Before I get going here, a Very Happy Birthday to my beloved sister, Meredith! She and her family are on their way to a wedding, so I don’t know if I’ll get to talk to her directly, but let me assure you, she is the best sister, as well as a wonderful mom and wife, aunt, daughter and all-around incredible human being. I love you, Mer.
Warning: picture-heavy post ahead.
It was beautiful yesterday. No rain. I know – shocking! On a break from rehearsal, I grabbed my camera and walked around the grounds.
I discovered some cottages on a little hill surrounded by trees – just down the street from the theater.
Then I walked along the lake. There are lots of charming cottages here, but there are also larger homes that are on the lakefront. Here goes.
That’s a copper roof – so striking in the sunlight.
Love that window upstairs.
The Chautauqua Women’s Club.
Talk about making a statement! I love this house. Incredible detail everywhere. According to the Artistic Director, it was fully restored a few years back.
Because I miss taking pictures of my flowers back home.
Do you remember this house from a few posts back? I thought it was pink, but it’s really a salmon color. I decided we needed a close-up.
Another new favorite. Feast your eyes on the detail, from the tip of the roof on down. The upper porch is screened-in. I can’t decide what I love most, but that cut-out detail that swoops and curves between the porch posts makes my heart sing.
I simply cannot stand it, it’s so beautiful. Many people name their cottages here in Chautauqua, so this cottage might already have a name, but I’ve dubbed it Salmon Cottage, nonetheless.
And my latest discovery – I’d never seen this one before yesterday.
What do you think it’s called?
Yep. Gingerbread Cottage. Built in the same year as Mockingbird Hill Cottage.
Detail.
The side view – this cottage is on a corner. What a treasure!
Love the color scheme. Love, love this cottage.
Chautauqua is beautiful. And as often as I’ve taken walks on the grounds, I’m always discovering something new, like Gingerbread Cottage.
Be still my heart.
New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page – re: Harper Lee.
Happy Friday and Happy Birthday to my sister.
Debbie Price says
What a lovely place to live and a dream for any photographer! Hope you have a nice holiday weekend.
Hugs,
Deb
Claudia says
Well, we open tomorrow and I head home on Sunday, so it will be very busy!
Linda @ A La Carte says
WOW!! So many gorgeous places! I love Gingerbread Cottage…so cute and yes the pink! Thanks for sharing so many photos, what a fantastic community. Happy Birthday to Meredith…she is such a great person!
hugs,
Linda
Claudia says
She is. I love her very much!
Eileen says
I just love this place! Thank you so much for the pictures. Last year, when you were working there, I was reading a book in which that was the setting. It was really neat to see actual pictures. If you have to be away from home that is certainly a great place to be.
Love you,
Eileen
Claudia says
Do you remember the name of the title, Eileen? I’d love to read a copy. Much love.
Donnamae says
Beautiful homes for sure…but that second pic…the one with the brick stairs, the moss…and that dainty, little, enchanting, copper light on that chunky newel post….oh my! It’s all in the details….just like your Gingerbread house! Have a happy day! ;)
Claudia says
I know! I love that shot – perfect detail work by the owners.
Cheryl says
I am in love with that place!! It looks like a dollhouse village come to life!
Claudia says
I have a feeling my own little cottage is going to look awfully boring on this blog come Monday!
Rebecca says
I finally thought of the word I wanted to use — i·dyl·lic. Yes. That describes it. And “bliss”. I would love to spend a week (or a lifetime) in that idyllic, blissful place.
Claudia says
I’m very lucky to have worked here for two summers in a row. I don’t think I would have discovered this place otherwise.
Doris says
Beautiful is all I can say! Doris
Claudia says
It is that, Doris!
Nancy in PA says
I love everything about this. It’s nice to see the flags and bunting everywhere.
Chautauqua looks like the setting for a musical. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Shirley Jones sitting on one of those pretty porches, singing away:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCzaYMSnges
What a perfectly lovely post, Claudia. Thank you.
And break a leg!
Claudia says
I’ve seen that movie probably about 80 – 100 times. It has always been my dad’s favorite movie and it is definitely one of mine.
liz says
Thank you so much for sharing all of these wonderful cottages – they are all so charming. This is such an idyllic town, the perfect storybook setting.
Claudia says
Very storybook-like!
Addie says
Ohhh!! you reeled me in on the very first picture!!! LOVE that one..something about the tree, the porch, the colors and the flag. Be still my heart!!!! Of course everything is breathtaking!!!!
“Gingerbread” is adorable…..mmm, oh yeah! I would take it!!! I even felt a twinge on pic #2- the steps. What a lovely simple shot…perfectly balanced…greenery, old worn mossy brick and planters filled with color. mmmmm!!!!
Okay now Claudia……can’t you get inside any of these???? It would be killing me not to!!! I am ready to go buy a plane ticket out there.
Thanks for the tour…you did a great job!!!
Addie
gotta go take another peek!!!
Claudia says
I probably could, but I don’t want to bother anyone. There’s a lot of old money here and I don’t know what they would think of me asking if I could see inside!
Judy Clark says
You are so lucky to be working in a place that gives you the opportunity to walk and see all of these beautiful homes. Love them all. Would love to live in a city like that.
Glad you are about ready to head home. Travel safe!
Happy 4th of July to you, Don and Scout!
Judy
Claudia says
I’m very lucky! And grateful – I wouldn’t have visited this place, otherwise. Now I want to bring Don here sometime. Happy 4th, Judy – though I’ll be posting tomorrow, with more pix!
Kathy says
What a beautiful town. Every time I think I picked my favorite cottage you show us more beauties. Thank you so much for sharing!
Claudia says
It’s hard to stick with one favorite, isn’t it Kathy? I’ve found at least 3 more that I’m in love with this time around.
Nancy Blue Moon says
I also am loving”Gingerbread Cottage”…pink and blue..how cute..I’m happy that you will be home soon..but I will miss Chautauqua..
Claudia says
As will I. Bittersweet. I really love the people that I’m working with here and I love Chautauqua – it’s simply wonderful. One more week would be perfect. But I miss my husband and my little girl and I know Don is more than ready for me to return home!
Chris K in Wisconsin says
As soon as I saw the pic of the Gingerbread Cottage I was going to say that it reminded me immediately of Hansel & Gretel!! What a beautiful place. I could sit and make up a story about each cottage and the people inside. So fun!!
Homeward Bound…. always a fine thing. Enjoy your last few days in this charming setting!! I’m sure that Don & sweet Scout are counting the hours!
Claudia says
They are. Just got off the phone with Don and he said it’s time for me to come home! And it is. But I will really miss this place.
Vicki says
It’s so nice you have a sister and that you love each other. What a gift.
Chataqua feels alive inside me now, thanks to you. It’s in the bucket…on the must-see list…and I really didn’t know about it. At least with aging, we continually find out about new things to increase our knowledge of the world around us. It must be the most beautiful, carefully-tended place to live in and work in…could you know, have you found out, what percentage of folks live there year’round?
Claudia says
I also have a sister who I helped raise who is estranged from the family. So I know what it feels like not to have a sister, as well. It’s heartbreaking.
About 300-400 families live here year round and the population swells to several thousand – as many as 10,000 – during the season.
Diane says
Oh my goodness, so many beautiful homes. Love the Salmon Cottage, so much beautiful ornate detail and scrollwork, so pretty. I would be in heaven in any of those homes though, what a beautiful city!
Claudia says
They are beautiful, for sure!
Diane says
The town is like a little fairytale village. I want to visit it!
Wendy TC says
Happy birthday to your sister, Claudia. What beautiful homes…
Debbie in Oregon says
Oh my, I’m absolutely swooning over the houses/cottages in this post! I’m especially loving Gingerbread Cottage. I love to see photos like these and daydream of someday …
I hope the people living in this beautiful place don’t take it for granted.
Becky says
An idyllic Americana town! What is not to love there? I cannot choose
a favorite, but I really like the recently restored home with the large porch
awning….and I would also like to be a member of that women’s club…just to
sit on the porch and drink iced sweet tea!
Happy 4th to you, Don and Scout!!! And Happy Birthday to Meredith, too.
xxoo