Tag Archives: summer decorating

Home decor: Ideas for late summer decorating

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The stores are full of colorful school supplies and the dreaded (by the kids, anyway) navy blue and white uniforms.  Sure signs that summer is winding down.  Now is the time to relax and enjoy these final “dog days of summer”. 
 
 Would you rather relax here with a good book and a cool drink?

photo by Nancy Nolan for Tami Risinger
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or would you rather relax here with a cozy throw tossed across your legs to keep the late afternoon chill off?

Sarah Richardson design via Country Living
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Is is easy to replicate these two looks for your own late summer decorating and enjoyment.  A can of turquoise spray paint is all you need to spruce up last year’s adirondack chairs.  And this pretty room decorated in neutral shades is softened with a couple of stripe throw pillows in the perfect size for tucking under your arm or behind your head for a quick afternoon nap.  Make your own pillows out of the fabric of your choice or find some on sale at your local import or discount store.  For the best value for your money, choose prints and colors that can easily move into fall.   Some suggestions might be  shades of orange, gold, green, red and neutrals.

Enjoy these final few weeks with your kids working on craft projects, enjoying summer sports or just quietly enjoying the laid back atmosphere summer provides.  Before you know it school will be in session and the holidays will be lurking close behind!

Home Decor: Color of the month—Citrus

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In honor of these relaxing summer months, instead of just one color for the color of the month honor, I chose a whole color group.  Citrus just seems to define summer, don’t you agree?  Think of thirst quenching lemonade or yummy tropical drinks.  How about lovely shades of strawberry pink or eye catching lime green?  The beautiful color and texture of delicious oranges or the sweetness of pineapples reminds me of lazy afternoons in the sunshine.  Why not introduce some of these citrus colors into your summer decorating?  Here’s how:

This orange lampshade really adds a pop of color to this casual living space (courtesy of Southern Living)
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Lime green paint and fabrics make this a fun room for kids and adults alike
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Combine the fresh citrus colors with a summer motif, such as the pineapple in this Robert Allen @ Home Fabric and you have a winning combination.

Home Decor: Summertime and the livin’ is easy

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Happy Memorial Day!  I hope it finds all of you relaxing and looking forward to all the good times summer has to offer–barbecues, picnics, long bike rides, lazy days on the porch, swimming and warm summer breezes that allow your window treatments to billow in the wind.  But let’s not forget why we celebrate Memorial Day,  so find some time to visit a local military cemetery, drop some cookies off at the USO or just say thanks to a service man or woman in your community.

It’s been a tough winter and spring throughout our country so here’s a little summer eye candy to get you dreaming about summer

cute summer bicycle by Nan Lawson for Grow your Beauty
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I could sit and relax in this chair all day long..how about you?
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Swings are just part of summer, aren't they? (photo courtesy of HGTV)
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wildflowers galore
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So take some time to help the kids set up a lemonade stand; finish a book in one day, drink some sweet tea and gather with friends as often as possible.  And don’t forget some summertime decorating…summer decorating tips to follow…..

Home Decor: Red, white and blue for Memorial Day and beyond

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The celebration of Memorial Day represents many different things.  It provides a special day for us to take a moment and thank those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to the country in order to protect our American way of life.  And it is also the unofficial start of the summer season.  That means barbecues, picnics, ballgames and just a simpler way of living for a few months.

Patriotic colors such as red, white and blue are often used for summer decorating and will last from Memorial Day through the 4th of July all the way up to Labor Day.  It is easy to add some colorful pillows, throws and accessories that will liven up both your indoor and outdoor spaces.

The American flag is all the artwork you need for this bedroom.  It coordinates beautifully with a red leather chair and denim blue bedspreads.  (courtesy of house to home, Trio Giovan photo)

A simple red and white daisy in a blue bud vase will provide a touch of summer to a powder room or bedside table in the guest room.

This red and white striped chair courtesy of Effortless Style blog just says summertime to me.  The floral pillow could be replaced with stars and stripes, a flag etc or just left alone to welcome summer.

Summertime fabrics like ticking, seersucker and linen can all be used to create an inviting and relaxed look to your home.  So fire up the barbecue and let’s party!

Sail away with a nautical theme for the summer

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Blue sky, warm sandy beaches, weathered wood and sea air…..I want to be at the beach right now!  If you are land locked, as I am, you can still enjoy the feeling of a beach house in your own home.  A nautical theme will provide you with a crisp and inviting space that will make it seem as if you are on vacation.

Check out some of these easy ways to incorporate a nautical look into your existing decor.

  • Shiny brass elements will make you feel as if you are onboard a luxurious yacht.  Replace lamp bases, hang a brass framed mirror or place a brass tray on top of an ottoman. 
  • Add a white slipcover to your existing sofa or chairs for an instant summery look. 
  • Replace your current accent pillows with ones fashioned out of large blue and white stripes or solid navy blue with crisp white piping.  A sky blue can be just as inviting especially when paired with red.
  • Seek out nautical items to use around the house.  An old porthole window is fun when hung in the powder room.  How about a large boaters knot for a doorstop.
  • Put that wool rug in storage and add a natural fiber rug made of sisal…better yet choose an indoor/outdoor rug to make it easy to clean up all that sand you track in.
  • Items that depict life at sea like lighthouses, ships wheel, sea creatures and shells and signal flags add a bit of interest and ambience to any setting. 
  • Bring the outdoors in by adding plants or simple cuttings from the bushes and trees in your own yard.  A clear glass hurricane holding one large palm leaf creates a very sophisticated centerpiece.
  • Baskets can be placed just about anywhere to hold remotes, books and magazines, items in the kitchen, tissue in the bath, etc.
  • Speaking of the kitchen, use your fun outdoor dishes and flatware during the summer.  Clean white plates on your dark mahogany table are very “yachty”.

These ideas are all simple and inexpensive and can be put away when the seasons change.  But for now why not enjoy a little beach getaway in the comfort of your own home.

Home Decorating: Baskets, wicker, rattan–Oh my!

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Maybe it is because the summer season has arrived but we are seeing a lot of wicker and rattan in stores and advertisements.  You can find this fabulous  material in furniture, baskets, lamp bases and accessories.  Is there a difference between wicker and rattan?  Well let’s take a look at each one of these terms and see if we can answer that question.

Wicker

Wicker refers to the process of weaving a flexible wood, such as willow, together to create furniture and baskets.  The term wicker actually refers to the process of weaving the fibers.  These fibers include the aforementioned willow, cane, bamboo and rattan. (see below)  Wicker furniture is a common choice for sunrooms, beach houses or any home that desires a relaxed and tropical look.  It can be left in its natural color, stained a darker color or painted to match the room. To retain its beauty it should be protected from the elements.

Rattan

Rattan is actually a plant found in Southern Asia that has long and strong stems suitable for weaving.  These fibers are steamed and bent into the desired shape.  Once they have dried they retain the shape forever.  Rattan tables and chairs are a popular choice for casual rooms and work well in small aprtments as they give off a light and airy feel.

As you can see, the terms wicker and rattan can be used to describe the same item, and often are.

Baskets

Baskets are the workhorse of many rooms in your home. 

  •  They can be used in the kitchen or bath as a place to store take out menus, silverware, linens, tissue etc.  The texture is a nice contrast to all the smooth surfaces found in these rooms.
  • In a childs bedroom or playroom they can corral the hundreds of tiny army men, doll clothes, crayons and markers and books that kids seem to collect.  Just be sure to choose baskets that have no sharp edges.  Better yet, create a colorful fabric lining that will protect tiny fingers and can also be laundered.  Online fabric store (www.onlinefabricstore.com) has dozens of kid friendly fabrics to choose from.
  • Place baskets throughout the family room to collect magazines, tv guides and those endless remotes required in todays technical life.  No more “Where’s the remote?” questions.
  • Slide a basket under the nightstand next to your bed to hold all the books and magazines you plan on reading.  This keeps the top of the nightstand clear for your eyeglasses, lotion and a glass of water.

The beauty and texture of a natural product like rattan adds interest to any room in your home.  Look for picture frames, small footstools, lamps, pots for plants and other small items that will allow you to introduce this product without making a large investment.

Welcome Summer with a Tropical Theme

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Even though you may be buried up to your eyebrows in snow, it is not too early to begin thinking about your summertime decorating plans.  Browsing through travel magazines just might warm you up a bit!  Using a tropical theme for sunrooms and outdoor spaces will make summer living and entertaining even more enjoyable.  A word of caution—too much of any theme can appear juvenile so try to avoid hula skirt window treatments and opt for something a bit more sophisticated.

Indoors

Adding a touch of the tropics to your interior spaces will brighten up any room during the spring and summer months. 

  • Paint an accent wall in a yummy tropical color like mango orange or turquoise blue.  You can choose subtle variations of these colors to go with your interior design style.  For example, in place of mango orange choose a soft coral.  Bright turquoise can be exchanged for a more subtle teal.  Opt for a yellow based sage green in place of lime green.  
  • Add throw pillows in patterns that reflect the island life.  Something whimsical with parrots or flamingoes can be fun or you can be a bit more sophisticated and choose a bamboo print or an allover fern pattern.  Covington’s wild orchid pattern offers both bright and subtle colors with a tropical flower that does not scream “theme”.  http://www.onlinefabricstore.net/drapery-fabric/floral-drapery-fabric/covington-wild-orchid-orchid-fabric-.htm
  • A bowl of seashells collected on previous island visits, a grouping of family vacation photos, a potted fern in the corner can make you feel like summer will last forever.

Outdoors

Outdoor decorating should reflect a carefree lifestyle that invites you and your guests to relax and enjoy the evening.

  • If your old patio furniture is metal, wicker or plastic, a coat of brightly colored spray paint will give it new life.
  • Replace moldy and weathered cushions with outdoor fabrics that will resist the elements and add color and pattern to your spaces.  Check out Waverly’s Sun n Shade collection of outdoor fabrics at http://www.onlinefabricstore.net/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=waverly%20outdoor
  • An outdoor rug made from natural fibers like sisal or coir will certainly keep your feet comfortable on those hot surfaces.

Ok–a hula skirt tablecloth would be cute and fun and define your tropical theme.  Just don’t go overboard. (no pun intended)