For my avid readers, you’ll know that I have a penchant for interior decorating programs. To fuel my addiction, Summer Home is the latest series I’ve added to my growing list of favourite home makeover shows. What makes this series unique is its focus on renovating summer homes – or holiday homes as we call them here in Australia. In each episode, host Samantha Pynn, aims to update rundown retreats trapped in a time warp, and transform them from boring to delightful getaways.
The program has a laid back vibe that’s reflected in Samantha’s signature style. I have an affinity for her refreshing approach to decorating; it’s what I define as casual chic. With Samantha, you won’t find ostentatious fixtures, opulent or ornate focal points and quirky decorating concepts. Instead, Samantha’s creations are bright, cosy and inviting. Her designs are based on restrained elegance, understated rustic glam. She combines country with a classic, timeless comfort, yet modern feel.
Samantha provides practical solutions to breathing new life into a home. Where possible, she retains existing furniture to minimise costs but refreshes the pieces with new slip covers or re-upholstering. In addition to custom fixtures, Samantha also favours vintage accessories found in local thrift stores or antique shops to maintain a cottage charm.
As the homes of her clients are often located along rivers, lakes or set amongst wooded areas, her designs are often nature inspired, so as not to divert from the character of the house. To keep the look fresh, she uses pops of colour with visual elements such as pillows, throw blankets, rugs and ornaments with soft colour pallets, floral prints mixed with muted geometric patterns and delicate textures.
In some episodes, Samantha’s major challenge is maximising areas with limited space, creating a room that is both functional and flexible in terms of their layout, purpose and usage. She often achieves this with a splash of paint, new flooring, re-positioning furniture, adding fixtures with sleek minimalist features, dismantling walls or building cabinetry upwards instead of outwards – all to create the illusion of space.
In summary, Samantha manages to combine both function and form, transforming rooms that once lacked any artistic direction, and injecting a dash of glam that is visually eye catching yet comfortable and casually stylish.
yay! I’ve always enjoyed reading posts about home decor 😀 the rooms look lovely.
Me too!!! I’m addicted. I think it’s because I’m a wannabe interior decorator – but I don’t have the talent sadly:(
Love her style.
It’s so laid back, simple…yet beautiful. Her show has a relaxed vibe as well, it’s not too pompous.
I’m updating our house in Costa Rica so ideas are very welcome! I like the style…
If you like home decor…there’s a current post on the Hattatt blog http://hattatt.blogspot.com/2013/02/chandeliers-and-champagne.html
showing a gorgeous place in Budapest…I could commit a crime for those curtains…
I love the style as well. I love home decor. I’ll have to check out the blog. Thanks so much!
Oh, just love!! Great balance of color also. I love to dash a bold color in minimum, seems to transform an entire room. Just beautiful !!!
I love it as well! A splash of color can do so much to bring vibrancy to a room.
Thanks for very interesting blog I really enjoy it to read makes me happy
Wow! I’m so glad you like it. It totally made my day:) Sending positive vibes your way!
Definitely one of my fav decorating shows! Samantha Pynn is amazing!
Me too! Her style is so simple, yet refreshing. I hope they develop more shows for the series.
Some beautiful ideas here! I’ve never watched the show; I have to check it out!
I hope you get a chance to see some of the episodes. The show premiered here in Australia at the start of the year. I love Sam’s simplicity and signature casual chic style.
Sounds like a show I’d like to watch
It’s such a laid back, casual show. It’s quite reflective of each episode’s location. Sam’s designs are simple, inviting with pops of color.
I love the casual, cool, summer look. Perfect for a holiday house. I’ll have to check this show out.
I hope you get a chance to see it. I really like the show. I’m hoping they’ll do a few more episodes. Sam’s designs are comfortable, inviting, charming…
I love interior design, but I can not create the effect unless I see it. Thanks for lots of visuals. Looking forward to reading more of yours. Brenda
I LOVE interior design as well. I’m like you, I can’t put a look together.
Love this post! We did a feature on New Zealand bach (summer home) architecture- hopefully we’ll get to do one on the interiors! Enjoy
So glad you like it!!! I love interior decorating programs. I’m a wannabe decorator/designer…I have the passion, but no talent…lol!!!
Pingback: Summer Chic – Trash ‘N’ Treasure | THE VIBE 101
Reblogged this on The Design Statement.