Wednesday, March 31, 2010

How to update your interiors effortlessly for this Summer season

As the snow begins to melt, and the stormy, 30 degree skies turn bright and sunny, most people get the itch to redecorate. I often tell clients to style their homes with versatility in mind, especially when they start making purchases. But keep in mind that if you redecorate your home during a particular season, such as Fall, you will often choose fabrics, colors and accessories that are warm in color, and heavy in context.


Kenneth Brown
And if you redecorate in the Spring or Summer, most often you will choose fabrics that are light and bright, furniture that is easy, and colors that cool and calming.
www.avraminteriors.com
This is perfectly natural. We are attracted to the things that bring us the most comfort. So when it is 20 degrees outside, and we are redecorating, we have a tendency to be drawn to warm colors of burnt orange, warm sage greens, and deep reds. And when it is 90 degrees with 80% humidity we will gravitate towards colors of soft aqua blue, mint green, pink, and white. It just feels refreshing. 
So what can you do to adapt your home sinuously into this upcoming Spring and Summer season? Add pops of fresh bright colors like orange, and yellow, such as the photo below did.

Judith Balis
Change out dark lampshades, of brown or black, (like the ones shown below) to crisp white, or cream. Choose lamp shades without boning or ribbing to keep them more casual, which is perfect for summer!

Shelly Riehl
Always design with flexibility in mind. Whether you do your purchasing in the Spring or Fall there are things that can be thought of ahead of time, for the upcoming season. For instance, when you purchase a sofa, or a chair, find out if it is available in a slipcover. If it is, you can have two looks for the price of one. 


Make custom draperies reversible. This allows versatility for the seasons, and they can easily be switched around for a fresh new look thats blends gracefully into this upcoming summer season.


If you have an open floor plan in your home, can the dining chairs become a part of the family room seating? If so, do you typically entertain more in the Fall or in the Spring? Choose dining chairs that work for the season you entertain in the most. If you do more entertaining in the Spring and Summer then purchase chairs that are light and bright. (such as the captains chairs in the photo above. The side chairs are neutral, but the captains chairs are bright and fun and they would work beautifully in a family room for extra seating; such as the family room pictured below.)







Updating your home for this Spring/Summer season can be easy and effortless. With the help of a few key pieces your room can be transformed in a matter of minutes. My top items for updating a room for this Spring/Summer are as follows:
1) Bright and colorful toss pillows (preferably with down inserts)
2) Add a lightweight throw in a crisp summer hue.
3) Accessories in pops of orange, green, blue and white.
4) Scented candles in fresh scents of jasmine, cilantro, lemonwood, or gardenia
5) Colorful artwork in blues, whites, greens, pinks, and orange
6) Fresh plants such as succulents, orchids, or wheat grass
7) And flip those reversible draperies over 


Just a few easy items and your family room will look smashing! One of my favorite books that has an enormous array of inspiring photos for spring is the Domino book of room by room decorating! And Amazon currently has it on sale for $20 bucks! Does it get any better than this? Happy Spring to you!





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22 comments:

  1. Amanda, these photos are gorgeous! I love photo #4, the pattern on those curtains is TDF! Love all of your tips for seasonal decorating. Happy Spring to you too! :) XO

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  2. Thanks for your comment on my blog! I love the pink and green drapes on the second to last picture - those are fabulous!

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  3. Perfectly timed post, Amanda! I'm getting ready to lighten up my dining room by changing out my window treatment. Right now it feels "heavy" just from the color they are, and I have some linen panels I'll be putting up to give me that lighter feel for the Spring and Summer.

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  4. loving this post girl. such great ideas. xo

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  5. Thanks for all the fabulous tips! And thank you for stopping by my blog.. I imagine Maria must be fantastic company! Your blog is incredible..it's wonderful having access to talented designers through Blogland..Rachaelxx

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  6. Great post and something I hadn't thought of as far as seasons dictating my decorating when making big purchases. I really love photos 2 & 3. 4 is cool, but I would get tired of it too fast.

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  7. Great post, and I'm glad to know about the sale on the Domino book!

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  8. I always love reading your posts. I truly believe you are one of the few design bloggers who realy share insightful designing information to the laymen in the audience. Thanks!

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  9. Great tips ! I just flipped my drapes to the light side.

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  10. hey girl, what a timely blog, I have been re doing my living room and only have to do the drapes and chandelier; then I am done. It looks so fresh and lovely in here. Great blog, you should see the pillows I purchased and then lamps! WOHOOO!

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  11. Great tips! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm going to spend some time reading yours!

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  12. These are some great tips Amanda, I really love the idea of changing things up with the seasons. A few pillows or a throw can make a world of a difference and can keep us from getting bored with our homes!! PS. I've been wanting that Domino book for a while so thanks for letting us know it is on sale! Guess what website I'm hitting up next?

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  13. I totally agree! We do throw pillows, fresh flowers (if my husband brings them home!) and switch out candles from the spicy scents to fig and lavender!

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  14. These are great tips for seasonal interior changes! I especially love the reversible drape trick. Funny, but since spring has arrived, I've been super hooked on the idea of painting the bedroom Kelly Green. I'm definitely influenced by the change of seasons in my home - even if it just means some fresh flowers and a few new throw pillows. Another thing which you touch upon that I like to do, move around the furniture! Even in a tiny house or apartment, there always seems to be some other way. I think this shifts the energy of a home and allows the staleness to go out the window and the fresh air to come in. :)

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  15. Ooooo, such glorious pictures. I'll have to check out this book. Thanks for all the tips!
    M.L.

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  16. Love your blog, and this post! I love changing my interior around for spring/summer. You've given me some great ideas....so inspired and motivated!
    Thank you!

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  17. Thanks for your sweet comment. I'm following you now :) xx

    http://hopechella.blogspot.com/

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  18. The throw pillow and art ideas are great! Fresh flowers too, of course, and now I am off to Amazon, will finally grab that book!

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  19. I am sorry I missed this post.
    I am loving the chartreuse!

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