Spring Decorating Tips

(Hanging Terrariums from CB2 and Sprout)Spring is in the air and naturally, thoughts turn to spring cleaning, plants and flowers, and warmer weather! To bring a fresh breeze of spring into your home, we recommend the following decorating tips and accessories.

The easiest way to bring the outdoors inside is to create a terrarium. These small landscapes under glass are a great way to exercise your green thumb without great expense or time. You can use a fish bowl or you can use these hanging vessels, from CB2 and Sprout. Sprout also offers classes on terrarium building.

Another easy step for spring decorating is to swipe out your winter linens with some bold and bright spring colors. The striking duvet pattern in turquoise, tangerine, and lime is called Frankie and is available from Serena and Lily. Frankie will banish out the winter blahs and invigorate your bedroom décor.

Complementing the spring colors of Frankie, we have these pillows, Batik and Sanibel, from Crate & Barrel. Both have the citrus and turquoise colors that reflect the trendy spring colors of 2012. 

(Frankie duvet from Serena & Lily, pillows from Crate & Barrel)To add a touch of whimsy and lightheartedness in your décor, there is the elephant pouf from Serena and Lily.  A pink elephant is poised against a background of warm tangerine – the color of the year. 

(Elephant Pouf from Serena and Lily)

(Green Birch Sapling Chairs from the Foundary)For your patio or sunroom, these green birch sapling chairs from the Foundary provide a great place to sit back and enjoy your burgeoning garden.  Made of thermoplastic and steel, these birch chairs are light and portable. 

While relaxing in your sunroom, your iced tea or lemonade can be served on these laminated plywood trays designed by Marimekko. The Kaiku - meaning “echo” in Finnish - tray is designed with birch trees amidst a spring scene. Can’t you just hear the whisper of the leaves echoing in the wind?

(Kaiku tray by Marimekko from Crate and Barrel)

Top Ten Accessories

One of the questions I get frequently asked – how can I perk up a room without spending too much money?  My answer? Accessorize!  Find something you really love and see if you can work it into your room. 

Now, this doesn’t mean you should bring home that life-size taxidermy trophy of your favorite wild animal or the blinding multicolor needlepoint wall hanging that doesn’t go with anything.  You should take a snapshot of your room first with your digital camera before you head out to the stores and find that special accessory.  This will prevent any buyers’ remorse later on. 

Here’s my top 10 accessories – I picked a favorite in each category of accessories. 

1. Afghan Pillow from Wunderley - The pattern on the pillow is from an old Afghan pattern but it's been modernized with a bright pink pop of color - great for brightening up an old tired sofa or bed.

(Afghan Pillow from Wunderley)

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All that Glitters

It’s that time of the season to create a holiday wonderland in the home.  Here are a few suggestions to brighten up your rooms and your table. 

In our first décor setting, we have what I called the Golden Door – the entrance to a fabulous, luxe-filled ambiance.  Gracing our holiday table is the Gold Nest runner and placemats from Z Gallerie.  The dinnerware is the very chic black and gold Metropolitan set, also from Z Gallerie.  Instead of the usual evergreens, we have the aromatic Golden Clove tree from Horchow, coming in a variety of heights.  For pure luxury, we have the Snow Lynx pillow (faux, of course) and the Sparkle pillow, both from West Elm.

For our second décor setting, the Silver Peacock, we turn to the blues and silvers of the winter landscape.  To provide instant color and drama to the room, we used several branches of the Ice Spray – made of rough cut crystals - and Peacock feathers from Z Gallerie.  All the branches are held in the elegantly curvaceous porcelain Artura Vase from Crate and Barrel.

For our table setting, we have the lacy bowl, the Aqua Nest, designed by Heather Palmer and available from Artful Home.  To match the silver décor, we offer the hammered Savoy pitcher and shaker from Crate and Barrel.  Candlelight is provided in the iridescent Coastal Mosaic hurricane lamps from Pier 1 Imports.  And for that something unusual, we have the Aqua Finial from Kirklands, a ceramic sculpture for your holiday table. 

Interested in learning more about decorating and accessories?  Take a look at Sheffield School's Complete Course in Interior Design.  At Sheffield, you will learn how to transform a space, create color schemes, and select furniture, lighting, and accessories.