Students Of Success

Summer Decor Create a Comfortable, Inviting Look

Tasneem Mirza

The summer heat calls for décor that is cool, fresh and casual.
This is perhaps why Shabby Chic ® achieved immense popularity
predominantly in the west coast. Shabby Chic ® a phrase coined
by Rachel Ashwell, a British designer-turned-Californian hit big
in the 1990’s. Till recently Shabby Chic ® was the sizzling
trend with retail stores, television shows, books, merchandise
and designers enthusiastically focusing on this décor.
Currently, the euphoria seems to have passed but this style is
still very much appreciated and demand remains strong because it
is a thrifty look, not requiring to spend thousands of dollars.
This type of design theme is synonymous with white. Think Shabby
Chic ® and what come to one’s mind: flea market finds, rose
pattern china, distressed white furniture, pastel floral, white
furnishings, white crisp drapes. You are right; the above
elements define and bring together the look. The popularity is
perhaps because it is most easy to accomplish with limited
budget and time. This décor is not only comfortable but also
easy to maintain specially with kids.

Create A Clean Bright Inviting Room For Summer You decide you
want your room to have a clean, laid-back look, which is
remarkably versatile and easy to live with. Start with
furniture; use mostly white furniture pieces that are widely
available in retail stores like Pottery Barn, Pier One Imports,
Wal-Mart or can even be easily located in flea markets or
thrifty antique stores. If budget restraint is holding you back,
you can utilize pieces that may be ready to be discarded; simply
paint them white. The paint transforms an old piece providing a
clean fresh appearance. Do you have a couch that looks worn out?
Easy fix; use white slipcovers extensively available at most
discount stores. The slipcovers can be machine washed thus
preventing anxiety with spills and other accidents

Keeping with the theme, accessories need to be distressed or
white. Lighting like a Lafayette distressed white sconce not
only adds additional light to the room but also creates a warm
cozy feel. To create a romantic ambiance, use a number of
candles and lamps. Look for candleholders, ornate candlesticks
painted white with bits of the old iron finish that characterize
this decor. The sconces, candleholders and many other distressed
white high quality accessories are available at
www.exquisiterugs.com retailing from $45.00

Add color and break monotony by using a needlepoint rug with
pink shades as shown in the image. The flowers on the
needlepoint rug provide a pattern. Throw some pillows on the
couch that complement the rug .The rug and pillows can be a pale
color palette. Beautiful decorative pillows and rugs are
available at www.exquisiterugs.com. The primary color is white
with dashes of pink pastel colors. However, instead of focusing
on pink or any other pastel soothing hue as a secondary color
you can integrate other colors, or even combine stripes or
paisleys.

Finally, the alluring look is never complete without fresh
flowers. Every one loves the appearance of attractive flowers,
or the smell of sweetly, fragrant ones. Pick some fresh pink
roses from your local grocery store and place them in a glass
bowl. Flowers are inviting, enchanting and moreover pleasing to
the eyes.

This décor is casual yet inviting and can be accomplished
inexpensively. Enhance this look with pillows and candles adding
lots of home accessories. Create a comfort-zone environment to
reflect your personal style and have your family and friends
enjoy the fresh décor all summer long.