After dwelling in a Brooklyn walkup for 10 years, Taylor Swaim — who’s the pinnacle of social for perfume manufacturers Mizensir Parfums and The Home of Creed — was prepared for a change. “I wished to purchase one thing of my very own, and that wasn’t potential within the metropolis,” she says. “Then out of the blue, there was Covid and distant work, which led me to this little nook of Connecticut.” As we speak, she offers us a peek inside her sunny home, which was constructed within the 1800s, with pictures by Kate Jordan…
BACK PORCH
Desk and chairs: classic. Lantern: Goal, related.
On serendipitous moments: After I got here throughout this home, it checked my two house-hunting bins: it was a historic dwelling and wasn’t a whole intestine job. I put in a suggestion, not anticipating to get it (the market was aggressive), so I used to be thrilled when it labored out.
On an surprising friendship: There’s a groundhog within the backyard who gotten actually comfy with me. It’s enjoyable and annoying. He likes to sit down on my again steps and solar himself like a canine, which is cute, however he additionally undoes my backyard work.
DINING AREA
Eating chairs and slipcovers: Ikea, related. Desk: classic, “handed down by my grandmother.”
On a crowd-pleasing itinerary: A typical Saturday in the summertime, when buddies come to go to, is taking them to a close-by city and grabbing breakfast at The Po Café. It’s an ideal diner that’s constructed within the city’s previous submit workplace constructing. Afterward, we’ll go on a morning hike and cease on the farmer’s market. The markets listed here are out of this world.
Desk, chairs, dresser and mirror: classic. Rug: House Depot. Material: JCPenney, related. Lamp: One Kings Lane, related. Spherical paper shade: Ikea, related.
On straightforward internet hosting: Again in New York Metropolis, I was extra valuable when having individuals over — like having the right cheeseboard or good unfold. Now that I’m older, I’ve realized it’s so good when individuals pop by on a whim, and we take it straightforward with a bottle of wine and random snacks. It truly is extra about having fun with the individuals you’re with and fewer about having every part flawless, which was a studying curve going from my 20s to 30s.
Chair: classic. Candles in hearth: Pottery Barn. Portrait artwork: Josh Younger.
On discovering your private design fashion: I attempt to not restrict myself to 1 particular fashion or get all my items from one place. As a substitute, I let myself gravitate towards what strikes me. Items that make you content will at all times work in your house. That’s what makes design timeless.
Portrait artwork: Josh Younger.
On an inexpensive artwork hack: I’m infamous for getting artwork books and exacto knife-ing photos I like out of them and framing them. That’s the place this Paul McCartney image got here from.
On favourite reads: I like the writer Mary Karr — she wrote The Liars’ Membership, which is an excellent anecdotal memoir about household. And I at all times learn David Sedaris throughout Christmas time, particularly Holidays on Ice.
KITCHEN
On bookmarking desserts: I lately invited buddies over and served a yummy cardamom and citrus cake. It has olive oil and yogurt, gluten-free almond flour, and a stupendous blood-orange glaze.
Runner: eSale Rugs, “an ideal supply for inexpensive rugs!” Chair and tea kettle: classic. Gingham towel: Goal, related.
On cooking with the seasons: Now that we’re headed into summer time, I like something with tomatoes. My buddies have traditionally held an ‘annual tomato fest’ in August — it’s a cocktail party the place each recipe has tomatoes.
Copper fish: classic, related.
On small claims to fame: Tv author Amy Sherman-Palladino primarily based Gilmore Ladies on this space of Connecticut. They even speak about our city — Woodbury — within the present! Each occasionally, I’ll put an episode on to snigger and catch these moments the place they point out our city by title.
FAMILY ROOM
Couch: Pottery Barn. Pillow: classic. Runner: eSale Rugs. Lamp: Martha Stewart for Kmart, related. Paris illustration: “a present by my pal Josh Younger, it’s my former deal with after I lived in Paris.”
On decor recommendation to youthful self: I take a look at my previous Cup of Jo home tour, and whereas I nonetheless adore it, there are a few issues I see now and assume ‘Oh my gosh, that was such a selected second in design time!’ Just like the chevron rug. I beloved it on the time, but it surely was such a pattern.
Material: Goal, related. Aspect desk: Goal, related. Espresso desk: West Elm. Paint: Pearly Cotton from Magnolia.
On dwelling in an historic district: The home subsequent door was constructed within the 1600s, and the subsequent closest home within the mid 1700s. My home is the ‘youngest,’ which is loopy to consider. The road is gorgeous and filled with previous attraction.
DOWNSTAIRS GUEST ROOM
Paint: Tate Olive by Benjamin Moore. Mattress body, facet desk and wardrobe: classic. Chandelier: vintage, “handed down from my grandmother.” Material: West Elm. Pillows: Les Indiennes, related. Quilt: Plain Items. Portrait: vintage from Backyard Type Residing. Image gentle: Amazon.
On particular items: This portrait is moody and provides drama, — she’s such a regal wanting girl! I wished the room to match her temper, so I went with the inexperienced paint. However as soon as I hung her on the wall, she pale into the wall. This gentle offers her extra oomph. It additionally supplies a pleasant night glow.
UPSTAIRS GUEST ROOM
Bedding: Dôen, related. Gingham pillowcase: Les Indiennes. Aspect desk, lamp, mirror: classic. Horse illustration: Longines Paris Horse Present memento. Basket: Goal. Floral artwork: Paint by Numbers (“I did this throughout lockdown, and it was featured in CoJ cozy corners!”).
On female power: Within the Nineteen Nineties, a mother and her two daughters lived right here. They really stopped by after I moved in. They have been so comfortable that one other lady was the caretaker of the house as a result of they put a whole lot of work into it, and so they mentioned the home has a female power. That made me really feel heat and fuzzy.
Chair and runner: classic. Pictures: Linda McCartney: Life in Images. Pom pom blanket: Goal.
On making your interior youngster proud: I name this my ‘Grown-up Horse Woman’ room. I began driving in elementary college and rode on the equestrian crew in school. I received these ribbons as a child. However being a horse lady within the ’90s was one thing I felt shy about and saved secret; I by no means talked to my buddies about it and didn’t show my ribbons. However, as an grownup, I’m like, ‘You realize what, I nonetheless actually love horses!’ That a part of my life will at all times be essential to me, so it deserves a spot in my dwelling.
BATHROOM
Gown: Ace Lodge, “it’s the most effective gown.” Paint: Pearly Cotton by Magnolia.
On the great thing about slowing down: I like listening to music within the morning, lighting a candle, sipping my espresso, and having a sluggish begin to the day. In New York, my morning routine was: get up, chug espresso, go to an train class and rush to the workplace. Waking up with the sunshine and appreciating the morning has been such a pleasant change.
Jewellery holder: Fishs Eddy.
On cool scents: I work for an organization that works with perfume manufacturers, so I get to attempt totally different perfumes and candles. I’m at present sporting Parisian Musc, which is woody and musky with a little bit of floral. In my thoughts, it’s precisely what a cool Parisian lady would odor like.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Paint: Berkshire Beige from Benjamin Moore. Dresser, lamp, and mirror: classic. Checkered rug: Jenni Kayne. Sheepskin rug: Jenni Kayne. Sneakers: J.Crew. Bedding: Ralph Lauren through TJ Maxx.
On being a solo home-owner: Since shopping for this place, I’ve felt a whole lot of ‘Oh my gosh, you’re doing this alone? You’re a single lady shopping for a home?’ From a monetary perspective, it’s somewhat intimidating. However the reward is that it’s fully mine. If I wish to paint a room olive inexperienced, I can. If I wish to sleep in floral mattress sheets, I can. It feels good to have that freedom.
Chair: classic.
On discovering happiness outdoors of the normal roadmap: In my 20s, I assumed that purchasing a home was a stepping stone after you bought married. However my life didn’t observe that trajectory; and the older I received, the extra I spotted ‘I can nonetheless have the life I envisioned, even when sure bins aren’t checked.’ And it’s a beautiful expertise to not be afraid to go for it and reside the life you need, by yourself.
Thanks a lot, Taylor! Your private home is beautiful.
P.S. Extra home excursions, together with a Connecticut dwelling that defines ‘cozy’ and a laid-back Victorian in Sonoma.
(Pictures by Kate Jordan for Cup of Jo.)
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