Cozy summer state of mind – “The Summer House” by Jaci Conry
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Dear readers, almost without realizing it, we are slowly entering the transitional season toward summer. Understandably, many of us are already dreaming about our summer vacations and ideal getaways in the months ahead. Yet, for some style-savvy individuals who also delight in a beautiful home life, staying in can be just as relaxing and restorative as traveling, without the time and energy spent on airports, long drives, dinner reservations, or sightseeing schedules. If you feel the same way and want to use this moment to refresh your interiors for the warmer months, the elegant new coffee table book titled “The Summer House: Lakeside Cottages, Seaside Retreats, and Country Idylls” may be exactly what calls to you.
“Perfectly Imperfect”, Douglas Friedman / Trunk Archives © Rizzoli
“Perfectly Imperfect”, Douglas Friedman / Trunk Archives © Rizzoli
Published by Rizzoli in April 2026, and written by Jaci Conry, an esteemed design journalist and author of “New England Modern” and “At Home on the Water”, “The Summer House” is her latest curated exploration of some of the most stylish and livable summer residences in America. The soothing cover, featuring a living room with green upholstery, soft-toned wood flooring, and an expansive view of lawn, trees, and water, instantly drew me in and beautifully captures the book’s sense of effortless summer comfort. Through the author’s tasteful and discerning eye, the book presents summer houses from Nantucket, Maine, Connecticut, and beyond, homes that belong to leading American interior designers, jewelry designers, and tastemakers, showcasing the most authentic expression of their style, inside and out.
"In the Pines", Jane Messenger © Rizzoli
Organized into themed chapters, each section reflects the essence of its homeowner and their distinct design aesthetic. From the understated luxury that blends old Provincetown charm with relaxed country-house elegance in “Perfectly Imperfect”, the crisp white country home filled with whimsical décor and precious dark vintage wood furniture in “Living History”, to the modern-nomad-meets-Scandinavian tranquility in “Pastoral Bliss”, these evocative chapters reveal how different design lovers define their ideal summer retreat, and how uniquely beautiful each one is.
"In the Pines", Jane Messenger © Rizzoli
Beyond the transportive imagery, one of the most engaging aspects of this book is the ongoing conversation between the author and the homeowners. Conry explores how they preserved the character of older structures while thoughtfully transforming them, honoring the historic fabric of the houses even as they layered in personal taste, memories, and modern comfort. The result is not just a collection of stylish summer homes, but a series of spaces that both reflect who these homeowners are, and pay homage to the stories embedded in their walls, an artistic dialogue that elevates the book far beyond simply “pretty”. As the author notes, these homes are “repositories of family stories, of traditions, and of chance encounters that become rituals. They remind us that summer is not just a season but a state of mind.”
“Life on the Lake”, Richard Powers © Rizzoli
“Life on the Lake”, Richard Powers © Rizzoli
After spending time with this copy, you may feel newly inspired to re-edit your own rooms — and even your wardrobe — with lighter, more relaxed pieces that capture the ease of the season. Perhaps in this upcoming summer holiday, the greatest luxury will be staying home, opening the windows, and savoring the quiet joy of living well in a space that feels effortlessly and stylishly your own.
Image courtesy of Rizzoli USA.