Summer Home Tour: Spring into Summer with Blue & White!
Happy “Almost Summer” everyone! Are you getting as excited as I am for some warmer weather and the relaxation that summer brings? I love all the seasons, but there is just something about the carefree, lazy days of summer that I adore. It’s almost as if we all take a collected sigh of relief, and the whole world feels just a little bit lighter. And that’s the vibe I’m going for with my Summer Home Tour this year – lighter, brighter, and relaxing!
If you are landing here from my talented friend Loi’s, welcome! I’m so excited to be joining not only Loi, but 12 additional bloggers for a Summer Home Tour! This year, I’ve gone in a different direction than ever before by finally adding some blue and white to my decor! If you’re a regular reader, you know that I’ve been back and forth about changing my accent color to blue quite a bit in the last two years. In the end, nothing says summer to me like blue, so I decided to take the plunge. And I’m so glad I did! It has brought such a feeling of relaxation and serenity to my house. So come on in, and spring into summer with me….
Living Room Tour:
The blue pillows I found on sale at Pottery Barn and I couldn’t be happier! For such a small investment, they literally changed the whole room!
I was not at all sure I was going to like the blue, especially with the greens I already have in the room in my art, but I just love the freshness it imparts!
And of course, when it’s June, you have to have peonies! They are my absolute favorite flower, and I’ve been buying them as much as possible the last couple of weeks. I just know any day now I will show up at Trader Joe’s and they will be gone for good! Don’t you love the pink combined with the blue and white? Such a classic combo!
One thing I love to bring out every summer, and this one is no exception, is shells. I bought most of these at Pottery Barn and then filled in with more from Target, as well as added some meaningful ones I collected last year on our summer vacation. This dough bowl is a wonderful vessel for any seasonal decor you want to put in it. Mine was from a local antique store, but I found this great option here, and another here. But I also have found amazing ones at Etsy, too, and their prices are usually really good!
I bought this giant clam shell last year and it’s such a great summer piece! I would have preferred a real one, however, they run in the hundreds of dollars so in this case, I got a reproduction.
It’s filled with vintage glass fishing floats – how cute are their greenish blue color?! You can find these at flea markets, but I found an amazing reproduction that are even more reasonable!
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Dining Room Tour:
This was not necessarily a “summer” purchase, but we did get a new buffet a couple of months ago that I haven’t shared yet. I am so excited to finally have something more fitting for the space! Our old buffet was not only faded and chipped beyond repair, but way too deep for our small dining room. This piece from Wisteria is a great fit in the room because it’s narrow, but it’s also wider and holds more linens than the old piece did. A definite win in my opinion!
I filled my vintage French zinc bucket with some white flowers from the local garden center. I’ve just been switching out the plants in there as it’s more economical than buying cut flowers for it every week. It’s pretty big and wide so it would need a couple dozen each time to fill!
This demijohn is one of my favorites because it has the original French tag on it! I love collecting these and have found them at flea markets and antique stores. If you want to explore them a little more, I have a whole post devoted to them! And if you’re interested in the look, I found some options here, and, here, here, and here.
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Family Room Tour:
In this room, I also brought in some blue pillows and I’m loving the change!
Both the block print and the textured one are Pottery Barn and I got them both on sale last week. They’ve been having 20% off regular priced merchandise a lot lately and that’s when I snagged these. Also, I only buy the covers because I have so many inserts already. Not only do I save money that way, but it’s so much easier to store them and change them out for the seasons. Love that!
Though I’ve finally incorporated some blue in my home, I’m still a green lover at heart. And I’m finding that I love green and blue together, which is good since this room has a fair amount of green accessories! On the coffee table is a vintage demijohn, as well as my collection of vintage green floral frogs.
I’ve also corralled some other vintage items on a French wicker serving tray; books, a silver plate bowl, and an old French canning jar.
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Kitchen Tour:
The kitchen got a little blue and white added, as well as some pink peonies! I can’t get enough of these flowers and am so wishing I could grow them here in California!
This runner is one of my favorites, and is from the Sundance Catalog of all places! Last year I was looking for more antique grainsack runners and was finding them either hard to come by, or way too expensive. I ended up scouring the internet for a decent reproduction (easier said than done!), and finally came upon these. This is thick, quality linen and it gets softer with every wash. I’m just loving the cheerful pop of blue it adds!
I’m truly going to be sad when peony season ends!
One blue and white item I’ve always loved is transferware platters! I have quite a few blue and white platters in different patterns and I usually display one on the kitchen mantel. They can easily be found on Etsy or Ebay, and I’ve linked to a few good options below.
On the counter are pink peonies in a white ironstone pitcher grouped with some white pedestal cake plates. One of my favorite looks for this area of the kitchen. I love the crisp, clean and uncluttered look!
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Thanks again for stopping by! I hope you’ll go on to the next home on our tour, which is Julie and Jodie of The Design Twins, and then on to the other bloggers from there. I know you’ll find lots of beauty and inspiration along the way!
Spring into Summer Home Tour Participants
Janine of Happy Happy Nester
Kim and Lacey of Styled with Lace
Amy of Crazy Chic Design
Joan of 2 Ladies & a Chair
Kathleen of Lindsay Hill Designs
Tamara of Citrine Living
Lizbeth of Home & Fabulous
Loi of Tone on Tone
Sheila of Maison de Cinq (that’s me!)
Julie and Jodie of The Design Twins
Gloribell of I Don’t Know How She Does It
Amie of Meme Hill
Laila of Designs by Laila
Happy Summer!
Sheila
xo
Your home is stunning!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Thank you so much Cindy – that is so sweet of you to say!
Thanks so much for hosting!
Sheila
Sheila I love your tour! I went with blue as well and yours is utter perfection! I’m glad you took the plunge since it is so gorgeous in your home! You are totally ready for a fun, beach you French summer home!
Awww, you know just what to say to make me feel good Janine! The word “French” when associated with my home just makes me smile since I love anything French! Thank you! And I’m so glad I did the blue too! It makes my heart happy:)
Loved touring with you – as always!
Sheila
xo
Dear Sheila, thank you so much for this summer home journey. It just wants me to get up from my chair and try to add some summer vibes to my own home. I’m in the midst of an awful but necessary decluttering process. And that’s why I thought: No decoration at all! I can feel the relief already. But at the same time it’s feeling cold. But your rooms are so inspiring. I’ll go and get some of my blue cushions out of the give-away boxes again. A little blue and fresh flowers (if no paeonies I’ll get roses) – it makes such a difference! But I had to see it, here.
Have a wonderful summer and take the time to enjoy your summer home! Jeannie
Jeannie, I’m so glad you enjoyed the tour – and even more glad to know I inspired someone!
I couldn’t agree more about the “decluttering”! It feels so good and is a necessary thing. And I’m sure just adding back in your blue and getting some fresh flowers will brighten things up again and make it feel less “cold.” Fresh flowers add so much to a space:)
Happy Summer to you too, and thank you so much for your kind comment and for taking the time to share it with me. I so appreciate it!
Sheila
Love your style! It is so fresh and clean yet comfortable and relaxed. Can you share with me the distance from the back of your faucet to the window and the distance from the back of your kitchen sink to the window? I’m remodeling and I’m wondering if I have enough space behind the sink. Yours seems to work and look good. Thank you.
Hi Jan!
Thanks so much for your lovely compliments – I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed seeing my home. It makes my heart happy to hear that!
In answer to your questions, faucet to window is 3″ and sink to window is about 6″ (there is some over lap there though due to the marble edge hanging over the edge of the sink). It’s 6″ to the sink but about 7″ to the end of the marble overhang). Hope that helps and good luck with your remodel!
Sheila
Sheila, I love how you decorated for summer! The addition of the blue is just perfect and I am loving that new dining room buffet. I hope you are enjoying your summer so far!
xo
Shelley
Thank you Shelley! I LOVE the buffet and could not be happier with the updated feeling it imparts:)
Happy Summer to you and your sweet family!
Sheila
xo
Sheila, all I can say is WOW! I love your beautiful French touches you made throughout your summer home! xo
Thanks so much Laila! Your house is turning out beautifully – loved the tour!
Sheila
xo
Just loved this Sheila.❤️
Thanks so much Karan! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you stopping by. Your support means a lot.
Sheila
xo
Sheila, I love your summer tour! Your home looks gorgeous with blue accents and a touch of green! That demijohn on your dining room table is a beauty! So fun doing this tour with you!
Thank you Joan! I love that demijohn so much! I think I jumped up and down when I found it:)
Thanks for always being so sweet and all your kindness and encouragement. Great hopping with you, as always:)
Sheila
xo
Sheila, your home looks so beautiful! Love your peonies and those cute fleur de lis bowls! Stunning and elegant as always!
XO
Lacey & Kim
Thanks ladies! I love those bowls! I’ve been trying to find more, but to no avail!
Happy Summer!
Sheila
xo
I love your summer blue touches, Sheila! So gorgeous – especially with your peonies! Every square inch is just lovely, my friend!
xo
Kathleen
Aww thanks so much Kathleen! You are so kind – and I loved your wonderful tour too!
Sheila
xo
sheila, your home looks so pretty! i love the seashell filled with glass floats!
Aww thank you Cassie! That’s so sweet of you to say! And I appreciate you stopping by:)
Happy Summer to you and your family!
Sheila
xo
Shelia, you have such gorgeous Summer touches throughout your home! Those blues are very French and I just LOVE how the compliment everything! And your kitchen is so beautiful too…it always makes me smile! Thanks for organizing the tour this time around! xo
Aww, thanks so much Tam! Your blue and white has always inspired me – I’m so very glad I finally added it! And you know, “French” is always a good adjective in my book:))
Love “hopping” with you, as always!
Sheila
xo
Summer in style! Love your beautiful accessories, Sheila. And all of your pretty arrangements for the season.
Cheers,
Loi
PS – Want that French demi-John bottle!!
Thanks so much Loi! Your tour and your home were just beautiful – your talent always inspires me!
As for the bottle, I’d trade it for that clock, haha!!
Sheila
xo
The best thing is that you taught me what a demi-john was! haha No seriously your home is always so classic and well dressed. xo
Haha, really?! I love that! Now you need to buy a couple for that lake house:)
Thanks for all your support my sweet friend!
Sheila
xo
Sheila, I love it all! All the little details are beautiful. I love everything you do.
Xox, Lizbeth
Thank you so much Lizbeth! I’ve loved getting to know you and doing our “hops” together!
Sheila
xo
Sheila, Your taste is impeccable!! Truly, we are in love, in love!! Wow, you always remind us of our classic, New England roots. We love your perfect updates, the blues, the antiques and you’ve captured it all enviously. You have outdone yourself. XO Julie & Jodie
Wow, I seriously don’t know what to say, you girls are SO kind! I always feel like I really belong in the South or the East since everything here in California is modern – I don’t fit in at all!
Your sweet compliments and support mean so much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sheila
xo
Love all the details in each corner! The blue tones really mix well with the rest of your accessories.
Thanks so much Gloribell! I’m loving them for summer – such a fresh change:)
Sheila
xo