Hello everyone! I’m so glad you stopped by. I hope your Monday is going well. I’m excited to be part of Gina’s Summer House Tour. If you’re visiting from Nester’s, welcome!
Although summer isn’t officially here yet, I’ve already started transitioning the house for the warmer months. It’s not all leisurely weekends and styling—life is busy here. We’re in the midst of preparing to move (if you missed the update you can find it on my site). Still, nurturing a corner of the house with a little seasonal refresh is my therapy. When things feel chaotic, tidying and styling a small area helps me breathe and keep moving forward.
I’m a little sad at the thought of leaving this home if our move goes ahead. We’ve put a lot of work into making this new-construction house feel like ours, and after six years it truly feels lived-in and loved. Every corner reflects part of our story, and while moving means leaving pieces of ourselves behind, the lessons and memories will come with us.
For now, let’s focus on summer decorating—imagine the sun is shining.
I found this little green table at a flea market and fell for its unique legs. Recently I tried draping a Turkish towel over it—one I keep on the dining wingback—and loved the fresh, summery result. The rope tassels and green stripes feel light and cheerful for the season.
I also moved a large shell from the family room to the entry for a bold summer statement right by the front door. It’s fun to rearrange pieces you already own to create a new mood for the season.
Although we’ve had some warm, sunny days, summer here really settles in from mid-July through early fall. It can still be cool and cloudy, so I’m keeping a blanket folded on the sofa for cozy evenings. I even took some of these pictures while wearing a sweater—summerizing in layers.
To brighten the room I added a couple of yellow pillows. Yellow always feels like sunshine indoors. I’m also thrilled that my peonies are blooming—my long-held dream of a cutting garden is finally coming true. I’ve planted roses, peonies, hydrangeas, daisies and more. I’ll share more of the garden and yard projects soon.
I also shuffled some furniture around. During the holidays I moved white painted rattan chairs into the family room to provide extra seating, and I liked their airy feel so much that they stayed for summer. The trellis wingback moved into the kitchen, which gives that space a fresh look too.
I also love having versatile stools that can serve as extra seating or end tables—little pieces that pull double duty are always useful.
My leather loveseat has been a great choice for durability and comfort. It suits our everyday life while still looking tailored.
On the mantel I like displaying small framed inspirational quotes from my book Love the Home You Have. Little reminders like these encourage me to keep creating a home I love.
I added colored books to an antique bowl I recently found at a secondhand store to give it a fresh, graphic touch.
In the kitchen I cleared the windowsills and filled them with containers of herbs and cut flowers. Outside the kitchen window the wisteria I planted as a privacy screen has finally started blooming—its scent drifts through the sliding door and feels like summer itself.
We’ve been steadily working on outdoor projects and the yard has come a long way from its bare new-construction beginnings. A recent backyard corner makeover has created a charming spot to enjoy warm days and evenings. I’ll be sharing more progress on the secret garden soon.
While I enjoy decorating indoors year-round, summer means spending more time outside soaking up the sun and tending the garden. I look forward to sharing the garden’s evolution and more simple summer projects with you.
Before you go, follow me on Instagram—I’ll be hosting a book giveaway there. If you haven’t read Love the Home You Have, it’s a small book filled with encouragement and practical ideas for appreciating and improving the home you already have. I’m also excited about my upcoming coffee table book, The Inspired Room. Thank you to everyone who has supported my work; your encouragement means so much.
Want to create a home you can’t wait to come home to? I can help!
Check out my decorating, organizing, and homemaking books on my site.
Shop my house and favorite decor finds on the shop page.
I’ll be back with more summer decorating, projects, and updates on what’s next for our family.
Thanks for stopping by!
Now head over to City Farmhouse, the next stop on the tour—enjoy the preview below!
Commonly asked sources:
Tufted ottoman, Gray wingback, Dip-dyed stool, Family room wood mirror
Paint colors used in my house.
Lighting sources in my house.
See more of my home on my House Tour page. The full tour will also appear in my upcoming coffee table book, The Inspired Room.