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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: cottage

Inspiration Photo Friday: Lots of Love

17 Friday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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Tags

animals, anniversary, cottage, friendship, heart, life, love, marriage, massachusetts, nature, time, vacation, wedding

So much has been happening around here in my home, sometimes I forget to think. It’s  surely been crazy with the kitchen renovation taking over our lives and both of use trying to juggle work in between. Orders have been coming in and I am preparing for the Forgotten Friends of Long Island Spring Fair tomorrow, so I have been a little crazy. But its soon time to move forward and be able to actually relax.

Monday is my first wedding anniversary and I can’t believe a year has gone by already. I can close my eyes and imagine myself back at the farm marrying my best friend, like its yesterday. Even though that day was sort of a blur itself. So much has happened since then, like my life always tends to be. It’s never dull, thats for sure! But Monday will not only begin a new year with my husband, it will launch our much needed vacation. I am so excited.

We aren’t doing anything extravagant, just renting a little cottage in Massachusetts surrounded by nature. It will truly be a relaxing and peaceful time away from life here on Long Island. Our dogs will be with us as well, as they always are, so it will be nice to share some quality time, just us four. I am especially looking forward to time with Dan to reflect on our marriage and all that life has brought us since our wedding day. Quality time with him is a must.

So for this Inspiration Photo Friday, I ask you all to look at the loves in your life and let them know you appreciate them. Whether its a partner or friend, show them they have a place in your heart. Sometimes life can pull you away and become a distraction, so create that quality time and be in the moment. Time seems to continue to fly by, whether we want it to or not, so live life to the fullest and let your soul truly shine.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Lots of Love - Photo by Lauren Elle
Photograph by Lauren Elle Photography

Inspiration Photo Friday: Lazy Days

23 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design, Inspiration Photo Friday

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antique, books, connecticut, cottage, doily, fireplace, graystardesign, mantle, new england, photography, seashell, shell, travel, village, vintage

I took this photo in Mystic, Connecticut while we were visiting the Seaport. I loved walking around all the new England style buildings by the water. The stone and brick elements that were incorporated in the streets as well as the shops structures. CT will always have a place in my heart.

This shot was inside one of the small cottages in the village. I can’t resist vintage books so this mantle caught my eye immediately. The seashell was a nice touch as well. I was attracted to the richness of the colors and vintage feel of the whole set up. It reminded me of lazy days. The days you can just cuddle up with a warm blanket and read a book or daze away into dreamland. We all need days like that once in awhile, right? It’s nice to fade away into your own little world sometimes.

{You can purchase this photo in my Etsy shop for $6}

Inspiration Photo Friday: Lazy Days - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Coastal Cottage

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

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Tags

antique, beach, blue, botanicals, coastal, color, cottage, decor, decorating, design, flowers, gray, green, interior design, ivory, lavender, nature, nautical, neutrals, pastels, pink, plaid, purple, rustic, shabby chic, style, texture, vintage, weathered, wood, yellow

Coastal Cottage

Summer brings the warm sun and nature’s beautiful colors. It also brings a breathe of fresh air to a lot of people who love the heat so beaches, parks and lakes are most popular during this season. I personally love beaches, just not in the summer. I always thought the cooler months really brought out the beauty in coastal scenery. When its hot, some of the personality that clear skies and cool breezes brings out in the water and the surroundings is just hidden.

When I think of the water and the vast sea, usually the first thing that comes to mind is relaxation and a calmness. The bluest of nature is the star. When I think of some styles of decor, there is only one that comes to mind that I feel is comfy, soothing and natural as nature and nautical surroundings. That is surely cottage style.

It’s not surprise I love this style. Not only do I represent it in every room of my home it clearly is showcased in a lot of my design work as well. Over the years I have grown to love this style with all my heart. It is where I feel most calm. So I combined my two loves into a style Mother Nature would love herself – Coastal Cottage. Such a great combination.

To successfully create this style in your home there are a few things to remember. When you are choosing colors, let nature lead the way. Pastel blues, greens, pink and purples are just a few of the many hues that are popular. A sunny yellow in the kitchen, a lavender in the bedroom and a blue inspired by dusk for the living room are just a few examples. Always include darker tones that are inspired from nature to help weigh down the space such as warm browns and cool grays. These all help to maintain a peaceful environment.

Coastal Cottage Colors

When deciding on furniture, look for unique pieces that tell a story. Vintage finds play the perfect role in a cottage style space. Warm woods, soft and comfy cushions, patterns and subtle texture; these all help bring the style together. You want your pieces to feel weathered and rustic while showing craftmanship and strength. This allows them to bring character and personality to the space and help it feel lived in and comfortable.

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Accessories are very important because they allow for a cohesive design and help bring your personality to the table. You want them to feel handpicked and important. Textiles such as curtains, tablecloths, blankets and upholstery are key elements here. By showcasing plaids, stripes and botanical prints the cottage style will come alive. Don’t forget to include plants of all types. They will add that natural touch every style needs.

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Be careful about bringing too much nautical in because you don’t want the room to feel like you are the captain of a ship or the preppy kids took over. If so, you can kiss the cottage mix goodbye. You also want to watch the colors you add to the space because using too many reds, blues and greens may bring in that Americana feel. And although that is somewhat incorporated into the cottage style, its not the star. It can easily overwhelm the space and give it a completely different look.

And for all the fun details in between, have fun and make it yours. These next few photos are great examples of this style. Get inspired by this unique look and let it fill your heart with glee. I do everyday.

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor

05 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

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Tags

An Evening's Thought: Salvation by Christ, antique, caumsett, causeway, cottage, farm, farmers, Grissel Sylvester, henry lloyd, historic, history, huntington, jupiter hammon, lloyd harbor, lloyd manor, new york, oyster bay, religion, slavery, slaves, stable, vintage

I have always loved items and architecture that have that a true vintage appeal to them. My curiosity has always led me to historic places. There is something about the story behind the location as well as the construction that intrigues me. So it made sense that the Lloyd Manor in Huntington, New York would be on my list and I must say that I was very happy with what I captured during my visit.

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

As I turned off Lloyd Harbor Road I spotted numerous buildings on the right and immediately felt excited. I pulled over and started to explore this fascinating place. The farm area was my first stop. It was a relief to see that some of the buildings were showing their old age. Not that I don’t like restoration projects but I am more a fan of things in their natural state.

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

The Manor was built in 1711 and I wanted to capture the essence of that time. As I continued on my journey I spotted a white and black cat just hanging out in a small alley. Was this the “attack cat” who was mentioned on the door sign? If so, I don’t think he is that scary!

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

I moved on toward the barn and stable area and found that this was my favorite set of buildings. My walk over there was interesting enough with the cracked stone walls. Some revealed old brick that housed weeds and ivy. The main building was connected to the stables and the barn had a small chicken coop area to its right.

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

I really loved how the muted clay color of the stone was slightly set back from the dark green of the window frames and doors. It seemed to match well with the greenery and natural setting its surrounded by. I also thought it was convenient that everything was connected either by a gate or a path. It brought the whole Manor together as a whole instead of breaking up all the buildings.

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

The cottage at the end of the Manor was adorable and quaint. It followed the same design as the other buildings and a nice amount of land for gardening. I can imagine how nice it was to take in the view while relaxing on a summers night. The beautiful trees that guard the Manor are mesmerizing. It is no doubt they have seen amazing things.

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

The Lloyd family has owned this land for two centuries. Spawning out past Caumsett, the 3,000 acres allowed them to build numerous housing, construct buildings such as the Manor and have access to the natural resources that surrounded it. James Lloyd bought the land in 1676 when he married Grissel Sylvester and rented it out to farmers. In 1711 his son Henry decided to keep up the land and make it more successful. In 1763 Henry passed away and his son, Joseph, decided to build a larger home on the property three years later.

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Jupiter Hammon, one of the slaves Joseph inherited by his father, was born and raised on the Manor amongst the other Lloyd children. He was fifty-two when Henry passed. A stocky man with a white beard, Jupiter was smart and educated. He wound up becoming a trusted employee of the Lloyd family as well as assisting Joseph to Connecticut to escape the British. At a young age, Jupiter had attended the Lloyd schoolhouse and learned to read and write. When he was twenty-two years of age he raised enough money from his own garden to buy a bible from the Lloyd family. He was a strict Christian and acted as a preacher to the other 10 known slaves.

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Jupiter is also the first black poet in America to be published. His piece, An Evening’s Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penitential Cries, was published on December 25, 1760 at the age of 50. Jupiter’s parents, Opium and Rose, were both slaves as well. In 1780 after Joseph died Jupiter was given to his nephew because he had no children of his own. Being a slave all his life, he passed away between 1790 and 1806 having published about 7 or so works during his life most of which were his later years.

Historic Series: The Lloyd Family Manor - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

The Manor was kept by several generations of the Lloyd family so you can understand how important it is to Huntington. Henry Lloyd IV was the last owner of the land acquiring it in 1841 and built an addition to the property near the Causeway. The new dock he constructed was intended for the local steamboats. Between then and 1885 the area was still underdeveloped until the Manor was legally made a part of Huntington and finally separated from Oyster Bay.

For such a small part of Huntington this area holds many treasures and shares unbelievable history. I recommend you visit the Lloyd Manor for yourself and take a look around. It really is striking how time tells stories. Important and valuable people came out of this area and helped to make it successful. Their hard work, bravery and ambition put the Lloyd family on the map and left the Manor for all of us to hold close to our hearts.

{Next in the Lloyd Family series: Joseph Lloyd Manor House}

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