The Ultimate Oasis: Summer-Inspired Design
As the sun reaches its longest days and the world outside comes alive with vibrant hues and the soothing hum of nature, Canadians can’t help but feel totally immersed in the excitement of our short (but oh-so-sweet!) summer. At this time of the year, our focus shifts towards creating spaces that reflect the warmth, energy, and relaxation synonymous with the season. With summer serving as our muse, and our Arbutus Remodel (in all its’ green glory!) as our guide, we invite you on a journey to infuse the plans for your next renovation or build with the spirit of summertime.
A Palette of Possibilities
Where we are (lucky enough to live in cottage country!), summer is a season of vibrant colour. At BDI, we love to embrace these rich hues and allow them to serve as inspiration for design finishes; whether it be in paint colours, flooring selections, textiles, or décor. If you love the idea of going bold (which is having a big moment right now!), why not choose a statement piece like your millwork to really show some personality (these cabinets are a custom blend of Sherwin Williams “Pewter Green” and “Ripe Olive”). If you don’t want to colour drench the full room, we suggest pairing your colour choice with a crisp, yet soft white paint in order to ensure that you avoid any colour-reflections or muddiness in the space (we love Sherwin Williams “High Reflective White” for an option with no undertones). By harnessing the power of colour, you can create a space that inspires the sense of joy and vitality that summer brings us.
Embracing Light
Summer brings with it an abundance of natural light, and we encourage you to harness this precious resource to its fullest potential when considering your layout. Strategic window and door placements invite the outdoors in, blurring the lines between inside and outside, and fostering a greater connection with nature. When considering artificial light selections and placement, try to aim for every room to have 3 light sources: accent (highlighting a specific object or feature; creating interest and drama), ambient (found in the form of natural windows, doors or larger-scale light fixtures), and task (designed to assist in performing specific tasks like cooking or reading). Opt for fixtures on dimmable switches and ensure all your light bulbs are the same “colour temperature”. The coolness/warmth will change based on the number of Kelvin a light bulb has. Too cool and it can cast a blue hue on everything, too warm and everything looks yellow. Our favourite here at BDI for that perfect neutral glow is 3000 Kelvin.
Bringing the Physical Outdoors, In
Okay, okay, we know you’ve heard this one before, but summer truly is a celebration of nature’s bounty, and what better way to honour it than by seamlessly blending the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living? Look to incorporate elements that evoke the beauty of the natural world, such as fresh foliage, sprigs or stones. If you are looking for something you don’t need to replenish, dried flowers or branches provide organic interest but are much lower maintenance than fresh. And, if foraging isn’t your thing, take a moment to enjoy popping by your local Farmer’s Market’s to see the selection that many of our hard-working farmers & artisans have (and equally enjoy supporting local!).
Birchview Design Inc. is an award-winning interior design team serving clientele in the Kawartha Lakes, GTA, and beyond. As a full-service studio, the firm offers an all-inclusive, simplified experience with elevated design expertise.
www.birchviewdesign.com / @birchviewdesign
Contractor Partner: Glenwood Construction Ltd. @glenwoodconstructionltd / Photography: Ashley Adams @flashadams
