By Kacey Roy ~
It’s amazing what can happen to a person when the seasons change, especially when the season is winter changing to spring. Oh what a feeling! The windows open, the sun on your face, people out walking their dogs, riding bikes, the sound of neighborhood children playing. It is a glorious thing! But I don’t know about you…. after a long winter I seem to hate my house and everything in it! Thank goodness my husband and children understand me because I become crazed for a short period of time. Everything gets changed, moved around… CLEANED(!!!) and some pieces don’t make the cut, and some get tucked away until I become crazed again after summer. Here are some tips on where to save, where to spend, and how to create and new space without moving every three months!
First, I change almost all of my rugs. My fall/winter rugs are generally a bit heavier in texture and pattern and are usually the ones I truly invested in. So they get carefully cleaned and rolled up for safe keeping and when I get them out in 6 months I get very excited as if they are new once again. Then, I go shopping and buy inexpensive indoor outdoor rugs in fun summery colors. This years theme has given way to blue and whites (not surprisingly) in stripes and patterns. The stripes are in my entry, by back door, and in main bath. So cute, super affordable and non slip back. I throw a patterned rug in kitchen, living room, and on porch. These can be hosed down and won’t break the bank if they need to be tossed after a few seasons.
Next I focus on flowers. If you know me you know I love fresh throughout my home all year-long, but I get especially excited when it comes time to get out and plant! I start with hardy pansies and start slowly!!! I get some nice hanging baskets and fill two pots on my front steps, one big pot in front of my house, then just a few in my backyard. I swear by these plastic pots I bought a few years back. Seriously inexpensive (think $2-$5 each) but awesome colors and super durable. I bought several in small, medium and large sizes in a mix of turquoise and lime green. These colors are so fun and any flower looks pretty in them. After pansies I usually move to begonias, or vincas because they can tolerate heat, sun and a missed soak here and there.
Lastly I bust out my pillows and umbrella for patio. Oh this makes me so happy! And this year I invested in a new umbrella after my original had weathered 9 solid years. I have a very basic patio set (iron table and chairs, metal lounge chairs) so I went for a striped umbrella in blues and greens and some fun indoor outdoor pillows (from 3 seasons ago). If your set is neutral feel free to have some fun in your accessories. But my rule of thumb is always the same: Less is More!!!! No need to over do it. Keep it clean and simple and choose colors and patterns that make you happy.