Spring Inspiration

With Christmas officially behind us, many of you will start to take down the beautiful decorations you were so kind to share, and start planning your brighter, and more cheery spring decor. Last year, I actually waited until February to take down my trees, because I was lacking in Spring inspiration ... so this year, it was on the top of my list to gather a few pictures, paints, and fabrics of inspiration for me, and for you in hopes to get the ball rolling.

Flowers are always a wonderful way to celebrate spring. Whether you were forcing bulbs this Christmas for flowers like paperwhites, and amarylis, or if you just can't pass up the early tulips in the super market this February, flowers are a wonderful way to breath the freshness of spring into any room.

Here, you see the mix of flowers and citrus fruits, a great spring display. For an alternative look, buy plastic lemons and limes at your local craft store, and layer them in a tall cylindrical vase. Then fill with water, and add fresh white tulips.

Slipcovers are a great option to help brighten up a room. But this picture also provides you with a great idea for window treatments. Let the light in! Take down those heavy curtains, and hang lighter bamboo or matchstick shades. If you have the luxury of plantation style blinds, open them up and let the sun shine in!

Break away from the idea of your traditional wooden side and coffee tables, and go clear. Glass or lucite tables will add an airy yet sophisticated touch to any room, and for not a great deal of money. This look will last you well into the fall!

For those of you not afraid of color, go big! A warm yellow or green would be a great way to brighten up that room, and change things up a bit!

For those of you a little more shy about color, perhaps this photo will give you the inspiration you need. See the canvas painted dusty purple above the console? What a great way to bring a trendy color into a traditional space? For the price of a canvas and some interior latex paint, you can add a sophisticated, trendy touch to your already beautiful room! Best thing, you can change the color for the seasons, just put another layer of paint on.

Bedrooms are relatively easy in changing from winter to spring. Invest in a white quilt or duvet cover for your current comforter. You'll add an instant brightness to the room that will work well into the winter months.

And lastly, layers! It's probably considered more of a fall-season decorating trick, but layers in the right tone can help set your room apart no matter the season. Slip covers over your existing dining chairs, vintage linen table cloths, even a showcase of your ironstone or transferware is a great way to layer spring into your existing palate.

Now, for those of you interested in my color predictions for 2009, take a peak:

I'm in love with the idea of using gray as a neutral. I said that in the fall of 2008, and I'll say it again. You simply can't go wrong. Whether you layer in creams and whites for a Gustavian style, or bright yellows and greens for a trendy contemporary flare, you'll be happy you went with gray.

Above, I paired Valspar paints (a great quality paint available at any Lowes Store), and Calico Corners Fabrics for a few mix and match styles you might want to take inspiration from this Spring. Calico Corners has high quality designer fabrics, many of them prices suitable for any decorating budget. Whether you are looking for a yard for throw pillows, or 30 yards for drapes - they have you covered!

The softer of the palate: Smoke Infusion (gray), Maple Cream (yellow), and Sea Breath (blue) would make for fantastic wall colors in any room. Popped with fabrics or colors of the remaining brighter hues: Awakening (green), Dusky Lavender, Carrot Cake, Powdered Peach, and Greenway.

The fabrics are available at larger views and purchase here. From the top:

• Soiree, leaf $21.99/yrd.
• Micheline Wisteria $20.99/yrd.
• Key West $14.99/yrd.
• Tarita, henna 100% silk at $91.99/yrd.
• Key West $14.99/yrd.
• Bengal, spring 100% silk at $42.99/yrd.

Please, send pictures of your spring transformations! I'd love to post them here.