Interior decorating inspiration can be found in nature. On a rainy summer vacation day, I find enjoyment indoors by scrolling through design apps on my i-Pad. In addition, I pour over old design magazines I haven’t had a chance to read yet. Usually my days are spent helping clients with interior design selections for their homes. However, I feel fortunate to be able to make some time for myself towards the end of summer.
Interior Decorating Inspiration from Ocean Colors
If I am near the beach, I’m drawn to every shade of blue. I can’t seem to get enough! I flip flop between light colors that feel cool and ocean like, to dark rich colors. I recently nudged a friend to paint a small powder room in her beach house the color navy blue. It has high white bead board on the majority of the walls with white subway tile around the tub. Few items had to be changed out; towels, a small rug and shower curtain. We chose Indi go-go from Benjamin Moore and she was on her way. I love bold colors with white trim, wainscoting, or beadboard.
It’s easy to find interior decorating inspiration all around you. The blues of the sky, ocean, birds, and flowers can spark creativity. Navy blue has such a fresh timeless feel, and colors like hot pink and Kelly green, soft yellow and mint green always pair so well with it. A touch of floral or shell printed fabric makes a great valance or Roman shade. With white trim, my interior decorating design go-to is usually a white wood blind or shutter. I love café height shutters too, especially with a top treatment or valance above it. Today’s materials include composites that help ward off any damage caused by moisture to shutters or blinds.
Enjoying beautiful, summer sunsets, inspiration takes a different direction. I’m drawn to warmer colors like purples, pinks, yellows and oranges. Maybe not to paint an entire room, but definitely for accents or accessories. Natural woven shades in earthy warm tones can beautifully enhance any of these colors. If you are seeking a coastal home decor look, woven wood shades are a great window treatment choice.
Restaurant & Backyard Interior Decorating Inspiration
Even though we aren’t dining out much lately, we can still get a good glimpse of décor at our favorite restaurants. I love to take a cues from tablescapes, candles, and other vignettes used to see how one can recreate them on a seasonal table or kitchen island. As a result of the pandemic, you may be enjoying more meals at home these days. It can be uplifting to enhance your dining table decor. Have fun with adding new elements from the outdoors into your table setting.
Let’s not forget the landscape and gardens. At this time of year, when perennials like Hydrangeas are getting toward the end, their blooms are still beautiful and make for great arrangements in big vases that will carry on looking perfect with colors of fall. I love using them on a dresser in a guest bedroom or a dining table. Floral arrangements are any easy way to refresh every room.
No matter where you go or what you do, there is beauty and interior decorating inspiration all around us. Simple things like the color of sea glass in a pretty bowl or the beautiful purple of the wampum in a quahog can draw inspiration in so many ways! Benjamin Moore’s Beach Glass or Healing Aloe are great go to wall colors, any time of year. A drapery with shell or glass beading on the lead edge can keep that summer look all year long!
Wherever you find your interior design inspiration, I hope you enjoy it and make the most of the warm temps left this season.
