Just as we switch to shorts and tank tops during the summer, so you

also might want to consider a wardrobe update for your home to reflect

the season.

The good news is that giving your home a summertime look is as easy

as changing a few strategic home accessories. Sometimes it's a matter

of rearranging and re-emphasis - or even just putting away the heavy,

bulky items until winter.

Designers and store owners note that it's not necessary to buy

new furniture or make expensive changes to get that lighter, brighter

look. A few well-placed items in summer themes or colors can do the trick.

The bounty of the garden, once brought inside, gives an instant summertime

lift to the room. And the flowers, fruits and vegetables don't necessarily

have to be authentic.

At Rooms in Bloom, a store in Oldtown Salinas, Calif., baskets of faux

artichokes and vases of silk tulips add bits of color, looking just about

as good as the real thing.

"They're absolutely great if you don't have a green thumb," said

Vivian Cascio, who opened the store with her sister Yvonne Maganay close

to two years ago.

The trick, Cascio said, is if you do go for fabric blooms, to choose

the high-quality type, which are almost indistinguishable from real flowers.

And the flowers don't necessarily have to be in vases. Cascio notes

that floral garlands are a nice touch. Potpourri adds fragrance and texture,

and dried flowers embedded in candles are an unusual and intriguing look.

Many summery-looking fabrics are printed with images of fruit and flowers

as well.

Real flowers and plants, of course, are also suitable for those who

don't mind the upkeep. Mini-topiary plants and orchids are especially

popular these days to bring a bit of Mother Nature indoors.

Even the scent of a room can be changed for summer. Cascio said many

of her customers head for floral aromas in soaps and candles during the

warmer months, like jasmine, lily of the valley, and lavender.

Christine Alexander, an interior designer in Carmel, Calif., likes to

add a touch of the beach when decorating for summer.

She buys clear glass hurricane lanterns from Cost Plus and fills them

with seashells and Carmel beach sand for a quick and easy focal point.

"I also like to use groupings of seashells on a table, or around

a candle," said Alexander.

She also notes that fruit and vegetable replicas continue to be popular,

typically in an attractive basket or other container. Some of her customers

like the ones made out of porcelain, which are collectible.

Alexander agrees that it's not necessary to change everything around

in the room to make it seasonally appropriate. A few little touches can

make all the difference.

When it comes to a room's fabrics, think light and bright. And

light in two regards: light in color, and lightweight. Nothing heavy

will do for summer.

Alexander notes that slipcovers for sofas and chairs can add a different

look, and are inexpensive and readily available from catalogs or retail

stores like Kmart and Target. The washable ones are ideal for people

who have pets or children.

Alexander also likes covers for dining room chairs, especially for entertaining.

"You can add a bouquet of silk flowers or tassels tied to the back," she

said. "It's a nice way to dress up the chairs if you're

having a party."

Just changing your living room pillows can make a big difference in

the appearance of the room. Alexander exchanges her wintertime pillows

in bright Chinese red for light tan pillows in the summer, which is easy

to do in a room decorated in neutral colors.

Cascio said that fabrics are quite important to the seasonal look.

For summertime, she's carrying napkins and placemats in clear shades

of green, red and yellow.

Draperies are another area to explore, said Cascio and Alexander.

It's easy to exchange heavy drapes for sheer panels, and inexpensive

ones may be found at J.C. Penney, Pier 1, and many other retailers that

carry home furnishings.

Cascio even advocates changing what's on your walls. Framed prints

with garden scenes or botanical subjects are especially suitable for

the summer months.

Some tips

Contemplate these items for a summertime switch. Look for warm-weather

fabrics, colors and themes, like gardening and the beach.

- Furniture slipcovers.

- Pillows.

- Drapes.

- Tabletop accessories.

- Placemats, tablecloths, and napkins.

- Framed pictures.

- Lamps.

- Area rugs.

- Bedspreads.

A few well-placed items in summer themes or colors, such as dried flowers

embedded in candles (right), can alter the look and feel of your home

in intriguing ways.

Home | News | Sports | Opinion | Weekend | Special Sections | Classifieds | Archives

Copyright 2004-Fayette Publishing, Inc.