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Seasonal, Summer

Summer home design dos and don’ts

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

Summer is swiftly approaching, and for many of us, it’s the perfect time to revamp the house before the kids are out of school.

Keeping in mind the trends of the season and some commonly committed mistakes, these are my dos and don’ts for decorating this season and beyond!

Don’t use every trend in one room

Home decor trends change every season, so deploy them wisely! The first rule is to only indulge in trends you truly like — the trend will change before you know it, so don’t invest in a style just because it’s popular at the moment. The second rule is to spread any trendy items throughout your home so that the new additions aren’t all concentrated in one space.

Do try a trend here and there around your entire home

While your home shouldn’t be overrun with trends, trendy styles and decor items are essential to making your home feel current and stylish. Once you get inspired by one trend (or several), do your best to disperse the trend throughout your house in different ways so that it looks organic and well-incorporated in your existing decor.

Don’t match every little thing

For a look that’s modern, fresh and unique, don’t try to match everything in a room. It’s OK, and actually recommended, if the throw pillows don’t match the curtains and if the lamps aren’t all from the same collection. With a little bit of mix and match, you’ll be able to create a look that better reflects you and your family.

Do maintain a color palette for a cohesive look

In order to create a well-composed room, pick a color palette you like and stick with it. Neutrals, shades of blue, jewel tones — whatever you pick, this palette will guide your aesthetic choices from the rug to the accent chair.

Don’t put every belonging on display

You’ll end up with a busy, cluttered room if you put every belonging on display in an effort to decorate. While you might like the style of a maximalist room, pick and choose the things you love most to put on display.

Do showcase your collections

Not every belonging should be on display, but the display of a collection or two is a classic, highly personal element of design. To make it work, first decide where you will be putting your collection on display. Use an empty wall to install a handful of artworks in a gallery-style hanging, or make use of those open kitchen shelves by styling them with beautiful ceramics.

Don’t have cold, bare rooms

To do minimalism right, it’s important to avoid creating a room that feels cold and bare. If the room feels too sparse, guests won’t feel welcomed into the space. If the design is simple and clean, it’s imperative that the textures you use are rich and cozy.

Do embrace minimalism

A cold, bare home is uninviting, but a nicely done minimalist home feels refreshing and serene. In order to create a minimalist style that is true to your lifestyle, start simply by minimizing clutter. Next, embrace a neutral color palette with shades of white, gray and beige. Lastly, invest in a minimalist style by decorating with furniture and other décor that has clean lines and simple, relaxed shapes.

Bree

Seasonal, Summer

Create An Airy Summer Oasis In Your Bedroom

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

At the end of a long summer day, nothing beats kicking off your sandals and crashing in a cool, inviting bed. Even if you aren’t out of town on vacation, a bedroom that incorporates summer style will immediately transport you to a relaxed state of mind.

From lightweight linens to a soft color palette, how will you craft the summer oasis of your dreams?

Textiles

The first step to creating a summer bedroom is swapping out your bed linens. Pull any heavy down comforters, quilts or rich fabrics out of the mix in favor of all things lightweight and breathable. If you tend to get hot easily, go with 100 percent cotton sheets, and choose percale over sateen. Percale has a simple matte weave and a cool, crisp feel. Over the sheets, choose a lightweight down comforter or thin quilt.

Light

Natural lighting is an essential component of summer style. Block out harsh rays but maintain the room’s brightness with light, gauzy curtains. They won’t completely block out light, but they’ll put a nice filter on your bedroom and keep your space somewhat cool.

Speaking of light, a well-lit room is a great environment for plants to thrive. Consider adding a potted plant that’s happy indoors, or place a pretty floral arrangement on your bedside table.

Color

Summer is a time to lighten up! For your summer bedroom, choose a color palette ruled by shades of white and add pastel touches such as baby blue, mint green and peach pink. A neutral palette like this lends itself to change, so you can easily transition out of it when fall rolls around. Don’t forget that the nautical theme is always in style! Experiment with incorporating touches of navy and white stripes into your bedroom.

Space

To create an airy room that undeniably feels like summer, it’s important to make space by eliminating any clunky or unused furniture and clearing off surfaces. Is your bedside table cluttered? Rearrange! Has the arm chair in the corner gone unused for months? Relocate!

One of my favorite summer decor to-dos is to leave hardwood floors bare. Roll up your rugs, take them to the cleaners and let your floors breathe. Now is the time to go minimal and prioritize air, light and space.

Texture

Summer textures can be found in furniture as well as textiles. Dark woods, heavy metals and furry textures carry the warm, cozy connotations of fall and winter. Wherever possible, swap these rich, opulent textures for tropical, natural fibers such as rattan, wicker and bamboo. While it may not be possible to spring for large-scale piece of furniture in one of these materials, keep in mind that even the smallest addition, like a wicker side table, can make the biggest difference.

If you’re unsure whether your current furniture creates a summer or winter vibe, ask yourself whether or not you’d see that texture incorporated into the decor of your favorite beach locale.

From seashells to nautical stripes and weather-beaten bottles filled with sand, what home accessories put you in a summery state of mind?

Bree

Seasonal, Summer

Spruce Up Your Front Porch For Summer

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

Nothing says summer like a well-appointed front porch. While not all of us are lucky enough to have a wrap-around porch on which to spend lazy afternoons sipping sweet tea, anyone can make their porch a feel-good oasis with just a few small additions.

Whether you’re looking to make some big changes or just do a seasonal refresh, these suggestions will turn your porch into a stylish destination with some serious curb appeal!

Paint

The quickest way to see a difference in your house from the street is with high-impact color. Summer is a great time of year to rethink the color of your front door and shutters. You’ll be amazed at what a difference a fresh coat of paint can make. How about switching from a safe brown or cream to a pastel blue or fire engine red? Sure, it’s intimidating to take the plunge, but keep in mind that paint is temporary — you can always change it. So go ahead, be bold!

Furniture

Once you’ve got your color scheme locked down, it’s time to move on to furniture. Before you go shopping, ask yourself how you plan on using your porch. Will you sit and stay for a while? How many people will be sitting at a given time? How much furniture will your porch be able to comfortably hold?

While all aspects of your home should work for your family and your lifestyle, it’s important to maintain a sense of minimalism when it comes to the front porch. Even if you have a large family, you don’t want a bunch of furniture cluttering up your porch!

In my opinion, two chairs and a small side table is a safe option. Depending on your style and that of your house, you might choose a slim bench or even a porch swing instead.

Textiles

For a cohesive front porch, consider your textile choices carefully. Textiles will come into play not only for your outdoor furniture, but also for the curtains you have hanging indoors. For summer, think light pastels and spicy, vibrant hues.

Don’t be afraid to add fun prints into the mix, as well! Stripes are a classic summer favorite, as are bold florals. When it comes to prints, my suggestion is to think big. From the street, a small-scale print can get easily lost. A large-scale print, on the other hand, is modern, energetic and eye-catching.

Plants

Regardless of the season, no front porch is complete without a fabulous display of greenery. To make your porch pop, try a combination of plants, both planted and potted. Several varieties of plants all layered and intermingled results in a lush, multidimensional look.

If you’re starting with a blank slate, begin by defining your “hero” plants: the large, distinctive ones you want to emphasize. Place those in central locations, and from there, build out your foliage display with complementary blooms and a nice mix of hardy greenery.

What are your tried-and-true tips for designing a fabulous front porch?

Bree

Seasonal, Summer

4 Summer Accent Pieces to Freshen Up Your Home

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

Summer has arrived in North Texas, which means it’s officially time for swimming, gardening, picnics and lazy days spent at home with family. If you plan to spend more time at your humble abode over the next few months, you may be thinking about treating your home to a seasonal refresh.

One of the easiest way to transform a room is with some well-chosen accent furniture. From craftsmanship to materials and color, these four standout pieces from the Home Zone Furniture collection will bring new life and a dose of fun to your home this season.

For comfy color, choose the Bombay accent chair. This bold seat is sure to mix up a home ruled by neutral tones. Sturdy in structure yet nicely cushioned, this chair is a great addition to any living space. Set off the daring chevron stripe pattern by placing throw pillows in complementary colors and patterns around the room.

Liven up an empty corner using the blue Elliot chair. There are hundreds of ways you could use this lightweight, brightly colored accent chair in your home, because it’s simple and doesn’t take up much space. I love to use it as the base of a fabulous vignette at the end of a hallway or in a lonely corner. If the space you choose is already empty, start with the Elliot chair. Hang some small art pieces vertically overhead, stack a few coffee table books below or on top of the chair, add a few personal effects, and you’re done!

Make a statement with the Nina two table lamp set. Contemporary, sculptural and wonderfully metallic, the Nina lamp complements a variety of decor styles, from traditional to contemporary. Whether you place these on each bedside table or on either side of a dining room buffet, this silvery lamp is a chic standout in a formal or informal setting.

Show off your personal style with the Zanders sofa table. This long, thin table has a tubular metal frame and mosaic inlay, and it’s the answer to making empty hallways or entryways useful again. The Zanders is traditionally used to beautify the backside of a sofa placed in the middle of the room. That being said, you could also use it to fill a bare wall. Once you find the perfect spot for it, you can decorate it with planters, stacks of books, or picture frames — let your style take the lead.

Happy summer!

Bree

Seasonal, Summer

DIY summer: Crafts using recycled materials

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

As the dog days of summer drag on, you’re probably looking for things to do indoors to keep busy. Use this time wisely, combing through your home for unused or underutilized items that can be repurposed into something practical. Not only will this help eliminate clutter, but also you’ll end up with some new household items at very little cost.

Cereal Box Organizer

Get your kids geared up for the school year with this easy organizational tool incorporating cereal boxes. Cut the box with a utility knife at the height and angle of your choice. You can cut the box horizontally or at a 45-degree angle from the top corner of the box to the middle of the opposite side for a shape that resembles a file organizer or magazine holder. Wrap a piece of colored contact paper around the cut box to add some color and texture to a desk or shelf space. The contact paper can be secured to the box with double-sided tape, and the excess can be easily trimmed with a pair of scissors.

Teacup Candles

This craft adds a vintage vibe to any tablescape. Melt down old candles in a double boiler, keeping the temperature at about 185 degrees. Remove the old wicks with tongs. Cut a piece of wick that’s two inches longer then the height of the teacup you plan to use. Tie one end of the wick to a wick sustainer and the other around a skewer. Dip the wick and sustainer into the melted wax to coat them, then stick the sustainer to the bottom of the cup. Next, pour the melted wax into the cup, stopping a half-inch below the cup’s rim. Allow the wax to set for an hour, and you’ll have new candles in no time!

Gilded Vases

In my opinion, you can never have too many flower arrangements in your home. Kick up your vase game with this luxe DIY project using recycled glass jars. Using a foam brush, apply glue to the outside of the jar in irregular patches. When the adhesive has set, press on sheets of gold leaf. Finally, rub away excess pieces with a paper towel for jars with a unique patina that are perfect for inside or out.

Table Protector

There are all sorts of recycled coaster ideas out there, but this one is my favorite because it’s easy and chic. A table protector is a must-have, especially if you have a wooden dining table or side tables. Start by disassembling 40 clothespins and laying them flat side down. Next, drill a hole into each a half inch from the tapered end. Thread floral wire through the pins with the double-notched side of the pin facing right. Finally, pull the wire into a circle and twist the wire ends to secure the shape.

Book Box

I don’t know about you, but I find our TV remote control to be a complete eyesore. Disguise this unsightly (yet necessary) household item by hiding it in a book. You heard me! First you’ll need a book that’s two inches longer and a quarter inch deeper than the remote. Coat the inside cover of the book’s back cover and the facing page with glue using a foam brush. Close the book and press down for 10 seconds. Next, open the front cover and coat the entire stack of pages (all three exposed sides) with glue, carefully avoiding the top page. Let this dry for an hour, repeat the process, then weight it and let it dry overnight. The next day, open the front cover, center the remote on the first page, trace it with a pencil and add quarter inch all around. Cut the marked line with an X-Acto knife, removing a few pages at a time. Continue cutting until the remote fits inside comfortably. The final step is to cut a piece of ribbon that’s half the length of your book plus five inches. Hot glue one end to the bottom center of the hollowed out area. Once this dries, you’ll be able to easily remove the remote from the book with a gentle tug on the “bookmark.”

Who knew recycling could be so much fun?

Bree

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