A few well-placed accessories will give your home a fresh look
By Kimberly Dijkstra
Spring represents growth and renewal—and it’s the perfect time to rejuvenate your home after a long, drab winter. It doesn’t take much to make your space feel brand-new. A new throw pillow here or a new light fixture there will help you shake off the frost and let you enter the season with style.
The runway offers great inspiration for trendy hues even in home décor. Pantone, the global color authority, has released the Fashion Color Report for spring 2015, naming Marsala the shade of the year. The rich, red-brown hue brings warmth into a home interior. In small doses, it can help ground a room when combined with cooler and softer choices.
The Pantone Spring 2015 color palette illustrates how well the soft, cool tones mix with nature-like neutrals and understated brights. Scuba Blue, Lucite Green and Custard stand out among this soothing spring spectrum. These shades can be added to any room in a variety of ways to infuse some spring into the atmosphere.
New floral arrangements welcome in the season like nothing else. Select an unusual container such as this Old Havana pitcher from Anthropologie and fill it with blooming flowers from your garden or a local flower shop. Your home will instantly feel transformed and revived. For blooms that will last you through the season, consider realistic silk flowers. These pink hydrangeas from Sophia Home Accents & Design in Roslyn add a soft springy elegance to a room in the Strawberry Ice color range Pantone recommends.
A decorative screen can add a large splash of color to a dull room. This Eve Panel Screen with nail detailing by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is a great addition. Gray doesn’t have to be a dreary color; it can actually inject a light, airy quality into a room. Pantone Glacier Gray is timeless and unobtrusive. It settles into the background, allowing the room’s accent colors to stand out.
One of the simplest things you can do to brighten a room is to add a few new throw pillows. Designer Carol Konigsberg of Langsam Rubin Interiors in Oyster Bay said: “The addition of new decorative pillows can make a refreshing impact on how each room looks. Have fun with…the variety of fabrics that are available, from pleather to faux fur, vinylized looks, geometric patterns, embroidered and novelty, all make exciting accent pieces.” Use silk pillows to inject luxury and depth and fun patterns, such as polka dots, to bring a playful feel to a space. Throw pillows from Mells Karon Fabric in Roslyn will accomplish just that.
“This spring we’re moving forward with a renewed sense of comfort,” said Bob Williams of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams in Manhasset. This Triangle Floor Pillow, introduced as part of their spring collection, will add comfort to any living room.
Embrace the season by swapping out an area rug for something lighter and floral—or jump in feet first by making vivid Tangerine the spotlight of your room. This Dover Mandarin Rag Rug from Crate & Barrel shoos away the winter blues with a vengeance.
Changing a lampshade is an easy way to subtly alter the feel of a room. Select a thin linen fabric that allows more light flow throughout the room. Another way to magnify the light is to hang a large mirror directly across from the most substantial light source, preferably a window. The mirror will reflect the natural light, as well as the beautiful outdoor views, which also enhance feng shui.
Konigsberg recommends taking a transitional approach to decorating. “Put some away and take some out.” This advice particularly applies to artwork. “Hanging artwork will make a huge difference in your home,” she said. Infuse shades of green into a room with the Silver Morning watercolor print by artist Marilee Krause found at Crate & Barrel in Manhasset.
If blue is more your color, consider the soft and rich shades in the tranquil blocks of the graphic wall art available at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Artwork should showcase your personal taste and make you feel good about your space.
Keep style in mind when you begin spring cleaning to ensure the process is enjoyable, not boring. These Glacier Grey decorative canisters from Artifacts Gallery (516-304-5883) in Manhasset will help you unclutter your kitchen and stay organized.
Enjoy shopping around the neighborhood and choosing pieces that communicate springtime to you.
Sprucing up for spring does not have to be a difficult project. Enjoy shopping around the neighborhood and choosing pieces that communicate springtime to you. Before you know it, your home will reflect the beauty of the season.
