the place I loved best when I was a kid was being in my grandparent's basement.
It wasn't an area that they occupied..it had a cement floor, but a field stone fireplace, stacked wood (and that smell!) and the old timey clock...and just some old, country stuff hanging around...arrowheads, farm stuff
I have ever since found the sound of those clocks one of the most wonderful things in the world! I got happily lost for hours watching the flames of the fireplace and read "history" stories and snooped around. I was fascinated, bewitched.
The AABF lived in a home built cabin that was very much like a pioneer cabin and close to that feel I had at my grandparents. Lots of antiques and artifacts...and backwards simple stuff.
Those things are the home of my heart and the feel of my soul. I want it to look like centuries past..but with a dishwasher (disguised!) LOL
Psychologically I need a soothing palette for my environment.