I truly believe that summer days are among the best. Our home is easy-breezy and full of life this time of the year. Today, I’m sharing a look at our cottage style living room and what we love most about it during the warm summer months.
Hi friends! It’s hard to believe that we’re already half way through July. The seasons always fly by so quickly and I’m always trying to soak up every ounce. Charlie would be starting school in less than two weeks, but we’ve decided to return to homeschooling. I can’t tell you how relieved we feel to know we still have a month left of summer break. Starting school so soon just doesn’t seem right. We’re just now getting into a summer groove and what a great summer it’s been so far. We’ve spent our days outside hanging with friends, reading books in cozy armchairs, and staying up late watching movies. I just love the freedom that summer always seems to offer.
Today, I want to give you guys a little peek into our cottage style living room. I find that I don’t do much when it comes to decorating this time of the year. Keeping things light and airy with soft linens and fresh flowers is all this room needs. I love blues and greens year-round, but especially in the spring and summer. A sea salt candle is constantly burning and a stack of novels and home and garden magazines are kept close by. I suppose those are my summer must-haves!
This room has been painted Simply White by Benjamin Moore for a number of years, but this summer I’ve been testing out a few new shades. Unlike our foyer, this room has more of a pink undertone in the summer months than I’d like. I’m hoping to paint this room a slightly warmer tone soon. I just have to summon up the energy to paint this space. Never mind the studded, unfinished room in the back of the living room. Josh and I made some big changes to our powder room plans last month and we’re now going in a different direction. I’m going to share all about that very soon!
Last week I spent a day making a new slipcover for our ottoman. I had purchased this fabric months ago from JSH and had plans to use it this fall, but I just grew so tired of looking at the old cover that I decided I didn’t want to wait. We just get to enjoy it for that much longer I suppose! It’s amazing how a simple change of fabric in a space can elevate the entire room. You can find my step-by-step tutorial for my ottoman slipover HERE. On this cover I did a folded pleat instead of a ruffled style pleat.
This summer I’ve done more thrifting than I have in quite some time. I’ve found a few fun things here at here, including a few vintage Martha magazines. Martha Stewart Living really was magical back in the day. I have almost every issue before 2007 and I love to flip through them often for inspiration. Almost all of them have been purchased from thrift and antique stores. I think I can now spot them from a mile away, ha!
This little corner in our living room changes often. Ever since I purchased the antique accent table this spring, I’ve had so much fun switching this corner up. You can see more details and its spring look HERE.
The table has been a great addition, holding board games, magazines and mementos from our travels.
Our limelight hydrangeas are still opening up, so these faux blooms serve as a great place holder for them. Clippings of real greenery mixed with faux flowers is a great substitute when you’re in-between real blooms. I use this little trick from time to time. HERE and HERE are a few other examples of mixed arrangements.
I’m recycling these floral block print pillow covers from last summer. I don’t see the need to purchase new covers every season. This is just one reason why I try to purchase classic pieces for our home. You get so much more life out of what you buy and get the best bang for your buck. You can read my reasons on why you should stop chasing trends HERE.
Have you had a good summer so far? How are your home projects coming along? Summer’s a great time to work on things if you can pull yourself away from a good book, ha! I’m really excited to share the change of plans with you all on our powder room and pantry renovation. The change in plans led to a refresh of our laundry room. I can not wait to share that with you! It should be done in just a week or two. Until then, I hope you keep enjoying this beautiful summer and I’ll share more soon!
Judy says
It’s always a treat to see a post from your lovely home! I get some many ideas from you to incorporate into my own home, and thankfully we have very similar tastes. I can’t wait to see your new projects that you’re working on! Speaking of school starting soon, my oldest granddaughter will begin her freshman year at Auburn in just a few short weeks. While we’re excited for her to begin this new chapter in her life, we all are already missing her. Thankfully she’ll only be about 50 miles from her mom and dad and Mimi and Pop! I’m taking her to lunch today….soaking up these final days!
Karen B. says
I love your style. It’s pretty and very calming. I can imagine sitting in a chair and relaxing with a good summer read in your living room. Having sons (now grown adults with their own children) your son brings back those memories of summer fun when they were home.
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Karen B.
Carol Heartfelt Whimsies says
Yours is one of my favorite homes on IG! A real home—full of soul and thoughtful, personal touches. I agree with you about classic choices vs trends. Sounds like your summer has been relaxing. Thanks for sharing your home and your decor thoughts!
Amanda says
Thank you so much Carol! That means the world to me. Our summer was been great so far, just what we needed after a tough year. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have a great rest of your summer!
Love your deco styling. You mention changing out your pillow covers seasonally and I was wondering if you could tell me the sources for the pillows that were on your sofa a few posts ago. One was a small tan checked cover, the other was a floral, I have searched and searched with no luck, there are several checked options, but I can’t find the floral pillow anywhere. Thank you so much for your blog…
Your home is always charming! I agree about the Simple White, for my walls, it just seemed off. I went with pure white to open up the rooms.
Thank you so much Rachelle! I love Simply White in other places in my home, but in this room it’s not quite the shade I’d like it to. White paint colors can be so tricky at times!
Hi there beautiful rooms love your style
I’m in Australia and look forward to
seeing your posts gives me inspiration
in doing things differently over here
😀