August 2026 Newsletter

Written By Rachel Backus

August, flashes by too quickly. It deserves more respect (even though this one had some curveballs). August doesn’t have any official holidays, instead it has some whimsical “days” declared within it. Dolly, Tim, and Yayoi were fans of whimsy. So let’s honor them and honor the end of Summer.

Last week it hit me that I was not taking full advantage of Summer Fridays and that there weren’t many left. A pool day and movie night was how Andrea and I spent the last Friday of the month. Like many people, back to school was on our minds. Just a couple more weeks until she starts college! Although she will be living off campus, her room set up reminded me a lot of how I would design a college dorm or first time apartment - low investment with lots of storage and organization. Bonus, she loves assembling furniture, like when she assisted me with this office refresh.

Color Trends:

Behr Paint introduced its 2027 Color of the year- Grounded T27-01 - an earthy green that is deep and neutral. My pinterest board for Sage Green decor has a new best friend. 

Behr’s 2027 color trends palette leans pastel, but Grounded, well, grounds the rest of the colors. Have fun playing with the visualizer tool on their website - choose living room, bedroom, lobby and apply the 2027 color paints however you want. Don’t forget the ceiling and trim (or hire an interior designer if you didn’t even think to do that!)

Speaking of hiring a designer… let me tell you a story about the magic that happens when you use a professional interior designer. It’s a little highlight from my month. I met Penny Shelton at Mend (a coffee shop that tugs at my heartstrings). She’s a multi-line rep (meaning she is a liaison to a handful of brands that are TO THE TRADE that consumers can’t get). Here is what happened... I proposed a colorful window film to a restaurant owner so there would be privacy between customers sitting inside and those on the patio, while still letting in light AND also creating a bright, eye-catching visual for people inside as well as driving by - aka future customers. (I like to do the most!) I found a great option and ordered a sample online. Penny contacted me with a wonderful handwritten card and a packet for her business, saying the film was her product and asking can she help me get what I need. We set up a time to meet for the first time in person. She brought me a whole kit of samples to take to my client and answered all my questions. She even helped me source other hard to find components for the project. Now I have multiple solutions for the restaurant, and the owner didn’t have to do a thing. Designers have a special network of resources. I’m thrilled to have Penny in mine.

Art:

Dolly Parton and Tim Curry and Yayoi Kasuma - 3 artists in their own rights. 

Dolly forged the path for creative singer/songwriters, especially women, who wanted to express themselves and show up how they wanted, not what society demanded. She was whimsy. She was pure. She will be missed. When I think of Dolly, I think of her Christmas lights in Brentwood near my aunt and uncle’s former home. We would drive around the neighborhood on Thanksgiving weekend to see the lights going up. Hers were always magnificent. 

Tim Curry hit my movie buff friends hard. After our traditional Sunday Supper that has an unspoken no screen rule, we sat down and re-watched Clue for the millionth time, but with a different set of eyes. The set design and costumes are a treat. Tim is absolutely hilarious. If you haven’t seen it, watch it! All of the endings!

Fun fact: The color of the month of August for Sherwin Williams is PENNYWISE!

They say celebrity deaths come in 3. My 3rd was the passing of Yayoi Kusama, the artist known best for her polka dotted pumpkins and infinity rooms. I was fortunate to immerse myself in her LOVE IS CALLING exhibit in October 2023 at the Pérez Art Museum Miami. 

Reading:

August 9th was Book Lover’s Day and August 17th was National Thrift Shop Day. Coincidentally, my favorite and most frequented “bookstore” is Goodwill for adding random finds to my TBR pile. Books are under $3 and I don’t have to worry about returning them by a certain date. I often find the previous year’s trendiest books there and also a lot of the classics. Pro tip: when thrifting books, flip through the pages to make sure they aren’t marked up. However, if you are searching for something specific and want to ensure the condition, I highly recommend Thrift Books.

I’ve been on a fast-paced thriller kick this month. Here are some that I enjoyed.

Shopping:

English inspired and handsome aesthetics are everywhere. Two I love:

Labor Day sales! Here are the best that I found for home furnishings and decor:

Halloween decorations - when is the right time to put them up? Take this poll!

Crate & Barrel Cotswold Collection

Community:

More on thrift stores… If you are near Atlanta and love thrifted furniture, be sure to check out North Fulton Community Charities thrift shop. While they do clothing and household items too, the furniture quality is outstanding. The prices are hard to beat. Interested in donating? They do furniture pick-ups. 

The NFCC thrift shop raises an impressive $1.4 million dollars per year. The money goes to supporting the North Fulton county residents in need - from families to senior citizens - with a food pantry program, school supplies, workforce development, tax prep assistance, basic computer classes, as well as courses and coaching that put residents on a path to a brighter future. Secondhand clothing and household items are also offered to families to cover basic needs in a dignified way. 

Want to help? NFCC’s October seasonal program is providing comfort baskets to seniors. Get involved and make a difference! https://nfcchelp.org/seniorbaskets/ You can donate a whole basket, make financial contributions, shop their Amazon list, or volunteer to deliver baskets. 

Nature:

I have been spending extra time in the mornings enjoying my cup of ambition on the patio because hummingbirds have nested in my trees this year. Joy!

8/31 is National Eat Outside Day. I don’t know where these zany days come from, but I will be celebrating by enjoying caprese with some basil from my patio garden and hanging out with my hummingbirds.

I missed the incredibly important day that 8/8 is… International Cat Day. Forgive me, G&P.

The cats, hummingbirds, and FCC want you to know that this post contains some affiliate links. I earn an itty bitty commission, at no cost to you.

Rachel Backus
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