SPRING REFRESH

A SPRING REFRESH

I’ve long believed that your home should be a place surrounded by things you love.  Spring is here and it’s time for a little refresh. OUT with the old and unnecessary and IN with items that make you happy, organized and have function.

Give Your Exterior a Facelift. 

The front door is the first thing people see when they arrive to your home (black is still the reigning color.) If yours seems a little tired, think about a new coat of paint or maybe some new hardware. Swapping out old house numbers can be a game changer. Choose something simple and easy to read.  Drive around a beautiful neighborhood and look and see what appeals to you.  Then add a new doormat, a mailbox, some pretty planters and whaaala! By the way, I think I could love the idea of ordering plants from Amazon – they just show up at my door,,, doesn’t get too much easier than that!

                

     

Click on each item to purchase:  (House numbers- Amazon $14,$8)  (Rubber Doormat- Amazon $26) (Steel Mailbox- Amazon $31) (Live Preserved Boxwood Ball- Amazon $150) (Live Boxwood Bush- Amazon $50) (Live Bobo Hydrangea Shrub- Amazon $37) (Live Hydrangea Wedding Shrub- Amazon $34) (Medium Plastic Planter- Amazon $90) (Large Plastic Planter- $154) (Live New Guinea Impatiens Plants- Amazon $24) (Fairfield 20″ Planter- Amazon $111) (8 Starter English Ivy Plants- Amazon $26)

Close by is the garage. While I don’t spend much time in mine other than parking, many do. Because the garage houses so many things – from gardening items, to tools, to sports equipment – decluttering and simple organization will transform this area.  I think it’s important to get as much off the ground as possible. Grab a wire shelf and add bins (closed for things to hide and open for things often used). Here are a few suggestions to help to you get started:

     

       

         

Click on each item to purchase:  (4 Pack of 20 gallon Utility Totes- Amazon $93) (6′ Adjustable Metal Shelving Unit- Amazon $136) (6 Open Storage Bins- $43) (Sport Equipment Organizer- Amazon $40) (2 Bike Rack- Amazon $25) (12 Pack of Heavy Duty Garage Hooks- Amazon $28) (Wall Mount Tool Organizer- Amazon $25) (50 ft. Expandable Garden Hose- Amazon $46) (50 ft. outdoor Extension Cord- Amazon $15) (UE Boom Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker- Amazon $97)

(p.s. I added my favorite speaker because you are going to need music while mastering all of these tasks)

Now Let’s Go Inside

A house refresh doesn’t need to cost a lot. Just by rearranging and reorganizing it can give you a feeling of new. It might be as simple as switching items from room to room –  swapping chairs or even moving /adding rugs.  Another way to breathe new life into a room is through new pillows and fabrics. 

Take the the Dining Room for Example. 

Take your old dated dining room set and swap out the fabric on the chairs… here are a few for inspiration.

Next add a new lamp/lamps to the buffet and maybe even pick up new end chairs – so everything doesn’t look so much like a “set.”

If you have a dining cabinet, this needs attention. Start by taking everything out and going through what you really like and use. Let’s make this a place of pretty and function. I believe if you have something use it. Stack your china and bring out your stem ware for easy access and USE IT. Take the good silver out of the box and place it on shelves  (again for easy access.) Vases… we all have too many and they are tucked in the back of a cabinet. Choose 3 or 4 and put them front and center. If you can see it, you are more likely to use it. Then arrange things in a more modern way –  stacks and layers!  I grew up in a house where my mother made a “nice dinner” every night and we ate in the dining room. We actually all spoke about the events of the day and had real conversations with each other lol.  My mother used her nice things and if they broke she replaced them. While my house is filled with hockey, lacrosse and football practices at different times – it is nice to all sit down and share a meal when you can. I really believe a nicely set table sets the tone for real conversation.

   

Click on each item to purchase: (Alabaster Table Lamp- Amazon $119) (Crystal Table Lamp- Amazon $234)

On to the Living Room

We all know that I love to accessorize a coffee table (it’s one of my favorite things.) It’s a great way to combine function and personality. A good coffee table refresh can instantly give an old table and the whole room new life.  You know a good tray is always where I begin. I like to add a few books (choose ones that speak to your interests) and then sprinkle in cool objects that reflect your personality. Oh and grab one of those vases from your dining room and go to Trader Joe’s for flowers. Here are examples and a few suggestions.

(a little before & after of one I recently refreshed for someone)

 

 

   

   

Click on each item to purchase: (Black Shagreen Tray- Amazon $207) (Set of 2 Leather Nesting Trays- Amazon $140) (Off White Shagreen Tray- Amazon $206) (Tom Ford 002 Book- Amazon $75) (Black Tom Ford Book- Amazon $75) (Gucci Book- Amazon $63) (Vanity Fair Book- Amazon $44) (Louis Vuitton Book- Amazon $95) (AD 100 Book- Amazon $88) (Life & Work Book- Amazon $74) (Move & Work Book- Amazon $74) (Marble Tic Tac Toe- Amazon $65) (Acrylic Book Stand- Amazon $49) (Agate Coasters- Amazon $38) (LSA Little Host Bowl- Amazon $59)

PILLOWS…  I have a pillow problem. I love them! Adding new pillows is such an easy refresh. Make sure they are down filled and have a zipper closure. I love to mix patterns. You can add just a few new to blend with what you have … and and if done right, it will change the whole vibe. Here are a few I think you can’t go wrong with:

 

Click on each pillow to purchase from DV Kap – different sizes available and prices will depend on size: (Bergman- Midas) (Brix- Truffle) (Wild Side) (Brix-Haze) (Aura- Navy) (Flintstone- Midnight) (Uffizzi- Carbon) (Ruolan- Cumin) (Upstate- Silver)

 Kitchen Time

We all know it will need a spring cleaning. Time to purge things you don’t use and focus on organizing and taking inventory of what you have and what you need. I did this not too long ago and realized I had 4 sets of dishes … WHY?  I said good bye to two sets and was amazed at how much extra room I had. I could see everything in my cupboards.  Next up glasses. I am always amazed at how people have random glasses –  2 or 3 from a set that has perished. Take stock of what you use most and go buy full sets! 12 water glasses, 8 juice glasses, 8-12 wine and don’t forget my favorite old fashion glasses.

      

Click on each item to purchase: (Set of 4 Crystal Water Glasses- Amazon $60) (Set Of 4 Juice Glasses- Amazon $22) ( Set of 4 Crystal Wine Glasses- Amazon $54) (Set of 4 Old Fashion Glasses- Amazon $56)

Your island is another easy way to transform your kitchen. Spring is here and we will have lots of fresh fruit and fresh produce. A few pretty bowls and that’s it. Put the junk in a junk drawer.  Oh, and I’m all about a cake stand…. that (with some fun treats) is all you need next to your bowls. Add new dish towels and fresh kitchen soap around the sink. Last, take stock of your pans, utensils, and storage containers. Remember less is MORE! I realized I don’t need 8 cookie sheets and 10 spatulas… and don’t get me started on my glass tupperware! Too much of all of this stuff just become dust collectors…. better to have less and really use what you have!

     

     

Click on each item to purchase: (Set of 3 Milk Glass Bowls- Amazon $70) (9″ Milk Glass Cake Stand- Amazon $68) (Set of 6 Kitchen Towels- Amazon $25) (Set of 6 Assorted Kitchen Towels- Amazon $24) (Hand Soap Dispenser 2-Pack- Amazon $17) (Method Hand Wash Refill Pack of 4- Amazon $30) (18 Piece Glass Food Containers- Amazon $30)

This is really about tidying up your space and saying out with the old and unused and hello to a few new accents and accessories. 

Happy Spring Refresh!