Welcome to our neutral summer styling living room home tour. Casual decorating for summer is always the easiest for me. Just a few little changes here and there with colors, patterns, coastal accents, flowers and we’re all set.
Summer Home Tours
This week I’m one of 27 bloggers inviting you into our homes for summer decorating inspiration. A huge thank you goes to Marty of A Stroll Through Life, for including me in her annual Summer Home Tours. I think you’ll agree, getting a glimpse into how everyone decorates for summer in different parts of the country is so intriguing.
If you’re popping in from CitrineLiving, I want to welcome you to Thistle Key Lane! I’m so happy you’re here. I’m always excited to see Tamara’s classic and elegant seasonal updates. Those soothing shades of blue and green get me every time I visit.
At the end of this post, you’ll find links for the entire week of beautiful summer home tours.
Neutral Summer Styling Living Room with Flowers
Summer always seems to arrive early here in Texas, and I know it won’t be long until temps reach the century mark. When that happens you will find me in the pool cooling off. Hopefully, we will not have another summer like last year, it was a record breaker with no rain and scorching temperatures for months.
To keep everything feeling calm and cool indoors, I’m concentrating on soft neutrals and coastal accents in the living room.
Decorating with flowers is one of my favorite ways to celebrate seasonal changes. On the ottoman tray, I’m using a wicker vase to hold an arrangement of hydrangeas. In case you’re wondering, I’m using a plastic tumbler inside the wicker vase to hold water and the flowers. Very sneaky I know. 😉
I wish I could say these pretty green hydrangeas are from my yard, but mine are not blooming yet. Luckily I have a Trader Joe’s that’s less than ten minutes away, and they never disappoint.
Neutral Colors And Patterns
Our living room furniture is decorated in neutral fabrics, which makes seasonal changes so easy. For a casual summer look, I’m mixing pillow patterns on the sofa and chairs in cream, gray and light blue.
I don’t worry too much with matching pillow covers. Mixing random patterns seems to be working for me, so I’m going to continue to roll with it. Can you guess which pillow is my favorite?
If you’re thinking the gray blue gingham lumbar pillow on the white wingback chair, you are correct. I love gingham patterns big or small any time of the year, but especially in summer.
Since we’re talking about neutrals, I should point out the sofa lamp to you. It has a whole new look with a terra cotta paint update that blends in with this room so well.
If you missed my post Ceramic Lamp Makeover With A Terra Cotta Finish, be sure to chick through for the before photo. It might surprise you.
Another one of my projects is the terra cotta clay garland resting in the wood bowl. I recently made more beads out of air dry clay for it, and I think the new length looks so much better. For instructions, click on my post How To Make An Air Dry Clay Garland.
Coastal Accents And The Secretary Desk
In the corner on the other side of the living room, is a vintage secretary desk that has been in the family for a couple of generations. It was in my childhood home, and is one of my favorite pieces of furniture to decorate.
I always look forward to displaying sea stars, sand dollars and shells during our warmer months. They seem to work their way into any open nook or empty dish.
Shells remind me of happy trips to the beach, relaxing and being in the moment. Believe it or not, I really try not to over use them, but it’s not easy.
Another flower arrangement sits on the secretary desk which adds a bit of cheer in the dark corner. White ranunculus is a favorite of mine this time of year. I love this cane wrapped vase, because it looks summery and adds interesting texture just like the wicker vase.
Neutral Summer Styling Dining Room
I’m including the dining room area in today’s tour since it’s right next to the living room. Instead of a traditional centerpiece, I’m decorating the table with stacks of books.
I love having my recipe and decorating books sitting out so I can sit down, and look through them when I need inspiration. It’s the next best thing to having a library.
To see more summer styling and decorating ideas be sure to check out these recent posts.
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with my favorite seasonal inspiration!
Up next on our summer home tours is my sweet friend Cindy of County Road 407. We share a love for vintage items, and have the best time meeting up in Pinterest Challenge blog hops each month.
Thank you so much for stopping by today for a tour of our neutral summer styling living room. There are lots more homes for you to explore, so be sure to click though the links below at your leisure.
Cheers!
Our Summer Home Tours Continue…
Monday June 5th
A Stroll Thru Life – Simply2Moms – Our Southern Home – The Tattered Pew – Whispering Pines Homestead
Tuesday June 6th
Eleanor Rose Home – The House of Silverado – Calypso In The Country – StoneGable – My Wee Abode – Southern Home and Hospitality
Wednesday June 7th
Worthing Court – Thrifty and Chic – The Stonybrook House – Decor To Adore – Chalking Up Success – She Gave It A Go
Thursday June 8th
Shiplap and Shells – Pasha is Home – DIY Beautify – CitrineLiving – Thistle Key Lane – Country Road 407
Friday June 9th
White Arrows Home – It All Started With Paint – Southern Crush at Home – Amy Sadler Designs
Michelle you have created such a peaceful haven . I adore all of the gorgeous layers and textures of your neutral palette. It’s truly so inspiring to be on tour with you!
Thank you so much Laura! Enjoy your summer!
Your home is so pretty. I love it.
Thank you Renae!
I am such a fan of light neutral decor and your home is filled with inspiration. Some think mostly white is boring, however when you use soft colors and texture like you do, it is stunning. Such a
beautiful tour. Thanks so much for joining in this season.
Thank you so much Marty! I appreciate being included in the fabulous week of tours!
I really enjoyed seeing this room and the view from the desk to the front door. Everything looks so refreshing and cool. Perfect place to be in Texas during the summer. Especially when the pools feel like bath time. And of course you made your own garland. Stop making me feel bad! Just kidding. We all are so jealous of your creativity and talents. 🙂
Haha you made me laugh about the pool feeling like bath time! Last year it was like going from a sauna into a hot tub and back into a sauna again! Not my idea of cooling off. Let’s hope this summer is better!
Beautiful tour Michelle, I always love how you mix neutrals! I wish we had a TJs closer, or a hydrangea bush at least! I am currently trying to propagate hydrangeas, so we’ll see how that goes! Your terracotta bead garland is the cutest! Always so fun to tour with you my friend, enjoy your summer!
Thank you Cindy for the sweet comments! I’m impressed that you’re propagating hydrangeas! When you figure that out and blog about it, then I’ll give it a try too!
Michelle your tour is beautiful! Coastal decor is my absolute favorite and your coastal touches are perfection! There’s nothing quite like summer decorating! Your details are just beautiful, I love your tour so much! That secretary is such a great piece, I wish I had one and I love that wicker vase! Happy summer! xo
Thank you Tamara for the sweet comments!
I’m always impressed by your classic home decor, Michelle. And I love the coastal touches you’ve added this summer. Did you mention what the wall hangings are next to the artwork above the sofa? Inquiring minds want to know! 😉 PInned!
You always have a good eye Julie! The wall hangings are faux antlers on shields that mimic vintage European mounts. Thanks for pinning sweet friend!
Michelle, your home looks gorgeous! I love your style, I wish you could come decorate my home too!! Thanks for sharing your fantastic decor ideas on today’s tour!
Your home looks amazing…and I love the shape of that wicker vase. It’s so perfect for summer! As always you styled everything perfectly and created such a welcoming space! Great touring with you!
Shelley
Thank you Shelley! The vase was a Target find last year. I wish they would carry more fun pieces like this one!
Oh my gosh Michelle, I love your living room so much! It’s cozy, peaceful, calming, and cool. All the things that a living room should feel in summer. I also love how you styled your dining room table, I think I need to steal your idea of displaying books, I just love it!!!
Thank you Heidi! Our dining room doesn’t get much use in the summer with outdoor dining, so this is a simple alternative. 😊
Michelle, your home looks gorgeous, as always! I love your secretary desk, it must be wonderful to have something of your childhood home in your own home! Your colour scheme is so serene and perfect for a hot Texas summer! Here’s hoping it’s not as hot as last year!
Thank you so much for stopping by Jayne! I’m so excited to be in this tour of homes with you! Happy summer!
Your home looks so lovely, Michelle! So many beautiful ideas for summer vignettes. I always love hydrangeas, blue, coastal, and wicker. I have that same vase and caned candleholder! I feel you on the Texas weather – I’m a Texas girl too in the Dallas area. Where are you?
We live very close to Dallas in Colleyville. Practically neighbors! 😃
Your home is absolutely gorgeous, Michelle! I love how you created such fresh and inviting spaces with the neutral colors. And that desk is beautiful, you did such a great job decorating it. I got so many ideas from your tour!
Thank you so much Kristin! I’m playing catch up today and I can’t wait to stop by for your summer tour!
Gorgeous Tour Michelle! I love it! Thank you for sharing in such a fun summer blog hop! Let’s do it again soon!
Thank you for stopping by Melanie!
Hi Michelle – I love the simple calming decor. The family heirloom secretary is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for the tour!
Thank you for stopping by Anna! Have a great week!
Hi Michele! Love your simplicity. That’s my kind of style… less is more. You’ve created a lovely relaxing home. Great touring with you. Blessings, Lori
Thank you so much Lori! Enjoy your summer!
Thanks for sharing on Crafty Creators. I’ll be featuring your post on Thursday’s party. Hope to see you there again!
Niki | Life as a LEO Wife
Thank you so much Niki! I look forward to linking up again!
I always love your seasonal tours, Michelle. The wicker vase with fresh hydrangeas and the cane wrapped vase with ranunculus are so beautiful. And your vintage secretary is the perfect piece for your space. How fun to have something from your childhood home. Thank you for the inspiration. Happy Summer my friend.
Thank you so much Kim! Happy Summer to you my friend. Enjoy your beautiful cottage and flower gardens!