Let’s face it Summer flies by faster than any of the other seasons.  Saturday and Sunday should invite Friday to be part of the weekend then we could enjoy the beautiful weather and festivities a bit more. As soon as Memorial Day hits my family and I run for the Lake where every weekend is filled with fun, sun, food and great company at our Summer home. I’m so happy to share a peek into our little cozy cottage where it all happens. Everything is amped up a bit; the music, the laughs, the color and the food! And to top it all off, you can see some of my stylish blogger friend’s homes all ready enjoying the Summer in full swing. Welcome this from Janine’s Happy Happy Nester blog! Come on in and see my colorful Summer and then head on over to Oscar living room achy transformation at Oscar Bravo Home. You’re love it. It’s a Shore Thing! https://www.memehill.com/web-stories/lake-house-decorating-on-a-budget/

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing  Entertaining Central

She may be small and without a dishwasher but she sure is cute, functional and always makes me smile when I come thru the door. The kitchen closed sign is mostly out and complicated meals and piles of dishes are for the weekdays. We mostly grill out, make salads and eat a lot of small plate appetizers.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

Vintage Vases

I am a magnet for vintage ceramic pottery. You can never have too many vases or planters. Our sideboard displays a portion of my collection in addition to all the serviceware. Mismatched thrifted furniture and flea market finds get a fresh coat of paint and add rustic charm and playful color to the small open space. A Summer home should be filled with all your favorite things!

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

Easy peasy appetizers and salads with a “help yourself to whatever you want” attitude.

 

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

I always stop at the local farm markets on my way out of the city for fresh flowers and produce.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore ThingSummer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

Whimsical colorful stands purchased from HomeGoods serve as candle holders or plate stands when entertaining.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore ThingSummer Home Tour: Its a shore thing

DIY Fireplace

We rarely turn on the fireplace in the Summer but it’s still the focal point of the cottage. If you’d like to see what this space looked like before we renovated and added our fireplace check out my post NO BONES ABOUT IT, SHE HAS GOOD BONES
Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

Weekends at the lake entail No WIFI and the TV armoire is mostly closed. We play games, listen to music, fish, swim and spend time out on the lake.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

Adding color and pattern are the Lakeside swivel chairs from Raymour & Flanigan. So darn comfortable and fun that I had to have two! Nautical needlepoint pillows are scattered around the cottage to cozy up with late at night.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

A rustic wooden NO WAKE SIGN from HomeGoods hangs over The Gray Street Server that plays double duty as bar and game cabinet. Stackable navy metal bistro chairs are space savers and even go outside when we BBQ.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

Blue Breezes

Lazy Sunday mornings are spent reading in bed, sipping coffee and listening to the water hit the shore.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

At night around the campfire my husband Ross gets out his guitar and serenades us with his original music. There are several musicians near us so when the music starts they all gather around. Some of us sound better than others! Let’s just say I didn’t get the musical gene.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

I hung a repurposed mirror and shelf that my father made us.  It reflects the light in this small room and doubles as a nightstand for Ross. At night I turn on the macramé pendant light. It casts the best shadows around the room!

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

My daughter Chloe’s room is kid central. The trundle bed comes out and the giggling starts.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

There’s only one bath but its big enough to hold a small army!

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

Porch Living

Our front porch is where we hang out the most. The kids fight over who gets to lounge on the daybed and when the weather is questionable or the bugs come out we eat all our meals out here. Loads of nautical colors and patterns.
Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

Nothings is better than waking to the smell of Chocolate croissants cooking in the oven.  Have you tried these delicious delicacies from Trader Joe’s? TO. DIE. FOR.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

Our front porch all decked out in patriotic stars and stripes.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore ThingSummer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

We have rules at the lake. Simple and easy. If you don’t comply you get thrown off the dock.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

Patriotic Patio, Porch and Dock

I purchased this American Flag throw blanket just before the Fourth of July from HomeGoods. As you can see it gets around. It added just the patriotic touch to our dock and earlier in the day I used it as a tablecloth.  The fireworks were spectacular this year! Over two hours straight reflecting in the lake.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing

When the weather gets hot I make something cool. A sweet and sassy little rainbow number.

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore Thing. Honeoye Breeze cocktail recipe

Who doesn’t love watermelon? This refreshing Summer treat can be a side dish to your meal or a dessert. So simple, colorful and takes just a few minutes to prepare.

Summer Home Tour: watermelon salad

Greek Watermelon Star Salad

Cut watermelon into 1 inch slices. With a cookie cutter slice watermelon into stars and carefully remove. Drizzle stars with quality balsamic vinegar, feta cheese, Himalayan sea salt and fresh mint. It’s that simple!

Please check out my friends and their beautiful Summer homes. It’s so fun to see what my blogger friends are up to in the Summer. Simply click on the link and it’ll take you to their tour. If you need me I will be out on the dock enjoying one of these!  Happy Summer!

xoxo Amie

AMIE’S BLOGGER BUDDIES SUMMER HOME TOUR:

Down to Earth Gloribell I dont know how she does it WWW.KNOWHOWSHEDOESIT.COM

Hysterical & Handsome Oscar of Oscar Bravo Home  WWW.OSCARBRAVOHOME.COM

The Super Chic & Classy Amy of Crazy Chic Design  WWW.CRAZYCHICDESIGN.COM

The Glamorous Laila of Designs by Laila  WWW.DESIGNSBYLAILA.COM

Super Sweet Janine of Happy Happy Nester WWW.HAPPYHAPPYNESTER.COM

 

 

Summer Home Tour: It's a Shore ThingSummer Home Tour: It's a Shore ThingSummer Home tour: Honeoye Lake

*Fireworks photo by Laurene Icart

14 Comments

  1. Reply

    Gloribell

    July 31, 2016

    Amazing Amie! Your photos always make me happy. You are so great at using lots of colors in your sorroundings and they always look so relaxed and full of life! Love your post Amie

    • Reply

      memehillstudio

      July 31, 2016

      Gloribell Thank you so much. Coming from you thats quite a compliment. We keep it light and fun at the lake. Its a place and time to get away from all the weekday craziness. Have a great day! Off to see your post now. xoxo

  2. Reply

    Amy

    July 31, 2016

    I’m so in love with your lake house! You’ve done an amazing job decorating it!!! xoxo

  3. Reply

    Oscar @OscarBravoHome

    July 31, 2016

    Crashing waves, live music, chocolate croissants and a huge bathroom!?! Sounds like heaven and I want in! Love your happy cottage!

    • Reply

      memehillstudio

      August 2, 2016

      OOOH Thaanks Oscar. You are welcome anytime. Your family would love it here! xoxo

  4. Reply

    Jeanne leasure

    August 1, 2016

    Omg! I love all of it! So fun and cheerful!

    • Reply

      memehillstudio

      August 2, 2016

      Thanks Jeanne! Hope you’re doing well. ITs just around the lake from Dick’s place. Come anytime! xox

  5. Reply

    Janine

    August 1, 2016

    Wow!!!! Your Summer Home Tour is spectacular. I wanted to see all the gorgeous bright colors. Can I come visit you this summer? Every room is eye candy!

    • Reply

      memehillstudio

      August 2, 2016

      Yes come anytime Janine! Its small but fun. Your kids would love it her in the Finger Lakes! xoxo

  6. Reply

    kathleen

    August 3, 2016

    Love, love, love! You have made your sweet cottage such a haven of relaxation and family fun. I am smitten! Wish I could come share in some of that summer lovin’ with you all! Absolutely charming!

    xox

    • Reply

      memehillstudio

      August 3, 2016

      Thank you so much Kathleen! Its small but a fun little place where we unplug and have fun. Sandy feet and all. You are welcome anytime! xoxo

  7. Reply

    Wendy Nelson

    August 3, 2016

    Amie, this is so much fun! Beautiful, lively, fresh, and inviting. And I am thrilled to see that your stylish place is simple, small, unplugged and rather basic. That spirit was at the heart of summer places when I grew up and it was great. We played games, spent time outside and it was a refreshing change from our big rather fancy house during the year. So often today vacation homes are pretty much as lavish as the main residence and I think something is lost. Absolutely love yours!

    • Reply

      memehillstudio

      August 3, 2016

      Wendy! You so get me. I didn’t even want a tv there but I lost out on that one. I wanted to infuse color and fun without making into a new house. There are still the old cottage house elements like older kitchen cabinets, crooked doors, the old door front and back doors, etc. that keep it still a vintage getaway. Thanks so much for swinging by!

  8. Reply

    Laila

    August 3, 2016

    Oh my gosh, loved everything! How adorable is the star watermelon salad, yum!! It was so much fun doing this summer tour with you Amie! xoxo

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