Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Summer at Home
Living in the city means you may not have regular pool access or even an outdoor space to spend time outdoors and enjoy the summer weather. I’m going to share my Top 10 ways to keep the summer vibes going in your modern home in between vacations, beach trips, and bbq’s; all while still maintaining a neutral aesthetic.
Why we love the California Modern Aesthetic
California modern is casual and easygoing. It brings the outdoors in. It is welcoming and personal. It is a neutral aesthetic paired with soft textures. Whether you practice this look all year round or just need to add a touch of it in the warm weather season, it is the perfect solution to keep vacation vibes going strong. We’re going to share summer decorating ideas based off of this style of bright whites and warm woods; plus a little plant life for a pop of color to mix with the natural elements.
White. Linen. Everything.
Gone are the days that you can only wear white linen from Memorial Day to Labor Day and the same goes for your home decor. As soon as it gets warm, change out your throw pillows to a crisp white linen or a relaxed washed cotton and immediately transform your space for summer. Our new Classic White Linen Collection comes in warm, cool, and classic white to match any interior style and lighting. Our Hamptons collection can add even more personality with a soft stripe. You can also add other natural textiles into your home to to keep it cool; think lightweight fabrics, cotton blend throws, linen tablecloths, and anything that fits in that neutral aesthetic that we love so much. Mix and match lightly colored textures and imagine you are at that luxury island hotel in Turks and Caicos.
Palm Leaf Statements
This can be an easy way to bring the tropics inside. Here in Los Angeles, I source my cut palm leaves at the Original Los Angeles Flower Market. They have the biggest selection of shapes, sizes and unique stems. If you don’t want to make the trek downtown, visit your local florist early morning for first pick. And if you’re lucky enough to have tropical plants in your backyard, you could break out the pruning shears and cut a large stem or two. We love this look in a clear glass or fresh white vase.
Fill the Fruit Bowl
Pineapples, papaya, and coconuts, oh my! I love to stock up on anything that can transform my WFH days into tropical dreams and plate of tropical fruit will make anyone happy. Add mango, banana, melon, blood orange, kiwi, dragon fruit, guava, passion fruit, and more to that oversized bowl you bought back in February! Keep it full and change it up each week. When you slice it up in the morning, take the extra few minutes to plate like your poolside!
Serve up Summer Cocktails
Try a new cocktail recipe for an at home happy hour! We can’t go out every night and there will be many summer nights without big plans, so why not change it up and recreate your favorite cocktail that you had in Mexico last week? I had the best coconut margarita in Mexico City so I broke out the shaker and I can’t say that I was disappointed after working from home all day. Here is a (very simple) recipe if you want to try it out yourself! For me, coconut everything brings me back to vacation and nothing says summer more than a little tequila!
Coconut Lime Frozen Margarita
1/2 cup Tequila , 1/4 cup triple sec , 1/4 cup lime juice , 1 lime zested
1 can Creme de Coco , Large scoop of ice ; Shake or blend, pour, and enjoy!
Create Summer Playlists
We all have those certain songs that bring us right back to our happy place in the summertime. Don’t save those songs for vacation or even just going out, but instead play them at home on repeat and transform your apartment into that club in Ibiza that you’re still reminiscing about every day. I like to check out the playlists in iTunes to amp me up days before I know I’m heading to the beach. Try Summer Pool Music, Summer Road Trip, Songs of the Summer, Summertime Days, Summer Heat, Acoustic Summer, Summer Vibes, Sunkissed, The Wave, Summer Soul, and so many more. Since Y2K is back, start with a little 90’s throwback songs and dance around your house.
Summer-ize your Home Scent
We typically focus more on fall and holiday fragrances when it comes to our home scenting, but try out a summer scent to keep your vacation vibes alive! This year we are obsessed over our new Rio de Janeiro candle collection. They come in a beautiful pale blush and taupe tortoise shell glass vessel that is the perfect summer touch to add to our existing neutral aesthetic. The sweet vacation-like scent consists of Sugared Bergamot, Sweet Mandarin, Orange Blossom, Maui Mango, Juicy Papaya, and Hawaiian Palm….yes please!!
Open the Windows
Let the fresh air in! This can instantly transform your mood, especially every time you get that perfect breeze. While we all live in different climates, take advantage of that time where you could probably go without air conditioning and open up those windows. I am truly blessed to live in southern California and also have these gigantic windows, but I often have to remind myself to enjoy them even while I work from home. It’s an instant #foreveronvacation feeling the minute I open them up. Give it a try when your temps hit that sweet spot.
Break out that Seashell Collection
We know you brought some home from that last beach trip so what to do with them now? This year I’m going to pick out my faves and scatter them on my coffee table with my art books and candles. A simple, minimalist approach to layering in a memory. I found this little collection from a visit to Oak Island to see my dad. I decided to arrange them on my coffee table over father’s day weekend since we could not be together. I think I will keep the tradition and do this every June and rotate the shells from different trips as the summer goes on. They also look nice in a clear vase or candleholder with a white or ivory pillar holder. A subtle coastal touch that stills works in a modern, neutral aesthetic home.
Lounge in Vacation Threads
You bought that super cute linen maxi and wore it once in Tulum, but why not break it out on a Sunday at home when you're not hitting up a brunch, bbq, or beach? I have so many vacation clothes that don’t nearly get used enough so I started wearing them around the house. Cleaning today? Why not put on some loose palazzo pants and a tank. Working form home? Why not wear a fresh cotton button down with a triangle top underneath?! Sure, athleisure is comfy but so is resort wear!
