Create a Nostalgic Summertime Look

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

22 Oct 2007 12:06 PM

Do you miss the thought of lazy afternoons with gauzy curtains gently blowing in the breeze and neighbors stopping by for lemonade? Even though it is fall now, you can still create a nostalgic summertime look that will bring all of the romance of a sweet long ago summer right into your home.

Fall really is one of my favorite seasons. You might not believe me, though, since I keep talking about decorating with a summer theme, such as in the earlier article, Simple Design Ideas to Bring Home the Beach. I think I love the idea of summer type themes because they are so light, airy and relaxing. Just as we are all getting ready to shut our windows to the cold weather, it is nice to be reminded of the promise of summer, long walks along a breezy shore, or swinging on a backyard hammock.

Unlike the previous article about the beach, this one introduces the idea of a more romantic summer with its sense of nostalgia. Vintage linens are the key to this design.

Turn colorful tea towels into elegant window valances, and brighten bedrooms with hand-stitched quilts. Romantic details, such as crocheted edges on sheets and pillowcases will give you the sense of spending a turn of the century vacation in Newport.

End tables can be gracefully dressed with embroidered handkerchiefs and vintage doilies. The secret is to choose your pieces carefully and use them in moderation. You don't want the linens to so overwhelm your room that you are left with a sense of stuffiness or an overly Victorian design.

To update the vintage look, try threading a pretty ribbon through crocheted edges. Extra thin ribbon in red looks especially pretty against white. You can also create your own "red work" by stitching a simple design using red embroidery floss on a white pillowcase.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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