FROM SPRING TO SUMMER
Seasonal adjustments make for a happy home
It’s one of my favorite times of year. These beautiful days of spring (which arrived in March) and lead into the first days of summer (arriving in June). I find that the change of seasons is more a state of mind than anything else. A slight change in perspective. An important one. For me this time of year brings back happy memories of carefree days at the end of the school that meant summer vacation and the beach. h As an interior decorator, I always encourage my clients to acknowledge the seasonal changes, as subtle as they may be. It’s a good time to make a few healthy adjustments in our homes to mark the new season. They can be as easy as a new front door mat and plants for your entry to trying a beautiful wallcovering in a powder room. h The forecast for this season is bright and bold. Give it a try with a few of my tips. They go from easy ones that you can do now to a few that require a little more planning and investment. All are fun and will make you happy to come home this season. And that’s what we all want, right?
Do these first
Deep spring cleaning. Baseboards, cabinets, the dreaded dusting, organizing.
Declutter. If you don’t need it in your home, donate it. Sometimes it’s painful to say goodbye to something that meant a lot to someone else. Remember: your home is not a storage garage for other’s memories. If you find decluttering to be overwhelming, start with a junk drawer (we all have at least one) or a section of your closet (shoes).
Pick a few of these
New artwork.
Pop color into a room with a collection of painted shutters on a wall.
Plants in colorful pots or grape leaves baskets.
Flowers in a pretty vase.
Spring doormat.
Colorful garden stool.
New color for front door (try a pretty blue or green).
Style your fireplace mantle for spring. Style coffee table with new accessories (a book or two, vase with flowers, bowl of shells or colorful glass balls) on a pretty tray.
Set a pretty spring table: dishes, napkins, accessories. This does not have to be a huge expense. Try a flea market or big box store to pick up trendy colors and a fun, new look.
Fill a bowl with one of these: shells, sea glass, lemons, green apples.
Try a new scented candle or diffuser. New sheets and pillow cases in a pretty color or spring pattern.
Create a bar cart. It can be a traditional cart or on a table top. Ice bucket, colorful glasses, pretty napkins, umbrellas for drinks, flowers.
Add a vintage piece to a room.
Put a colorful runner in the kitchen. Replace lampshades with a color or crisp white.
Change a few accessories for something bright and cheerful: pillows, pretty books, lanterns, candles, baskets.
Make a list of projects
Change outdated hardware in kitchen or bathroom. Add a new light fixture over dining or over your eat-in table.
Refresh baseboards with a fresh coat of paint.
Want to try a new color but not sure if you are ready to make a commitment? Paint the ceiling or trim to see how you like it. Or call a decorator. We are really good at color!
Tired of an old coffee table? Replace it with a colorful ottoman and use a tray for accessories.
Happy spring! Happy summer! Only 236 days until Christmas!
Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network based in Bonita Springs, Florida. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog