Are you as tired of winter as I am? I get so excited when I see daffodils popping up all over the place. As the temperatures rise, I get a bigger case of Spring Fever everyday.
With every change of season I get an itch to "Stage" my home's décor. Just like I change my wardrobe to reflect the season, I also try to change my home. As fall and winter approached, I changed to spice-scented candles, heavier fabrics for window coverings, thick blankets for my bed and pinecones and winter berries replaced my florals. I was thrilled to add touches of the winter season throughout my house, but now I am ready to Stage the house for Spring!
Spring is rapidly approaching and the warmer temperatures invite wonderful décor ideas on the inside and outside of the home. Before changing anything for Spring Staging, the first thing that must be done is SPRING CLEANING! That is right - those dusty baseboards, light fixtures, windows and windowsills all need a thorough cleaning. Get out the rags and dust mops and go to town eradicating dust bu
nnies and spider webs. As the sun begins to shine those fingerprints on the walls and dust on the baseboards become very apparent. I had a friend last week who started cleaning and ended up painting two rooms in her home to shake off the winter blahs. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is just what is needed.
Once the cleaning is over, take stock of all that you have displayed. Can you lighten and brighten anywhere? Maybe change out throw pillows for something with a lighter color or spring theme? What about your linens? Is it time to change out the heavy comforters for lightweight quilts? Can you lighten up on the window treatments a bit? Light-weight fabrics on the windows will allow the sunshine you let in to invigorate and inspire you to lighten the load of your winter décor.
How about those candles? The scents of Christmas are not what you want to smell when you are planning your garden. Good scents for spring are anything floral or citrus. If it smells like something that will grow outside, chances are that will be a good scent for spring. Spring is all about the anticipation of new growth that sprouts from the decay of winter.
As the temperatures rise, we are drawn like magnets to the outdoors. It might be a little early still to plant flowers, but if you feel you must plant - keep it to containers that you can bring in at night in case of a frost. You get a punch of color and life, but aren't sacrificing planting too early - what a great compromise!
The one way to say "spring" louder than any other accessory is with flowers. There is nothing more spring-like than a bouquet of daffodils or tulips. That burst of color and fresh scent gives your home or office a dual sensory lift. Lilacs will be coming soon and the Forsythia bushes are starting to bloom. Trim off a couple of Forsythia branches, put in a vase and viola - instant appeal for spring!
There are countless ways to update for spring. If you would like more information and a live demonstration, attend the staging workshop, Stage It for Spring, held on March 26 at 7pm. The workshop is located at Whitt's End, Home and Garden in Cool Springs Plaza. It is free to the public and refreshments will be served. Discover some easy and affordable ways to Stage for Spring in your home!
As seen in The News Enterprise, Homes Section, March 20, 2009
Stage It For Spring
