Swoon Interiors

interiors that make your heart skip a beat.

More Friday Favorites …

This Friday I thought I’d share a few favorite things I’ve come across this week, including a little emptying out my iPhone photos.

I spotted these colorful handmade quilts at West Elm … each one is completely unique.

I’d lay one across the foot of a bed with white crisp bedding for a pop of color.

I think they would be great for a child’s bedroom or a guest room.
I also spotted this swoon worthy chandelier …
… at Pottery Barn! I love this shape and style … the chunky texture of the wooden beads. I’ve seen similar ones that cost a lot more.
And not for the faint of heart …
There’s something about this wallpaper that makes me smile. I’d love it in a powder room or maybe my walk-in closet! It’s from Thibaut’s new Jubilee Collection.
And speaking of wallpaper, One King’s Lane is running an interesting sale that began yesterday featuring John Derian (I am still waiting for him to do another collection for Target!). It is a collection of framed prints reproduced from a portfolio of 18th-century wallpaper fragments he purchased from a vendor at a Paris flea market.
Isn’t this one pretty?
And I like his suggestion …
Even if you don’t purchase one from this sale … do you have a favorite wallpaper you would consider framing?  Hmmm, perhaps I could frame that leopard wallpaper!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Pretty genius idea …

So we’ve got this chandelier in our dining room.  It came with the house, and while I probably wouldn’t have picked it myself, it is grand and probably cost a pretty penny. But I often find myself wishing it had a little bling, a little sparkle, a little … something.

Then I saw these in the Ballard catalog …

Set of 3 Magnetic Crystals
The box says it all …
Simply click and it sticks!
I ordered the pendalogue shape … but there are 4 styles.
I was skeptical that they might look cheap, but no … they are heavy and beautifully cut.
I also ordered some of the magnetic chains …

… played around a little, and …

… my chandelier’s got bling!

And the sconces too …
It literally took just minutes to do.
Depending on your style you could leave them up year round or just put them up for special occasions, holidays, etc.
Much less expensive than a new chandelier … and now mine kind of resembles some of the other chandeliers Ballard sells …

Lovely for Less : My Kind of Pear ….

… is an Arctic Pear. You’ve never heard of one? They are not especially tasty, but they are beautiful to look at.  They very much make me swoon.

Perhaps you saw them in the latest issue of ELLE Decor.

First in an ad …



Artic Pear Chandelier eclectic chandeliers
Arctic Pear Chandelier by Ochre



 Then in a picture of the dining room designed by Katie Lydon for the Modern Life Concept House.

Love. Love. Love.
It’s just the perfect way to add a little bling to your home.
And there’s a larger version as well.

It’s kind of a wonderful cross between diamonds and pearls.
And while it’s definitely a more contemporary light fixture, I think it would be just the right unexpected element in a traditional home.
photo by Martyn Thompson via Real Simple
I remember seeing it almost a year ago in this lovely living room, also featured in ELLE Decor.

But alas, this beauty will cost you anywhere from $3,600 – $11,000 depending on the size.

 Darn.

Of course, ever determined, I perused around trying to find something similar that could be (almost) equally lovely for less.

Check out what I’ve found …

Shades of Light $949

CSN Lighting $955

CSN Lighting $605

Pottery Barn $399
ZGallerie $399



Lamps Plus (Clearance $199)



Some very yummy options don’t you think? 





Birthday Present

Despite the lousy weather on Saturday and Sunday, the weekend was a great one. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Lot’s of great food, R&R, family, friends, two little toe-heads that crawled into my bed in the mornings, and then finally a nice hot summer-like day.

On Saturday night Dan took me out to oe of our favorite little french bistros, Bistrot Margot, in the city. (Let me highly reccommend the mussels and the chocolate chip bread pudding!)

And on Sunday night, he not only made a fantastic dinner for me, but also hung my new birthday present …

This was not as easy of a task as it first appeared to be. But with the gracious help of my father-in-law, who is most definitely our favorite go-to handyman, they got it up in time for dinner and to my great delight.
If you read my post on chandeliers, you may remember that I have been wanting to swap out the builder-installed chandelier in our breakfast area for sometime now. It just seemed to scream “Home Depot” to me. (Not that there’s anything wrong with the store.)
I have gone back and forth over several chandeliers for awhile, but finally decided on this one from Wisteria. This is, after all, a breaskfast room. I thought it called for more of a simple elegance than some of the bolder, more ornate choices I was looking at. I really love it’s vintage-lantern look. It is also a large, substantial size (perfect for high ceilings) but still manages to have a light and airy feel.
I also saw it featured in the home of another great designer, Brooke Giannetti. who’s blog, Velvet & Linen, I adore. That sealed the deal.
It definitely makes me swoon.
(Especially when being served a fabulous orechiette with sun-dried tomatoes, rapini and sausage made by my husband. Mmmm. Did he treat me right, or what?)
And these two other men in my life are pretty special too.
Thanks to my parents and everyone yesterday for making my birthday the perfect day.
More of our weekend adventures to come later this week … stay tuned.

Mother’s Day Weekend Shopping …

Hope all my fellow Mom’s had a fabulous Mother’s Day! I couldn’t ask for a better one.  My boys treated me well!

After Friday’s post on my love of trays, I saw this beautiful picture on Honey We’re Home and thought it was so perfect. Now I’m on the hunt for an old crate that can be turned into a tray.

I spent Saturday with my own “mommy” and sister, a tradition we began a few years ago, shopping our favorite little shops along Third Street in Geneva.  Let me tell you, it is an interior decorator’s dream!  One year our car was so full of bags I could barely squeeze in the backseat!

Now, we’ve learned our lesson and make sure to bring a big ol SUV! This year there weren’t as many large purchases, size-wise … but we managed to do pretty well …

I snapped a bunch of shots with my iphone along the way of some things here and there that I found rather swoon worthy … although going back through the pictures now I see that there are more things I wish I had taken pictures of. Oh well … I guess that’s what happens when you’re having fun … (and drinking Prosecco at lunch!)

How incredible is this coffee table made from a vintage drum?

Industrial chic chandelier, I want you.

Lovely chair, lovely fabric, lovely pillow … love!

You know how I love birds ….

Everything about this wall is swoon worthy … the mirror, the lamps, the antlers, the vintage prints …. I want you all to come home with me.

A charming old window pane turned chalkboard.



Numbers, and signs and birdhouses, oh my!



Speaking of birdhouses, how fantastic are these … they are made from old books.

And my mom and I each bought one.

Love these rustic baskets which are actually modeled after vintage French beehives.



And these basket lamps are just so fun for a breakfast nook …


Hope you all enjoyed yourselves too.  I’m always kind of sad when Mother’s Day comes to an end. It’s nice to be Queen for Day and my royal subjects are pretty great.