Home Style
Combating Hot Summers With Cool Looks
 Early summer is
upon us and it is time to open up our coastal homes to the ocean
breeze while it’s still cool enough to enjoy. Most of us have done
our thorough spring cleaning by now, but there are ways we can
freshen up and lighten and brighten our home as well.
Window
treatments provide a good starting place. Remove drapery and replace
with sheers for the summer, which will add softness at the windows
and allow the light to fill your space. This will immediately make
the room feel more open and refreshed. Take a look at the accent
colors in your home and if they are dark hues, consider sparking
things up with lighter and brighter hues that work with your color
palette.
In the living
room or family room you can bring in new, fresh color in the form of
throw pillows, lamp shades, vases and accessories. Roll up the area
rug and replace it with a natural fiber sisal or jute rug for the
summer and the room will immediately take on a bright and refreshed
summer feeling. In the dining room and kitchen area you can change
table runners and placemats with your new color palette and recover
upholstered chair seats and cushions. If you have a more formal
dining room with dark wood furnishings, you can have slipcovers made
in a cool white linen to cover the chairs, adding a summery southern
feel to the space.
The bedroom and
bath areas can also benefit by a new refreshing look. Consider
removing the comforter for the summer and replacing it with a
matelasse quilted coverlet in a cool cotton. Lighten up the windows
by replacing any drapery you have with sheers and bring softer
colors to the space with accent pillows. In the bath, stock up on
lotions and potions to sooth sun exposure and opt for some thick and
luxurious cotton towels and a new bath mat.
Another way to
bring a more refreshed feeling to your home is with aromatherapy.
Colorful candles can further your color palette and add a fresh
scent to the space as well. Potpourri placed in a variety of
containers throughout your home in fresh ocean breeze scents will
provide a relaxing atmosphere.
Wishing you the
best summer ever with long sunny days and cool breezy evenings!
Tressa Taylor, IDS
Taylored Interiors
Read more articles in the May print edition of Island Review.
LOOKING FOR
quality
businesses that know and serve Bogue Banks and Eastern North
Carolina's NC Coast? From auto dealers, financial & insurance
professionals, restaurants, health & body centers, home services,
real estate, home construction, interior/exterior decor & care,
outdoor and marine services to much, much more, Island Review advertisers are glad to share their expertise
and quality services.
Click here to view our full listing
of exceptional advertisers....
| 
