Colin and Justin: Sunny side up
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Let the spirit of summer transform your home’s every corner into a sun-drenched retreat
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Take a look around – does your home spark joy, or does it leave you feeling somehow flat? The thermometer rising, now is the perfect time to shake things up.
Yes indeed, as summer blazes in, prepare to amplify the sunshine factor and transform your nest into a vibrant haven of comfort and style. Let every inch – in every room – radiate positivity, beauty and that all-important feel-good factor.
Material mix up
Ignite atmosphere by replacing heavier fabrics for diaphanous, seasonal updates. In living room application, remove thick curtains and replace with floaty white sheers, or pare back swags and hang simple crisp blinds.
Change colder weather knitted sofa cushions and ancillary textiles for linen and soft cotton alternatives, and pepper a plain scheme with occasional floral motifs to suffuse happy summer mood. In the bedroom, layer in crisp cotton linens, and add soft lambs wool throws to elevate the feeling of luxury.
Organic touches
Accessorizing isn’t simply about store bought design and décor items. Happy, uplifting mood is easily achievable without retail therapy: create your own market garden, for example, using fruits and vegetables as feel good accessories.
Pop a dozen fresh lemons into a clear glass vase for a mod’ burst of colour in the kitchen, or use ornamental cabbages as ‘floral’ alternatives as part of a table centrepiece. Colour yourself happy with little touches like these and you’ll feel such a difference.
Blooming lovely
Forgo stuffy arrangements in favour of ‘lazy’ casual hand tied flower bunches. Inspired by your outdoor space, place foliage and blooms in gentle organic fashion – use lots of small, delicate buds and mix with droopy foliage.
Ditch crystal vases, and experiment instead with vintage milk jugs, teapots and tins for a funky farmhouse feel. Think whimsical, relaxed and colourful – it’s the ideal way to suffuse positive mood.
Summer scenting
In addition to fresh flowers, use candles or room diffusers to add scenting. Imagine the aroma of fresh coffee, baked bread, or even clean laundry – nowadays there exist myriad options to augment positivity, and many are available as essential oils.
Remember, though, to check for any pet allergens to ensure your kitty or pooch remains safe. Visit www.saje.ca for lovely inspiration.
Bring the outdoors in
Indoor wicker furniture immediately makes us think of the great outdoors and of exotic terraces basking in extreme temperatures. Hang artwork featuring cottage themes or specify furnishings and accessories with a driftwood holiday aesthetic.
Shop smart’ in second hand stores, yard sales and markets for antique garden tools, sun baked benches and weather beaten painted signs to import a little outdoor escapism, mindful that a bargain makes you smile!
Clean and cheerful
Nothing feels cheerier than a wonderfully clean nest, so find time to take summer cleaning to the next level. Give your bedding a lift with linen water, dispensed via your iron.
Hang laundry outdoors to take advantage of the warmer weather (and count those hydro savings) or add summertime fragranced dryer sheets when you tumble.
Furthermore, welcome in uplifting summer light by ensuring windows are sparkling clean to brighten your home for free. Vinegar and newspaper, anyone? Aye, we’re such traditionalists…
Colour me happy
The simplest way to create fresh summer mood is to replace darkness with light, so reach for the paintbrush. Use a tonal palette that feels fresh and warmly seasonal.
Stay on trend by pivoting away from neutral shades like cream and bone, and express yourself with ‘naturals’ like bark, moss and stone. Think ‘vacation’, white painted horizontal shiplap, for example, will evoke cheery, clapboard New England homesteads.
No matter the season, transforming your house into a warm, inviting home needn’t be expensive or complicated. With creativity and thoughtful touches (a splash of colour, a hint of nature or an uplifting scent) you’ll soon have a space that reflects your personality and brings daily happiness. Which is what it’s all about, huh?
Watch for Colin and Justin on Citytv’s Breakfast Television and Colin and Justin’s Sub- Zero Reno on Paramount Plus TV. Find the Colin and Justin Home Collection in stores across Canada. Visit
www.colinandjustin.tv
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