Ode to Spring Decorating

By Nanette Catarinella

Winter may lurk outside your window, but spring is just around the corner. It’s time to begin thinking about lightening up your home’s interior to reflect the changing season.

Warm weather décor is about bringing the outdoors in with sheer fabrics, pretty florals and garden elements. Here are a few simple ideas to help you “spring ahead.”

Flower Power – Time to toss those dusty silk floral arrangements and replace with fresh, live spring bouquets. The life expectancy for quality silks is three to five years maximum! Treat yourself to a few bunches of daffodils and tulips in shades of yellow and pink. Use floral china and white ironstone pitchers in simple shapes for your containers. Set out a favorite gardening book on the coffee table for inspiration.

Lighten Up - Remove heavy window treatments, afghan throws and dark area rugs. Use filmy sheers on windows, cotton or silk throws. Leave floors bare or use casual, neutral sisal for an outdoorsy feeling. Replace heavy down bedding with a light weight matalasse bed cover and crisp white cotton sheets.

Room with a View – Change the focus of your furniture placement from the fireplace to a picture window with an outdoor view. Position a conversation grouping facing a garden or patio. As soon as the weather permits, fill the outdoor space with pretty potted plants and flowers to attract butterflies and birds for an ever changing display of nature’s creatures.

Clean Sweep – Nothing clears out winter’s stuck energy like a good spring cleaning. Open the windows and let in some fresh air. Put on some lively music, get out the cleaning supplies and go to it. Spring is a time of renewal. A good deep cleaning including clearing out excess clutter makes room for new things in your home and in your life.
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Nanette Catarinella, owner of Room Styles Interiors, is an award-winning interior re-designer, home staging specialist and Certified Staging Professional trainer. For more information call 412-351-2525 or visit the web site at: www.RoomStylesInteriors.com