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Take it Easy: Summer Camp Style
14 Ways to Bring Home the Feel of Those Laid-Back Summer Days
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison, Wisconsin. When I'm not working, I like to do projects around my house, get out in my solo canoe or go camping, read design and psychology blogs and work on mixed media art.
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison,... More »
Summer camp: Long days packed with swimming, baseball and crafts; short nights passed with flashlights, campfires and stories. The time that every child dreams of and every parent waits for, summer camp is truly a world of its own. I never had the opportunity to attend but I still find myself thinking about what it would be like to decorate a home around that laid-back vibe. Here are 14 ideas to pick from:
by Ellen Kennon
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Screened porch and board games. If you're lucky enough to have a screened porch, you probably feel like you're on vacation whenever you step foot in the room. Keep a few board games on the table to lure your friends and family into an easygoing competition.
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| Hanging bug net. Not only do bug nets keep those pesky mosquitoes at bay, but they also add an element of playfulness. You can't tell me that you've never had the urge to hang out under a bug net. |
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by Rough Linen
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| Oars and racquets. Vintage sporting equipment is fun to use as decor and is easy to come by at antique shops and flea markets. Things like buoys, paddles or fishing nets would make nice additions to a home leaning in the direction of summer camp. |
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Twin beds. A pair of beds instantly transforms a room into one that's reminiscent of nights at camp and is a good option for a guest or kid's room. (If your visitors are 5'11" or taller, you may want to go a different route.)
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Cozy swing and large windows. This hammock-inspired swing is the perfect place to lounge while enjoying a view of the forest. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer an exceptional view, making it impossible to ignore the beauty of the woods. Of course, the vintage van parked in the driveway helps with the camp feel as well.
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Casual drapes. This sweet vintage tablecloth-turned-curtain hums a tune of casual cool, perfect for breezy summer days. A simple wire strung with clips keeps the laid back feeling close at hand. This summer, switch out your roller blinds for something like this.
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Thick stripes and caged lighting. I'm not quite sure what it is, but striped bedding definitely gets down with the summer camp feel. Maybe it's that the stripes remind me of a favorite beach towel. The caged lighting is much like the kind that you'd see near the basketball court or softball field. Here's a neat option.
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| Rattan furniture. Much like wicker, rattan is a natural material that is used to produce a wide array of furniture. It has a relaxed feel to it, which is probably why I think of summer whenever I see a rattan chair. Add a chair or headboard made of this material to give your room a summery feel. |
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by Niche Interiors
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| Vintage cot. Although I wouldn't recommend relying on one for a good night's sleep, a vintage cot is a fun accessory to set on the porch or deck. I recently got one myself and it's received a lot of attention! Add a few pillows and you've got a nice place for reading magazines or catching some afternoon Zs. |
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Lantern and picnic basket. Picnic baskets are beautiful but only get used a couple times a year, if that. Why not keep one out on display to encourage more lunch time outings? Better yet, set a colorful lantern next to it and you may just find yourself enjoying a picnic under the stars.
Salvaged wood. Perhaps it's the tree-house-like feel that makes this space reminiscent of childhood summers. Salvaged wood nailed to a wall is a fun way to change the feel of a room. Try it on a small, windowless wall to make things easier.
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| Bunk beds. What would an ideabook about summer camp style be without bunk beds? This particular space takes it to the next level by using four beds. Something like this would be fun to try in a kid's room, especially if they have a lot of slumber parties. |
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| A view of the woods. Waking up to dappled sunlight is definitely something I could get used to. A bedroom surrounded by trees would make for a delightful retreat on a hot summer day. The only downside to this is that you may find yourself lounging around more frequently than you care to admit. |
by Jeanette Lunde
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Craft desk and vintage school chair. Arts and crafts are a big part of summer camp but can make a living area look cluttered. If you are going for this look in your own home, keep your eyes peeled for small containers, boxes and bins. I personally like the collected feel going on here. The old chair reminds me of those popular during my childhood.
What else goes with a summer camp theme?
More: Wicker Furniture — Cottage to Cutting Edge
How to Get the Hang of a Hammock
What else goes with a summer camp theme?
More: Wicker Furniture — Cottage to Cutting Edge
How to Get the Hang of a Hammock
Ideabook updated on June 3, 2011.
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Thank you. Happy Summer to you, too! Can't wait for your next one.
Twilcox- I'm doing an ideabook on my DIY firepit soon! Be sure to check back. :)
http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/06/beautiful-cape-cod-cottage.html