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Summer House Tour

Hello everybody! I’m so glad you are here. I hope you are having a great Monday! I’m excited because I’m joining in Gina’s Summer House Tour! If you are just stopping by from Nester’s, WELCOME!

Even though we are still a few weeks away from the official start of summer, I’ve been starting the gradual evolution towards preparing my house for the warmer season. Now that might make it sound like I have had nothing more to do that just putter around all day getting the house all pretty for summer. IF ONLY! Ha! That would be my DREAM weekend right there. But alas, no.

In my usual fashion of attempting to do ALL THE THINGS at the same time (why, ha!), we are now preparing to move (if you missed the news, you can catch up here.) SO, yeah, kinda doing a bit more than just puttering around making things pretty. But nesting is my hobby and my therapy so even when I’ve got lots to do to keep life rolling, I love slowing down to show some love to at least one corner of my house. It’s a good thing for me! In those especially crazy seasons, when I’m decluttering like a mad woman and my house is a complete mess, restoring order and prettiness to at least part of the house lets me feel more at peace so I can take a deep breath and keep on going.

I’ll admit I am pretty sad about leaving my house (should we proceed to move as we think we will). We’ve worked so hard on making it feel like home and while I knew all along that this might not be our forever home, I grew to love it enough to be perfectly content to stay, should we decide that was the right thing to do. We’ve already lived here longer than in any other home, so I definitely feel settled and comfortable and in my dreams I’d be here forever.

A new non-custom construction house was a blank slate for us, so we’ve really enjoyed seeing it transformed into a home. The journey to make this house our home wasn’t always easy though and many times I felt like we were going at a snail’s pace (and sometimes at a standstill!), but when I look around at my house today after six years of TLC I know that each corner represents a part of our story, reflects a bit of ourselves and is prettier than when we started. Moving always feels like we are leaving a little bit of ourselves behind but I know I learned many lessons in this house that I will take with me wherever we go.

I’ll be sharing more soon, but for now, let’s talk about SUMMER decorating! Pretend the sun is out, OK?

Summer House Tour

This little green table was found at a local flea market awhile back and I knew right away I would find a place for it so it came home with me. I especially love the unique legs. As I was dusting the entry last week I had an idea, what if I took my Turkish towel from the wing back in the dining room and tried it on this table? I was so tickled when I thought of it (I always get pretty excited when I think of a new way to arrange or use things I already have) that I ran over and picked it up to try it immediately. Sure enough, I love it for a fresh summery look! I’m all about the little rope tassels and the green stripes, too.

A few weeks ago I was in the mood to “shake up the house” a bit and moved the giant shell from the family room to the entry table. I had never tried the shell anywhere else (I’m not sure why!) but I loved it in the entry as a bold summer statement as you enter the front door.

Summer House Tour

While the sun has been out periodically and it’s even been warm already this season, we aren’t really in full summer mode here until mid-July into early Fall. It still gets a little chilly on cloudy days. It was really dark out the other day and it looked like it might rain, so I was chuckling to myself as I was “summerizing” the house and taking pics while wearing a sweater. :) For cozier summer evenings I’m keeping one blanket over the sofa, just in case. I think it will come in handy.

Summer House Tour

But in spite of the cloudiness outside, I was excited to bring a little sunshine inside with a couple of yellow pillows. I love yellow. I also was pretty thrilled because my peonies are blooming! Ever since we moved in, I dreamed of a little cutting garden in my backyard and I finally have one! I have roses, peonies, hydrangeas, daisies and more. I’ll be showing you more of my secret garden and other yard projects in the upcoming weeks (you can see a sneak peek of it outside my family room window in the next pic!).

Summer House Tour

Now, speaking of shaking up the house, I did a little furniture rearranging. At Christmas time when we had family visiting, I moved these white painted rattan chairs from the kitchen into the family room to offer more seating during the holidays. I thought it might be a fun change even for the summer since the chairs are so light and airy, so I brought them back in and put the trellis wingback in the kitchen (sorry, I forgot to take a pic of it in the kitchen in time for this tour, but I think it looks cute there!).

Summer House Tour

I love these stools for sitting and for end tables, they are so versatile!

Summer House Tour

My leather loveseat is from Pottery Barn, I’m so pleased with it. You can see why I chose leather here.

Summer House Tour

I adore the little frameable inspirational art quotes created for my book, Love the Home You Have. You can download this free print and many others on the book page. I like having inspirational quotes around to inspire me to keep on creating a home I love.

Summer House Tour

Summer House Tour

I added some colored books to the antique bowl I found at a secondhand store a few weeks ago.

Summer House Tour

I cleaned off my windowsills and added different containers with planted herbs and cut flowers. You can see my kitchen remodel (with more photos!) and my kitchen source list for more details on the kitchen.

Summer House Tour

This is my third year growing Wisteria outside my kitchen window as a privacy screen and it has grown so much, I LOVE IT! For the first time it is actually blooming. The scent is glorious wafting through my sliding door.

Summer House Tour

We’ve been working a bit outside trying to finish up some of our projects, but we still have a ways to go before I feel like it’s done. I recently showed you one of my backyard corner makeovers.

Summer House Tour

Our yard started out as a typical barren “new construction” backyard but we’ve come so far in the past couple of years. This little spot looks really cute now, you can see the before and after in this post!

Summer House Tour

While I love decorating inside the house all year round, in the summer I’m mostly working outside, soaking in every bit of sunshine I can out in the yard. I’ll be showing you the progress on my little secret garden soon!

Summer House Tour

Before you go, be sure to follow me on Instagram because I’ll have a book giveaway there sometime today! Have you had a chance to read my book, Love the Home You Have? I have a second book, a coffee table book called The Inspired Room, due out November 1st that I’m super excited about! But this pretty little book is near and dear to my heart. It’s all about finding (and remembering!) the love for the home you have. Whether it’s a temporary abode or your forever home, sometimes we just need a little inspiration to embrace what we have right in front of us. Big or small, our home is a gift we can open as long as we live there! This book offers encouragement and practical tips to create a home and life you’ll love. Thank you so much for all the love many of you have shown for this book already! I’m so grateful to have such great friends out there.

Summer House Tour

Want to create a home you can’t wait to come home to? I can help!

Check out all of my decorating, organizing, and homemaking books right here!

Shop My House and favorite decor finds HERE!

I’ll be back with more summer decorating and projects, and of course, updates on what’s next for our family!

Thanks for stopping by!

Now head on over to City Farmhouse, the next house on the tour! Enjoy! (preview below!)

Summer House Tour

Commonly asked sources:

Tufted ottomanGray WingbackDip-Dyed StoolFamily Room Wood Mirror

Paint Colors in My House

Lighting Sources in My House

See more of my home on my House Tour page and the whole tour will be in my upcoming coffee table book, The Inspired Room!

31 Comments

  1. Tara @ Lehman lane

    Melissa, your house looks perfect, all ready for summer:). I love the new green table with the Turkish towel and the giant shell in your entryway!!!

    Reply
  2. Suzanne

    Your summer touches are wonderful. The addition of the different colors says happiness to me! Look forward to seeing your secret garden.
    Warm Wishes,
    Suzanne
    Pieced Pastimes

    Reply
  3. Marissa Wade

    I love all the summer touches! You have an amazing knack for making subtle changes that have high impact. I especially love the accent pillows with turquoise! Any chance those are still available to purchase somewhere?

    Reply
  4. Diane | An Extraordinary Day

    Beautiful! Everything looks so fresh and serene. Perfect for the summer months.
    You’ve really hit your stride in decorating and even the blog is even more pleasurable to read. (And it’s always my favorite!) There’s a new enjoyable lilt in your “voice,” Melissa. ;)

    I’m in love with your kitchen window and the view. What a difference it makes to have a pretty view for all the prep and washing up that goes on at the sink. (And the entryway. Perfection!)

    Hope your long weekend has been extraordinary. [hugs]

    Reply
  5. Laura Ingalls Gunn

    You truly are a master at refreshing a space so beautifully using what you have on hand. I adore all of your sun filled touches. Happy Memorial Day Melissa!

    Reply
  6. Rosy @ just my rosy life

    I love that mirror above your fireplace! You have a gorgeous home and I know if you move that you will make your new home just as gorgeous.

    Reply
  7. Funky Junk Interiors

    Stunning tour, Melissa! I’ve always admired how cozy yet striking each of your spaces comes across as. The nautical touches make me want to run to the beach!

    And moving?! Off to go catch up…

    Reply
  8. Debra Jerry

    Melissa, I love the striped wall! Am wondering right now where I could do that! How cute the pot in a pot looks! I am potting annuals up right now, maybe I can use that idea, too.

    Reply
  9. Megan Sanders

    Hi Melissa,
    I have followed your blog for a while now and your summer tour is beautiful, as usual. I feel sort of a special bond with you now though, because after living in our home for 18 years, we are relocating this summer from St. Louis, MO to Portland, OR. It was a really tough choice, but our youngest daughter moved to Portland a few years ago and we fell in love with the city and region, not to mention we want to be nearer to her. We’ll be in your neck of the woods, so perhaps we’ll meet.
    Meg S.

    Reply
  10. LZ Cathcart@ The Summery Umbrella

    I’m totally swooning! Just when I think it can’t get any better the next photo proves me wrong. You have such a lovely a home, and I’m feeling so inspired! I absolutely love how you bring this coastal and comfy feel to each corner of every room. :)

    Reply
  11. Seana Turner

    The color scheme is just so beautiful. What a wonderful place to enjoy summer… you have a fantastic talent!

    Reply
  12. Lisa

    I have a question about your sofa? Your leather sofa appears to be a rust/orange color? I have a rust colored sofa. I’ve had the hardest time trying to decorate the room. It’s very monochromatic. I love how you pull things together. I wish I was able to duplicate it. I need to brighten my space:) Thank you for always inspiring us!

    Reply
  13. Jordan

    Such a lovely home! I always love the way people decorate in the summer – so beachy, so blue, so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Linda

    Where did you get your yellow daisy cushion from? Although as I live in France I doubt very much I could get one sent here…

    Reply
  15. Veronica Roth

    You have a lovely home, and I was really captivated by the painting in the first photo. It’s gorgeous and looks like a jewel up against that wall treatment. Well done. :D

    Reply
  16. Lidy@FrenchGardenHouse

    Melissa, your summer touches are beautiful, and add a light, colorful look to your always stunning, relaxing spaces. No matter where you live, you will make your home reflect you and those you love. You have such a nack for making your rooms personal, relaxing and lovely.

    Reply
  17. Corinna - For My Love Of

    I just adore the subtle beachy accents. Makes it look like you live in a beach town!

    Reply
  18. The Office Stylist

    Absolutely beautiful! I love the modern yet cozy feel of the space. Totally loving the kitchen sink too.

    Reply
  19. Ginger Humbles

    Love the green table. Did you paint yourself? If so, would you share the color and technique? Very pretty!

    Reply
  20. Debbie Booth

    Oh Melissa, I’m so happy for you with the new book, and this new phase in your life, and the direction you are heading. How exciting. It is truly wonderful and well deserved. Love all your posts….got a chance to look back over some that I’ve missed and they are truly delightful and a work of love and art! Yay.
    Blessings to you and a big hug from me one of your earliest admirers!
    Debbie

    Reply
  21. Jeanine Byers

    “In those especially crazy seasons, when I’m decluttering like a mad woman and my house is a complete mess, restoring order and prettiness to at least part of the house lets me feel more at peace so I can take a deep breath and keep on going.”

    You just described what this past month has been like at our house, and it was especially crazy because while we were decluttering, we also were finishing up our homeschool year!

    As always, your home is beautiful, and I thank you for the inspiration.

    Jeanine

    Reply
  22. Yvonne @ StoneGable

    Wonderful, beautiful, amazing!!! I love your home and your attitude about live and home! I am so inspired!!!

    Reply
  23. Kristy

    do you have any advice for moving?

    Reply
  24. Kay

    So pretty!

    Reply
  25. Christy

    Been looking for a floor lamp like the one you have in your living room! Where is that from? (In the same photo as the blanket over the back of your loveseat.) :) TIA!

    Reply
  26. larissa

    This is so cute! I love how you have the telescope in the living room. Your house looks so comfy and cute! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply

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