One of the simplest ways to
renew the look of any room in your maison is to add a dash of color. LivingEtc has a handful of quick tips that
they say will "bring a room bang up to date," and give "an all white scheme" attitude:
- Line curtain panels with "a hint of luxurious colored silk."
- "Wrap chair legs in colored paper."
- Offset "a group of monochrome ornaments with a colored one."
- "Paint just part of a piece of furniture, leaving the rest white," and carry the color throughout the room by using it for lampshade trim or a cushion.
- Paint a simple stripe in one corner to add depth to the room.
- Line a cabinet with "brightly patterned fabric or wallpaper," and "use complementary accessories to pull the whole look together."
Source
Having a vibrant home is crucial to an
endless Summer. For some, that may translate to kids running through the house wet from a sprinkler, and others, a fresh coat of paint and some perky new throw pillows. But, I try not to always advocate consumerism because it really shouldn't be necessary to buy, buy, buy with each new season.
You can't have an
endless Summer if your house looks like it's ready for a blizzard; you and your home should live and breathe the warm season until the leaves turn. So, if you've got a fireplace in your home, get to work and clean it. Store your fireplace tools and logs out of sight until next season.
If you're still saving your pennies for some large art pieces, but you want to make a dramatic splash in your home right now, consider placing a smaller photo or painting (or, as in this case, a
silhouette) in a larger frame. You can find wooden frames at flea markets or yard sales, and a coat of paint will transform a dated frame into a piece that pops on your wall. And given the intentional use of small art/big frame, you don't have to worry about matting or glass.
Finding it hard to sleep on these hot August nights. To keep cool in a house without air conditioning, try this trick. Pop your pillow in a plastic bag, then stick it in your freezer.
