Swoon Interiors

interiors that make your heart skip a beat.

Unexpected Shopping Sources

 
 
 Sometimes when you are trying to design on a tighter budget, you have to get creative. You have to seek out unexpected sources for art, lamps, furniture, rugs, etc. It takes a little extra digging, but can lead to some seriously swoonworthy finds.
 
I bet you’d never guess where some of these pretty things are from …
 
First clue: While it’s no secret that kids’ rooms have become WAY more sophisticated than when we were growing up … sometimes shopping those stores designated just for kids can yield some beautiful pieces that are actually quite adult.
 
Restoration Hardware Baby + Kids Dandelion Art

Restoration Hardware Baby + Kids French Naval Clock
PBTeen Teardrop Chandelier
PBTeen Mercury Glass Accessories
How many of you think of Urban Outfitters as kind of an edgy, I might-be-too-old-for-it, there’s-nothing-in-it-for-me store? Think again.

Urban Outfitters Zigzag rug

 
 
Urban Outfitters Brass Leaf Side Table

Did you ever consider that you might find just what you’re looking for at a hardware store?
Lowe’s Baxton Studio White Table

Lowe’s Pewter Chandelier
 
Even some older stores and brands known more for their clothing are branching out into home decor items … with very on-trend pieces and budget-friendly prices.
Land’s End Ikat Pillow Cover

JcPenny Antiquus Lamp
JcPenny Versailles Mirrored Chest

So what do you think? Time to think outside the box?

Look what arrived while I was away …

My new rug!

What do you think?
Yes, the reason my blog posts have been M.I.A. lately is because I was on a much needed vacation.  
Where to? Lovely, warm, sunshiney Arizona.

It was great to unplug for a whole week and spend time with my three favorite men.
There was some of this …

A little bit of this …

A whole lot of this …

And many nights of this …

Ok, now it’s back to laundry and that pile of mail. Oh and wait … I’ve got to make dinner tonight? Darn.

Lovely for Less: Elle Decor

This sofa had me at “Hello” when I spotted it in the latest issue of Elle Decor.
The easy glamour of this whole living room in an Upper East Side apartment stopped me in my tracks.
But wait … this post isn’t about the sofa. It’s about the rug.
Where had I seen this rug before? The magazine sources say it’s from Wunderly and it’s to the trade.
But it kind of reminds me of this one from West Elm.



West Elm Souk Rug

 You can get an 8×10 for $899. I like the graphic punch it adds while still being a neutral that could work in a variety of color schemes. West Elm has a bunch of new rugs for spring … check ’em out and have a great weekend!

Painted!

My husband was busy painting this weekend …

… and so the boys were busy today.

The chalkboard paint wall is a big hit.
We put three coats of magnetic primer underneath the chalkboard paint, so I can also use magnets to tack things up. I like the idea of being able to put up an ever-changing display of inspiration photos, swatches, etc.

I think I also figured out why my rug is back-ordered!  I spotted this photo in a recent issue of Lucky Magazine. The article featured Christiane Lemieux, the founder of Dwell Studio and this rug from her line is also in the living room of her beach house.
It’s okay. I can wait.
Part one of the office makeover: complete!

Cozy, chunky, warm …


So the Sunday section of the Tribune today had a two-page spread called “Curl up and lie – for fall, your home should say cozy” … full of ideas for giving your home an “autumnal update.”  Of course, things like pumpkins, mums and gourds are the obvious symbols of fall, but, like the article describes, I also like to bring out accessories with a cozy feel, a warm color or a chunky texture. So here are some of my own ideas on how to achieve the look.

In West Elm the other day, I saw these pillows … and they were featured in the Tribune article as well.  If these don’t scream cozy, what does? Pillows are such an easy thing to swap out for different seasons.  These have just enough glam to work well in your master bedroom or to dress up a couple of club chairs.

mongolian lamb pillow covers

 Checking out some of the cute Halloween stuff in Pottery Barn Kids, I saw these sherpa blankets and I seriously wanted to get one for myself.  This picture doesn’t do it justice, but this would be the perfect thing to wrap around yourself on the sofa to watch some football … or Grey’s Anatomy.  I love the creamy white color.

sherpa blanket

Want to go a little more exotic? How about this furry throw?  I think this would feel nice on your feet when you first step out of bed on a cold Monday morning …

tibetan goat throw

Burlap always makes me think of apple orchards and pumpkin farms. The rich color on this burlap tablecloth makes it feel kind of elegant.

burlap tablecloth

 These blankets look and feel like a great fall sweater, don’t they? And every room can use some stripes.

draper stripe throw

Talk about chunky textures … how about this lovely mirror that literally brings the outside in.

driftwood mirror

I love the fall colors on this fabric and it has great texture too. 

zimbabwe fabric

Soon it will be time to make a fire in the fireplace! These can sit on your hearth to hold some of your firewood.

vintage harvest bucket

Even in the winter, I am not a slipper person … so I do like the feel of a nice chunky rug underfoot. This has the look of a thick wool fisherman’s sweater.



braided stripe jute rug

Did I mention that I am writing this while sipping on a Starbuck’s Salted Caramel Mocha?  I am hitting my cozy quotient for the day! Hope you are too …