Changing the clocks yesterday has us in the mood to make other changes in preparation for spring. Whether or not it looks like spring outside your windows yet, here are a few things you can do to bring the new season into your home…
1 - Switch out your artwork. Of course wall art need not be seasonal, but in certain spaces with a tendency to be dull—home office, bathroom—it might be nice to hang a few temporary prints with a springlike feel. Try one of these $40 silkscreens from Portland-based The Creative Force For Efficiency and Morale (spotted on {frolic!}).
2- Bring in some spring flowers. Poppies are amazing—buy them totally closed and watch them all open up within a day or two. If that doesn't get you in the mood for spring, you might want to sleep for six more weeks...
3 - Consider a bedding swap. Sometimes in spring and summer we like to dress our bed with just a simple white duvet and a lightweight throw in a bright color. Or if you want something with a little texture, the organic cotton pin-tucked duvet from West Elm, pictured above, is cloudlike and fluffy (and not super expensive, at $99 for a full/queen).
4 - Try a new set of dishes. We like to shuffle ours around throughout the year. Anthropologie can always be counted on for springlike tableware, like these Pennycress dishes. (If only strawberries were already in season!)
5 - Invest in a new houseplant and a pretty pot. There's no better way to bring vitality to a room. Palms have a relaxed, luxurious feel about them—perfect for spring—and certain varieties love to grow indoors. Ask your local nursery for recommendations.
Aside from the apocryphal cleaning, how do you like to "spring forward" in your home?
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Comments (8)
I'm actually in the process of moving which, by default, means that there's gonna be a whole lotta cleanin' goin' on. That said, I'm pretty excited about it's being spring--time for more sunshine and warm weather. Plus, this is the first place I've ever lived where our landlord encourages us to paint the walls and personalize the house. It's going to be an amped-up version of spring cleaning in our house this year. You can be sure that, along with a few new house plants and flowers, I'll be on AT looking for advice on paint colors, new furniture and and new decor!
Harlie - You must be the luckiest renter around!
I definitely think that freshening up artwork can make a great deal of difference especially after a long winter cooped up indoors. I also find that getting some seeds started for the vegetable garden can really lift my mood. By the way, if there are any Canadians reading I still have a couple of seed packets available here.
Thanks so much for featuring the work of The Creative Force!
For a peak into our working process and MFA projects, check out our personal blogs
www.eatingisart.blogspot.com
www.plainmadedesign.com
We hope the prints are uplifting!
Wash your basic bedding: duvets, duvet covers, mattress pads, etc. I took all of my down bedding to a commercial laundry the other weekend and did a huge load; it is great to have it all nice and clean. I put my bed pillows out in the bright sun to fluff up/air out; makes a noticeable difference. If you can launder curtains and some small rugs, do those as well. A really clean house is good anytime of year, but especially in the early spring.
I'm looking forward to cleaning out the basement, opening the windows, and spending more time outside with my dog.
I like Sydney's idea of airing the bedding in the sun. I think I'll do the same with our area rugs.
Jennifer S. -- I absolutely am! I couldn't believe it when I asked about painting and the response was so positive. My fiance has been laughing at how excited I am and how I insisted we go and look at paint swatches right away.
Plants, plants, and more plants.
To me, spring symbolises life...
so invite fresh living plants into your home to mirror the outdoors!
I especially love my flowering plants this time of year.
I would be happier that spring were on its way if it weren't -25C with a windchill of -34C today. That said, on the weekend I bought some outrageous fabric in pink, green and brown for curtain panels and will gaze at that while enjoying the later sunset this evening.