Spring Cleansing

After the long winter months filled with endless hours of grey and darkness, spring has finally arrived! The flowers are blooming and birds are singing to the joys of this inviting season. Everything has a lightness about it, so why not bring this feeling into your home environment?

One of the most dramatic and economical ways to freshen up any room is by painting. Paint colors are updated by paint manufacturers and often follow color trends seen on fashion runways and in style and decorating magazines. For a smaller room such as a powder room, select a color that is currently “in”. I also love to use small spaces to get a “wow” impact, painting them in dark rich colors such as Authentic Home COLOR Paint™ Milk Chocolate or Plum. Determine which, and how many, rooms to paint and then select colors that will complement each other and provide room flow. Spring decorating starts with crisp and clean colors. I suggest a clean yet warm blue such as Glacier or a soft green like Lemongrass. Hire a professional color consultant if you are spending too much time deciding on colors, or you know ahead of time that selecting paint colors is just not your “thing”. It is much easier to build upon a paint color palette for your entire home when considering future interior projects.

Spring freshness lends itself to cleansing or, in other words, spring cleaning! It is a great time to get rid of “stuff” whether it is furniture, accessories or rugs. Let go! If you have something that you’ve never really liked in your home, then chances are you won’t ever like it, so it is time to get rid of it. Someone else will want it and love having it in their home. Don’t be afraid to let go of something that is taking energy from you and from your room.

After you have painted your rooms, it is time to accessorize. Try lightening up a dark sofa or chair with light colored slip covers, or add a new area rug in lighter neutral tones. If your budget allows, have custom shades or draperies made in a neutral material and color.Update lampshades with colored or neutral tones and current shapes, such as a drum style. Add light color candles and fresh spring flowers which will brighten up any room.

The rule of thumb I always use is “Less is More”. It is a great reminder when cleansing one’s home in preparation for any season or occasion.

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