By Karen Kirk
August 2024
For many homeowners today, bringing the outside into our spaces in terms of decor is great way to add life to our rooms and calmness to our lives. Decorating with nature-inspired colours, objects and materials is guaranteed to make us feel happier and more energized. It’s why we love the sights and sounds of summer so much. Water, air, sun and flowers keep us motivated and make happy. All the more reason to bring these influences into our homes to enjoy not only in the summer months but all year round.
Now is a good time to take some inspiration from what we love most about the summer - our gardens, lakes and woodlands – and let them influence our lifestyle at home in every season.
Here are a few quick ways to remind us of the joys of summer and help us get through the winter months with promises that summer will soon return.
1.
August is the one month of the year when laziness is respectable. Keep the vibe going year-round with a summer-fresh green and white palette in the kitchen. These sage green painted cabinets that complement the Thermador 36-inch free-standing gas range with custom rangehood ventilation are bathed in natural light from a bank of tall double-hung windows. Pendant lights suspended over the white quartz countertops flank the range providing task lighting for the cooking area. Make all your memorable summertime meals year-round with the grill and griddle accessories.
2.
This delightful perfectly positioned and decorated kitchen diner enjoys the last of the summer sun and looks forward to winter sun that will stream into the kitchen on a clear day. Sky blue hues on the walls make a summery backdrop for flowers and floral art to be enjoyed until summer returns.
3.
Reminiscent of summer flowers in the garden, this whimsical Florina wicker petal pendant is a nod to the summer garden when hung over an island or dining table in the kitchen.
4.
Blue and white ginger jars and graphic floral-patterned blinds in this fresh white kitchen designed by Canadian Log Homes celebrates the bright sunny days of summer year-round. If summer had a signature smell it would be flowers and barbeque.
48-inch Thermador Range top.
5.
My favourite time of the year is when the end of summer intersects perfectly with the start of fall. The air is cool and fresh and it’s time to illuminate the interiors. It’s a good time to access where changes to light fixtures and bulbs need to be updated for the dark winter months. Shades for your light fixtures in garden-inspired colours and patterns is a cheap and cheerful way to keep the summer garden vibe going.
Lamp shades: @RainsfordCompany
6.
For me, fresh or faux flowers or greenery are must-have accents in the kitchen. On the island, windowsill, or dining table, they provide a soft, fragrant, and colourful artistic touch to an otherwise utilitarian space.
Vase: @RainsfordCompany
