How to Capture Summer in Design
Design is all about comfort, enjoyment and the connection a homeowner has to their space. I am excited to work with the RCI team and am thrilled for this summer weather! I thought for my first post, I would ask Rose and Terra about summer inspired design. Check out these little ways to add seasonal interest into the interior of your home.
Questions for Terra
Emily: In general, what inspires you when designing a fresh and airy look for summer? What are your summer design essentials and obsessions?
Terra: For me, summer is about keeping things casual. I like to see breezy, light window treatments in both texture and color, paired with a single pop like lime green or coral. This combo looks great in a living room, bedroom or sun room!
Terra: I do like to think outside the box when it comes to pattern and texture combinations. The key for me is pairing a few different sized patterns and mix in a texture or two while keeping a color palette in mind! Here is an example a recent client who was looking for new throw pillows to update her sofa…
Questions For Rose
Emily: In what ways can nature and the outdoors inspire your designs?
Rose: Nature and the outdoors can inspire design in many ways! Texture and color come to mind first. We live in the Midwest and everyone I know enjoys weekends at the lake or planning a tropical vacation. Right now, I am feeling very inspired by watery color palettes partnered with textural, sandy, neutrals.
Emily: Do you have any favorite projects where you feel you captured the essence of the summer season, whether it be a sun room, a patio area or elsewhere?
Rose: We have created unique spaces inspired by this watery, lush, blue & green palette over the years, and each look is very different and customized for their specific owner.
Emily: Do either of you have a favorite pinterest-esque snack or recipe clients could enjoy to really make the feeling of summer come alive within their space?
Terra: A new punch recipe I recently took to a barbecue IS summer in a glass! Cool, refreshing, and pretty simple… gotta love Pinterest!
Cucumber Punch
Ingredients
- 2 medium cucumbers
- 3 cups water
- 1 can (12 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
- 2 liters diet ginger ale, chilled
- 4-1/2 cups diet grapefruit or citrus soda, chilled
Directions
- 1. With a zester or fork, score cucumbers lengthwise; cut width-wise into thin slices. In a large pitcher, combine water and lemonade concentrate; add cucumbers. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- 2. Just before serving, transfer cucumber mixture to a punch bowl; stir in ginger ale and grapefruit soda.Yield: 25 servings (4-3/4 quarts).
Source: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/cucumber-punch
Rose: I am loving zucchini from the local farmers markets and this is an easy and delicious way to cook them…
Bake Parmesan Zucchini
Ingredients
- 4 zucchini, quartered lengthwise
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a cooling rack with nonstick spray and place on a baking sheet; set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine Parmesan, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper, to taste.
- Place zucchini onto prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan mixture. Place into oven and bake until tender, about 15 minutes. Then broil for 2-3 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.
- Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.
