The summer months can serve as an invitation to nostalgia. They bring us back to those familiar, carefree days when the only thing on the agenda was…to be.
The song of cicadas at dusk. Bright berries bursting with flavor. A watercolor sunrise before the world awakes. These are the things that bring us back the good ol’ days—and remind us they’re here, now, and ours for the taking.
This season can make space for rediscovering the things that keep us grounded, present in each moment as it comes. Which brings us to this: five ways to welcome, and appreciate, the transition into summer—something to see, feel, smell, hear, and savor.
Because, after all, this season is one for the senses.
See: Signs of the Season
The eye is innately drawn to organic shapes, so using florals as decor can be a great way to blend the outside world with indoor inspiration. One of our favorite ways to do this is swapping out faux florals and vases to correspond with what’s growing outside. (Think: dahlias, Queen Anne’s lace, cosmos, and more.) These lifelike blooms offer a fresh, from-the-garden feel without any upkeep.
This year, Jo created a simple approach to styling by pairing a few of her favorite summer stems with accompanying vases. Explore her handpicked duos for a flourishing display on magnolia.com—or in-store at Magnolia Market.
Feel: Light Layers
Although summer beckons us outside, there’s something extra sweet about settling in at home after a day of outdoor play. Light layers can come in many forms—and integrate all spaces of home. Consider breathable cotton sheets on your bed, sun-washed linens dressing the kitchen, or a tasseled throw draped across your living room sofa. Warm days aside, summer can be a time to layer up at home for the sake of function and beauty.
Smell: Uplifting Notes
A simple flicker can indicate a shift in season. Fresh, yet familiar, scents tend to unlock nostalgic memories and support new ones in the making. Our Magnolia Daybreak Candle is a seasonal favorite. Returning every summer, it features a medley of Valencia orange, peach, and heliotrope fragrance notes that nod to warm days and ripe, juicy fruit.
To freshen up the kitchen (or any room), consider our garden-inspired crock candles. Each of the three nod to nature’s bounty with scent profiles inspired by what you might find in a flourishing backyard—honeycomb, citrus grove, and herb garden. Plus, they’re poured into a reusable, vintage-inspired vessel that doubles as decor after the candle is finished.
Hear: Songs of Summer
Summer has a song that can hardly be replicated—the splash of cannonballs in the lake, a sizzling barbecue, pops of sparklers and firework-filled skies. Although a symphony of its own, we’re sharing a few tunes that can be a welcome soundtrack to a season well spent.
Savor: Fresh Fare
We’re all about making a regular trip to the farmers market, especially during a flourishing season. In celebration of summer’s bounty, we’ve pulled together a handful of recipes that incorporate the best of the season at its prime.
Mains:
Sips + Sweets:
Discover more of that lighthearted summer nostalgia, and welcome it home.
For inspiration on reclaiming the season and returning to simple joys (think: ice cream cones, reupholstering furniture, and growing aloe vera at home), pick up a copy of our summer 2024 Magnolia Journal.
