When we’re not using it in summertime for its warming purpose, it’s still fun to accessorize the fireplace mantel to fit the style of your home. Here are a few ideas from the galleries sure to inspire your summer decorating!

Mirror Mirror on the Wall.  Mirrors continue to be one of the most popular choices for above the mantel, they play along well with the focal point philosophy and bounce light around the room. Partner them with candlesticks, and vases or urns filled with summer blooms.

Be Artistic.  A large scale piece of art, be it an abstract or landscape, sets the tone for a space. Play off the color cues with accessories layered around the room (think vases, throw blankets, or shapely ceramics.)

Layer Framed Photographs.  Images of friends, family members, or special travel snapshots personalize a home. Choose frames in various sizes to layer across the mantel in an asymmetrical pattern for interest.

A Dash of Whimsy.  Play with unique prints, quirky finds, and organic objects from nature for a creative approach and a dose of the unexpected.

Fill the Firebox.  When not in use, get creative with firebox inserts. Use branches, shells, or a big bucket of fresh florals to fill the space, or a shelving insert for display.

Simplify.  Avoid complicated arrangements and stick with the basics such as the easy combination of framed prints and vases of flowers.

Summer is that easy breezy season when decorating combines comfort and casual style. White is an iconic choice for slipcovers and accessories around the house.

Or style your mantel in the simplest way possible, with a medley of blooms gathered in vases of different heights and styles – it’s a no fail solution guaranteed to showcase the best of summer.

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An area rug is important to a dining space because it adds both comfort and style, frames the table, and can also define the room itself, especially in open floor plans. There are no rules about what style to choose, that is a personal choice, but there is a general rule when it comes to the proper size. 

What size your rug should be? Here’s a handy formula: measure the width and length of your table and add 18-24” to each of the four sides to allow extra room for the chairs. (Be sure to include your table leaf in your calculation.) For most spaces, that means a 5 × 8’ rug is too small and you should invest in a rug that measures somewhere between 6 x9’ and 9 x 12’. 

Those necessary extra inches are important because they allow guests to slide chairs out from under the table without falling off the edge of the rug. If the rug is too small, chairs can still scratch the floor or get tripped up on the edge of a rug when trying to slide them back in. 

It’s also important to purchase a rug that is not too big – it’s best that your area rug does not trespass into the space where a sideboard or buffet sits, and so there is a visible border of flooring as well.

An exception would be a cowhide rug, the nature of it means some legs will be on, some will be off, so just go with it!

An area rug can be a jumping off point for your dining room’s design style and palette – play off the color cues with complementary fabric and accessories. 

The style of your dining rug can vary according to your lifestyle, budget, and personal tastes. A geometric motif is a popular modern approach – botanical patterns and stripes are also classic choices.

A neutral sisal rug is a sure bet – it adds subtle organic texture and won’t compete with any of your other design choices.

A round or oval table does not necessarily mean that the shape of the rug must also have round edges. Mimic the circular shape for consistency or choose a basic rectangle, either look works well. 

But remember, there is no rule that commands a dining space must have an area rug so feel free to go without. If you’ve got beautiful or interesting floors, whether they’re painted or hardwood, ceramic tile or brick, or if you simply prefer your space without an area rug, then eliminate it entirely. It’s that simple! 

Do you have an area rug in your dining space?  How did you choose yours?

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Alfresco dining gives you the opportunity to set a table outdoors among the botanicals and nearby vegetable garden. Make it formal with glassware and dishes brought out from your china hutch, or keep it casual with melamine dishes and a few linen napkins.

I went virtual shopping over at BH&G shop for melamine plates and pretty napkins and gathered some new ideas for setting an outdoor table this summer, here are a few favorite pairings sure to brighten your summer table too!

From top left: Red Vine, Kohls; Red & Orange Chevron Napkin, Target; Foulard Napkin, Anthropologie; La Med Plate, Williams Sonoma; Venice Napkin, World Market; Kiwi Plates, Bed, Bath & Beyond; Watercolor Floral Napkin, Target; Bright Shapes Plate, West Elm; Pine Cone Hill Napkins, Wayfair; Zig Zag set, Hayneedle; Floral Napkin, World Market; Magenta Melamine, Casa.

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I just finished up my own daughter’s room a few months ago in her preferred shades of aqua and lavender, adding layers of pattern and color with fabric, bedding, painted pieces, and accessories. Here’s a peek at twenty favorite feminine spaces from the archives, and five different ways to add color to a special little girl’s room in your home. 

Add Color With Paint.   Tried and true, a coat of paint on the walls is the easiest way to add a lovely shade of color to a girl’s room, choose a soft pastel or a vibrant hue to set the palette for the space.

Add Color With Bedding.  Floral motifs always complement a girlish space and will pair perfectly with stripes and polka dots too.

Add Color With Window Treatments. Whether you choose classic window panels or a roman shade, the window is another opportunity to use fabric to inject bright color or pretty pattern into a girl’s room.

Add Color With Painted Furniture.  Introducing a painted piece of furniture into a girl’s room in the form of a dresser, a desk, her bed, or accent chairs is a playful way to introduce a bright or subtle shade of blue, green, pink, purple, green, or yellow.

Add Color With Accessories.  If you refrain from painting the walls, no worries. White or neutral walls are a perfect backdrop for adding color with all the extras: a rug, a lamp, bins for storage, decorative pillows, even extra seating.  

What colors have you chosen (or have your girl’s picked) for their bedroom?

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Marble is a luxurious choice and is often more expensive than other solid surfaces, but is worth the investment since it’s unquestionably elegant and forever timeless. There are two varieties of Italian marble that are similar in appearance, both milky white with gray veining, and they are Carrara and Calacatta. Carrara has more delicate, lighter veining; Calacatta is a rarer, pricier stone and has bolder more defined strokes, yet both are a desirable luxury stone.

Slabs are the most expensive but smaller scale tile patterns tend to be more affordable per square foot. The mixture of small and medium scale motifs add interest to any bathroom space from petite herringbone to offset brick pattern tile.

Calacatta marble appears on the walls in this bathroom, adding drama and one-of-a-kind pattern. One thing is true about slab marble, it doesn’t need embellishment of any kind. Marble has earned its beauty and is best left with its stunning and unique veining on display.

Instead of slab on the floors or walls, look for large scale marble tiles that will give the same look, but broken up into smaller sections.

Or consider a marble basket weave tile for a decorative inset pattern that is both intricate and exquisite.

One of the most popular ways to add marble to the bathroom is with slab countertops. Mix it up with tile or wallpaper in the same gray and white palette to bring additional pattern to your bathroom space.

Looking for the ultimate in luxury?  How amazing is this retro inspired vanity washbasin with spectacular Lucite legs – stunning!

Whichever way you choose to use it, from tile on the floor to slabs on the walls to the simplicity of a countertop, you can never ever go wrong with marble in the bathroom.  Carrara and Calacatta marble are surfaces that hold a rare title, they have stood the test of time for not just decades, but centuries!

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Nesting tables come in all shapes, sizes, and finishes, choose a warm metallic like classic brass or gold leaf to add a dose of elegance.

A contemporary white set looks lovely paired with traditional furnishings and provides extra storage for magazines, keeping remote controls handy for surfing on the television.

Wood always warms a space, and a shapely modern trio provides a perch for plants or reading material.

Or introduce an industrial element to your home with a metal and wood combination!

I rounded up a dozen favorites, from the gilded and glamorous to colorful and cottage styles, enjoy!

From top left: Bronze Mirrored Tables, Lamps Plus; Peekaboo Tables, CB2; Woodland Tables, Walmart; Astair Tables, Z Gallerie; Hailey Tables, Grandinroad; Maharaja Tables, Home Decorators; Durham Tables, Ballard Designs; Jenna Tables, Pier One; Stella Tables, Horchow  Blue Tables, Overstock; Granger Tables, Pottery Barn; Gray Criss Cross, Overstock.

Which set is your favorite?

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The best outdoor rooms mimic what we love about indoor spaces – they include comfortable seating and practical and pretty accessories, but they have the added benefit of being situated out in the sun and surrounded by foliage. What could be better? So I rounded up five favorite elements for creating your own blissful outdoor room!

A Gathering Space.  There must always be seating for a group, so consider a small sofa and chairs with a coffee table or ottoman in the middle for setting beverages or reading material.  Choose neutral seating or make it colorful!

A Cooking Place.  Outdoor kitchens come in many shapes and sizes, but having a barbeque, perhaps a sink, and some prep space are all you need to create memorable meals infused with seasonal flavor.

A Dining Space.  Once the meal is prepared, there’s nothing quite so delightful as dining alfresco on a warm summer night. Combine a table and chairs for a sit down experience or get creative with a bar type scene for enjoying informal appetizers and beverages.

A Growing Place.  An outdoor space is incomplete without greenery – your blooms can consist of just a few succulents, an enchanting collection of thriving botanicals, or could include a lush pathway that welcomes anyone who enters your patio scene.

A Warming Space.  Mankind has gathered together around the fire for centuries, and in modern times we use fireplaces and fire pits to warm our surroundings and also to create ambiance. Invest in a permanent structure with a chimney or a simpler chiminea or fire pit.

You’d never need a vacation away from home if your outdoor patio possessed all five elements mentioned.  The most perfect outdoor room would incorporate seating, dining, cooking facilities, greenery, and warmth! 

This concludes the Outdoor Room Series, I hope you’re inspired to create a fabulous space of your own!  To read the entire series, don’t miss the other spotlights on covered porches and patios, screened porches, sunrooms, and cabanas!

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The focus on outdoor rooms continues today with a peek at unattached spaces, namely converted sheds or cabanas that are freestanding in a rear yard, often requiring a short but worthwhile walk to the destination.

Converting a shed or erecting a breezy cabana are two ways to get creative with an outdoor room when your home lacks a covered patio, screened porch, or sunroom. Both give you the same benefit of an enclosed space designed for lounging throughout those fair weather months. 

Remove the walls of an old shed and use its frame to create an inviting sleeping nook for lazy summer afternoons.

Hang colorful paper lanterns up above and include a daybed that also acts as a sofa for gathering or lounging with friends.

Hang an elegant crystal chandelier for contrast against the rustic wood paneled walls and include cozy linens for catching up on your summer reads or stealing an afternoon nap.

Sheds also make wonderful playhouses for children – include all the adult amenities like curtains, window boxes, and bistro sets for summer fun on a small scale.

Cabanas are readily available from many retailers and a wonderful way to enclose a small deck. Curtains add to the ambiance and also allow for greater sun protection.

A comfortable sofa or sectional is all you need to make your cabana style space a welcoming one. Combine colorful stripes and solids in summery shades of blue and green.

Posed under a favorite tree, a small yet sophisticated black and white cabana provides both shelter from the sun and a stylish spot to chat for hours.

Later this week, we’ll wrap up the series with some inspiring ideas for uncovered alfresco spaces, including patios and balconies!

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The sunroom is a space that is filled with natural light, hence the label and one of the most desirable rooms for relaxation because it allows residents to enjoy the light and view of the outdoors any time of year and without fear of inclement weather.

Architecturally, sunrooms are defined by their multiple walls of windows, ones that often stretch from floor to ceiling. Some sunrooms are designed to capture a scenic view while others are designed to collect sunlight for warmth and light.

Take the opportunity to dress up your sunroom as you would any other indoor living room with colorful upholstered furnishings, keeping in mind that outdoor fabrics which resist fading are smart choices due to increased sun exposure. 

Some sunrooms repeat the home’s exterior on the interior walls with shingle siding, stucco, or brick adding a textural element to the space. 

Space permitting, tuck a dining table and chairs into a corner to enjoy the view while you linger over lunch.

Invest in a large outdoor sectional to guarantee a comfortable seat for everyone.

Or convert an empty corner into a daybed for reading and snoozing in the soft sunlight. How clever is this solution placing three trunks together?

Next week we’ll wrap up the Outdoor Room Series with a spotlight on patio rooms and cabanas, see you then!

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My brother has a screened porch at his home in Savannah, Georgia and during our visit last year we spent every night enjoying beverages and playing games in that cozy and comfortable space, while a few neighbors stopped by to say hello and linger in the conversation.

Screened porches are wonderful in any area where insects are active during hotter weather and can be used for dining, entertaining, or simply relaxing with family and friends. Dress up yours with a sectional that includes bright colored fabrics to welcome both comfort and good times.

Like with open porches, you can always incorporate decorative or textural elements into the design plan – think planks of wood on the ceiling and fans for circulating air.

It’s fun to be fearless with color in these transitional spaces. Spray paint your furniture in unexpected bright colors and include cushions in vivid fruity shades from orange to pink to yellow.

Or decorate around a favorite summer holiday in red, white, and blue to embrace the Fourth of July.

Screened porches are a wonderful place to grow potted botanicals since they receive ample sunlight.

Be playful with your lighting and furniture choices too – why not a whimsical chandelier or a curvy rattan piece you’ve freshened with spray paint!

Screened porches are an opportunity to get creative. I love this trunk painted a vivid happy hue and the oversized basket pendant suspended above the conversation zone.

The addition of tall shutters provides light control and protection from August’s often unpleasant temperatures.

The addition of a fireplace gives the added benefit of a hearth to gather around when the night air turns chilly.

Screened porches aren’t just for lounging, they’re for lingering over summer suppers too. Bring on the fried chicken, corn on the cob, and peach pie!

Take the time to enjoy sweet tea and summer fruits with gal pals by setting a scene in feminine pink hues.

Special memories are made with family and friends between May and September when you’re gathered together. Make the most of them by styling your screened porch with comfortable furnishings in attractive color medleys that beckon your guests.

Next up, a peek at some inspiring sunrooms and other converted outdoor spaces sure to get you thinking even more about summer entertaining! 

Do you have a screened porch?  What do you love most about it?

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