It’s summertime and it’s time to let the sunshine into our homes with fresh decor that reflects the season! When I change out my decor, I like to go to some of my favorite shops for inspiration. And, of course, I usually come home with a few new things for my home. But, this year, that wasn’t possible. So, I had to “shop my home” and be more creative with what I already had. So, I thought I would pass along some of my summer decor tips that might help you to freshen up your home for the season!
If you are new here, I’m Doreen and welcome to my home! Thanks so much to Marty from A Stroll Thru Life for hosting this seasonal event! And, if you are visiting from Grace in My Space, wasn’t Sarah’s home gorgeous! And, that leads me to the first of my summer decor tips! Get inspiration from others. If you need inspiration for your home decor, check out some of the summer home tours that are being shared this week! There are 30 homes on this tour with a variety of styles! Look at the details – how pillows are arranged, how art is hung on a wall, furniture placement, etc. I also like to browse home decor books, magazines, Pinterest, and Instagram for inspiration. Now, let’s take a look around my home and how I decorated for summer. We’ll start in the living room.
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Living Room
For me, decorating a space usually begins with one idea and then I build on that. This year my main inspiration for this space was a set of vintage botanicals by Karl Bossfeldt (1865-1932). These botanicals are not your traditional botanicals. Karl Bossfeldt was never formally trained as a photographer, but he used a homemade camera and lens to magnify plant life up to 30 times their natural size. These vintage botanical macro photographs are from a collection in Archetypes of Art (1928) and are public domain pieces.
As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to use them in my home. Now, for framing, I would typically drive to Ikea because you can’t beat their prices for a quality frame with a mat. But, that wasn’t possible this year. So, I went to Walmart and found these 16 x 20 large format frames and then purchased mats from JoAnne that had an 11 x 14 opening. I had the macro photography botanicals printed at Office Max as ledger size (11 x 17) on 110 lb. cardstock. And, here’s the result!
Aren’t these prints amazing!!! I love how they are vintage, yet are a bit modern looking! If you’d like to have these prints for your home, you might want to come back next week! And, those Walmart frames – I love them!!! They have glass, not thin plastic, and and are well made for the low price point! As you can see, I brought some bright color into this space with pillows. I love to change up my decor with pillows! But, once again, I couldn’t just pop into HomeGoods to pick up a few new pillows. So, instead, I shopped at JoAnn and other local fabric stores that were open and made my own pillow covers! It’s so easy to sew a pillow cover! It’s just straight line sewing!
I first spotted the chartreuse velvet and knew I wanted to use it. I paired it with mainly black and white prints and one teal velvet. You need less than one yard of fabric to make a 20″ pillow cover. So, this is really the most economical way to bring new pillows into your home! The most expensive fabric I used was $12 a yard.
The chartreuse butterfly print is another vintage print that I had enlarged and framed. I have to be careful with what colors I bring into this space because of the green planked accent wall, but I love how the chartreuse looks against the green. You can get this vintage butterfly print in my Free Printable Library !
And, chartreuse lumbar pillows continue that color theme around the room. The larger pillow covers on the chair are from H&M years ago that I had in my collection! The next of my summer decor tips is to bring in fresh or faux plants! I picked up this large Kimberly Queen fern at Wegman’s for $12.99! It’s so lush and full and you can’t beat that price! Place your plants into a basket or other planter, but keep it in it’s original grow pot. The plant stand is vintage and I found it on Facebook Marketplace for $5! Because I haven’t been able to visit my favorite antique shops, I have been looking at Facebook Marketplace and have found a few bargains. Sellers are accepting online payments and contactless pickups! It’s been a great way to look for antiques during the shutdown.
Here you can see both chairs with the library table in between. I also have to be careful with color in this room because of the print on these curtains that I made earlier this year. I love the Ballard Designs fabric and don’t want to change out the curtains any time soon. On the library table is a basket of Queen Anne’s Lace from the side of the road! It’s that time of year when it’s blooming all over Lancaster County, and I love it in a bunch like this! I used a clear vase with water inside the basket.
My small entryway, got a little update. I switched out the coat rack that we made to a vintage style accordion rack. The vintage hats and bamboo cane were my grandfather’s. I’ve had this “Goods & Provisions” market tote for a while and it’s perfect for taking to the farmer’s market! And, the bench is another Facebook Marketplace vintage find!
Here’s a few more looks at the living room.
Dining Room and Kitchen
In these spaces, I didn’t make any big changes. I just changed out the accessories to reflect the season. Let’s take a look.
My next tip is to shop your yard for fresh greens!!! I trimmed some Solomon’s Seal for this arrangement! And, the gold vase is one I’ve had for years. The black and white ribbon adds some interest and ties into all the other black and white in the space.
All of the accessories you see in my post today are just ones that I had, but hadn’t used in a while. Although, I do like to bring out this concrete bird in the spring and summer months! I found it a few years ago at HomeGoods. When you do shop for decor, think about how a piece will stand the test of time.
I took my dishes out of the corner cabinet and decided to style it with elements found in nature. Here’s a close up look. Don’t be afraid of being unconventional!
And, here’s a look into my kitchen space.
I kept the kitchen simple with just a few accessories I picked up at the farmer’s market!
An ironstone bowl of fresh strawberries and yummy homemade strawberry danish on the countertop says summer to me!!! Then, I clipped some roses from my Knockout Rose bushes that are full of pink blooms! Don’t they look pretty in the white pitcher!
And, I added this black and white botanical print that I had to the kitchen peg rail shelf that we made.
Screen Porch
Now, let’s go out to my favorite space – the screened in porch! I used more fabrics out here to make pillow covers and a floor pouf! I’ll be sharing details about how to make the pouf soon! I do have a new rug in this space that I purchased earlier in the season at Target. It’s neutral with a pretty floral pattern. This rug also comes in blue and I was really tempted to get it. But, let’s be honest, I’m not going to decorate this space in blue and white more than this season. I like to change this space out differently each season. So, choosing the neutral color is best for me in the long run! And, this rug is so pretty that I can see me moving it indoors down the road!
I left the old scale on the porch! And, I picked up a wire vine hanging basket at a local nursery and placed it inside this galvanized basket. As the vine grows, I hope I can train it up and around the top of the scale.
I hung up my straw hats here! A actually wear these hats, so I’ll be pulling them down from time to time (ha, ha)! I treat all of my porch textiles with Scotchguard Water and Sun Shield, and I always make my porch curtains with a sheer fabric that blows with the breeze and is light enough that it dries quickly to reduce mildew!
Blue and white is very “on trend” in decor right now! I don’t typically decorate with blue and white, but do love to see it in other friends’ homes! But, this year I decided to use it on my porch and I love the different patterns and shades of blue I was able to find for this space.
I did pick up this inexpensive print at Hobby Lobby at 50% off before everything shut down. I knew it would be a great piece on the porch! And, the wire basket was a $2 find on Facebook marketplace! I planted the purple flowers inside a plastic container with holes and filled in around it with sheet moss that I picked up at Walmart.
I added more plants and some blue glazed pottery on the baker’s rack shelves. The small piece of pottery on the top shelf is one that one of my boys made in a high school pottery class!
Thanks so much for visiting my home today. I hope you took away some summer decor tips that will help you decorate your home for the summer months! If you have any questions about something you see, please feel free to ask! And, don’t forget to visit the other tours this week for more inspiration! The full schedule is linked below! But, next up on today’s schedule is Ashley from Modern Glam! You will love seeing her summer bungalow tour!
30 Summer Home Tours
Monday
Tuesday
Setting For Four, Duke Manor Farm, Decor To Adore. House By Hoff , Inspiration For Moms, Pink Peppermint Design
Wednesday

Thursday

Seeking Lavender Lane , StoneGable , Designing Vibes , CITIRINELIVING , Our Southern Home , Southern State Of Mind

Can you tell me about your kitchen countertops? What material is it? How durable is it? Thanks so much.
Hi, Angie! Thanks for asking! They are quartz and ordered them from Ikea custom! Here’s a link about the process. https://www.ikea.com/ext/us/custom-kitchen-countertops/ and ours is Dark Gray Marble Piatra Gray. Hope this helps! We love them!!!
WOW! So beautiful how you bring everything together – it all blends so perfectly. You are talented!
Thanks so very much, Naomi!!
I wanted to download the butterfly print, and I am already a subscriber, but have no idea what the password is. Disappointed.
Hi, Debra! Since you are already a subscriber, the password is included in the emails you receive from me.
Lovely, Thank you for sharing.
Did the print fabrics on the swing come from.Joanne’s? What do you use to close these pillow covers? I don’t do zippers. Your plants are so much. What is the plant in the metal bucket on the porch? Thanks again.
Hi, Nan! I did find the fabric for that pillow at JoAnne! It was in their discounted home decor, which does vary from store to store. But, was so pleased to find it because I love the pattern! I can do zippers, but for these, I just sewed three sides with my machine and did a hand whip stitch to close after I insert the pillow form. It’s fast and the whip stitch can be quickly undone if you want to make a change!
Your home is beautiful! Very well put together. I love your porch also. Not too cluttered. Just right. My favorite color is blue. It’s so light & airy! Thank you for all the inspiration & your blog. Love it all! Linda
Thanks so much for your sweet comments, Linda!
I love those beautiful botanical prints in your living room, they are so pretty. I also really love the way you put your plants in such interesting baskets and pots, it adds such great texture and interest to the room. Of course your kitchen is a favorite, it is so well done and then the porch, that is where I would be all day. Your home is always so inviting in every area, I always love seeing it. Thanks so much for joining the tour again this season.
Thanks so much, Marty! It’s so fun visiting everyone’s home!!!
I love all your summer details! I’d also love to just move into your screen porch this summer 🙂 Everything is so pretty!
XO,
Amy
Thanks so much, Amy! If it’s not hot and muggy, you’ll find me on the porch!!!
Everything is WONDERFUL. I especially like the butterfly prints and how you matched the living room pillows to them. The plant stand, fern, and pouf look gorgeous. And I’m also loving your new rug. Blessings, Suzanne
Thanks so much, Suzanne!!
Doreen you have once again outdone yourself! I love the chartreuse accents in the front room. Your kitchen always brings joy to my heart. So happy to be on tour with you.
Thanks so much Laura! Can’t wait to see your summer home!
I so enjoy looking at your various decorations and designs of your home. It’s so lovely and creative. Can you share the two paint colors of your living room- the vanilla and green colors? Thank you
Hi, Debra
The planked green wall is Luxe by Magnolia Home. You can purchase it at Ace Hardware Stores. The other wall color is Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore – a light greige (looks gray or beige depending on the lighting) color. Hope this helps!
Doreen
Such a delight Doreen. Of course your screened porch is always such a favorite.
Love this version! Happy Summer friend, Shannon
Thanks so much sweet friend! So happy you were able to join in this week!
You’re home is so beautiful! Your porch pictures look like they came right out of a magazine, you styled it perfectly! I’m curious about the brick on your kitchen wall, how hard is it to clean? I’m wanting to add brick to mine but am afraid of all the grease and dust 🙂
You had me with all of the botanical prints. Love the chartreuse pillows repeating the color of the butterfly. Love the use of plants, bird figurines — it all looks so very lovely and is put together just beautifully. It all flows. Would love to have this look in my own home!
Your tour was so stunning! I love every inch of your home and how you style it! the butterflies and birds are so pretty! Love seeing your porch too!! All left me swooning!
Wow! It’s so all beautiful and I love the history behind the botanical prints. Your screened porch has got to be my favorite space – especially for summer!
Doreen!!! You are amazing! I love the pillows in the living room and how you styled them on your unique sofa. Also, the curtains and mirror! And your screen porch I always love but the blues have my heart. Everything!💙💙💙 Love how sheer curtains blow in the breeze. Will have to come up after you come back from the shore and gab in your porch. 😊
Everything looks so fresh and up to date! I love how you always change things up in your home! As usual the couch and your porch are my favorites!!
Doreen, the botanical prints are beautiful and I love how they go perfectly with all the decor your have in the living room. Love your kitchen and of course your pretty porch, it never dissapoints!
Doreen, that green plank wall gets me ( in a good way) every time I see it. i love the idea of hanging the hats in the screen porch.
I love all of your creative quarantine decor! Everything you used looks perfect for summer and you snatched some great FB Marketplace finds too. I am always smitten by your sun porch, and I love the blue touches you added. I hope you get lots of use out of your porch this summer! Have a great one!
Your porch is so beautifully decorated but in a way that is inviting and makes me want to come visit. What a great space. And that butterfly print is so fun – the chartreuse looks amazing with the blue wall. Perfect summer tour!
Your summer home is lovely! Those vintage prints are perfection for summer and that screen porch with a porch swing(!) is enviable! Had fun summer home touring with you! 🙂 Linda
Thanks so much, Linda!!! Hope you and your family have a great summer!
Beautiful summer tour! I love that gorgeous touch of chartreuse – it adds so much to the space! Your home is absolutely beautiful!! Happy Summer!
I love these tips!! From the natural wood to bright decor, your home is so stunning. How do you keep the wood floors looking so nice? I have real wood floors in my home, but I have to get a professional wood floor cleaning like every few months because my dog is always making messes on it!