When I was creating a summer inspired front porch, I kept thinking about World War II. Something about the way everyone banded together for a common cause makes me feel really blessed. I know there were overwhelming sacrifices. Victory gardens, flour sacks, simple ticking, using things I already had at home and strengthening friendships became my inspiration.
After a spring season where the dining room table was set with pastels, eggs and bunny plates, I’m ready for my summer inspired dining space to feel relaxed and uncluttered.
While I was changing out spring décor for summer décor in the living room, I started thinking about how to create an easy summer tablescape in the kitchen. I’m in love with the cabin inspired summer mantle so I wanted to play off that inspiration with an easy summer tablescape.
Every year, my parents would let us go to sleep away camp. I never forgot those carefree days of hiking, horseback riding, crafting and swimming in the lake. These fun filled memories became the motivation for the cabin inspired summer mantel.
This cobbler is really easy to make and can be made with fresh berries or fresh cherries. It’s perfect for a big family get together or a Memorial Day picnic. Bonus, you probably already have the ingredients you need in the pantry and refrigerator.
Some of my best selling pieces of furniture at The Pickers Market are pieces painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Duck Egg. I’ve painted a lot of pieces in this color and a year and a half later it continues to be a customer favorite. As soon as I saw this primitive cabinet I knew Duck Egg would be the perfect shade.
One my favorite things about the back patio is the porch swing. I’ve wanted a porch swing for as long as I can remember. We found a set of plans that were relatively easy to follow and set about creating a frame for the swing. This is a job that took both of us to complete, so if you’re thinking about doing this yourself, make sure you have a buddy.
It won’t be long before Memorial Day will be here and summer activities will be in full swing. I’m in the midst of adding touches of summer to the main living areas and on the porches. Here are a few easy to create coastal home decorating ideas you can incorporate in your home too:
We were in the middle of the porch and patio makeovers when I realized we were going to have to get creative with furniture placement. Here’s a look at how we shopped our house and updated the front porch.
A few weeks ago I hosted a birthday party and the guest of honor asked me to make a white cake with triple berry filling and cream cheese frosting. The process of baking this cake was a little involved but it delicious and worth every step.
It’s no secret that I love the smell of laundry drying out in the sunshine. But there are some things I don’t want to be seen on the clothesline, if you know what I mean. Thankfully, we’ve figured out a way to build an indoor drying rack for the laundry room. Here’s how it all came together in case you want to build your own too.
I definitely don’t think I would ever go back to buying laundry detergent at the store now that we’ve been making a homemade HE laundry soap. Here’s an update on the original recipe and a new recipe that smells like summer.
