We’re in major project mode here, and loving every second, but I had to take a little break this weekend to pull some summer into our living spaces.
The foyer has seen some Christmas whimsy and a book inspired look, but it was feeling a little heavy for summer. A couple of fun finds and pulling lighter decor from the rest of the house brought a little summer into my life.
Here it is now, and I must say, it’s me singing Summer Lovin’. I’m not sure why I said that, but I do love Grease…big time.
Simply changing out a few pillows, the vignette, and the wall display lightened things up drastically. The aqua chest still gets comments from you guys…she appreciates it very much. It was actually a present to me from Matt 2 years ago for Christmas…I have no idea what color it’s painted.
A couple of you have asked what kind of treatment is on it, and from the best I can tell, it was painted with a heavy dry-brush method (no primer), and sanded down in a circular motion, to reveal the dark wood underneath. It is actually not sealed with anything…I should probably get on that, huh?
The best part about styling our homes is that simple, inexpensive tweaks are sometimes the most effective.
Let’s break down what went into this summer-lovin’-look.
I knew I was going to use my favorite piece of driftwood (my friend Lauren snagged it from the beaches of Alabama for me!), and I was in luck to find this vintage inspired bottle basket at TJ Maxx for 12 bucks…bottles included! I was so excited to find it, and it’s got a beautiful patina as if it’s 70 years old.
The grain sack inspired pillow came from TJ Maxx as well, and I bought another one too. They sit on the couch most of the time, but I pulled it over for this splash of summer. Nothing says summer like stripes.
The little sack of rice? TJ Maxx. Yep, I told you it was a good trip. The guy at the counter asked me how I was going to use it…I shamelessly smiled, replying, “Oh, I’m not going to use it. I’m going to decorate with it.”
He did not understand. Or smile.
I like to forgo traditional candles on my sconces sometimes, and what better way to bring summer in than to plop a big conch shell on one? This may or may not have come from Roatan, the island in Honduras where we ended our trip this year. Don’t tell.
I’ve been wanting a wall of mirrors for a while now, but wanted something a little more neutral and monotoned…and again, I’ve got white walls in the back of my mind. (and yes, we’re going to get to that soon…there’s just quite a bit to do around here.)
These were a good friend of mine (minus the large propped on the chest). Can you remember where you may have seen them?
images theletteredcottage.net
Yep. These were in Layla’s reading room for the longest time, but when she and Kevin got the hankering to redo, they came my way. Thanks guys!!
To keep the mirrors more muted and matte, I painted them with chalk paint….in Paris Gray (large sunburst), Country Gray (small sunburst), and Paloma (the small round on the bottom).
Taking down the one large mirror and exchanging it for these totally changed the look of the space…much more airy.
That’s that. Our summer-inspired entry….have you added any summer decor to your home lately??
I think I’ll go sit down a while now. I need to prepare myself. We’ve got more swimming lessons this afternoon.
And Ava hasn’t let up a bit.
🙂
*linking to Tips & Tutorials at Home Stories A to Z, Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style, and Transformation Thursdays at The Shabby Chic Cottage!
Love everything you’ve done, and I recognized the mirrors right away! I gave my living space a mini makeover a couple of weeks ago. I’d love for you to stop by and take a look!!
Summer Mini Makeover
Thanks Kristin! I’ll stop by in a bit!
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shaunna
I just love the colors you’ve used and I love the big round mirror,, thats a beauty for shure,
Thanks Laurie!
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shaunna
Beautiful summer vignette! I love the mirrors. Seeing the beautiful driftwood has got me wanting to go to the beach and scavenger hunt. Love the rice story…too funny LOL.
Thanks Karen! Definitely look for some driftwood…it’s so beautiful! And i know, without a shadow of a doubt, that man thought I was crazy!
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shaunna
wow! every single one of these photos is absolutely beautiful. thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Thank you, Lora! What a lovely compliment!
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shaunna
Your home is so beautiful. TJ Maxx and Home Goods always comes through with affordable and beautiful things.
hugs
Sissie
They do!! Thanks for the sweet comment!
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shaunna
It’s gorgeous! I just love the dresser color and the TJ Maxx pillows. I just love to follow what you are doing, I can’t wait to see your other projects. Come take a look at my blog, maybe you’ll want to follow too.
( http://4theloveofdecoratig.blogspot.com )
Kristy
Thanks, Kristy! I’ll stop by soon!
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shaunna
I love it! When summer’s over you can use the Valencia rice to make a paella! 🙂
Good idea! 😀
shaunna
So nice. I always notice the aqua chest, and that large mirror is super cool. I love that you put the shell in the sconce. Very cute for summer.
Thanks Dorothy!!
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shaunna
I just love the whole feel of this.
Thanks Lisa!
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shaunna
Love it! I hope i can find a piece of driftwood as pretty as that one on my trip to orange beach in august. keep the inspiration coming 🙂
Oh, I hope so too! I use it all over, all the time!
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shaunna
I love it! Just wondering, how do you hang things on your walls, then change them out- do you live with lots of holes, patch and repaint (yuk!), use those 3m hooks, or do you have some great secret you would like to share? Oh, and if you want to continue the tradition of passing along the mirrors… 🙂
Hey Sheila! We live with lots of little holes, I’m afraid. 🙂 We use the round picture hangers or tiny nails, and our walls are textured, so holes are not noticeable at all. And if I decide to pass them on, you’ll be the first to know…
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shaunna
Wow, gorgeous Shaunna! Love the mirrors. And I have to know where you got the one on the dresser?? I’m really wanting to paint my walls white too, at least in the kitchen. It seems like a little white paint sure freshens things up. Can’t wait for the dinning room reveal!!
Thanks Catie! I believe I got it a long time ago from Southern LIving at HOME (now willow house)…and I did paint it white. Thanks….we’re excited to finish it! Hoping to do so in the next few weeks and it’ll be time to build the table if we haven’t gotten to it before then. Whew. 🙂
shaunna
Simply gorgeous and so creative! Who would have thought of shells in the scones and driftwood? Love it all.
Thanks Katie!!
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shaunna
I love the dresser! We are actually in the process of refinishing a very similar piece but I never thought to put a darker stain or colour underneath it, very unique!
Thanks so much…it’s one of my favorite pieces!
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shaunna
Awesome pictures thanks for sharing those who did the photos?
Thanks so much… I took them. 🙂
shaunna
Shaunna, what a gorgeous summer entry. Love the color of that chest and you have added all the perfect touches. Thanks so much for joining the party!
Thanks Kim! And thank you for hosting!!
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shaunna
I love the color of that dresser, and your pictures are stunning! Love your blog and I’m a new follower:)
Thank you so much Julia!! What a sweet comment….so glad you’re following along!
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shaunna
wow. the room looks great. i just did a small shell project myself. check it out: http://lifeinprogress-jesslope.blogspot.com/2011/06/decorating-with-shells.html
Thanks so much! Hope to visit your shell-post soon!
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shaunna
Just found you from the Nester’s yard sale party. I love your style, and you have a beautiful blog. I saw the container with bottles that you got at TJ Maxx and am so kicking myself for not getting it. I was there recently, and I couldn’t find it. I may have to visit another location.
THanks Kirche! I know, that bottle caddy is great…keep on looking!
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shaunna
Really pretty! Love, love, love the dresser!!
THank you Natalie!!
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shaunna
Great updates, Shaunna! And I hear you on adding stripes for summertime. I made blue ticking pillow covers for my sofa last month and I need to get around to recovering my dining room chair seats with the same fabric. I tend to gravitate to reds in the fall and winter, but when warm weather arrives I just want cool blues all around me. 🙂
Thanks so much Erin…and I know what you mean. Colors shift as the weather does. 🙂
shaunna
Shaunna it looks so beautiful!!! I really love the paint color on the dresser! You have such a great eye!!
Happy weekend ~
🙂 T
Thank you Tracey…I take that as SUCH a compliment. You’re the queen of styling, you know.
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shaunna
Love this!! Simply amazing!!
THanks so much Angie!!
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shaunna
I found your blog through Shabby Chic Cottage and pretty much love this post and all the pictures of your place! I have the same dresser in my living room trying to figure out what color to paint it…..very inspiring!
Thanks so very much Terry!! Paint that thing…good luck and let me know how it turns out!
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shaunna
How LOVELY!!!
My foyer dresser is just like yours (mine has the mirror). I am now debating if I should paint it or not….
Thanks for the lovely inspiration!
Blessings to you!
~me
Thanks so much, Leslie…if you wanna, go for it! It’s a beautiful piece painted, but I’m sure I’d love it stained too. Just to confuse you a little.
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shaunna
Love both shades of blue- chest and vase. Cool look using the conch shell on the candle holder.
Thanks Gail!
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shaunna
So pretty! I love your pillow and the turquoise chest of drawers is gorgeous. I recognized the mirrors right away! 🙂
Thanks Lisa! How astute of you…they really are great and I’m so thankful to have them now!
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shaunna
Love your sense of style, Shaunna! We have recently relocated to O’ahu, and therefore, I have a new love now for decorating more casual and beachy! And of course I eyed all your beautiful SLAH/Willow House product. I adore our products and have been with the company for 8 years. Your dresser is done so simply, but so chic! I, too, have the large beautiful mirror… and to this day it remains a favorite piece of mine. So glad to have found you via fb… look forward to more inspirations! Mahalo (thank you)!
Thanks Monique! SLAH does have some beautiful things! So interesting you’re from Hawaii…we went there for our honeymoon and the year before my son was born. It’s magical and I could move there in a HEARTBEAT. Thanks again for your sweet comment!
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shaunna