A European Cottage Home Tour
I love the way the path of life weaves and winds.
Especially when paths separate and then come back together. Those are some of my favorite stories.
Like the story of my friendship with Ulrike.
We worked together after collage…about 17 years ago. We were casual work friends. I always enjoyed her crisp whit and intelligent ways. Girlfriend is smart, organized and on the ball. My kind of lady.
We went separate ways as life moved on and it’s fair to say that while we liked each other I’m certain neither of us thought we’d see each other again.
Fast forward to 2010 and what do you know? We live streets apart and our kids are in school together.
Can I tell you the joy this reunited friendship has brought!? I love this friend of mine. We can spend hours chatting over coffee.
She was kind enough to let me overrun her house taking pictures to share with you. Around every bend I saw more and more hints to why we’re friends…we love the same things!!!
Ulli’s house is a carefully curated place of comfort. Her home is warm, inviting and oh so personal. Filled with vintage books and maps that point to her scholar husband and her up bringing in Austria this home is a unique one of a kind. Every room carries a treasure from a trip abroad, back to see family and other various travels.
Ulrike decorated with maps long before it was the chic thing to do. She loves to layer little surprises all around.
The delicate way she simply lays peppers and pea pods aside a dainty flower arrangement is an idea anyone can steal and do.
Her style is natural and elegant.
Simple and sophisticated.
Exactly like her.
Family is the gear that keeps this house moving. They are an incredibly tight knit group. The way Ulrike is so intentional with her husband and children is a quality I admire and desire. She puts them first above all. It’s really a beautiful example. I love how the kid’s personalities shine in their rooms.
Love of the outdoors comes in a close second. Ulli’s yard deserves a tour of it’s own.
It has surprising nooks and crannies tucked here and there. Every spot thought out. Places to sit and relax with the family, a garden, climbing spots and a pond.
And of course….doesn’t every one have a duck house?
Their pet duck, Nellie, toodles around the back yard like a cat or dog, sometimes heading inside, often hanging out under patio with friends. It’s the craziest site!
And so it goes…the path of life leads us around and around. I’m just so thankful our paths crossed again.
I hope you’ll let me know your favorite part of the tour! If you loved it, then please pin it to share the love! Thanks for visiting with me today.
Be sure to finish looking through the Fall Ideas Tour in case you haven’t caught it all this week. Now all the posts are up and they are so worth a visit. There are some really lovely ideas that are easy to incorporate in your home!
Monday
Postcards from the Ridge | All Things Heart and Home
Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer | Domestically Speaking
Prodigal Pieces | Housepitality Designs
Mad In Crafts | My Creative Days
Tuesday
Refresh Restyle | 2 Bees in a Pod
Fox Hollow Cottage | Artsy Chicks Rule
Our Southern Home | Restoration Redoux
Savvy Southern Style | Atta Girl Says
Wednesday
H2OBungalow | Cottage at the Crossroads
Today’s Creative Life | Dukes and Duchesses
Hunt & Host | The Interior Frugalista
Sweet Pea | Petticoat Junktion
Thursday
AKA Design | At the Picket Fence
Town and Country Living | Cupcakes and Crinoline
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | So Much Better With Age
Such a cute and cozy home. I love the outside areas. So glad she let you share her home.
Me too…it is one of those places you just want to sit for a while.
Love it all! You are so right, she’s got a knack for little details. The natural touches make it so homey. I see a little bit of Texas and a little bit of Europe in this beautiful home. Pinned. 🙂
I really love Ulli’s style! Everything is so fresh & original. I like that she doesn’t follow decorating “trends,” but has discovered her own! So refreshing!
All these glorious homes right here in our area! Absolutely stunning! And, a pet duck?! How awesomely cool is that?! Thank you so much for sharing her beautiful home!
I know! I just want to go knock on doors and ask for tours of some of the houses around here!
Loved her home and especially the outside, too. Awesome to have your own duck and duck house!!
Isn’t Nellie great – she is like a dog, she quacks when you go in the yard and just hangs out at your feet!!!
What a cute house, Kim! Thanks for sharing this today!
And, your pictures just keep getting better and better!
Sounds like you are blessed to be friends with the owner of this home!
Hope you have a great weekend~
Melanie
Hope you had a great trip! She is a sweet dear friend to me! Very blessed
Cozy, pretty and warm. I love all the subtle touches of Fall, without overdoing it.
Thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
FABBY
I agree…she is so good at not overdoing it! I need to take a lesson 😉 Thanks!
What a beautiful story about friendship and her home! Definitely a warm and cozy house. Thanks for sharing!
Her house is so wonderful…I hope the pictures do it justice for y’all to capture the charm!
I felt as if we were going to visit over coffee .This looks like real people live here not a magazine layout.It’s wonderful.So fresh to see life.You are very blessed to have a friend like this.
She is a blessing in my life and as real as it gets, I agree…normal people have beautiful homes, not just the magazine layouts!
Oh…I love that duck and duck house. All very homey and welcoming.