Savor The End of Summer (with a designer's attention to detail)

Ahh, summer! We love engaging ALL of our senses this time of year. From admiring the vivid colors of hydrangeas in bloom to smelling sweet honeysuckle to reveling in the sensation of jumping in the pool after a sizzling hot day, summer is a sensory feast, and we never get our fill. Despite our attempts to slow time down, the season always seems to go way too fast, so before we slip into fall, we wanted to share a few of the ways in which we plan to savor the end of summer. 

FRUIT PICKING

Selecting fragrant, warmed-by-the-sun fruit yourself is next level fun, especially when kids get involved, so an orchard outing is on our August calendar. After the picking comes the best part—dreaming up and then making pies, crisps, jams and syrups (as well as freezing some our hall for mid-winter when we’ll be craving fruit). We’re hoping to snag some peaches before making a fall trip for apples and pumpkins!

FLOWER PRESSING

I have fond memories of pressing flowers as a child and gifting them to my mother. Now as a designer, I love the idea of extending the life of favorite seasonal blooms including hydrangeas, daisies, and zinnias and framing them for a simple, yet timeless display. There are plenty of flower press kits for purchase, but if you have a little time and some basic materials, you can make your own.

TIE DYEING

Nothing says “summer camp” like good old tie-dye and with good reason: it’s a fun outdoor activity for all ages! Playing around with different patterns and folds will take your design to the next level, but you can also improvise with color and style. If you already have enough tie-dyed shirts to last a lifetime, consider giving linen or cotton placemats, napkins, towels, or tablecloths a visually striking—and playful—upgrade.

EASY OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

Our favorite summer memories often involve low-key cookouts, barbeques, and hang outs that naturally come together after long days at the pool or post-Little League game. We fully embrace these spontaneous gatherings (especially when there’s a slip ‘n slide involved), and we recommend having the ingredients on hand for a few favorites that come together without much fuss. S’mores, a shrimp boil, watermelon (either by itself or as part of a feta salad), cheeses with an assortment of crackers, and fruits and veggies that are easy to grill are among our staple entertaining standbys. Insider scoop: grilled pineapple topped with ice cream is a homerun every time!

FARMER’S MARKET

Who doesn’t love a farmer’s market? Between the visual array of seasonal produce, the smell of flowers, the delicious try-before-you-buy tasters, and the sound of people chitchatting about their favorite vendors and afternoon plans, it’s a true sensory heaven as well as an important community space that honors and celebrates local growers and makers. I am always inspired when I visit our local farmer’s market, whether it be a result of seeing the rainbow of fruits and veggies or hearing how a vendor turned an interest in fermentation into a tasty side hustle. I can’t make summer last forever, but squeezing the enjoyment out of the season’s simple pleasures makes every moment sweeter.