I have always loved decorating, and I often find myself torn between different seasonal styles. While I enjoy the cozy feel of fall and winter decor, lately I’ve been especially drawn to refreshing our home for summer.
Full disclosure: I don’t actually own a separate summer house. I only have one home—but I like to imagine what I would do with many more. For now, I focus on making the home I have feel light, bright, and ready for summer.
I’ve noticed this house really comes alive in the warmer months, so I’ve been having fun experimenting with summer colors and patterns. A fresh rug, new textiles, and a few lively accents can completely change the mood of a room.
Top Photo Source: Annie Selke
Two designers I admire for summer style—Annie Selke of Dash & Albert and Mark Sikes—recently collaborated on a new collection. I was excited when they invited me to highlight a few favorite pieces. New rugs and fabrics are my kind of fun.
I’d been considering a new rug for the dining room for some time. The seagrass rug served us well, but I wanted bolder color and pattern to lift the space.
After nearly four years in this home, I feel more confident about what works here. I know the colors, textures, and scale that fit our rooms best.
One of Mark Sikes’s rug designs, Big Sur, was exactly what I had in mind. It brings a classic pattern and a lively presence that feels even better in the room than I expected. I’m already in love with it.
The pattern has a timeless quality that reminds me of fabrics I’ve used over the years, and the construction looks durable—important for rooms that see daily use.
This is our guest room. It’s a small space that keeps evolving with each season and new find.
I previously designed two rugs for Annie Selke/Dash & Albert, and I recently introduced one of my designs, Inspired Stripe, into the guest room. For summer I wanted to be a little more playful with pattern and color in this small space.
The rug pairs beautifully with Mark Sikes’s reversible floral quilt and shams in the Pasadena pattern. I also love the plaid sheets and Euro shams in Julian Cobalt—they add structure and contrast to the floral bedding.
Now our little guest room is ready for summer. The bed is made for my parents, who will be visiting soon for Luke’s high school graduation.
It’s hard to believe our youngest is finishing high school—he’s taller than anyone in the family now. The milestone has been emotional; I’ve found myself tearing up more than once. He was in kindergarten when I began this blog, so this moment feels especially poignant.
I’ll be sharing more about this season of transition and more summer updates from around the house. There are several rooms still in progress, and I’m excited to show how small changes can refresh a home for the season.
Related resources:
Mark Sikes authored a lovely design book titled Beautiful, which I recommend to anyone interested in home style.
Explore the new Annie Selke and Mark Sikes collection to find rugs, bedding, and more seasonal pieces for your home.
You can also browse additional items from our rooms to see sources and styling ideas for your own spaces.