Summer 2013 Decorating Ideas Tropical Style

Bring relaxing tropical style home with these summer-infused decorating ideas.

Tack-On Family Photos : Frame vacation snapshots as high style changeable art.

1-Convert digital images to sepia tone using a computer and graphics program, then print on deckle edge watercolor paper made for color ink-jet printers.

2-Adhere papyrus or other art paper to cork tile and place in a ready made frame with glass removed.

3- Attach photo to the cork with a decorative tack.

4-Switch out photos as the whim strikes.

Give plain glass candleholders a tropical makeover. Cover the outside with decorative papyrus; secure with double-sided tape. Wrap with waxed linen thread to hint at the pattern of a net.

Leafy Green Table : Tinted water and tropical foliage make a dramatic centerpiece.

Naturally Pretty Setting : Braid bunches of fresh grasses for natural napkin rings.

Beachy Reading Nook : Create a breezy spot for beach reading any time of year.

Line a flat waterproof tray with chunks of sea glass and elevate a collection of potted plants to focal-point status. The tray will also help to protect your tabletop from water spills.

Floral Seat Cover-Up : Drape a chair seat with a summery patterned napkin for an instant spruce-up.

1-Sew large beads to the corners to act as weights, and position the napkin diagonally.

2-Stitch on ribbon ties to secure it to the chair back.

Easy-Sew Headboard : A wall hanging reminiscent of beach chaise canopies is a charming headboard alternative.

1-For easy construction, choose a fabric that has finished edges and no "wrong" side (54-inch-wide fabric yields a full-gathered effect for a twin bed).

2-Measure height for the headboard and add about 16 inches for balance and hems; cut fabric this length.

3-Fold over one end about 15 inches to make a valance; to make the pocket for hanging, sew layers together about 1 inch from the fold.

4-Hem the ends; feed rope through the pocket and tie around cabinet pulls or hooks installed in the wall.

5-Complete the ensemble with a matching sham; a king-size pillow is the right width for a twin bed bolster.

Drape a bedside table with a woven beach mat hanging to the floor offering the effect of an elegant grass skirt. Drift off to sleep thinking of cool umbrella drinks and sand between your toes.

Modern Bedroom Decorating With Summer Color 2013 New Ideas

Green painted beaded board walls lend organic appeal to this sunny bedroom. Nature inspired art prints and accessories sprinkled throughout the room also nod to the outdoors. The four poster in blonde maple adds a rustic simplicity to the bedroom, while nearly sheer plaid curtains soften the corners of the bed.

White walls and sheer patterned draperies allow this bedroom to look open and airy despite it's small size. The wood flooring and the dark painted dresser introduce visual weight to the room. An eclectic assemblage of bedding citron sheets, sea glass green shams, and block print linens add sink in comfort to the cozy bedroom.

Accents of royal blue, orange, and hot pink add oodles of color to this otherwise neutral bedroom. The tones play out in less vibrant shades on the antique rug, a move that makes the room look pulled together, but also plays up the modern-traditional style of the room.

The barely green walls, white architectural details and a palette of grays in this bedroom allow personality-filled accents to truly shine. While the elements of the room are decidedly eclectic, they are well edited and the room isn't overcrowded. Next to the bed, an elephant shaped statue functions as a tiny night stand. The patterned area rug adds warmth underfoot and style leading up to the bed.

In this bedroom, a patterned fabric bed frame functions as a work of art. The colorful print blends well with the warm wood accents throughout the rest of the room. Beige and white bedding and curtains echo the look of the bed frame. Scale plays an important role in this room's design. Because the ceilings are tall, the walls needed to be treated accordingly. The oversize mirror fills the space above the bed better than a regular sized mirror and the large damask pattern on the curtains adds interest to the solid fabric without become too busy.

The all-white walls in this bedroom get a style boost thanks to a panel of patterned fabric hung behind the headboard. A use of midtone grays creates a dynamic color palette while remaining neutral. Assorted furniture shapes bring the room to life from the rolled ends of the upholstered bed, to the unique bench perched on animal legs.

Strict symmetry makes a big style statement in this bedroom. The two beds are identical, right down to the arrangement of throw pillows and sunburst mirrors above the beds. The bench between the two beds serves as a nightstand for both, eliminating the need for two pieces of furniture. Warm walls, window treatments, and flooring contrast the dark finish of the traditional-style beds. Handblocked textiles on the beds add unique pattern and interest.

A patterned, fabric covered headboard says style against white walls. Wide striped draperies infuse the room with another layer of pattern, but they don't steal attention away from the headboard. Coral accents throughout the space provide warmth and color. Smaller scale patterns on the bedding and solid pillows complete the room's pattern mix.

Decorating With White 2013 Summer Ideas

When decorating a room, expensive or difficult to change elements are best left neutral. For whites, consider the variety supplied by a creamy wool rug, white linen slipcovers, shiny silk pillows, and a furry throw. Contrast comes in the form of black accents, which can be as powerful as hot pink in an all white room.

Use white to separate and emphasize your forays into colorful decor. In this room, white walls and shapely textured furnishings set a chic neutral stage for vibrant ceramics, glass, and a collectible pink chair. A shelving unit creates a display grid on the white wall that adds dimension in the room and spreads the notes of pink and blue over a larger space.

Slipcovered in crisp white and dressed for dinner, modern chairs add a touch of minimalist formality to this white dining room. The shaded chandelier and simple window shades sum up the classic-modern style of the space. The white palette is enriched with a subtle ivory tone on the walls.

Layers keep a white room from being one-note. Prop framed mirrors against a wall or over a mantel. Look for interesting mirrors at thrift stores or tag sales and paint the frames in shades of cream and white. Slightly overlapped or placed against one another, the large mirrors will practically double the natural light in the room. Add another piece in front of the mirrors, preferably something with a similar tone and an interesting shape, such as this old French clock, to create depth.

Contemporary amenities are dressed in traditional design elements in this timelessly elegant white kitchen. Glass-front cabinets and thick marble counters confer period authenticity, while stainless steel appliances add a modern counterpoint. Oak plank flooring grounds the room and brings warm, natural color to the mostly white space.

White brings cohesion to a large room and its different layers of color and texture. In this bright and breezy living room, wide-plank pinewood floors and finishes emphasize the house's history, while the dark tones contrast with the contemporary white walls and slipcovered seating in an old-world/new-world combination.

Add signature flourish, intrigue, and even texture to an all-white bath. In this unique space, a quartz tile surface is embossed with a subtle wash of lace pattern that dances in the natural light. Augment the luxurious spa feeling with lots of white: towels, floor covering, and shower curtain it's a surefire way to refresh.

This Victorian flat was transformed to give it the ambience of a modern loft. White paint coats the formerly dark wood architectural elements such as the fireplace mantel, allowing the relief carvings to stand out in greater prominence. Using white and black on furnishings allows the modern and Victorian styles to blend seamlessly.

Springy greens in the fresh flowers and the muted sandy tones of timeworn accessories give this living area country charm. Slipcovers can be tossed into the laundry if spills threaten to ruin the pristine scene.

White in this space is interrupted only by an occasional plant or expanse of wood, and seems cool, calm, and collected. Subtle variations of white and cream add interest to this space, while fresh flowers and plants help unite the indoors to the outdoors.

Easy Decorating Ideas for Summer 2013 from BHG

Bring the colors and feelings of summertime into your home with our best tips and tricks everything from furniture arrangements to the smells of the season.

Think of your home as a summer rental, and you'll see it in a whole new light. Throw open the doors and windows, pull back the curtains, and get rid of pieces that are dark, gloomy, or fussy. Stow away heavy accessories, throws, and unnecessary small decor items until it's time to cozy up for fall.

To add organic appeal, consider planting succulents in a large shell. The tiny plants last for a long time and require little care, making them the perfect addition to a summery tablescape. The natural elements also add texture and character to this chic end table display.

Consider buying accent dishes to add splashes of summertime color and pattern to your next dinner party. Mix bright floral, tropical, or nautical theme dishes with your everyday plates and bowls. To ramp up the summertime look, clear a small table to create an impromptu bar, and arrange bottles and glassware on a pretty serving tray. Fun elements such as stir sticks and paper umbrellas create a look that is perfectly seasonal.

While a fireplace is a great focal point, consider rearranging your furniture away from it during the summer. Rather than huddling around the hearth, shift the focus of the room toward a beautiful window or French doors. Stow away heavy draperies and hang gossamer sheers that flow with the breezes.

Summer is as much a state of mind as it is a season, so transform your spaces to embrace all the benefits it has to offer. String paper lanterns on tree branches around an outdoor patio to allow gatherings to last well into the night hours. Or should the weather turn stormy, cozy up by lamplight on a covered porch. Because pleasant summer days sometimes fall few and far between, you'll want to take full advantage of the time you have to spend outside, rain or shine.

Give a tired chair or side table new life using high-gloss spray paint in a summery hue, such as sky blue or grassy green. The glossy paint creates a fun lacquered look and gives an old piece a fresh and modern edge. Make sure to properly prime the furniture to help the paint adhere to the surface and wear longer.

Brighten dark walls with colorful art pieces. Affordable pieces can be found just about anywhere online or at flea markets and resale shops. A large piece or a collection of smaller pieces also provides the perfect blank wall solution for large, open rooms.

Welcome summer by entertaining outdoors. Low tables, floor pillows, and strands of clear outdoor lights will set a merry mood. Winning combos of bright colors, such as turquoise, red, and white, create a festive atmosphere and will keep everyone in a party mind set.

Front Porch Makeovers For Summer 2013 From BHG

 By bringing inside style outside, they prepared a pretty porch perfect for warm weather get togethers.

Fresh paint, bold fabrics, soft rugs, and furniture that's easy to arrange and rearrange make this L-shape porch a great space for parties and family gatherings. For flexibility, select lightweight furnishings that would work just as well inside the house.

A fabric that contained a touch of the house's brick hue along with citrus green, gray, pink, and terra-cotta inspired the porch's color palette. Gray served as the dominant color for the floor and curtains, with citrus-green accents. The fresh palette splashes dashes of fun onto throw pillows.

Create a look-at-me door with oversize zinc house numbers bold enough to be seen from the street. Window film featuring bold circles adds privacy to the door and obscures a direct view into the living and dining rooms. A coat of spunky citrus-green paint freshens the entry.

A narrow desk on casters rests against one wall and is used as a sideboard on most days. Painted citrus green, this desk adds personality and functionality to the porch. Roll it in front of the bench and it offers fine dining for two. Pull up the chairs and stools spread around the porch, and it's party time.

Sections of tree trunk serve as handy side tables or stools and add a rustic touch to the outside room. Four swivel casters on the bottom of each log make them easy to move. Add cushions for seating comfort.

Add a swinging bench to the side area of the porch for a more private gathering space. For durability, use exterior primers and paints on furniture -- porch-and-floor enamel is a dependable option. Make curtains and pillows from indoor/outdoor fabrics to prevent wear and weathering.

Summer Decorating Ideas 2011

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Mood Lighting with Shells

You can use oversize shells to bring a touch of the seashore -- and a bit of romantic atmosphere -- to an evening at home.

Pacific Rim-Inspired Room

A plywood wall panel that incorporates a foldout table and bench turns even the tiny terrace of a hillside house into a garden room.

Cot Conversion

Turn a camp cot into an elegant patio daybed.

Raffia Window Curtain

A series of small, tufted raffia bow ties, stitched with matching thread onto a sheer curtain, instantly raises a window's sunniness quotient.

Sand Centerpiece

Light up a table with this beachy sand-and-shell centerpiece.

Casual-Modern Outdoor Room

Pillowy seats and potted plants create the perfect setting for an outdoor dinner on the deck.

Shell Vase

A wide-mouthed, spiral nautilus shell can double as a pearlescent vase for bedroom bouquets

Nautical Knobs

Incorporate nautical charm into your quarters by affixing these knobs onto drawers or lids of wooden boxes.

Garden-Print Stenciled Tabletop

Hand-painted dainty blossoms, colossal peonies, and greenery entwine to form this pleasing tabletop wreath

Rope-Seat Stools

A plain pair of wooden seats gets a bright new look from simple coils of rope.

Summery Leaf -Shaped Table Runner

Changing table linens is a relatively inexpensive way to rotate color with the seasons. The tones of this runner are suitable for summer.

Bright Ideas for Any Room

Paint, fabric, and paper offer opportunities to sneak rich hues into otherwise neutral spaces without a huge commitment of time or money.

Raffia Leaf Throw Rug

This throw rug's leafy design, made with raffia in three cool-green shades, conjures a vision of palm fronds moving in the breeze.

Sunroom Pillows

Brighten up a sunroom with these pillows printed with three different-sized anthurium leaves.

Block-Print Poppies

Rethink your home decor and get inspired by the bright, sunny colors of summer.

Decorate pillows with our poppy templates for breezy, warm weather decor. Poppies' graphic outlines are a cinch to block-print onto fabric: Brush strokes of textile paint in saturated tones. Start with the stem and leaves to help map out the composition.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Summer Decorating Projects, Crafts, and Party Ideas - Martha Stewart