June 10, 2025 • 43 mins
In this episode of Boulevard Beat, Meghan Blum and Krissa Rossbund celebrate the season of sun-drenched ease with a deep dive into the "Soft Side of Summer." From breezy afternoons on the porch to unhurried outdoor entertaining, this conversation is an ode to intentional relaxation and effortless beauty.
They explore how interior and exterior spaces can become sanctuaries of calm, and why soft textures, light palettes, and unfussy elegance define the season’s best design and fashion moments. Whether you're styling a screened-in porch or curating a capsule wardrobe, this episode will inspire you to embrace summer’s gentler pace—with a touch of grace and style.
Street Style (Design) Takeaways:
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Episode Website https://www.blvdbeat.com/about
They explore how interior and exterior spaces can become sanctuaries of calm, and why soft textures, light palettes, and unfussy elegance define the season’s best design and fashion moments. Whether you're styling a screened-in porch or curating a capsule wardrobe, this episode will inspire you to embrace summer’s gentler pace—with a touch of grace and style.
Street Style (Design) Takeaways:
- Design for the Pause
Think beyond aesthetics—design spaces that encourage rest, reflection, and slower living. Porches, patios, and garden nooks can become sanctuaries when layered with softness and comfort. - Let the Outdoors Feel as Considered as the Indoors
Meghan and Krissa agree: a screened porch should be just as thoughtfully appointed as a living room. Use lighting, rugs, and soft furnishings to create an outdoor room that feels cohesive and cared for. - Use a Soft Color Story
Stick to sun-washed tones—creams, driftwood, soft blues, and greens pulled from nature. These hues not only calm the senses but also visually cool a space during warmer months. - Mix Texture for Depth and Comfort
Summer is the season for texture. Layer in woven materials, light linens, stone, and soft cottons to give spaces warmth and visual richness without heaviness. - Keep Entertaining Effortless
Whether it’s a backyard dinner or a porch cocktail hour, ease is everything. Have lightweight furniture you can move, durable dishware that still feels elevated, and lighting that flatters (hello, string lights and lanterns). - Don’t Overthink It
As discussed on the show, the most charming spaces are often the least fussy. Let your summer spaces breathe—leave room for spontaneity and simplicity.
Save 15% site wide at www.houseofblum.com with promo code beat15! Or you can use this link- https://houseofblum.com/discount/beat15!
Connect with the Hosts https://www.instagram.com/boulevardbeatpodcast/
Connect with Meghan Blum Interiors https://www.instagram.com/meghanbluminteriors/
Connect with House of Blum https://www.instagram.com/shophouseofblum/
Connect with Krissa Rossbund. https://www.instagram.com/krissa_rossbund/
Connect with Liz Lidgett https://www.instagram.com/lizlidgett/
Episode Website https://www.blvdbeat.com/about
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Welcome to boulevard Beat, a podcast where life and style intersect.
I'm designer Megan Bloom along with my co hosts, editor CHRISA.
Rossbund and gallery owner Liz Legit. This podcast focuses on
the daily highlights instead of the hustle, interviews with taste makers,
and personal conversations on how to highlight achievable style. You
can stroll one street at a time, Boulevard Beat proves
(00:29):
the one you should take.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Well.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
CHRISA, Summer is here.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
It's one of my favorite seasons, and today we're embracing
one of my favorite parts of this season, and that's
the softer side of summer. It's that easy, breezy feeling
that comes along with long afternoons on the porch, poolside lounging,
and effortless evenings entertaining outdoors. And I think it's important
just to talk about designing spaces that invite you to
(00:57):
slow down versus the everyday hustle, and I think the
outdoors can definitely do that for you, places where comfort
meets beauty and where the screened porch or a garden
nook can feel just as considered as your living room.
And so it's really important to think about those outside
spaces and how to take in those summer months.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Oh, I agree, And I think when it comes to
style and summer's mark on style, the great thing is
everything is a bit more relaxed and done with ease
and with an attitude that's not so buttoned up and
that's so married to rules and regulations. I think that
a little bit of an anything goes attitude is applicable
(01:38):
in summer and design and being outside. So that's what
makes it really fun.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
It really does.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
And I think it's just it is funny how it's
a little more effortless of just casually inviting people over
on a Sunday afternoon versus having to feel like you
have this formal plan. And I feel like maybe it's
just that we always feel a little more comfortable entertaining
outside than we do inside. That it doesn't have to
be so perfect perfect, and to be surrounded by gardens.
Nothing better than the beauty of hydrangea bushes and ferns,
(02:08):
And if you're lucky and fortunate enough to have a
vegetable or flower garden or both, just to be in
that atmosphere as well.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
I love a garden even though I am not a
gardening expert by any stretch of the imagination, it's always
something that has given me a bit of the envy
because I have friends who are master gardeners. They actually
have that classification, and you know, it's such a peaceful
and relaxing activity, but it's very time consuming. I mean,
(02:38):
you have to attend to that garden. So I think
that's what keeps me from doing it.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
It's like, why add another thing to the to do list.
I know, even in our summer months, watering all of
our plants all around the house gets to be time
consuming too.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Yes, although I will say that is when and probably
why I have such a long podcast list, because true
that standing there with the hose time it can be
some good good way to get in another podcast, and
since you're not really focusing on anything else, you can
double up the speed and listen to it on a
(03:11):
little faster timoth too. So what about you, do you
have a flower garden er, vegetable gardener, a little of both?
Speaker 1 (03:18):
You know, I really don't have either, and I have
that on my wish list too as well too. I
really enjoy it when I take the time outside or
when I am doing my pots or dead heading and
different things. I always have a few pots that do
have some fresh herbs in it. I love nothing better
than the fresh basil in summertime to have on your
(03:38):
tomatoes with some mazzarella. But I keep it pretty simple
otherwise it's on my list. It just hasn't happened yet.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Well that's a good goal. That's yes, good goal. I
have a lot of containers and that's where I do
most of my gardening, the stuff in my yard and
around my house. I just again, it's the time thing. Same,
I would love to have it. I just run out
of that currency call time to plant it now if
somebody else maybe would plant it for me. Maybe it's
(04:07):
just the upkeep that I need to be in charge of.
But similarly, I too, am such a fan of fresh herbs,
and I'm an avid cook and use fresh herbs frequently.
So in the summertime, it's just the experience of going
outside and being able to clip from your own containers
versus buying it at the market is just a little
(04:29):
more special. It does add in a layer of just that,
you know, doing something yourself to the experience of cooking.
And I use them. I mean even when it's not summertime.
I use herbs probably five days out of the week,
so when it is summertime, just there's something very joyful
about going outside to your own yard and snipping them there.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
No, I agree with that completely, and it is just
even I feel like they smell different or just that
much more fresh and fragrant when you bring them in
and clean them off and get to enjoy them as
you cook.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
And the other thing I sort of feel like, being
from Iowa, you're supposed to have tomatoes growing somewhere on
your property, you know. I'll usually get a plant or
two and they produce for a while. But the reality
is I have a couple of friends who are again
such master gardeners and grow all the vegetables, and sometimes
I let other people do the growing for me.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Hey, there's nothing wrong with that either. Yes, Well, one
of my other favorite things about summer is just the
materials that we embark on that we use in summer
decorating and the fabrics of nothing better than a seasucker
material on a drapery or on your screen porch or
the furniture, or even just tucked into a little table
linen as you entertain and I think there's something just
(05:44):
light and airy about summer fabrics that make you feel
casual and easygoing.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Well, I think one of the best parts of summer
fabrics is they again they're not so buttoned up, and
they're not The perfection is in the imperfection, for sure,
and so we you know, everybody I think has had
a linen suit or linen pants and you get them
all crisp and ironed or back from the cleaners, and
(06:10):
they're just perfect. And the minute you sit down, like
it just goes back to the wrinkle wrinkled mania, the
wrinkled mess that they are. But that's the beauty of
it too, And you know, it's the breeze of the
air running through them. Steersucker, you know, the same way
I mean, it's naturally wrinkled. It's supposed to be that way.
(06:30):
It's puckered, and that's what makes it wonderful. So all
of those those fabrics that just give an opportunity to
be more casual and again embrace all of the imperfections
that summer delivers. And summer doesn't want us to be perfect,
you know, it wants as adults, it wants us to
have creases in our linen suits, and as kids, it
(06:51):
wants you to have, you know, ice cream running down
your face. So I think that the whole idea of
summer is to be relaxed and unworried about all of
those details. I also love, you know, we've talked about
linen and seersucker. I also love a beautiful islet dress.
There's something about islet that's just so pretty and really
(07:15):
only appropriate for summer, I think. But it's just the
idea of the breeze coming through it.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Simple and just very classy as well.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
I wore a skirt last week and finally being able
to wear the all white again, and I got so
many compliments on it, and I think it's just the
way it flows and just the natural progression of the
way an islet feels. And I especially love it even
just as a tablecloth or using it just to overlay
a table when you're entertaining outside. I think so a
nice look too.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Absolutely, any of the fabrics that sort of beckon the
summer breeze to flow through them are beautiful. So Seersucker
does that, islet does that, you know, sort of a
French not on a sheer, sometimes a wall. Those sorts
of textiles all invite that they want it to be
(08:05):
a breezy day.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
They certainly do, and I think, you know, there's nothing
better on a breezy day than enjoying your porch. The
porch life that goes on in your home, whether you
have a front porch, a back porch, or a screened one,
or maybe all three, and they certainly serve different purposes
of how you're using the space, whether you're in the
front and want to kind of watch what's going on on.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
The street or the back of the house.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
We have a screen porch at our house, and it's
one of our favorite spaces just to sit in any
of those warmer months and be free from the mosquitoes
because we know they're so bad in this area. And
you know, whether we work there after hours or just
have dinner with the family, it's just a wonderful place
to be an extension.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Of the house well. And one of the great things
about being on the screen porch or outside at all
those wonderful sounds that go along with that, and you know,
you hear the birds or I don't know if if
I mean clearly I didn't notice this in my younger years.
But I feel like the last five or so years,
(09:09):
when it's summertime, sort of toward the end of summer,
it's really loud outside. It is right, all of the creatures.
It's like, just be quiet already, and I'm trying to sleep.
But it really is interesting to hear all of the
sounds of the nocturnal creatures and just the birds. I
(09:30):
think is such a lovely experience. It's different than sitting
when it's just perfectly quiet. There's something about when life
is just dead quiet, it's not normal, like we're used
to some sort of sounds something, and when it comes
from what's going on outside, I think that that makes
the experience all the more beautiful. I didn't know until
(09:53):
this year while I was like many people who are
golf fans watching the Master's Tournament, as as people do
that for those of us watching on TV who are
not there in person to enjoy it, they actually add
bird sounds. I didn't know that for the people who
are watching TV to make it feel.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Real out they're there. Yeah, yeah, I knew that.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
A few years ago back. My husband's a golfer, so
I pick up on those things too.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
That's but it is.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
It's the ambiance of being in mother Nature and what
that all sounds like to One of my also favorite
things on a screen porch or porch in general too,
is when you get to sit on it when you
have a thunderstorm, when it's safe, and you get to
just hear the rainfall and you're just among that little
obviously not a severe thunderstorm, but just a little thunderstorm,
(10:45):
and see some lightning in the distance, and just being
a part of that, I think is pretty miraculous too.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Well, I think there's something, I mean, we know a
storm situation all too well living here, but there's that
calm before the storm. Yes, and usually that's not a
good sign, at the sign of something really bad is
about to happen, But there's that wonderful calm, and I
think everybody goes to their hiding spot. But then again,
when you're out of harm's way, just the steady rain
(11:16):
coming down, and not only is that the sound, but
it's the smell of fresh rain so good. And I
know every candle company across America has tried to capture
that smell and turn it into a candle. So some
are more successful than the others. Yes, these are others
on that in that regard, but yes, the smell of
rain is something very special that nature delivers.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
And one thing I think that's important about you know,
a porch or screen porch or different area, is that
you do, like I mentioned, have it be an extension
of your house. Don't just feel like you shouldn't be
thinking through all those details. Maybe I love a nice
stripe on the ceiling, kind of nodding to the south
or key west sort of feel when it feels right too,
but thinking through the space and whether it's some shears
(12:00):
that can kind of blow in the wind as well,
and an outdoor rug that layers in, but just making
those spaces still feel cozy and another part of your
home and extension of your life, and one that you
can enjoy in those nice warm months.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Well, the fact that the merchandise all of the fittings
for the outdoor space has really exploded as a category
in the last I would say fifteen or so years,
has made it possible to create extra square footage outside
and look, I think everybody wants to be outside as
much as possible. And the fact that you can literally
(12:35):
have all of those beautiful sorts of textiles outside that
you can have indoors is so nice and another opportunity,
as you know, as a designer to be created to
add another palette to you know, have velvet that can
be outdoors or something really luxurious like that that seems
so precious and fine when it's in an interior space.
(12:59):
To use the outdoor and have it be able to
withstand the elements has really expanded what design means so much,
because you know, there was the day of the simple
green and white awning stripes and that's really all there was.
Now those awning stripes when we see them, it's more purposeful.
(13:19):
It's not just an oh, this is all that exists.
It's it's with intention in wonderful colors that are not
just green and white, but all across the spectrum.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Well, and you're so right.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
I mean that the whole outdoor game has just up
leveled so much in the years, just both furniture, fabrics,
all of it. You'd never guess some of the fabrics
we see are outdoor fabrics and they just offer so
many options and even some of the trims that go
along with it that you can add to an outdoor
pillow or add some personality the space, and I think
(13:49):
you know with that you mentioned the umbrellas, and I think,
especially in a larger property too, of just like thinking
through your patterns and how you're using them, similarly to
the inside of the house, on how you're moving color
throughout or what your scheme looks like, and how eclectic
or more cohesive you want that all to feel. And
I think umbrellas obviously are one way to play that
(14:10):
part in that, but so is all the furniture with
the upholstery and the cushions and the fabrics that go
along with that too. And again kind of like we say,
on the inside, not just taking a set and matching
it everywhere, having some different materials and some concrete things.
There's even the accessory game has even become so much
more beautiful on the outside of just big bowls and
(14:31):
things like that that you can leave out all the time,
and it's meant to be out in nature.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Absolutely. One category that I especially love when it comes
to outdoor spaces that is a wonderful opportunity to add
color and pattern and a little bit of that weird
off thing that may not go with everything else is
the garden stool I love a beautiful garden stool, so
many colors, so many beautiful glazes, and and you know
(15:00):
they can live outside that they add that extra little
punch of Dare I say weirdness, because you know, you
can get something that just sort of doesn't go and
it just works. It just works.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
And you mentioned that.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
I mean you can just have so many different colors
and stripes and patterns or twelves and different types of
things too. It can add personality even in your garden
and just as an end table out.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
In the space.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
But with that too, I mean, I think outdoor entertaining
has just taken on a whole other level too. So
many houses that we have have these outdoor girlling stations
or all in you know, bars that have refrigeration and
ice making and things like that that they use in
those summer months. Just really keeping everything outside and really
being able to enjoy all of those amenities to have
(15:47):
the outside part of your house as well.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Absolutely, it's it's so funny, I think in this business,
especially when you look at kitchen spaces and bathrooms, places
that have to have elements and amenities that are a
little We're hardworking, and certainly when it comes to the outdoors,
you know something new will be introduced. It's like, Okay,
why did somebody think of that before? Or just when
(16:09):
you think there's everything, it's like, what else is there
that can be introduced to us that hasn't already been
thought of? But there are so many innovations when it
comes to outdoor entertaining and again outfitting that barbecue area,
that outdoor kitchen area. So many people are installing televisions
outside now and I think that's really fun, not only
(16:33):
for the summer months, but as you transition into fall
and I'm thinking, you know, big football games and that
sort of thing. So I love the idea of the
outdoor space not only supplying everything that's necessary for outdoor activity,
but also activity that is indoor as well, that you're
just moving outside, and I think that's really exciting that
(16:56):
that's even possible, And certainly with that, you know that
kitchen area, so much innovation.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
And it's one of those things too that you know,
there's nothing more summertime than having a baseball game on
in the background as you hear that too, or golf
match and things like that. So having that be such
a big part of people's everyday lives. That and incorporating
that into the outdoor space I think is a good move,
just to have it be functional for how people live,
keeps people outside how you know, if you're having a
(17:23):
party and people kind of want to know what's going
on on a game or something too, or just even
that fun memory of outdoor movie night as a family.
There's there's fun things with that too. I know, we've
put up a big screen out in our pool area
and it was just pure nostalgia and it was one
of our favorite memories of last summer.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
So hope to do that again this year.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
It's sort of like your own drive in experience, old school,
old school drive in, but to do it in your backyard.
So yes, that's super fun.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
I like that, you know.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
And with the outdoor entertaining, and there's always those favorite
picnics or summer foods that we bring along to barbecue
that we have or staple that we like to make.
I know, I mentioned loving my fresh tomatoes and basil
and mozzarella in the summertime, but just the nostalgia of
summer foods and how casual and comfortable that all feels.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Well. One thing that I like to do when I
entertain outdoors. I think summer is the perfect time for
a bar of some sort. And I don't mean a
bar with beverages, although that people want that to of course,
but I mean like the hot dog bar, the ice
cream bar, where you can have foods that inherently offer
(18:36):
a range of toppings, a hamburger bar, so many options there.
But I think that's fun because you have space to
set it up, you can have different stations. It's just
a more playful way to present food. And again that's
very casual and just a little different than maybe what
you would set up indoors or do indoors, where we
(18:58):
want things to be a little more contained.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Yeah, just kind of your more grab and go stations
that the food just keeps refilling itself, and even fun
for the kids to have, like a little treat station
or some more station as well too. I think is
a great fun way for those those summer gatherings.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Okay, what's your favorite flavor of ice cream? Oh?
Speaker 3 (19:17):
I'm not a huge ice cream person, but if I.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Had to pick, we have to stop this podcast, I know.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
I would say though when I do either have a
bite of someone's it's probably like more of like a
cookie do.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
So what about you?
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Well, I have too. I am a cookie do person.
And you know, it's like when it's the cookie Doo
ice cream, they can pretty much just leave the ice cream.
What I really just want is the cookie dough. I
need to pick them out. But I am a plastic
strawberry ice cream girl. I love just finding the pieces
a real strawberry in that pink ice cream, and I
(19:53):
just it makes me very, very happy. I'm not one
of those people who likes all of the being see
flavors that have you know, seventeen names in the actual
title of the ice cream, with like five different stars.
I'm not that kind of person. I'm just sort of
simple in classic so strawberry ice cream.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
It is nothing better on a hot summer day, that's
for sure.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
Yes, you know. Also on that note, when you talk
about picnics, I think it's so much fun to have
a picnic. It's so much fun to pack that basket
and talk about nostalgia. How great is it to again
pack that picnic basket and just all of the fun
little acoutrement that goes in side of it and take
(20:37):
it to a park or somewhere special side of a
lake I don't know, and enjoy a meal that way.
I love a pic I love a beautiful picnic blanket.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Can't go wrong with that. Now I'm with you.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
I love a good picnic too. One of my memories
as a child, my dad always golfed in Golf Lake
and my mom would do little picnics with us on
those nights because she always joked that she didn't have
to make dinner for Dad, so it was just more casual.
And I've kind of continued that with my kids. When
my husband has golf lag, we'll go to Gray's Lake
and just sit by the little lake there and have
our dinner. I need to do it more often, but
(21:09):
it's they always love that too, so it's a fun one.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
Well. My favorite opportunity every summer when I pull out
my picnic basket is a couple of nights prior to
the fourth of July, our Symphony performs all of the
patriotic music on our capital lawn here in Des Moines,
our state capital lawn, and we have a stunning building
(21:33):
that is our state House, and it's you know, a
couple hundred thousand people to send on the lawn to
hear the symphony play they start off with. Sometimes it's
themes from movies, and as the night progresses and transitions
into night time, that's when we hear all of our
favorite Fourth of July tunes that we all know and love.
But that's when I pack that picnic basket, and I
(21:56):
do several times in the summer, but that's an event
that I a special look forward to getting my picnic
basket out of that, So it's fun. I actually think
I enjoy all of the stuff that goes into the
basket more than I enjoy the food. I'm not a
sandwich person, so I don't really care about sandwiches so much,
but it is fun.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Yeah, Yankee doodle pops is one of my favorite events too.
But it's fun too because you can even get classy
with that and have a little charcouterie tray on the
inside or a little cup that has those fun little
dip beings and not just have it be a sandwich
like your typical picnic either.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
Yeah, I'm all about the charcuterie. I sort of against
the picnic sandwich. Again, I don't eat them, so I'm
not making something I don't eat right. Okay, So let's
talk about maybe tabletop as it applies to entertaining when
you're at home, when you're not when you're not gathering
it up in the baskets. I have a phrase that
I coined years ago that is polished not perfect, because
(22:50):
I felt like, you know, so much of design is
interpreting vocabulary, and because we're not really in a number's
business so much, you know, it's interpretation and translation of
those words. And when people think of casual, sometimes they
think of sloppy, and I don't think that's what casual
should ever be. I mean to me, casual is more
(23:11):
about a bit of an attitude and maybe materials that
are used. But I also think that it can be
polished and presentable. So years ago with the magazine, I
coin this phrase polished not precious, and what I meant
by that is no that may be, you know, summertime
dining al fresco is perhaps not the time when you're
(23:33):
bringing out your your baccara crystal glasses that have a
chance of being knocked over on the cement and that
sort of thing. But there are all of these extraordinarily
beautiful and stylish table top pieces now that are melanine,
that are you know, acrylic to look like cut crystal,
(23:56):
to look like that baccara and the san Luwi glasses
and all of it. So I think putting together a
table that is still that same level of style that
you would do indoors on a dining room table in
a more formal situation, that that is still applied outside too,
(24:16):
because you're not divorcing yourself from style for the summer months,
you're just changing what that style looks like. And so
I really love all of the outdoor entertaining again accoutrement
that has been introduced to us, because it just brings
new opportunity. Although I am not shy about bringing all
(24:37):
my fine stuff outdoors either with adults, and I.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
Think too, it's a fun opportunity to use color if
you're not a color person or just you know, buy
a different set of melamine glasses that are just a
little more whimsical and fun, and you can kind of
have different themes for how you're using those entertaining spaces too,
and even just simple entertaining if you're not going to
bring all the dishes and all the different things outside
(25:02):
as you entertain, you know, there's nothing better than a
really neat cocktail napkin that has a fun phrase on it,
or something that just kind of sets the tone or
the lightheartedness of the afternoon with a little lemonade or
something too. So there's ways to do that, Like you said, polished,
not perfect, and just having those small details that can
be used outside too.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Well. We talked about this a little or I talked
about this in our Favorite Things episode that we did
a while ago, but I talked about how there's usually
a fruit or vegetable of the year, and this year
it tends to be strawberries, and I just have this
personal affinity to strawberries. But I think that's fun. And
when you mentioned, you know, if you do prefer things
(25:44):
that are a little more formal inside, summer is definitely
the opportunity to let your hair down and get out
those juice glasses that have you know, a little bit
of whimsy to them. And I love fruit, so any
accessories that are sort of you know, tumblers that have
little Again this year at strawberries, I'm into all of
(26:04):
the strawberry things, but in years past, you know, the
lemons and the limes and the citrus, of all kinds
and little cherries in the summertime. All of those elements
that we see naturally outside any way that are applied
to novelty items, I think are really really fun and
I think every house should have them and sort of
not be so serious.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
Yeah, it's a great way just to be casual. And
I love a good theme. When you kind of take
one of those items that strawberry or cherry and just
kind of have all the accents in that theme, It's
an easy and cohesive way to have a lot of impact,
especially when people don't really know how to mix or match.
It's an easy way to just have some fun with
picking a theme like that and rolling with it.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
I have no intel on this at all, but I'm
going to guess that next year's fruit is going to
be the peach. Oh interesting, We'll see, we'll see listeners
if I'm right.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
A year from now, I'll check back.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
If we see peaches and on plates and clothes and all.
I think it's going to be the peach. Love it.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
And you know there's nothing better than just even a
beautiful check outside too that kind of has a little
wicker basket or your food kind of enveloped into it
as well too, to kind of carry those themes throughout.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
Oh, Gingham is so summary Gingham and checks, Yes, yes,
so summer on a tablecloth on napkins. It's a cute
tear dress that I wear on the fourth of July.
I love, Gingham and checks lining a bicycle basket. Now
I'm getting very Instagram pictory. But yes, yes, as their
(27:37):
dog and they're like, yes, there's a dog. Well, actually
in my basket, there's not a dog, so, oh my gosh,
I'm sorry to all of the dog loovers out there,
but not a dog in my in my bicycle basket.
But yeah, all of those special accessories, I think again
softening them up. And that's really what we, you know,
wanted this episode to be about, is the softer side
(27:57):
of summer, and that all of the summer tech styles
I think are an easy way to weave no no
pun intended into the summer months.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Well and just with that, one of the wonderful parts
of summer is the time you often get to spend
on the water, whether that's a lake or a beach,
or an ocean or by the pool, but just those
atmospheres that just take you back to just sit and
not feel like you have to be doing things all
the time. Obviously, where we are we don't have the
option for oceans, but lake life is very popular in
(28:30):
the area and everyone often goes to different lakes on
the weekends and really takes that time, checks out a
little bit, reads a book, has some time on the boat,
and it's a nice time to just enjoy that outside too.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
Absolutely, and as we talk about you know, summer being
more casual and what I referenced a moment ago about
it not being sloppy, I think sometimes again with summer,
just by way of the activity of you know, the
sand glued to every part of your body and the
sweatings that comes from summer activity too, that's not always attractive.
(29:04):
But if you are learning how to develop your style
or a little hesitant to try something, I think summer's
the perfect time to do that. Because you know, you
mentioned the water again, there are all sorts of accessories
that are water specific. So when you talk about the
beach or the lake for that matter, you have to
have a beach towel. You want that big towel, and
(29:25):
you know, maybe you're really shy about doing a pattern
or a really bright color, then get it by way
of a great beach towel. Start there and you know,
there's no beach towel police to my knowledge. And the
beach and the lake and the pool is all about
having a good time. So I think that summer is
an opportunity to go big. Definitely, go big or go
(29:48):
home in the summertime.
Speaker 1 (29:50):
Definitely, And I think that goes with all those summertime ascessories.
You know, there's nothing better than a big beach bag
or a tote that just has your monogram on it
with a hat attached, a big hat. You know you're
covered in the big hat. Yes, yes, So the summertime
ascessories are definitely a fun one to show your style
or have a little adventure with it too.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
And just to make sure to have a commitment to
have style everywhere, no matter what the occasion is. So yes,
I I think it's important to have that in mind.
So I have to know, are you a lake or
an ocean sort of person?
Speaker 1 (30:21):
I would probably say ocean, but just because of where
we live, lake is more normal for our everyday weekends
in summertime too, So what about you?
Speaker 2 (30:28):
I have to say, I am more of a lake person,
just because I like the intimacy of it more. I
feel like the ocean is just one vantage point. Being
out to the ocean and you see, you know, obviously
you know nothing in the distance usually, but a lake,
I just like the idea of wondering, like what's on
(30:51):
that other side and what what's across the way? Or
who are those people across the way? So I do
prefer lake life just because, again, it's a tad more intimate,
even on a big lake, even on the Great Lakes
where I've spent a lot of time where you can't
see it across even there, it's just knowing that it's
smaller somehow that I guess for me establishes that idea
(31:14):
of community. There is a beginning and there is an end.
There's this finite point that an ocean doesn't provide. So
I'm a lake girl.
Speaker 1 (31:23):
And there's something about One of my favorite activities is
just to take a slow stroll around the lake and
just look at the houses, look at the landscaping, just
see what the people are doing and how they're entertaining
outside and just it's like the perfect place to people
watch and house watch on a whole other level.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
We have a lake nearby where I grew up as
a child, and so many times on a Sunday afternoon
or whenever, my dad would say, let's get in the
car and we're going to go take a ride around
the lake. And I don't know, I mean, when you're
a kid, everything seems like a long time. You know,
maybe that took half hour tops, forty minutes tops. It
(32:00):
wasn't a huge time commitment sort of thing. And we
really had no choice because Dad could get in the car,
so there wasn't that option. But it was, you know,
just something to do that wasn't a huge commitment. It
was just again enjoying the water and maybe you only
had a half an hour. It was kind of sort
of near my grandparents' house, so I feel like we
(32:22):
would oftentimes go do that before we would go to
their house, and just the memories of that, and you know,
you could only go like fifteen miles an hour around
the lake or something. It was a very slow pace.
So there was something really lovely about that.
Speaker 1 (32:35):
And I think that just as it is the memories
that come along with what happens on a lake or
things like that too. I grew up with my parents
having a place on a lake and we would go
every Sunday or for part of the weekend too, And
it's just a core memory of my childhood and you
still think so fondly of it. And it's the simpleness
(32:56):
of just playing outside and not being distracted by video
games or I and things like that that kids are now.
That just those core memories of being outside and having fun.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
So, speaking of water, do you prefer a pool? Are
you again like the fresh water of the lake or
the ocean.
Speaker 1 (33:12):
I probably like a pool better as I've gotten a
little bit older.
Speaker 3 (33:16):
I don't know why. It's just the lakes are like, oh,
what's down there?
Speaker 2 (33:19):
Yes, it's what's lurking beneath the water that you definitely
do not consider or care about as a child, that
as you thinking as an adult. So I agree, I
like a pool, and I'd like to just sit around
the pool too, just not even get in it.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
Yes, I do.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
I do enjoy the water skiing and going fast, I
like boating that I prefer to be at a pool
if I'm going to get in.
Speaker 3 (33:46):
Yes, I'm with you there.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
Yeah, I don't know what's down there? Yeah, things with
sharp teeth sometimes.
Speaker 3 (33:54):
Yeah, just seaweed and things that come up with you too.
Speaker 2 (33:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
Well, and I like that too on a lake property too,
when you have a house that then has an outdoor shower,
there's something special about being able to wash the lake
water off of you and the outdoors and just kind
of look up and embrace the sky as you're kind
of doing that too.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
So my first outdoor shower experience was in Napa years
ago in Saint Helena, at a resort that anybody who's listening,
a lot of people will know this resort. It's called Meadowood.
It's been around forever and it's very very special. And
I was invited there to experience one of their new
(34:35):
little lodges, I guess there were several on the property,
and they had an outdoor shower and it was in
the middle of nowhere. The sky was pitch black, it
was peppered with the stars, and it was just Chris
and the creatures outside showering, and you know, there were
(34:56):
deer lurking out there in coyotes and all of the
those wonderful sounds. Again, I was a little nervous. It's like,
if I have to run, I'm naked. I don't know,
but it was just it felt like such a luxury
and that was my first time having an outdoor shower
that was It was really fun.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
Just the experience, Yeah, just as one of a kind
for sure.
Speaker 2 (35:19):
Especially if it's raining. I've had since then. It didn't
rain there being in Napa, but since then I have
had outdoor shower experiences where it rains, so you're enclosed
in this shower, but then you know a couple of
feet beyond you, it's just pouring down and that's really fun.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
Yeah, that's really fun.
Speaker 1 (35:37):
Well, christ I don't think we can talk about summertime
without talking about wicker and ratan, which I think are
some of the key staples in that coastal lakeside living,
whether it's on a porch or and it's in furniture
or even just the accessories that you entertain with a
little basket that has your food in and different things too,
(36:01):
But it's just a texture and a layer that is
so relevant in summer entertaining.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
Oh, I agree, and wicker is one of those materials.
It's funny about materials because it's not like we see
new materials so much. I mean, usually there are you know,
new iterations of something that's been around forever. But I
think there's something with Wicker that is so nostalgic. Wicker specifically,
(36:27):
because I think so many people have a memory of,
you know, their grandparents having wicker chairs on the front porch.
Now houses are much larger, and you know, we had
this discussion earlier porches, screen porches, patios for randoms, like
all of the different areas. But back when a lot
of people just had a front porch, like a front
(36:48):
porch and a back porch, when times were a little
more simple, And I think everybody's grandma and grandpa had
probably the same wicker chair, and there's something like I
can picture it still, and so I think that Wicker
is special for that reason.
Speaker 1 (37:04):
Yes, Chris, I think that wicker really plays such an
important role in that outdoor entertaining and it just brings
those memories of those porches and sitting on a swing
or just being outside in nature and getting to be
a part of it. And you know that comes in
so many different colors too, And I think that's what's
neat about Wicker. It doesn't just have to be the
natural one. You see him in all kinds of colors
(37:25):
that can kind of set that scheme for different colors
that go on in your entertaining spaces too well.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
I think that's an excellent point because wicker, because of
that nostalgia that I just mentioned a moment ago, I
think that sometimes that can be negative too, right, Like
I mean, the memory is good, but it's like I
don't want it in my house now. But the good
news is because of the new colors, because we see
black wicker and gray wicker and all of these tones
(37:51):
of brown that aren't necessarily the most natural tones of
brown that you would automatically think of. Wicker has really
been modernized, made relevant for design today that's not so
old school well.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
And even just more clean line designs. It's not just
your rolled arm or more traditional frame. It's used in
more modern applications of some of that outdoor furniture as well,
which is kind of and the all weather wicker, Yes,
that's come such a long way. It's not actually real
wicker is wonderful. Yes, such a long way. So that's great.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
You know what I also love in Sorry this isn't
wicker or a tan, but I also love this in
outdoor furniture is all of the rope detailing that we've
seen over the last I don't know how many years,
maybe ten or so years, but I'm thinking specifically of
the Brown Jordan pieces that have become somewhat iconic at
(38:45):
this point, and the rope teatailing and engineering really that
makes them function. I think it's been really great.
Speaker 3 (38:53):
It's a beautiful detail.
Speaker 1 (38:54):
Yeah, when it wraps around a console table or coffee
table and just adds that layer of detail hell to
the space, or a light fixture as well, just brings
that natural material to the outside.
Speaker 3 (39:06):
I love that too, And.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
I'm always fascinated by the engineering of it. How they
can pull it that taut so you can still sit
in it, or it can hold something right.
Speaker 3 (39:14):
And not fall apart for sure.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
Well, you know, we were talking about screen porches and
just the idea of you know, you think of the past,
how they'd have sleeping porches and people would just want
that fresh air and how they could stay cool in
the night. A lot of people like to keep their
windows open in the summer months too. Are you a
window person or an ac girl?
Speaker 2 (39:36):
I am not an ac girl at all. In fact,
oh my gosh. You have those people like my parents,
for instance, they will turn their air conditioning on sometime
in April just to see if it will work. It
doesn't stay on then necessarily because it's still, you know,
pretty chilly and not necessary, but they'll turn it on
to see if it works. That is not me. I
(39:58):
am not an air conditioning person. I sort of don't
enjoy the manufactured air. It's inevitable at some point where
we live because it's eventually going to be hot and humid,
but it takes it has to be really hot and
really humid for me to flip the switch on the AC.
And you know, certainly if somebody's coming over, it's like, oh,
(40:20):
how much do I like them? Do I really? I
see No, I'm definitely kidding. I always do for my
guests because I want them to be comfortable. But I
don't enjoy air conditioning. I think it's really cold. I
know that's the purpose of it is to cool you,
but it can get really really cold and I don't
like that feeling at all. So it has to be
(40:42):
pretty pretty hot. I love sleeping with the windows open.
And it's so funny because on Instagram I just saw
this it's never safe to sleep with the windows open
because there could be an intruder, and I'm thinking stuff,
you know what, I want that fresh air. I want
to bring that in while I sleep, so whatever will
be will be.
Speaker 1 (41:00):
That's not a great way to live, to be scared
by whoever's going to crawl through that screw.
Speaker 2 (41:04):
I want those windows open, how about you?
Speaker 1 (41:06):
Yeah, you know a little bit of both. I love
it when the windows are open to fresh air. I
love the little noise that comes through, or even just
when you get a sleep in a rainstorm outside too.
I think there's nothing better. I think with living in
a house that's over one hundred years old and it's
all brick. Our house gets extremely stuffy, very easily when
(41:26):
it's hot out, even just even not that hot, so
we probably turn the air on pretty quickly just to
have it stay cool. And everyone sleeps way better when
it's that way. So I wish I could say we
had the windows open more, but it doesn't happen in
our house.
Speaker 2 (41:41):
Well, And just to put an exclamation point on what
I said about my feelings about AC, I don't really
drive around with the air conditioning on either unless it's
super super hot. I'm fine, just again, I'm cold all
the time, so it takes a lot for me to
really want to turn the AC on, even in the
car if it's humid, which you know is all provitably
(42:02):
we get. Yeah, right, well, Chris.
Speaker 3 (42:05):
So this was fun.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
As we close out today's episode, I hope that everyone's
feeling inspired to slow down and savor those simple pleasures
this summer has to offer, and take those moments to
be out and around by the pool.
Speaker 3 (42:18):
In the lake and creating those lasting memories.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
Yes, so hats off to everybody for a fabulous summer enjoy.
Speaker 1 (42:28):
Thank you for listening to this week's episode of Boulevard Beat.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow along and leave
a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen
so you never missed an episode, And of course, follow
your hosts on Instagram at Megan bloom Interiors, at CHRISA.
Speaker 3 (42:44):
Rossbund, and at Liz Legit.
Speaker 1 (42:46):
We'll be back next week as we take a stroll
down another boulevard
Welcome to boulevard Beat, a podcast where life and style intersect.
I'm designer Megan Bloom along with my co hosts, editor CHRISA.
Rossbund and gallery owner Liz Legit. This podcast focuses on
the daily highlights instead of the hustle, interviews with taste makers,
and personal conversations on how to highlight achievable style. You
can stroll one street at a time, Boulevard Beat proves
(00:29):
the one you should take.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Well.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
CHRISA, Summer is here.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
It's one of my favorite seasons, and today we're embracing
one of my favorite parts of this season, and that's
the softer side of summer. It's that easy, breezy feeling
that comes along with long afternoons on the porch, poolside lounging,
and effortless evenings entertaining outdoors. And I think it's important
just to talk about designing spaces that invite you to
(00:57):
slow down versus the everyday hustle, and I think the
outdoors can definitely do that for you, places where comfort
meets beauty and where the screened porch or a garden
nook can feel just as considered as your living room.
And so it's really important to think about those outside
spaces and how to take in those summer months.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Oh, I agree, And I think when it comes to
style and summer's mark on style, the great thing is
everything is a bit more relaxed and done with ease
and with an attitude that's not so buttoned up and
that's so married to rules and regulations. I think that
a little bit of an anything goes attitude is applicable
(01:38):
in summer and design and being outside. So that's what
makes it really fun.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
It really does.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
And I think it's just it is funny how it's
a little more effortless of just casually inviting people over
on a Sunday afternoon versus having to feel like you
have this formal plan. And I feel like maybe it's
just that we always feel a little more comfortable entertaining
outside than we do inside. That it doesn't have to
be so perfect perfect, and to be surrounded by gardens.
Nothing better than the beauty of hydrangea bushes and ferns,
(02:08):
And if you're lucky and fortunate enough to have a
vegetable or flower garden or both, just to be in
that atmosphere as well.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
I love a garden even though I am not a
gardening expert by any stretch of the imagination, it's always
something that has given me a bit of the envy
because I have friends who are master gardeners. They actually
have that classification, and you know, it's such a peaceful
and relaxing activity, but it's very time consuming. I mean,
(02:38):
you have to attend to that garden. So I think
that's what keeps me from doing it.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
It's like, why add another thing to the to do list.
I know, even in our summer months, watering all of
our plants all around the house gets to be time
consuming too.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Yes, although I will say that is when and probably
why I have such a long podcast list, because true
that standing there with the hose time it can be
some good good way to get in another podcast, and
since you're not really focusing on anything else, you can
double up the speed and listen to it on a
(03:11):
little faster timoth too. So what about you, do you
have a flower garden er, vegetable gardener, a little of both?
Speaker 1 (03:18):
You know, I really don't have either, and I have
that on my wish list too as well too. I
really enjoy it when I take the time outside or
when I am doing my pots or dead heading and
different things. I always have a few pots that do
have some fresh herbs in it. I love nothing better
than the fresh basil in summertime to have on your
(03:38):
tomatoes with some mazzarella. But I keep it pretty simple
otherwise it's on my list. It just hasn't happened yet.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Well that's a good goal. That's yes, good goal. I
have a lot of containers and that's where I do
most of my gardening, the stuff in my yard and
around my house. I just again, it's the time thing. Same,
I would love to have it. I just run out
of that currency call time to plant it now if
somebody else maybe would plant it for me. Maybe it's
(04:07):
just the upkeep that I need to be in charge of.
But similarly, I too, am such a fan of fresh herbs,
and I'm an avid cook and use fresh herbs frequently.
So in the summertime, it's just the experience of going
outside and being able to clip from your own containers
versus buying it at the market is just a little
(04:29):
more special. It does add in a layer of just that,
you know, doing something yourself to the experience of cooking.
And I use them. I mean even when it's not summertime.
I use herbs probably five days out of the week,
so when it is summertime, just there's something very joyful
about going outside to your own yard and snipping them there.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
No, I agree with that completely, and it is just
even I feel like they smell different or just that
much more fresh and fragrant when you bring them in
and clean them off and get to enjoy them as
you cook.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
And the other thing I sort of feel like, being
from Iowa, you're supposed to have tomatoes growing somewhere on
your property, you know. I'll usually get a plant or
two and they produce for a while. But the reality
is I have a couple of friends who are again
such master gardeners and grow all the vegetables, and sometimes
I let other people do the growing for me.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Hey, there's nothing wrong with that either. Yes, Well, one
of my other favorite things about summer is just the
materials that we embark on that we use in summer
decorating and the fabrics of nothing better than a seasucker
material on a drapery or on your screen porch or
the furniture, or even just tucked into a little table
linen as you entertain and I think there's something just
(05:44):
light and airy about summer fabrics that make you feel
casual and easygoing.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Well, I think one of the best parts of summer
fabrics is they again they're not so buttoned up, and
they're not The perfection is in the imperfection, for sure,
and so we you know, everybody I think has had
a linen suit or linen pants and you get them
all crisp and ironed or back from the cleaners, and
(06:10):
they're just perfect. And the minute you sit down, like
it just goes back to the wrinkle wrinkled mania, the
wrinkled mess that they are. But that's the beauty of
it too, And you know, it's the breeze of the
air running through them. Steersucker, you know, the same way
I mean, it's naturally wrinkled. It's supposed to be that way.
(06:30):
It's puckered, and that's what makes it wonderful. So all
of those those fabrics that just give an opportunity to
be more casual and again embrace all of the imperfections
that summer delivers. And summer doesn't want us to be perfect,
you know, it wants as adults, it wants us to
have creases in our linen suits, and as kids, it
(06:51):
wants you to have, you know, ice cream running down
your face. So I think that the whole idea of
summer is to be relaxed and unworried about all of
those details. I also love, you know, we've talked about
linen and seersucker. I also love a beautiful islet dress.
There's something about islet that's just so pretty and really
(07:15):
only appropriate for summer, I think. But it's just the
idea of the breeze coming through it.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Simple and just very classy as well.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
I wore a skirt last week and finally being able
to wear the all white again, and I got so
many compliments on it, and I think it's just the
way it flows and just the natural progression of the
way an islet feels. And I especially love it even
just as a tablecloth or using it just to overlay
a table when you're entertaining outside. I think so a
nice look too.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Absolutely, any of the fabrics that sort of beckon the
summer breeze to flow through them are beautiful. So Seersucker
does that, islet does that, you know, sort of a
French not on a sheer, sometimes a wall. Those sorts
of textiles all invite that they want it to be
(08:05):
a breezy day.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
They certainly do, and I think, you know, there's nothing
better on a breezy day than enjoying your porch. The
porch life that goes on in your home, whether you
have a front porch, a back porch, or a screened one,
or maybe all three, and they certainly serve different purposes
of how you're using the space, whether you're in the
front and want to kind of watch what's going on on.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
The street or the back of the house.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
We have a screen porch at our house, and it's
one of our favorite spaces just to sit in any
of those warmer months and be free from the mosquitoes
because we know they're so bad in this area. And
you know, whether we work there after hours or just
have dinner with the family, it's just a wonderful place
to be an extension.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Of the house well. And one of the great things
about being on the screen porch or outside at all
those wonderful sounds that go along with that, and you know,
you hear the birds or I don't know if if
I mean clearly I didn't notice this in my younger years.
But I feel like the last five or so years,
(09:09):
when it's summertime, sort of toward the end of summer,
it's really loud outside. It is right, all of the creatures.
It's like, just be quiet already, and I'm trying to sleep.
But it really is interesting to hear all of the
sounds of the nocturnal creatures and just the birds. I
(09:30):
think is such a lovely experience. It's different than sitting
when it's just perfectly quiet. There's something about when life
is just dead quiet, it's not normal, like we're used
to some sort of sounds something, and when it comes
from what's going on outside, I think that that makes
the experience all the more beautiful. I didn't know until
(09:53):
this year while I was like many people who are
golf fans watching the Master's Tournament, as as people do
that for those of us watching on TV who are
not there in person to enjoy it, they actually add
bird sounds. I didn't know that for the people who
are watching TV to make it feel.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Real out they're there. Yeah, yeah, I knew that.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
A few years ago back. My husband's a golfer, so
I pick up on those things too.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
That's but it is.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
It's the ambiance of being in mother Nature and what
that all sounds like to One of my also favorite
things on a screen porch or porch in general too,
is when you get to sit on it when you
have a thunderstorm, when it's safe, and you get to
just hear the rainfall and you're just among that little
obviously not a severe thunderstorm, but just a little thunderstorm,
(10:45):
and see some lightning in the distance, and just being
a part of that, I think is pretty miraculous too.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Well, I think there's something, I mean, we know a
storm situation all too well living here, but there's that
calm before the storm. Yes, and usually that's not a
good sign, at the sign of something really bad is
about to happen, But there's that wonderful calm, and I
think everybody goes to their hiding spot. But then again,
when you're out of harm's way, just the steady rain
(11:16):
coming down, and not only is that the sound, but
it's the smell of fresh rain so good. And I
know every candle company across America has tried to capture
that smell and turn it into a candle. So some
are more successful than the others. Yes, these are others
on that in that regard, but yes, the smell of
rain is something very special that nature delivers.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
And one thing I think that's important about you know,
a porch or screen porch or different area, is that
you do, like I mentioned, have it be an extension
of your house. Don't just feel like you shouldn't be
thinking through all those details. Maybe I love a nice
stripe on the ceiling, kind of nodding to the south
or key west sort of feel when it feels right too,
but thinking through the space and whether it's some shears
(12:00):
that can kind of blow in the wind as well,
and an outdoor rug that layers in, but just making
those spaces still feel cozy and another part of your
home and extension of your life, and one that you
can enjoy in those nice warm months.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Well, the fact that the merchandise all of the fittings
for the outdoor space has really exploded as a category
in the last I would say fifteen or so years,
has made it possible to create extra square footage outside
and look, I think everybody wants to be outside as
much as possible. And the fact that you can literally
(12:35):
have all of those beautiful sorts of textiles outside that
you can have indoors is so nice and another opportunity,
as you know, as a designer to be created to
add another palette to you know, have velvet that can
be outdoors or something really luxurious like that that seems
so precious and fine when it's in an interior space.
(12:59):
To use the outdoor and have it be able to
withstand the elements has really expanded what design means so much,
because you know, there was the day of the simple
green and white awning stripes and that's really all there was.
Now those awning stripes when we see them, it's more purposeful.
(13:19):
It's not just an oh, this is all that exists.
It's it's with intention in wonderful colors that are not
just green and white, but all across the spectrum.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Well, and you're so right.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
I mean that the whole outdoor game has just up
leveled so much in the years, just both furniture, fabrics,
all of it. You'd never guess some of the fabrics
we see are outdoor fabrics and they just offer so
many options and even some of the trims that go
along with it that you can add to an outdoor
pillow or add some personality the space, and I think
(13:49):
you know with that you mentioned the umbrellas, and I think,
especially in a larger property too, of just like thinking
through your patterns and how you're using them, similarly to
the inside of the house, on how you're moving color
throughout or what your scheme looks like, and how eclectic
or more cohesive you want that all to feel. And
I think umbrellas obviously are one way to play that
(14:10):
part in that, but so is all the furniture with
the upholstery and the cushions and the fabrics that go
along with that too. And again kind of like we say,
on the inside, not just taking a set and matching
it everywhere, having some different materials and some concrete things.
There's even the accessory game has even become so much
more beautiful on the outside of just big bowls and
(14:31):
things like that that you can leave out all the time,
and it's meant to be out in nature.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Absolutely. One category that I especially love when it comes
to outdoor spaces that is a wonderful opportunity to add
color and pattern and a little bit of that weird
off thing that may not go with everything else is
the garden stool I love a beautiful garden stool, so
many colors, so many beautiful glazes, and and you know
(15:00):
they can live outside that they add that extra little
punch of Dare I say weirdness, because you know, you
can get something that just sort of doesn't go and
it just works. It just works.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
And you mentioned that.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
I mean you can just have so many different colors
and stripes and patterns or twelves and different types of
things too. It can add personality even in your garden
and just as an end table out.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
In the space.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
But with that too, I mean, I think outdoor entertaining
has just taken on a whole other level too. So
many houses that we have have these outdoor girlling stations
or all in you know, bars that have refrigeration and
ice making and things like that that they use in
those summer months. Just really keeping everything outside and really
being able to enjoy all of those amenities to have
(15:47):
the outside part of your house as well.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Absolutely, it's it's so funny, I think in this business,
especially when you look at kitchen spaces and bathrooms, places
that have to have elements and amenities that are a
little We're hardworking, and certainly when it comes to the outdoors,
you know something new will be introduced. It's like, Okay,
why did somebody think of that before? Or just when
(16:09):
you think there's everything, it's like, what else is there
that can be introduced to us that hasn't already been
thought of? But there are so many innovations when it
comes to outdoor entertaining and again outfitting that barbecue area,
that outdoor kitchen area. So many people are installing televisions
outside now and I think that's really fun, not only
(16:33):
for the summer months, but as you transition into fall
and I'm thinking, you know, big football games and that
sort of thing. So I love the idea of the
outdoor space not only supplying everything that's necessary for outdoor activity,
but also activity that is indoor as well, that you're
just moving outside, and I think that's really exciting that
(16:56):
that's even possible, And certainly with that, you know that
kitchen area, so much innovation.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
And it's one of those things too that you know,
there's nothing more summertime than having a baseball game on
in the background as you hear that too, or golf
match and things like that. So having that be such
a big part of people's everyday lives. That and incorporating
that into the outdoor space I think is a good move,
just to have it be functional for how people live,
keeps people outside how you know, if you're having a
(17:23):
party and people kind of want to know what's going
on on a game or something too, or just even
that fun memory of outdoor movie night as a family.
There's there's fun things with that too. I know, we've
put up a big screen out in our pool area
and it was just pure nostalgia and it was one
of our favorite memories of last summer.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
So hope to do that again this year.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
It's sort of like your own drive in experience, old school,
old school drive in, but to do it in your backyard.
So yes, that's super fun.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
I like that, you know.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
And with the outdoor entertaining, and there's always those favorite
picnics or summer foods that we bring along to barbecue
that we have or staple that we like to make.
I know, I mentioned loving my fresh tomatoes and basil
and mozzarella in the summertime, but just the nostalgia of
summer foods and how casual and comfortable that all feels.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Well. One thing that I like to do when I
entertain outdoors. I think summer is the perfect time for
a bar of some sort. And I don't mean a
bar with beverages, although that people want that to of course,
but I mean like the hot dog bar, the ice
cream bar, where you can have foods that inherently offer
(18:36):
a range of toppings, a hamburger bar, so many options there.
But I think that's fun because you have space to
set it up, you can have different stations. It's just
a more playful way to present food. And again that's
very casual and just a little different than maybe what
you would set up indoors or do indoors, where we
(18:58):
want things to be a little more contained.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Yeah, just kind of your more grab and go stations
that the food just keeps refilling itself, and even fun
for the kids to have, like a little treat station
or some more station as well too. I think is
a great fun way for those those summer gatherings.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Okay, what's your favorite flavor of ice cream? Oh?
Speaker 3 (19:17):
I'm not a huge ice cream person, but if I.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Had to pick, we have to stop this podcast, I know.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
I would say though when I do either have a
bite of someone's it's probably like more of like a
cookie do.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
So what about you?
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Well, I have too. I am a cookie do person.
And you know, it's like when it's the cookie Doo
ice cream, they can pretty much just leave the ice cream.
What I really just want is the cookie dough. I
need to pick them out. But I am a plastic
strawberry ice cream girl. I love just finding the pieces
a real strawberry in that pink ice cream, and I
(19:53):
just it makes me very, very happy. I'm not one
of those people who likes all of the being see
flavors that have you know, seventeen names in the actual
title of the ice cream, with like five different stars.
I'm not that kind of person. I'm just sort of
simple in classic so strawberry ice cream.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
It is nothing better on a hot summer day, that's
for sure.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
Yes, you know. Also on that note, when you talk
about picnics, I think it's so much fun to have
a picnic. It's so much fun to pack that basket
and talk about nostalgia. How great is it to again
pack that picnic basket and just all of the fun
little acoutrement that goes in side of it and take
(20:37):
it to a park or somewhere special side of a
lake I don't know, and enjoy a meal that way.
I love a pic I love a beautiful picnic blanket.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Can't go wrong with that. Now I'm with you.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
I love a good picnic too. One of my memories
as a child, my dad always golfed in Golf Lake
and my mom would do little picnics with us on
those nights because she always joked that she didn't have
to make dinner for Dad, so it was just more casual.
And I've kind of continued that with my kids. When
my husband has golf lag, we'll go to Gray's Lake
and just sit by the little lake there and have
our dinner. I need to do it more often, but
(21:09):
it's they always love that too, so it's a fun one.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
Well. My favorite opportunity every summer when I pull out
my picnic basket is a couple of nights prior to
the fourth of July, our Symphony performs all of the
patriotic music on our capital lawn here in Des Moines,
our state capital lawn, and we have a stunning building
(21:33):
that is our state House, and it's you know, a
couple hundred thousand people to send on the lawn to
hear the symphony play they start off with. Sometimes it's
themes from movies, and as the night progresses and transitions
into night time, that's when we hear all of our
favorite Fourth of July tunes that we all know and love.
But that's when I pack that picnic basket, and I
(21:56):
do several times in the summer, but that's an event
that I a special look forward to getting my picnic
basket out of that, So it's fun. I actually think
I enjoy all of the stuff that goes into the
basket more than I enjoy the food. I'm not a
sandwich person, so I don't really care about sandwiches so much,
but it is fun.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Yeah, Yankee doodle pops is one of my favorite events too.
But it's fun too because you can even get classy
with that and have a little charcouterie tray on the
inside or a little cup that has those fun little
dip beings and not just have it be a sandwich
like your typical picnic either.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
Yeah, I'm all about the charcuterie. I sort of against
the picnic sandwich. Again, I don't eat them, so I'm
not making something I don't eat right. Okay, So let's
talk about maybe tabletop as it applies to entertaining when
you're at home, when you're not when you're not gathering
it up in the baskets. I have a phrase that
I coined years ago that is polished not perfect, because
(22:50):
I felt like, you know, so much of design is
interpreting vocabulary, and because we're not really in a number's
business so much, you know, it's interpretation and translation of
those words. And when people think of casual, sometimes they
think of sloppy, and I don't think that's what casual
should ever be. I mean to me, casual is more
(23:11):
about a bit of an attitude and maybe materials that
are used. But I also think that it can be
polished and presentable. So years ago with the magazine, I
coin this phrase polished not precious, and what I meant
by that is no that may be, you know, summertime
dining al fresco is perhaps not the time when you're
(23:33):
bringing out your your baccara crystal glasses that have a
chance of being knocked over on the cement and that
sort of thing. But there are all of these extraordinarily
beautiful and stylish table top pieces now that are melanine,
that are you know, acrylic to look like cut crystal,
(23:56):
to look like that baccara and the san Luwi glasses
and all of it. So I think putting together a
table that is still that same level of style that
you would do indoors on a dining room table in
a more formal situation, that that is still applied outside too,
(24:16):
because you're not divorcing yourself from style for the summer months,
you're just changing what that style looks like. And so
I really love all of the outdoor entertaining again accoutrement
that has been introduced to us, because it just brings
new opportunity. Although I am not shy about bringing all
(24:37):
my fine stuff outdoors either with adults, and I.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
Think too, it's a fun opportunity to use color if
you're not a color person or just you know, buy
a different set of melamine glasses that are just a
little more whimsical and fun, and you can kind of
have different themes for how you're using those entertaining spaces too,
and even just simple entertaining if you're not going to
bring all the dishes and all the different things outside
(25:02):
as you entertain, you know, there's nothing better than a
really neat cocktail napkin that has a fun phrase on it,
or something that just kind of sets the tone or
the lightheartedness of the afternoon with a little lemonade or
something too. So there's ways to do that, Like you said, polished,
not perfect, and just having those small details that can
be used outside too.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Well. We talked about this a little or I talked
about this in our Favorite Things episode that we did
a while ago, but I talked about how there's usually
a fruit or vegetable of the year, and this year
it tends to be strawberries, and I just have this
personal affinity to strawberries. But I think that's fun. And
when you mentioned, you know, if you do prefer things
(25:44):
that are a little more formal inside, summer is definitely
the opportunity to let your hair down and get out
those juice glasses that have you know, a little bit
of whimsy to them. And I love fruit, so any
accessories that are sort of you know, tumblers that have
little Again this year at strawberries, I'm into all of
(26:04):
the strawberry things, but in years past, you know, the
lemons and the limes and the citrus, of all kinds
and little cherries in the summertime. All of those elements
that we see naturally outside any way that are applied
to novelty items, I think are really really fun and
I think every house should have them and sort of
not be so serious.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
Yeah, it's a great way just to be casual. And
I love a good theme. When you kind of take
one of those items that strawberry or cherry and just
kind of have all the accents in that theme, It's
an easy and cohesive way to have a lot of impact,
especially when people don't really know how to mix or match.
It's an easy way to just have some fun with
picking a theme like that and rolling with it.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
I have no intel on this at all, but I'm
going to guess that next year's fruit is going to
be the peach. Oh interesting, We'll see, we'll see listeners
if I'm right.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
A year from now, I'll check back.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
If we see peaches and on plates and clothes and all.
I think it's going to be the peach. Love it.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
And you know there's nothing better than just even a
beautiful check outside too that kind of has a little
wicker basket or your food kind of enveloped into it
as well too, to kind of carry those themes throughout.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
Oh, Gingham is so summary Gingham and checks, Yes, yes,
so summer on a tablecloth on napkins. It's a cute
tear dress that I wear on the fourth of July.
I love, Gingham and checks lining a bicycle basket. Now
I'm getting very Instagram pictory. But yes, yes, as their
(27:37):
dog and they're like, yes, there's a dog. Well, actually
in my basket, there's not a dog, so, oh my gosh,
I'm sorry to all of the dog loovers out there,
but not a dog in my in my bicycle basket.
But yeah, all of those special accessories, I think again
softening them up. And that's really what we, you know,
wanted this episode to be about, is the softer side
(27:57):
of summer, and that all of the summer tech styles
I think are an easy way to weave no no
pun intended into the summer months.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Well and just with that, one of the wonderful parts
of summer is the time you often get to spend
on the water, whether that's a lake or a beach,
or an ocean or by the pool, but just those
atmospheres that just take you back to just sit and
not feel like you have to be doing things all
the time. Obviously, where we are we don't have the
option for oceans, but lake life is very popular in
(28:30):
the area and everyone often goes to different lakes on
the weekends and really takes that time, checks out a
little bit, reads a book, has some time on the boat,
and it's a nice time to just enjoy that outside too.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
Absolutely, and as we talk about you know, summer being
more casual and what I referenced a moment ago about
it not being sloppy, I think sometimes again with summer,
just by way of the activity of you know, the
sand glued to every part of your body and the
sweatings that comes from summer activity too, that's not always attractive.
(29:04):
But if you are learning how to develop your style
or a little hesitant to try something, I think summer's
the perfect time to do that. Because you know, you
mentioned the water again, there are all sorts of accessories
that are water specific. So when you talk about the
beach or the lake for that matter, you have to
have a beach towel. You want that big towel, and
(29:25):
you know, maybe you're really shy about doing a pattern
or a really bright color, then get it by way
of a great beach towel. Start there and you know,
there's no beach towel police to my knowledge. And the
beach and the lake and the pool is all about
having a good time. So I think that summer is
an opportunity to go big. Definitely, go big or go
(29:48):
home in the summertime.
Speaker 1 (29:50):
Definitely, And I think that goes with all those summertime ascessories.
You know, there's nothing better than a big beach bag
or a tote that just has your monogram on it
with a hat attached, a big hat. You know you're
covered in the big hat. Yes, yes, So the summertime
ascessories are definitely a fun one to show your style
or have a little adventure with it too.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
And just to make sure to have a commitment to
have style everywhere, no matter what the occasion is. So yes,
I I think it's important to have that in mind.
So I have to know, are you a lake or
an ocean sort of person?
Speaker 1 (30:21):
I would probably say ocean, but just because of where
we live, lake is more normal for our everyday weekends
in summertime too, So what about you?
Speaker 2 (30:28):
I have to say, I am more of a lake person,
just because I like the intimacy of it more. I
feel like the ocean is just one vantage point. Being
out to the ocean and you see, you know, obviously
you know nothing in the distance usually, but a lake,
I just like the idea of wondering, like what's on
(30:51):
that other side and what what's across the way? Or
who are those people across the way? So I do
prefer lake life just because, again, it's a tad more intimate,
even on a big lake, even on the Great Lakes
where I've spent a lot of time where you can't
see it across even there, it's just knowing that it's
smaller somehow that I guess for me establishes that idea
(31:14):
of community. There is a beginning and there is an end.
There's this finite point that an ocean doesn't provide. So
I'm a lake girl.
Speaker 1 (31:23):
And there's something about One of my favorite activities is
just to take a slow stroll around the lake and
just look at the houses, look at the landscaping, just
see what the people are doing and how they're entertaining
outside and just it's like the perfect place to people
watch and house watch on a whole other level.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
We have a lake nearby where I grew up as
a child, and so many times on a Sunday afternoon
or whenever, my dad would say, let's get in the
car and we're going to go take a ride around
the lake. And I don't know, I mean, when you're
a kid, everything seems like a long time. You know,
maybe that took half hour tops, forty minutes tops. It
(32:00):
wasn't a huge time commitment sort of thing. And we
really had no choice because Dad could get in the car,
so there wasn't that option. But it was, you know,
just something to do that wasn't a huge commitment. It
was just again enjoying the water and maybe you only
had a half an hour. It was kind of sort
of near my grandparents' house, so I feel like we
(32:22):
would oftentimes go do that before we would go to
their house, and just the memories of that, and you know,
you could only go like fifteen miles an hour around
the lake or something. It was a very slow pace.
So there was something really lovely about that.
Speaker 1 (32:35):
And I think that just as it is the memories
that come along with what happens on a lake or
things like that too. I grew up with my parents
having a place on a lake and we would go
every Sunday or for part of the weekend too, And
it's just a core memory of my childhood and you
still think so fondly of it. And it's the simpleness
(32:56):
of just playing outside and not being distracted by video
games or I and things like that that kids are now.
That just those core memories of being outside and having fun.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
So, speaking of water, do you prefer a pool? Are
you again like the fresh water of the lake or
the ocean.
Speaker 1 (33:12):
I probably like a pool better as I've gotten a
little bit older.
Speaker 3 (33:16):
I don't know why. It's just the lakes are like, oh,
what's down there?
Speaker 2 (33:19):
Yes, it's what's lurking beneath the water that you definitely
do not consider or care about as a child, that
as you thinking as an adult. So I agree, I
like a pool, and I'd like to just sit around
the pool too, just not even get in it.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
Yes, I do.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
I do enjoy the water skiing and going fast, I
like boating that I prefer to be at a pool
if I'm going to get in.
Speaker 3 (33:46):
Yes, I'm with you there.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
Yeah, I don't know what's down there? Yeah, things with
sharp teeth sometimes.
Speaker 3 (33:54):
Yeah, just seaweed and things that come up with you too.
Speaker 2 (33:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
Well, and I like that too on a lake property too,
when you have a house that then has an outdoor shower,
there's something special about being able to wash the lake
water off of you and the outdoors and just kind
of look up and embrace the sky as you're kind
of doing that too.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
So my first outdoor shower experience was in Napa years
ago in Saint Helena, at a resort that anybody who's listening,
a lot of people will know this resort. It's called Meadowood.
It's been around forever and it's very very special. And
I was invited there to experience one of their new
(34:35):
little lodges, I guess there were several on the property,
and they had an outdoor shower and it was in
the middle of nowhere. The sky was pitch black, it
was peppered with the stars, and it was just Chris
and the creatures outside showering, and you know, there were
(34:56):
deer lurking out there in coyotes and all of the
those wonderful sounds. Again, I was a little nervous. It's like,
if I have to run, I'm naked. I don't know,
but it was just it felt like such a luxury
and that was my first time having an outdoor shower
that was It was really fun.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
Just the experience, Yeah, just as one of a kind
for sure.
Speaker 2 (35:19):
Especially if it's raining. I've had since then. It didn't
rain there being in Napa, but since then I have
had outdoor shower experiences where it rains, so you're enclosed
in this shower, but then you know a couple of
feet beyond you, it's just pouring down and that's really fun.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
Yeah, that's really fun.
Speaker 1 (35:37):
Well, christ I don't think we can talk about summertime
without talking about wicker and ratan, which I think are
some of the key staples in that coastal lakeside living,
whether it's on a porch or and it's in furniture
or even just the accessories that you entertain with a
little basket that has your food in and different things too,
(36:01):
But it's just a texture and a layer that is
so relevant in summer entertaining.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
Oh, I agree, and wicker is one of those materials.
It's funny about materials because it's not like we see
new materials so much. I mean, usually there are you know,
new iterations of something that's been around forever. But I
think there's something with Wicker that is so nostalgic. Wicker specifically,
(36:27):
because I think so many people have a memory of,
you know, their grandparents having wicker chairs on the front porch.
Now houses are much larger, and you know, we had
this discussion earlier porches, screen porches, patios for randoms, like
all of the different areas. But back when a lot
of people just had a front porch, like a front
(36:48):
porch and a back porch, when times were a little
more simple, And I think everybody's grandma and grandpa had
probably the same wicker chair, and there's something like I
can picture it still, and so I think that Wicker
is special for that reason.
Speaker 1 (37:04):
Yes, Chris, I think that wicker really plays such an
important role in that outdoor entertaining and it just brings
those memories of those porches and sitting on a swing
or just being outside in nature and getting to be
a part of it. And you know that comes in
so many different colors too, And I think that's what's
neat about Wicker. It doesn't just have to be the
natural one. You see him in all kinds of colors
(37:25):
that can kind of set that scheme for different colors
that go on in your entertaining spaces too well.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
I think that's an excellent point because wicker, because of
that nostalgia that I just mentioned a moment ago, I
think that sometimes that can be negative too, right, Like
I mean, the memory is good, but it's like I
don't want it in my house now. But the good
news is because of the new colors, because we see
black wicker and gray wicker and all of these tones
(37:51):
of brown that aren't necessarily the most natural tones of
brown that you would automatically think of. Wicker has really
been modernized, made relevant for design today that's not so
old school well.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
And even just more clean line designs. It's not just
your rolled arm or more traditional frame. It's used in
more modern applications of some of that outdoor furniture as well,
which is kind of and the all weather wicker, Yes,
that's come such a long way. It's not actually real
wicker is wonderful. Yes, such a long way. So that's great.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
You know what I also love in Sorry this isn't
wicker or a tan, but I also love this in
outdoor furniture is all of the rope detailing that we've
seen over the last I don't know how many years,
maybe ten or so years, but I'm thinking specifically of
the Brown Jordan pieces that have become somewhat iconic at
(38:45):
this point, and the rope teatailing and engineering really that
makes them function. I think it's been really great.
Speaker 3 (38:53):
It's a beautiful detail.
Speaker 1 (38:54):
Yeah, when it wraps around a console table or coffee
table and just adds that layer of detail hell to
the space, or a light fixture as well, just brings
that natural material to the outside.
Speaker 3 (39:06):
I love that too, And.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
I'm always fascinated by the engineering of it. How they
can pull it that taut so you can still sit
in it, or it can hold something right.
Speaker 3 (39:14):
And not fall apart for sure.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
Well, you know, we were talking about screen porches and
just the idea of you know, you think of the past,
how they'd have sleeping porches and people would just want
that fresh air and how they could stay cool in
the night. A lot of people like to keep their
windows open in the summer months too. Are you a
window person or an ac girl?
Speaker 2 (39:36):
I am not an ac girl at all. In fact,
oh my gosh. You have those people like my parents,
for instance, they will turn their air conditioning on sometime
in April just to see if it will work. It
doesn't stay on then necessarily because it's still, you know,
pretty chilly and not necessary, but they'll turn it on
to see if it works. That is not me. I
(39:58):
am not an air conditioning person. I sort of don't
enjoy the manufactured air. It's inevitable at some point where
we live because it's eventually going to be hot and humid,
but it takes it has to be really hot and
really humid for me to flip the switch on the AC.
And you know, certainly if somebody's coming over, it's like, oh,
(40:20):
how much do I like them? Do I really? I
see No, I'm definitely kidding. I always do for my
guests because I want them to be comfortable. But I
don't enjoy air conditioning. I think it's really cold. I
know that's the purpose of it is to cool you,
but it can get really really cold and I don't
like that feeling at all. So it has to be
(40:42):
pretty pretty hot. I love sleeping with the windows open.
And it's so funny because on Instagram I just saw
this it's never safe to sleep with the windows open
because there could be an intruder, and I'm thinking stuff,
you know what, I want that fresh air. I want
to bring that in while I sleep, so whatever will
be will be.
Speaker 1 (41:00):
That's not a great way to live, to be scared
by whoever's going to crawl through that screw.
Speaker 2 (41:04):
I want those windows open, how about you?
Speaker 1 (41:06):
Yeah, you know a little bit of both. I love
it when the windows are open to fresh air. I
love the little noise that comes through, or even just
when you get a sleep in a rainstorm outside too.
I think there's nothing better. I think with living in
a house that's over one hundred years old and it's
all brick. Our house gets extremely stuffy, very easily when
(41:26):
it's hot out, even just even not that hot, so
we probably turn the air on pretty quickly just to
have it stay cool. And everyone sleeps way better when
it's that way. So I wish I could say we
had the windows open more, but it doesn't happen in
our house.
Speaker 2 (41:41):
Well, And just to put an exclamation point on what
I said about my feelings about AC, I don't really
drive around with the air conditioning on either unless it's
super super hot. I'm fine, just again, I'm cold all
the time, so it takes a lot for me to
really want to turn the AC on, even in the
car if it's humid, which you know is all provitably
(42:02):
we get. Yeah, right, well, Chris.
Speaker 3 (42:05):
So this was fun.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
As we close out today's episode, I hope that everyone's
feeling inspired to slow down and savor those simple pleasures
this summer has to offer, and take those moments to
be out and around by the pool.
Speaker 3 (42:18):
In the lake and creating those lasting memories.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
Yes, so hats off to everybody for a fabulous summer enjoy.
Speaker 1 (42:28):
Thank you for listening to this week's episode of Boulevard Beat.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow along and leave
a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen
so you never missed an episode, And of course, follow
your hosts on Instagram at Megan bloom Interiors, at CHRISA.
Speaker 3 (42:44):
Rossbund, and at Liz Legit.
Speaker 1 (42:46):
We'll be back next week as we take a stroll
down another boulevard
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