Summer Decorating Ideas 2011

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Mood Lighting with Shells

You can use oversize shells to bring a touch of the seashore -- and a bit of romantic atmosphere -- to an evening at home.

Pacific Rim-Inspired Room

A plywood wall panel that incorporates a foldout table and bench turns even the tiny terrace of a hillside house into a garden room.

Cot Conversion

Turn a camp cot into an elegant patio daybed.

Raffia Window Curtain

A series of small, tufted raffia bow ties, stitched with matching thread onto a sheer curtain, instantly raises a window's sunniness quotient.

Sand Centerpiece

Light up a table with this beachy sand-and-shell centerpiece.

Casual-Modern Outdoor Room

Pillowy seats and potted plants create the perfect setting for an outdoor dinner on the deck.

Shell Vase

A wide-mouthed, spiral nautilus shell can double as a pearlescent vase for bedroom bouquets

Nautical Knobs

Incorporate nautical charm into your quarters by affixing these knobs onto drawers or lids of wooden boxes.

Garden-Print Stenciled Tabletop

Hand-painted dainty blossoms, colossal peonies, and greenery entwine to form this pleasing tabletop wreath

Rope-Seat Stools

A plain pair of wooden seats gets a bright new look from simple coils of rope.

Summery Leaf -Shaped Table Runner

Changing table linens is a relatively inexpensive way to rotate color with the seasons. The tones of this runner are suitable for summer.

Bright Ideas for Any Room

Paint, fabric, and paper offer opportunities to sneak rich hues into otherwise neutral spaces without a huge commitment of time or money.

Raffia Leaf Throw Rug

This throw rug's leafy design, made with raffia in three cool-green shades, conjures a vision of palm fronds moving in the breeze.

Sunroom Pillows

Brighten up a sunroom with these pillows printed with three different-sized anthurium leaves.

Block-Print Poppies

Rethink your home decor and get inspired by the bright, sunny colors of summer.

Decorate pillows with our poppy templates for breezy, warm weather decor. Poppies' graphic outlines are a cinch to block-print onto fabric: Brush strokes of textile paint in saturated tones. Start with the stem and leaves to help map out the composition.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Summer Decorating Projects, Crafts, and Party Ideas - Martha Stewart