I'm not one for decorating our home for all the holidays and seasonal events that come along. Partially because I have no storage space for lots of decor but also our home and home style is best suited for all-season long decor that adds a touch of warmth to the space instead of demanding attention. So through the year I'll switch out some things like pillow covers, dried florals, candles, and coffee table books to subtly shift the decor into the season ahead.
In today's post I want to do a roundup of the decor items I've been loving, the joy of functional but beautiful pieces, and where I'm shopping for items that last.
Thank you to Jodie C. Ball for sponsoring this post.
Gathering Inspiration for Spring and Summer Decor
Spring and summer decor is best when it's complimentary to the changing landscape outside. Our trees fill out a beautiful lush canopy of green, flowers bloom and grow, and eventually the heat of the summer crinkles everything into dried shades of beige and brown.
I like to look to the gardens of the world and my own backyard for tones and textures that can inspire my own interiors. Early spring through mid summer when the gardens are thriving, greens are naturally on my mind.
Terracotta tones are my favorite to work with for potted plants around my yard, so it's always delightful when I can find and incorporate natural elements in my home. From candle sticks to a well-placed pillow cushion, it's a color that compliments the greens of the outside so seamlessly.
And when the backyard and kitchen gardens fail to inspire books remain one of my most beloved sources of inspiration. Coffee table books, books with whimsical illustrations, garden books, cookbooks, even travel books all inspire me when it comes to home decor, garden design, and spring/summer decorating.
A few I turn to time and time again to gather a bit of inspiration:
- Jenni Kayne's Pacific Natural and Pacific Natural At Home
- Kinfolk Home
- Deeda Blair: Food, Flowers, and Fantasy
- Ralph Lauren A Way of Living
- Private Gardens of England
And, as a bonus, any one of these books are beautiful enough to be a decor piece on their own. Decorating with books is one of those timeless design tricks. It's a lovely way to showcase your own personal touches in a room - everyone's taste in books is different! - and it also adds color and warmth and texture to any room. So next time you're in a secondhand store, an antique shop, or just browsing on eBay and you stumble across a stack of old books, a beautiful statement book or just a paperback you're dying to read - remember that they too can add to your home's aesthetic all year round.
Finding Home Decor that Doesn't Break the Bank
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the best at finding the detail pieces for our home decor. I can see the overall vision, but I'm often hesitant to spend or shop for the details that truly make a room unique. But over the years in our house, I've realized that these beautiful homes that are brimming with personality and unique items are carefully and loving crafted over time.
Nothing beautiful is built overnight - whether it's a person's character or the home they're building. So I often have to slow down and remind myself that special pieces take time to find. But there are a few tricks I like to employ to help the process along a bit:
- Add in dried florals to places where there are holes in your decor. Dried florals are wonderful purchase because unlike the real deal, they'll last for years on end and unlike silk florals they have all the texture and beauty of live foliage. One of my new favorite places to look and shop for dried florals is Roxanne's Dried Flowers. Their arrangements are impeccable and the quality is unparalleled. If you're looking for a centerpiece, bundles of dried lavender for a Provence feel, or even boxwoods for a stately statement, you'll find it on the site.
- Buy some prints that speak to you and get them framed and hung. Obviously, one of the hallmarks of a well appointed house is beautiful artwork. But, rightfully so, statement art is expensive and takes time to save up for. So instead of leaving your walls blank buy some prints you love and get them framed - either with a custom frame or just buy some Target frames. Believe me, hanging up some special prints will still have a big impact on your overall decor.
- Candles amp up the cozy. Even during the spring and summer months I'm still looking for our home to be a cozy sanctuary. Candles are one of the most cost effective ways to add a bit more cozy decor to your space. Whether it's beeswax taper candles or nontoxic scented candles, lighting a candle through the day or during the evening hours is beautiful all year long.
Favorite Places to Shop for Spring/Summer Home Decor
- Target
- June Home Supply
- Jenni Kayne Home
- Shoppe Amber Interiors
- Terrain
- Heirloom Art Company
- Zara Home
- HM Home
- Mango Home
Additional Sources of Inspiration
Since home decor is a decidedly personal venture and I've learned that different homes have different moods, lighting, and needs, it's never a bad idea to stock up on your arsenal of inspiration. In addition to books and travel and magazines, Pinterest is also my go-to place for inspiration.
If you fancy to follow me, you can do so over here - I'm quite active and there's years of previously saved pins to view as well. But also I've found some of my greatest sources of inspiration have been from blogs. A few favorites include: