Summer Living Room Refresh

Hello Saturday! And hello, lovely readers! Okay, let me calm myself…I’m a little too excited today because I’m participating in a Summer Home Refresh Blog Hop with some of the most talented decorators and designers I know.  We’re all sharing summer refresh projects with you (from entire homes to DIY projects) this weekend and you’re not going to be disappointed with the content, y’all. This group of women has serious chops and all of their homes are beautiful.  So, grab a cup of coffee and after you check out my living room follow all of the links below that will take you to their posts – settle in, it’s going to be good!

I live in Texas so our summer basically started way back in April and that’s when I originally decorated for summer.  It’s been a few months so I’ve been craving a refresh, but since fall doesn’t come until October for us (and sometimes November, yes I said November) it’s way too early for me to even think about fall decor. In the end I decided to give our living room a mid-summer refresh by simplifying and brightening.

This wide shot of our living room shows everything, but the TV in the corner.  It’s big, it’s black…nothing you need to see;) That corner is also where we store a few of my daughter’s toys (see those wicker baskets? they’re lifesavers).

We absolutely love this room and definitely do 90% of our living here.  It’s completely open to our kitchen and dining room so it’s the heart of our home.

My favorite candle (find it here), a simple gold orb and vintage books complete our ottoman’s transition to coffee table.  I love having an ottoman instead of a coffee table right now because our 2 year old can play on it, stack her toys here and bump into it without hurting herself. It stays clear of any decor most of the time, but when we have people over or a rare kid free night I can make it coffee table with this oversized tray from Pottery Barn.

I wish I could tell you I only break out the sea glass during summertime, but that would be a lie;)

 

…that darn TV snuck in a shot.

My favorite corner in our home…Felicity the Fig and my newest succulent on the windowsill keep things fresh and the book wreath I made adds just the right amount of texture. Usually a stack of books and magazines crowd the top of that antique end table, but I moved them below to the handy, built-in book caddy and replaced them with a couple of bright candlesticks that were previously on my cluttered mantel.  This is Momma’s spot, y’all – I’m a lucky girl, right?

Wonderful words from Neighbormade…

Our mantel was simplified the most.  Before this refresh, I had books, glassware, wooden beads…you name it, it was there.  I realized one day that all of that was taking away from the real star of our living room- the vintage mirror. I decided to remove everything but a vase of gorgeous flowers ($3 gladiolus from Trader Joe’s for the win), my favorite sign and a couple of books.

 

As soon as I started taking photos for this post a summer thunderstorm rolled in.  It messed with my light a little, but I’m just thankful it showed up.  Rumbling thunder and cool raindrops should never be taken for granted in July.

For this refresh I mostly shopped the house, but I did find a few deals at Tuesday Morning and that white pillow with burlap edging is one of them.  It totally brightened up our couch, isn’t it crazy how one little pillow can do that?? The striped pillow is actually a placemat that I turned into a pillow. Find out how to make your own here.

 

Our gallery wall stayed the same because I’m just smitten with it and can’t make myself change things up yet. Find out how I created it here.

 

Felicity even joined in on the refresh by sprouting a new leaf. She’s such a good little tree, makes her momma proud;)

 

Aaaand by the end of this photo session I’d already brought back the beads I’d decided to take to another room.  Hey, I can only simplify so much.  I’m not a completely changed woman…

 

Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out my summer living room! I hope you got some inspiration for your own home and that you follow the blog hop to check out some of these other incredible houses.

All of the Friday and Saturday links are live today, but please come back tomorrow to check out Sunday’s participants.  Thanks again y’all and have a great weekend!