I think the best summer decor is that which embraces the beauty of the outdoors and encourages us to live a little more in the joyous moments of the season. This may be through taking time to curl up with a good book, spending hours around the table enjoying a meal with friends and family, or by literally stopping and smelling the flowers. I’m sharing my Bringing The Outdoors In Summer Home Tour as part of the Summer Home Tour 2022 organized by Kelly of The Tattered Pew. If you’ve come over from My Thrift Store Addiction, thank you! Cecilia has such a beautiful home with the most thoughtful use of thrifted items and budget-conscious ideas. I hope you’ll take the time to visit all of today’s beautiful tours.
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Front Hall
In the front hall, I incorporated many elements of nature, from the wallpaper to the artwork and fresh foliage from the garden. The wreath, which I made and is available in my Etsy shop, has a rustic feel lent by the grapevine wreath base. The soft pink flowers and ivy are summery and delicate. And the pillow echoes some of the elements of the wreath.
I included a couple of lifestyle items in my front hall decor to hint at some of my favourite summer pastimes. The market bag reminds me of Saturday mornings spent perusing our local farmer’s markets searching for the freshest produce. And the hat reminds me of all the outdoor activities I enjoy most- gardening, going for walks, days at the beach and on the water canoeing or kayaking with my boys.
Living Room
I recently made a couple of changes to our living room decor, hanging the beautiful artwork from Poster Store (read my post here) and adding the lovely rug from Loloi Rugs. I wanted to add some warmth to this room to encourage friends and family to linger. To further enhance this warmth, I added several baskets made of natural water hyacinth and sisal. And I just love the soft glow that candlelight emits.
Plants And Flowers
I also added a variety of plants and flowers throughout the living room. The mammoth Monstera plant permanently resides in the corner of our living room, but I also brought in some more seasonal plants. My little summer decor secret is to purchase outdoor plants (perennials or annuals) and use them for my indoor decor for a week or two before placing them outdoors either in pots or planted in the ground. I did this with the Dianthus plant on the sofa and the sedum plant on the floor by the sofa. I also found a gorgeous hydrangea plant I couldn’t resist and potted it to enjoy indoors. In about a week I will plant these perennials in the garden to enjoy for many years. This is an economical tip as the plants cost less than purchasing fresh flowers that would only last for a week at best.
Garden Theme
I also included a couple of garden-themed items in my decor, including the cute watering can and garden twine and scissors. In summer, I’m constantly moving between indoor and outdoor living spaces, and this is especially true when I’m gardening. If you’re a gardener, you’ll know exactly what I mean. I’m always forgetting a garden tool or basket when I’m outside or deciding I need a glass of lemonade to cool off. When I’m indoors, I almost always want to be outside sitting in the garden or participating in outdoor recreational activities and we come and go a lot during the summer months.
Cozy Summer
I think it’s a fallacy that summer decor should only be cool and refreshing. I think it’s possible to create a warm and inviting space that still feels like summer. Blankets in summer make sense to me because summer should be a restful season to recharge the spirit, and what better way to do that than by taking an afternoon nap or reading on the couch. Adding a cozy blanket and comfortable cushions will create just the space to foster relaxation.
Dining Room
I brought the outdoors in for this lush garden-themed centrepiece. The rest of the tablescape is simple, using white dinnerware that will highlight the fresh, vibrant food that summer brings. A linen tablecloth and napkins add a relaxed yet well-appointed feel to the table.
I love using coloured glass in summer, perhaps because it reminds me of summer visits to my grandparent’s home. They had a lovely collection of coloured glass. As a child, I drank icy cold ginger ale from cut glass tumblers while we sat by the pool, chased each other with a garden hose, and enjoyed the efforts of my grandfather’s barbeque talents.
Summary
I hope that you have found a few useful ideas in my Bringing The Outdoors In Summer Home Tour. Summer decor doesn’t need to be expensive or fancy. You can evoke a sense of calm and relaxation through plants, candles, and simple cozy touches. For more summer decor inspiration, please visit the next home on this tour with Ann at Dabbling and Decorating.
Shawna your entry and dining room are beautiful! I love the blend of neutrals with the different textures and soft color palette you use. Enjoy your summer!
Thank you Stacy! Happy summer to you too.
Shawna, your summer decor is just lovely, and I adore your charming entry and pretty floral accents–pinned! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thank you Cecilia! I appreciate these sweet comments. Happy Summer!
Your home is so beautiful! So many lovely touches. The entry is very inviting. So fun hopping with you this week. Blessings to you
Thank you so much Renae. I really appreciate your kind comments.
Shawna,
Everything is so bright and lovely in your summer home. The greenery, baskets, and just overall feel are so welcoming. Thank you for sharing such awesome ideas, friend!
xoxo,
Brendt
Thank you Brendt! I’m so glad you think my home feels welcoming as that is something I strive for.
Your table is so beautiful all decorated for summer and the baskets are the perfect touch throughout your home. Loved it all😃
Thank you Ann! Have a fabulous summer.
Shawna, I love your indoor garden theme! So beautiful…and I feel like the greenery you added adds so much joy to each space! A lovely tour my friend. And will you please tell me about your curtains? They are stunning! Wonderful tour and happy summer!
Thank you so much Kelly! The plants are really making me happy this season. All the curtains in our home are DIY- I should share a DIY post soon!
What a gorgeous home! Love all of the plants. You can never have too many.
Thank you Tammy! That’s exactly how I feel about plants too.
Shawna,
Your home is just so calming. I love the wallpaper and all the simple but lovely details for summer.
Thank you so much Rachel! In a house with three boys, I try to make the decor as calming as possible.
Shawna, your home looks so gorgeous decorated for summer. I love the way you incorporated all of the different types of greenery. Your tour title is very fitting. It feels like a garden oasis in your home. So happy to be on tour with you this week. Pinned!
Thank you Jen! It’s the next best thing to being out in the garden all day (and no mosquitos to worry about).
Your home is lovely, Shawna! I love how you brought the outdoors in and created an organic, natural look. Fresh and comfortable, indeed! Thanks for the tour!
Thank you Lora! I appreciate your kind comments.
I just love how you’ve brought the outdoors inside for summer Shawna. I am always a huge fan of a garden theme and yours is beautiful. You have such a talent for bringing a sense of peace and calmness to your home. Thank you for inspiring me.
Thank you Kim! That’s such a kind comment, I definitely strive to create a calm, peaceful home.
Shawna, I have some of the same prints up in my living room too!! I love the Poster Stores stuff. Everything looks perfect for Summer.
Thank you Jennifer! They have some beautiful, evocative prints, don’t they?
Your summer home looks lovely, Shawna, and I love all the woven baskets and greenery! Love seeing ‘you’ in your decor, too! Pinned!
Thank you Julie! Yes, isn’t that the best part of decor, when we can infuse it with our own personalities.
No matter what season, your home is always so beautiful, Shawna! I especially love the peony touches and that artwork gallery is stunning. Pinned! So nice hopping with you, again! Happy Summer!
Thank you Kim! Fresh flowers are my favourite part of late spring and summer.
Loving all the added soft pinks and I’m totally jealous of your green thumb. Everything looks perfectly summer and so pretty. Enjoy!
Thank you Cindy! My green thumb has come later in life- my brother always had the green thumb when we were little.
Shawna one thing I really enjoy about your home, is how one space flows into the next. You have a wonderful way of styling that is such a joy to see, and I love your summer garden theme! Happy Summer!
Thank you so much Michelle. I’m glad you like the garden theme.
Your home is so peaceful and lovely, a real refuge. I love your table settings. Do you have a source for the pretty polka dot linen napkins? Thanks for sharing your home with us. Happy summer!
Thank you! The table linens were all from Cozy Linen.
Such a pretty home and tour. Love your use of baskets and plants.
Thank you Cindy! I’m really enjoying viewing all the beautiful homes on this tour.
My jaw dropped when I saw that gorgeous gallery wall in your piano room! What great tips about incorporating the best of summer outdoors in your home! Perfection!
Thank you so much Jen!
Shawna, your home is so soft and lovely! And the wallpaper in the entry is so striking…love!! Happy to be on the tour with you. Enjoy your summer!
Thank you Kate! I hope you have a fabulous summer!
Your home is so beautiful!!! Your style is so dreamy!! I love all the bright, natural light!!!
Thank you so much Emily!