Americana Summer Living: A Softer Take 

Americana Summer Living: A Softer Take 

Remember the movie ‘The Sandlot’? It came out in 1993 – the summer I turned 13. I had one foot still firmly planted in childhood, but the other venturing into my teen years. I don’t know anyone who didn’t love that movie. It was pure nostalgia. A true American summer (based in 1962) where friendship was the foundation, everything felt simple, baseball was king, a pool day was the best day, a good sleepover cured everything and fireworks were the cherry on top. Somehow ‘The Sandlot’ summer became a quintessential part of the feeling behind all of my Americana summers …

But this isn’t about ‘The Sandlot’. It’s about the nostalgia of summer. Why does summer take us back to childhood more than any other season? Why does summer conjure feelings of warmth that have to do with so much more than just the sun? Why do I want to lean into reds, whites, and blues during the summer months? It’s not about decorating or dressing for a holiday … it’s about embracing the feeling of a season. It’s not about the 4th of July. It’s about embracing the nostalgia of a season that somehow feels suspended in time. It’s about embracing a timeless summer palette and all that comes with it …

Every summer I find myself drawn to the same things — navy stripes, white dresses, wicker textures, hydrangeas, flags on porches, and that subtle coastal Americana feeling that somehow makes ordinary days feel special. If summer feels like sunshine, then it looks like:

• • faded reds
  • vintage flags
  • soft navy
  • stripes
  • natural textures
  • gingham
  • wicker
  • linen
  • shells
  • brass
  • weathered wood
  • white denim
  • woven bags

This particular summer, I’m feeling more drawn to the water. I want to be around it. I want to be on it. I want to stare at it.  I want a sprinkle of coastal right on top of my Americana. Think “Coastal Grandmother’s Patriotic Cousin”. I mean. Come on. That totally sounds like a thing. If it’s not a thing, we’re making it a thing right now. It’s the perfect lakehouse, summer camp vibe. I’m rolling with it …

The Coastal Grandmother’s Patriotic Cousin is:

• • East Coast summer towns
  • old lake houses
  • Nantucket
  • striped umbrellas
  • Maine
  • sailboats
  • Cape Cod
  • weathered cedar shingles
  • Hilton Head Island
  • sweaters tied around shoulders

Not overtly patriotic. Just distinctly American. Distinctly summer. Like an Elin Hilderbrand book.

A little Pinspiration to capture the mood I’m chasing this summer …

Images: All images are from Pinterest; linked what I could – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

The inspiration board captures the feeling. The shopping boards capture some of the pieces help bring that feeling to life …

Links: Crochet Tank, Mini Tote, Blue Top, Sweater Vest, Montauk Tote, Flag Sweater, Linen Dress, Linen Stripe Shorts and Linen Stripe Top, Montauk Tote, Boat Shoes, Beach Dress, Earrings, Shoulder Bag, Rollneck Sweater, Lobster Tote

Links: Scallop Tank, Placemat, White Dress, Crochet Dress, Heirloom Plates, Stanley, Napkins, Serving Platter, Shorts, Framed Flag, Melamine Plates, Patriotic Dog, Linen Shell Top and Linen Pants, Palm Sands Tee, Slim Stanley, Wooden Sailboat, Flag Quilt and Pillows, Rugby Polo

This summer, I’m less interested in decorating for a holiday and more interested in creating a feeling …

• • a sweater thrown over my shoulders after sunset
  • hydrangeas on the counter
  • a striped beach towel drying in the sun
  • the sound of kids laughing in a pool somewhere nearby
  • burgers on the grill
  • bare feet on a dock
  • lightning bugs in the backyard
  • a flag swaying gently in the evening breeze

Maybe that’s what Americana summer living really is … Not stars and stripes. Not overly themed décor. Not perfection. Just small, relaxed details that remind us who we are, where we are, and just how fleeting ordinary summer moments can be.

Someday, in the not-so-distant future, this summer will be the nostalgic summer we look back on. Maybe tending a season means noticing it while we’re still living it. And if the future version of me remembers anything at all about this summer, I hope she remembers the feeling of it … walks with the pups, rocking on the porch with my husband, the sounds of teens coming and going, birds chirping, songs being sung, messes being made, movies being watched, laughter, noise, joy.

Because the ordinary days are almost always the ones we miss the most.