Paring down requires an attitude adjustment. To help lighten the feel at home, try thinking of your home as a 'summer rental.' What would you leave out if you knew others would be renting your place? Keep that thought in mind as you 'declutter' and 'de-winterize' your rooms.
The whole idea behind living more simply is living with less. It is about keeping the useful and beautiful things while getting rid of (giving away) the rest!
Throw open the doors and windows, pull back the curtains and put away things that are dark, dreary or fussy. Store heavy pillows, winter blankets, throws and any accessories that are not needed during the summer months. No worries! You can bring them back out in the Fall when it is time to cozy up the home in preparation for winter hibernation. But, for now... think light. Think SUMMER!
A few ideas to 'brighten and lighten' the home for summer...
Transform a piece of wood, plastic or metal furniture with spray paint in a summery hue. An old piece of furniture can be revamped and given a fresh new future with a proper coat of primer and a few fresh coats of paint. See blog entry 'REPAiNTiNG FURNiTURE 101' for more details.
Brighten dark rooms with colorful art and photographs. Consider moving art to different walls and rooms within the house as it freshens the feel of a room. Art hung in one place for long periods of time, eventually becomes 'invisible.' Infuse a feeling of fresh and new by swapping out the art adorning the walls or by adding a few new pieces. Creating a collage on a single wall can pack a punch as well (more on that subject, later.) A few places to purchase affordable art include:
art.com
overstock.com
artoftheprint.com
zatista.com
novica.com
aperture.org
Lighten rooms with low natural light by repainting a ceiling or walls in a light color or white. Add table/standing lamps for extra ambient light and use light bulbs (the blue ones) that mimic natural light and keep skin tones and colors true.
Lanterns and candles used sparingly add a warm glow and festive feel to indoor and outdoor living spaces without adding more 'heat' to the dog days of summer.
May your home be a place of light and refuge
and your summer be filled with wonder.
