I know we keep saying it here on the blog, but it still feels like a surprise for us here in Michigan… SPRING IS HERE… Its time to bust out the Spring Decor and refresh some spaces.
If you are like me, you wake up in the morning, sip that cup of Joe, and run outside… Tend to the gardens, prepare the landscaping, or simply soaking up the rays. I think all of our excitement comes from the overall sense of “starting over” and interior design is no different. It is absolutely no secret that I like to change things up here, from overall design ideas and concepts, to keeping up with the next season, and our living room is one of my favorite spaces to spruce up… Now, changing with the season doesn’t have to be a major overhaul to the space, well placed items typically found outside, and bringing them indoors is the secret to seasonal design. With Spring it is all green-green-green. Live plants, faux plants, bring all the shades of greens inside, and wakeup the space from its winter slumber. If it was sensible to live in a greenhouse –I would, so I am doing my best to keep those greenhouse feelings going throughout the house.
Since our kitchen always has plants, and nearly all windows, it always feels inside, exactly how it looks outside… Now our living room in the front of the house, does need a little assistance to catch up with the outdoors. Currently (hint-hint) there are only two windows on one wall, and it naturally creates a darker space. Typically my heavier approach at designing rooms in our home is always the front living room, simply due to the lack of natural light, and the challenges it can bring.
First, excuse me! I need to introduce you to this lovely little (no so little) piece. A fun little way to add character into a space, if you have a piece that is pretty beefy, and close to the ceiling of a room, make it look built in! Jose installed crown moulding around the top of the piece, butting up again the ceiling. He then trimmed in the edges around the pre-existing crown in the room and along the sides. Once all was trimmed in, we did a light coating of milk paint over the entire piece. We always go with milk paint on older chippy pieces, the consistency of the milk paint is much-much thinner and a tad bit grittier then chalk paint, allowing for those characteristics to still show through. Goodness do we love this piece. Its a great backdrop to our sitting area, as well as brings in a somewhat spread out space.
Okay back to spring decor…
I always-always say, to keep up with the season, bring the outside in. Its true for winter decor, its even more true for spring. Little faux lemon trees are a great way to not only bring in the green’s I mentioned, but break them up with the pops of yellow, drawing your eye to multiple levels of a space. Artificial Lemon Tree Topiaries (Link) or Olive Trees (Link) from eBay I found them to be the perfect little complementary size to not only the space but the cabinet.
I am working eBay back into my routine of online shopping, it fell off for a short period of time because it can be a bit overwhelming with all of the products, but I found a lot more success in finding specific items, especially those vintage/antique inspired products that are statement pieces; and right now to welcome you back into spring decor shopping, eBay is hosting a Liven Up Your Living Room Event.
I always like finding deals or specialized events like this to bring together all the items I’m looking for, while possibly getting a few deals; it makes my habit of decorating and redecorating less harmful to the wallet.
Being truly late to the Spring game, thanks Michigan, we are slowly changing the space over, and love to complement our purchased items, with actual items from our farm, but we are currently waiting patiently for those to wake up too. Those are easy spring items, like fresh cut flowers from areas of landscaping, or even bowls of fruit that hit early in the season like cherries. We have a lot of fun decorating in spring, we open up all the windows, and even leave the doors wide open for a few hours to welcome any breeze to stroll through. A typical step in our spring cleaning process is to pull out all the rugs, take outside onto the patio and really try to clean them out. The floor area they sat on all winter, we do a deep clean, and typically we bring the rugs back in… but not this year, at least quite yet. Once we pulled the rugs out the floors a nice cleaning, I really enjoyed the look of all the spaces, without rugs. Front living room, dinning room, sun room, and kitchen… All rug-less. Something in me loves the look. It feel like an old style farmhouse to me, yet still cozy. The space feels bigger and brighter, and we are going to run with it for a bit. No rugs, with the exception of the little runners by the doors and sink, we are truly uncovering all the rooms and cannot wait to share…
Well to close this out, it’s nearly impossible to do Spring decor wrong… Walk outside take in the warm and welcoming air, and try to bring as much of that inside. Go to a local greenhouse and pick out your favorite plants, of different shapes and sizes, and fill the room with them… that it, be whimsical with your choices and simply have fun! We will be back soon with more of this living room refresh up here, but I hope you guys enjoyed this tiny glimpse today! Thank you guys so much for stopping by the blog today and every day to see what where up to , it means the world to me.
ps. we worked with Ebay on this little refresh, but as always all opinions are my very own. Thank you guys for stopping by!
Love the new”built-in”! Jose did a great job, it looks perfect. You are so blessed to have a husband that works with you to make your home a dream for you both! My husband Brian is the same for me, a true blessing from the Lord in every way! ?
The crown molding to make the built it looks fabulous! You guys are soooo talented! Love your place.
I love that cottage sign you have! Is is also available on eBay? Thanks!
Love your pillows on your chairs too! Are those available somewhere? Thanks!
Love your built-in. Looks like its always been there. Your hubby did a great job.
Your pillows are beautiful too!
Love that big beefy piece! It’s gorgeous and I love that you added the molding to make it looks built in. I also love how you kept the inside natural, it adds a nice warmth ☀️
Hope you’re feeling better. ?
I have the same pillows from Pottery Barn. They’re so comfy. As always love your style. I do hope you are feeling better. Take care and many blessings to you and Jose!
Pottery Barn Reilly Embroidered Pillow
Your living room cabinet is a wonderful piece of furniture and making it look built in was a very good idea. I agree that when you have a really huge piece like that, making it look as if it is part of the architecture is the way to go. It certainly makes a statement in your room, either open or closed. Also like the fact that you left the interior natural wood for contrast. I have a small pine cabinet that I am going to chalk paint white and was wondering what to do with the interior and after seeing what you did, I’m going to leave the interior natural. Thanks for the inspiration. I have a question – several years ago you featured an app that turned photos into watercolor look-a-likes. Is that still available? I have been looking for something like that. I do original watercolors but the ability of turning photos in WC’s is a cool idea and great for those who don’t paint or want to get some instant artwork.