The screen door slams shut, echoing through the hallway, followed by the hum of cicadas rising from the garden. Condensation beads on a glass pitcher of iced tea, and the air smells faintly of salt and cut grass.
A Martha Stewart aesthetic summer is not about flashy pool floats or neon colors. It is about slowing down to match the heat, living halfway between the indoors and the outdoors.
This style favors faded blue ticking stripes, weathered shingles, and the heavy thud of a ripe tomato hitting the cutting board. It is a season for cold showers, linen sheets, and dinners that last until the fireflies come out.
Here are 15 ways to design a summer life that feels cool, collected, and timeless.
1. The Screened Porch
The center of summer life is the screened porch. Paint the floorboards a glossy Bedford Gray to hide dust and provide a cool surface for bare feet.
Furnish the space with vintage wicker painted white or dark green. Use heavy cotton cushions that can withstand a damp bathing suit and the humidity of an August afternoon.
2. Blue Hydrangeas
Nothing signals summer like a mass arrangement of blue mophead hydrangeas. Cut them early in the morning while the dew is still on the petals to keep them crisp.
Place a single variety in a large, heavy vessel. The repetition of the round blue shapes creates a calming visual rhythm that mixed bouquets often lack.
3. Ticking Stripe Linens
Replace heavy winter velvets with ticking stripe. This tightly woven cotton fabric, traditionally used for mattress covers, feels durable and humble.
Use it for slipcovers, throw pillows, or even a simple tablecloth. The narrow blue and white lines look crisp against white walls and hide the inevitable spills of summer dining.
4. Galvanized Zinc Tubs
When hosting outdoors, skip the plastic cooler. Fill a large galvanized zinc tub with ice to keep wine, water, and lemonade cold.
The dull gray metal looks beautiful against the green lawn. It is utilitarian, unbreakable, and holds enough ice to last through a long evening.
5. The Outdoor Shower
If you have the space, install a simple plumbing line for an outdoor shower. Enclose it in cedar planks that will weather to a silvery gray over time.
Rinsing off the salt and sand under the sky is a sensory delight. It keeps the indoors clean and connects you directly to the elements.
6. Pressed Glass Pitchers
Serve iced tea and lemonade in heavy, pressed glass pitchers. Look for hobnail or diamond patterns that catch the sunlight and hide fingerprints.
These pitchers have enough weight to not tip over in a breeze. They feel substantial in the hand and turn a simple glass of water into an occasion.
7. Clam Shell Bowls
Use giant clam shells (real or resin reproductions) as sculptural bowls. Place one on the entry table to catch keys and mail, or fill one with lemons in the kitchen.
The organic, fluted shape adds a subtle nautical touch without screaming “beach house.” It is a classic example of nature as decor.
8. Wooden Adirondack Chairs
Avoid plastic lawn furniture. Choose wooden Adirondack chairs with wide armrests flat enough to hold a glass of wine.
Paint them in a landscape color Bedford Gray, hunter green, or black so they recede into the garden rather than standing out. Let the flowers provide the color.
9. Crisp Percale Sheets
Switch your bedding to 100% cotton percale in bright white. Percale has a crisp, cool hand that feels refreshing against the skin on a humid night.
Line-dry them if possible. The scent of fresh air and sunshine is better than any luxury detergent.
Now the details that bring the garden to the table…
10. Ceramic Berry Bowls
Use ceramic berry bowls or colanders to wash and serve fruit. These small bowls with drainage holes allow you to rinse strawberries or cherry tomatoes and place them directly on the table.
It simplifies the process of eating from the garden. The fruit looks beautiful piled high in a white or jadeite vessel.
11. Glass Hurricanes
Candlelight is necessary for outdoor dining, but the wind is an enemy. Use tall, heavy glass hurricanes to shield pillar candles.
The glass amplifies the glow and keeps the wax from dripping. It allows the dinner to continue long after the sun has gone down.
12. Tomato Vines
Even if you do not have a full vegetable garden, keep a few tomato plants in large terracotta pots on the patio.
The spicy, green scent of the vines when you brush against them is the signature smell of the season. Plus, there is no substitute for a tomato ripened in the sun.
13. The Wicker Hamper
Keep a sturdy wicker hamper packed with plates and glasses. A real picnic requires real gear, not paper plates that blow away in the wind.
Look for vintage baskets with leather straps. They are strong enough to carry wine bottles and heavy ironstone plates to the beach or the backyard.
14. Citronella in Terracotta
Bug control is a reality of summer, but the packaging doesn’t have to be ugly. Pour citronella wax into simple terracotta pots.
Place them around the perimeter of the seating area. They look like potted plants by day and provide a functional barrier against mosquitoes by night.
15. Ironstone Platters
Summer food is often served “family style.” You need large, oval ironstone platters to hold a dozen ears of corn or a stack of grilled burgers.
The heavy white ceramic frames the colorful food beautifully. It is durable enough to carry outside and elegant enough for a formal dining room.
Summer is a brief season. By setting the stage with durable materials and thoughtful details, you ensure that every warm evening is used to its fullest potential.