A Delightful Summer Home Tour: Embracing Warmth, Charm, and DIY Decor

Welcome, dear friends, to our special summer abode! Please, make yourselves comfortable on our porch and allow me to pour you a refreshing glass of lemonade. We’re thrilled to open our home for the Simply Summer Tour, a wonderful collaboration with Country Living Magazine, Birch Lane, Nina Hendrick, and an incredible lineup of 29 talented bloggers. It’s an honor to be part of such an inspiring community!

Before we dive in, let me share a little secret – and you have to pinky promise not to tell anyone! My house is never this perfectly tidy during the summer months. Normally, with our daughter Olivia out of preschool, my husband Robert, both sets of grandparents, and I are all about soaking up the sun, enjoying swims, embarking on road trips, and creating unforgettable memories. But for this grand tour, I decided to tuck away the wet swimsuits and hide the sandy flip-flops, just for a moment!

This summer, I had immense fun experimenting with a vibrant color palette of blues and yellows. These hues effortlessly breathe life into our otherwise neutral home, instantly shouting “summer” to me. They bring a refreshing energy that perfectly complements the season’s joyful spirit.

A Warm Welcome on the Front Porch

Our front porch received a lovely refresh, transforming it into an even cozier retreat. I adorned it with these charming navy print outdoor pillows and a soft gray striped throw, generously provided by Birch Lane. These additions have made sitting out here on stormy summer evenings, watching the rain fall with Robert and Olivia, one of my absolute favorite pastimes. It’s a tranquil spot where we can truly unwind and connect.

Even though I possess what I affectionately call “the blackest thumb on the planet,” I simply couldn’t resist these vibrant, sunny flowers I picked up recently. Their cheerful presence instantly brightens our porch, making it feel more inviting and alive. They genuinely make our porch smile!

Living in a “cookie-cutter” subdivision with a strict HOA means our ability to alter the exterior of our house is quite limited. However, Robert and I found a creative solution by crafting these DIY wooden shutters. They’ve added a much-needed touch of character and “oomph” to our front door, giving it a more personalized and welcoming feel.

Porch Sources: Wicker Chairs (similar) | Navy Print Outdoor Pillow | Stripe Outdoor Pillow | Gray Stripe Throw | Blue Moroccan Rug

The Inviting Foyer: A Gallery of Thrifted Treasures

Our foyer, the first space guests encounter, maintains a delightful summer quality throughout the year. This is largely thanks to the DIY botanical print frames I created. These timeless pieces add a touch of natural elegance, and you can even download your own set by signing up for my design e-course!

Almost every item in our foyer boasts a story of being thrifted and beautifully made over. Just the other day, I discovered these charming chemist bottles for a mere 25 cents each, and they now serve as the cutest little vases, holding fresh sprigs and blooms.

Our foyer table is another fantastic Craigslist find. It underwent a simple yet impactful transformation with some fresh paint and a few planks nailed to the top. It has become the perfect designated spot for tossing our keys when we walk through the door and offers convenient drawers to store essentials we might need on our way out, keeping our entryway organized and functional.

Foyer Sources: Table (similar) | Lamp (similar) | Runner Rug | Light Fixture (similar) | Candle Holders

Functional Charm in the Hallway Mudroom

Our hallway has been cleverly transformed into a makeshift mudroom, a practical solution for managing the inevitable flurry of jackets and shoes. It’s an honest confession: sometimes, you just have to embrace the chaos and find creative ways to corral the mess! We found this sturdy bench on Craigslist for just $35 a year ago, and it’s truly one of my favorite finds. To brighten this once-dark space, we installed DIY board and batten, and I crafted this warm Irish blessing sign a few months back to greet everyone who walks through our door.

Adding to the cheerful summer vibe, I picked up this delightful lemon wreath a few weeks ago. Its bright, sunny disposition instantly made this spot feel extra inviting and full of life, perfectly embodying the lighthearted spirit of the season.

This botanical print pillow cover, which I made this spring, continues to be a perfect fit for this cozy nook, adding another layer of natural beauty and softness to our hallway.

Hallway Sources: Lemon Wreath | Yellow Pillow | Olive Bucket | Wire Baskets

Our Bright and Airy Kitchen Transformation

Our kitchen has undergone a massive transformation in just the past few weeks, and we are on the verge of declaring it 100% complete! This space, which once felt dark and almost cave-like, now finally feels like an integral part of our home, bright, open, and utterly inviting.

During the hot, humid months – which, let’s be honest, constitute most of the year here in the Carolinas – I consume lemon water as if it’s my full-time job. Consequently, I always keep a constant stockpile of fresh lemons on hand. Since planting our backyard garden a few months ago, we’ve delighted in cooking with fresh herbs and enjoying homemade mint mojitos, adding a delicious, seasonal touch to our daily lives.

Kitchen Sources: Glass Canisters | Cup Drying Rack | Berry Basket | Cutting Board | Pitcher

The Heart of the Home: Our Lively Breakfast Nook

Our kitchen table, strategically positioned between the kitchen, back patio, and living room, truly sees a lot of action during the summer. It’s the central hub for all our meals and frequently becomes a sprawling creative space for craft projects, coloring sessions, and Play-Doh adventures, especially when the unbearable heat keeps us indoors.

Every now and then, we take the time to set a pretty table, inviting family and friends over for a delightful cookout. My husband, Robert, would happily grill every single day if his office job didn’t call him away. His passion for grilling ensures countless delicious meals and cherished gatherings around this table.

Fun Fact: (You might want to ignore this if you’re a little bit OCD!) Only two of the clocks on our wall actually display the correct time. This is usually because the only time I ever remember to change their batteries is when I’m in the midst of taking pictures for a home tour. Oops!

Breakfast Room Sources: Table Runner | Placemats | Driftwood Chargers | Glass Pitcher | Cake Stand

Cozy Living: DIY Statements and Thrifty Finds

One of my absolute favorite architectural DIY projects we’ve undertaken is our wood beam doorway. We installed it last summer for a mere $80, and it opens directly into our living room, making a massive statement. I still can’t believe how straightforward and impactful this project was, adding so much character to our open-concept space.

However, the DIY project that truly started it all in our house was our oversized faux fireplace. Real fires aren’t really necessary here, as it rarely gets cold enough, and certainly not in the summer! That ceiling fan, though, definitely gets a workout. Never tell a Southern girl she can’t have her beloved ceiling fan; it’s practically a necessity for surviving our warm climate, providing comfort and a gentle breeze. Wink wink.

Our living room is a testament to the power of thrifty finds, each piece contributing to its unique character. Take, for instance, that card catalog coffee table – it not only adds a touch of vintage charm but also keeps all our DVDs perfectly organized for our regular summer movie nights.

Then there’s our mantel mirror, a fantastic $10 find that I transformed with a distressed makeover, giving it an elegant, aged look that perfectly complements the room’s aesthetic.

And our media cabinet, another Craigslist treasure, received a stunning Restoration Hardware-inspired flip, proving that high-end style can be achieved on a budget with a little creativity and effort.

I actually have plans to introduce a few subtle changes to this space in the near future for a refreshing update. But it’s truly amazing how some fresh grocery store flowers can single-handedly elevate a room, adding instant life and beauty with minimal effort.

Serene Summer Mornings in the Master Bedroom

Over the past few months, our master bedroom has also seen a wealth of beautiful changes. Not too long ago, it was hardly more than a simple white box, lacking character and warmth. And yes, I went full “flower-happy” in here too, with several delightful clippings from our lush hydrangea bushes. I simply can’t resist bringing the beauty of the outdoors in!

About once a week, Robert gets a craving for bacon, fries up a batch, and then surprises me with a little plate of it right in bed. (Of course, Olivia usually manages to steal at least half of it!) Bacon, in our house, is practically the social equivalent of flowers. It’s our unspoken currency of love and a cherished part of our lazy summer mornings.

I wouldn’t trade these relaxed, sun-drenched summer mornings for anything. The way the sunshine gently streams through our windows, naturally waking us up each day, is truly one of life’s simple pleasures.

Outdoor Oasis: Our Relaxed Back Patio

On mild summer evenings, we often invite our nearby family over for impromptu cookouts on our back patio, which we lovingly gave a makeover this spring. It’s the perfect setting for casual gatherings, laughter, and good food under the stars.

Growing up, my dad was nothing short of a grill master, and he has successfully passed on his passion for grilling to Robert. Together, they could easily give Bobby Flay a run for his money! Being the barbecue judge is tough work, but somebody’s gotta do it. (It’s a delicious burden, really! Ha!)

Olivia’s absolute favorite thing to do out here is to devour s’mores, her face usually sticky with chocolate, and play on her playground. She runs barefoot through the backyard every chance she gets, truly embracing the freedom and joy of summer. Not much has dramatically changed out here since I last shared it, except perhaps I’ve accidentally (and quietly) killed another plant or two. Shhh… I’ll never tell, and they won’t either!

Thank you so much for joining us on this tour through our summer home! It’s been a joy to share the spaces where we make memories, relax, and celebrate the simple pleasures of the season. From our DIY projects to our thrifted treasures, every corner tells a story of comfort and charm, all infused with the laid-back spirit of summer. We hope you found some inspiration for your own seasonal decorating and feel a little more connected to the warmth and joy that define summer living. We invite you to explore more of our home and decor adventures here on the blog, and be sure to check out the other amazing tours from the Simply Summer Tour bloggers!