Small changes produce fresh spring look

We Bay Area folks deserve a medal for patience. After too many weeks of rain and cloudy skies, spring is finally here. Now that the sunshine is upon us, I think we all feel better. Spring often inspires people to lighten things up at home and make some changes to their decor. These decorating tips will help you achieve a fresh look for the season.

• All of that sunshine can make you notice cobwebs and dust you didn't even know you had, so the first thing would be to do some spring cleaning. Clean the dust off of your ceiling fan blades, baseboards, window blinds and the tops of bookcases and refrigerators. To let in maximum light, now is also the time to have those windows cleaned. Don't forget about cleaning light fixtures-- globes and light bulbs can collect dust too.
  
  
• If you have heavy draperies, remove them temporarily, leaving just the sheers at the windows. This will give your living room an airy feeling. As the weather turns chilly again, the draperies will bring a cozy, warm feeling back into your room.
  
  
• Have you noticed the beautiful new colors this spring? Clean, crisp greens, blues, pinks and corals are everywhere. What makes them unique this year is the pairing of these brighter colors with earth tones of chocolate brown, tan and beige. One of my new favorite color schemes is aqua blue paired with dark brown. It is gorgeous.
  
  
• Natural elements are always welcome accessories, no matter the season. For spring, fill clear glass vases, bowls or hurricanes with grasses, reeds, pebbles, or shells. Fresh flowers look beautiful anywhere, but are especially appealing in your kitchen, entry and bathroom.
  
  
• New linens can freshen up any kitchen or dining room. Treat yourself to some new placemats and napkins. I saw a beautiful, yet simple, table arrangement in the Pottery Barn catalog with green linen napkins, crisp white dishes, and a centerpiece of green apples in a large clear glass vase. At each place setting there was also a small container of white flowers. Lovely for a friendly lunchtime gathering.
  
  
• White dishes are a very versatile kitchen accessory. Everyone should have a set. They can be dressed up with white linens and crystal for elegant dinner parties, or dressed down with colorful linens, glasses and flatware for casual get-togethers.
  
  
• New linens can also freshen up your bedroom. Replace flannel sheets and heavy comforters with crisp cotton sheets and coverlets. Light colors like white, butter yellow and robin's egg blue are ideal for spring.
  
  
• Bathrooms are fun to change with the seasons. Because they are usually small, it is not difficult or expensive to change towels, artwork and accessories. Fluffy white towels, neutral colors and natural elements like shells and sea sponges can give a bath a calm, fresh, spa feeling. Bright vibrant colors such as lime green, hot pink and teal can give a bath a playful, whimsical feeling.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on May 13, 2006.

Go back to the list of decorating columns.

All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna Jacoby.