Welcome — I’m glad you stopped by. If this is your first visit, I’m delighted you’re here. Today I’m joining Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage for her Summer Tour of Homes. The full lineup of participating homes appears at the end of this post. Lately the sun has been shining here in Seattle and I’ve been savoring every minute. People often assume the Northwest is wet and gray year-round, but we enjoy many beautiful, mild days — and when it does rain, it keeps everything green and lush. Enough about the weather; let’s talk summer decorating.
If you’ve visited before you probably know I don’t redesign my home for each season so much as let it evolve with the seasons. I wrote about this slow decorating process recently; it’s about making gradual changes that feel right over time.
Summer is one of my favorite seasons because of the warm light that pours through the windows and the abundance of plants and flowers both inside and out. I’m planning to add more vines, trees and flowering plants to the yard and bring cuttings indoors. Our landscaping began as a blank slate when we moved in, so slowly layering plants has been an ongoing project. Even small changes make a big difference and brighten the house.
The vine on the dining room console sits in a glass jug I found at a flea market; it’s a cutting from the wisteria that grows on our deck. I also keep a small brass animal collection here for fun. If you’re curious about the plate wall, I’ve shared how it came together in past posts. The curtains were sewn from an old fabric I’d saved for years.
My dining room is one of my favorite spots year-round. It’s come a long way from the original builder-grade finishes it had. The room evolves slowly — sometimes I change small details every month — and I enjoy adding a little each year. We recently got new head chairs for the table; I’ll share more about those in another post.
Update: Many readers asked about the dining room light fixture. It’s an outdoor lantern I purchased from Pottery Barn.
Quirky animal accents have a way of taking over my home — they make me smile. The ceramic bunny in this vignette is an Anthropologie find and fits right in with the playful tone of the room.
The family room gallery wall has been a work in progress for years and it’s finally coming together. The collection of travel photos and prints makes the wall perfect for summer daydreaming and ties in nicely with the shallow cabinet and glass lamps that sit below. A clamshell bowl completes the display and adds texture.
This wall coordinates with the adjacent kitchen and family room without demanding attention — it complements the spaces quietly. I’ll share more on the lamps in a future post; they were a great find.
I picked up the little rustic stool at Serena and Lily during a Memorial Day sale. The textured wood and white-dipped legs make it a sweet spot to set a cup or book beside a chair.
My coffee station is a favorite destination in the house, and I enjoy refreshing its look seasonally. I once spotted a branch used as a towel bar and when I found a suitable stick outside I decided to try it here. It’s a simple, summery touch that also functions well.
This season I’m loving fresh greens and teal blues. Small color changes in accessories like pitchers and Fiestaware brighten the kitchen and lift my mood. I rearrange cookbooks not only by use but also for the way their colors look on display.
Cookbooks serve both a practical and decorative purpose; rotating them is an easy way to keep the kitchen feeling fresh. I also use a wooden iPad stand at the counter to hold recipes while I cook.
One of my favorite finds is a classy whale plate from a local shop in Poulsbo. My daughter and I decided it belonged in our home and happily made room for it. While we were shopping, the shop attendant recognized my blog — a delightful surprise to meet a reader in person.
I keep a small chalkboard on the fridge for uplifting messages. A short, encouraging phrase is a simple reminder that choosing joy is a daily decision.
This is my tiny office — the hub where I spend time writing and watching the summer light. It’s compact, but it’s where many of the ideas for the house come to life.
Near my office I added nautical-inspired anchor hooks and a brass “captain” plaque. They’re practical for hanging leashes or shopping bags and add a playful coastal note to the hallway.
The flea market dresser remains in the entry and now holds a blue glass jug lamp that I repurposed. A few small frames and a woven basket complete the vignette and keep the entry welcoming.
The watercolor print in the blue frame is a free printable that reads “embrace the adventure.” It’s a cheerful reminder and an easy way to personalize a space. Nearby I keep an air plant tucked into a small display for a low-maintenance touch of green.
If you missed last weekend’s post, I shared a quick bathroom refresh with photos and details. I also kept the DIY faux tin backsplash we installed previously — it still looks great.
Our daughter’s room is dressed in a summery coral and includes freestanding bookcases that create a cozy guest and reading space. It’s become a favorite spot for us to relax and escape into a book.
Summer invites more time outdoors, and our front porch has become an extension of daily life. It’s a great place to work with a laptop or simply enjoy the breeze. I’ve added outdoor wingback chairs and a hanging faceted terrarium to create a comfortable, inviting space.
Soon I’ll share updates to the back porch and patio. I’m excited to see how new pieces and plants transform the outdoor spaces just as they’ve refreshed the interiors.
If you made it all the way to the end of this post, thank you — picture overload and all! I didn’t even show the whole house, but there will be plenty more this summer. I hope you’ll stick around; I have some big news coming up.
Update: See my 2015 summer house tour for more inspiration.
Jump-start your style and refresh your home with budget-friendly, practical ideas from my book Simple Decorating. You’ll learn to embrace your style, reimagine your spaces, and transform areas you don’t love into favorite destinations.
Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit the rest of the tours — the links for each day’s participants are listed below. Enjoy!
Monday, June 2nd
The Shabby Creek Cottage
The Nester
At The Picket Fence (Vanessa)
Thistlewood Farms
The Inspired Room
Tuesday, June 3rd
The Handmade Home
My Fabuless Life
Finding Home
In My Own Style
The Hunted Interior
Wednesday, June 4th
Inspired By Charm
Jennifer Rizzo
Madigan Made
Makely School for Girls
Funky Junk Interiors
Thursday, June 5th
Jones Design Company
Beneath My Heart
The Pennington Point
White Buffalo Styling Co.
Southern Hospitality
Friday, June 6th
At the Picket Fence (Heather)
Desert Domicile
Tatertots & Jello
Home Stories A to Z
Live Laugh Rowe