A summer state of mind—and living it
When I was young, my friends and I would always ask each other which season we preferred: winter or summer.
As a teen, I favored summer more since it meant trips with friends, no school, no homework, new people to meet, and summer enrichment classes in Ateneo High School (we didn’t really look forward to the lessons, did we?).
Now that I’m all grown up, I look forward to the summer season to have fun with the kids, take short or long trips, and refresh our homes.
That home refresh means letting of heavy decor and fabrics, welcoming instead fresh scents, linens, colors, and natural materials as we embrace the warm and energetic season.
With just a few simple tips, you, too, can easily transform your home into your own summer haven. Here are some of them.
Transform your lanai/terrace
The lanai is just as important as the living room, as it serves as an extension of your home.
Add summer fabrics in playful prints—stripes, florals, and toile patterns. Amp your furniture by incorporating an accent lounge chair or ceramic stools with cushioned seats.
Style your bar cart for the season by adding a slushie maker and stocking it with summer drinks like Aperol, vodka lemon drops, and frozen margaritas.
Bring life into your space with a set of accent planters to refresh your plant collection. Better yet, layer your plants to create depth and drama on your terrace.
For those sunset cocktails and evening barbecues, add rechargeable lamps to create a warm and inviting glow.
Update the living room for a more relaxed, casual feel
Replace heavy wool and velvet pillows with more breathable fabrics. I always go for linens, Thai silk, and a few cotton pieces in different patterns that still come together harmoniously.
Opt for linen slipcovers for your sofas in soft palettes like taupe, white, or cream—anything light and airy. Swap out wool or Persian carpets for woven abaca rugs. Choose an abaca wall covering for one wall to tie in the summer theme.
A rattan lounge chair or one in woven fabric also makes a beautiful summer addition. It can easily transition year-round by simply changing the seat and back fabric.
Bring in summer colors to create a soft, relaxed mood—teal, light aqua, white, cream, beige, ocean blue, cerulean, sun-kissed terracotta, and powder pink.
Complete the look by adding summer-inspired pieces and decor—tassels for jars, naturally finished lamps, shell-themed bowls, faux coral accents, peacock feather fans, or even ostrich eggs in a basket.
Effortless hosting
Tableware can be delightfully mismatched, napkins can be naturally wrinkled, and glasses can come in varying heights for an easy, laidback feel.
Serve food buffet-style on chic platters and offer drinks in bright colors using funky glasses with herb toppers. Centerpieces can be simple: hand-me-down pieces styled with pretty leaves from the backyard.
Lived-in touches and low-maintenance hosting define summer days. The hostess doesn’t need to put in too much effort to entertain guests in a beautifully styled, summer-themed home.
Temp down your bedroom
Cool and airy is the motif for a summer bedroom. Switch your sheets to linen or Egyptian cotton—breathable and cool to the touch.
If needed, consider changing your mattress and pillows to ones with a cooling effect for added comfort.
Bring in some potted plants to act as natural air purifiers, but make sure they are non-toxic if you have pets. Add eucalyptus, displayed in silver buckets or tall crystal vases.
Swap out heavy curtains for light sheers or shades. Plantation shutters are also a great option and can be used year-round for a relaxed, tropical vibe. For added drama, try a large tassel attached to the rod and let it hang long and loose.
