Warm breezes have finally made their way to Northern Minnesota, and I couldn’t be happier! After a long winter and an almost nonexistent spring, I’m savoring every balmy summer day. With green grass, blooming lilacs and lush trees surrounding our home, it felt like the perfect time to pull out my patriotic decor and welcome the season.
First off, I started out with our mantle and bookshelves in our dining room. After getting a good dusting I went to work. The beach framed picture I displayed last summer is making its appearance again. I have a feeling this print picked up on our 25th wedding anniversary will become an annual tradition as I love it so much. Prominently placing it in the center allows for fun add ons on each side. Woven goblet planters from Walmart filled with faux flowers and flags, sailboat candle holders, a small sailboat and a string of star lights round out the look.
Similarly, the bookshelves on each side get cleaned and refreshed each season. On the left side I displayed an old blue bucket, shells, driftwood and sand collected on one of our many trips to the beach. Also, a patriotic print made it in the corner. On the right side, another shell, an old lighthouse journal my mom gifted me over 20 years ago and other odds and ends made it on the shelves.
One more touch I added this year is a tan bag with lighthouses hanging from the mantle. I nearly forgot about this bag, as it has been tucked away in my closet for years. A rainy day closet cleaning session brought it out to light. It is significant to me as my mom gifted it to me, along with the lighthouse journal over 20 years ago. She passed away not long after this gift. Before my third son was born I started a small soy candle making business, which I called Follow the Light based on John 8:12. The logo had a lighthouse on it. My moms gift was very thoughtful and useful as I used it to store candle labels and forms I needed for my small venture. Every time I look at this bag I think of my mom and this beautiful memory.
Next, is the dining room table and kitchen. As for the dining room I kept it simple with a fun centerpiece. I placed a star tin pail filled with faux white flowers and flags inside an old wooden box. A ribbon draped off of one side, beaded USA string on the other balances the look. Lastly, I threw in some balls and lighted stars inside the box. I like to position the box in the middle of the table on an old red and white rug.
Next, is the living room and adjacent sunroom. In the living room I changed out the dog blankets to blue and red. Also, I tucked faux blooms on a wall basket and I changed out the chalkboard display in the corner of the room to reflect the season. The sunroom, which leads into the living room, gets a lot of red white and blue attention.
This is the first room everyone sees as they enter our home, so I always like to keep it clean and pretty. I had fun putting together the corner display as well as the basket lined shelves. The red white and blue bunting hanging from the windows is always a nice touch to usher in the summer season.
Last but not least, is our master bedroom. I decided to give our bed a patriotic touch this year too. I stuck with the bedding I already have and added an old flag throw blanket I’ve had for years. Honestly, it mostly serves as a blanket for our two old English sheepdogs. Hey, they need a cozy space to lounge in too.
Well, there you have it! I managed to create a relaxed coastal patriotic feel that perfectly captures summer, without buying any new pieces. I love searching through our home and displaying pieces I already have in new ways season by season. It’s not about buying new stuff every cycle, but about using what you already have in new creative ways. What about you, do you like to decorate for summer with elements you already have?
Leave a Reply