Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home
Even if you don't have a separate summer house you can use these easy ideas to give your year-round home seasonal spirit.We're so excited to get a peek inside the new book "Terry John Woods' Summer House." Text by Terry John Woods; Photography by Kindra Clineff; Published by Abrams.
The only thing better than a good night's sleep is several good nights' sleep -- with a nap thrown in for good measure! Summer-house bedrooms are places of peaceful rejuvenation. A day in the fresh air and the overall process of winding down may leave us drowsy and quietly anticipating a restful sleep. I'm not certain whether the beds are infinitely more comfortable at the summer house, or whether our quieted minds are just more ready to embrace each nuance of comfort and rush to surrender; perhaps both are equally true.
This brightly colored bedroom earns its charm by the use of repurposed fabrics. The chair is slipcovered from vintage tablecloths, which complement the vibrant sheets and pillows on the bed. You can slipcover chairs very inexpensively by using vintage fabrics. Make sure the fabrics have strong fibers and the colors have not faded. Photo: (C) Kindra Clineff for Abrams.
The summer-house bed has offered comfort long-distance as the memory of those quiet times is sometimes enough to redirect thoughts and stir emotions of tranquility and longing during the times when we need it the most. If Dorothy had ever spent a night under a down-filled comforter somewhere on the rocky coast of Maine, I have no doubt that she'd be clicking her heels and repeating "There's no place like summer house"!
A vintage bamboo headboard and night table adds to the casual feel of this room. A small oil painting, vintage lamp, and round storage box were all found at local flea markets. For a different look, try adding small collectibles to your bedside table that can easily be changed when new ones are found. Photo: (C) Kindra Clineff.
As with the rest of the summer house, accessories and furnishings in the bedrooms should be kept simple. In my mind, clutter and anxiety are synonymous. Large, yielding pillows and an extra comforter or blanket for chilly nights are essentials. Window coverings may be necessary to regulate temperature during the warmest days of summer as well as to maintain warmth during the off-season when we are relying on the fireplace rather than the sun to keep us comfortable.
An old stripped-pine mantel propped against the wall is now a makeshift headboard in the summer house. I have used old paneled doors, tin ceiling panels, and windowpanes for headboards in the past. Easily changed from season to season for a new look, salvaged items add a creative one-of-a-kind touch to any room. Photo: (C) Kindra Clineff.
Knowing what brings you personal comfort is the key to designing a bedroom or quiet space that meets your needs. You'll know that you have accomplished your goal and assembled the perfect personal space for yourself when amid the hustle of your everyday life you find your mind wandering to that restful place you have created. Know that the summer house is as much a place in your heart as on the map, so it really is with you all the time.
If you're left craving more summer house inspiration, pick up a copy of "Artists' Handmade Houses"!
