Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. ~Russel Baker

 

I know it's hot and humid and scorching and steaming and... and all of that. I see the facebook statuses and the uploaded images of car thermometers - but I have to admit, I kind of like it. It makes me want to jump into pools and seek shade, things I rarely have the urge to do during other seasons. I love the warm breeze at night and the fact that the sun still peaks out when the moon should be the only thing in the sky. I'm the person who asks to sit outside when the AC is blasting indoors and I'm the person who keeps a scarf with me in the high 90s. I've rounded up some of my favorite tablescapes. 

They invite you to sit and drink wine until the candles have melted down and the lightening bugs have come and gone. They inspire dinner parties and long conversations.

Let's dine alfresco, shall we?

 

Man's heart away from nature becomes hard. ~Standing Bear

One of my best friends (and her hubby) will be closing on their first real home this Friday. 

With her new blank canvas she's already starting to panic on how to decorate each room.

While wall decorations will be one of the last things she hangs - I remembered a while back trying to help her create a room for her man, without all of the dark "manly" colors and slick wood finishes. I suggested a lighter green on the walls, a cream colored cow hide rug, a big bulky bookshelf covered with more colorful objects - and as I came across this piece in Etsy.. I think it would be a perfect touch!

 This piece of art screams nature however, with the rustic vintage feel of the wood and the perfectly coiled metals that create a tree - the hard image is softened into the perfect married piece. 

find here on etsy ($175)

Search through the offerings of etsy and let the pieces inspire you. It's easy to see a big empty room and get overwhelmed... take it one piece at a time, the colors will fall together and in no time you will have created the perfect room!