10 Steps to Summer-ize Your Home

Take advantage of this summer's perfect yellow to take your room from winter blah to summer fresh – without a total makeover.

Photography by Angus Fergusson
Produced by Sabrina Linn

First published in Wish June 2007

Follow these 10 easy steps and brighten up your home:

1. Swap a large, dark carpet for a small, lightweight cotton rug in a bold graphic stripe. Uncover the hardwood to make the room feel fresh and light.
2. Fill a glass or lucite coffee table with plenty of yellow accessories, including a large bowl of lemons and a textured tray. The glass will reflect and amplify the yellow.
3. Trim linen drapes with a wide yellow ribbon.
4. Wrap a drum-style lampshade in on-trend yellow and white ikat fabric.
5. Switch a heavy chair for a light, white wicker number to open up the room.
6. Rearrange your books. Pull the light-coloured ones forward and put the yellow ones on top.
7. Drape a dark sofa in an easy-to-sew fabric throw trimmed with an upbeat pom-pom trim.
8. Use yellow and white cushions in a variety of patterns.
9. Don’t forget the summertime flowers.
10. Use a thin yellow throw to line a pair of club chairs.