Summer is just around the corner, and even in a rental, you can't help but want to make some warm weather improvements to your home. Outdoor space or not, there are a number of ways to add a summer flair to your decor — and these stylish tips will show you how.

• Let the light in. Take advantage of the brighter sunlight and longer days by making the most out of your home's windows. Replace your heavy winter drapes with light-colored, sheer curtains, and give your windows a good scrubbing inside and out.
• Mix up your throw pillows. While cozy, rich hued throw pillows are great in the cold of winter, they feel stuffy and too dark once the summer rolls around. Store your usual throw pillows in plastic bags during the summer months and replace them with pillows that are bright, colorful and even a bit eclectic.
• Keep the cold beverages on hand. Whether you frequently host guests on a porch or patio or you simply want to create a cool, relaxing place to hang out inside of your home, creating a well-curated bar cart is a must for summer entertaining. Stock yours with ice buckets, various types of glasses, cocktail napkins and your favorite libations (alcoholic or otherwise).
• Fill your place with plants. Another great way to take advantage of the summer sunshine is by creating an indoor garden. Hang plants from the ceiling using macrame plant hangers, place them in pots on bright windowsills and even add larger plants to fill empty corners of a room.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr emily @ go haus go

Jim Jim’s Water Ice offers a cool, refreshing way to escape the Texas heat. Water ice is a traditional Italian treat that is most popular in Philadelphia, and it's made by blending real fruit with finely shaved ice to create a velvety soft texture.

Jim Jim’s operates out of a colorful storefront in downtown Austin, and customers order their water ice right from the front window like you would at an old-fashioned ice cream stand. The prices are just as old fashioned, and the friendly employees dole out extremely generous servings in each styrofoam cup. In addition to its classic fruit flavors, Jim Jim’s offers water ice with cream on top or smoothies and cups with soft serve ice cream blending into any water ice flavor.

Jim Jim’s Water Ice is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Jim Jim’s Water Ice
615 E. Sixth Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 708-8285
www.jimjimswaterice.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jim-jims-water-ice-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jasonlam

It may be tucked away in the heart of a major city, but Mayfield Park still manages to retain an atmosphere of calm. That's despite its particularly flashy residents, about two dozen peacocks. The promise of seeing them sunbathing, tree-climbing, or just meandering around draws many locals to Mayfield Park time and time again. After all, they look a little bit different depending on the season, so it's a new experience each time. Perhaps the best time to visit is late winter or early spring, when the male peacocks fan out their colorful feathers in an attempt to attract the ladies.

Even if you don't spot one of the majestic birds, though, your trip to Mayfield Park will still be well worth the time. Its 21-acre nature preserve contains snaking trails, perfect for a hike or a stroll through the trees. After your hike, stop by the picturesque Mayfield Cottage and Gardens for a glimpse inside the way Austin's elite lived in the early 20th century.

Mayfield Park
3505 W. 35th Street
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 974-6797
www.mayfieldpark.org
www.yelp.com/biz/mayfield-park-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Chill Mimi