Are you a 'Summer' Interior Type?

There is a school of thought that sections interior styles in to the four seasons to give some structure and guidance. This helps bring the colours, textures, look and feel to an interior that means not mashing together too many looks or styles to make sure the resulting styles are harmonious, complimentary and in work well with each other. Colour psychology can be useful to understand the styles we are drawn to and that might match our personalities which bring us joy in the interiors we choose to have.

So, let's learn some more about the summer personality, and see if you are a fit. If you are, then understanding it should help give you some structure and some guidance to how you put this together for your home. A summer personality when expressed as a person is cool, calm and collected as well as graceful, elegant and reserved in character. They are also composed and organised and really good at detail. When it comes to interiors, it's about being timeless and classic so not following any particular trends as such, but something that will stand the test of time.

Summer Interiors Concept Board and Colour Sample

I've put together this concept board below to illustrate the kind of images that lend themselves to summer interiors. Remember it's also all about how the interior 'feels' rather than always just about how it looks. The Summer interior evokes memories of the beach, summer picnics, cool linens and subtle bleached colours. I've also added in a suggested colour scheme for a summer interior to show you the types of colours involved. Again, it's nothing too bright and brash, but calm, classic and timeless.

The summer landscape is faded and sun bleached. Think of those holiday linens and pale, possibly faded interiors that have years of charm and personality in them, with a story to tell. Quality is important in this context, so fabrics such as wool, cashmere, and the most tactile velvets all have a part to play. Delicate floral and ditsy prints will also have a place, as will antiques and family treasures.

After the bright bursts of Spring energy in vibrant colours , pattern and textures, Summer is a time when everything becomes a little more subtle, hazy and toned down. I feel like the sunset beach picture below taken from @Pinterest conjures up all the thoughts I have about a summer interior. The soft wavy grasses, neutral sandy beach and muted tonal sunset colours. It's also thinking about an English rose garden with the contrast of the deep green foliage and the soft pink and peach type roses. Don't be temped to think of the bright, bold topicals of a European summer, this all about laid back and muted tones.

When thinking about styling a summer interior, it would feel soft, comforting and relaxed and never over the top. While it might look 'simple' and 'uncomplicated' it will have been put together very consciously and with much consideration.

Colour causes emotion. That's why it's so important when thinking of interiors. Angela Wright who is a psychologist, researched how colour affects our emotions and behaviour. She uncovered that different personality types have different colour palettes that resonate with them in a particular way. Learning more about this concept, through Sophie Robinson's colour psychology course has been game-changing for me as a interior designer. It's helped me understand my own preferences and styles more concisely and therefore has helped me with my clients and understanding their preferences to deliver them a focussed and succinct project. It helps to create a scheme that is harmonious, has a logical flow throughout the house, and feel cohesive as well as making each room feel like it has its own personality.

Angela's 'Wright' theory talks about four different 'personality' types which are translatable into the four seasons. These are labelled Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter for illustrative purposes. Colour Psychology for interiors, it isn’t just about what personality you are but the personality of the room too. Clearly if you can understand your seasonal personality in this context, then you can help translate that into your interiors too. The hues, patterns, textures and decorative style of the room can really change the mood and behaviour in a space according to its use and who uses it, and how they want to feel in that space.

So if you are drawn to the muted but timeless elegance portrayed in the pictures of this blog, then it sounds like you are a Summer personality and interior. If you dream of sun-bleached hayfields, powdery hydrangeas and dripping wisteria and know that the warm sun signifies a time to relax, bathe and take a break, then summer is the scheme for you.

If you think you are a summer personality type and you think this fits your interiors style then lets start to put something together for your home. (I'll be sharing more on the other seasons as they are relevant to the rest of the year)

If you need help with designing and planning a room scheme then i’d love to help. You can email me at hello@laurenmayinteriors.com or call/ text on 07712185467 and let’s get started. You can find out more about my services on my website www.laurenmayinteriors.com and see examples of my portfolio too and hear some client testimonials.

I can’t wait to hear from you and learn about your project. Have a great weekend...

Lauren X