Summer in a Handmade Cottage

An Australian Queensland summer is not for the faint hearted,

It’s long… hot… and humid.

And just like the clicking of the cicadas in the gum trees outside, it is relentless!

 

My main objective for summer decorating is to create a cosy, comfortable space that feels cool inside, where we can enjoy those lazy, hazy days of summer!

This week I’m joining 36 fabulous bloggers in the Summer Colors Blog Tour hosted by Jennifer from Town and Country Living. You’ll find the links to their amazing  summer tours at the bottom of this post.

 

 

One of the things I love about shabby chic and shabby Scandi decorating is the blank canvas the palette of neutral colours provides.

A quick seasonal change can easily be made with the addition of a few coloured accessories.

Having previously lived at the beach for the best part of a decade, my go to summer accessories colours were always pale aqua’s, sea mist and driftwood, but now that we’ve moved to the city and summer is even more intense, I want to keep the colours simple and more subdued.

 

 

This year I’ve embraced another soft neutral…. sitting somewhere between pale pink and peach, I opted for a blush pink at the earthier end of the palette.

I’ve kept the colour subtle and rather than being the main focus, I’ve kept it as a compliment to my other neutrals.

Taking my inspiration from a stack of pretty shabby fabrics filled with the softest pink roses and olive green foliage, the look is leaning towards romantic cosy cottage and is especially perfect for my sitting room where I like to sew, read and meditate.

 

 

I’ve mixed it up with a variety of faded rose prints, the softest pink linen fabric, chippy thrift store finds, mismatched china and crisp antique linens.

 

 

Being so hot outdoors, I’ve brought the garden inside and filled my home with an abundance of florals.

The constant heat and humidity is definitely not inducive to fresh flowers, so I use a variety of faux flowers mixed with fresh greens, which I can replace every week.

 

 

I enjoy being able to incorporate my handmade pieces into the décor of my summer cottage.

 

 

My new faux patchwork pillow/cushion brought all the pretty fabrics together in a symphony of faded colours. I have a tutorial on how to for make my faux patchwork cushion.

Pillows, (or cushions if you are Australian), are always a lovely way to add interest to a room when using a neutral colour palette and this sofa is filled with cosy squishy pillows that I can sink into whilst reading.

 

 

These clay tealight candle holders are a recently completed project and are perfect for adding ambiance both indoors and out… and were so much fun to make!

 

The neutral colour palette with the addition of the subtle blush contrasts beautifully with my thrifted white furniture and I’ve been able to carry this palette from bedroom, to living room and into the kitchen.

 

 

There are small touches of my blush palette and romantic florals tucked into vignettes throughout my summer home…. even some unexpected ones!

 

 

Summer Colors Blog Tour

Hosted by Jennifer of Town & Country Living

Monday

Town and Country Living  –  Shabbyfufu  –  Sand and Sisal  –  On Sutton Place

 

Savvy Southern Style  –  Happy Happy Nester  –  Designthusiasm

 

Tuesday

Tammy Damore –  Saw Nail and Paint  –  Finding Silver Pennies  –  Southern Hospitality

 

Duke Manor Farm  –  Shabby Art Boutique  –  Sincerely Marie Designs

 

Wednesday

A Burst of Beautiful – StoneGable – Maison de Cinq – The Wicker House

 

Worthing Court – My Soulful Home – Craftberry Bush – Housepitality Designs

 

 

Thursday

House by Hoff – Zevy Joy – Maison de Pax

Unskinny Boppy – My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia – Vinyet Etc.

 

Coming Friday

Home Made Lovely – The Happy Housie – She Holds Dearly – Little Glass Jar

Becky’s Farmhouse – So Much Better with Age – City Farmhouse

 

Hugs
♥
Kerryanne

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