Swoon Interiors

interiors that make your heart skip a beat.

Summer Guests

Ahhhh … summering in the Hamptons.

I wish that were my excuse for the lack of blog posts lately, but no.
More like kids at home and lots of client projects.
But a girl can dream can’t she?
I could be easily persuaded to unpack my bags at the 2011 Hampton’s Designer Showhouse that was featured in the latest issue of Traditional Home.
After a quick change in the pool house,
I’d be very happy sitting here …
… perhaps with a mojito in hand?
And if invited to stay, I’m not picky.
I would stay in either one of these guest rooms.

And for my hosts, perhaps I’d bring something along the lines of this cute gift idea I spotted on One Kings Lane.
Filled with bar essentials like a bottle of the hosts’ favorite cocktail, fun beverage napkins, straws,  bar snacks, fresh fruit, a mixer, and a citrus reamer … all tucked neatly inside a pretty lantern they could use poolside.
What do you think? Anyone have a house in the Hamptons they’d like to invite me to? What if I offer free decorating services? 
You know where to reach me.
Hope you all have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Dare to go White …

My last post was about getting the look of a 5-Star hotel room in your own home.  Today I’m back with another post about bedrooms! Hmmm …. I wonder why I have bedrooms on the brain. Is it because there just seems nothing better after a long hot day of swimming-playing-sand-running-camps-chauffeuring-gardening-fresh-air-sunshine-fill-in-the-blank with 2 boys in tow to climb in bed at night with a good book and cool crisp sheets?

For some time now I have been thinking about switching over to all white bedding in my master bedroom and summertime seems like the perfect time.

There is is just something so fresh, cool and luxurious about all white bedding.  If you think that sounds boring, think again.  Take a look at some of these inspiration photos …

Source:Pinterest
Source: Elle Decor
Source: Pinterest
Source: lonnymag.com

Source: lonnymag.com

What are your thoughts? I’ll keep you posted on the progress in my bedroom!

Lovely for Less: Four Seasons Chicago

When I spotted this picture of the Presidential Suite at the Four Seasons Chicago (newly restyled by Pierre-Yves Rochon) in Architectural Digest, it made me swoon.
It just feels like such a clean and sophisticated mix of black and white. And the pops of pink and green add a playful touch.
As I studied the picture, I began to think that it wouldn’t be too hard to recreate this room on a budget … so I gave it a whirl.  Here’s what I came up with …
1. Bed Bath & Beyond Black Satin Pillowcases 2. Etsy Bolster Pillow 3. Pottery Barn Essential Duvet Cover & Sham in White 4. Overstock Tufted Headboard 5. Benjamin Moore Black Enamel Paint for behind the bed 6. Crate and Barrel Blanche Vase 7. Home Decorators Left Bank Bench 8. Cassandra Fabric for Drapery Panels 9. Shades of Light Mod Cylinder Table Lamp 10. Ikea Rast Dresser Hack 11. Ebay or Craigslist find chair reupholstered in green fabric
What do you think?
Believe it or not, the nightstands were the hardest thing to try to replicate. Finally I came across this wonderful Dorothy Draper-esque dresser that was created as a DIY project from a plain old Ikea Rast nightstand for just under $125.
To read the detailed step-by-step, click here.
I think a lot of people overlook their own bedrooms in favor or decorating other rooms of their home, but look … even on a tight budget you can luxuriate in 5-Star Hotel design in the comfort of your own home.  You deserve it!

Fresh Textiles out of Lonny

I finally carved out  little time to check out the latest issue of one of my favorite online magazines … Lonny.

As usual, the pages are filled with tons of swoon worthy goodies and pictures, but I was especially drawn to some of the fresh, new textile lines that were featured. Such as …

… the charming prints on Mia and Finn bedding. Inspired by Victorian decorative elements and antique French linens, the patterns are both colorful and minimalist. I like how everything is sold separately in  mix-and-matchable colorways.

 
I also love this line of bath towels from Turkish T.
These are authentic, hand-loomed Turkish bath towels, reinvented with a more playful, contemporary style. Already popular in Europe among chic beach goers, now we can get them in the U.S. (Apparently, they even caught the eye of Gwyneth Paltrow who wrote about them on her blog. She said, “They make the perfect pool towel but you can also use them as scarves, wraps, or even as tablecloths.”)

I especially love their Beach Candy Basic line … aren’t these perfect for the pool or beach?
Do you think they’d make you feel as happy and attractive as the people?
Also featured was the new Global Eclectic Collection by Eileen Fisher for Garnet Hill. Bedding, pillows, rugs … I love the mix of subtle patterns and rich colors.
Finally, I spotted one of my favorite fabrics by Kelly Wearstler on this cute little vanity chair  … it’s called Bengal Bazaar. And I’ve got a new long lumbar pillow for my bed being made out of it right now … in a different colorway! (So excited.) And oh yeah … I totally love that mirror too.
Also excited that summer officially starts today for these two …
Let the adventures begin!