I’ve always been torn between which house I love more. As much as I enjoy decorating for fall and winter, lately I’ve been especially drawn to adding summer style around the house.
Full disclosure: I only have one house, but I often daydream about having multiple homes to decorate. Imagining different looks for different seasons is half the fun.
I find that the house really comes alive in warm weather, so I’ve been leaning into brighter colors, lighter textures, and playful patterns this year. I don’t have a separate “summer house,” but I follow my own motto: love the home you have.
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. When they asked if I’d share some favorite pieces, I jumped at the chance. It’s exactly the kind of project I love.
I’ve been planning to add a new rug to my dining room for a while. The seagrass rug worked well, but I wanted something with more color and a bolder pattern to enliven the space.
After nearly four years in this house I feel more confident about the style that suits it, and I’m enjoying making small updates that reflect that growing familiarity.
One of Mark Sikes’s rug designs, Big Sur, was exactly what I had in mind. It fits the room even better than I imagined — I’m already in love with it.
The classic pattern feels timeless and familiar, reminiscent of fabrics I’ve used over the years, and it seems durable enough to handle daily life in this busy household.
This small room is our guest room, and although you’ve seen it before, it’s always evolving. I like to tweak things seasonally to keep the feel fresh.
I previously designed two rugs for Annie Selke/Dash & Albert, and I recently brought one of my designs, Inspired Stripe, into the guest room. For summer I wanted to introduce more pattern and energy to the room.
I love how my rug pairs with Mark Sikes’s reversible floral quilt and shams, Pasadena. The combination adds a welcoming, layered look. The plaid sheets and matching Euro shams in Julian Cobalt bring in another touch of pattern that ties everything together.
Now our tiny guest room is ready for summer. The bed is made up for my parents, who will be staying with us next week for Luke’s high school graduation.
It’s hard to believe our son is finishing high school — he’s taller than ever and it feels like the years have flown by. I still catch myself in moments of surprise and a few happy tears. He was in kindergarten when I started this blog, which makes this milestone feel especially poignant.
I’ll be sharing more about this season of life and additional rooms in our evolving summer-ready home, so stay tuned for more updates and summer styling ideas.
Related resources:
Mark Sikes’s book Beautiful is one of my favorite design reads and a great source of inspiration.
Explore the new Annie Selke / Mark Sikes collection for fresh summer pieces to update your home.
You can also find more sources and items used in my home in the shop section that showcases pieces from different rooms.