How We’re Hanging On to Summer at Home
Houzz readers share photos of their late-summer gardens and favorite tips for keeping that warm-weather glow
Erin Carlyle
September 7, 2016
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
With Labor Day weekend behind us and schools already in session, summer is winding to a close. Technically, though, the first day of fall isn’t until Sept. 22 (in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway). In honor of stretching out the season, we recently asked how you’re hanging on to the magic of summer.
Many of you said that getting outside is the key, whether it’s hitting the neighborhood pool, local botanical garden or farmers market. Others had tips related to food, from planting late-summer gardens that bring a bounty in fall to making those special summer recipes — coleslaw and potato salad, anyone? One Houzzer even has fireside “picnics” during winter months, with beach towels on the carpet and fruity drinks on tap. Beachy decor helps yet another Houzzer hang on to summer. Still others said that where they live, summer is far too hot or humid to enjoy — they’ll be glad when fall finally comes!
Read on to see and hear from those who’ve figured out how to bask in summer just a little bit longer.
Many of you said that getting outside is the key, whether it’s hitting the neighborhood pool, local botanical garden or farmers market. Others had tips related to food, from planting late-summer gardens that bring a bounty in fall to making those special summer recipes — coleslaw and potato salad, anyone? One Houzzer even has fireside “picnics” during winter months, with beach towels on the carpet and fruity drinks on tap. Beachy decor helps yet another Houzzer hang on to summer. Still others said that where they live, summer is far too hot or humid to enjoy — they’ll be glad when fall finally comes!
Read on to see and hear from those who’ve figured out how to bask in summer just a little bit longer.
Exuberance in Pennsylvania
Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania
Typical summer weather: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 27 degrees Celsius)
Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania
Typical summer weather: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 27 degrees Celsius)
Houzz reader imho22 describes late summer as “celebrating exuberance.” This reader’s summer garden, on an acre of land north of Pittsburgh, is full of blooms.
Lush Green in Mexico City
Who lives here: Consuelo Albarran
Location: Mexico City
Typical summer weather: 83 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius), with rain
“In Mexico City, summer is the rainy season,” Consuelo Albarran writes. “It has disadvantages because some days you have to stay inside, but the rain makes everything so green and pretty. On those days that it doesn’t rain we grill outside and make the most of our garden. We love to watch our small orchard grow.”
Who lives here: Consuelo Albarran
Location: Mexico City
Typical summer weather: 83 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius), with rain
“In Mexico City, summer is the rainy season,” Consuelo Albarran writes. “It has disadvantages because some days you have to stay inside, but the rain makes everything so green and pretty. On those days that it doesn’t rain we grill outside and make the most of our garden. We love to watch our small orchard grow.”
Summer Blooms in Belgium
Location: Waterloo, Belgium
Typical summer weather: 55 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 27 degrees Celsius)
This Houzz reader created a special corner in front of the house for enjoying summer. Cut flowers from the garden serve as centerpieces all season long.
Location: Waterloo, Belgium
Typical summer weather: 55 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 27 degrees Celsius)
This Houzz reader created a special corner in front of the house for enjoying summer. Cut flowers from the garden serve as centerpieces all season long.
Cut Flowers Outside …
Who lives here: Lisa Lewis
Location: Columbus, Georgia
Typical summer weather: In the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius) and humid
“During the day I like to bring indoor items that remind me of the beach outside. Our patio is my happy place,” writes Lisa Lewis.
Who lives here: Lisa Lewis
Location: Columbus, Georgia
Typical summer weather: In the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius) and humid
“During the day I like to bring indoor items that remind me of the beach outside. Our patio is my happy place,” writes Lisa Lewis.
… and Inside
“To keep summer going as long as I can in the evening I cut a bloom from my … roses to make me smile as I unwind on the patio,” Lewis writes.
“To keep summer going as long as I can in the evening I cut a bloom from my … roses to make me smile as I unwind on the patio,” Lewis writes.
Prolonging the Light in Michigan
Who lives here: Judy Arrand
Location: Flint, Michigan
Typical summer weather: In the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius) during the day
“The addition of lighting on the porch has lengthened our summer evening outside, enjoying the woods and all the sounds at night,” Judy Arrand writes.
Who lives here: Judy Arrand
Location: Flint, Michigan
Typical summer weather: In the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius) during the day
“The addition of lighting on the porch has lengthened our summer evening outside, enjoying the woods and all the sounds at night,” Judy Arrand writes.
Short but Sweet in Toronto
Who lives here: Lan Le
Location: Toronto
Typical summer weather: 55 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 27 degrees Celsius )
“How can we hold on to summer in Toronto?” writes Lan Le. “Just try to sit as much as we can at the outdoor table in the backyard …
Who lives here: Lan Le
Location: Toronto
Typical summer weather: 55 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 27 degrees Celsius )
“How can we hold on to summer in Toronto?” writes Lan Le. “Just try to sit as much as we can at the outdoor table in the backyard …
“… before it sinks into a pool of snow.”
Your turn: Show us your last gasps of summer in the Comments!
More
9 Simple Ways to Savor Summer’s Final Days
How to Recharge Your Soul During the Change of Seasons
Your turn: Show us your last gasps of summer in the Comments!
More
9 Simple Ways to Savor Summer’s Final Days
How to Recharge Your Soul During the Change of Seasons
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Still lots of great summer weather left for evening ice creams at the wharf down the road!