Give your space a summer refresh with these tips, tricks, and trends from some of our favorite local experts.
The Beauty of the Great Outdoors
Brad Ramsey
“Biophilic design, or the essence of bringing the outdoors in, will continue to be a favorite trend this summer. Expect abundant greenery, natural light, and large, airy windows. There’s a focus on plants not just as decor but as essential design elements to improve mood and air quality.” - Brad Ramsey, Principal and Founder of Brad Ramsey Interiors (bradramseyinteriors.com)
Light Up Your World
“Warm weather means living outside. If I could live in a treehouse like the Swiss Family Robinson, I would. I spend as much time outside during the summer as I can. Whether it’s on my screened-in porch, in the yard with my family, or next to a pool. When the sun goes down, it doesn’t mean that I want to go inside, so I’ve started incorporating portable lights into every outdoor space that I design. Be it Fermob, Pooky, Zafferano, or retail-facing places like Ballard Designs and Target, I always snatch a few of these to set on the dinner table, side table, and around the pool. They stretch the after-sunset light into the evening so that you can stay out after dark.”- Natalie Hager, Lead Interior Designer and Principal of Natalie Hager Interiors (nataliehagerinteriors.com)
Going Green
“Our warmest season reminds us of how lush and picturesque our region becomes with explosions of hydrangea and magnolia blooms. We recommend our clients clip leafy branches or spectacular sprigs for vessels inside the home. A glimpse of the outdoors inside the home is the finishing touch for a true sense of place.”- Matt Donahoe, Founder and Principal, bureau (bureauinteriordesign.com)
Make A Splash
“Selecting a water line tile can be overwhelming, but these four thoughts will guide you to the perfect match for your backyard:
1. Match the color of the pool to the color of the tile. This creates a division between the pool and the pool deck.
2. Match the coping so it gives the illusion of a roll-over coping or a waterfall countertop concept. This allows the eye to blend the pool with the decking, allowing the water color to come down out of the patio.
3. Blend both the pool color with the coping color. Imagine a beige coping in a blue pool and finding a tile that has a mixture of both.
4. You pool your way! If you’re passionate about one specific thing, add that tile to the waterline. For example, we partnered with a customer who was really passionate about adding hexagon tiles to her waterline as a memory from her childhood home.” - Lauren Womick, President, Kevin Sparks Signature Pools (kevinsparkssignaturepools.com)
The Power of the Patio
Leslee Mitchell
“We are always looking for ways to bring the outdoors in. However, don’t be afraid to bring the indoors out! Not everything in your exterior space needs to be patio furniture. Primitive wood tables, lamps, woven chairs, art, and vintage elements can really make your exterior spaces feel lived-in and inviting. If it’s made out of natural materials, chances are it’s perfectly safe to have on a covered patio.”- Robin Rains, Founder, Robin Rains Interior Design + Antiques (robinrains.com)