8 TIPS TO CREATE A SUMMER REMIX

It's not too late to create a quick update in your home for Summer. For next to nothing, you can create a refreshed home for summer with these 8 simple tips: 1. Get inspired not only from magazines & Pinterest, but also visit your local shop displays for summer style inspiration. 2. Look no further than what you already have: Rethink a simple shift of lamp shades, side tables or chairs from room to room. 3. Shop your own closets, cabinets, and garage for your color or style story. 4. Pull together similar pieces (textile colors, baskets, dishes). 5. If you 'feel' like something is missing, follow your instinct - but check your local thrift stores for that textile or texture to pull together your summer look without breaking the bank. 6. Think out of the box: A pretty printed pillow sham can be reinvented into new wall art or tray insert. 7. Paint existing accessory pieces in a new color & finish (go for flat on pottery!). 8. Now it's time to just clean, rearrange, and pull together your summer remix!

Keep it simple for Summer

 Gotta love space saving pillow covers for an instant room update! If staying all neutral, layer textures vs. patterns for summer. keeping it neutral is also a great way to add a pop of color when the mood strikes you...

 Best time to pick up pillow covers: End of season

These stripe linen covers were only $5 ea at Pottery Barn (2007), the blue woven covers were $3 ea from Crate & Barrel (2008), and still a huge savings year-round - linen euro covers for only $12 ea from Ikea...

 No-Sew window panel alternative: Tablecloths

I've been using this alternative since '98 (just hang with simple clip-rings) - I especially love the extra long lengths available in classic seasonal patterns (like these summery stripe tablecloths I got at HomeGoods for only $16 for 108" in linen) - If you do sew: add a black out liner to help block out summer heat...

Your Summer kitchen 

 Have a kitchen island or open shelves? Switch out everyday white dish displays for shades of blue for Summer...

 Layer in an artisan feel

I love using wooden bowls and platters (collected from thrifting + clearance sections at fave home stores) for summer displays - great way to incorporate beads and shells into bookshelves and summer vignettes.

Layer in transitional texture

 Gotta love thrifting for baskets, especially at only .50 to 1.00 each! besides being fantastic storage pieces (especially for toys or extra throws) these add a natural layer of texture to your decor, no mater what season. i like to skip using them a season or two, which gives a refreshed feel to a space. They are also inexpensive enough to paint with a new finish.

Sneak Peek & Tip:

Since I'm no longer in a tropical climate, palm fronds are challenging to come by. Since it's so hot & dry outside, I've actually started to bring inside outdoor plants (think reverse winter protection!) Doing this plus checking out reduced price plants at local garden centers has brought a bit of our South Florida tropical lifestyle to our now southwest dwelling...

Display travel keepsakes

 These are some of the shells I've  collected over the years from walking South Florida beaches. Inside each bag is also a paper with location, which goes with shells no matter which container they are displayed in so I always know where they came from , and the story behind. The seagull feather I found when we took our (unknowingly) last walk on Hollywood Beach in 2009. The agate was from Quartsite, AZ earlier this year...

 Relate to water reflections

Add a little shine for summer with more silver pieces and mirrors...

 Give a new look to an old piece & existing books

I've had this terracotta pitcher since the 90's - It's been black, white, black again, and now a subtle two-tone wash in two shades of grey + a creamy off white. Turning books in reverse helps lighten their look + give texture to shelves & vignettes.

Accessory Update

 Pull together DIY paint projects - Get the mess done all in one day...

 Bring back the sparkle & shine!

Collect & empty all glass containers from around the house: Wash in a warm soapy bath to bring back their shine and you're ready to fill with fresh cut palm fronds, shells, sand or candles...

Save time & grief

 Why dull the glass shine pouring back & forth to get an even layer for two or more containers? Using measuring cups help ensure an even distribution for summer container fillers like sand.

You've got the visual and touch senses working - but don't forget to also pick up a refreshing summer scent. One of my fave clean & refreshing scents for both Spring & Summer is Eucalyptus Mint from Bath & Body Works. Speaking of clean - keep in mind how hard your AC is working to keep your home cool. Switch out air filters every 3-4 weeks during the summer. Help keep the heat minimized by closing blinds a little more during hours of direct sun + pull over window panels to help keep the heat out.

Sneak Peek at my Summer Remix - from a simple shift to shopping thrift...

Old Navy painted thrift buffet + Greek Key urn from Goodwill. The Ikat covered storage box from HomeGoods layers in more pattern and color into the space...

Existing pieces (old vases from HomeGoods) I refreshed with paint + a double-sided fabric placemat fabric print I cut and framed... 

 I really LOVE to repurpose items in new ways. The framed wall art were placemats, the large art is a tablecloth stretched over a canvas, and the tray (another HG find) was green - I painted blue and made a printed insert from a sheet.

Summer Living Room ReStyle...

I usually remix our home for Summer in May, but it was still cool enough to be outside and enjoy the weather. In mid June, temps started to rise, so I started my restyle by painting an existing thrift buffet Old Navy blue. I completed my summer restyle in my kitchen & living room for summer while cleaning over the weekend. Restyling your home for summer is a great way to help beat the heat while inside (temps here this weekend reached 122!! That's insane!) Hope these tips help inspire you to do a little remix for Summer...

Thanks for stopping by,