A carved vintage wooden swan has found a new home in our living room, and I couldn’t be happier. I love when a room tells a story, and this piece instantly adds character and a sense of history. This is exactly the kind of layered, meaningful home I want to create here.
The swan belonged to my mom for many years and has finally come to live with us. My mom actually has a pair of these swans — one now lives with my daughter Kylee. It felt serendipitous when I placed a small drop-leaf table behind the sofa after my mom brought the bamboo cart; I hadn’t planned on receiving the swan, and then it appeared here last week.
Here’s a similar drop leaf table!
The swan is exactly the kind of statement piece I’d hoped to find for the table behind the sofa. It brings height and visual interest without overwhelming the space. I didn’t have the right piece before, so its arrival felt like a delightful surprise and came at the perfect moment.
Someone recently asked where these vintage items were while my parents were moving into their Tiny Cottage. During their move and downsizing, they used a storage room to hold belongings. When we visited family in Oregon, my parents were sorting and clearing that space — that’s where the bamboo cart and the swans were until last week, when my mom brought one here and placed it on the table. I hadn’t expected to love it as much as I do, but it feels perfectly at home.
Downsizing and moving, especially into a multi-generational or family home like ours, can be quite an undertaking. Many of you have asked how we managed this transition. It’s definitely a lot of work, and it doesn’t always feel simple until you’re settled, but the effort has been worth it. I may share more about that process another time.
Paint Colors: Living Room: Beach Glass (Benjamin Moore) /// Trim: Classic Light Buff (Sherwin Williams)
Sources: You can find more items from my home in my shop.
I enjoy browsing Etsy for vintage decor and original art. Below are a few recent cottage-style finds from Etsy that I love.
Slow Decorating: How We Make Our House A Home
Where to Find Coastal / Sailboat / Seascape Artwork: Favorite Sources
Collections That Add Soul To A Home
Cottage Style Etsy Home Decor Finds (Antiques, Blue + White, Coastal!)
Traditional & Collected Coastal Style: Get the Look Mood Board
A Vintage Washstand for a Table in the Living Room