How To Make Your Home Feel Like A Resort
Before we know it, summer will be here. But what would normally be a season highlighted by traveling will probably look very different this year. Instead of Mexico, Mykonos, the South of France or Sicily, the most popular destination may be … your own home. Lamenting the fact that your passport will need to stay tucked away is understandable, but there is something you can do: bring the resort to you. It might sound daunting, but it’s surprising what even small touches can do to refresh your space and make it feel like a relaxing sanctuary — all the more needed in these times. Plus, when summer’s over, you’ll still be able to bask in the luxe surrounds you’ve created for yourself. We asked Associate Home & Art Director Brittany Gersh and Merchandising Manager Mariel McCarter to draw on inspiration from past summer travels and their home decor expertise to create a guide.
Off-Beat Bookshelves
Even if you won’t be heading to the beach, a classic straw beach bag or woven basket is still a good idea. Use one to channel seaside ease as an unexpected way to store your coffee table books. You might look at your collection in a new light and find the inspiration to while away a summer afternoon actually flipping through them instead of letting them collect dust. “Adding in natural elements, like a straw basket or ceramic vessel, brings a sense of calm to your home,” says McCarter. Bari Ziperstein of Bzippy & Co. creates vases that are sculptural works of art found in the eclectic homes of well-traveled Angelenos (and beyond). Add one to your collection, and people might think one of her striking designs is something you picked up on your international travels.
BZippy & Co. Robot Vase | A Détacher Basket | Taschen Helmut Newton: Polaroids
Thoroughly Chic Throw Pillows
“Throw pillows are the easiest way to transform your space for spring and summer,” says Gersh. Use them to cozy up your seating, but think outside the box, too — arrange them on the floor for a casual lounging sesh or outdoor picnic. “Pinks, oranges and light blues remind me of the stunning sunsets in Isla Holbox, a Mexican island where Cuban and Yucatan influences combine to create the ultimate destination,” says McCarter. “Earthy and citrus tones evoke the landscape of one of my favorite escapes — Palm Springs,” adds Gersh. “When I lived in LA it was one of my favorite weekend trips to unwind, unplug and see some quintessential American mid-century modern design & architecture.” Get the look with plush pieces that marry warm tones, earthy textures and pops of color.
Jonathan Adler Needlepoint Pillow | Madeline Weinrib Amagansett Pillows | Bottega Veneta Woven Pillow
Luxe Lounging
If you’re going to choose one investment piece, a sleek, mid-century chair is a great option. Not only does it invite you to cozy up, stretch out or sit down and relax, it can transform the look of a whole room. Danish modern style might bring cozy winter hygge to mind, but light, airy styles are equally suited to summer lounging, especially when paired with a vibrant rug. “A bright rug ties your space together and brings personality to a room,” says Gersh. “Colorful rugs are also incredibly practical – they obscure wear and tear.”
Børge Mogensen Set of 6 Danish Modern BM61 Side Chairs | Hand-Knotted Moroccan Berber Wool Rug | Venini Tapio Wirkkala Bolle Vase
