How to invite a nostalgic summer feeling into your home!

Whether you recall sleeping in a tent, visiting a family cottage or attending a summer camp as a kid, there is something very classic about the up north summer experience. So much so it is depicted in movies like “The Great Outdoors” and “Cheaper by the Dozen 2.” For those of you who may not have the vacation time or a spot to take you back to nature this summer – I came up with a few ideas that could bring a little of the nostalgia of a north woods experience into a guest room, bonus room, or rec space. Just like holiday decorations it can be a temporary makeover to lend your house a different vibe for your summer stay-cation.

Let’s start with Art…

Consider a piece that showcases water

Why not swap out a piece of art for the summer? This pier picture brings that view of the lake into a room and would instantly change the mood if hung over a bed in a guest suite. There are so many great affordable options for art nowadays that it might be worth finding one that reminds you of a tranquil lake or swimming hole. Better yet- take a favorite childhood photo from a vacation or cabin and have it printed on canvas through any of the same day canvas print outlets. If you convert it to black and white it should fit in with any of your current decor.

I shared my loft makeover last month where a lake scene hangs year round over a daybed, but I also like to decorate a mantle or side table with these vintage pictures I framed of my grandma and her sister canoeing in Wisconsin. I usually find a place for them in June and then switch them with fall photos in October.

Lighting

With the array of cute garden lighting and easy LED options it might be fun to gather up some outdoor lanterns or cute flashlights to leave on side tables in place of overhead lighting. These lanterns were purchased for my camper years ago and I always found the soothing flicker the candle has as a great way to settle in for the night.

One time I needed a quick lamp in my guest room so I stuffed a string of holiday lights into a vase. It has a sparkly effect that could be used to emulate the essence of fireflies in a jar.

If you like the idea of changing out your lighting but are looking for something less crafty, I would suggest these two lamp options available at Hanson’s of Waupaca for a more grown-up appeal. They are still kitschy and that’s the fun of a makeover like this. Hopefully it defers us from some of the seriousness of our everyday decor.

Decorating with Red and Green and Plaid

I’ll admit I’ve moved straight from having a weakness for throw pillows to a weakness for rugs. They are the easiest way to completely reset the color scheme of a room. The downfall is the cost of collecting rugs can add up and they are hard to store. I keep my “seasonal” rug supply rolled up under the guest room bed and I will sometimes shop a deal of a rug (opting for polypropylene over a quality wool rug) knowing it is meant to be fun and temporary. I am currently obsessed with plaid rugs and aim to have one in every color combo.

Besides being staple colors of Christmas, there is nothing more north woods cabin than red and green. Forest green was a standard for shutters and furniture in cabins for years. Incorporating a few accessories or a smaller piece of furniture in these colors can be a temporary decoration to shake up your color scheme.

I also like using vintage thermos, water coolers and picnic baskets as accessories since they reflect those wholesome summer camp activities of hiking and picnics. Antique shops like Water Street Vintage in New London have plenty of options on hand.

Revisit your favorite nostalgic pass time

One thing I imagine about a great remote cottage or summer camp besides swimming, hiking and boating- is the arts and crafts and rainy day quiet time. Everyone should have a little fun creating some art of your own. This frog art is one of the many reasons I love my Aunt Nancy who lives on a lake in Rhinelander. Her everyday life is like a summer camp!

Revisit a favorite vintage book series or seek out a few stories from local authors about or set in Wisconsin. Either can be a way to set aside your summer reading from the rest of the year.

I actually think a great way to tie all of these ideas together would be to print out some black and white pictures of your favorite up north trip and decoupage them to a thrift store find coffee table or old trunk to use as a piece of furniture in your nostalgic summer room.

This is a table top in the Bear Lake Campground bar and grill. Of course it appeals to me because it reminds me of all the reasons I love scrap booking. I have also recently seen some end tables and other furniture at garage sales that are so beyond repair and looking cute that I figure- what do you have to lose? Maybe slap some green paint on it first. Print all the pictures in a nice sepia tone. Add in a hint of memorabilia…It could end up being a great little place to stack those vintage books or set a jar of twinkle lights!

I have also seen these fantastic lampshades using old vintage pictures. There appears to be some online sites now that will custom make these from your images as well!

Whatever your memories of going up north or your vision of a great summer camp holiday, I hope this got you thinking of ways to make a space to celebrate the season the same way we get caught up in Halloween and Christmas. I think our daily bustle during the three busiest months of the year has us believing we won’t have time to enjoy those little touches that remind us of a simple lakeside cabin or a rustic bunk house, but the challenge this summer is seeing if maybe they do!

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