Our Summer Tour ~ Regarding the article Modern minimalist design

I'm happy to be joining 25 bloggers in sharing our humble abodes as part of the "2013 Summer Showcase of Homes!" So, kick off your flip flops and come on in!

One of the first rooms you see when you enter our home is the great room. And, during these Summer months, it's dressed in soothing colors of blue, white and tan (hard to believe this space was once covered in all things red, gold and green)!

A natural seagrass rug anchors it all.

Because we live here at the beach, a coastal themed Summer mantel seemed like a natural choice!

A nautical theme vignette fills our "Pure White" chalk painted sofa table:

Over in our sitting room, the soft color palette continues, including splashes of grey that I've been adding in here lately ... from our new curtains to the grey and white French fabric that I lined the back of our bookcase with:

A few more splashes of coastal accents made their way to our duck egg blue accent chest, including our *feathered friend* from my favorite, Home Goods:

Across from the sitting room is our dining room. This poor space has seen so many different wall colors in the 7 years we've lived here that I'm shocked the walls haven't caved in!

Walls aren't the only thing I've enjoyed painting ... in fact, this buffet was the first piece of furniture I painted and is what launched my furniture painting frenzy, including the the table and chairs. My paint brush even made its way to the lamps, as well as the mirror, which got a shiny coat of gold!

A simple table vignette, filled with white and silver pieces, is being enjoyed during these Summer months:

Speaking of paint, you might as well know (if you can't already tell) that I'm *addicted* to it, especially chalk paint, and have transformed SEVERAL pieces in our home with it ... our kitchen island being no exception. What was once a "builder grade" maple island was transformed with face panels, a few coats of AS Old White and Chateaux Grey (along with a butcher block top and farm legs). A silver bucket sits perched on top, filled with *Summer-y* branches:

The three wall mounted shelves which I built a few years ago (and am shocked haven't come crashing down) are covered with AS "Pure White" and filled with simple white and glass pieces:

It's hard to believe our cabinets were once maple stained. A couple of years ago, I painted them white and have never looked back! Yup, chalk paint ... again (not only on the cabinets, but, also on the Chateaux Grey napoleon bar stools we added last year). A cheery, vintage *Summer-y* print sits front and center above our cabinets (thanks, World Market):

Our breakfast area also got a dose of chalk paint when I painted our dry bar AS Old White, followed by Chateaux Grey. And, yes, before you even ask ... the apron/legs of the farmhouse table and chairs are painted with chalk paint, too (AS Pure White) ... see, I told you I'm addicted! A simple, Summer vignette fills the table.

Right off of our kitchen is our master bedroom (how convenient is *that* for my hubby's midnight snacks). This room also got a mini-makeover when we painted it in a softer color palette (including painting the side tables AS Old White):

Our master bath then followed suit when I painted our cabinets AS Old White and our mirrors AS Duck Egg Blue. A simple vase filled with pink hydrangeas reminds me of the Summer months we're enjoying!

Now, when it came to revamping our 7 year old son's room, I wanted to keep the colors "alive," so, primary colors were the obvious choice:

I have to enjoy this while I can because I know he'll want more of a say in his decor someday ... soon (ugh)!

His bathroom was recently redone in blue, tan and white ... nautical prints seemed to be an easy choice in here.

Even when Summer is over, this cute whale will remind me that the ocean is right down the street and the lazy days of Summer will soon return:

During the Summer months, our kiddo loves having his own "hang out" space where his friends and he love playing video games ... having "Beywheelz" battles ... and, rockin' out to Kidz Bop tunes:

And, as I wasn't quite ready to give this space a big, BIG boy look when I recently gave it a makeover, I chose a simple, yet colorful, nautical theme:

You know little boys means lots of dirty clothes ... so, let's head on over to the mudroom! White cabinets (painted AS Pure White), bead board and Ben Moore's Wythe Blue help this space feel "fresh."

While enduring the not-so fun task of folding laundry (okay, actually, my sweet hubs does most of it), I can't think of anything I'd rather look at than pics of my family ... it was only natural that this wall became our gallery wall:

Before you go, let's take a quick peek outside ... here's our screened porch, (which we are currently expanding), where we love to linger!

Of course, a simple bowl of shells is in order, along with colorful *Summer-y* pillows:

This picture of our patio is from a few years ago because we're currently expanding our screened in area by enclosing it! As much as we loved the pergola and openness, we tired of the constant mosquito attacks, visits from snakes and lizard invasions we constantly endured when trying to sit out here! I'll soon be sharing pics of the "new" space!

Okay, so, who's ready for a glass of Pinot and some fake grapes?

Thanks so much for taking the time to tour our Summer home! Here's hoping the remainder of the season goes by s-l-o-w-l-y, because, before long, I'll be decorating like *this* !!