Vintage Vibes

Nostalgic styles bring back summer memories.

SUMMER IS SO NOSTALGIC. Every smell, sound and taste evokes memories of summers past: freshly cut grass, water lapping against the dock, orange creamsicles. From slow, hazy days swinging away in a hammock in a soft breeze to crispy clear blue skies reflected in the pool water, we all remember days as vividly as if they happened yesterday. Summer is a profound sensory experience, those memories like imprints on our souls and in our minds. Try to recall the print of your favourite bathing suit, the colour of the vinyl loungers in your parents’ backyard, the soundtrack of the summer you fell in love. It’s all there, isn’t it? Summer is also a time to let our design dreams run wild. Maybe it’s time to turn that shed into the greenhouse you’ve always wanted, or that old tire into a swing. However large or small the project may be, it all starts with a vision, a desire, a wish. My big dream project every summer is our old barn. It’s where I unleash my imagination and where my dreams can take many shapes. I envision movie nights projected onto the walls, lingering meals with friends around many tables. The barn is a place to gather, to dance, to make music and art, to feast and to play— late into those warm summer nights. For my children, the barn will be the keeper of many childhood summer memories. They’ll remember sprawling out on big old sofas, under old-fashioned woolen blankets, watching DVDs (yes those!). They’ll remember the big dinner parties around the picnic table their dad built. They’ll remember the music. They’ll remember the light. This year especially, I’m feeling nostalgic for a vintage-styled summer. My eyes are yearning for the colours of my childhood—sunny yellows, citrusy orange hues, primary blues. I want to trade in my neutrals for printed terry cloth bath sheets and read magazines in the shade of a fringe-trimmed umbrella. I imagine candy stripes and rainbows, iridescent glitter and psychedelic prints. I want a playlist of songs with lyrics reminding me that every day is a beautiful day for a daydream, and that all we need is love. Because isn’t it, really? Cheers, Anya

STYLE & DÉCOR EDITOR A N Y A SHOR

Classic Striped Sundress )

From the Cote d’Azur to the shores of Georgian Bay, a striped cotton sundress is universally nostalgic.

AVAILABLE AT SHOP HOMME FEMME 69 Hurontario Street, Collingwood shophommefemme.com

Reversible Print Cotton Terry Cloth Bath Towels *

These plush Baggu organic cotton terry cloth towels, in muted, reversible colour combos and simple patterns are right out of that ‘70s childhood.

AVAILABLE AT THE HIVE 60 Pine Street, Collingwood thehivehoneyharbour.com

Recycled Plastic Classic Adirondack Chairs )

Nothing evokes dockside days like the ubiquitous Adirondack chair. This updated classic is made of 100 percent diverted recycled plastic. The water meets the sky in these pretty blue hues.

AVAILABLE AT NAPOLEON HOME COMFORT 24 Napoleon Road, Barrie napoleonhomecomfort.ca

Rainbow Glitter Iridescent Swim Rings )

In the spirit of nostalgia, make it a little bit disco with these iridescent and glittery swim rings.

AVAILABLE AT PIONEER FAMILY POOLS 42 Anne Street South, Barrie pioneerfamilypools.ca

Oak and Canvas Sun Loungers ,

Love a good, solid, classic sun lounger in wood and canvas? These oak wood loungers are made to last. The marine-grade acrylic fabric offers unmatched UV protection and longevity, and is easy to clean, mould- and mildew-resistant, and guaranteed against fading.

AVAILABLE AT DESIGN OUTDOORS CANADA 13 Louisa Street East, Thornbury designoutdoorscanada.com

Daydreaming Beach Umbrella +

There’s something so lovably retro about these fringetrimmed beach umbrellas, in this fittingly named “Daydreaming” pattern. Don your yellow bikini and heartshaped sunnies, and while away the days on the shores of Georgian Bay.

AVAILABLE ONLINE FROM ASPEN & IVY 322 King Street, Barrie aspenandivy.ca

Freedom Moses Sandals *

It’s all about the updated classics this summer. These vegan Freedom Moses Sandals come in all the colours of the rainbow and every hue in between.

AVAILABLE AT SHOP HOMME FEMME 69 Hurontario Street, Collingwood shophommefemme.com

Portable Cooler on Wheels +

Hydrate hydrate hydrate! The RovR RollR cooler keeps your drinks frosty and within arm’s reach in fun, retro-vibe colours. Let the good times roll.

AVAILABLE AT THORNBURY CLEAR CHOICE POOLS & SPAS 4 Arthur St. West, Unit 3, Thornbury thornburyclearchoice.com