Summer Outdoor Decor Themes
How you grillin’?
Summertime often evokes memories of memorable vacations or daydreams of aspirational trips you want to take someday soon. Whether you dream of spending the summer on Nantucket or taking a holiday to the Amalfi Coast, you can incorporate some inspired accessories to create relaxing summer vibes while you’re at home. Read on for summer decor themes you can include in your outdoor space to help you feel like you’re on vacation when you’re in your own backyard.
Classic New England Summer
Whether you enjoy spending time on Nantucket, the Vineyard, or the Cape, these New England destinations are reminiscent of classic, Americana summertime. So host a clambake this summer, and fill your backyard with a red, white and blue color scheme. Incorporate understated nautical elements, such as classic navy and white stripes, and natural elements, such as wicker and rattan to create a relaxed atmosphere where you and your guests can kick up your feet and enjoy the cool breeze.
Italian Holiday
Bring a taste of southern Italy to your backyard if your upcoming travel plans don’t include a jaunt to the Amalfi Coast. Fill your outdoor living space with outdoor upholstery in lemon yellow and white and sophisticated black and white. Arrange terracotta planters throughout the area, oversized umbrellas and Italian-style pottery. Create a menu filled with fresh Aperol spritzes and plenty of lemon-flavored dishes.
A Palm Springs Getaway
Palm Springs is a mid-century modern haven. An outdoor living space filled with modern shapes, sleek silhouettes and bold colors will create Palm Springs vibes in your backyard. Incorporating plenty of citrus-colored hues, such as lemon, lime and peach will beckon you and your guests to kick off your sandals and enjoy your cocktails from retro highball glasses.
California Cool
Create California casual vibes in your backyard by filling it with neutral and natural-hued furniture. Creating an inviting and comfortable vibe with plenty of neutral soft yet durable outdoor fabrics will create a laid-back vibe. Wicker and rattan outdoor furniture, terracotta planters and vines adorning the exterior will all contribute to the overall vibe.
Sun-Soaked Island Retreat
A Bahamas-inspired atmosphere will make the everyday feel like an island escape. Lean on shades of pink, baby blue and white for your inspiration. Rattan, wicker, cane and Chippendale furniture will contribute to the overall island spirit. Incorporate pineapple accents to complete the island vibes.
Punchy Palm Beach
Bring Palm Beach’s colorful southern Floridian style to your own home. Embrace the 60’s-inspired colorful style with plenty of bright shades of tangerine, robin’s egg blue, kelly green and sunshine yellow. Furniture adorned with chinoiserie and Chippendale patterns, rattan furniture and vintage dishware will invite you to kick off your shoes and enjoy an alfresco cocktail hour every evening this summer.
If your summer plans involve staying local, creating your dream vacation setting in your backyard will help you have a taste of travel every time you go outside.
Build Your Own At-Home Mailing System!
Build Your Own At-Home Mailing System!
As the school year comes to a close, the excitement of summer vacation approaches. But with this excitement comes the added task of entertaining the kiddos while they’re out of school. Yes, the summer is filled with sunshine and outdoor activities, but on the occasional surprise rainy day, you’re left scrambling.
Worry no more! This fun, affordable activity is the perfect way to stretch your kiddos’ imaginations with minimum mess and minimum effort!
What You’ll Need
String (and lots of it)*
Paper clips or clothespins
Paper
Pens, pencils and anything in between
Let’s Get Crafting!
Step One: Measure It Out!
Choose which two rooms you’d like your mail system to run between. Next, identify a point in the room that you can anchor your string to—a bed post or a doorknob typically work well for this. Measure the distance from Point A and Point B and double it and add three inches of excess. Measure and cut this length of your string.
Step Two: Tie It Up!
Wrap your string around your anchor points and tie it in a tight knot. This should form one giant circle of yarn. Test out the pulley system. Once you’re certain the string will move around the two anchor points, cut off the excess string.
Step Three: Send It Off!
Write notes, draw pictures, doodle out a game of hangman. Get creative! Using either a paperclip or a clothespin, attach your message to the top string. Pull the bottom string until you feel the string catch. Your message will easily arrive at your companion’s door!
*Your string should be sturdy and able to withhold the friction of being pulled between two anchor points. Yarn and fishing line are going to be your best bet.