I’ve always been torn about which house I love decorating more. While I delight in dressing up my home for fall and winter, lately I’ve especially enjoyed putting together a bright, relaxed summer look.
Full disclosure: I only have one house. Still, I daydream about having multiple homes to style—imagine how fun that would be. For now, I make the most of the home I have and enjoy switching its mood with the seasons.
This time of year the house really comes alive, so I’ve been leaning into a lighter, more playful summer style. I don’t have a separate “summer house,” but I find that small changes—color, pattern, textiles—can create that breezy, vacation-like feeling at home.
Top Photo Source: Annie Selke
Two designers I admire for summer style, Annie Selke (Dash & Albert) and Mark Sikes, recently collaborated on a new collection. When they invited me to share a few favorite pieces, I jumped at the chance. Their pieces are exactly the kind of cheerful, durable textiles I love to use for seasonal updates.
I’ve been considering a new rug for the dining room for some time. The seagrass rug worked well, but I wanted to introduce stronger color and pattern to energize the space.
After living here nearly four years, I feel more confident about the style that fits this home. That made it easier to choose pieces that feel right for summer without losing the overall sense of the house.
One of Mark Sikes’ rugs (Big Sur) fit my vision perfectly. It looks even better in the room than I imagined—vibrant, but classic. The pattern feels timeless and familiar; it echoes fabrics I’ve used in many homes over the years and should wear well with everyday use.
This is our guest room, a small space that I’m always tweaking. It’s been fun to push the envelope a bit with more pattern for the summer months.
You might recall that I designed two rugs for Annie Selke/Dash & Albert in the past. I recently brought my Inspired Stripe rug into the guest room to introduce bold pattern and a lively foundation for the bedding and accessories.
I love how the rug pairs with Mark Sikes’ floral reversible quilt and shams (Pasadena). The mix of florals, plaid sheets, and coordinating Euro shams (Julian Cobalt) adds depth and a cheerful, layered look to the room.
Now our petite guest room feels ready for summer visitors. In fact, the bed is already made for my parents, who will be here soon for Luke’s high school graduation.
It’s hard to believe our little boy, who’s now taller than the rest of us, is finishing high school. I’m still processing this milestone—there have been a few emotional moments. He was in kindergarten when I started this blog, which makes how quickly time has passed feel surreal.
I’ll share more soon about this season of transition and more rooms as they evolve for summer. Stay tuned for updates on our seasonal decorating and the moments we’re celebrating at home.
Related resources:
Mark Sikes’ book Beautiful is one of my favorite design reads and offers plenty of inspiration.
Explore the Annie Selke / Mark Sikes collection for fresh textiles and rugs that work well for summer updates.
For additional pieces and sources from this home, check my shop and room sources.