Summer decor

If you're like us, then you're probably counting down the days until Memorial Day Weekend, making a mental checklist of everything you need (and want) for an epic three-day stretch. Good news: we've done the work for you. If your forecast for fun includes eating, drinking, or lounging, then we have just the things you'll need to make sure it's done in style.

• Blue Glass Yorkshire Dispenser ($20): Fill this mason-jar-inspired dispenser with fresh lemonade.
• Pink Ikat Cocktail Napkins ($12): Replace paper with vibrant cloth versions you'll use all Summer long.
• Orange Hammock ($80): Lacey, scalloped sides elevate this backyard staple.
• Pineapple Drink Stirrer Set ($38): Keep these on hand for guests who prefer spiked lemonade.
• Aqua Pacific Tumblers ($6 for two): These acrylic glasses are good enough to set the table with but can be taken on picnics too.
• Mirage Ice Bucket ($58): Keep drinks cool with this groovy ice vessel.
• Bullhorn Speaker ($10): For no-hassel poolside tunes, attach one of these to your cell phone.
• Hot-Pot BBQ ($124): An herb planter and a portable grill in one? We're sold!
• Outdoor Pagoda Umbrella ($495): Channel Palm Beach in the '60s with this striped umbrella.
• Tavira Melamine Plate ($6): We love the hand-painted feel of these outdoor-friendly plates.
  

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Ourfifthhouse from the Su Casa group:

I love to read, so I decided to turn an unused corner of my bedroom into a reading nook where I can curl up and get lost in the pages of a good book.

Now all this momma needs to do is find the time, the peace, and the quiet.  That sounds easy enough right? For more details visit on how to achieve this look visit her blog, Our Fifth House.

Be sure to post your own DIY projects in the Su Casa group!

• This is the mansion where a supergroup was born. Can you guess which one? — Curbed
• Uncover your color personality. — Real Simple
• Go behind a successful Kickstarter campaign. — Stylelist Home
• Find out what Rashida Jones keeps on her vanity. — House Beautiful
• A gorgeous kitchen rehab . . . on a budget. — Remodelista
• Why the end of the Summer season is the best time to plan your patio. — Houzz

There's hardly ever an occasion to light a fireplace during the Summer months, but that's no reason to ignore this focal point of your living room. Instead of dreaming about a crackling fire in the Autumn season, make the most of your fireplace in this current season with these tips.

• Just add flowers. Use oversized vases as focal points both on the mantel and in the fireplace itself. Layer them with your favorite and freshest Summer blooms, from sunflowers to zinnias to dahlias.
• Upgrade your andirons. The horizontal bars used to lay logs, andirons can be a design focal point if you choose carefully. We love these Brass Andirons ($2,240), which provide a glow all on their own.
• Think differently about your firewood. Instead of laying out firewood as if you were about to strike a match, try stacking it vertically, horizontally, or in patterns to create something that's more visually interesting. After all, you're not about to light a fire! Make the wood work for you visually instead of producing heat.
• Try adding something unexpected to the grate and hearth. Stack plants in front of the grate, or clean the grate and stack suitcases or books.
• Add a summery fire screen. Create a folding fireplace screen to block the grate. Try wallpapering it with your new favorite wallpaper pattern, like the Olympics-appropriate Londinium Wallpaper ($70 a roll).

Keep reading for three more ideas to style a Summer fireplace

If you're considering giving glamping a go and can do it in California, then you might want to consider letting Shelter Co. do the grunt work. Aside from offering beautifully furnished tents, the group has camp amenities that can include everything from a customizable camping box to a fully stocked library and bar. For those who can't make it to California's camp grounds or who want to brave their own glamping setup, we decided to go straight to the source. We tapped Shelter Co. cofounder Kelsey Sheofsky to fill us in on the most important things every novice glamper should know.

Click here to see the decor pieces you can snag to get the look!

• Invest in good bedding
  Nothing beats crawling into 400 thread-count sheets and a fluffy down comforter on a cold night.
• Lighting is key
  Battery-operated lanterns and candles really transform an environment and aren't that expensive to purchase.
• Rugs make a huge difference
  If you have a traditional plastic lined tent, adding a few floor rugs can really up the luxury factor. They warm up the space and allow you to get out of bed without having to hunt for your shoes first. Natural materials like jute or sea grass work best because they shake out easily and don't show wear and tear.

Source: Shelter Co.

• Check out Home Goods' Summer preview. — Apartment Therapy
• Selling a historic home? Learn how to stage it like a pro. — Houzz
• A Kansas City apartment goes bold. — House Beautiful
• Big-impact decorating ideas that take little effort. — Real Simple
• Tour President Obama's college dorm. — Curbed
• Steal lake-house style (no lakehouse necessary). — Country Living