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06.23.2025

Summer Refresh: Simple, Elevated Ideas to Style Your Home for the Season

Summer in Brooklyn is all about slowing down, soaking up the sun, and savoring those long golden hours. When the season shifts, so does our approach to home—and this year, we’ve turned our space into a summer-ready retreat.

Whether you’re working with a back patio, a brownstone stoop, or simply opening the windows wide, a few thoughtful updates can go a long way. We recently gave our patio a styling refresh for the season, and here is how we did it.

Outdoor patio with dining table and string lights streamed over the patio

Material Matters

One of the most transformative updates in our space was underfoot: a bold green and white checkerboard tile that instantly grounds the entire design. We used a green and beige marble checkerboard tile to elevate the space. The tumbled finish gives it a soft, aged patina, making it feel like it’s been part of the home for generations. 

To complement the stone, we brought in terracotta planters and lanterns that add warmth and texture. The glass fish pitcher is a go-to for warm weather entertaining—easy, breezy, and full of charm.

Ambient Shifts

Lighting has a way of completely redefining how a space feels after dark. We strung up bulb string lights to cast a soft glow across the patio, and added a few vintage-inspired lanterns to create pockets of warmth and shadow.

Inside, we transitioned to light layers and open textures—like this striped linen throw—to carry that relaxed energy indoors.

The Green Layer

No summer setup is complete without plants. Whether it’s herbs in the kitchen or lush greenery flanking the patio, a little life goes a long way. We opted for oversized greenery and vines that create a luscious summer feel. 

Even if you’re working with a windowsill, clustering a few indoor pots can create that same grounded, garden feel.

Other Summer Favorites

We’ve pulled together all the pieces we used—and a few extras we’re eyeing—on our . From natural textures and vintage-inspired lighting to that standout checkerboard tile, you’ll find everything you need to channel a little brownstone summer magic. You can see all of our patio favorites here.

Cotton Tablecloth

Citronella Candle

Large Planter

Oil Burner

Bistro Chairs

Side Table

Swivel Lounge Chair

Black Outdoor Dining Chairs

Ceramic Planter with Stand

Outdoor Umbrella

Sconce

Our Outdoor Rug with NuStory Home

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We’re Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon, the founders of The Brownstone Boys. Our journey began in 2017 with a shared passion for Brooklyn’s historic architecture and a vision to restore and transform brownstones with a modern touch. Over the years, we've had the privilege of working on over 725 projects. We pride ourselves on our hands-on approach and our ability to bring out the character of each space. Our work has been featured in top design outlets like Architectural Digest, The New York Times, House Beautiful, and Dwell.

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