Swoon Interiors

interiors that make your heart skip a beat.

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!

Back with more black …

This is kind of a Part II to last week’s post In A Black Mood, featuring a variety of lovely rooms painted black.

Over the weekend, my friend Julie sent me pictures of her beautiful black master bedroom and I just had to share.

I think it is so, so elegant and I love that she kept things simple with white bedding and black and white curtains. The black walls give it depth, warmth and drama.

I love how her furniture looks against the black walls too. She used Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams. Such a lovely “cocoon” don’t you think?
I also came across this gorgeous living room in the latest issue of House Beautiful. Again, everything else in the room has been kept simple and neutral, yet the rooms still feels quite dramatic.
Designer Patrick Sutton suggests Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain in a semi-gloss and to use metallic accents for a “black-tie” dressiness.

Finally, more black-spotting … I have been seeing a lot of black window panes lately and they kind of make me swoon.  I think they give a room and sort of historical feel and are an especially nice way to frame a lovely view. I love something so unexpected. Most people never give much thought to the color of their windowpanes.  Do you?
House Beautiful

Have a great week!

A New Flagship Store in Chicago

Well, we made it down to the city twice this weekend … Friday it was just me and the boys. We took the train down and went to Millennium Park.

There’s always a stop at “The Bean” … and the fountains were a great way to cool off on a hot day.

Sunday the whole family was in the city and one of our stops was to check out the new Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams store that just opened last Wednesday at North and Clybourn. 

My husband, Dan worked with Mitchell and Bob themselves to find just the right space for their first store in Chicago. It is beautiful inside.
Years ago, Dan and I were at ABC Home in New York City and spotted this awesome Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams sectional we affectionately called “the Pit.”   We have talked about it ever since and we were so happy to see it again in their new store.

How great would this be for watching movies/having sleepovers/building forts/?  I bet you could fit 20 kids on this thing …and you may never get them out!
Loved the bold chevron stripes on these chairs …

I think this round chair would be perfect in a bedroom. I could definitely cozy up with a good book or a guilty pleasure TV show in this baby and be blissfully happy.

Of course, if you’ve read my blog for awhile … you know how I feel about ikat fabrics and also a yellow and gray color combo. Put them altogether and (swoon) … perfection.

Also for my bedroom … these tufted stools.

Or these beauties …

Check out the detail …

I love the idea of a bench or settee at a dining room table. This curved one is perfect for a round table.

The curvy lines of the is wing-back chair give it a kind of sexy, whimsical vibe, don’t you think? Exactly what I am thinking of for my living room.

Also love the paisley fabric on this fun little chair.

If you get a chance, definitely stop by the new store. The official Grand Opening isn’t until September, but it is still currently open for business.
Have a good week!

Client Files: Master Bedroom Details

I thought I’d share a fun “e-decorating” mini-inspiration board I recently completed.

My client is a new mom who works full time and was looking for ideas to finish off her master bedroom.  She and her husband had already selected the bedding and drapery panels, a dresser and mirror (and some great lamps from Thailand!) but it still needed all of the little details that bring a room to life.
Here’s what I put together for them using pictures she sent me.

Click on image to enlarge

Using the chartruse and indigo colors of the bedding and curtains as well as the exotic lamps as my inspiration, I tried to create a room that was both glamorous and worldly. She has already gotten to work purchasing some of these items and I can’t wait to see her “after” pictures. What do you think?