Decorating Articles

BEAT THE HEAT USING COOL COLORS!

When the thermometer is hovering around 90 plus degrees, we are all scrambling for ways to keep cool. Turning on the a/c is a sure fire way to beat the heat, but did you realize that adding few quick color fixes to your home can also help you stay cool all summer?

Transitioning your color scheme from “cozy & warm” to “cool & collected” is as simple as looking out your window or visiting the summer produce stand. Mother Nature knows how to cool things off with color and by following her lead, you can too!

Look in the garden and select colors from your favorite blooms. Summer flowers offer a plethora of color selections: white gardenias, fuschia impatiens, purple pansies, pink hydrangeas and lavender lilacs are just the beginning of the cool floral rainbow.

An abundance of colors that will help you think cool are to be found in seasonal fruits & vegetables also. A splash of lime green or boysenberry blue can cool down the warmest room’s color scheme instantly. You’ll stay “cool as a cucumber” and your friends will be “green with envy” when they see how your infusion of vegetable-green colors calms a color scheme and lowers the inner-thermometer.

Last but not least, don’t forget King Neptune. Whether you are land-locked or near the water, remember how calming and cooling the ocean can be and bring some of the seashore into your decorating scheme!

Have some fun looking for ways to stay cool naturally. To get you started, here are some SMART tips to decorating with those summer colors:

Swap dark colored items in your rooms with lighter alternatives.

• Replace your burgundy velvet drapery panels with crisp white or ivory linen ones.
• Pack up the brown chenille sofa throw and use a soft pastel alternative in a lighter weight fabric.
• Consider covering your dark sofa with a tan, khaki or off-white cotton slip cover.

Make a seaside statement.

• Splash some ocean turquoise around the room with toss pillows or a bold area rug.
• Be adventurous and introduce some deep coral colors to balance your inner eco-system.
• If blue is prominent in your color scheme, consider ways to turn your look to Nantucket by using white accents around the house.
• Use your collection of seashells to border a mirror or create a summer wreath to hang on the front door.

Accessorize “naturally”.

• Fill a tall vase with seashells instead of stones to anchor your summer floral arrangements.
• Get creative with your table accessories. Look for appetizing placemats and tableware. Use them in color, use them in theme; watermelons, peaches, lemons and limes make summer dining a fun and fruitful experience.
• Need an easy table centerpiece? Fruit also makes a great accessory! Place a big bowl, heaped with summer selections, on your kitchen table to add color, texture and an invitation to munch.
• Flowers, flowers, flowers. Clip them from the garden or buy them from your favorite vendor. Summer is the time to enjoy nature’s cool bounty. Indulge yourself by infusing flowers into every room in the house.

Replace winter with summer.

• Store your heavy comforter or bedspread and create a cool look with a soft floral-colored matlisse coverlet.
• Trade your landscapes for seascapes and enjoy a trip to the ocean in your artwork.
• Roll up the wool area rug and use a summer sisal or jute instead.
• Save the cinnamon spice and pinecone scented candles for winter. Stay cool with colors and scents of sea breezes, crisp linens and sweet lavender.

Try something different with paint.

• Paint an accent wall luscious lime or a hint of green bean.
• Make an old piece of furniture appear ship-shape by painting it admiralty red, ensign blue, or midshipman white.
• Revitalize old patio concrete by painting it your favorite cool summer color.

About the author:

Marcia Smart is a nationally recognized Interior Redesigner and author of the witty do-it-yourself book “Decorating by Instinct”. Marcia is an in-demand instructor of professional redesign training and is shaping the future of the industry as the Executive Director of I.R.I.S., Interior Redesign Industry Specialists To learn more about her program and find more FREE tips and articles like these, visit her site at www.smartredesign.com

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