Thursday, November 20, 2008

Come With Me to Comfort

A lot of people come to the Texas Hill Country specifically to shop for antiques, and they usually go to Fredericksburg, which I've blogged about before. Fredericksburg is a great town, but my favorite Hill Country antique spot is Comfort, about 30 miles W. of Fredericksburg.

One of the best antique shops in Comfort is at Comfort Commons, also a bed and breakfast owned by designers, Jim Lord and Bobby Dent. These two talented men have decorated quite a few Hill Country homes and getaways, and several of those spaces have been featured in magazines and on HGTV over the years.

I was happy to find the following article and photos from Country Living. The bed-and-breakfast was built late in the 1800s, long before the days of central air-conditioning. To combat heat and humidity, renowned architect Alfred Giles (1853-1920) devised double porches in front and back, as well as 20-inch-thick limestone walls. It is precisely these attributes that attracted Jim and Bobby to the former hotel when they spotted it in 1990. "The porches seemed to go on for miles," Jim recalls. Though structurally sound, the interior had been "patched and repatched" over the years. To return it to its earlier grandeur, original details were restored or replaced.

The homeowners' penchant for the warm colors and worn surfaces of painted furniture is evident in the dining room, where c. 1870 Georgia ladder-back chairs with cowhide seats surround an 1880s scrub-top pine table. A pair of 1850s Windsor arrow-back chairs anchor either end of the table.




I love the buttery yellow kitchen cabinets and beadboard ceiling. Even though the granite countertop is a contemporary touch, it doesn't take away from the vintage look and feel of the rest of the kitchen.


I also love this chippy, yellow vitrine.


Have you ever seen such an extensive ironstone pitcher collection? Lord and Dent have displayed it so effectively, too.









One of these days, I'm going to get back over to Comfort and take pics of the outdoor spaces behind Comfort Commons. If you've had a long day of shopping, just steal away back there and rest up a bit.

13 comments:

Mindy said...

You always amaze me with your willingness to share. What a wonderful place, Comfort. ~Mindy

sandra/tx said...

What can I say, Mindy? I'm a giver. LOL

Jerri Lynn @ Southern Sassyness said...

I have never been to Comfort! The best man at our wedding has a family ranch there and hubby has been out there several times for a guys' weekend. I need to go there sometime - what beautiful pictures!

Amber Cargile said...

WOW...that has got to be one of the best houses you've posted yet, Sandra! I love that kitchen!

Anonymous said...

Great photos. I really can't decide which I love more. Thanks for sharing.

Nola said...

I'm adding that to my "places to go in Texas" list. I have so many places I'm finding out about, I may never leave Texas again!
Tomorrow's the day...Go Red Raiders!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Gorgeous photos. That ironstone pitcher collection made my jaw drop.

The Stricklands said...

I love this house. Maybe you and I can head over to Comfort the next time I come down to see everyone. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Becca Watson said...

What wonderful pictures! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and be sure to stop by my blog to get an award, or two, or three..

Cherry Hill Cottage~ said...

well...I've had a wonderful time reading your beautiful blog~ I'm from TEXAS too~ East Texas. I was married in La Grange~ my in-laws home.

Great blog~

Tina~ Cherry Hill Cottage...

Devonia said...

Sandra: I'm almost certain I've been to Comfort. I KNOW I've been to Fredericksberg. It seems we tied that in with rafting down the Guadalupe.I have to say - there simply is no place in Hill Country that isn't appealing- thank you for reminding me. :) Your blog, as always, is gorgeous!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, how pretty Sandra! What a beautiful home and spread in the magazine. Love that kitchen and all that ironstone. When I see those displays, it just makes me want to collect more white dishes!

for the love of a house said...

Hi Sandra! I remember seeing Jim & Bobby's house in Country Living years ago! So pretty and I covet those ironstone cake stands!

Silly me- didn't realize you (Sandra/tx) were Canyon Wren Cottage until just now! So nice to meet you! I was born & raised in San Antonio, so I love the hill country!
joan