Summer is one of my favorite times of year. It’s warm and the outdoors beckons, the colors explode with flowers, fruit, an explosion of green growth and the showiness of all the male birds. There is a feeling of abundance and adventure. Completion of all the things you have sown. It is bold and beautiful.
Would you like to have that same look and feeling inside in your home year round? Take some color and other cues from nature and bring the outside in. Here is an example of what I mean.
This picture was taking by a friend down the road at a beautiful spot named Tern Lake. I love all the various shades of green from very dark in the spruce tree to the lighter shades in the shrubs, grasses and herbs. The sky has a beautiful blue along with shades of off white and grays in the clouds. You see various shades of brown in the tree and in the rocks in the mountains. The most striking color is the fuchsia in the fireweed in full bloom. And there are a few wildflowers with yellow in the foreground as well.
This is what summer looks like in Alaska to me. We have an abundance of hot pink and purple wildflowers, but the fireweed is so “Alaskan”.
Fireweed is one of the first plants to establish in recently burned areas, which is how it got it’s name. It is a symbol of release, rebirth, and potential for something innovative and new.
The fireweed blooms from the bottom of the plant and works its way up. The saying here is that “when the fireweed blooms at the top, summer is over”.
So how do you bring the outside in? The easiest way is with a color palette that highlights the view you see outside your windows. Select either a neutral or a bolder tone from the view and use it on your walls. Select a more vibrant tone for accents, or even key pieces in your décor.
I loved the deep green and color of fireweed together and they symbolized “summer” to me so I decided to design this calming Modern Global Style office with those as my main colors. I decided to experiment with an extremely dark shade of green for the walls, to make it feel calm and enveloping, like the feeling of being deep inside the boreal forest. I added additional green tones in accent vases, the lamp and fractal art that I designed called “Spring” and several plant accents. I added wood to the floors. I played with the color of fireweed in my furnishings such as the desk and two chairs.
To continue with the wildflower theme, I added a wildflower accent table. I added off whites to the bookshelf, desk chair, rug, drapes, flowers and some accents to balance things so it would not be too dark. By adding several layers of lighting, it helped keep it from being too dark, brought out the various shades of green of the paint color in different lighting and highlighted the art.
The Process
The End Result
Get the Look
My “Spring” energy art collection seamlessly intertwines the abstract with the tangible, channeling spiritual energies through the vibrant color, patterns, and symbols. The “Spring” series in this design, in prosperous shades of green, symbolizes renewal, invigoration, and flourishing growth. Evoking the Wood Element from Chinese traditions and Feng Shui, it embodies, warmth, and idealism. Bringing the energy message of the outdoors in, it can amplify the energy you want to channel in your endeavors.
Bring Summer Into Your House Year Round
Imagine stepping into your space, immediately enveloped by colors that resonate with your essence. Every detail feels right, sparking joy within you. It’s more than just a room; it’s your sanctuary for relaxation, rejuvenation, and inspiration. When your surroundings mirror your spirit, life flows seamlessly.
Why limit yourself? Infuse the vibrant hues of summer or the subtle tones of your cherished season into your home.
Invest in an Aligned Design or Color Consultation today and see the transformation.
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Gorgeous color combo, Mary Ann! And what a spectacular view that inspired it! I love the story and symbolism of the fireweed plant!
Thanks so much! I particularly like this combination of colors, and the fireweed always makes me happy to see, until it blooms at the top and then it can be a little sad to know summer is ending.
I love the idea of having the colors of nature around us all year!
Me too! I love the feelings of spring and summer and it feels good to keep that feeling going in the winter, especially in areas where you get lots of snow!
Thanks so much Lisa! Me too!
What a beautiful color combo – thanks Mother Nature! – and how you pulled it together Mary Ann! Also, LOVE you e-design GIF and how it shows the layering of the plan. So good!!
Thank you Linda! Yes, mother nature sure knows how to highlight beautiful color with contrast:) The GIF was super fun and I had not thought about it before making it how it can show someone the process of how a design comes together too:) Thanks for reading!
What a gorgeous color combination! Really striking, Mary Ann!
Thanks so much! Mother nature really knows how to show off colors together and I love to follow her lead:)
Fresh ideas to bring the outside in, and easy to apply!
Thank you Suzi!