inspiration photos House Beautiful
Some people are summer house people. Some are fall or winter house people. Others of us are a mixture and like our homes to flow effortlessly from season to season. And sometimes, we prefer a particular season but our homes seems better suited to another.
It is interesting with me at my own home these days, I am still trying to find that balance of everything I love. I am enjoying the fun of lightening things up somewhat since moving from my English Tudor, but I am still trying to keep elements of “coziness.”
I don’t want a summer house but I am not wanting a fall or winter house either. I want an “all season house.”Is that too much to ask? I want it cozy in the winter, airy in the summer time. That last sentence made me think about that saying about mullets, “Business in the front, party in the back.” Not sure how that correlation popped into my head, but it is late as I am writing this and sometimes I get a little loopy when I write late at night.
Really there is no correlation to mullets, because I want rooms in my house to flow effortlessly from summer to fall, and mullets are kind of abrupt from one level to the next. Wow, I really shouldn’t write at night any more. I must need some sleep cause this is getting way off course.
{pause to refocus my thoughts}
{deep breath, moving on}
This home from House Beautiful has a really nice mix that could go from season to season quite easily. It is still beachy in style but not too light, delicate or feminine. You’ll notice that they have black railings like I do! But, my staircase will not look that classy until we remove our carpet. The black with the white definitely helps keep a balance in the home!
I think homes with lots of texture, a mix of painted and wood furniture, pops of color and seasonal accessories can easily flow from summer to fall to winter and spring. And those are just the layers that I am trying to have in my own home!
So which season is reflected in YOUR house?
And maybe equally as revealing, how do you feel about mullets?
images House Beautiful
The main part of my house, living, dining room hallways feels like fall. There are a lot of earthy colours and dark wood. It feels really cozy, but I would love to lighten it up. I love the summer beach house look, but I’d have to replace a lot of my furniture to achieve that. I am in the process of re-doing my bedroom, I painted it a really light blue and added white furniture and pastel bedding. I really like the light feeling. Even if I can’t have this summery feeling in my whole house, at least I have the one little summery oasis.
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I love the summer look and I tend to gravitate to it and the colors associated with it. Great post!
First off I am very amused by mullets, even just the word mullet is funny! I can’t tell you how many times I spy a good one and so want to whip out the iPhone and take a picture and post it on FB or something. Then something inside of me says “you are mean!” so I don’t do it. You really have me pondering what season my house reflects. Lately discontent b/c I have that look in my head and so many things I want to do! I need to adjust that attitude and be thankful for all the beauty I do have! Easier said than done!
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I get loopy late at night as well.
I totally (I say totally like I’m a valley girl or something…and I’m totally not) understand where you’re coming from on the whole “what season is your home”???? I absolutely LOVE the look of all white rooms, but I don’t want an all white room in the winter….it makes me cold just thinking about it. My bedroom, I love the darker blue I have on the walls…….and to make it look summery, I just layer lots of white all over our bed.
I really like the last picture you have shown, it seems to me that’d it fit in with any season.
Have a lovely day!
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Wow, I never really put much thought into it before, but my house is definitely fall. Think Mumbai. It’s cozy in the winter and I pull the dark blinds to keep out the light on this blistering summer heat we have (yes, in Ontario, Canada!).
From where I come from, it’s tropical weather year long, so houses have that summery feel in decor.
But I think decor can be made to evolve with seasons, by playing with the fabrics and choice of accessories. Light and gauzy v/s warm and cozy, fresh bright colors v/s muted ones.
You made me laugh with the mullet! I confess to having had that haircut and having loved it=)
Fall! And I love it. The colors work great for the holidays, but I can add a few summer accessories – beige shells, lots of greenery, and light candles for summer.
A close friend and family member both have summer-inspired houses, and those tend to be my favorite rooms. I always wonder why I never choose those colors when I shop for myself because I love their homes.
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Now that I think about it, my house is starting to take on a summery style, which I love. I do, however, like all of the seasons….especially fall (at least weather-wise) and I wish that I could incorporate all seasons into my decor. I suppose there are things that you can re-arrange for the seasons to change up the decor a bit, but my underlying colors and palettes are definitely in the cool, light family.
My previous condo actually had more of a fall/winter feel with warm beiges and reds and other earth tones. Perhaps I just wanted to try something different in our new house….but in truth, I think it had a lot to do with lighting. The condo had floor-to-ceiling windows with lots of natural light, while the house had a canopy of trees and warmer (close to dark) colors on the walls. My natural instinct must have been to infuse the space with light, which was easiest through wall colors.
Thanks for bringing up this topic. It is interesting to think about why you make the decisions that you do and how it evolves over time. I haven’t been through all of the seasons yet in this new place, so we will see if I am able to incorporate a little of each season into the decor as I go.
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I would like to think I’m a seasonal decorator. But the reality is I gravitate towards fall and winter colors, rich in tone and texture. I’m so thrilled we’re just days away from September!
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i am a summer beach cottage girl all the way! my soul longs for the ocean and until i can live there, i will just pretend. would it be too much to add a wave pool to my back yard?
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My house definitely reflects fall. The main floor includes hues of red, brown, burnt orange and green. Mmm, my favorite season and my favorite colors!
Houses *can* be like mullets… business in the front, party in the back… at least my house is like that..
The front rooms are tidy and neat.. when I open my door, everything looks pulled together (all business)…
However, moving to the back of the house…where the kid’s bedrooms are along with the bonus room, looks like a PARTY all the time.. Complete mess…
So YES, I say houses can be like mullets!
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What was your post about again?? All I can think of is mullets for some reason.
OK, I do want an all-season house I think, but I love coziness. My house doesn’t make any sense right now – too many different things going on. So I’ll try to keep this in mind as I fix things up.
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This post subject is SO GOOD!! I just loved reading about this and thinking about it all.
Very fun post, thank you.
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Our house definitely lends itself more towards a cozy fall & winter feel. All of our doors and trim are stained wood, so the wall colors are also warmer tones.
I do want to lighten up the living room, which is currently a pumpkin/red sponge painted texture, and also houses the wood stove & brick hearth. So I will be looking for some inspiration to steer me in a new direction!
I have warm dark colours in my home… does that make my home a FALL… AUTUMN???
Our house is definitively Autumn/Winter. We live in an area that is generally perceived as a Winter destination. Also the local architecture is encouraging that inclination. A summer house would look entirely out of place!
As for the mullet? As a child of the 80s I have this to say: no comment! lol!
I have warm colors and I also have some rooms with brighter and cooler colors. But that’s not what makes my home being seasonal decorated. The Home Decor and Accents are what I am using to make my rooms looking like the accordingly season. E.g. throws, pillows, blankets or any other decorative items with a seasonal design I change 4 times a year. In this way I never grow tired to the way my rooms are decorated.
I think anyone into decorating is into switching it up with the seasons. We are never satisfied are we with just one look? Right now everything is airy here, with summer but I can’t wait till fall to go cozier and warmer. I think our moods dictate not only our decorating style but for me my “scent” style. I love scents if any kind! Summer I burn Lemon Verbena or something light and herbal; but winter puts me in the mood for Pine or Pachouli.
Very inspiring blog! It made me think what to change in my room since I will be redecorating my bedroom into a home office (with my bed in it, making it as a sofa), while maintaining on the shade of greens and whites in it. I can’t wait to show my mom your website…. to be inspired once again! Thanks!
I would classify my decorating as spring/summer – I have neutral color (beige) sofas and chairs, and have blue & white pillows, and chinoiserie items throughout my living room. The little actual wooden furniture in the house are small side tables or accent tables, and they are black.
In north Texas, we are warm most of the year, so it definitely makes sense to decorate for warmer weather. In winter, I just add a couple of afghans on the couch, and we’re all set for some cozy winter evenings.
The only time I really decorate for a season is for Christmas, and my Christmas decorations are in blue, white and silver, so not a big change.
As for mullets? Hated them back then, hate them now
At the moment I’m still on summer. And for the first time in my life, I want to stay right here. But I think I’ll give in and move the house toward the warmth of fall sometime in the next week or two. At least the kitchen for sure.
Oh I definitely change my home for the seasons! I have very neutral furniture (cream sofa etc. so can change the look with pillows, throws etc. My walss are all kinda Fall colors but I can lighten up the rooms in Spring and summer with accessories. Right now I have incorporated shell pillows, shells etc. for summer but soon they will all be packed away for Fall! As for mullets, I had a kina modified version, I guess you would say. I look at pics and GROAN!!!! My hair will always be short now:):) XO, Pinky
Melissa,
I’ve been somewhat on the same page…I always considered myself more of a fall/winter person and I believe my house reflected that. Now, for some reason, I seem to want a more seasonless feel…I’ll always add punches to my decor that relates to the seasons but I’m painting lighter colors on the walls and streamlining some of the details.
BTW, Carolyn Epsey-Miller’s beach house (the HB home you are showing) could make a convert out of me…if I had this house I could go the way of the beach-look and never look back!
Karen
I would like to think that my home works in all seasons….but it most like a fall home….I have a little cottage to help keep my life a little bit more like spring and summer. =)
Love the black and white staircase.
I love fall though my house is very summery and always has been. I have never NOT had blues and grays and some pink and some yellows. I Don’t do earth tones and when I think about it, neither do I in my clothing. Hmmm.
I ADORE your blog and look forward to your posts. If you are ever in the area, stop by and visit mine@ myoldcountyhouse.blogspot.com
I am struggling with my blog name and could use some expert feedback. Thanks !
Our home does an okay job of transitioning, I think, but maybe that’s because we’re on a slow remodel plan and are constantly in transition. Living near Seattle, I need color inside, though, so no matter what season it is in, I have lots of color inside. Some neutrals but a lot of primary colors that transition well, too.
Yesterday I read a guest post at Tip Junkie about discovering your color palette. And the post reminded me (not in words) that I have enjoyed a warm buttery yellow of various tones or intensities since I was a teen. And the ONLY time I have ever decorated with that color was when I decorated my bedroom as a teen. I think it’s time for me to revisit the color of my roots. And…it would be transitional…perfect for every season with a few accessory changes. A balance for the seasons. And definitely no Mullet!!
I’ve been a decorating Rip Van Winkle in my own home. Glad I finally woke up!!!!!! However, I DID have a dream sometime recently…did you post a pic of a buttery sofa? That was a good dream, one I’ll remember.
Ah Mullets! Do wonders never cease?
I think my home has a Fall personality; and er…uhm… also a Lil’ Ol Granny personality. I don’t have a mullet and I’m not a lil’ ol’ granny . But I do have her furniture and accessories!
This is good post.
~ make it a good one.
Pat
“Business in the front, party in the back!” Love that statement!!! Sorry, gonna borrow it. I personally love my main living spaces to be serene and peaceful with the holidays bringing the accessories…my party in the back is through every open door. Every other room exhibits it’s own personality. It gives me space to play.
~Kristin
Oh my, just the word mullet makes me laugh. I would like a beautiful home regardless of what season it reflects. I am a decorating lop at this point, but am wanting to learn.
I think all seasons are reflected in my home. But another chapter is about to start in my life. I’m relocating to another state. And I’ll have a little blue Cape Cod to be the next cozy little house.
Brenda
any reason to mention mullets is worth taking advantage! and any opportunity to repeat the post….also a carpe diem moment !! (btw – mullets, HUGEly popular in Shanghai! with greg brady perms on the top and everything!!)