Welcome — grab a seat on the porch and pour yourself some lemonade. I’m glad you came by for a relaxed summer home tour.
Full disclosure: my house rarely stays this tidy during summer. With preschool on break and long days of sun, our home usually looks lived-in — full of swimsuits, sandy flip-flops, and the joyful chaos of family life. But for the Simply Summer Tour with Country Living, Birch Lane, Nina Hendrick, and several talented bloggers, I tidied up and gave a few spaces a brightened, summery feel.
During summer we soak up every moment together — swimming, day trips, and making memories with both sets of grandparents. To celebrate the season, I introduced blue and yellow accents into our mostly neutral palette. Those two colors bring instant energy and feel like summer to me.
On the porch I added navy printed outdoor pillows and a gray striped throw from Birch Lane, which make stormy evenings spent watching rain a favorite family ritual. A little refresh here makes the space feel welcoming and keeps us lingering outdoors a bit longer.
I’m not great with plants, but a bunch of sunny flowers brightened the porch instantly. Small, inexpensive touches like that always lift the mood.
We live in a cookie-cutter subdivision with a strict HOA, so exterior changes are limited. That said, Robert and I built DIY wooden shutters that give our front door a little character and a welcome boost of curb appeal.
Porch Sources: Wicker (similar) | Navy Pillow | Stripe Pillow | Gray Stripe Throw | Blue Moroccan Rug
Our foyer keeps a subtle summer vibe year-round, thanks to DIY botanical prints I framed myself. Most pieces here are thrifted and refreshed — like the chemistry bottles I scored for 25 cents that now serve as sweet vases.
The foyer table was a Craigslist find; a little paint and a few added planks turned it into the perfect catch-all for keys and daily essentials. It’s simple, practical, and one of those small flips that makes everyday life easier.
Foyer Sources: Table (similar) | Lamp (similar) | Runner Rug | Light Fixture (similar) | Candle Holders
We converted a hallway into a practical mudroom with hooks and a bench — a place to drop jackets, shoes, and bags. The bench was another Craigslist gem and the DIY board-and-batten brightened the previously dark corridor. Little touches like a lemon wreath and a botanical pillow keep the space cheerful.
Hallway Sources: Lemon Wreath | Yellow Pillow | Olive Bucket | Wire Baskets
Our kitchen recently went through a major makeover and finally feels light and connected to the rest of the house. In summer I always keep lemons on hand for lemon water — it’s my go-to — and our small backyard garden has delivered herbs and mint for cooking and refreshing drinks.
Kitchen Sources: Glass Canisters | Cup Drying Rack | Berry Basket | Cutting Board | Pitcher
Our kitchen table is the hub of the house — meals, crafts, homework, and family projects all happen here. When guests come over we’ll dress it up for a cookout, though most days it’s comfortably casual and full of life.
Our breakfast room and living room are anchored by a DIY wood beam doorway and an oversized faux fireplace — projects that transformed the feel of the main floor. The living room holds thrifted treasures like a card catalog coffee table that stores DVDs for our summer movie nights and a mantel mirror I refreshed on a budget.
Breakfast Room Sources: Table Runner | Placemats | Driftwood Chargers | Glass Pitcher | Cake Stand
The master bedroom has also evolved from a plain box into a softer, more layered space. I can’t resist snipping hydrangea clippings to bring fresh life to the room — simple floral touches that feel right at home in summer.
Outside, our back patio is where family gathers for impromptu cookouts. My dad passed his grill skills to Robert, so entertaining often becomes a friendly competition and lots of delicious food. Olivia’s favorite things are s’mores and playing on her playground, running barefoot through the yard every chance she gets.
Patio Sources: Metal Tray | Barrel Table | Outdoor Rug | Throw Pillows | Green Stripe Throw | Lanterns | String Lights | Chairs | Firepit
