Getting Cozy

Warm hues, layered textures and vintage décor come together to create this inviting fall home in Pennsylvania.

With muted, warm tones and soft, inviting textures, fall offers a sense of coziness, comfort and familiarity. For us farmhouse enthusiasts, it’s the perfect time to showcase down-to-earth simplicity and charm.

Blogger Wendy Zock of The Curated Farmhouse loves classic, vintage farmhouse style because of its homey feel. After a cancer diagnosis left her unable to work, she started her own small business crafting painted wood signs. That was when she discovered a love for home décor and DIYs.

"I love white walls, wood tones, with pops of color for the seasons.”

" Cozy to me is comfort and making all of your senses feel at home.”

FINDING HOME

When Wendy’s husband retired from the Army, they purchased their home in Portage, Pennsylvania. “After being away from family for 20-plus years, he wanted to slow down and have our children live the small-town life,” she says. The 1913 house had seen a previous remodel but still retained much of its charm and character. “Growing up in Arizona, I was used to ‘cookie cutter’ style homes, so this was a nice change for me,”Wendy says.

She describes her style as “vintage, rustic and traditional farmhouse.” She focuses on creating simplified, functional spaces. “I love white walls, wood tones, with pops of color for the seasons,”Wendy says. Her vintage finds fit into her home for a timeless feel. “I tend to find pieces by luck or accident each season that set my soul on fire, and I go with that,” she says.

ALL ABOUT AUTUMN

For Wendy, making a house feel like home involves blankets and pillows. “I want my spaces to be functional and lived in, and you will always find a ton of throw blankets and cozy, comfy pillows to snuggle up with in my home,” she says. This layered look, which also involves florals, textiles and books, is part of her quest for coziness. “Cozy to me is comfort and making all of your senses feel at home,” she says.

"I like to create

focal points in each room, a special place that draws my guests in.”

Using the warm tones of the season, Wendy curated her fall décor so it exudes a sense of relaxed comfort. “This year it was all about deep, rich colors, from the burnt orange to the burgundy,” she says. Creating her design for each space often involves one or more items as inspiration. “I like to create focal points in each room, a special place that draws my guests in,” she says.

This stairway was once dark and dingy, so Wendy decided to remove the carpet, DIYed the paneled wainscoting and trim and painted everything white. “The accent wall helped add some texture to the space,” she says. Pumpkins, fall foliage and textured throws add that cozy autumn feel.

Finally, this military wife and mom of three shut down her business and now focuses solely on creating and sharing her home décor. “Finding the perfect items for each space made my home feel cozy, and that is how the Curated Farmhouse was born,” she says.

Warm, autumnal hues bring a touch of fall to the kitchen and dining area. An overhang on the butcher block-countertop island was an easy way to add a bit of seating without taking up too much extra space.

(above, left) Butcher block countertops bring warmth and a bit of farmhouse charm to the light and bright cabinetry and backsplash. Coming from a family of woodworkers, Wendy decided to do a DIY install of the countertops for a budget-friendly solution. In addition to the look, she wanted the counters for their ease of cleaning and durability. “It’s also so much fun at Christmas when we are making cookies to just be able to throw the flour on the counters,” she says. Vintage amber glass canisters, metal candlesticks and a tobacco bushel lid above the range add interest. “I always try to bring vintage into all my spaces,” she says.

(above, right) A neutral palette lets Wendy’s fall décor pop against the white cabinetry and subway tile. “I love the blank slate … and it also makes my spaces feel cleaner and simpler,” she says. Having a farmhouse sink was a dream come true for her, and the added texture on the front was a bonus. Wendy opted for steel cage lighting to continue her vintage theme.

Wendy’s inspiration for her dining room was fully farmhouse. “I wanted a space that reminded me of a farmhouse dining room,” she says. A cute display shelf on the wall allows Wendy’s vintage cutting board collection to shine. “I love a good charcuterie board when entertaining, so I love that they are different sizes and shapes,” she says.