Easy, Breezy Decorating Ideas for Summer

The mercury is rising and things are finally heating up, which has officially put summer smack dab in the middle of our radar. If you're like us, the only way to scratch that itch is to add some warm weather wares to our home. Take a peek at some of our new summer must haves:

Sister Bag, $110; Sister Parish Design

My go-to summer accessory is usually a simple, oversized carryall that can double as a beach bag or market tote. I love this classic canvas option from Sister Parish Design. Plus, it's lined in one of their prints.

Coffee Table Book, $58; Barnes & Noble

No one embraced summer with abandon quite like Slim Aarons. Bring a splash to you coffee table with this must-read book.

Lulu DK Pastel

Popsicle Fine Art Print by Evan Robarts; Tappan Collective

Lots of new art sites are cropping up, featuring limited edition prints from hot, up-and-coming artists. It's a great way to find affordable art on a whim. I love this melted popsicle photo from the Tappan Collective.

Beach by Mario Tama, 20x200

20x200 is another wonderful limited edition print site, similar to the Tappan Collective and this print of beach-goers dotting the sand is particularly one of my favorites. 

Glass Bottles; Lostine

These oversized glass bottles are perfect for summer. Use them as a vase or a juice carafe for a casual Sunday brunch.

Montauk Melamine Plates, $34 for 4; Pottery Barn

We do lots of outdoor entertaining and dinners during the warmer months. With kids running around, it's nice to not worry about your china so I always have a stack of melamine plates ready to go. These are simple but the blue and white has a slight nautical vibe. 

Perennials Pillows

New from Perennials (one of my go-to outdoor fabric sources): outdoor embroidery. So excited about their newly released pillows finished with weather-proof trimmings.

Get even more summer lovin' and follow me on Pinterest. Check out my Beachy Keen board for more seaside style. 

Party In My Cabana: Summer Press and Outdoor Decorating

photo by Emily Minton Redfield

A special thanks to 5280 Home for featuring Griffin Design Source in their June issue. See the article below:

For one Denver family, traditional patio umbrellas weren’t holding up to the intense Colorado sunshine. After many blistering, failed attempts to enjoy summer afternoons by their pool, they tapped interior decorator Ramey Caulkins of Griffin Design Source to find a chic solution. “In Colorado, you need more than just an umbrella,” Caulkins says. So she created a Moroccan-themed tent with enough space to take naps, enjoy a book, or host an intimate dinner party. “There’s something about a cabana that gives the ‘I’m at the beach’ feeling right in the middle of Denver.”

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TIPS

Create a room 
“Make it as comfortable as your primary living area,” Caulkins says. She likes to use living room staples like slipcovered furniture, down pillows, and patterned rugs.

Avoid bright white 
White fabrics show dirt and stains—not good for Colorado’s dry, dusty summers. Bright hues (like the blue chaises above) and darker colors mask wear and tear.

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Here are my cabana must-haves:

Elephant Stool, $139; overstock.com

Instead of a side table, go for a garden stool. The ceramic is rust and weather-proof and it add a sculptural detail.

Saltram Chaise in Peacock Linen, from $1,740; Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware has an amazing line of high-quality outdoor furniture. Though it isn't cheap, investing in well made outdoor furniture will pay off in the long run. Plus, all of their cushions are made in premium grade Perennials fabric.

Sweet Tea Granita from The Spence in Atlanta. Recipe here. 

There is nothing I love more in the summer than opening a cold can of soda to find that it's slightly frozen-- a perfect layer of slush. When I saw this Sweet Tea granita recipe, I knew I'd love it. I'm going to try making a lemonade version of it too.

All of this poolisde talk has me dreaming of the beach. If you didn't see my Spring Break Packing post, check it out here. And don't miss my Entertaining Must-Haves board on Pinterest.