Part of the fun of growing summer flowers out in the garden is to cut and arrange beautiful bouquets for inside the home. My grandmother had an amazing cutting garden filled with her favorite flowers. I loved snipping their blooms with her and watching her use a favorite vase or tureen to arrange them. She…
Viewing Summer
Ideas for Enjoying an Outdoor Summer Evening
It’s June and what means cozy to me this month is enjoying an outdoor summer evening. Finally the nights are warm enough to be outside well past sunset. And when you’re out past dark, you need a bit of lighting in the garden. Here are some great ideas for illuminating your nights. (This post contains…
Freshen Up with 11 Summer Decorating Ideas
Summer is my favorite season, hands down! The days are long, the sun is warm, and summer decorating is free and easy. Here’s 11 home decor ideas to freshen your home for this wonderful time of the year. If you’re feeling ambitious, consider painting your entryway a sunny yellow. Entries are generally smaller rooms so…
Garden Swing Ideas for Summer Enjoyment
Who can resist a garden swing on a gorgeous summer day? I know I can’t. Swinging under a big shady tree is a great way to cool off, and I’ll bet you’ve got the perfect spot in your yard to enjoy this simple pleasure. Here’s a few outdoor swing ideas that are perfect for adults…
Mini Summer Vacation: Starved Rock
Do you ever forget about special places that are located near you? I know I do. I decided to rectify this by visiting nearby places that I’ve neglected over the years. Even a day trip can feel like a mini summer vacation. So last weekend we went to Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois…
A Rocking Chair for Every Porch
You know, I realized my circa 1875 house does not have rocking chair on the front porch. Yes, there is a porch swing out there but I feel somehow it’s missing something. When you think of an Americana style porch, don’t you immediately envision rocking chairs? Like this pretty red one on a Southern…
Style Showcase #37: Summer Fun
Today’s Style Showcase is filled with summer fun and decorating ideas. I’m especially intrigued by Kim’s summer lawn activities and plan to jot down ideas from her blog at Sand and Sisal. Take a look at what else is on today’s docket. Click the link above each photo for more information! Town & Country Living…
10 Summer Activity Ideas That Don’t Include Sand
When you think of summer, you ultimately think of the beach. And while the beach is certainly a lot of fun, there are a number of other summer activity ideas that can be enjoyed without getting sand glued to your body. (This post contains affiliate links.) 1. Enjoy an outdoor picnic with an old-fashioned…
Friday Finds #4: Summer Love
Does anyone else step outside into the warmth of the day and immediately smile and feel inspired? That’s what season does to me. The abundance of flowers, greenery, and nature in general fills my soul to overflowing! It’s summer love. This week I managed to get a bit more planting done around the pond. I…
Summer Dining and Table Settings
Do you enjoy al fresco dining with the sounds of nature providing a little background music? If you’re a little reluctant to eat with the bugs, maybe these summer dining ideas and table settings will coax you to sup outside. (This post contains affiliate links.) Even if you don’t have a designated outdoor dining…
How to Add Summer Textile to Any Room
Normally we think of the fall season as the time to start adding pillows, blankets, and other textiles to our home. But don’t forget about the warmer months! See how to add summer textile to any room to create a comforting vibe – like this dining room with white linen slipcovers on the chairs. Photo…
Sweet Little Courtyard Deck and Adorable She Shed
Yesterday I visited our local nursery and garden center and it got me thinking about ways to improve my outdoor spaces. This in turn inspired me to share this sweet little courtyard deck and she shed in Alabama. Photo by Kayla Stark The focal point of this courtyard style yard, in my opinion, is…
Summer in the Country: Farm Dinner
August is one of my favorite months of the year. Flowers are bursting with color, farm fields are overflowing with their goodness, and fireflies light up the warm skies. I love all the sights, sounds, and scents of summer in the country where the suburban sprawl meets the Illinois prairies. Today is the first…
Summer Neutrals Home Tour: 2019
This week is summer home tour week for me and my blogging friends. Truth be told, I wasn’t quite sure how to infuse summer into my darker rooms that we painted this past winter, but I found a way to make dark summer neutrals work. Welcome to those of you coming here from Love,…
Cabin Inspiration: Sweet Summertime
I’m in the mood for some homes with cabin inspiration! Apparently the month of May decided to stay in bed and April had to do double-duty. Too many cool rainy days! But now, June has arrived and we’ve got warmer sunny days which is putting me in total summer camp mode. Photo by Goose Creek…
A Touch of Nature for Summer Decorating
All month I’ve been obsessed with nature and spending time outdoors. I planted my pond and started work on a new shade garden. Unfortunately our spring has been rainy and cloudy and I’m not getting as much outdoor time as I’d like. That might be the reason why I’m craving nature right now. So on…