As Summer approches, I like to change a few accessories to celebrate the season.
Look around your house or purchase a few things that look good together and design a display. Nothing says “summer” better than shells! HomeGoods has some beautiful tall clear vases to fill with shells, sand, beach grass, reeds, bamboo, you name it… Summer is always too short. Enjoy it while you can.
1. Hi Cathy,
This summer display is beautiful! I love summer and all that comes with this exciting season.
Betty
by Betty — 5/11/07 at 5:17 pm #
2. Very nice, your are an inspiration.
by Tonya — 5/11/07 at 9:34 pm #
3. Cathy-your touch of summer is so pretty!!!! enjoy– i decorate my house summer all through the year–i like a light/airy/sunny look-especially in the winter- its cheerful. suzanne
by SUZANNE — 5/15/07 at 9:42 am #
4. This is wonderful! I was just thinking how great a summer arrangement like this would look inside of an in-wall niche or curio. I recently purchased two of each from http://www.wgwoodproducts.com and love them! I have plenty of seashells and other artifacts from my many trips to Florida and the Bahamas that I’ve packed away, now I know just what I’ll do with them. Thanks for the inspiration!
by Lauren [...] — 5/17/07 at 10:13 pm #
5. Hi Girls!
All of you look like me, I have destroyed the upstairs (bedrooms) and are redoing each. Any Suggestions with Americana, not clutterd. Navy and White Stripe Walll Papaer at the top and a faux finish on the bottom with an Americana Border to separate. My official business is faux painting, so that is not the issue. I want to add things but not become overwhelmed with the theme…suggestions?
by Karen [...] — 5/21/07 at 2:06 pm #
6. Cathy, the first thing that caught my eye about this display is the way each of the white objects stands out against the dark color in the background — it’s very dramatic! A good dose of contrast can work wonders to call attention to a beautiful item. I’m going to keep this in mind as I decorate my own home — thanks for the great example!
by Kathi — 5/22/07 at 3:48 am #
7. Being new to this site, I just wanted to say that I love having a place to look at other designers work. I also love to decorate for the seasons and summer is my favorite! I have tall vases filled with sand and seashells everywhere. I also like to use the tropical florals as part of the decor and I found some great red pillars that had great seashell ornaments tied around them, the perfect addition to my mantel! I am experimenting with a new camera so I hope to have pictures to add to comments soon. Lynn
by lynn — 5/24/07 at 5:59 pm #
8. Hi Karen,
Keep it simple and uncluttered. Move to more solid colors and textures in the fabrics. Maybe remove the border and paint a solid color stripe where the wallpaper border was. Repeat an element. Say, 3-5 red stars in a row on the wall above the bed or ??? Basically simplify and declutter for the “New Country” look. Sounds like you have a great start.
Hi Kathi,
You’ve got a good design eye to notice the principle of contrast. Always important not just with colors but textures and scale as well.
Hi Lynn,
Your ideas sound great. Please shows us when you can send pictures.
by Cathy — 5/29/07 at 8:09 pm #
9. Hi Cathy,
We just built a brand new patio home in southwest Florida..neeedless to say I have alot of decorating to do..it is almost overwhelming to me…I will return to Florida in October and hope to start another room in my house…I have almost finished my great room..which includes my kitchen dining area and livingroom space..I put white plantation shutters on all my windows in the house but have a large 8 foot glass patio door which opens up to my lanai..any suggestions for window door treatments for that? My colors are sand beige, white, aqua,and I would like to incorporate some green in the room too…beach colors and casual is what I am going for…I actually thought of painting the wall that the slider is on a contrasting color from the other walls in the room which are a sand color…I thought of perhaps doing a stripe effect on the wall in aqua and white..and perhaps putting those canvas like panels with the large gommets(holes) in them for hanging..what do you think..also about the colors..I look forward to your opinion….I also like using the glass containers and shells..we are not far from homegoods store in Venice Florida and Siesta key beach…let me know what you think Margie
by margie [...] — 6/11/07 at 9:14 am #
10. Hello Margie,
Your Florida home sounds very nice. I love the beach as well. A couple of ideas for your patio door…with your white shutters on all other windows, stay with the white windows by hanging an all white grommet-top patio panel of sailcloth, or light canvas hung from a long driftwood pole or a long chrome pipe or pole that was part of boat or ship construction. Paint the wall the aqua color you were thinking. (not a bright aqua, a grayed aqua) Repeat the aqua in throw pillows, accessories, etc. You also stated a stripe effect in aqua/white. Divide the wall in 1/3s. Top is sand (white),color, middle is aqua, bottom is sand. Extend those same colors and stripe pattern onto the drapery panel in fabric and on to the rest of the wall. You could also trim or band the edges of white drapery in the aqua color. Keep it simple and clean. Keep the “beach” kitch to a minimum. Let the “feel” of the room speak coastal, not the clutter. Just a few ideas to think about. Good Luck.
by Cathy — 6/11/07 at 2:26 pm #
11. Dear Cathy,
Thank you so much for all of the great ideas you gave me..I can’t wait to get back down there and decide exactly what to do with that wall the patio door is on..your ideas are great…I agree,more coastal look than cutesy beachy….I also have all tiled floors 17×17in laid on the diagonal in a earthtone beige color. I bought my ulpholostered pieces , coffee table, console table, end table at Ethan Allen..the tango collection a combo of white and a warm spice stain, I also have one rattan round table in the room..my bar stools are a white metal with an aqua ultra seude fabric on the seats (I love them) I have one other question for you..My master bedroom and den are off the greatroom, you can see in them from that room…all the walls in my home are currently painted the same sand color with white crown molding and trim…I feel I need some color introduced in these other rooms..any suggestions? My den has glass paned french doors that are placed on an angle leading into it so you can see in there as well..my master bedroom has an iron bed that I just purchased at the Bombay company and nothing else in the room yet..also 10 ft ceilings throughout the house..with a 12 ft tray ceiling in the entry foyer. Any ideas on color or furniture pieces for those rooms would be appreciated. I can’t wait to hear from you again..thank you so much…Margie
by margie [...] — 6/11/07 at 9:38 pm #
12. Hello Again Margie,
Your house sounds more beautiful, the more I hear. Can I come visit?? LOL.
I pulled out my Ethan Allen catalog to get a look at your furniture style.
Very nice and perfect for this house. Beach Chic but warm and inviting.
Your master bedroom and den are seen from your great room. The first thing that came to mind was… on the walls that are directly seen in the M.B. and D. from the great room, (maybe 1, or more, accent walls in each room) paint the same aqua seen in the main area of the house. As the eye travels around the great room space, it will pick up the areas of aqua in each room and tie the spaces together. Accent with some coral color in all rooms. I can see white linens on the bed with the aqua wall, coral trimmed pillows, warm wood side tables and dresser. Keep patterns to a minimum, add lots of texture. Your 12 ft. tray ceiling in the entry would be beautiful with an ” aqua sky” painted in the tray. Subtle clouds on a light aqua sky, maybe a small native bird flying in the scene. Its all in the details. I hope I’ve given you a few ideas to think about. Keep us “posted” on the progress. Send pictures if you can via “customer finds.” Write again soon, Cathy
by Cathy — 6/12/07 at 1:55 pm #
13. Wow Cathy,
I can’t believe you got back to me so soon…I thank you so much…the ideas you have given me are fantastic..my daughter Ali has been bugging me to incorporate some coral into the scheme of my home…I can’t believe you came up with that idea too..I won’t be back to florida until October but I will definately consider all the fantastic ideas I have gotten from you. I also love the mirror Alli created with starfish on her blog site….I have wanted something with shells or the like for my foyer..but everything I see in the shoppes around Venice Fla. are too expensive…..I am going to the HomeGoods store in Buffalo New York tomorrowthey are advertising a seaside style event that I would like to check out…I will let you know if I find any great pieces for my Florida house….once again thank you Margie
by margie [...] — 6/12/07 at 9:00 pm #
14. Your welcome Margie, I hope you find some great things at HomeGoods!
by Cathy — 6/14/07 at 11:15 am #
15. Cathy, since we’re on the topic of summer, could you give us some tips for “staging” the front porch for summer — that is, what to use to give a nice summery welcome to the entrance of one’s home. I notice that you use a wicker chair, a pretty pillow, and some nice potted plants. Could you give us some ideas for porch furniture, accessories, door hangings, etc? Thanks!
by Janice — 3/25/08 at 12:42 pm #
16. Hi Janice,
I’ll see what I can come up with…stay tuned!
by Cathy — 3/25/08 at 7:53 pm #
17. I won’t touch my dial! LOL
by Janice — 3/26/08 at 4:28 pm #
18. Janice, if you know what a dial is you must be old like me! LOLOLOL
by Cathy — 3/26/08 at 10:15 pm #
19. Yes, Cathy, older than dirt!!! LOL Seriously, isn’t it funny how certain words or phrases stick in our minds? You know, stuff like “ice box” instead of refrigerator, or in this case, “don’t touch that dial.” Speaking of age, do you ever get the feeling that you won’t get your house decorated the way you like in this lifetime! LOL Of course, you’ve pretty well got your home like you want it. When do you know WHEN you’re finished? Or, are we ever?
by Janice — 3/27/08 at 10:18 am #
20. Yes, Janice, age is just a number…but it sure sounds worse than it really is! LOL
No, you never get through decorating your home. There will always be changes and updates…so don’t get too comfortable…it won’t last long before things need changing again. But, that’s the fun of it for us decorateaholics. Don’t throw that paint brush away!
by Cathy — 3/27/08 at 12:01 pm #
21. Speaking of changes, when did you decide to go with the black, white and red theme? Have you always decorated with these colors or did the inspiration just come to you one day? Just curious.
by Janice — 3/27/08 at 2:14 pm #
22. Well, old age has really set in! I failed to mention something in my previous reply. Can you imagine that! LOL Since I plan to start working on the bedroom — the one with the wide window and the bed in front ot it, just wanted to ask a question. If I paint the wall behind the bed black, and use the white panels pulled back to reveal the bamboo blinds, do I want to use black banding on the panels — or leave them plain? Cathy, please reassure me again that black walls are the way to go. I’m getting scared! LOL
by Janice — 3/27/08 at 2:30 pm #
23. Beach House Sofa Throw Ideas??
Hi Y’all. Haven’t posted here before, but thought I would see if any of you had any feedback on ideas for throws for my sofa & loveseat. I live near the ocean, and am trying to decorate in a beach house/shabby chic kind of theme, without overdoing it. I have a white cotton overstuffed sofa & loveseat, but also have a long hair chihuahua that sheds as well as has mucky paws when we come back from walking on the beach. So as not to get my furniture dirty, I tend to keep my sofa & loveseat covered with throws. Do any of you have any throw ideas that will tie in with the nautical/beach/shabby chic theme?
P.S…If anyone has additional beach house decorating ideas, feel free to post those too. Thanx in advance for your comments.
by LaVonne — 3/27/08 at 6:09 pm #
24. Hello Janice,
I ‘m drawn to high contrast colors, I guess. I love the way they play off of each other. Shapes, and colors are crisp, clean and clear. Black and white are opposite neutrals, any color goes with them, or they can stand on their own. They are never dated. The accent colors…red yellow,and green I use, can be easily changed or deleted. So I think you decorate with colors you’re comfortable with and are drawn to. It’s personal taste. Not everyone can live with stronger colors. I like the drama and interest they create.
Your guestroom question…. Don’t whimp out on my now with the one black wall. Most of that wall is window and white drapes, (you can add the black banding or leave plain), so, the black wall will seem more like a MAT on a picture…a frame or backdrop. You’ll love it WHEN the room is put together. It may scare you when you just see the wall by itself…PUSH THROUGH YOUR FEAR and go for it. It will be so dramatic and will look so sharp. It’s only paint, and heaven forbid, you whimp out…you can paint it back and play it safe. (Now, you’re not one to play it safe are you?) I didn’t think so! LOL
Use a flat or low sheen for the black wall. Is your trim a white color? It will look great. Let me know when you get the room put together. I don’t want to know if you whimp out? LOL.
by Cathy — 3/28/08 at 1:04 pm #
25. I promise I won’t whimp out. This is the gal who painted her kitchen walls red, remember? LOL I will admit, however, the it scared me to death to do that — but now I just love it. You asked about the trim in the bedroom. Actually, it’s a woodtone, and the walls are ivory. I, too, have always been drawn to high contrast colors. I’m the kid in kindergarten who always went for the red or lime green crayons. LOL I don’t like muted colors, in any colors — just the bright, pure colors. Took me a long time to figure that out because when everyone was in love with dusty blue and mauve, I was the one who wanted red. Back to the black bedroom wall. I like to change out things a lot — like throw pillows, etc. If I should get tired of using the black and white damask pillows (and the red ones) on the bed, would my black throw pillows with the lush green banana leaf foliage still work on the bed, if I changed out the pictures and accessories? I just love lime green and especially love those pillows. But as I told you before, I don’t have any more of the tropical fabric. Since the black pillows have a touch of mango in them, I have a set of mango-colored sheets that I had planned to use with them, with the coverlet pulled back to reveal the sheets. I love a layered look, especially with contrasting fabrics. But, back to the point. There’s no way the white fabric panels would work, if ever I changed out to this look, is there? I’d still want to use the bamboo blinds, but since I have no more of the tropical print fabric which the pillows are made of, the only way I know to make this work is to put a lime green or mango border on the white panels — but that wouldn’t work, would it? — especially with the black wall. As you can see, I want to have my cake and eat it too! I just wish I knew a way to have two looks, with the white coverlet and black wall. Is there another scenario you could describe, using the colors of lime green or mango? It’s so difficult having two decorating personalities! LOL
by Janice — 3/28/08 at 2:11 pm #
26. Cathy, I am so sorry to post again but I just had a “decorating vision.” Why couldn’t I keep the black wall, and find lime green sheets (two twin size flat ones) which are so popular today, and use them for the drapery panels. Could I use black banding on the edges of the sheets to tie them in with the walls, and the green and black in the throw pillows. Perhaps I could use another sets of sheets for the bed, pulled back from the white coverlet, of course. Is this “a plan” or totally stupid? What would you change?
I’m so glad LaVonne is here. I was beginning to feel like the Lone Ranger. I know you will give her some good advice. Thanks again.
by Janice — 3/28/08 at 3:26 pm #
27. Hello LaVonne,
Welcome to the site. So glad you joined us.
You asked about keeping your white sofas clean but you have dogs that want to get on them with hair and dirty feet…
To keep the FEEL of the white sofas in the room, you might buy 2 heavy white sheets, and throw those over the sofas. Tuck them in a little so they don’t look so wild. Then your dogs can enjoy the sofas, and when they get dirty just take off the sheets and toss them in the washer with some bleach and put them back over your sofas. When company comes over just take the sheets off all together and you’ll have your clean sofas to enjoy. This way your sofas will always look white in your room without the distraction of a lot of mismatched throws over them. You could add some nautical/beachy looking pillows on them to hide the sheet a little.
Does anyone else have some additional ideas for LaVonne? We’d love to hear. Check back, LaVonne, I bet we’ll hear more.
by Cathy — 3/28/08 at 4:31 pm #
28. Janice, you’re going to have to decide which color scheme you want…black, white, red or black, lime, mango??? I don’t think I would go with the lime drapes on the black wall, too intense. The white drapes with a lime banding would be better. Keep your lime and mango as accents to your white and black if you go that way. You could get the lime sheets for the bed with the white cover. Add in your lime tropical print pillows and an accent of the mango. Sure it could work. I do like your black, white and red very much too. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!!!
by Cathy — 3/28/08 at 10:53 pm #
29. Cathy, you are so right. I need to stick with my black, white and red color scheme. And, I’m going with the original plan — the black wall, white coverlet, black and white damask pillows, and a touch of red. It’s just that I get distracted sometimes or something pretty appeals to me, and I want to change horses in the middle of the stream, if you know what I mean. Thanks for keeping me on track. Yesterday, I attended an auction I got a deal of two buffet lamps with “silvery” bases and black and white toile shades — very pretty. I won’t use them in the bedroom I’m trying to decorate, but will find a spot somewhere in the house for these. I knew I couldn’t go wrong because they’re in “my colors.” I could decorate another bedroom and use these lamps there. I’m trying to resist purchasing anything that isn’t in my color sceheme. Is it ever permissible to use lamps on a bathroom vanity, especially one that is large and has double sinks, and the vanity is black? Just wondering.
by Janice — 3/31/08 at 10:34 am #
30. Hi Janice,
Yes, I think you should stay in your black, white. red color scheme as well. The whole house will blend nicely, especially if it’s a smaller house.
Maybe use your tropical floral on a patio or front porch. It sound’s like you got some great lamps. Yes you can use lamps on a bathroom vanity.
Make sure you plug them into an outlet that has a GFI on it…ground fault interupters. So you won’t get shocked if they get wet. It sounds like everything is coming together nicely. Keep moving along!
by Cathy — 3/31/08 at 6:07 pm #
31. Yes, I’ll stick to black, white and red for the inside. I just love those tropical floral pillows and didn’t want to abandon them to the closet. The porch will be a perfect place for them. While here, I wanted to share a neat decorating idea I discovered. In the kitchen, the homeowner had hung black picture frames on her walls, in a grouping of three, one above the other. They were probably wooden frames she had painted black. The glass had been removed and inside each frame was a black and white toile cup suspended from a cup hook, which was attached to a black ribbon, which was hanging from the top of the frame. This was adorable on her red walls! Of course, a plate could be substituted for the cup. It reminded me of the idea you posted about putting seashells in the center of old picture frames. It amazes me that so many of the cutest ideas are so affordable, and downright cheap to copy in one’s own home. That reminds me of the shower curtain I’m thinking about making from a full size white sheet. It is the full size I need — right, Cathy? I know a standard shower curtain is 72 inches by 72 inches. I appreciate your letting me know what type clips to use to hang it — but what about the liner? Does it get “clipped” with the sheet? I’m so anxious to start this project but I still have painting to do, etc. I’ll have to live to be 100 to accomplish everything! LOL
by Janice — 4/1/08 at 1:19 pm #
32. Cathy, please check out my comments under the Pillow Passion topic. Thanks!
by Janice — 4/1/08 at 5:02 pm #
33. Janice,
The Tea cups in the frames sound adorable! The plates would be really cute too. Or anything that could be set-off by a frame. Yes, such cute ideas for very little money. Thanks for sharing that.
I did write you back about your shower curtain on one of the posts…sorry I forgot which one. I’ll find it and let you know. Yes, the full size sheet should have a nice “fullness” for the curtain. I wrote about the rings and liner as well. I’ll rewrite if I can’t find it. You are a busy lady, but that’s the fun of decorating…always changes to be made.
by Cathy — 4/1/08 at 5:07 pm #
34. Thanks Janice,
I saw your comment in Pillow Passion. All of the comments appear in my e-mail . So, if I’m on top of of it, I usually can go straight to your comments to answer. (Sometimes they get away from me or I miss one ,once in a while… signs of a “too busy” life.) But , I’ll keep trying!
by Cathy — 4/1/08 at 10:45 pm #