apart from the world, a place to gather all of your thoughts, ponder and bring your plans together.

What a beautiful, cozy  and cheerful spot to sneak off to. It’s serene colors of blue and white, amidst the large sun filled window, and motley throw pillows is perfect for an afternoon snooze, listening  to your favorite, soothing music on your ipod earphones, or working on your monthly calendar. It’s also nice because it gives you an ‘instant’ footstool… 🙂

The beauty of nature, a sensational breeze, your beloved porch swing, (Well, actually, in this photograph, it is your “tree swing.” 🙂  the fresh air amidst the warmth of the sun are  all perfect ingredients for a few hours repose of pure nourishment and rejuvenation to both your body and soul!

You’ve heard it said that what we surround ourselves with, creates and effects our mood…This cozy corner is not only royal, courtly and fetching, its like time traveling back to another era….Sitting here, with the bright light and warmth of the sunshine flowing through  the window, with a great book, would be eminently relaxing and soothing to the soul.  (If you could stay awake long enough!) 🙂

A woman’s desk is another place of bliss… with your signature style and color choices, its your creative  sui generis nook, the one place that holds a myriad of cherished treasures from your heart…your journals, favored novellas, photographs framed in your unique decor style, an antique pen from one of your wondrous travels, a vintage lamp, fresh writing papers, elegant address book filled with all the people you love, (the old and the new,) and a delightful scented candle, filling your home with a sweet and ambrosial aroma.   It’s your place to dream, think, reflect and plan…My desk is truly like an, old and very faithful, loving friend. 🙂

This beautiful, serene alcove is equipped with everything you could possibly need… (except the foot stool.) 🙂 With it’s gorgeous sun filled window view, fresh flowers, ethereal candle,esthetic comfy pillow and novel… you are all set to enjoy your felicitous hours of ‘alone time and quite calm.’ I love the built in shelf for all of your treasured folios of adventures.

These two cozy corners are not only beckoning the soul to come to a place of reprieve, they are engaging, inviting and blissful. Whether being inside on an brisk, autumn afternoon, relaxing in this sightly and cozy vintage chair, or enjoying the sounds of the sea and the nostalgic  aroma of the fresh briny air on your playful and winning  hammock, both places are sure to bring forth refreshment and  give your body and mind a ‘recharge.’ 🙂

Talk about color! If color is mood changing and great for your mind, body and soul, just sitting here should bring forth a ‘revival’ to your entire being! 🙂 This niche is absolutely stunning and cozy…You would certainly catch me here every morning to embrace the warm sunlight, cozy pillows, the chromatic colors and the pure ambiance of charm and pizzazz. (One of my favorite  ‘niches’ so far! 🙂 )

Your garden is another beautiful place of retreat and revivify . Whether it is a classy, refined wrought iron bench with soft, enlivening pillows or a wicker rocking chair, sitting in the midst of your gorgeous fresh flowers, ‘blooming like there is not tomorrow,’ taking in the wondrous scents of nature and again, the fresh and healthy sunshine, are restorative gifts just within themselves. This would be the perfect place to do your menu planning, grocery list and “to-do” schedule. 🙂 Mornings in my garden are always a “dilly-dallying affair.” 🙂

Another ‘two favorites of mine… 🙂  Both of these spectacular and warm , cozy sitting areas are exquisite. I can’t decide which ambiance is more desirable… I adore the English Garden corner with it’s luscious floral fabric, fresh flowers, cherished antique photographs, and Batten-burg lace covered table, (with  plenty of room for a cup of chamomile tea or a hot cappuccino.) 🙂 The calming blue and whites amongst the sylvan ambiance is hard to turn down as well… Maybe I would  just  have create two cozy, quiet corners in my home… 🙂

Decadent, royalty, impressive and sublime! This is a gorgeous place of reprieve!

This little corner looks fresh out of the country… cozy, lived in and a fun! With it’s great amenity of the sunlit window, working on that crocheted baby blanket would be ideal! 🙂

It’s hard for us as times, to think of our bedrooms as a retreat, but truly, they are one of the most wondrous places to rejuvenate our bodies and soul, within our entire home. You don’t have to have your  pajamas on to prop yourself up on your multi- pillowed bed with it’s soft eiderdown comforter, light a candle and grab your laptop to work on the next chapter of your novel,  or write a long letter to your best  friend overseas…It’s the perfect place to recharge…Especially this particular style of room with it’s colossal  paned windows, abundance of sunshine and pure, crisp shades of white! It almost looks as if the relished ocean is only minutes away, with its bethnic and vintage decor style.

An antiquated, vintage and shabby chic, cozy corner …very inviting and comfy! I love the pleasing color pallet of  the soft hues of rose and powder blue with the accent of pastel green…very soothing. There is nothing quite  like your favorite chair on “the front porch” for your coveted place of “me time.” Especially if your porch looks like this one! 🙂 (Bright and cheery.)

OK…I see new competition for a “favored” blissful getaway. 🙂  How could you not adore this beautiful and elegant place of reverie? It  embodies everything for quieting the soul…soft colors, a breathtaking view and  a stunning and picturesque sitting area. This room  exudes the very meaning of the word “CHARM.” It’s definitely on the top of my list.

Yoga on the front porch! I have never tried this art, but from I hear, it brings more rejuvenation and peace of mind than any medication a doctor can prescribe for anxiety!  🙂

Another timeless and enchanting place to ‘re-awaken’ your mind, body and soul. I adore the color pallet of the soft roses, butter cream whites,  hushed yellows, amidst the muted greens and blues. It would take a lot to get me off of  this cozy and comfy couch! 🙂

A delightful and cheery craft room, “Just for you.” If I had one of these in my homes, it would be much more than a few hours of repose...I’d get carried away… 🙂  If you have an extra room in your home to bring forth an imaginative place to create all the lovely things you adore, ( sewing, creating new fashion, painting, graphic art, using your lifesaving glue gun for designing and bringing forth stellar topiary trees, seasonal wreaths or whatever your ‘craft of choice’ is, then make this room all yours...your decor style, color scheme and architectural design… spend as much time as you can doing what you love most!   🙂    This room would be a luxury and a place of restoration, undoubtedly bringing you back into a place of peace and serenity in your busy, sometimes hectic life.

 

Yes, you are correct, if you guessed this is a cozy, quite corner from Mary Engelbreit! Adorned in her unique, original style of fire engine reds, crisp whites, regal blacks with the amicable accents of rose and yellow… I feel a bit rejuvenated, just looking at this room! 🙂

Sitting  within your lovely garden brings rebirth and clarity to your mind , but working in a garden is an entirely different kind of repose.  It’s not only nurturing, peaceful, a time of concentration and creating beauty, but it revitalizes you on every level! I love this homemade scarecrow! 🙂

Not many of us are blessed with an ocean view outside of our lovely havens. If you do have a resplendent veranda with a view of the blissful and mysterious sea, this would, of course be the PERFECT, quiet place of retreat for you… I can’t imagine a more peaceful ambiance… I would dress up this porch with and abundance of fresh flowers in a myriad of esthetic colors form my local florist or a quaint country boutique like this one, where you can pick up fresh cut flowers… (and maybe even a hot cappuccino for the road.) 🙂

This cozy sitting area has a head start as it is festooned for the Glorious Christmas season. I love the yellow and white color combination, the natural hard wood flooring along with the simplicity of this relaxing ambiance.  The adorable  miniature white picket fence, fireplace screen, steals the room. 🙂  I can easily picture this sitting area to be a favored place, blessed with a convivial ambiance in the winter months, enjoying the felicity of a warming fire and hot mulled cider.

For the more formal tastes… This exquisite and commanding room with its inviting corner is certainly a delightful and enticing reprieve. I have always doted upon vaulted ceilings and the authenticity and awesomeness of a room with a breathtaking  Crown-molding finish. (It reminds me of my southern heritage.) Absolutely gorgeous!

This period piece of  furniture is exceedingly  comfortable and it makes for a unique and splendid sitting area… I love it’s simplicity and august style.

Another sublime, par-excellence ambiance for an afternoon of pure pleasure, reading your  suspenseful novella, a devotional, knitting a  candy apple red scarf for your dog, or listening to calming music on your ipod… I love the cozy fire, the enchanting wallpaper, the antiquated style of furniture with a delightful table dressed for a fancy afternoon Tea with your favorite Tea set.  Now that is pampering! 🙂

No matter how many corners you have in your lovely home, it will be your design and accessories that create the beauty your soul is longing for. These two niches below are as different as night and day, yet both esthetic to the eyes and spirit… I can easily see one for the winter  and autumn months and the other for spring and summer. Both are prestigious, baronial, regal and refined… Remember to surround yourself with beauty and the things you love most! 🙂 This is YOUR PLACE!

Lastly, two more diverse yet inviting little alcoves to treat your body and soul to a “makeover.” 🙂 The over sized white chair with the blue decorative pillows is absolutely cordial, amicable and chipper. (Another chair that I would find it hard to ever leave…it looks so comfy!) 🙂 The other corner is formal, evokes emotions of being coddled and is so graceful and majestic. It is all a matter of your tastes.

When you discover where that special place will be and decide how you want it to look, here are some ideas of the things you can do, (in your quiet, cozy corner,) to bring forth an abundance of peace,relaxation, rejuvenation and pure, JOY! REMEMBER to take time just for you…to replenish and restore your mind body and soul… and don’t forget Mr. Charles Buxton’s insightful quote from above; ” You will never find time for anything. If you want time, YOU MUST MAKE IT! ” 🙂

Light and enjoy some ambrosial  scented candles. Not only will it sooth your soul but it will evoke happy thoughts and memories.

This one says it all! 🙂 Play one of your favorite, calming CD’s on your CD player, put your earphones on, take a snooze and just close your eyes to the world around you!

Treat yourself to a healthy, delicious snack or “go for the chocolate decadent confection!” 🙂 It depends on the Restoration your in need of that day. 🙂

Read your favorite magazines or call your best girl friend who lives across the United states.

Bring out your laptop in it’s tapestry holder and “surf the internet”, read interesting articles or work on your autobiography! 🙂

Crochet that special little hat for your niece or write a few entries in your beloved, private journal! If you are a writer, bring our your notebook and begin jotting down your ideas for your plots, characters and picturesque settings for your new story.

Bring out your elegant needlepoint for that pillow you have in mind for the spring season or your knitting needles and yarn for the baby blanket your creating  for your sisters new arrival.:)

Enjoy reading your beloved novels written by your favorite author or treat yourself to a cup of freshly brewed specialty coffee with some real, fresh whipped cream and fancy cookies! 🙂

Serve yourself a pampering, afternoon tea! Dress your table with some fresh flowers from the garden and revel in the savory and delicious aromas of brewed lemon ginger tea and fresh roses.  Its a great place as well to look up new recipes for your gourmet cooking collection, hearty casseroles or fresh new, creative salads.

Listen to your favored music…whether it is opera or R&B….(whatever relaxes you.) 🙂  For some it is the melodic reposes of Andrea Bocelli and for others, the soulful and dreamy falsetto voice of Usher. If by chance, you feel like dancing…dance your heart out in your beloved niche. 🙂

If you do end up creating a craft room, or already have one, enhance your skills with making a seasonal wreath…(It’s funny, whenever I take out my glue gun, I find a hundred things around  the house that need it’s attention. 🙂   I find that when I am  busily gluing and creating, my mind  and spirit is at  total peace, fixing, perfecting, bringing forth new beauty and color, and when I look at the clock and see that an hour has gone by, I am in unbelief.) It’s so relaxing to create! Another restorative thing for our bodies and soul…DAY DREAMING! Whether its dreaming about your new ideas for your home decor, or of other lands, it’s not only relaxing but gives you a “wondrous body and mind lift.” 🙂

In closing,  pamper yourself with a glass of wine, some gourmet cheeses, or a very formal, and fancy afternoon Tea, served with fresh chocolate scones and delicious , sweet strawberries.

ENJOY your new Cozy, quiet and restorative corner in your home… If you build it…YOU will come! 🙂

 

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Resources/Links:
Address books and stationary
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Yankee Candles
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