Sometimes the smallest, most unexpected object can spark the urge to redecorate. For me this time it was a bright yellow file box — more on that in a moment.
Where I live, summer doesn’t truly feel like it has arrived until late July at best, so expecting full summer vibes at the end of May is a bit premature. Still, every glimpse of sunshine in June is a welcome reminder that warmer days are ahead, so I decided to do a little seasonal sprucing over the weekend.
My new favorite decorating accessory is a set of little blocks that make styling quick and fun. They’re playful and easy to arrange, and they helped me set a cheerful tone even on a partly cloudy day.
It wasn’t brilliantly sunny while I was putting things together, so I had to use a little imagination and optimism to summon a summer mood — hence the subdued light in some of the photos.
I’ve been enjoying a super-cute yellow Target file box so much lately that it became the inspiration for new pillows. I’ve been favoring yellow for about a year now, and when I set the file box on the sofa while dealing with bills I had a small decorating epiphany: I need yellow pillows — preferably in a pattern that echoes the box.
With that thought, I set the bills aside and headed out in search of pillows, helped along by a gift card I’d been meaning to use. I didn’t find anything that exactly matched the file box pattern, but I did discover a pretty pillow with yellow flowers that coordinates beautifully.
The floral pillow works well with the geometric feel of the file box, and together they draw out the yellow accents already in the room — like the map prints and the yellow lantern. The floral fabric has a slight satin sheen that adds a pleasant new texture to the seating area.
Although I joked about leaving my file box on the sofa, I won’t actually let unpaid bills stay in plain sight. Still, I’m tempted to order fabric that mimics the file box and sew a coordinating pillow to complete the look.
That single purchase sparked a broader summer refresh. I gathered sea-glass-colored bottles and jars to create a casual mantel arrangement, and I kept some of the colorful books from my spring mantel to add contrast and a bit of continuity. The mix of glass, books, and textiles gives the room a breezy, summer-ready feel and even suggests a stack of good reads for warm afternoons.
The true tale: a pretty file box meant to help me organize paperwork instead distracted me from bill-paying and inspired a mini shopping trip and a room refresh.
That pretty much sums it up — story of my life.
What’s new with you? Inspired by anything fun lately?