Design Ideas for the New Season - Time to Spring Forward!

Room Design by Regan Baker Design, Wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler

Here are a few ideas to welcome spring, clean the clutter and change the view. 

Define multi-purpose rooms with wallpaper/paint color and rugs. 

With an open plan, you can define the areas with rugs (not too small please!) and feature walls. For example, wallpapering the wall in back of your dining table will help set a different mood for that area, even if it’s part of an open plan. Placing a large rug in your living area - preferably large enough to go under the chairs and part of the sofa - will make that space feel bigger.  The xxxxkelly w. wallpaper pictured above does a great job of creating a statement - and you don’t need to work too hard if you have an eye-catching starting point like this.

Focus on creating an impact in the for the most important views of your space.

You know that little logo I use? It represents the angle the viewer sees (Central Angle of Vision - CAV) . What is your central angle of vision when you walk in? Consider the first view you see when you walk into the room. Is it great? If not, rethink what you first see and put the less attractive items on the other side of the room. This vignette has an eclectic mix of frames, lots of colors, and vases with a striking silouhette that look great even without flowers.

Design by Anthropologie

Let go of something - or refresh it

Objects that we want to hold onto usually serve a very particular purpose - they have an association or serve as a ‘link’ to a person, place, or event. As a designer, I ask one more question — is it aesthetically pleasing? Does it contribute to the look and feel of the space you want to create? I believe the objects and memories we surround ourselves with should honor the person, place or event AND honor our desire for beauty and functionality in our home.  Art the objects you have on display doing both?If not, here are a few ways to re-work things that you really want to keep into an updated decor scheme. 

  • Reframe photos and artwork

  • Place an object under a glass cloche

  • Repaint a piece of furniture (especially old, dark brown wood) in a vibrant glossy color

  • Re-upholster a chair in a fresh fabric, like the vintage-look plaid below on these mid-century chairs

Chairs by Bea + Co

I believe we should joyfully use the things we inherit. Keeping it in use by putting your own imprint on it is a wonderful way to show respect to the past by bringing it into the present.

If you don’t have the bandwidth for the ideas above and want some even quicker relief, pick one of these easy ones: 

  • Bring in fresh flowers - homes love plants and flowers. Your home will thank you.

  • Clean out just one drawer.

  • Rearrange or re-edit one decorative ‘vignette’ in your house.

  •  Label your pantry/drawer/kid’s drawer so everyone can put things back where they belong.

  •  Clean a window, or schedule a pro to do them all.

  • Replace some pillow covers or tired pillow inserts.

  •  Put a pretty throw on your favorite chair or sofa.

  • Schedule a repair.

Whatever you do, remember that small steps can get the momentum going once you start to see some results, and that will energize you for the next step! 

If you are considering a renovation project for 2021, I encourage you to reach out early. Contractors (and designers, including myself) are getting booked well into the year!

Thinking about working together? You can book a call with me HERE to chat.

Jennifer Levy