Hello Spring!

If you watch a lot of YouTube decorating or interiors accounts, you most likely see seasonal decorating videos. I’ll admit to loving this kind of content and seeing how other creators put items together in a pleasing way. While I would love to buy all the things and redecorate my house for every season with new things, I can’t justify the cost, or amount of space such purchases would take up in the cottage. Then there’s the landfill aspect when I tire of such items. So how can I say ‘Hello Spring’, without spending a lot of money or buying the latest trend pieces that can only be used once a year? Here’s how I welcome Spring into our home. I hope it inspires you to throw open the doors and windows too.

Deep Clean

Nothing says Hello Spring like opening windows and letting the fresh air in. Even when the temperatures are cool (as they are here at the moment), I take any opportunity to clear the stale air from the house. Leaving a door or window open for even 10 minutes makes a huge difference..

While the fresh air is coming in, I like to start deep cleaning the house. I do one room at a time, which leaves less chance of becoming overwhelmed with my task.. Everything surface gets wiped down, items are back in their place or flagged to be thrown out if it’s broken. I rearrange furniture, wash the curtains, clean the windows and put out some new accessories to freshen everything up. When cleaning, I rarely used store bought cleaners. I opt instead for something that’s homemade and with little scent, like the Rosemary and Lemon Scrub I use on my porcelain sink. It’s designed for dirty hands or exfoliating your legs but it works wonders for shining up the sinks.

Light a candle

The scents in my home go a long way towards creating a mood . I love to buy naturally scented soy candles befitting the season and burn one in the kitchen or on the coffee table. A clean fresh or floral scent is perfect for Spring. My current favourite is a vanilla and lime candle poured in a preserving jar. The jar can be used in my kitchen when the candle is done or taken back to the store and recycled for a new candle.

Put Out Floral China

The china I collect and use in the cottage isn’t precious., though it most likely was once. I have a sweet collection of floral plates and cups. I swap the china on the plate rack for these and put out pretty cups for our morning coffee. If you don’t have a collection buy a vintage trio set and elevate your morning cuppa too. If you prefer the aesthetic look there a many cute flower or leaf shaped cups you can buy that will add simple touches to your dining experience.

Change Your Cushions

Spring cleaning is an ideal time to take off cushion covers, give them a wash and replace them with something fresh and floral to invoke the season. If you’re handy, sew a few simple envelope cushions. I love to do this, as it makes our home completely personal to us. Nobody else will have soft furnishings like ours. If not there are choices everywhere that will give your home a spring feel.

Spring Flowers and Stems

I’m a sucker for spring blossom, lavender, magnolia in bud and bulbs. I often help the council by trimming roadside branches to fill buckets and vases, at this time of year, Because what says ‘Hello Spring’ more than a bunch of freshly picked blooms? I also like to buy pots of lavender, in flower, and use this in a planter in the house for a few weeks. It’s so much cheaper than a bunch of flowers, lasts longer, and can be planted in the garden after a few weeks inside. I don’t stop there, though. Branches with new leaves sprouting look great in a vessel in the corner of the living room or on the dining room table. And a good quality, lifelike, faux stem goes a long way if you have no access to the real thing.

Update Your Tea Towels

I prefer plain white linen tea towels in the cottage kitchen but every now and then I’m tempted to buy something patterned or colored to reflect the season. This year, I found a pretty set of three at Target for only $6.50 and I couldn’t pass them by. The pink gingham spoke to me. I don’t use these towels for drying my dishes though. They simply hand over the oven bar and add a soft feminine feel.

Set a Spring Table

I love setting the table, and admit I get a bit of table envy at the gorgeous settings I see online. This year, I decided to create a simple table using my new napkin rings and faux bamboo flatware. I can’t wait to invite my friends over for lunch and try it out. The plates are old and new, The cloth is a fabric remnant but the pink napkin rings are the real star of the show.