Summer is fast approaching, and I’ve been soaking up every moment of the changing season. Our front lawn is looking lush and green and our landscaping, filled with an assortment of shrubs and trees, is full of life. It feels so serene. All this natural beauty – and the calm feelings it evokes – has me inspired to bring a little of that feeling indoors. Nothing too fussy. Just a bit of the natural textures and a touch of colour in keeping with a light easy-on-the-eyes feeling that captures the season. This Soft & Breezy Summer Foyer Refresh was all about creating a welcoming space that echoes the calm, sunny vibe of summer the moment you step inside.
A Quiet Push to See Things Differently
My approach to seasonal decorating is pretty straightforward: swap out foliage, add a few accents, and keep it fairly simple.
Inspiration often comes suddenly, when I least suspect it – as was the case for this summer foyer refresh. In fact, I hadn’t thought of restyling the foyer at all this season as I was enjoying the space as it was. Using and appreciating the everyday objects around me gives me plenty of visual inspiration to keep me happy in our home.
But when a burst of inspiration hit me recently – as these things do – I could NOT ignore it! Like the itch that must be scratched, I wanted to bring to life the images I had circulating in my mind: soft woven texture, natural fibres, organic shapes, and a hint of life and colour to reflect the natural beauty of the outdoors inside.
For this summer foyer refresh, I simply ‘shopped’ our home to find all – except one – key decor staple. These included a few ceramics, a coffee table book, a lamp, framed vintage artwork, a basket and a few fashion accessories to complete the look. And all in neutral tones of browns and tans to keep things cohesive and relaxed – perfect for a breezy summer aesthetic.
Okay, let’s dive in!
Soft & Breezy Summer Foyer Refresh
There are two main areas to style in our foyer: the BUFFET TABLE on one side and a BENCH on the other.
Here, along one wall is the buffet table used for both storage and display. It took some time for me to play around with the layout. I found myself removing more than I added to create the right balance – at least what felt right for me. What eventually resulted was a natural and neutral aesthetic that felt warm and relaxed with just a hint of colour.
Along the right side is a mix of vintage and artisanal pieces beautifully complemented by a floral arrangement, visible from the moment you step inside.
The floral arrangement came together using bits and pieces from four small grocery store bouquets. I wanted to create something with a lot of shape and movement.
Most of the greenery consists of two different types of eucalyptus. When I saw them at the grocery store, I was surprised and excited and immediately scooped them up! After adding some bulk to the arrangement using a handful of flowers – focusing on peach, white, and yellow – I added two more flowers in deeper hues – the tall red foliage and dark pink flower – for contrast.
Containing these beautiful blooms is this lovely ceramic pitcher – a favourite find during a day of antiquing a few years ago.
Next to the flowers is this humble wood pedestal bowl – a thrift find at my local Value Village (LOVE that place). It couldn’t have cost me more than a few dollars. It’s been a great styling piece that’s circulated all throughout my home ever since.
Behind the bowl is this airy piece of original art – a simple sketch of a barn – that I purchased also while antiquing (a running theme in this post, as you’ll see).
The original frame was a lovely gold-brushed, slim one – beautiful enough, but washed out the artwork. So I swapped it out for this chocolate brown wood frame to highlight the quiet charm of the piece.
At the opposite end of the buffet table is another vignette. It is anchored by a sleek and modern lamp (more of a ‘hack’ as you’ll see) surrounded by some of my favourite ceramics.
On one side is this sweet little sugar bowl with a lid currently storing my keys. It’s the perfect temporary replacement for that OTHER ceramic container that I love (and shared on the blog several times, including as part of this round-up of ‘quiet decor’🙂 ). I love seeing well-loved pieces styled in new and fresh ways.
Next to the sugar bowl is a stunning ceramic bowl – part of a wedding gift set. We’ve had it for over twenty years and I still love it as much as the day we received it.
At the far end, this sleek and modern lamp – technically a ‘hack’ – anchors the vignette.
This DIY lamp consists of several repurposed pieces: a cylinder vase from the dollar store with a wireless lamp inside, IKEA lampshade on top, and DIY Sleeve wrapped around the base.
When you dream it, and don’t have it, you just need to go ahead and invent it – proving creativity doesn’t have to sacrifice style 🙂
Directly opposite the buffet table is a basic spindle back bench styled with a few soft-hued summery pieces: a basket, hanging dried flowers, and lightweight scarves.
The basket was – you guessed it – a thrift store find. I decided to put it out to store my slippers. A must-have for the perpetually chilly person I apparently am – even in summer!
To keep things feeling light and fresh, I decided against a pillow or throw blanket – more obvious choices at other times – and instead opted for lightweight scarves. Perfect for those chilly nights out (and those who love cat-themed accessories ;)).
Hanging on the wall next to our bench are these dried goldenrod flowers – picked fresh a couple of seasons back. They’ve been hanging there ever since. I love how beautifully they dry with virtually no shedding.
Taking a bit of a back seat – yet still bringing plenty of summer charm – is a straw hat and another lightweight scarf hanging nearby. It’s a subtle nod to sunny days and breezy outings, even if they’re mainly decorative at this point.
Wrapping Up
Nothing in this space feels too styled or overly fussy. Aside from the fresh foliage, everything here was gathered from other spots in our home. Pulling in pieces that hold meaning and things I genuinely enjoy made the whole space come together effortlessly.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the tour of our summer foyer refresh. No matter the season, I’ve found that restyling pieces you already have is one of the best ways to keep your decor feeling fresh. When your home reflects what you love, it naturally feels just right.
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