I See The Sea

It feels like summer is finally on its way.  There's not a better feeling than a spell of warm, sunny weather after a long winter.  With the change of seasons comes the inspiration to mix things up in terms of interior decoration.  Greet the new season by bringing a burst of summer into your home.  I love the idea of taking inspiration from relaxed seaside villages and beach holidays.  You might live near the beach and want to extend that summery environment to your home, or you may want to recreate that beach feel in the midst of your urban living.

Nothing says beachy like cool ocean hues.  Bring the outdoors inside with an airy, light decorating theme.   Pale blues bring a breezy feel, while darker blues give way to a more subdued, grown-up vibe.  Think light, natural textiles, rough fibre rugs and preppy Cape Cod towels when recreating this look indoors.

I have great memories of painting flowers onto seashells with my grandma when I was a little girl.  My grandparents had a house in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand, where we spent many a weekend.  If you're lucky enough to be able to go for a stroll on a beach, collect some shells to take home with you.   You can frame them, put some in a jar, or even display extra pretty ones in a shadow box.  Fill a jar with sand and burn a pillar candle in it.  Get creative with nature's little treasures.

This summer, utilise any indoor/outdoor flow your home may have, turning porches, decks and patios into part of your living area.  Take inspiration from seaside villages and beachfront porches: rocking chairs, hanging pots overflowing with summer colour, jugs of iced tea and lazy afternoons in the hammock.

Extend the beachy summer vibe to your garden by taking inspiration from cottage-style gardens.  Look for flowers that once mature will be reasonably self-sufficient, giving your garden that overgrown wildflower look of summer. 

Hydrangeas.  Plant these away from direct sunlight to avoid burning the leaves.  The colours they flower in will differ according to the acidity of your soil.

African Daisies.  These exotic daisies go well in a pot or gardenbed.

Foxgloves.  Once mature, these flowers will self-seed and grow like a weed.

Forget-me-not.  The pod of these cute flowers will attach to your clothing if you brush by.  They like partial sun to shade.

Even if you don't live by the beach, you can celebrate the arrival of summer by embracing the feel of the beach, letting it shine through in different areas of your home.  There's nothing better than feeling like you're on a permanant seaside holiday!

Thanks for reading,

Joanna