Welcome — I’m glad you stopped by. If this is your first visit, hello and thank you for being here. Today I’m joining Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage for her Summer Tour of Homes. The full lineup is at the end of this post. The sun has been out lately and I’ve been savoring Seattle’s rare sunny days. Many people assume the Pacific Northwest rains nonstop, but our summers are often mild and beautiful, and when it does rain we appreciate the green, lush landscape it creates. Enough about the weather — let’s talk summer decorating.
If you’ve followed this blog, you know I don’t redecorate strictly for each season. Instead I enjoy letting the house evolve with the seasons. That slow, thoughtful approach to decorating helps a home feel lived-in and personal.
I love every season for different reasons, and summer is one of my favorites because of the bright light that pours through the windows and the fresh plants and flowers I bring inside. I’m planting more vines, trees and flowers this year because I use them throughout the house. Our yard started nearly bare when we moved in, so gradually adding greenery has been a joyful, ongoing project. Even small additions make a big difference.
The vine on my dining room console is a cutting from the wisteria on our deck, tucked into a glass jug I found at a flea market. A small brass animal family keeps company on the console for now. If you’re curious about the plate wall, I shared how it came together in previous posts. The curtains were sewn from fabric I’ve had for years.
My dining room is one of my favorite spaces year-round. It has come a long way from the early days with ugly builder finishes. The room continues to evolve — often changing from month to month — and I enjoy adding small updates each year. We recently replaced the head chairs at the table, which I’ll share more about in another post.
Update: People often ask about the dining room light fixture. It’s actually an outdoor lantern I found at Pottery Barn.
Quirky animal accessories have gradually taken over the house because they make me smile. The ceramic bunny came from Anthropologie — they get my sense of whimsy.
The family room gallery wall has been a slow project, and it’s finally coming together. It’s filled with travel memories and feels perfect for summer daydreaming. The display is balanced by a shallow cabinet and new glass lamps that complement the room without overwhelming it. A clamshell bowl adds a coastal touch.
This wall ties in nicely with the kitchen and family room, creating a cohesive look that feels calm and comfortable. I’ll share more about the lamps in a future post — they were a great find.
I picked up a small stool at Serena and Lily during a Memorial Day sale. The rustic wood top and dipped white legs add texture and charm — it’s perfect next to a chair for a cup or a book.
You can’t visit without seeing the coffee station — it’s a little celebration in itself and I enjoy changing its look with the seasons. I even used a branch as a towel bar for a playful, practical touch.
I love changing colors around the house to suit my mood. Right now I’m smitten with fresh greens and teal blues — the more I add, the more I enjoy the palette. The pitcher and Fiestaware cream and sugar set add cheerful pops of color.
Cookbooks also get rearranged for practicality and color. It’s a small, satisfying way to refresh a space. My wood iPad stand lives nearby, keeping recipes or playlists handy while I cook.
One of my favorite finds is a tasteful whale plate from a shop in Poulsbo. My daughter and I agreed it belonged in our home, so we made room. While shopping, the shopkeeper recognized the blog — a delightful surprise that reminded me how small and connected the world can feel.
I still enjoy the little chalkboard on the fridge where we sometimes leave an uplifting message. A simple reminder that choosing joy each day makes a difference.
This is my tiny office — the place where I spend a lot of time writing and watching summer light stream in through the window.
Under the map wall in the hallway I added nautical anchor hooks and a brass “captain” plaque for a coastal accent. The hooks are practical for shopping bags or dog leashes and add a playful detail to the entry area.
The flea market dresser still anchors the entry. A blue glass jug lamp I made sits on top, and a few new frames and a basket complete the vignette.
The watercolor print in the blue frame is a free printable from Gina, our summer tour host. It reads “embrace the adventure,” which feels like the right motto for summer and for refreshing your home.
Recently I shared a quick bathroom refresh, including a faux tin backsplash that continues to look great. Small projects like this can make an out-of-date room feel fresh without a big investment.
My daughter’s room is dressed in a summery coral and doubles as a guest room and reading nook. We added freestanding bookcases recently, and the room has become one of our cozy escapes.
Summer is a season for being outside, and I spend a lot of time tending the yard or relaxing on the front porch. It’s a great spot to work with the laptop or simply enjoy a change of scenery.
I’ve added outdoor wingback chairs and a hanging faceted terrarium to create a comfortable outdoor living area. I’ll be sharing updates to the back porch and patio soon — I’m excited to see how outdoor additions transform our space.
If you made it to the end, thank you — it was a picture-rich tour and I still didn’t show the whole house. I’ll be sharing many more updates this summer, and I hope you’ll stick around. I also have some big news coming soon.
Update: See my 2015 summer house tour.
Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit the rest of the tours — the full schedule for the Summer Tour of Homes is listed below. Enjoy!
Here’s the complete line up for each day this week’s Summer Tour of Homes:
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