SUN-DRENCHED DAYS
Stylist & book author SELINA LAKE shares her on-trend styling ideas & glorious garden buys
Ah summer! Warm terracotta, ripe apricots and baked earth tones are synonymous with this toasty time of the year. Add in the richness of wood, lovely linens and hints of Mediterranean ceramics and you have the perfect styling scheme for lazy days in the sunshine.
Have a look around your home for props you can use in faded reds and oranges to set the mood, then add a few extras. Pots of red pelargoniums are so affordable and bring a pop of vibrant colour wherever they’re placed. And investing in new items that you’ll use again and again is always a good idea!
Take advantage of these warmer days and enjoy your meals outside. I personally can’t have enough linen napkins as they instantly add style to simple table settings. Serve up seasonal foods too and, if you’re not growing your own produce, check out your local farmers’ market or see if there’s an allotment open day where you can buy homegrown fruit and veg to inspire your summer menu.
I love the idea of adding fabric curtains to outside suntraps, it’s such a quick and easy trick for glamorous shade. Just drape a length of unbleached muslin fabric across an arbour or pergola to filter harsh sunlight. If you have a summerhouse perhaps you could add soft curtains at the windows for a similar effect.
Textiles are my go-to for styling comfy outdoor spaces, so make garden benches and sofas inviting with cushions in a warm colour palette and mix up patterns with subtle and bold modern stripes for a look that feels really now. I do hope the sun knows it has to participate in this styling scheme too!
Selina
Add colours of the Med
Pots of classic red pelargoniums instantly bring a holiday vibe. Brighten up walls with Wood Ash Intelligent Masonry Paint (£79/5L), and bring the hues of summer skies to wood with Celestial Blue Int
