European Details: Inside the Hosmer Home

Cindy Horner-Hosmer has had a love for older homes for much of her life. Perhaps it was her father, John Horner’s influence, someone who has and continues to cherish older homes in the Rountree area. “It’s the charm, the character that I love,“ says Cindy. “These homes were built with quality products you can’t find anymore.” Along with enjoying her 1939 home on Catalpa Street, she’s also made it her mission to educate others on the importance of older homes through the Rountree Council for Preservation. “There are several members now, but our goal is to mainly educate,” says Cindy. “ We want people to be proud of their homes, and we really care about the neighborhood.” The council encourages people to take the time to do their renovations with historic preservation in mind with speakers, home tours and neighborhood walks. Cindy believes that it’s absolutely worth the extra time and money in the end. Plus, with older homes, the walls can be filled with as much intrigue as history; you can knock down a wall and find something interesting, she says.

It’s been 13 years since the Hosmer family moved into their home on Catalpa Street. It had previously been purchased by Horner, who wanted the house (which had once been his great aunt’s) to stay in the family. The Hosmers soon purchased it from Horner and began a few renovations.

Keeping to the home’s colonial style, they focused their efforts on the kitchen, the bathroom and a sunroom on the east side of the home. The Hosmers’ kitchen is a beautiful and inviting space that opens up to a dining and sitting area. The kitchen’s creamy mushroom cabinetry and marble tile is simple and feels very European. “I really like traditional English designs,” says Cindy. “The Europeans know how to keep beauty in their life, but it doesn’t always come easy.” Cindy is inspired by a slower way of doing things that doesn’t sacrifice beauty for convenience.

The kitchen looks out to a skinny green table that stretches the whole length of the dining room. You can’t help but imagine their large family all seated together enjoying a meal near the fireplace. The green table isn’t the only unique pop in the home, which lacks neither color nor personality. “My sister and I went to Europe recently; it was something we’ve always wanted to do together because we both love older homes,” says Cindy. “We were in France mainly, but we loved all the colorful interiors.”

From ditsy wallpaper and floral furniture and an eclectic mix of antiques, Cindy’s home is very reminiscent of an older European home. It took her time to develop her style and really know what she loved. She began collecting things that she would end up having forever. “You get to a point where you love everything in your home,” says Cindy. “You know what your style is and it’s really refreshing.”

This time of year, Cindy enjoys gardening in her side gardens. The backyard has a lot of trees and shade, so she’s learned to be resourceful and mix her flowers and tomatoes together on each side of her home. “I actually really love how the mix looks,” says Cindy. She enjoys bringing spring flowers into her home and is always in the kitchen cooking or baking. “I bake all my own bread,” says Cindy. “I’m constantly baking.” The Hosmer home has quite the storybook aesthetic. Guests are welcomed by the smell of fresh baked bread and pops of green from all the beautiful plants inside, including a lemon tree in the sunroom. The whole home is enchanting; it’s no wonder Cindy loves everything in it.