Bold Interiors & Happy Colors of Wonder from Summer Thornton

Followers on FB went nuts for Summer Thornton’s own Lincoln Park home (below) with its glorious outdoor patio. How perfect for magical parties, yes? Let’s enjoy the wonder of bold interiors with happy color from the designer across several design projects.

Summer Thornton's own home and patio with whimsical checkered beautiful stone patio.

Bold Interiors & Happy Colors from Summer Thornton

It’s still rather grey here, both inside and outside of my windows so it feels refreshing to get a taste of designs embracing happy color!

@summerthorntondesign - Farrow & Ball Tented Stripe wallpaper in a bedroom nook. #farrowandballwallpaper #summerthornton — @summerthorntondesign – **Tented Stripe Farrow & Ball wallpaper**

Designer Summer Thornton knows her way around the wild and the whimsical!

Summer Thornton's beautiful sun room with large scale scheckered floor, lattice, and breezy rattan furniture. #summerthornton #checkeredfloors — Summer Thornton – Bold Interiors With Happy Colors as well as a Stunning Design Book

Aren’t the colors from wallcoverings, upholstery, and window treatments inspiring and provocative?

Summer Thornton designed bedroom with marigold wallpaper and bright pink floral arrangement. #bedroomwallpaper

This green bedroom is one of my favorites!

Green checks, upholstered bed, Bowood wallpaper, and a mix of patterns in a Summer Thornton Design bedroom. #summerthornton — Summer Thornton

Green leafy wallpaper and Bowood curtains in a sitting area of bedroom designed by Summer Thornton. #summerthornton #colefaxandfowler — Summer Thornton

But bold blue is a happy choice too.

Bedroom with navy blue trim and floral wallpaper - Summer Thornton Design. — Summer Thornton Design

Are you more fond of subtle and gentle greens and blues?

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 — Gracie wallcovering features a scenic lemon-grove panorama in an impossibly beautiful bedroom designed by Summer Thornton in *Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating* (Rizzoli, 2022); photo: Thomas Loof.

Even those gentler tones make it into her designs mixed with bolder happy tones.

Classic & Coastal mood board by Hello Lovely with home decor resources to score a stunning seaside retreat inspired look. #coastaldecor #classicinteriordesign

1. Santa Barbara Rattan Pendant

2. Colefax & Fowler Bowood Pillow

3. Simone Task Lamp

4. Paint Color

5. Gingham Napkin Set

6. Avondale Dinner Plates

Summer Thornton’s WONDERLAND

If you haven’t snagged a copy of her book WONDERLAND, you’ll want to!

There’s absolutely nothing like the projects in this exceptional book of bold design genius.

Summer Thornton in orange gown in a lovely interior of her design. From WONDERLAND (Rizzoli, 2022). #summerthornton — Summer Thornton

Robert Frost life quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #robertfrost #lifequotes

Designer SUMMER THORNTON

Chicago-based Summer Thornton’s design work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful and…

Summer Thornton on orange velvet sofa holding Veranda magazine which features her work on cover. #summerthornton #chicagodesigners — @summerthorntondesign

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.

Summer Thornton designed blue bedroom with wallpaper, plaid bedding and Alex Katz artwork. #summerthornton #bluebedrooms — Summer Thornton

Design Philosophy?

Summer says:

Instead of worrying about the right way to decorate, DO WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT.

Summer Thornton fanciful and colorful mood board within her first book, WONDERLAND - photo: Hello Lovely Studio. — A mood board from a fearless romantic…in case whimsy and bold color tingle your jingles.

Forget about any rules and SET YOURSELF FREE TO CREATE.

Summer Thornton quote from WONDERLAND. #designquotes #decoratingquotes

After all, the designer writes:

“It’s your home, you make the rules.”

Summer Thornton’s Creative Process

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.

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.

Summer Thornton's WONDERLAND: ADVENTURES IN DECORATING (Rizzoli, 2022). Interior decorator Summer Thornton believes in designing with the wildest abandon: her world is one of nickel tubs, marble fireplaces, whimsical textiles, surprising patterns, and secret gardens. Often described as maximalist with a modern, fresh sensibility, Thornton manages to achieve highly polished, sophisticated interiors that indulge in a lighthearted, almost irreverent sense of whimsy. In her first book, she will inspire readers to follow their creative impulses and make their own rules. — *WONDERLAND: Adventures in Decorating* by Summer Thornton (Rizzoli, 2022)

Cleo Wade quote on Hello Lovely Studio about love. #lovequotes

Order a copy of WONDERLAND Here.

Inside WONDERLAND

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 — A whimsical wonderland of a bathroom with stunning architectural details and also giant white cranes. From *Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating* (Rizzoli, 2022); photo: Thomas Loof.

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 — Breathtaking and luxurious design in a palatial apartment with chinoiserie wallpaper, velvet stools, and a round table stacked with books. From *Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating* (Rizzoli, 2022) by Summer Thornton. Photo: Bjorn Wallander.

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 — Saturated greens create a lively energy in a living room with Japanese mountain-scape hand-painted wallpaper! From *Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating* (Rizzoli, 2022); photo: Thomas Loof.

Funny dog tweet on Hello Lovely Studio. #doghumor #petquotes

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 — A boring hallway to a bedroom becomes an art gallery of impossible beauty. Lavender lacquered walls and geometric painted floor. From *Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating* (2022); photo: Thomas Loof.

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 — Art Deco wallpaper, kidney-shaped mirrored table, and sumptuous sofa in a townhome’s living room. From *Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating* (Rizzoli, 2022); photo: Werner Straube.

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!

Mosey on over HERE for another must have for your design library.

Funny overwhelm quote from Hello Lovely Studio. #funnyquotes #overwhelmquotes #momlifequotes

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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