When we head to Maine for the summer, we trade our schedules for sunshine and remember what it feels like to simply be. In honor of America's 250th birthday, we've crafted the ultimate bucket list: an ode to the freedom, ease, and unhurried joy of our favorite season.

Part 1: Summer House Style

1. Wallpaper a room in Sister raffia, like Susan did in the Maine kitchen.

2. Paint your house a color other than white.

3. Skirt a round side table to the floor in a fabric you love.

4. Hang a wall of ceramics in your kitchen. 

5. Upholster a room in mattress ticking.

6. Paint your floors. 

7. Add pinked-edge pleated trim to linen closet shelving.

8. Invest in Porthault sheets. Search on sites like Etsy, eBay, and Things Most Delightful for all things Porthault.

9. Re-cover headboards with vintage classic chintz.

10. Buy folk art that is unique and isn't corny. A quick search on Chairish for "folk art" will take you to so many wonderful things.

11. Invest in Aiken sofas for covered porches and interiors.

12. Wallpaper guest room closets with remnants.

13. Paint the inside of a closet a color you love.

14. Add vintage tole plant stands with geraniums to any room you can. Like this one or this one.

15. Layer hooked rugs.

16. Put giant wicker baskets filled with firewood near fireplaces.

17. Use wonderful fabrics to make lampshades and think of them like a beautiful dress.

18. Design your porch like an outdoor living room.

19. Bring out your books and create book abundance.

20. Hang good prints and paintings in bathrooms.

21. Paint dining room chairs white.

22. Put normal lamps in your kitchen.

23. Hang summer bedding on a clothesline to dry.

24. Line pantry shelves with wallpaper.

25. Install a wooden coat rack for summer hats.

26. Challenge yourself to hang three oil paintings you have collected  in the living room.

27. Hang a vintage needlepoint border on a mantel.

28. Collect tableware everywhere you go.

29. Scout for wicker dog beds.

30. Skirt a pantry countertop.

31. Use your American flag collection to decorate.

32. Put a tiny lamp on the kitchen counter.

33. Have sturdy card tables and great table cloths ready for larger dinner parties.

34. Line bookshelf backs with wallpaper.

35. Add wooden painted valences over windows.

37. Keep a basket of favorite sun hats on your porch.

38. Add fresh shelf paper to linen cupboards.

39. Rearrange an entire room just for summer.

40. Slipcover instead of reupholstering.

41. Hang a single first-rate drawing over a bed.

42. Buy old furniture with history rather than new furniture, because sustainable luxury!