Celebrate spring with fresh finishes
Little things and bright colours can create a new look without busting the budget
Something about spring spurs us to want to freshen our homes to match the renewal in nature. Whether your nest is a small apartment or a sprawling Victorian pile, there are ways to bring the outdoors inside, add pops of colour and create a new look without spending a lot of time or money.
“Little things can affect big change,” said Carol Krell, of A First Impression by Carol. She recommends starting outside, on the porch and moving room by room to create a new look.
“Hang a bright, floral wreath on the door and add a pot of icicle pansies for a quick bit of colour. In your entry, add a brightly coloured floor mat.”
Susan Jory, of Susan Jory Interiors, advises starting with a few questions.
“How much do you want to spend? Where do you live?”
In a small place, you can still make seasonal changes, but you might opt for three small potted plants for a shelf or sill rather than a large floor fern.
“What I want most when the weather turns warm is to bring the outside in,” Jory said. “Put herbs on the windowsill and make the place bright. Plants are an amazing way to do that no matter how much you want to spend.”
Indoor plants are also on-trend these days.
“They ’re fashionable again,” said Jory. “Change your pots to a big basket or all white pots, or brightly coloured ones.”
Natural textures, such as rattan and bamboo, are also a good way to achieve the indoor/outdoor look with accessories, such as mats, trays, small tables or chairs, or home office supplies.
“Bamboo is prominent,” Krell said.
“You see it in accessories, lamp bases, even cushions and corded rope balls.”
Also hot and easy to find are floral and foliage patterns in items such as pillows, drapery panels and kitchenware.
“Pillows change a room for not very much money,” Jory said.
“Switch out your rugs and art for the season,” she added.
Alternating such pieces also allows you to try new colours without a big financial commitment.
Pantone’s Greenery is the designer colour for 2017, promoted as being “back in everything from spring to emerald” hues.
Test your love of green in small amounts with plants, or go bigger with an area carpet or feature wall.
“Painting doesn’t take a long time and can make a dramatically different look,” said Jory. “I think, as I look outside, that every colour found in nature goes with the Pantone colour of the year.”
Krell agreed. “It is such a beautiful time of year — so vibrant,” she said. “You want to bring it into the house. Go into any decorating store and you’ll see bright colours. Tie in a feature wall in the living room with cushions and pillows in a bright colour.”
Paint the wall or paper it in a floral or oversized leaf pattern. “There are great wallpapers now to suit your mood,” Krell said. “Graphic and nature patterns are so popular right now. Bring in accent pieces that don’t cost a lot to bring out the colours in the paper.”
Krell also likes to transplant some of those outside colours indoors with blossoms from the garden — forsythia, tulips and hyacinths. If you don’t have a garden, nurseries, home centres and grocery stores offer plenty of options. “Put some in each room,” she said.
Look in the magazines, Pinterest and HGTV and you’ll see designers pairing spring pinks, yellow, lilac, and corals with all kinds of greens.
“Pink is quite big right now,” said Krell. “Blues of the sky and water are still very involved in the decorating world, especially when used with silvers. Warm metals sing with silver. Pink gold is stunning with greens. Navy blue is coming back. It looks good with gold and rope.”
After you’ve done your spring cleaning, pack up the duvet and wool throws. “Switching out your duvet and cover for a white chenille blanket, with some fun nature-inspired pillows would freshen up the bedroom,” said Jory. “Take the curtains down and put sheers up.”
Krell suggested tone-on-tone, whites and nature patterns for new draperies: “It will really change the feel of a room. Swap out heavier bed linens for lighter ones in colour and weight.”
Slipcovers offer a method of brightening your decor, but they can be more of an investment than pillows.
Jory said the Hudson’s Bay Great North look is having a moment in the spotlight as people want to celebrate the country’s 150th anniversary. Indoors or on your deck/ balcony, add some camping pieces for a cool Canadiana atmosphere.
Acrylic glasses and plates make dining outdoors stress-free and are available in lively patterns and upbeat colours.
“Make space to bring in new pieces,” said Krell. “Three to four stunning pieces will create a beautiful look in a room. Choose something you love and work from there. Keep it simple. You don’t want people to be overwhelmed. You want them to walk in and feel relaxed.”
There are great wallpapers now to suit your mood. Graphic and nature patterns are so popular right now.