Daily Southtown

HOPPING INTO SPRING

Creative and stylish ways to bring a touch of seasonal charm into your home

- By Katie Laughridge

With the arrival of spring comes a renewed sense of energy and joy, and what better way to celebrate the season than by incorporat­ing playful and charming seasonal touches into your home decor? For me, spring decor brings the arrival of fresh florals and of course, bushels of bunnies. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit after all, according to the Chinese zodiac, making it an especially auspicious time to add the adorable creatures to your interior design.

Sprucing up your space with bunnies and florals is a whimsical way to create a fun and fresh springtime atmosphere in any room. Endless possibilit­ies exist for incorporat­ing them into your decor, from figurines and wall art to textiles and dinnerware. Here are some creative and stylish ways to bring a touch of springtime charm to your home.

There’s a bunny for every style

Although the origins of the Easter bunny are somewhat shrouded in mystery, one theory is the symbol of the rabbit stems from the festival of Eostre, a pagan tradition celebratin­g a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny (please forgive this religious studies minor as she geeks out just a “hare”).

Wherever they come from originally, rabbits as decor are available in all forms. In varying sizes, they range from elegant white ceramic, to detailed and delicate bronze, to whimsical and wooden. No matter your personal style, I truly believe there is a bunny to match — which leads me to my next point.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking anything will do for spring decor. Take your time and find pieces that truly resonate with you and that you will love to use year after year. Those bunnies and eggs that you display will look a lot more natural and “at home” in your space if they stick with the style to which you ordinarily gravitate.

Once you find a rabbit (or two) you love, it’s time to display it! If you are looking to create a sweet Easter or spring vignette with your bunny as the shining star, start by placing a large rabbit in the center and add smaller items around it, such as candles, vases of flowers or even decorative eggs. You can also use bunny-shaped objects, such as ceramic bowls or candle

holders, to add a playful touch to your display.

Make rabbits the center of your table

Spring can bring a dizzying array of get-togethers, and the table is a fun place to set the scene for all the festivitie­s during the upcoming months. For an effortless springtime table, I like to keep a main centerpiec­e and rotate decor and each place setting around it. The centerpiec­e can be as simple or elaborate as you like, and you can add different elements to it as the season progresses.

Ginger jars, statement bunnies and greenery fill the center of the table at above right, with bunny dishes nestled among them. For now, little brass bunnies rest in nests of greenery at each place setting atop a stack of sweet dishes. After Easter, they might be replaced with little birds or other natural elements to round out the season.

The tabletop at bottom far right proves springtime

doesn’t have to be all about pastels. This tablescape takes a less expected approach with citrus tones that pair perfectly with our beloved blue and white. White ceramic rabbits are the perfect addition; they look absolutely at home among the fine floral dishes and blooms, and their monochroma­tic color keeps the arrangemen­t from looking too busy.

On decorating for Easter and spring

One thing to keep in mind when decorating for Easter and spring in general is you don’t have to go overboard with decor — a few new stems and a bunny or two can go a long way.

But I know some that take this time of year as an opportunit­y to start fresh with their decor — literally. If you’re looking to incorporat­e more springtime touches around the house, consider swapping out darker, heavier textiles like throws and throw pillows for lighter and brighter options, or exchanging a few pieces of art on the wall with something botanical and full of life.

Don’t leave out the outdoors when it comes to refreshing for spring. Adding seasonal touches to your patio or outdoor living space is a great way to encourage use of the space as the days get longer and warmer. New outdoor furniture might be in order, or maybe a few new

Make an impact with tropical florals

Tulips are one of the most beloved flowers of spring, with their vibrant colors and delicate petals. These versatile flowers can be used in a variety of ways, from centerpiec­es and bouquets to wreaths and garlands. With their simple beauty and versatilit­y, tulips are a must-have for any spring decor.

Incorporat­ing bold tropical stems with

delicate traditiona­l florals is a great way to add dimension and interest to your arrangemen­ts. In the display at top right, tulips, hydrangeas and drooping floral stems are the monochroma­tic base from which tropical greenery bursts. Monstera leaves and spiky palm fronds are mixed throughout, providing visual interest on all sides of the piece. The end result? Stunning bouquets that retain their refined New Traditiona­l feel while still feeling fresh.

 ?? ?? This tablescape takes a less expected approach with pops of citrus tones that pair perfectly with blue and white.
outdoor pillows will do.
This tablescape takes a less expected approach with pops of citrus tones that pair perfectly with blue and white. outdoor pillows will do.
 ?? COURTESY PHOTOS ?? Spring can bring a dizzying array of get-togethers, and the table is a fun place to set the scene for all the festivitie­s during the upcoming months.
COURTESY PHOTOS Spring can bring a dizzying array of get-togethers, and the table is a fun place to set the scene for all the festivitie­s during the upcoming months.
 ?? ?? With their simple beauty and versatilit­y, tulips are a must-have for any spring decor.
With their simple beauty and versatilit­y, tulips are a must-have for any spring decor.
 ?? ?? At this table, ginger jars, statement rabbits and greenery fill the center of the table.
At this table, ginger jars, statement rabbits and greenery fill the center of the table.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States