1. home and garden

Decorating
Let the
Sunshine In
By Reesa Milton
A
aah, summer! The bundled
layers of winter are far
behind us, and the flip
flops and flirty skirts of the
season are here. Trees are green, flowers
are blooming, and we can finally sit on
our porches with the sun shining on
our faces. Time for us all to release a
collective breath.
Why does that wonderful feeling have
to remain outdoors? Surely, we can bring
a touch of that sweet summer inside.
Just look around, does your home still
have the post winter blahs? Do you, like
me, look at those windows and think,
OK, time to grab the Windex and make
that glass sparkle? Then, let’s throw
open those windows and let the breezes
flow. As I’m writing this, it is the first day
I have the luxury of doing just that, and
that feels like summer to me.
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Fresh breezes flowing through your
home are nice, but why stop there?
How do we capture that outdoor feeling
inside? Well, by letting nature inspire
us, of course. Have you ever noticed how
all colors work together in nature? Let’s
start there.
Accessorize with Color
It’s time for a visit to your favorite home
design or fabric store to think about one
of my favorite design elements, pillows.
Pillows now come in an abundance of
colors, patterns, and styles. It’s a virtual
garden, so what do you pick? Just go
with what captures your eye, especially if
you are working with a neutral furniture
palette. A couple of colorful pillows on
a neutral sofa, or chair, can make such
a strong statement. While you are at
it, how about adding a colorful cotton
throw or maybe one of the fun fabric
“poofs” that are popular now? Let your
imagination soar.
Emphasize with Nature
Inspired Textures
Color is an easy and affordable way to
bring that outdoor feeling in, but what if
you aren’t a color person? Think texture.
One of the easiest and least expensive
ways to accessorize is with baskets.
We aren’t talking about boring brown
baskets here. They are now available in
all shapes, sizes, textures, and colors,
with the added benefit of offering great
storage. What about adding a collection of exterior lanterns? Many home
improvement stores now carry all sizes
and designs of lanterns in their garden
department. They automatically remind
one of outside spaces especially when
placed next to a fern or flowering plant.
The Green Touch
Even if you don’t have a green thumb,
a couple of soft ferns or potted orchids
can survive the summer. Be sure to find
attractive containers. A great, affordable option is to “shop” your own china
cabinet for planters. One of my favorites
is a scalloped edge blue and white
cachepot I’ve had for years. In fact, I just
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found the perfect Baby Tears Fern for it
this morning. Is “baby tears” a real fern,
or did I make that up? I’m not sure, but it
does look pretty.
Embrace Your Space
If you have a wonderful sun porch or
garden room that you want to feel like
the outdoors year round, wicker or metal
outdoor furniture works well, but have
you ever thought slipcovers? Maybe
your sofa or favorite chair has seen
better days. A custom, which means
fitted and well made, slipcover in a white
or natural cotton duck is just the thing.
Easily removed and washed, slips are
the perfect practical answer. They are
a perfect neutral backdrop for those
colorful pillows and throws.
Furnish with Care
I love the look of outdoor tables inside.
A metal table with a glass top, or wicker
painted a fun color is an evocative way
of bringing the outdoors in. I have a
small ceramic garden stool in a delicate
grey and white pattern sitting by the
arm of a sofa, the perfect size for a cup
of tea or a good book. There are many
sizes and styles available and garden
stools are great for a tight space where
an accent table would be too large. One
of my rules for a comfortable room is
that every seat in a room needs a place
to perch a cup.
Sometimes overlooked, an outdoor
rug can work beautifully in an interior
space. Outdoor rugs aren’t what they
used to be. Now they come in an array of
colors and textures and certainly don’t
look like they belong outside. Natural
fiber rugs like sisal, hemp, or jute also
work perfectly in a garden room. They
even smell like the great outdoors.
Play with Paint
Paint is a subject I could spend hours
on, believe me. There are just some
colors that say spring to me. These are
my go to colors when I am designing a
space that needs to feel fresh. Benjamin
Moore’s color of the year last year was
Guilford Green and it’s a great place to
start. If you are looking for a wonderful
neutral try their Ballet White, a soft and
chalky shade with no yellow or blue
undertones, it is the perfect background
color. If you are a bit more brave, try a
cool blue like Raindrop or a soft green
like Hearts of Palm, both more vibrant
shades from Sherwin Williams. They
look great as a backdrop wall color with
neutral furnishings and give that fun
summer feel to a room.
Artfully Inspired Walls
While we are on the subject of walls,
what about art? Botanical prints or a
verdant landscape painting are natural
choices, but think outside the box.
Consider bold abstracts with clear,
bright colors to add that special pop.
This touch can really make a neutral
colored room sing spring and summer.
The Finishing Touch
Finally, search for that perfect spring
scented candle. Fragrance always makes
a home feel fresh and creates a lovely
atmosphere when you walk in the room.
I hope you will consider taking these
tips to heart in your seasonal decorating.
Greenery, color, and natural textures are
all great but remember, it’s really about
the attitude that shows how your home
truly feels. Go for that casual, relaxed,
put your feet up and enjoy yourself
feeling that the spring and summer
months bring. That’s how you truly bring
the outdoors in.
Reesa Milton is owner of
Perfect Home on Shorter
Ave., which is celebrating
ten years creating classic
comfortable homes
using their collection of
accent furniture, art and
accessories, as well as window treatments,
bedding and rugs. In her former retail life,
Reesa, a native Roman, was owner of The
Wedding Belle (now Perfect Dress of Rome)
and also owns Perfect Prom, a specialty prom
boutique. You can reach Reesa at reesa.
[email protected], or read her musings
on interior design at her blog “Perfectly at
Home” perfecthomeofrome.blogspot.com/.
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