My ever-evolving summer home decor
Today I’m participating in Marty’s (A Stroll Thru Life‘s) summer home tour blog hop again. While I’m thrilled that it is finally summer and my parents are about to visit who haven’t been here together since my 19-year-old son was in diapers, I can’t stop feeling like it is so off to post about summer home decor as if nothing is wrong in this world.
Things have weighed heavily on my mind for a while and the more awful things happen, the less I want to post on any of my accounts. When my son said that he is desensitized to everything happening because there is awful news everywhere I realized that change isn’t going to come by pretending that we are all ok. He is a student at Temple University where there is daily gun violence, the horrific mass shootings, the war in Ukraine…it’s just all so overwhelmingly horrible. I don’t think turning off the news (I mostly watch European news because they don’t have the US political agenda) is the answer because that’s just wearing blinders and pretending everything is fine when it clearly is not. The divide just keeps getting bigger and bigger and it is so depressing.
I have mentioned so many times though that being creative helps me deal with the things that go on in my mind. Creativity helps me push my anxiety aside and I feel like I would go crazy without this outlet. Well, the cats help me tremendously as well.
My ever-evolving summer home decor
So I’m showing my summer home tour today, not to pretend that I don’t see what is happening but to hopefully give an escape the way it helps me.
Welcome to everyone coming from my sweet friend Erica of Designing Vibes. She just moved into her dream lake house. It is so pretty and I do have to admit that it’s my dream house and location as well.
Summer front porch makeover
I just shared the process of repainting our front porch in a checkerboard pattern. I love the change so much and it’s a favorite hangout spot for everyone.
The below cellphone photo isn’t the best quality but I just wanted to show you how it looks in the dark which is my favorite view.
Most of my plants have now moved outside and are either on the porch or on the patio.
Just as a reminder, here is the evolution of our porch:
What do you think of me possibly painting the front door in a faux wood grain? And then I guess the storm door needs to change as well.
Summer bedroom changes
I also recently gave the crystal chandelier in our main bedroom a renter-friendly chandelier makeover because I wanted a more visually noticeable pendant. I’m definitely so happy with how it turned out and it was super affordable.
To me, all the changes flow so nicely throughout the home and yard.
Summer Living room
Not much has changed in the living room, except that most plants went outside and I bought a new pillow which is the perfect combo of texture and color. I love it with the layered area rugs.
Speaking of the area rug, Walter brought us a present!!! Yup, that’s a snake and he was mighty proud of himself. Thankfully the snake survived and was put safely outside again. It is an eastern garter snake and we have seen several of them in the yard, especially close to the rocks around the stock tank pool.
I don’t mind them outside because they aren’t poisonous but I definitely don’t want them in the house.
There he is our snake hunter. I recently restuffed my favorite ottoman and it looks like new.
Backyard
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And in the backyard, I just purchased new wooden folding chairs. I had been looking for chairs to replace our larger old Adirondack chairs. These smaller ones are perfect. While they look maybe a bit uncomfortable, they are surprisingly comfy. Check out my other contenders that I considered HERE.
We live outside in the summer and I treat our small backyard just like I treat the rooms in our home. Outside I mostly decorate with plants!
This is the 4th summer with our stock tank pool. We still love it so much and it’s held up great. The plants are also nicely growing in around all the rock walls.
Behind the chairs, you can slightly see our cat enclosure aka catio.
I just planted all the small elephant ears, potato vines and cascading plants around the red banana. Hopefully they will fill in nicely. I love different colored leaves even more than flowers.
My favorite plants are definitely hostas because they have so many different sized leaves and colors.
Nothing has changed on the patio. Remember last year I had to fix the cracked tile on my favorite patio dining table thanks to much son and husband chipping ice off of it? Well, my son also slammed his phone on the table which made an even bigger crack that is more visible even when fixed, so I bought these faux wicker placemats that I always keep on the table. The lights on the table are solar tea lights which are great and always give the table some ambiance at night without having to light anything.
To me, our small duplex home feels like a mini-vacation and I’m completely content with it which is such a nice feeling. I still always love tweaking everything on a budget though and sharing it with you.
Now head on over to Anita’s of Whispering Pines Homestead. Her tours are always one of my favorites. I’ve told her many times that her home should be used for a Victorian movie set. I love getting inspired by different styles and I hope you do too.
Below you can see who else is participating today and this week so you can check them all out.
Tschüß,
Julia everything is beautiful as always!! I love your pillow collection friend – so many great ones! and of course your outdoor space is fabulous too – love that rattan settee☺️☺️ And yes – being creative for me is the main way I cope with all the chaos and so much bad happening that I have no control over🙏🙏🙏
Thanks so much Anita. I have really been struggling lately, especially since it hits so close to home and I’m in constant fear when my son is at college.
None of us seem to mention all the horrific things happening in the world, but I know all of us all feel sadness and anxiety over the current situations. It’s nice to know that others are praying for change too. Thanks for joining the tour again this season, your home is always such a favorite to visit. I love how you use your creative skills with your macrame and crafts to decorate your home. Love the new check pattern on your porch, what a great place to sit outside. Your backyard is a dream. So many amazing plants and I love your stock pool. I loved the one we had in our last home so I know how much you must enjoy yours. It is surrounded with the most amazing gardens.
Such a peaceful and lovely home tour. I loved your sentiments about living in this hard world today. That Walter is something else. A snake! My Gracie brought me a mole and that was bad enough. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous home. I adore the checkerboard floor.
Julia, your home is beautiful as always and an oasis of calm in a troubled world. Amy (my blog partner) and I both struggle with continuing to post “fluffy” content while the world reaches the tipping point, but our readers are also looking for some distraction from all the bad and sad news. I find myself constantly flipping through the book of Revelation to see what’s coming next (funny but also very true).
I never, ever watch TV news; I read the news only and I also avoid the US sites. That is one of the keys to sanity! Enjoy your visit from your parents and I hope you make so many happy memories in your beautiful home and yard.
Looks like the perfect place to relax and take a break when the heaviness gets too much. I love the chandelier in the bedroom especially and your outdoor space is a dream. I hope you’re able to find some peace and relaxation this summer. It can be hard finding that balance between getting involved with what’s going on and keeping your sanity!
I just wanted to say… thanks for acknowledging the “elephant” in the room. It helps.
Hugs to you, and me, and everyone who is incredibly anxious and sad right now.
OMG…I love how your snake hunter is sticking his tongue out haha (I had a cat named Pumpkin’ who used to do the same thing). Julia…your style and home are so beautiful that is really hard for me to even pick out my favorite thing about your tour. Its all so freakin’ fabulous. xoxo
Wow! Your home is gorgeous! From the indoor spaces to the outdoor spaces, you’ve brought in such a relaxed summer vibe! And that light in your bedroom is perfection!!
Shelley
Your home looks like the perfect place to take a break and relax in a time when finding peace is challenging. The outdoor spaces you have created are beautiful. I’m loving your bedroom chandelier. I’ve been looking for the perfect lighting for my office-studio and I think you have steered me in the right direction. So happy to be hopping with you this week.
I love all the summer vibes going on all-around your home! Now I have to go and check that light, it looks awesome!
I’m in total agreement that what we do is a way to cope with all of the horrible things that happen in the world. Creating a home that makes us happy definitely helps too. And yours is such a beautiful oasis inside and out! I am in love with that checkerboard floor on the front porch and the wicker chandelier. ❤
Julia, I share your sentiments on everything that is happening around us today. It is truly a struggle at times. I’ve dealt with some extremely difficult life-altering situations over the past four years…it’s forced me to focus on my family, their health, and staying as strong as I can for them and myself…although it is still so hard. That all aside, your porch is stunning and that floor is amazing! I love the bedroom light too, my son had a similar one in his old room. I love all of your beautiful summer details and your back yard is such an oasis! I hope you have a wonderful summer! xo
Love it! Your home is so beautiful and I love all of the changes and those dreamy outdoor spaces.
Wow! Love what you did with the front porch! And that chandelier! Beautiful summer home tour!
Ha. I just had a baby snake in my bathroom! Fortunately it was harmless and we took it outside. The world is a stressful place now. Not sure what we can do but pray and hopefully we have a political change for the better here in the US and around the world.
Love your house/yard. I wish we were neighbors because I believe we would be best friends!!
please don’t stop posting because people like me feel this is way to escape the crazy and daydream thru your post.
Oh thank you, Stephanie, I must break out of my summer rut and start posting again.
The new paint job on the front porch is stunning. I watched the process of building the stock tank pool and was amazed at the amount of work that went into it. You have made such a lovely area out back and I’m sure y’all have enjoyed it every day. Always amazed at your creativity and attention to detail.