Welcome, summer has been late to arrive in the UK this year with what must have been the wettest June on record but at last it eventually feels as though summer has arrived this week where most areas have been sizzling in temperatures topping 30 degrees centigrade!  Whilst it is lovely to see the sun it was a tad too warm for me I’m afraid but it was good to come home from work to a cool shower.  But it got me thinking about how we can make little tweaks in our homes once the sun starts shining to enjoy the brighter, warmer days and to take time to appreciate the smells and sounds of the summer.

 

One instant way to welcome in the warmer longer days is have a change of bedlinen, cushions and curtains, – the rooms will look brighter and feel much lighter and fresher.  You may have wool or felt cushions for the winter season and changing them up for some lighter linen ones will be an instant mood changer.  I love to see a long light organza curtain gently blowing in the breeze.

Come the summer months I also make sure I change my candles for a lighter fresher fragrance – a citrus scent is perfect for long sunny days and is bound to lift your mood.

Fresh flowers are always welcoming at any time of year but in the summer I like to cut a few from the garden – just a few small stems is often all that is needed for a homely feeling.

 

I guess the key is to make the most of your outside space – until a few years ago the area outside my back door was bare and forgotten, but these days I like to fill it with plants and it provides a welcome view when I look through my door, or walk through the side gate.

 

 

One thing that I have learnt as the years have gone by is to take the time to enjoy the simpler things in life as it rushes past so quickly when we are busy at work and looking after family.  During the warmer months I like to take a quick 5 minutes in the garden to eat my breakfast and listen to the birds and appreciate my garden.  It just gives me a few minutes of calm before the start of a busy day.  During the weekends I will linger for longer and enjoy a read of my magazine!

Of course I have a wishlist of items that may make my time outside a little more appealing.  I am really hankering after a pretty bistro set of table and chairs together with an outside rug – although I may have to put them on the back burner until next year as I am now saving up to be able to decorate my office/chill out room – but more about that in the coming months!

       

Of course if money were no object then it would be amazing to have a fully inside/out kitchen with bi-fold doors complete with outdoor cooking facilities.  Having said that I have never been a huge fan of BBQs what with being vegetarian, but it is good to dream!

Of course no summer would be complete without a glass or two of Pimms and lemonade!

Cheers! – please let me know your favourite summer hints and tips, I would love to hear them.

Until next time………..

 

 

All images that are not my own, taken from Google images