Neutral Ground: The Final Touches To Refresh Your Home After A Deep Clean
How to Refresh Your Home for Summer Using Neutrals (and Elbow Grease)
Ah, summer. The season of spicy margaritas, patio hangs, and windows open while the sprinklers run over fresh cut grass. But before we can sink into the sweetness of the season, there’s something we need to talk about:
The Great Seasonal Reset.
You know the one. Where you suddenly find yourself hunched over the shower tile, scrubbing a mystery substance that may or may not have been toothpaste... from last fall. Where your stovetop’s fine lines hold more secrets than your face, and the winter boot water stains on your floor could probably be carbon-dated.
But here’s the good news: once the deep clean is done, it’s time for the fun kind of refreshing — the kind that involves cozy neutral throw blankets, flickering candles, and decorative cushions that exist purely for aesthetics and emotional support.
Let’s dive in.
1. Candles Aren’t Just for Winter
Some people swap out Christmas candles for citronella and call it a day — but not us. Summer calls for fresh, clean scents like citrus, woods and soft florals. Our candles don’t just smell like heaven, they look good and are a part of the decor in my home. I put those little jars of heaven EVERYWHERE. Light one while you’re scrubbing the baseboards and suddenly you’re the main character in a minimalist French film LOL. Bring the crisp, fresh scents of the lake/forests inside (not right now if you live in Saskatchewan…or Manitoba—but we have a fireside candle if you haven’t gotten enough of that deep smokiness yet). Think the dreamy hush beneath the canopy of green, where sunlight filters through leaves like soft lace. The air is thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, clean and grounding, like a breath you didn’t know you were holding.
Light one of our more grounding Boreal-themed flickering lights to escape to the tranquilty of the forest while you’re still in the city. We recommend:
Forest by RURAL candles
A Walk In The Woods from Flicker Candle Company or
Foret de Coniferes from Feu & Co. Candles.
Not a candle fan? We’ve got you:
Soja & Co. Reed Diffusers are a beautiful and practical way to infuse your home with long-lasting, natural fragrance—without a flame or fuss. Hand-poured in Montreal, these diffusers reflect the brand’s commitment to clean, conscious living. Each diffuser is thoughtfully blended with high-quality, non-toxic fragrance oils and comes in a minimalist glass vessel that complements any room's aesthetic. The natural rattan reeds gradually absorb the oil and release scent into the air, creating a gentle, consistent aroma that lingers for weeks.
Benefits of a Flameless Home Fragrance:
Safe & Worry-Free: Perfect for homes with pets, kids, or busy schedules—no open flame means no fire risk.
Low Maintenance: No lighting, trimming, or monitoring. Just flip the reeds occasionally to refresh the scent.
Long-Lasting Aroma: Reed diffusers typically last several months, offering a subtle but continuous fragrance without needing to be "turned on."
Stylish & Space-Saving: Their elegant, compact design looks beautiful on counters, bookshelves, or in small spaces like bathrooms or entryways.
Cleaner Air: Unlike some candles or plug-ins, Soja & Co. diffusers are free from phthalates, parabens, and synthetic dyes—offering a safer scent experience.
From calming lavender blends to invigorating citrus and woods, Soja & Co.’s reed diffusers are a simple, stylish way to bring a steady sense of comfort and calm to your space.
2. Throw Blankets & Cushions: The Real MVPs
After a marathon cleaning session, you’ll want to collapse somewhere beautiful. Enter: soft, neutral throws and textured cushions in linen, cotton, and other airy fabrics. Think sandy oat, warm ivory, and the kind of muted tones that say, “I’ve got my life together,” even if your junk drawer is a crime scene. It’s that glorious moment when you've spent the entire day battling weeds, trimming shrubs, and picking up pinecones — and you finally stumble inside, smelling vaguely of grass, sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher please!) and happily disheveled, with the scent of fresh air and hard work still lingering..
You peel off your dirt-streaked clothes like a warrior shedding armour, shuffle to the bathroom, and slide into a warm bath like you’re sinking into a potion of redemption. Muscles…time to exhale. Your back audibly thanks you. (We recommend the Northern Sage Recovery soak from Bathorium).
Then comes the best part: slipping into your comfiest house clothes (you know the ones — soft, oversized, slightly questionable in public), wrapping yourself in a buttery soft throw like our oversized, hand-loomed Turkish cotton throw from Sultana Luxury Linens. Soft, breathable, and effortlessly cozy. The perfect blend of luxury and laid-back living., and collapse onto the couch like a garden-soiled god/goddess.
You’ve earned this level of cozy — one weed at a time.
3. Faux Foliage, Real Vibes
Let’s be honest: your houseplants didn't survive winter. (RIP, Fernie.) But all is not lost. Faux stems — like eucalyptus or olive branches — can bring the outdoors in without any of the work! Love that! Pop them in a matte ceramic pot or a beautiful clear vase (tip: add a little water for extra real effect) and voila! Space refreshed. At Wren, we have a beautiful selection of faux/preserved botanicals. Florals, thistles, greenery, even olive trees to bring the beauty of nature indoors with zero responsibility after you’ve set them up. These aren’t your Grandmother’s fake plants, these are carefully crafted with innovative materials to look and feel real. They are actually called “real touch” faux plants. They look, feel and move like real plants! No silk dusty nonsense here!
4. Set the Table Like You Might Have Guests
Even if your summer guest list includes just you, a book, and a very full glass of rosé, you deserve beautiful new dinnerware and stemware. Opt for neutral glazes and organic shapes — pieces that look like you picked them up in a little seaside town, not on sale during a Target run in January or better yet, support local and come check out Wren’s selection of antique white dinnerware sets. They are minimalist, classy and impresive plus they are dishwasher, microwave and oven safe (up to 200 degrees). AND they are on sale!!! 45% off right now. Come get em! Wren also offers fluted stemware at reasonable prices. These glasses elevate to a new level of refinement and effortless sophistication without costing and arm and a leg!
5. Rugs That Cover a Multitude of Sins
Summer is for bare feet and soft rugs — especially ones that strategically hide the ghosts of seasons past (aka salt stains and rogue ketchup blobs). Swap heavy textiles for light natural-fibre throw rugs in calming neutrals that look great underfoot and even better in photos. Wren has some bohemian and coastal vibe options to give your tootsies a little extra comfort (and hide sand/pool water and the dirt that followed you in after weeding).
Final Thought: Summer Starts in the Grout Lines
Yes, it’s about fresh cushions and breezy palettes — but it’s also about shower scum that’s been haunting you since November. So scrub, rinse, toss, and refresh. Then reward yourself with a candlelit moment of peace, your favourite drink in a new glass, and a house that finally feels ready for long days and open windows.
Need summer staples that look good and smell even better?
Come browse the newest from Wren at wreninspiredlife.com or visit us in store— no grout brush required.