Cozy Up For the Fall

By Natalie Weinstein, Allied ASID
 
Q.  What does “cozy” mean to you?
 
A.  Cozy means an environment that is almost like a cocoon.  A small bedroom, a little den or even a large family room or kitchen, can be cozy.  They just have to give you the feeling that you want to curl up and relax or find comfort there.
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Q.  What are two to three elements (such as light, texture, color etc.) homeowners can use to bring that cozy feeling into a room?
 
A.  One thing that creates coziness is a comfortable and soft environment. Texture and fabric are very important.  Chenille fabrics, area rugs or broadloom carpeting, throws on sofas, and pillows, all create inviting and cozy environments.  Warm soft lighting is another element, even though rooms today often have hi-hats.  Table lamps and standing lamps (torchieres) provide the best ambient lighting as well as a good location to curl up and read a book.
 
Q.  How is it executed?
 
A.  The basic floor plan of a cozy room is no different than any other room.  The plan remains the same but the seating should be comfortable and soft to the touch.  There should be tables adjacent to seating, where a hot cup of cocoa might sit.  An ottoman in front of a sofa, instead of a cocktail table, can be used so that while the floor plan doesn’t change, the ottoman functions as a good place to put your feet up and can double for serving with a tray.  A cozy corner in the bedroom might have a comfortable chair, an ottoman, or a chair and a half for quiet reading with young children or just put your own feet up with a snuggly blanket and escape.  In today’s world of multifunctional space, an extra bedroom can double as a small cozy den for one or two, as well as for use by guests by incorporating a sleep sofa.  Again the watch word is comfortable seating, soft lighting and textures, warm and inviting colors.  A cozy kitchen nook, a window seat, a quiet corner by a fireplace most certainly has “cozy” written all over it.  And of course, brownies baking, and loving friends and family gathered around your kitchen island, spell cozy anytime of the year.

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