personalizing my home for summer

Do you restyle and refresh your home for each season? 

Well, summer’s definitely here, and it’s probably the easiest season to incorporate into our décor. I love to play up the summer motifs in my own home with fun accessories and other things I love. In my foyer, I’ve created a beach-ready coastal look for summer.

Summer hats are on standby with our favorite beach tote and towels. A rustic sea fan mounted on a distressed wood panel plays nicely with our vintage turquoise hall tree, and an inexpensive Jassa seagrass rug from Ikea brings in another natural element, and can be easily changed out in the fall.

In the family room, I updated one small wall with a few of my favorite blue and white plates mounted in a free-form display. Blue and white decor is a one of my favorite ways to brighten up my home for summer. 

The classic combination of white and vibrant blue reminds me of summertime at the Mediterranean and conjures up visions of the iconic white and blue architecture in Santorini, Greece. Nothing says summer like the blue of the ocean, so why not incorporate it where you can? 

I’ve been collecting plates since I was a teenager. I think I have an innate passion for pretty transferware plates and love to use them to set a lovely table or to accent a wall or vignette. Once in a while I do swap out a few so my collection doesn’t get out of hand. The key is to collect what you love. It’s so fun to play with different patterns and tones of blue, especially for a tablescape. 

Collecting plates and dishes is a great start way to start collecting blue and white. You can find them virtually anywhere, from estate sales, to Ebay, to Home Goods, to high-end boutiques and department stores. I'm always on the hunt! 

It's really fun to mix and match elements and create that perfect "summer" look.

For this table setting, the casual stripes and gingham remind me of summer picnics and barbecues. A fun succulent arrangement and seashell accented placemats bring to mind fun times spent at the beach. Remember to decorate with what you love and what makes you smile! 

Blue and white is a tried-and-true combination, and so versatile. It can be styled as super-fancy or casual, and it's really a stunning look all year long!  It’s practically a new neutral, like denim. 

The great thing about blue and white is it pairs beautifully with just about any other color. Sunflowers have just come into season here in Southern California, and pairing them with blue and white is a match made in heaven!

If you’re not sure of your sense of style, it’s ok to copy people you admire. There are also great resources, such as Havenly and their group of interior designers, that can help to find your favorites! A little bit of one or two of your favorite designers combined with a little touch of your favorite blogger, and you’ll come through with your own personal style. Just remember to follow your heart!

ciao! fabiana

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While I’m here today, I wanted to share some of my "Tablescaping Essentials" with you. I have a whole page on the Amazon website with my favorite picks for setting a beautiful table.

Quite often time is of the essence, and I have last minute projects or events to work on, so I turn to Amazon for one or two day delivery. You’d be surprised at how many amazing items they have to offer! And I'm constantly updating this page with my new favorites. 

You can check it out here, at “Tablescaping Essentials”.