Welcome to our summer home tour—think business in the front, celebration in the back. The front rooms are arranged and welcoming, while farther back the house is an honest, lively jumble of art projects, toys, and pool towels. That’s real life during summer here.
For now, I’ll show you the “business” end of the house—the rooms we tidy up for guests. I had planned to photograph more, but I recently sprained my ankle and was pregnant at the time, so hobbling around with a camera limited the tour to the foyer and dining room.
Our foyer is the room that gives visitors the impression we’ve got everything under control. In truth, we’re far messier than it looks. We’re a small family of three, but our days are busy and often chaotic—especially in late spring and early summer.
A few bunches of flowers from Trader Joe’s are my go-to way to slow down when the schedule gets hectic. May is full of year-end recitals, preschool graduations, school plays, barbecues, birthdays, and Mother’s Day planning—so I try to carve out a literal stop-and-smell-the-flowers moment as often as possible.
It’s busy, but in the best possible way. The bustle is the kind that means more time with family, more shared meals, and more memories.
One year ago this foyer had goldenrod yellow walls and almost no furniture. A coat of paint, a few inexpensive frames, and a thrifted chest transformed it into something that feels calm and welcoming. Small updates can make a big difference.
If you’d like to find similar pieces seen here: a full source list of key items is available on our site. (Affiliate links may be provided.)
Wall color: Benjamin Moore Classic Grey
Other tutorials related to this room: DIY Frosted Crystal Light Fixture | House Portrait Art | How to Create the Perfect Gallery Wall
The dining room is nearly finished—just a couple of small tasks remain—but it’s one of those rooms that signals a special occasion. We mostly use the table on weekends and holidays when extended family gathers after a backyard cookout.
We’re fortunate to live minutes from both sides of our family and my grandmother, so summer weekends are full of family meals and lots of together time.
The dining table was a budget find that we painted and refitted with a custom oak tabletop—another reminder that a little DIY can go a long way. Once the table was right, the rest of the room came together pretty naturally.
To prepare for the weekend I set a table for Mother’s Day. Robert and my dad plan to smoke a brisket for my grandmother, my mom, and me. Any holiday where I don’t have to cook and can focus on styling is a winner in my book.
I’ll admit—there was an apple pie on the counter that didn’t survive long enough to make it to the weekend. Some things are worth eating early.
One of my favorite projects is the antique mirror gallery wall that my mom and I installed a few months ago. It’s a special project because we did it together—she’s been crafting and repurposing long before DIY became a trend.
If you want sources for pieces seen in the dining room: Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal. A full list of items and similar alternatives is available in the project sources on our site.
Posts related to this room: DIY Mirror Gallery Wall | DIY Retrofitted Dining Table Top
I’ll share the rest of the house decorated for summer once my ankle heals and I’ve wrestled the toy and towel situation into submission. If May has left you exhausted, too, take heart—we at least get a day this Sunday to slow down with the people we love. Solidarity to all the busy parents out there.
