Hello from central Illinois. It’s a sunny, June morning and it is beginning to really warm up outside. We have been enjoying the cooler mornings and chilly evening breezes. But now, it is muggy and showing signs of a hot summer coming.

Today is decorating day for summer. I generally decorate once and leave everything the same for the months of June through August. Makes things simpler and the colors can be used throughout the entirety of the season.

Our entry way is used so much that I don’t do a lot with it. There is usually a chair of some kind and a boot box. I love this basket bag for grabbing and going- to the pond, on a picnic, or just out for the day.

We don’t use our front door. It isn’t easy to get to and our yard doesn’t have any sort of walkway. But, it is nice to have a few decor items in. This is my very favorite straw hat (I collect them!). It is from our family trip to Williamsburg 4 years ago.

Just a game and movie closet…

This is next to the couch where I like to sit. Books, magazines, a lamp… perfect! My cousin’s husband made this lovely leather bowl for me. He does beautiful leather work.

This is the spot on the hearth where wood used to go. I like to put picnic baskets here. They have held things in the past for a cute storage option, but they’re currently empty in case we take a picnic somewhere soon… The striped pillow is blue and white- see a theme?

Here is this season’s mantle set up. I love this blue sailboat I found at our local antique store. Some colors of summer!

This is our school room cabinet. It won’t be used much for a few months. I like to keep our clutter organized behind closed doors. This old tv cabinet works perfectly for that, fits my style, and gives the room height. I found the old flag at the Habitat Restore near us. One tip I have heard and use is to group like items to make a statement. Eyes tend to rest where there are several of one item (clocks, crocks, jars…).

Blue and white china cabinet update for summer. Eye candy!

Kitchen plate rack. We use these plates daily.

Open shelving goodness. I try to have some similar items (i.e. copper) in several places, but also in clusters. Blue. And. White.

As a rule, I don’t do a ton of seasonal decor except at Christmas. Usually I keep things simple and just swap out a few faux greenery things, add a wreath or flag, and change my mantle. It makes things stream lined and I don’t have to keep tons of decor unused in the basement.

How do you like to decorate for summer?