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Don’t be afraid to lean heavily on white when updating your indoor decor for summer.

The question

What's the best way to update my indoor decor for summer without breaking the bank?"

The answer

After so much time spent fending off raindrops and mosquitoes beneath a patio umbrella in the backyard, one tends to crave the santuary of four solid walls. The trick is to bring the best of the outdoors in. The first step is swap out woolly winter throws and velvet pillows for linen and terrycloth versions. And don't be afraid to lean heavily on white, particularly in the kitchen and dining room: white-on-white tablecloths, place mats, napkins, candles, trays and glasses make for a cheap-and-cheerful update, especially when combined with happy-coloured accents of orange and navy blue. Moving to the walls, buy a can of lavender-hued paint in a matte finish and use it to create an accent wall near a large window. In front of it, set up a three-tier metal bookcase decorated with white pots of real lavender and let them bake in the sun. On the same wall, hang mismatched summer-themed prints in white frames for a whimsical touch. If the rain and mosquitoes persist, go straight to the airport and fly standby to Greece, where it's hot, cheap and and feels like summer every day of the year.

Architect and interior designer Dee Dee Taylor Eustace appears on The Real Designing Women, which airs Saturdays at 4 p.m. ET on HGTV. Follow her on Twitter: @ddtaylordd. Have a design dilemma? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.

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