Summer reading, and a summer break
a moment to pause amidst a speedy summer and even speedier life
Can you believe it’s almost mid-July? This summer (and this year!) has been passing with the speed of light, and if you’re like me, you’re just trying to hold on and remember what the date is. Time has been passing so quickly but at times has also felt so painfully slow, and I admittedly have been feeling a bit stuck as things move around me. I have been neglecting this newsletter; I mentioned in my last post that I haven’t felt very creatively inspired (among other things) since we lost our Max, and I’m still feeling very much the same. I am taking the advice of a very smart and dear friend to embrace and truly feel all of the feelings, and this has entailed turning other things in my life off in order to do so- including this creative outlet. Each week that passes feels more like a burden to churn out an informative or inspiring post, and at a time where I feel like that tank is running below E, it just feels like pressure more than anything else. I am a huge proponent of sharing creative things only when you feel creative- HUGE! If not, it just turns into a messy commodification of something that is supposed to be an escape, and I don’t want to put that out into the world.
All of this to say, I’m going to pause subscriptions on this newsletter for the summer, while we all take time to enjoy nature and friends and life in general- you know, all of the things that work wonders on filling that creativity tank. All of the past posts will still be accessible, so you can still do a deep dive and catch up on anything you’ve missed! And there are a lot of things to spend your time reading. Here’s a round-up of my favorites in case you’re looking for that creative distraction for yourself:
DESIGN ADVICE & DEEP DIVES:
Feeling stuck in your own home? Read this post on the subtle art of not giving a f*ck, it will help you give yourself a break, promise. Catch up on how to get the real Nancy Meyers look, or read all about how I helped solve a reader’s design dilemma in her dining room. Take a look at an odd detail that inspires me in antique oil paintings (and how to get the look yourself), or learn all about one of my favorite lesser-known potters in England. If you’re looking to put a paint color to a name, check out the exact paint colors and wallpapers that I used in my own home, and then dive into my breakdown of paint finishes and when to use them. Pour a cup and sit down for a class in design school that’s all about the origin of lustreware, and some pieces you can snag on the market today. And if you’re looking for a quick and easy DIY to update your own walls, check out one of my favorite quick and inexpensive updates you can do with a few hours to spare.
ROUND-UPS & INSPIRATION:
If you’re looking for some new vendors to explore for the foundational things in your home, read my round-up of my 10 favorite lighting vendors and 10 of my favorite rug vendors. If you need a little candlelight glow in your space, this recent round-up of candles sconces will give you what you’re looking for. Some summer inspiration can give you some outside inspo, and if you’re hanging out inside and enjoying your AC, you can get the look of Kathleen Kelly’s apartment for yourself. You can dive into chocolate brown or Klein blue, or you can get some inspo from one of my favorite Shannon Claire Interiors projects here on Capitol Hill in DC.
BEAUTIFUL THINGS ISSUES:
TRAVEL:
And if you’re traveling this summer or any time soon, make sure to check out my super comprehensive London Guide (along with my custom Google map with hundreds of pins). Here are some thoughts on Paris and the English Countryside, too- it’s a Cotswold Guide coming soon (one more visit on the books!) And if you’re looking for a beautiful hotel, you can explore one of my favorites (and the designer behind it) here.
Thank you so much for being here, always. I promise to be back, and with the way thing are moving, this will be here before we know it. In the meantime, you can keep up with me on Instagram (always!), and I’m getting a lot of things accomplished at The Gables, and trying to document as much as possible over there. I hope you have a fabulous rest of your summer- please tell me in the comments what your fun plans are!
xoxoxo, always.
