You Said It: ‘Jump in a Lake’ and Other Houzz Quotables

We’re smack-dab into the best part of summer this week, so the overwhelming message on Houzz was to get outside. Americans are gearing up for the long Fourth of July holiday weekend. Houzz stories urged us to unplug (which seems funny for an Internet site, but seriously, you have our blessing), grill outdoors, tend to our edible gardens, swim, cycle, camp, tell campfire stories, throw impromptu outdoor soirees, push a kid on a swing and more. So kick off your shoes and enjoy the dog days of summer. If you feel you must do a chore or two, we have a few apt suggestions. Have a great weekend, everyone!

“Swing on a tree swing, jump in a lake, grill it up in the backyard, roast marshmallows over the fire, savor an ice cream cone or scoop up ripe peaches at a farm stand — in summer the simplest pleasures are often the best.” — Laura Gaskill

This is one task on Gaskill’s July to-do list I look forward to accomplishing. There are also more important jobs she’s outlined for us, like protecting our homes and gardens from prowlers, deer, clutter and high energy bills. Pick a weekend project or two from her list and get it done by Monday. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, and you can reward yourself with the aforementioned swims and s’mores when you’re done.

Full story: To-Dos: Your July Home Checklist
More: What to Do in Your Garden Now


The 10th annual Great American Backyard Campout “invites everyone to commit to spending one night — today, tomorrow or next year — outside and unplugged with family.” — Annie Thornton

Wow, June 28 brought us the Great American Backyard Campout, while the following day brought us Log Cabin Day. Both come with the message of unplugging and enjoying simpler pleasures, just in time for summer. Thornton has great advice for how to tempt kids away from their gadgets, from observing critters big and small to throwing an impromptu neighborhood al fresco gathering.

If you missed the day, no big whoop. Simply check out the list to help you get some new outdoor habits going all summer long.

Full story: 10 Great Ways to Unplug and Tune In to Nature


“One of the keys to unifying the house was carrying the material palette throughout, but in different applications.” — interior designer Dee Elms

There was so much to love about this Houzz Tour, in which Elms made the best out of a Victorian that had been divvied up, stripped of its original details and was, generally speaking, a hot mess. There’s a harmony between rooms — why does it all flow so well? A great architect knows how to employ unifying tricks. In this home Southern pine appears here and there — behind bookshelves, on a range hood, up a staircase rail — uniting the entire house and creating an easy flow.

Full story: Houzz Tour: Scandinavian Charm in a Cambridge Victorian


“I’m a strong believer in selecting things you love, and they will go together because they reflect you,” — interior designer Melissa Benham

The thing is, all of the things Benham loves are beautiful, and many of them are unique. They are from different styles, continents and eras, yet because she’s curated them so well, they flow together in a very pleasing way. I really enjoyed this Houzz Tour of her own home, because she makes it look so easy. While it’s not actually easy, her advice is sound. Keep experimenting with the things you love, whether it’s grouping different pieces together, finding new purposes for them or trying them out in different rooms.

Full story: Houzz Tour: A New Chapter for a Storied Chicago Building


“I want the cat in photograph number three. He/she exudes an air of refinement and elegance that a human doorman/doorwoman simply could not achieve.” — Houzz user eis1

This doesn’t have a thing to do with the story at hand, but I have to say, even though the photos of L’Hotel in Paris featured in the ideabook were breathtaking, nothing captured my attention like this superfurry critter. Look at the mug on that kitty! I think Grumpy Cat should look out; this new kid on the block could give him a run for his Internet money.

Full story: Travel Takeaways: Decorating Lessons From a Lavish Paris Hotel


“Varying the types of accent pillows on the bed to include bolster or neck roll pillows can keep pillow mania under control while still keeping you on cloud nine.” — Karen Egly-Thompson

This ideabook came along just at the right time for yours truly, as I have not been sleeping in my own bed this week, and my neck is killing me. Bolsters add clean and simple geometry to an area that can be quickly overwhelmed by fluff. If your significant other is about to call the pillow police on you, give this a read.

Full story: Better Your Bed (and Body) With Bolsters and Neck Rolls


“An organized and well-considered space can improve your mood when you need to get to sleep, and get your day off to a good start when you wake.” — architect Steven Randel

It may not be just about your pillows; there’s more to a bedroom furniture layout than meets the eye, including a wide-enough path to make sure you aren’t bonking your shins on the way to the loo in the dead of night. Randel provides us with the best dimensions for beds (from cribs to California king), nightstands, dressers, chests, benches and more. Then he shows us how much room to leave between these pieces. The resulting layout is not only good for bumbling around in the dark, but it will also leave your chi some room to flow freely.

Full story: Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Dream Bedroom


“Neutrals, including gray, brown and green, provide a perfect backdrop for other colors.” — Frank Organ

I’m biased. When I was in school studying landscape architecture, my go-to palette was silvery gray paired with a range of greens, from bright lime to deep moss. Organ shows us a handful of ways to create standout garden designs utilizing many shades of gray. It’s a particularly useful design trick for contemporary and modern gardens.

Full story: Dare to Go Gray in the Garden


“Who says patio furniture has to match?” — Fred Albert

There is nothing more banal than super-duper matchy-matchiness on the porch or patio. Though I suppose it beats the outdoor look Albert saw as a kid — “some aluminum chairs and a Weber grill.” That made me snort out loud — it was the same for me too, but add two tree stumps we used for stools on our sad, marigold-rimmed concrete Ohio patio. Outdoor living has come a long way. In this ideabook Albert shines a spotlight on some standout outdoor living rooms, from a Tuscan one in Missouri to casbah style in Utah.

Full story: 20 Outstanding Outdoor Living Rooms


“Whether you are hanging a flag to commemorate or to celebrate, here are few rules of flag etiquette and some style considerations.” — Alison Hodgson

At the Atlanta Braves opening game this year, I was appalled to see that the stadium flag, blown up on the Jumbotron screen for all to see, had holes in it. I thought the stadium had breached all flag rules, leaving it up all winter long and letting it fall to tatters. However, I learned the next day that the fireworks during the pregame anniversary celebration for Hank Aaron’s hit had burned it moments before. Let this be a lesson to you — keep your fireworks far from your flags this weekend. Hodgson has a lot more practical advice for following the rules, just in time for the most popular flag-flying holiday of the year here in the States. Happy Fourth of July!

Full story: Hang Your American Flag With Etiquette and Style

URL: You Said It: ‘Jump in a Lake’ and Other Houzz Quotables http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-24135.html