Keep the summer vibes alive at home
The sun may soon set on summer, but there’s no need to put the lid on outdoor living, says Sam Wylie-Harris
If you’re in a sunny mood but dread those gloomy grey skies and shorter days, it’s time to put the brakes on the change of seasons. The good news is, with bright swaps, an Indian summer is well within reach at home.
“With autumn fast approaching and darker nights shortening our days, keeping summer’s spirit alive using clever interior choices can help ease the most difficult seasonal transition,” said Alysha Alli, who heads up the interior design team at Redrow.
From key colour shades to subtle design additions, she says your home can remain a reminder of summer – while not looking out of place as we transition into the colder months.
Here are her tips to make your space look and feel more exotic…
1 Textures and shapes
“Texture is perhaps the most overlooked yet powerful tool in interior design, since it can quickly transform a space with character – and unite a design scheme together,” said Alli. “If you’re longing for past holidays in the Mediterranean, add natural materials to your existing interior.”
Incorporating rattan baskets, accessories made from seagrass, rattan or cane, will immediately create a relaxed boho ambiance that remains warm and inviting, even in colder months.
Alli added: “Pebbles from the beach and assorted warm metals and metallics, in the form of frames
or mirrors, work beautifully with these natural materials and provide a contrast in texture that will make your room even more inviting.”
Ceramics are also a costeffective way to keep the summer vibes going.
Alli said: “Ceramic artisan vases offer a quick way to introduce fluidity, reminiscent of waves and the coastline, since they come in an array of abstract shapes and sizes. Glazed ceramics, which often adopt organic shapes and are hand-painted, serve as an easy way to counterbalance the clean lines and geometric silhouettes of some modern furniture.
“These small additions, which favour a fluid look, introduce a playful, fun element to interiors, serving as a reminder of summer, while providing visual focal points when strategically placed next to unforgiving angular lines.” 2 Wall art
Nothing is a better visual reminder of a holiday or summer’s day out than a photograph or print.
Alli said: “Creating a gallery wall or hanging statement pieces of artwork featuring your favourite summer throwbacks is the perfect way to instantly add character.”
Whether it’s a photo from a dreamy destination you’ve visited, an abstract print of a landmark you long to travel to, or simply a family photo of a summer picnic, artwork starts a conversation – perfect when entertaining guests.
To take this further, Alli suggests creating a gallery wall which includes other reminders of summers gone by, such as tapestries purchased from holidays or items collected from the beach resting on shelves.
She said: “Adding these pieces alongside paintings and prints will create a focal point bursting with personality that’s rich in texture, sizes and most importantly, summer memories.”
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Bring the outdoors in As the colder weather arrives, bridging the gap between garden and home is a relaxed, cost-effective way to ensure evenings on the patio are not forgotten.
“This indoor-outdoor living is a key part of foreign culture where warmer weather is guaranteed,” said Alli. “Although our weather is unpredictable, clever design can create the illusion of this seamless transition.” Identifying key pops of colour in your garden and integrating these internally through houseplants, ceramic pots or soft furnishings, such as cushion covers or curtains and blinds will bring the outside in, particularly if your furnishings embrace a nature-inspired print.
Alli said: “Patterns inspired by nature can also be recreated in unexpected and contemporary materials, like foliage prints in plaster or staining concrete to create marbled effects. Although small, these subtle additions will create a mirage of being outside in your garden and among nature – perfect for rainy autumnal days.”
4 Summery colours to suit the seasons
Bold colours such as rich yellows and deep blues, work just as well in colder months, but often require a more muted colour palette.
“Blue remains a popular choice since it brings a natural touch of serenity and calmness, reminiscent of the sea and clear skies,” said Alli.
Lighter blues instantly make us feel calm, so are an ideal choice for bedrooms or bathrooms. A delicate nautical stripe either through textured wallpaper, bed linen or soft furnishings, will introduce that all-important coastal feeling.
Alli said: “If you’re redecorating, earthy tones, such as sages, peaches and warm caramel offer the perfect balance between retaining summer warmth while transitioning into autumn’s cosiness.
“These softer colours are reminiscent of Mediterranean interiors and are an adaptable base colour. Richer tones can be easily introduced as winter approaches.”