The Stylish Home: Summer Style

With the days of consecutive  glorious sunshine around the corner, when the winter clouds roll back and that broad canvas of blue sky emerges, I’m reminded that it is time to bring the indoors out. In early summer, of course, Pacific Northwesterners still need to cuddle up when the sun sets, so I always outfit my patio with outdoor pieces complemented by cozy indoor accessories, such as blankets and pillows. When company is coming, I toss a cuddly blanket ($150, Chunky Knit Citrus Throw, Capers Fremont, 716 N 34th St., Seattle; 206.545.7876) over each chair ($648, waterproof Little Albert Chair, Velocity Art and Design, 251 Yale Ave. N, Seattle; 206.749.9575; velocityartanddesign.com) and a cushy pillow ($145, Patchwork Dupioni 14-by-20-inch Pink and Brown Pillow, Capers Fremont) on each seat.

 

Lighting creates both atmosphere and warmth, so ditch the Christmas lights and citronella candles and invest in large standing lights, such as these shell lamps ($437 and $625, 24- and 32-inch Hand Cut Shell Lamps, JZ Rose, 505 Bellevue Square, Bellevue; 425.452.5595; jz-rose.com) that add ambience and a touch of the organic. No room for a fancy outdoor fireplace? This small contemporary white lacquer box ($770, Silo, Seva, 900 Lenora St. S, No. 116, Seattle; 206.323.9920; sevahome.com) burns a thin line of fire that gives you and your friends something to dreamily contemplate over cocktails. The ash gray screen ($625, Cairo Screen with Metal Inserts, Moe’s Home Collection, 1926 Sixth Ave. S, Seattle; 206.405.4411; moeshome.com) can be lacquered to withstand the elements, and it creates a dramatic divider between party guests and the cooking area or can be hung flat as a piece of wall art. Adding a water treatment, such as this water fountain decorated with cherry blossoms ($600, Koeda Fountain, Swansons Nursery, 9701 15th Ave. NW, Seattle; 206.782.2543; swansonsnursery.com) is lovely to look at and helps to quiet the sounds of city living.