BRIGHTEN AND LIGHTEN YOUR HOME FOR SPRING

It's here, Spring is in the air and it's time to get down to the business of lightening and brightening up your home. I love to decorate our home according to the change in seasons. I never really paid much attention to the fact that I was a seasonal decorator until a few years back. I was being interviewed on a radio program when 'Jodi' asked me, "You're one of those women that has her home decorated for Fall, don't you?" .....and I didn't answer her. She SAID, "Come on, I know you've got pumpkins in your house." And I did, in fact I had WAY more than a few pumpkins and I was uncomfortable revealing this decorating-dependency I had going on. Well my friends, it has taken some time, but since then I've learned to embrace my inner decorator and I'm okay with people knowing that when Winter is on the decline, it's time to take notice and I AM going to decorate for Spring.

Most everyone loves Spring and since the season brings with it a warm ambiance I find more reasons than not to give our home a suitable seasonal look. Spring is associated with new life and growth. Nature is in its full glory during this time of year and most decorators and homeowners alike take advantage of fresh bright colors, beautiful Spring flowers, colorful decorative pieces and accent materials to make their homes stylish for Spring. So when the sun is shinning bright and warm sunlight filters through your windows stop being stuck in Winter mode....it's time to lighten and brighten your home for Spring.

You too can also bring Spring inside your home with some creative ideas and inexpensive accessories. Decorate with the feel of fresh air!

1. First and foremost....SPRING CLEAN!

If you haven't yet cleaned away Winter to usher in Spring, here is a comprehensive list of Spring cleaning to-do's. Choose what is right for your home and family. Nothing says "fresh start" like a clean house.

2. Lighten Up!

Do you have Scarlett O'Hara velvet drapes or a heavy corduroy sofa? Spring is the time to change them out for lighter looking alternatives. Remove the drapes and replace them with airy sheers. Slipcover the sofa or chairs with paler tones or florals.

3. Rethink the Rugs

Wonderfully cozy area rugs look just right in winter. But when the temperature rises it may be time to roll them up and replace them for Spring with sisal or cotton rugs in light, cool colors. Spring and Summer are also good times to have heavy rugs cleaned or repaired.

4. A Room with A View

If your furniture is centered in front of a fireplace, think about ways to rearrange the look for summer. Change the focal point away from the mantel to a view of a garden, placing the conversation grouping to take advantage of the garden scene just outside your window.

5. Create an Inviting Porch

Spring and Summer living often moves out to the porch. Introduce a few garden chairs, accessories, and floral fabrics onto your porch. You’ll get that wonderful outdoor feeling and you may not want to go back inside your home. That's when you can think....sleeping porch!

6. Store the Silks

Remove dusty silk flower arrangements from your rooms. Thoroughly clean and store them away for a few months. Instead, bring in fresh green plants and flowering pots. These lively touches can breathe life into Winter-weary spaces.

7. Re-Accessorize

Time to rework your accessories and makeover your shelves. Clean winter dust off the shelves and begin to replace objects with an eye toward keeping the look light. Bring out your floral china or white ironstone, set up a collection of pitchers or glass, and include plants and picture frames as well.

8. Think Sheer

Sheer curtains, sheer tablecloths, sheer bed skirts, and pillows – all of these say “Spring” louder than almost any other element. Look for plain, embroidered, or printed sheer designs that complement your interiors.

9. De-Clutter Now
People tend to nest in the winter and pull out blankets, knickknacks, and anything cozy. Put all of this away and go for a minimal look. Any spot that is overcrowded or unorganized can drain your energies. A visit to a home store can yield products to contain clutter wherever it exists and put it away.

10. Clean out the Fireplace

Now is the perfect time to sweep away the ashes of winter fires and start fresh. Fill your firebox with a large fern, an arrangement of candles or an attractive display of beautiful birch logs. Or, cover the box with an attractive folding screen decoupaged with summer florals.

These are just a few ideas to lighten and brighten your home's décor for the warm months ahead. They need not cost a lot or be time consuming to be effective. Remember, three things for Spring/Summer decorating: have fun with accessorizing, use bright colors, and declutter! Just as you lighten up your Fall and Winter wardrobe for your Spring and Summer, why would you do any less for your home?

Let in that breath of fresh air that we have been waiting for....

....you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

RONDA