Summer couldn’t have come soon enough.
Growing up in Chicago, HGTV and DIY Network star and the first female host of the popular “Crashers” series Alison Victoria knows all too well that sunny skies and warm lake breezes are something to cherish all year round.
With her usual do-it-yourself approach to interior design, Victoria offers some useful tips on how to stretch summer living into everyday design.
1. Let in more light.
Particularly after a long, gray winter, nothing brightens your spirit and enhances your space like good lighting. Natural light is always best, and there are great options from skylights to less expensive solar tubes. Look at how your windows are dressed and strip them down to let the most sunlight in (here are a few suggestions). And if you’re going to spend money on interior design, make sure a lighting plan is part of the package.
2. You don’t need all that stuff.
When your entire dinner can be cooked on the grill, you quickly realize you might not need all those gadgets and kitchen accessories. From kitchen to garage, bathroom to basement, clean it all out. Keep only what you need and cherish. Remember, adds Victoria, a cluttered space equals a cluttered mind.
3. Really live with your things.
Anything that’s too “precious” to enjoy has no place in your home. Your house should be lived in and functional, inviting and comfortable. A place where you can not just put your feet up and keep a drink nearby, but let your kids run around and create memories for a lifetime. But you don’t have to preclude style, as there are a myriad of ways to marry design and durability.
4. Allow a little mess.
What’s wrong with a little sand on the floor, dirty dishes in the sink, or newspapers strewn on the porch? These are just remnants of happy living. Worry less about the chaos and clutter and invest more energy relishing time with family and friends.
5. Get outside.
You’ve waited seven long months for some fresh air. Get outside and enjoy it. Bring the outside in with vibrant colors, fun floral patterns and fresh flowers. Look to nature for your tchotchkes, not the local home design store. A great example is the coral Victoria found on a beach in Maui that she bleached and uses as bookends.
6. Simple pleasures are best.
Summer is the time to relish simple, fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmer’s market, when grilled steak, a hunk of good bread and a bottle of wine make for an elegant feast. “Why not entertain like this year-round?” asks Victoria, who loves to dress up a table and let the simple goodness of food speak for itself.
Meet Alison Victoria in person on Tuesday, July 29 (6-8 p.m.) at Lewis Floor & Home (1840 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook). Cocktails, small bites and a formal presentation from Victoria and Traditional Home Editor Elaine Markoutsas will be included. RSVP here.
