Keep cool

Can you design a space to be cooler? Absolutely! I love summer, but it can be hot. And as much as we love the warm weather, we sometimes need to cool things off a little.

A good place to start is by getting rid of hot colours in a room such as reds, oranges, and yellows. And there's no reason to spend a lot of time here -- remember the sunshine is calling and it's too hot to do a lot of work. Simply remove warm-coloured accessories from the room and replace them with cool coloured items in blues, lavenders, purples, and greens. Accessories are relatively easy to change at the onset of a new season and can make a room feel more revitalized. Colours are either hot or cool, so add some cool shades in the form of throw cushions, candles, glassware or even a light coloured area carpet. Remember that colour has an emotional and a physical effect on us, so during the hot days of summer, think cool shades only.

On the floor, dress it down and dress it for hot weather. Either you can plan to keep it bare or opt for a sisal or rattan area carpet. Windows should also be left naked, or covered with simple blinds such as wood Venetians, woven wood or silhouette shades. Flank windows with a fabulous pair of sheers that will blow in the wind. This is a great time to send your heavy draperies to the cleaners in preparation for this fall.

Just behind your favourite chair or sofa, add a tall elephant palm or area palm tree. Not only will the room have better air quality, but it will feel cooler. On a dining or coffee table, add a glass vase filled with fresh flowers or even a leafy stem or branch from a flowering tree or shrub. You may even want to consider replacing the dining room chandelier or the bedroom light fixture with a gorgeous ceiling fan -- there are lots of great fans available today at very affordable prices. As for the bedroom, cover the bed with crisp white sheets to ensure a good night's sleep even on the hottest and muggiest of nights.

Scents should also be cool, nothing heavy. For summer, I tend to stick with citrus scents such as lemon, grapefruit or lemongrass essential oils to scent my rooms. When outside, I recommend looking for a shady small retreat. Surround yourself with a few containers of potted flowers, a cement or fiberglass Buddha statue, and perhaps a bench or comfy chair -- a special place out of the sun where you can go to relax or enjoy a good novel. Stay cool and enjoy the hot summer weather... before we know it Fall will be here!