Summer – PINEAPPLES AND SWEET TEA

Enjoying the Last Bit of Summer

I love the summer. Everyone is much more relaxed and not rushing around so much. even though this has certainly been a different summer for us all, I still make sure to savor and enjoy it. Late sunsets, cookouts, pool parties, beautiful gardens, and fresh fruits and vegetables from the local farms are all things that I look forward to every year.

Decorating the outdoor spaces can be fun too. A bar cart can be turned into the perfect station for all of your supplies. Adding some cute baskets for sunscreen, beach towels, outdoor speaker, and supplies keeps everything organized for you and your guests and it is easily wheeled in during inclement weather. I added some new beach towels and chair toppers from Initial Outfitters this year. Instead of a traditional monogram I thought some fun summer sayings be fun. They turned out great. Finn approves too. Finn loves the pool and usually swims a few laps every day. A monogrammed basket by the back door also stores extra beach towels, you can never have too many towels.

I have decorated our outdoor space in a tropical, flamingo theme. I found some great pillows and a side table at Pier 1 a few years ago. Pillows give the chairs and couches a little color and soften the lines on them. A little covered seating area is another must for some relief on those hot days. I spend quite a bit of time in the pool as well.

As much as I do enjoy summer I am looking forward to the transition to fall. Fall is such a beautiful time with the changing colors, leaves, and bonfires. I enjoy changing my decor for each season as well and have a few new pieces that I am working on. What do you love most about summer?

Carrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes. She is also an Independent Consultant with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog.

Find her at: https://carriekellydesigns.com

https://pineapplesandsweettea.com

https://www.facebook.com/carriekellydesigns

https://www.initialoutfitters.net/ckelly

carrie@carriekellyesigns.com

Happy Memorial Day

It’s the unofficial start to summer. I love all seasons, but summer has to be my favorite. Backyard barbecues, 4th of July parades, sundresses and sandals, fireflies, sweet tea, and hydrangeas are some of my favorite things about summer. Who doesn’t love a beautiful late night summer sunset? I know I do.

I had waited long enough and it was time to get my front porch summer ready. First off, I needed a new wreath for the front door. An Adirondack style chair wooden monogram really says summer and choosing a beachy blue and light coral paint fits my summer theme. Re-purposing an existing wreath and adding a few flowers and ribbon finished it off. I always love something personal with our name on it for the front door.

Rearranging the furniture and adding a focal piece really made the porch come alive. How gorgeous is this potting bench? My husband made it for me for Mother’s Day a few years ago and I love it. Usually I use it as a potting bench in my garage but I have always wanted to use it in my decor and thought the front porch was the perfect place to display it. Very eye catching. Adding herbs, plants, statues, and lanterns completed the potting bench.

Finally, I grabbed my outdoor pillows, new garden flag, rugs, and added a few pots of colorful flowers to make everything pop. I love the layered rugs by the front door and the flag is from our newest collection. Lavender and herbs smell wonderful as you walk up to the front door, and I enjoy having fresh herbs for my sweet tea. I decided on simple ferns this year for an organic element and to add some green to match the faux boxwood topiaries. I bought the topiaries for holiday decorating but really liked the look so I decided to use them year round. My other pots add just the right pop of color.