If you are new here or are visiting from another blog I am so happy that you have stopped by. I have teamed up with such a great group of bloggers to share a little snippet of my home for this Summer Home Refresh. Since summer is in full swing I know that you will enjoy taking a peek at how each of these talented bloggers refreshed a space in their home for the summer months, be sure to follow along this weekend as we share some new spaces each day. (The links are at the end of this post)
One of my favorite places is the Central Coast of California. The first time that I visited Santa Barbara I was smitten with the white washed Spanish style villas covered in vibrant Bougainvillea blooms. I was just visiting the area again recently and it inspired me to bring a little taste of the California Coast to my home. So since my dining room is the heart of my little home I started here.
I set the table and changed the decor. I tucked in these succulent clippings here and there as they remind me of the ice-plant that grows along the edge of the beaches….
To bring in the white wash look of the Spanish villas I painted some pottery white and used them on my buffet….See how easy it was to paint them HERE
When I added some Bougainvillea cuttings to the large vase it was love at first sight!
I put them right next to my Old World screen from World Market to capture that California Coastal vibe.
I am chomping at the bit to get this room painted white. But life keeps teaching me patience over and over again. I am reminded that things can wait. It will happen eventually and in the long run whether it was painted in May or in December it doesn’t really matter that much. But my attitude about it does.
So I sucked it up and made it pretty for now!! You will even notice the cable cord coming out of the ceiling in the corner in a few pics. Keeping it real around here!
My little house has an open concept which is one of the things that I really enjoy about it. It makes it so practical and nice for entertaining.
As you can tell it is cozy, which is code for small, but we have made good use of the space. One more thing that makes it warm and cozy is that I have not been afraid to leave wood tones in my home. I think wood is classic and inviting. I love white and bright as much as the next person but I like some contrast too.
The dining room is open to the kitchen and the living room. You can see the before of my Glamily Room HERE which was my first One Room Challenge. I like to fill my house with unique vintage finds like this seascape. When I found it in a thrift store the canvas was dented and the frame was ugly, but it was an easy fix…See how I REPAIRED IT HERE
This sign is hand painted by Dara, you can order her signs here at Hood Creek Trading ….. It is a beautiful reminder for me and my family and a perfect addition for summer.
These pictures on the mantel are some of my favorite beach memories. My boys when they were small in Pismo Beach and my husband on one of our anniversary trips to Big Sur, CA.
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Tips For Creating A Tablescape:
Decorating for the seasons is new for me. As it turns out I really love doing it and I especially love tablescapes. I use what is in season and blooming in my hometown.
We always collect little momentos when we go on vacation. All of these natural elements are keepsakes that we foraged or bought in local beach shops. I created this tablescape with some of my favorites, like the sand dollars that my boys gathered in Pismo Beach (from that day in the picture on my mantel)
- Use white dishes and dress them up. I use the Luminous Collection by Pier 1 Imports and made them stand out with those striped IKEA placemats.
- Add cloth napkins and give them something unexpected like an herb sprig or simply tie them with jute string like I did.
- Tablecloths set the mood. Tumbled linen is an all time favorite as it is sophisticated but casual and unassuming. My trick for an inexpensive alternative is actually this 6×9 dropcloth from Lowe’s
- Incorporate nature..For this coastal feel I added driftwood, succulent clippings, moss, shells and Bougainvillea blooms.
- I always like to throw in something unique and vintage like those brass candlestick holders
It is always a nice way to end the day when the evening sun streams in the windows. Dinner time is special to me because we are all together, even though it is usually being dominated by laundry piles that didn’t get folded, last-minute chores and homework it is still that time of day when we put it all aside and have family time. Those times make life worth living, am I right?
If you love that book page wreath hanging on my room divider it is made by Shannon and you can grab her tutorial here at Coffee Paint Repeat
The kitchen got a little love too. To say that I was excited to receive my balance scale from Jamie @modernfarmhousemarket is an understatement. I couldn’t wait to style it. So for the summer season it got dressed up with an aloe vera plant and some seashells…
Thanks for making it to the end, you deserve a treat……Which I have for you. More beautiful rooms and projects to love below. You are welcome!!!
XO Jessica
Do not miss out as these amazing ladies invite you into their homes throughout the weekend to share their summer spaces.
FRIDAY:
Simple Cozy Charm
Bees N Burlap
Prairie Girl Home
Hip Hip Home
Belle Amour Designs
Hood Creek Log Cabin
SATURDAY:
The Creative Nook
The Home I Create
A House With Books
1111 Light Lane
Joyfully Rooted
Bright Yellow Door
SUNDAY:
Gratefully Vintage
Farm House For Five
Love Your Abode
My Sunset Avenue
One Horse Lane
Little Home Reloved
Your home is gorgeous! I love how your tablescape turned out, so beautiful!!
Thank you sooo much Ty!!!!
This is absolutely gorgeous! I love the white and black with pops of pink and blue. Fixing that painting was so cool!
Awww!!! Well thank you!!! It was fun to do!
Your colors are gorgeous! Just the right amount of pop!! And your dark wall is always all the heart eyes…!!!
Thank you Kirsten!! Summer equals color to me and the beach of course!
Jessica, so so so pretty!!! The bougainvillea, I love it so and wish I could grow it in Massachusetts! That seascape that you fixed – what a find, I adore it! Your home is so pretty. I am with you on wanting to paint my walls white but you are so right, it doesn’t matter if it’s May or December. Sometimes I’m so annoyed at our slow progress in our house, but then when I think of where we started….I’m grateful and feel so happy with how much we’ve accomplished. Your dark walls in your living room I am in total and complete love with!!!
Your comment means the world to me!! Thank you. I appreciate it so much. I am with you and get so frustrated at how long things take me. But we are busy living our lives and taking care of the more important things. So in a way we should be proud that we have our priorities straight. Thanks again for making my week!
Jess I love the colors and coastal, natural touches!!! Even in the kitchen I love the glass and wire basket! Great job!! Super cozy and beautiful!! ?
Thank you Holli!! It was fun to put together!! I loved your apothecary cabinet. Seriously amazing!!
spot on as always, Jess!! your dining room looks so beautiful!!
Thank you Kellie!! You are always so kind. I enjoyed bringing my favorite place to life in my dining room, and I loved doing this hop with you.
This was SPECTACULAR!! Amazing color pallet!
Thank you Tiffany. The beautiful flowers did all the work!! That color is so eyecatching!! Loved getting to know you through this!!
Jessica your home is stunning!! I’m so inspired with your tablescape tips – I totally need them!! Loved reading your beautiful post and collaborating with you – always so fun! xo, Beth
Beth!! You are so sweet! Thank you for being so supportive. I loved doing this with you too!!!
I love your tablescape so much Jess! absolutely gorgeous
Thank you Keila!!! Now I just need my patio to look like yours!!!
Jessica, this is SO beautiful! I absolutely adore the Central Coast of California too, and I love how you channeled it here in your dining room. So pretty my friend!
Thank you!!!! It is an amazing place isn’t it??? I had fun with this!
So much I love about this!! Love black and white and hot pink together!! And you know me, I love the coastal vibe <3 well done friend!
Awww!! Thank you!! So glad that you like it.
Jessica, everything is just beautiful! Great minds must think alike, because we have a lot of similar elements – drop cloth linens, bringing the outdoors in, jute twine and not being afraid to use touches of wood to warm a space up! Yet, your dining room is uniquely your style! I love all the fresh flowers and greenery you brought in. That vintage seascape is so stunning! The black and white stripes also have my heart! I love your comment about keeping a good attitude about getting home projects completed. This is such good advice! Beautiful job!!!!
Well that’s why I loved yours too!!! I loved all of your touches!! Too bad we live in different countries, we could throw awesome parties!!!! …and go junkin and do projects!! Someday we will have the ultimate meetup!
Everything is just GORGEOUS Jess!! Love the succulent clippings on the table…love all of the attention to detail! I’ll be right over for dinner!!
Oh yay!!! I’ll fire up the grill!! Thank you girl!!
Hi Jessica, I love the tablescape! It is so perfect for summer and I am going gaga over the bougainvilleas. We don’t get to see them here on the East coast. I love the drop cloth idea, and the fact that your foundation pieces are white, and you have added color in other easy ways! I hope you get to make lots of new memories this summer!
Such a nice comment Vin!!! Thank you. You will have to come to Cali and soak up all the bougainvilleas!!
Everything is so lovely Jessica! I love how you used sentimental pieces as part of your decor! All your photos are lovely but I love love the 4th picture from the bottom with the sea glass bottles. I’ll be sure to pin it to my summer board!
Oh thank you Linda!!! We were channeling eachother’s summer vibes!! I love your tablescape!! Amazing.
Jessica, love everything you did for the summer! I especially love the tablescape with the black and white and neutral colors. So pretty!
Thank you Yuni!! I am always inspired by your tablescapes!!