Summertime, and the Living's Easy… Healthy at Home Tips
It's the first official day of summer! That means I've survived allergy season (most of it, anyway), cried at Jackson's preschool graduation, and am looking forward to longer days and more sun! Thanks to Pete, our garden beds are looking amazing and we should be enjoying some tomatoes and basil (among other things) in the coming weeks - that is, if our newest family members don't climb into the garden beds and eat it all!
Our new babies, Checkers and Chester (a.k.a. “Chess”)
No, this isn't an blog about how to take care of baby goats (though that will be one of our summer projects at my home!), but having them in our yard does prompt some design ideas in my mind to help you enjoy the outdoor space you have this summer!
Bonus! When you spend a bit of time to improve your spaces, from the interior, to the exterior, it’s amazing how much it impacts your everyday life —and when it’s done well, it’ll last a lifetime!
The Top 3 Outdoor Design Requests as Seen by E.L. Designs
Last year, I was excited to work on a design proposal with Kerrie Kelly Studio to design the outdoor space of our dreams for the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and even though this installation didn't happen for the 2025 show (hoping it will for 2026!). Take a peek at it below.
3D Rendering Design Proposal by E.L. Designs for the KBIS 2025 show.
I love this design and it really encompasses so many of the requests I hear clients ask for when we discuss outdoor spaces.
We all want to be happy and healthy at home, so I thought I'd share what I've seen as the latest outdoor design requests in case you want to find space to create your own little outdoor sanctuary this summer!
Wellness is at the top of most lists which can include any of the following: saunas, cold plunges, hot tubs and meditation areas. I've had clients purchase saunas from Costco that they love and outdoor cold plunges from Ice Barrel. Small yard spaces don't mean you have to forgo luxury —there are options in all sizes and budgets!
Decks! I've worked on a ton of different deck projects, and believe it or not, decks give you the biggest ROI behind kitchen and bath remodels! In fact, we even designed and built a multi-level deck in our yard a couple years ago and it has extended our living space beyond the 1,172 square foot area of our home.
Outdoor Kitchens - these don't have to be huge or fully built-in, but having dedicated space where you can grill, have a cooler or beverage fridge and entertain are at the top of the list. There are modular options from companies like Belgard and outdoor furniture kitchens from companies like Pottery Barn —just keep in mind that advance preparation is required if you plan on having electrical (appliances other than propane BBQ) and plumbing; but you can certainly create your own outdoor kitchen regardless of your budget.
I love the exterior and patio we designed for this home in Wattsonville, California; we included some of my trusted contractors top electrical requests for remodels.
Here’s a fun Design at Home, DIY, Idea for Summer and Beyond!
In case you're not updating your home or yard this summer, a different —but creative!— activity you might want to try (even if you don't have kids!) are Paint Pens!
One of my aunts turned me on to these (they were an activity for the kids during Easter… but I think I enjoyed them the most) and I love them! Find yourself some flat rocks and decorate your yard with your own artwork and enjoy the creative expression!
Here’s my mini masterpiece rock art!
This activity is a super easy way to add a touch of personality to your space and express your creativity.
If you’re needing some supplies, you can snag up small bags of different sized round and flat rocks at your local craft store even if you really want to get into the crafting (or have a larger space to spread out some pops of color!).
The big thing to remember is that there’s always ways you can make improvements to your space, even without a big renovation. One of my favorite ways to start is with organizing! Seriously! Start with organizing your space, one room at a time, and you’ll begin to be able to design and plan bigger projects, or major upgrades, even a new home, you’ll have all your organization out of the way AND know what you need to live a happy and healthy life at home.
Want to get started in your home? I’ve got Easy Organizing Tips for Every Room in Your Home! Join my inner design family email list and I’ll send it over to you!