I received a text this week from one of my closest friends.
It went like:
“How do you decorate for Spring without it looking like you threw a bunch of eggs in a bowl?
Seriously the people need help – and the people is me.”
– Sweet Friend
She went on to text me a picture of her cheerful glass bowl of multi colored pink, yellow and blue Easter eggs.
I loved it.
Do you know why?
Because I love to help.
I have been going on a lot of Home with Heather consults over the last few weeks and I am beyond thrilled that so many of you have reached out to me to book a HwH consult.
Thank YOU for your AMAZING support and interest in my new interior styling business!!
Do you know what my prayer is every time I go into someone’s home?
“Lord God,
Help me, help them.”
That’s it.
Prayers do not have to be long and complicated.
Sometimes we feel the need to make them fancy and long with big words.
But really?
God just wants to hear our voices. And so – He hears mine a lot.
So, when my dear friend who has been super supportive of my new chapter and business journey asked me for help?
Well, I hopped right on that bunny trail and went ALL IN on the Spring egg situation.
Dare I call it decor crisis? That may be going far.
Nonetheless – maybe you can relate to her?
If so, you may find this silly Instagram reel inspired by my friend’s question mildly entertaining and helpful at the same time.
Lovely freeze frame isn’t it!? 🙂 Bless it.
The above reel is the Cliffs notes version of this week’s blog post.
We are going to roll through these Spring decor tips because…
Well because friends…I just returned from middle school orientation for our oldest daughter which was very exciting.
As you know, life is picking back up again for the first time in exactly a year and as soon as I push publish on this post, I am headed back out the door to a soccer tournament in Virginia for this weekend for this same girl.
Is anyone else feeling a little dizzy from the re-start already?
Well buckle up friends…here we GO!
Spring Decor Tips
(aka how to avoid multi-colored eggs in a bowl but still feel Springy)
First things first –
1. Grant yourself permission to NOT display every bunny, basket and Easter egg you have ever loved before.
I get it.
I am a bunny LOVER.
I decorated the baby nursery for all three of our daughters in BUNNIES. They were hopping everywhere. But as I have grown, my taste has evolved and I am guessing maybe your taste has changed too over the years?
It is OK to not put the pink chevron striped bunny from 2015 on the mantel.
She will understand.
And….Cue the break-up line…
It’s not her.
It’s YOU.
YOU have changed. Things have changed and therefore she will be just as happy playing with your daughter or granddaughter this Spring. Introduce the bunnies of the past to the tiny trains and barbies and let them join the kid party.
2. Play Favorites. (when it comes to decor)
When I dig out the Spring decor I only wind up bringing about half of the items out to display. For instance, this pair of bunnies has stood the test of time. I bought them years and years ago and I still love them. They are some of my favorites.
I chose to place one inside this wooden basket sitting on top of a scrap of burlap which brings us to Tip #3.
3. Add touches of texture by layering.
Sidewalls can be tricky to decorate.
Most often we tend do opt for flat frames and passive pieces causing a very hard, one dimensional feeling.
However, Spring calls for livening things up.
I love this wild, untamed wreath so much that I have two of them. (The second one is hanging on top of a piece of wall decor in the entry way- you will soon see as you scroll.)
Here, I have it layered on top of this old window near faux greens spilling out of a basket.
Below is the “before-Spring” picture with a different wreath and empty basket.
Layers and layers of texture.
The secret sauce is?
Plants…real and faux…all are welcome here.
4. Add greenery, with flowers, light & airy faux stems and lots and lots of plants.
I have had these faux stems for a few years now and pull them out every year at this time to wake up the room and signal to everyone:
“We are done with you Winter.”
These eucalyptus stems and variety of greens are from Wegmans.
You can see tulips in the background on the counter.
Nothing says Spring like a bouquet of fresh tulips in the kitchen.
I picked up this pot of daffodils at my favorite Amish Nursery (Shadygrove Greenhouse In PA) and set them inside this woven basket from the Target dollar spot I found last week.
(Place a small bowl in the bottom of the basket to protect the basket.)
5. Bring the Spring to your front door step.
We bought this flat of pansies for planting outside in the front porch flower urns.
I like to add Spanish moss (pictured below) around the edges of the urn to soften the look of the planters. Pansies are my favorite transitional decor in my outdoor urns as they can withstand colder temps and will last until it is safe to embrace FULL Spring flower mode.
I scooped one pansy from the pack and planted her in a small vase for inside also.
She makes a statement all by herself.
(The paper around the vase and ribbon are an example of Tip #3 – add texture.)
6. Put the heavier blankets and throw pillows away.
Spring calls for lighter living and lighter blankets.
For Spring, I added these neutral pillows to the sofa and can’t get enough of them.
7. Spray paint old Spring decor to give it new life.
I spray painted this small bunny gold. Earlier this week I had pulled him from storage and he was gray. You can see the before and after video here.
Spray paint works magical wonders to revive old Spring decor such as bunnies, vases etc into fresh decor.
8. Use a small tray, cutting board or a stack of books to display Spring decor.
(Use odd number of items.)
Above, a small gold bunny hanging out with his bunny mug friends makes for easy kitchen decor. (grouping of 5 of varying heights.)
Below, two bunny bowls with a candle sit in a wooden dough bowl from my new favorite store, Cocalico Creek. (grouping of 3 of varying heights, bead garland adds texture .)
And here, a grouping of 5 small antique bottles stacked on books holding fine, faux stems speak Spring without any bunnies, eggs or baskets needed.
9. Mix Spring decor pieces with everyday items in small groups.
I am always playing with these floating shelves that Shawn built. You can read about the DIY shelves and see more before and after pics in this post.
Here I have added 3 small Spring scenes, nested near, on top of or next to every day items such as serving bowls and small plates.
10. Add color with an indoor wreath
I swap out my wreaths on the inside of our French doors often to dress the season.
(Tip – use small suction cup hooks on the windows and tie a piece of string in the back of the wreath to hook the wreath onto the suction cup hook.)
And if you REALLY, really want to display those eggs?
I get it – me too.
11. Stick to natural & neutral toned eggs for a classic Spring look.
Options:
Add inside a wire basket with greenery for texture (tip #3 again).
Or create a focal point inside the basket with eggs using a larger decorative egg or bunny.
Yes, bunnies are still allowed friends. 🙂
Friend…as I wrap up this post and begin to head out for a weekend away of soccer I am reminded of this very same week last year and informing my daughter that this tournament was cancelled. I am sure you are doing your fair share of reflecting too on this last year.
I was taking a run earlier this week when I approached a large mound of snow that had been piled high by the plows weeks ago blocking the entry way to my favorite trail. From the distance I saw that the snow mounds were still in fact there appearing to be blocking the trail and I prepared to stay stuck in the parking lot and turn around to go back the way I had just come from.
But, as I continued to run towards them, getting closer and closer to the now weeks old, dirty snow mountain…
I saw an opening.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
The opening was not visible from far away, but as I continued to forward step it closer and closer, now face to face with the snow mound, I could now see that there was indeed a way through.
And mentally as I continued to run, I began to thank those who had gone before me to make a way down the path again.
Let us give deserving thanks to all of the healthcare heroes, doctors, nurses, medical staff and researchers, educators, postal workers, grocery store employees and the list goes on and on for going ahead of us during this last year.
For seeing the dozens of obstacles ahead of them from the distance and for continuing to forge ahead anyway.
Their collective efforts…making a way through to the other side for all of us.
A year ago we never knew what we know now.
May we all be stronger and more aware of the blessings we have and share deeply in the sorrow of each person who lost a loved one to this virus.
As we make our way through the opening to the other side…may we hold the lessons from this last year of life close.
Be well friends…and happy almost Spring.
Dear God,
A year ago we never knew what was about to happen.
But you did.
A year ago, we did not know the grief we would experience over such tremendous loss.
But you did.
A year ago, we did not see the opening to the other side.
But you did.
As we make our way through, let us feel your presence guiding us. Help us to continue to seek you as we continue to climb out.
Amen,
Living on a prayer,
Heather
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