EASY DOES IT
Tips to update your home and backyard for summer
Summertime and the living looks easy, but only because of all the hard work and effort you put in behind the scenes to make warmweather entertaining appear casual and relaxed. Washington designer Marika Meyers offers some timely suggestions on how to brighten up the inside of your home.
Q I have noticed a lot more colour in kitchens. I would like to brighten ours but I don’t want to make any big structural changes.
A Colour is in for kitchens, especially cabinets and tile. Painting your walls is an easy option and wallpaper is becoming even more popular. Why not swap out your counter stools for a more colourful option? Look for vibrant accessories such as a fruit bowl or salad plates in an attentiongetting pattern.
Q What’s your favourite white paint and trim colour combo?
A For clients who like warmer tones, we use Benjamin Moore White Dove on trim and walls. For a clean, crisp white, my favourite is Chantilly Lace.
Q We love entertaining outdoors in the summer. Is there anything fun we can add to our usual decor?
A It’s all about casual, approachable materials and lots of texture. Linen is always a great choice for a tablecloth, napkins or placemats. Layer on some texture with rattan or bamboo napkin rings or placemats. If you want to add some colour, I love a coloured water glass. Also, try incorporating metallic elements. I love that gold and brass are back.
Q We are considering updating our dining room and I am struggling with wall colours. I would like the wall colour to co-ordinate with both our everyday dishes and our formal china. Both are shades of green.
A For the dining room, lots of shades of green can work. Do something in a mid-tone range, such as Farrow & Ball Pigeon or Lichen. They can be dressed up or down, based on your plates. I also would not be afraid to create some contrast to your plates. Contrasting colours can add a new dimension to the room.
Q We live in an older home and some of the rooms get especially dark in the summertime. Any suggestions for brightening the space?
A Think about wall colour first; painting in a bright neutral will help lighten the room. Window treatments in light, sheer fabrics also help dress the space without making it feel too heavy. Keep the larger goods light so they do not darken the room.
Q We recently renovated our beach house. I would love to update the decor but I always
resort to buying seashells and coral. Do you have suggestions for other ways I can make my house feel like the beach without using the typical items?
A Spending time at the beach is all about relaxing with family and friends. Your decor should be just as relaxed. Look for durable materials, casual upholstery and relaxed furniture. It’s all about natural materials and textures mixed with soft shades that reflect the outdoors. I’ll never shy away from a beautiful piece of sculptural coral and neither should you.
Q I don’t like faux candles, but lighting my outdoor table with real candles is frustrating on a windy day.
A I use hurricane candle holders on our outdoor dining table and side tables. They prevent the wind from blowing them out, and you can use a large candle for events that go long into the night. I also layer in colour with fruit or flowers on the bottom for a colourful touch to the table.