We had a busy weekend working on the bath renovation, and we are inching to the finish line! Can’t wait until the dust and these headaches are a distant memories! Last year, a colorful wonder of a design book from Chicago designer Summer Thornton joined my library and energized my spirit when we were freshly moved into our home and overwhelmed with projects. Her book is wildly successful, and today we’ll revisit WONDERLAND and recall the many ways we admire it.
![Summer Thornton in orange gown in a lovely interior of her design. From WONDERLAND (Rizzoli, 2022). #summerthornton](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/summer-thornton-photo-thomas-loof.jpg)
Summer Thornton WONDERLAND: Mad Beauty!
Opening our hearts to mystery and our minds to more wonder? Always a good idea. Can home become an expression of such wonder? Because I wonder what impossibilities are possible as we grow curiouser and curiouser?
Sure hope you are in the mood to wondrously adventure away from design bondage to rendezvous with a rabbit! Because an out of the box, anything but ordinary decorating book has come along so utterly decadent and scrumptious, you’ll want to live in its pages.
![Summer Thornton designed fantasy bedroom with Gracie wallcovering (a scenic lemon-grove), yellow cashmere drapes, and four poster bed. From WONDERLAND (Rizzoli, 2022). Photo by Thomas Loof. #summerthornton #lemonwallpaper](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wonderland_p135-summer-thornton-adventures-in-decorating-interior-design.jpg)
Sweet cozy Moses in a nickel bathtub, the bold designs, magical backdrops, and uncommon beauty will inspire you to stretch, to dream!
![Robert Frost life quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #robertfrost #lifequotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0001-life-quote-in-three-words-robert-frost-hello-lovely-studio-poem.jpg)
Meet the Author: SUMMER THORNTON
Chicago-based Summer Thornton’s design work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful and…
Veranda! Featured on the 1stDibbs 50 list and selected by Sotheby’s as one of 20 Interior Designers to Watch, she is truly some kind of wonderful.
What is Her Design Philosophy?
To better understand her work, it helps to be aware of Summer’s refreshing design philosophies. For example,
Instead of worrying about the right way to decorate, DO WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT.
Yes! And also:
![Summer Thornton fanciful and colorful mood board within her first book, WONDERLAND - photo: Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_3502.jpg)
Forget about any rules and SET YOURSELF FREE TO CREATE.
Amen, sister. At a time in history when so much feels beyond our control, the idea of taking charge is alluring.
![Summer Thornton quote from WONDERLAND. #designquotes #decoratingquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/summer-thornton-quote-when-home-is-tailored-to-whims-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
After all, as Summer writes:
“It’s your home, you make the rules.”
![Summer Thornton fanciful and colorful mood board within her first book, WONDERLAND - photo: Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_3503.jpg)
What is Summer Thornton’s Creative Process Like?
Clearly, it is imaginative!
Her creative interior decorating process involves bold use of color, a surprisingly psychedelic mix of patterns, and unforgettable moments of edgy irreverent whimsy.
![Summer Thornton quote from WONDERLAND. #designquotes #decoratingquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/summer-thornton-quote-do-what-you-think-is-right-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
In fact, her first book: Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating (Rizzoli, 2022) features so many whimsical moments of Technicolor bliss, you will likely be awakened to WONDER.
This is the type of design book that spoils you. (Spoiled? At 12, I journeyed on a dream vacation with my best friend to Miami where we visited Barry Gibb’s house, went to see the premiere of Saturday Night Fever, and ate pastries every single day without gaining an ounce…life has rarely been as sparkly since. Hahahahaha.)
![Cleo Wade quote on Hello Lovely Studio about love. #lovequotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/LOVE-quote-cleo-wade-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
WONDERLAND is a get-lost-in-disco-glossy-pages-of-over-the-top-design-joy sort of must own volume, kittycats.
Order a copy of WONDERLAND Here.
Peek Inside Summer Thornton’s Book
Expect excess and whimsy!
![Summer Thornton designed bathroom wallpapered with whimsical giant white cranes on a hot pink background. Luxurious marble console sink and FontanaArte mirror. From WONDERLAND: Adventures in Decorating (Rizzoli, 2022). #summerthornton](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wonderland_p192-summer-thornton-adventures-in-decorating-interior-design.jpg)
And rooms dripping with sophistication.
![Summer Thornton designed luxurious and formal interior with skirted periwinkle velvet stools at round table. From WONDERLAND (Rizzoli, 2022). Photo by Bjorn Wallander. #summerthornton](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wonderland_p101-summer-thornton-adventures-in-decorating-interior-design.jpg)
With color stories that will surprise you!
![Summer Thornton designed lively saturated green living room with handpainted Japanese mountain scape wallpaper. From WONDERLAND: Adventures in Decorating (Rizzoli, 2022). #summerthornton](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wonderland_p181-summer-thornton-adventures-in-decorating-interior-design.jpg)
And bespoke details to thrill.
![Summer Thornton designed hallway turned art gallery with pale lavender walls, geometric painted floors, and impossibly beautiful architecture. From WONDERLAND: Adventures in Decorating (Rizzoli, 2022). Photo by Thomas Loof. #summerthornton](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wonderland_p172-summer-thornton-adventures-in-decorating-interior-design.jpg)
Because life lived to the full means something different to each one of us. Isn’t that a wonder?
![Summer Thornton designed quirky living room with mirrored coffee table and Art Deco wallpaper. From WONDERLAND: Adventures in Decorating (Rizzoli, 2022). Photo: Werner Straube. #summerthornton](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wonderland_p235-summer-thornton-adventures-in-decorating-interior-design.jpg)
I’ll leave you with my favorite message of all from Summer Thornton’s book, and I’d love to hear your response to it!
![Summer Thornton quote from WONDERLAND. #designquotes #decoratingquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/summer-thornton-quote-drop-the-facade-of-effortless-decorating-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Order a copy of WONDERLAND Here.
![Funny overwhelm quote from Hello Lovely Studio. #funnyquotes #overwhelmquotes #momlifequotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/FUNNY-overwhelm-quote-Hello-Lovely-Studio.jpg)
And mosey on over HERE for another must have for your design library.
![Funny dog tweet on Hello Lovely Studio. #doghumor #petquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/001-funny-quote-dog-God-creating-dogs-humor-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Summer Thorton is an amazing designer. I had not heard of this book, I am off to order one. Have a wonderful week Michele.
Author
Your world will be rocked, Elizabeth. What Summer did to her own home is beyond amazing and this is but one of the projects! 🙂
Wonderland, Fairyland, whatever you want to call it… I want to move there!
Author
Yes! It’s where design dreams come true. 🙂