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THE COLOR PALETTE || It’s Giving Summer Rain

It’s Carl Thomas on a tropical island, singing into the sunset, with his linen sweater vest catching in the wind. Sunset yellows, tropical greens, shades of rain, water and sky and that pink dress spinning as you dance the perfect night away. 25 years later and that song still vibes and that video transports you. The beat drops and moves you to twirl around as it plays, the colors dancing alongside us. These shades reflect natural summer light: bright by day and dusk-lit in the evening.

Diving into the wide and vibrant hues of Clare Paint’s color library, we picked the summer colors that make us want to roll up our sleeves and lay down the dropcloth. They are rich in color and formula and help create rooms that feel lived in, breathable, bright and stylish.

Images from Carl Thomas, Summer Rain Video. Courtesy of YouTube

SUMMER RAIN

THE MATERIALS || High Vibrational Textures for Summer

Dancing in the rain is more of a “Do you remember the time?” occasion than an average summer night. Most nights don’t come with built-in heat suppression, so what we wear, sleep and live in matters even more.

A mini-TED Talk: When we sweat, our pores open up, and I believe they also take in whatever our skin is touching. That’s why I’m careful about synthetic fibers, non-breathable fabrics, harsh dyes and products with VOCs. (I pay extra attention to what my feet touch, too.) As far as I know, there hasn’t been enough research on how clothing and home goods affect us this way. So this matters more than just wanting a luxurious feel, although that is more than enough of a reason, we all deserve some luxury in our lives. But it is a way to improve the health conditions and air quality in the space where you spend the most time.

The best materials are ones that stay cool, feel natural and soft and bring subtle texture into a space. When searching for textiles, especially ones for your home, look for:

• Lightweight Linen | a forever favorite, for its breathable nature, wonderful hand feel and flexibility across styles and uses. Linen layers effortlessly into summer spaces, offering comfort without the weight and a relaxed look and feel that only gets better with time.
• Textured Cotton | Great for bedding and throws. Textured cotton is a superior choice for all-season bed layering and the perfect addition to summer movie-night snuggle session. It’s durable, soft and easy to care for. We love the washed cotton percale sheets from Kingston Goods.
• Sculptural Glass | Some of the best is floating around on thrift store shelves and thoughtfully curated vintage and previously-loved marketplaces (check out some of our favorites from Domain by Laura Hodges Studio). These shaped and cut-glass pieces catch and diffuse the light effortlessly, adding movement as they bounce light around a room. One we love: this blue frosted art glass vase from Effortless Composition.
• Clay and Ceramic Accents | Organic and grounded, these pieces can be DIY’d or acquired. Either way, they serve as multi-function pieces, holding keys, matches, fruit, and more. While traditional design guidance will often say to keep these pieces neutral colored with soft lines, we see them as an affordable opportunity for bringing in fun & whimsy and a way to play with art & color. Don’t shy away from the funky and bright pieces; they become conversation starters and small moments for storytelling and memory recollection throughout the home.
• Warm Woods | All natural wood floors are beautiful but Oak and Walnut, and our founder’s favorites and namesake Ash, are all under-recognized opportunities for grounding and healing through design. Most of us are shoe-free at home, meaning our feet are in constant contact with the floor (if you’re a house-shoe person check out this comfy brand) so that connection can’t be underestimated. I’ve noticed wood floors help a room feel more even in temperature, and they tend to make a space feel more grounded, especially when they’re not covered with harsh finishes. When possible, look for a hardwood floor sealed with non-toxic, water based polyurethanes. We recognize that this level of choice in sourcing flooring is a privilege. But if not for now, save it for when your time comes.

THE OBJECTS OF THE SEASON || Simple Updates with Big Impact

This season is for fun, relaxing, ease and enjoyment, so we are not stressing out as we get our space and self ready for the sun. This summer, we’re working with whatever body and whatever space we have right now, guilt-free. Refreshing your space doesn’t require a full-home overhaul, it just needs you to choose intentionally, the right pieces have the power to transform your home with new energy and bring in vibrancy and movement. We are focusing on:

• Small impactful accents | small objects with big impact for tables, consoles and nightstands. These add finishing touches and add personality, depth and add new energy without requiring a full room refresh.
• Unique vases | Vessels that hold living helpers in your home, improving your air quality and brightening corners and showcasing the blooms of the season. A well chosen vase can work even when empty, adding sculptural interest all year-round.
• Woven baskets | Easy to find, and super versatile, woven baskets range from a simple wicker basket to a striking patterned African drum style, they double as décor and storage while helping you keep your space tidy.
• Linen or Cotton blend throws | A pop of color for your sofa, a lightweight layer for your bed, there are tons of options. Just remember because throws often become a more permanent part of your decor, it’s ok to be a little discerning with color, texture and quality.
• Artsy Pillows | Cheeky, patterned, vibrant, or themed, pillows are a great low-investment way to shift the mood of your space. Reuse high-quality pillow inserts and switch out the covers seasonally or as your heart desires, for a fresh look that saves space and money.
• Summer Scent | A little something that smells good, sets a mood, or balances a smell. A go-to seasonal candle is a must-have. It helps you always feel prepared for impromptu house-guests and adds a soft layer of lighting to your evening hang. Choose candles that are paraben- and phthalate-free, so you aren’t breathing in any icky stuff.

Summer home styling should feel light and enjoyable. Walking into a season of rich moments, fellowship, travel and entertainment is an annual gift that is to be enjoyed.

WOVEN BASKETS || Three Favorites

HOW TO USE THIS EDIT || Some Practical Guidance

The best way to bring the Summer Edit into your home is without overwhelm. Small changes for oversized impact.

• Start with one color as an anchor. Whether it shows up as color-drenched walls or the main color of a new vase, pick a focus and let it lead.
• Switch to breathable fabrics. Take it space by space or item by item if you need. If the month’s budget only affords for a measured purchase, start with something that will bring you joy every time you use it.
• Pick a hero. Not every item needs to shine, choose a focal point or one object for each table or corner.
• Let materials do double duty. A piece might hold flowers and move light, or keep you warm while tying in a vibrant accent color. Get more out of less.
• Let your schedule inform how you place your key pieces. If you start your days early and spend most of your time in the kitchen, pay a little more attention to pieces that brighten that area.

The point is, you don’t need to redecorate the whole space every season, that sounds exhausting and expensive, but a few intentional purchases and aligned gestures can shift the entire room, and we hope this Edit has helped guide you in the right direction.

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