This is from our first DC finalist, Rachael. Comment away!

The cherry blossoms are about to bloom in DC: does this inspire you to
sneeze and duck for cover, or reenergize your home decor? One idea is to create a cherry blossom themed reading nook. Cherry blossom products are not just for the throngs of tourists flocking to DC and they're not necessarily in pink, white and green. Below are some decorating tips to bring the beauty of the tidal basin into your home...
Cherry Blossom Stencils for your walls. I especially love these at
Henny Donovan.

Gorgeous Cherry Blossom pillow cases from Scandinavian Design.
Cherry Blossom and bird pillows in different colors at Etsy.

Japanese paper beautiful for framing and covering household items:
Items shown in photos:
- pink chair from Theodore's (www.theodores.com);
- black stool from Reincarnations Furnishings;
- fabric from Urban Outfitters - on sale;
- lamp from Ikea;

- Midori nesting gift boxes, good for storing and organizing (available at Romantic Flowers)
- books: Pink by Barbara Nemitz; The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration by Anne McLellan
- Rachael G.
(Thanks, Rachael!)

Reader Vote:
i love the pillow.
go dc!
view 335ktt's profile
Rachel, I like how you've incorprated local elements into apartment design and how your post is really unique to the DC area. Even though I'm not so much of a fan of pink flowery things as decor for my own apt, I can appreciate your creativity! Good luck!
view amendoza215's profile
I like chinoiserrie and florals, but I dislike every example of "cherry blossoms" above, save the bird-and-pussy-willow pillow. Might be because I am not fond of pink. Not sure...
I much prefer less sugary sweet cherry blossoms, like this ginger jar at Gumps: http://www.gumps.com/jump.jsp?itemID=9195&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=cherry
Or this modernist take on the blossoms at Wrappables:
http://www.wrapables.com/jsp/ProductConfig.jsp?ProductCode=B58274&cate3=020301&intpromo=B58274_BED_030308ProductCode=C52063&prodlist=nextag
view kimg924's profile
love cherry blossom season here, despite the crowds...
view d in dc's profile
Congrats Rachel and best of luck to you. I, too, am a District resident, and look forward to more local flavor here on AT. This is just loverly.
Toni Annette
view toniannette's profile
go DC!
Still, maybe we could have some local sources? There are lots of great places for patterned paper like that -- PaperSource in Georgetown, for example, or Plaza in Foggy Bottom -- and for antique prints and asian furniture (Eastern Market? the flea market in clarendon?). Not to mention even Urban Outfitters and DWR. I think we can do better than amazon and etsy! What's the point of a local blog if nothing's local?
view JulesDC's profile
I'm not really understanding the photos at the bottom of this post with a bunch of cherry blossom related stuff on the floor.
I like the connection made between the Cherry Blossom festival in DC and the trend in decor but I don't think the post followed through with that.
view Laura's profile
Where is Plaza in Foggy Bottom?
view Pixie's profile
Plaza is an art supply store at k and 19th or 20th, second floor (it's near the washington sports club i think)
view d in dc's profile
Thanks for all your comments! To respond to some: the photos at the bottom are an in-progress cherry blossom themed reading nook.
Yes, Papersource in Georgetown has some fantastic cherry blossom handmade paper, books and stationary. I was just there this evening and noticed that the store has a much bigger variety of cherry blossom products than the website: http://www.paper-source.com/
Also, you can order any PaperSource product in any cherry blossom print they carry. Hope this helps and thanks again for your interest!
view rachael in dc's profile
Love Rachel's ideas! Any one of these would be such fun to incorporate into one's decor!
Barbie
view foxybarb's profile
off to a strong start! love the cherry blossom angle b/c it's timely, seasonal and has a distinct design sensibility.
view SD913's profile
great images- remind me of beauties of nature in so many different ordinary items! thanks, Rachael.
view scottjoplin's profile
Love the timely topic as well as the beautiful examples of cherry blossom home goods. Personally, I'm fond of pink.
view J-fer Rose's profile
So glad we finally have a DC section!! You did a GREAT job! I never would have thought of bringing in the Cherry Blossoms. Kudos to you!
view Sleek's profile
Hurray for d.c. posts! I watched the sun rise over the cherry blossoms at the tidal basin this morning--so lovely!
view gnking's profile
Way to go Rachael! AT:DC!!! YAY!
view STYLeyes's profile
I have that Joom pillow in green and get nothing but compliments for it.
view Eve in Hochelaga's profile
Yaaay DC. Welcome. I love the pillow. Looking forward to other DC posts.
view petworthdc's profile
Great post, and an inspiration to take on a seasonally-themed nook. So much like a Japanese tea room.
I have some cotton pink fabric and this is inspiring me to try my crafty hand at some cherry-blossom-style appliques on a pillow or a noren-type curtain for the door to my home office. I'll send in a picture when it's done.
Thanks!
view scormeny's profile
I really like that you chose something seasonal and specific to your area but I really think it would have been better to actual assemble the reading nook before posting pictures. Think of it as an excuse to finish something that you've (probably) been putting off.
view jick's profile
Great idea and beautiful images! I especially love the bird pillow and the stencils. Please post a photo of the reading nook when it's done--you've got a great concept there.
view gardendoc1957's profile
You really do have an excellent eye, Rachael! The pillows are quite lovely...
view umoja2003's profile
I love the color and visuals of the blossoms, but hate schlepping down to the memorials to see them. A fine compromise this is. Nice post Rachael!
view halleck23's profile
What a nice idea for decorating in DC! I love the Cherry Blossom theme for a reading nook. Keep up the good decor!
view kaylabriar2's profile
Great ideas Rachael!
I appreciate this creative approach, especially being a cherry blossom and DC enthusiast. I cannot wait to check out the resources you suggested. Looking forward to your future posts.
view ernieg's profile
Rachael,
these are some really creative ideas - especially the use of locally dominant themes. I really like how you think outside the box and come up with your ideas looking outside your own window.
keep up the great work - the research and the writing were both superb! Great post.
view jeffinto's profile
I love that pink chair and the cherry blossom theme!
view betatao's profile
Love the DC theme... Cherry Blossoms are lovely this time of the year, why not bring the colors indoors!
Barb
view foxybarb's profile
Nice work Rachael! It offers a lot of great ideas for different themes. Really like the layout.
view brendonweiss's profile
Urban Outfitters has a great-looking white resin cherry blossom wall hanging that would be nice on a dark wall.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=10&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=15658313&parentid=A_FURN_WALL&sortProperties= product.marketingPriority,-product.startDate&navCount=156&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=A_FURN_WALL&popId=APARTMENT_FURNISH&prepushId=
view monarda's profile
Um, aren't those pussy willows with the bird?
view monarda's profile