April 2010

“Spring's Abundance”

Not only have my forsythias bloomed, but one of my favorite birds, the Northern Flicker has returned to my yard, so yes, it must be spring. I have fond memories of my mom and nana performing their change of season rituals in April, such as changing the bedding and the window treatments. But there are many other rituals you can begin in your homes that will result in a lighter, more airy feel which is just what we need this time of year.

So here's not one, but eight Tips to help you joyously welcome the spring:

• Lighten up your windows. Replace heavy window treatments with lighter versions. If the view is pleasant, leave the windows bare or dressed only in privacy shades/blinds. For a real summer look, add rattan shades to your windows.
• Remove those heavy wool area rugs. Consider replacing these with either lighter cotton throw rugs, or keep the heft of wool, but choose rugs that are lighter in hue and theme. Botanicals and playful geometric prints are a nice warm weather alternative to the serious heaviness of winter's oriental rugs. This fun floral from Company C is a true chameleon—it will work with very traditional and very hip, urban spaces. This Company C gem infuses any tired space with the brilliant juiciness of orange—still a very hot color!
• Invest in a nice set of slipcovers. There are now catalogs and web sites devoted entirely to nothing but slipcovers! Having slipcovers for both cool and warm whether guarantees two things: 1. Your rooms will instantly take on the look of the new season and 2. Your furniture will last twice as long. AND most are washable!
• “Summerize” Your Accessories. I like this choice for a warm weather lamp. And how about these fabulous pillows to wake up any neutral sofa? Check out my new favorite source for non-custom pillows.
• Create space between your furnishings. We want to focus less on hunkering down and nesting, and more on expanding and breathing the fresh new air of the season. With more space between furnishings, not only is it visually uplifting but the energy is physically freed up and free to circulate. When temperatures allow, throw open the windows and cleanse away the stale winter's air.
• Bring some real flowers indoors. There's nothing like the smell of forced narcissus bulbs to foreshadow spring. And if they are a bit too heady for you, stop in at the supermarket and bring home inexpensive bouquets of daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. Your mood will begin to improve, I promise you.
• Change the scent of your home. In cool weather months, scents like cinnamon and pumpkin, hollybery & pine are wonderful. As the weather warms up, we intuitively want to start smelling light floral scents like lilac and day lily, or wonderful fruity aromas like pear and tangerine. I particularly like the bamboo red diffusers, and of course candles.
• Rise earlier. When the sun starts to grace the morning sky at increasingly early hours, view it as a gift that you don't want to miss. Tackle the things you never seem to get to once the family rises. OR spend this hour alone with your mug of coffee contemplating your next bold move.

Until next time, decorate from the heart!

Jayne