Summer Home Tour 2016: A Fresh and Inviting Home
Welcome to the Porch

Come on in and make yourself comfortable! Let’s start our tour on the porch. I might not always keep it this tidy, but I love how it feels during the summer.

Summer is all about family time, sunshine, and creating memories. We love spending time outdoors, whether it’s swimming, taking road trips, or simply enjoying the weather.
I’ve added some refreshing touches with blues and yellows, which always make our neutral home feel more vibrant. These colors just scream “summer” to me!

I spruced up the porch with some navy print outdoor pillows and a gray striped throw from Birch Lane. It’s become one of my favorite things to sit out here with my family during those stormy summer evenings.

Even though I’m not the best with plants, I couldn’t resist these sunny flowers! They really brighten up the space.

Since we live in a neighborhood with a strict HOA, we’re limited with exterior changes. But, my husband Robert and I built these DIY wooden shutters to add some character to the front door.
Porch Sources: Wicker (similar) | Navy Pillow | Stripe Pillow | Gray Stripe Throw | Blue Moroccan Rug
Entering the Foyer
Our foyer is a welcoming space that always has a summer feel, thanks to my DIY botanical print frames.

Almost everything in our foyer is thrifted or upcycled. I found these chemist bottles for just 25 cents each, and now they make the cutest vases!

Our foyer table was a Craigslist find that I gave a simple makeover. It’s perfect for our keys and other essentials.


Foyer Sources: Table (similar) | Lamp (similar) | Runner Rug | Light Fixture (similar) | Candle Holders
Making the Most of the Hallway
We’ve turned our hallway into a makeshift mudroom. It’s a great spot to toss jackets and shoes.
I found this bench on Craigslist, which is one of my favorite pieces! The DIY board and batten brightens the space, and the Irish blessing sign welcomes everyone who comes in.

The lemon wreath adds a sunny and cheerful touch.

And I made this botanical print pillow cover that looks right at home here.

Hallway Sources: Lemon Wreath | Yellow Pillow | Olive Bucket | Wire Baskets
Kitchen Transformation
Our kitchen has seen a massive transformation recently, and we’re so close to being completely finished! This space finally feels like it fits with the rest of our home.

During the warmer months, I drink lemon water constantly, so I always have a lemon stockpile. We’ve also enjoyed cooking with herbs and making mojitos.

Kitchen Sources: Glass Canisters | Cup Drying Rack | Berry Basket | Cutting Board | Pitcher
Kitchen Table & Breakfast Room
Our kitchen table is the heart of our home, perfect for meals, crafts, and play. It’s located right between the kitchen, patio, and living room.

We often have family and friends over for cookouts. My husband loves grilling, and it’s a great way to spend quality time together.


Fun Fact: Not all the clocks on our wall show the right time (oops!).



Breakfast Room Sources: Table Runner | Placemats | Driftwood Chargers | Glass Pitcher | Cake Stand
Living Room: Cozy & Functional
One of my favorite DIY projects is the wood beam doorway, which adds a lot of character to our living room.

The oversized faux fireplace was one of the first DIY projects we did. It provides a focal point in the room, especially since we don’t need a real fireplace in the summer!
The ceiling fan is essential for beating the summer heat!

Our living room is filled with thrifted finds, like the card catalog coffee table that keeps our DVDs organized.

The mantel mirror was a $10 find that got a distressed makeover.

And our media cabinet, also from Craigslist, got a Restoration Hardware inspired transformation.

I have plans to refresh this space soon, but even simple grocery store flowers can make a big difference.

Living Room Sources: Ceiling Fan | Rug | Wicker Chest | Curtains | Coffee Table (similar) | Boxwood Wreath | Lanterns | Woven Tray | Slate Pillows (similar)
Master Bedroom: A Relaxing Retreat
Our master bedroom has also seen many changes recently. I added some fresh flowers to brighten it up.

Every week, my husband brings me bacon in bed – it’s like a gift of flowers!

I love those lazy summer mornings when the sunshine streams through our windows.


Back Patio: Outdoor Living
We love to invite family over for cookouts on our back patio, which we made over this spring.
My dad taught Robert to be a great griller, and they make a great team!

Olivia’s favorite part is devouring s’mores and playing on the playground. She loves running barefoot in the backyard.
Not much has changed since I last shared our patio – except maybe I’ve killed a plant or two!

Patio Sources: Metal Tray | Barrel Table | Outdoor Rug | Throw Pillows | Green Stripe Throw | Lanterns | String Lights | Chairs | Firepit
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed the tour.
