After residing 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 doable within the metropolis,” she says. “Then all of a sudden, there was Covid and distant work, which led me to this little nook of Connecticut.” Immediately, 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 residence and wasn’t an entire intestine job. I put in a proposal, not anticipating to get it (the market was aggressive), so I used to be thrilled when it labored out.
On an sudden friendship: There’s a groundhog within the backyard who gotten actually comfy with me. It’s enjoyable and annoying. He likes to take a seat 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 associates come to go to, is taking them to a close-by city and grabbing breakfast at The Po Café. It’s a terrific 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 treasured 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 little thing 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 type: I attempt to not restrict myself to 1 particular type 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 all the time work in your house. That’s what makes design timeless.
Portrait artwork: Josh Younger.
On an reasonably priced artwork hack: I’m infamous for purchasing 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 really like the writer Mary Karr — she wrote The Liars’ Membership, which is an excellent anecdotal memoir about household. And I all the time learn David Sedaris throughout Christmas time, particularly Holidays on Ice.
KITCHEN
On bookmarking desserts: I just lately invited associates 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, “a terrific supply for reasonably priced rugs!” Chair and tea kettle: classic. Gingham towel: Goal, related.
On cooking with the seasons: Now that we’re headed into summer time, I really like something with tomatoes. My associates 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 based mostly Gilmore Women on this space of Connecticut. They even discuss our city — Woodbury — within the present! Each infrequently, I’ll put an episode on to giggle and catch these moments the place they point out our city by identify.
FAMILY ROOM
Couch: Pottery Barn. Pillow: classic. Runner: eSale Rugs. Lamp: Martha Stewart for Kmart, related. Paris illustration: “a present by my good friend Josh Younger, it’s my former handle once 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 like 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 liked it on the time, however it was such a development.
Material: Goal, related. Aspect desk: Goal, related. Espresso desk: West Elm. Paint: Pearly Cotton from Magnolia.
On residing 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 Fashion Dwelling. Image mild: Amazon.
On particular items: This portrait is moody and provides drama, — she’s such a regal trying 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 light into the wall. This mild 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 Nineties, a mother and her two daughters lived right here. They really stopped by after I moved in. They have been so completely happy that one other lady was the caretaker of the house as a result of they put loads of work into it, and so they stated the home has a female power. That made me really feel heat and fuzzy.
Chair and runner: classic. Photographs: Linda McCartney: Life in Pictures. Pom pom blanket: Goal.
On making your inside youngster proud: I name this my ‘Grown-up Horse Woman’ room. I began driving in elementary faculty and rode on the equestrian workforce in faculty. I gained 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 associates about it and didn’t show my ribbons. However, as an grownup, I’m like, ‘ what, I nonetheless actually love horses!’ That a part of my life will all the time be vital to me, so it deserves a spot in my residence.
BATHROOM
Gown: Ace Lodge, “it’s the very best 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 gradual 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 strive totally different perfumes and candles. I’m at the moment 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 scent like.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Paint: Berkshire Beige from Benjamin Moore. Dresser, lamp, and mirror: classic. Checkered rug: Jenni Kayne. Sheepskin rug: Jenni Kayne. Footwear: J.Crew. Bedding: Ralph Lauren by way of TJ Maxx.
On being a solo house owner: Since shopping for this place, I’ve felt loads of ‘Oh my gosh, you’re doing this alone? You’re a single lady shopping for a home?’ From a monetary perspective, it’s just a little 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 comply with that trajectory; and the older I bought, the extra I spotted ‘I can nonetheless have the life I envisioned, even when sure bins aren’t checked.’ And it’s an exquisite expertise to not be afraid to go for it and dwell the life you need, by yourself.
Thanks a lot, Taylor! Your property is attractive.
P.S. Extra home excursions, together with a Connecticut residence that defines ‘cozy’ and a laid-back Victorian in Sonoma.
(Photographs by Kate Jordan for Cup of Jo.)
Notice: In the event you purchase one thing by way of our hyperlinks, we might earn an affiliate fee or have a sponsored relationship with the model, for free of charge to you. We advocate solely merchandise we genuinely like. Thanks a lot.
Supply hyperlink
