It seems as though I have been waiting for signs of summer for months now. It was a long winter here in the Mitten and our spring has been very up and down to say the least. So hey, I am all about decorating for summer! Sit back and imagine all things summer as I share searching for summer: my simple cottage home tour.
Today is a special day as I am participating in the Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours, hosted by my good blogging friend Kelly from The Tattered Pew!
If you’ve found your way here from Brendt from She Gave It A Go, a big Mitten welcome to you! My name is Kim and I have lived my whole life in Michigan. I’m a midwest girl, through and through, who loves a good cup of hot tea (in a pretty mug, of course) and enjoys sharing my lifestyle living with you!
(Affiliate links are used in this post. I earn a small commission when you make a purchase through my links and there is no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.)
Searching for Summer: All the Amazing Signs
When you live in the Mitten, the warm months are few. I cherish those warm days, lighter nights and each blooming flower I can find.
The first signs of summer can vary depending on where you live, but here are some common signs that indicate to me that summer is here in the Mitten!
- Longer daylight hours! As summer approaches, the days become longer and daylight extends into the evening. Who doesn’t love having more daylight?!
- Living in Michigan, one of the most noticeable signs of summer is the rise in temperatures. Definitely a welcomed benefit!
- Let’s here it for more outdoor activites! Our friends and family begin to engage in more outdoor activities which is good for the mind and the body.
- Blooming flowers and trees has to be one of my favorites. Seeing bright colors and lots of greenery after a long cold winter is a welcomed breath of fresh air!
- Planting a garden! We already started our family garden and you can read my post Simple Tips for Starting a Raised Bed Garden if you are looking to start your own.
Searching for Summer: My Simple Cottage Home Tour
For this home tour, I am going to share my patio and porch spaces, along with some summer decor inside my home.
When decorating both these spaces, I did use some previous items. It’s impossible to buy new for every season. But I will show you small things you can do to make your spaces look different and refreshed for the summer season!
Patio & Porch Living
It isn’t realistic, at least in my lifestyle, to frequently change out big furniture items. I have had the same patio table and chair set for quite a few years and it still looks great! Why change something that isn’t broken? I added a new wicker loveseat to my outside space last year, and it is the perfect size for my patio.
There are plenty of ways to change up your space each season. For me, I use a different theme each year on my back patio. This year, I found this bright red and white ladybug planter at our local roadside market. It came home with me back in February and I decided to incorporate colors that would match it. So, I am using red and salmon with black accents in my back yard. Hot pink and yellow, my usual go-to, in the front.
The first thing I purchased was some colorful pillow covers. This is a great way to change up your space from year to year. Look for inexpensive options or if you can sew, consider making your own covers, using outdoor fabric. Mixing and matching patterns can add a playful touch. Once I knew what pillow covers I was using, I picked out a new rug. My youngest son bought it for me for Mother’s Day!
I love it that much more!
DIY planters and container gardens can really transform any space. Create unique planters and container gardens using recycled materials such as old buckets, cans, or wooden crates. Fill them with colorful flowers or herbs to add life and beauty to your space. I chose geraniums, as they are my favorite summer flower to plant. They tolerate the heat very well, live a long time, and always look so good!
Patio Accessories
Big Al and I have precious granddaughters and I love adding a bit of whimsy to my decor just for them. Little items that they can play with or make memories from. Adding those whimsical items can bring a playful and enchanting atmosphere to your outdoor space. They don’t have to be expensive and can be items you already have laying around your house.
Here are some other ideas that can add whimsy to your outdoor decor:
- A fairy garden – I’ve had one of these for about five years. They are such a fun project to make. You can see how to make one here.
- Add a garden flag – I always use one in the front and back yard.
- Wind chimes – Definitely a zenful touch!
- Outdoor string lights – I think these are the best investment. Stringing up twinkling fairy lights across your patio, creates a magical atmosphere in the evenings.
I had the cutest lady bug that I set out on the side table. It matches my decor and the grands can play with it whenever they want. My oldest grand loves this stone birdhouse, I made a few years ago. I took stones from our beach trips to create it. How to Build An Easy Stone Birdhouse will give you all the tips to make your own!
My last item…decor for my back door! For spring I created a door basket with tulips. I didn’t want to spend any money, so I used some red and salmon colored faux flowers and changed up the basket I used for spring.
It worked surprisingly well!
That’s it for the outdoors! Now, let’s head inside!
Indoor Summer Additions
As we head inside, you can see I haven’t changed much since spring. Repurposing your spring decor to transition into the summer months is a great way to maximize your existing decorations and create a seamless seasonal transition.
One thing I did do for my summer home decor, was bring the outdoors in.
Forging greenery from your home or your neighboring area doesn’t cost you a dime and it really makes a pretty statement, adds a natural element by bringing nature indoors. I went to my son’s house and clipped some branches from his large spirea bushes.
I arranged them in one of my blue and white ginger jars and I think it turned out beautiful! It smells great too!
I added a beautiful pillow in the spring and felt it too pretty to replace for summer. Even though it is warm during the summer months, I always like to have a light weight blanket close by.
I recently received the prettiest wooden tray from my middle son and DIL. It was too pretty not to display and I really do treasure any gift I’m given.
It’s good to note that adding trays to your home decor for summer can serve both functional and decorative purposes. Whether you are organizing a vignette, using for outdoor entertaining or just styling on a table or ottoman in your home, trays are a functional decor item.
Next up on the Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours is my friend Heidi from Eleanor Rose Home! You won’t want to miss her summer decor ideas.
My Simple Cottage Home Tour
Thank you for joining me on my simple cottage home tour! In this sometimes crazy, fast-paced world, I hope my cottage serves as a gentle reminder to slow down, appreciate the little things, and find joy in the simple pleasures of life.
I pray your home and your summer is full of love, warmth, pretty flowers, and lasting memories!
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest!
Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours
This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours. Twenty eight talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each summer home tour by clicking the links below.
Monday’s Tours
The Tattered Pew // Worthing Court // StoneGable
My Wee Abode // Southern Home and Hospitality // My Thrift Store Addiction
Tuesday’s Tours
She Gave It a Go // Cottage In The Mitten // Eleanor Rose Home
Peacock Ridge Farm // Bricks n’ Blooms // Cottage On Bunker Hill
Wednesday’s Tours
White Arrows Home // A Life Unfolding // Simply2Moms
WM Design House // White Lilac Farmhouse
Thursday’s Tours
The Ponds Farmhouse // Thistle Key Lane // Open Doors Open Hearts
Robyn’s French Nest // Cloches and Lavender // DIY Beautify
Friday’s Tours
Pasha Is Home // My Family Thyme
Midwest Life and Style // Amy Sadler Designs
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Kim, I love your outdoor plant and pillow colors. Beautiful!!
Thanks Leslie!!
Hi Kim! Your summer decor is lovely–both indoors and outdoors–and I really love your floral door basket! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks Cecilia! That was a fun one to make!
Kim, I love your porch and back patio. The colors in the all of the flower and accessories make you want to stay out there. It’s gorgeous, my friend. I could see us sitting back there having a cup of tea. It is so inspirational and great ideas!
Awe, thank you so much, Tammy! I would love to share a cup of tea with YOU!!
So beautiful, my friend! I love your style. Hugs to you.
Thanks so much, Renae!
Hey Kim, Your summer house tour was amazing! You gave me lots of great ideas – it was so inspiring! I had so much fun being on this blog tour with you. Here’s to a great summer!
xoxo,
Brendt
I appreciate that, Brendt! Happy sumer to you!! 💛
Love your outdoor spaces Kim! The colors are so beautiful & vibrant!!! I am excited for summer too, it was a long winter in Massachusetts as well!
Thanks so much, Heidi! Having cold winters probably makes us appreciate the summer just a little more!
Kim
Your summer porch ideas look beautiful. Great tour.
Thanks so much, Rachel!
Kim you have created such beautiful outdoor spaces (and inside too!) I love the bright geraniums and your new pillows. It all seems so fresh and clean! Thanks for joining me this week and I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Love ya lots!
Thank you, Kelly! You know I’m so grateful for your tours and your friendship! 😘
Love it! Big Al has been working hard over there!!
HaHa! He has been!
Great tour Kim and I think summers in the mitten would be the most pleasant place to be. Love all the colors and can see why one of your grandkids loves the stone birdhouse. So cute and such a great idea. Happy Summer!
Thanks for your kind words, Cindy! Michigan is definitely a pleasant place for summer!
Happy Tuesday, Kim! I enjoyed your tour so much, your home is just beautiful! That patio space looks so cozy and inviting, I think I would sit out there all day if I had such a beautiful space!!
Gosh, that is so kind! Thank you! Come on up to the Mitten and we can sit and have a beverage, on the patio, together!
Your outdoor space is pretty. Loving the bright pink flowers and your door basket.
Pinned
Thanks Cindy!
I love the way you decorated for Summer!! My oldest is actually collecting all kinds of goodies to make a fairy garden this year and I’m 100% adding wind chimes to our outdoor space!! Love hopping with you!
Oh, you will love the fairy garden process! Such a fun project to do together. Also, love that you’re adding wind chimes. They are just so peaceful! Happy summer, friend!
Just perfection! Everything looks so beautiful Kim! My husband would be so jealous of your green green grass!
Thanks Amy! HAHA! That green green grass is all Big Al!
You home looks summer ready to me! so full of color and charm Kim. Love your outdoor spaces, I could imagine sitting there with you having a cup of tea. Enjoy the warmer days and all of your pretty blooms.
Thanks Wendy! Would love to have you! Happy summer!
Kim your home is so pretty indoors and out! Love the gorgeous ginger jar with the blooms! I glad you’re enjoying some warmer weather!
The warm weather is definitely welcomed! Happy summer, Michelle!
Kim, happy summer(almost)!
Everything looks beautiful indoors and out. I hope that you have many beautiful simmer days to enjoy all of your hard work.
Happy Memorial Day weekend.
Thanks so much, Elizabeth! Have the best holiday weekend!!
Your summer home is just lovely, Kim. So many pretty and fresh touches outside (that one geranium on the left is breath-taking). And I love the speria in your vase! I’ve never seen that bush before, and I would love to know what it smells like! Pinned!
Thanks Julie! It smells heavenly when you walk in! Happy summer friend!
Loved your beautiful tour Kim – and the happy colors on the patio! The spirea in the jar is gorgeous. I wish I had thought of that when I had one of those bushes!!
Thank you, Kate! Happy summer!
Kim, your home looks so gorgeous all decorated for summer. I absolutely adore your backyard. So cozy and inviting. Perfect for sipping some tea and enjoying those warm days (even if they are limited). You’ve inspired me to get in gear and get our yard cleaned up. Would you believe I haven’t planted a single flower yet this year? Nothing like running behind!
Happy, as always, to be touring with you. Pinned!
So happy you feel inspired and I will be drinking some tea out back…for as long as it lasts!!
KIM. Your tour was amazing, those porches are stunning, and those pink geraniums!! Love that loveseat vignette, it’s so welcoming! Great work!
You’re so kind to me! Thank you, Jules!! xo
Love the tour Kim everything looks beautiful for summer!
Thanks so much, Stacy! It’s such a fun time of the year!