Monday, July 21, 2008

ENDLESS SUMMER

Fantasize about summer, and beach or boating excursions, backyard barbecues or fireworks probably show up somewhere in your reveries.
(Nautical flags from Wallies)

As you might have guessed from my recent posts, my summer fantasies include cherry pies and watermelon Sno Cones. But, I also dream about coral reefs and sand sprinkled starfish.

(Coral Gables by Thibaut)


(Starfish from York's cabana collection)

Since cherry season is all too short and eventually the weather turns too cool for icy treats, decorating in summerhouse style is a great way to turn summer's carefree mood into an endless vacation vibe.
(Happy Whales by Blonder Home Accents)

Whether your daydream is to swim with whales, beachcomb for shells or wear flip flops 365 days a year, I've gathered some season-stretching patterns and prints that can make your home feel as if you live where it's always an endless summer.

(Border by Blonder Home Accents)

Want to create the illusion of a beach cabana in your living room? Check out York's Cabana Collection for suitable wall patterns and borders.

Prefer shells? Here are a few 'shore' bets:
(Thibaut's Monterey pattern can be coordinated with matching fabric.)


(You can choose from a dozen different shell motifs by Blonder.)

(What size, shape or species of bi-valve do you favor? Claire Murray has the perfect rug)

If you prefer nautical gear, lighthouses, boats, or a beach bag of coastal motifs, Blonder has them all --in wall patterns and border prints.(Blonder Home Accents)

(Blonder Home Accents)

If you want something bright as the summer sun, two of my favorites are this Hawaiian shirt wall pattern and parrot/surfboard border from York Wallcoverings and...

a sprightly beach umbrella pattern from Thibaut.

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

Yes, the Blog Du Jour is back. And, if you love the beach, you're going to love this one. David McRee spent the last 10 years exploring, photographing, and reviewing as many beaches in Florida as he can. Go to Best Florida Beaches and dive right in!

30 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Lovely summer rooms! And, thanks for the beach link!

Gail McCormack said...

Hi Barbara
Your post was like a wonderful fresh breeze of summer air to this cold little shivering person down here in Melbourne, Australia
Thanks for the lovely warm post!!

Barbara said...

Just caught up with you Barbara. I LOVE the lighthouse print. Would be wonderfu in my second bathroom which has a nautical flavour.

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara,
Love the collections and colors. Makes you want to head out for the beach.
Glad you enjoyed your visit to the water...Sounded like Fun...
Dianne

Alison Gibbs said...

Oh Barbara you are such a tease to us Aussie girls. Like Gail says it is freezing cold mid winter here in Australia. Oh bring on the summer
Alison

Kathleen Grace said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I am enjoying yours, the beautiful rooms and recipes, right up my alley:>) Reading about your beach vacation made me realize I need to grab my girls and head for a beach myself!

Smart Living Today said...

What wonderful colors to wake up to! My favorite place in the world is the beach. I especially liked the Starfish from York you showed. Very soothing! I always enjoy visiting here.
Peggy

Debbies-English-Treasures said...

Hello sweetie,
How nice of you to leave me such a nice comment!
And nicer still, for adding me to your favorite blogs!
I really feel over joyed by such a nice gesture.
I will add you to mine, if it`s okay with you.
I`m off now to check your past posts...
I`m sure they are delightful!
Kisses Kisses
Debbie
xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Barbara!

Thanks for visiting this morning. I do understand the benefits of coming back to a blog and absorbing it like a good novel. I recently did a post that is (archived around Father's Day) about my dad and vintage Long Beach. Since you are close to finishing your wonderful book, you might enjoy some beachy history and images.

I will definitely check out the Florida beaches link. I also enjoyed the beach themed collections. As you can see from my seashells today, I am fond of the seashore. Growing up in Long Beach contributed...

And, yes, it has been busy lately. However, I am finally crossing some finish lines! Yea!

NeereAnDear said...

Dont you just love all those neat little things that remind you of summer?

Flip flops and sea shells... boating... fishing... jellyfish (that one in the pic was huge!)

The wallpeapers are quite a fun reminder of those lazy ...crazy...hazy days of summer... back in the day

HUGS

JO

shabbyfufu said...

Hi Barbara....I love all of those cheery beach patterns~so Florida! I am off to see that link on beaches....~XO~ Janet

Pearl said...

Hi Barbara... Thanks for the visit and comment... I'm delighted that you'll be joining in on the upcoming UnBirthday Party and Give~Away! Please invite all of your friends to come along! Everyone is invited!

I enjoyed your Endless Summer post... I'll have to check out the FL link, as I lived in the Fort Walton Beach area for many years! Nothing like that amazing blue water and sugar sand beaches! YUMMIES! It sure is different from the Mid-Atlantic beach that I live at, now.

Do take care, and stop back anytime! I'm off to read more...

~blessings~
Pearl

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the colors! Your pictures are very inspiring. I'd love to do the cabana look in one of our guest bedrooms at the lake house. I'm going to have to keep that idea in mind!!

Vie Chaotique said...

I haven't made it to the beach all summer. Well, now I can't keep saying that after visiting your blog. Thanks for your comment - I think I will do a best of Etsy. Congratulations on your book coming out. Very exciting stuff.

Ruth Welter said...

This is a lovely post Barbara...I could be happy with endless summer, all year long. I even love spring and fall...just not winter with the white stuff.

Susan Tuttle said...

Hi Barbara,
all of these wonderful beachy photos transport me -- thank you for that! Snow cones -- Yum! Here's to summer!

hugs, Susan

The Paris Apartment said...

Hi Barbara,
Great post...love the coral, the starfish, the tents!
Mostly I love your upcoming book and posted about it on my site. So glad we connected!

Mandie said...

I love all of the different ideas. We are in some dog days here. It was 110 yesterday. A cool drink and some pretty walls make it all melt away. God bless

Kathy said...

Oh what fun! I feel like I've just spent a few hours on the beach with my toes in the sand! How great are you to compile such treats for the eyes!

Chris said...

Hi Barbara!

Thanks for visiting me and for the "chicken recommendation"! *Ü* I am really looking forward to having a few.

Love your blog! I have passed a wonderful hour reading. I'll be back.

PAT said...

I'm enjoying catching up with you Barbara. Thanks so much for coming by the back porch and my photo blog. I'm having fun, learning this hobby!

I will definitely visit the links you've provided. It will be a wonderful diversion.

Pat

Niesz Vintage Home said...

Love the beach-y decor!
Oooohhhh...especially that gorgeous coral fabric and wallpaper!

...thinking of where I might be able to use that. lol

Kimberly :)

kayellen said...

Hi there!
Just found your blog via Claudia:)

Love your photos and nice to see a dream come true with your book!!!

Nice to meet you!

kayellen

The Old Painted Cottage said...

Barbara, these images perfectly capture summer in all its glory. Great post, as usual.

oxox
Jennifer

Tutti Chic said...

What beautiful summery decor~so happy I can't sleep & get to catch up with favorite blogs! LOL! :) chris

Anonymous said...

What fun rooms. They're all beautifully decorated with so many cute little touches. Great photos.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

What a fun post! Summery, and inspiring.
Hope you have a happy weekend!
xo Lidy

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Very colorful summer rooms! If my dream came through, I would love a colorful beach cottage for the summer and a cozy deep colored home for the winter. I love both looks!
Penny

Catherine said...

Awww...I love this post Barbara!
I am a beach Cat!:) My heart belongs to the sea! And I love beach decor! I live in the mountains..but I do have a bath rm. decorated in the Beachy theme~full of sea shells & sailboats! Enjoyed all of the beautiful patterns and prints!~Endless Summer~oh does that sound nice!
:)~So does wearing flip~flops 365 days a year! Can't wait to check out the links and the BLOG DU JOUR!
Wishing you a beautiful week!
Cat

Anonymous said...

Wow... your house looks awesome with beautiful accents.