“The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” — Edwin Way Teale.png)
Colorful flowers are an easy way to shake off the doldrums of winter and prep you for the spring.
There is nothing like an array of tulips, daffodils or hyacinths to brighten the decor in our homes, and the festive colors also put an extra spring in our step! Even if you did not have the time last fall to plant bulbs such as tulips or hyacinths, you can still find a wide variety of these plants already in bloom in your local garden shops.
Pick dynamic color combinations — such as red and yellow — to make a vivid statement during some of the expected April showers! Repot purchased flowers into your favorite pot and place them in a sunny spot in the house for maximum impact. A special fringe benefit is the delightful fragrance of such spring plants as the purple hyacinth.
Another easy way to get a head start on using spring flowers to brighten your home’s décor is to “force bloom” early flowering shrubs such as forsythia, wisteria or spirea. It’s quite easy to do. Just bring in several small branches of any of these shrubs — the earlier the better! Pick out your most colorful vase and put the cut branches in warm water and place the vase in a sunny window. In two to three days you’ll have a vase of vibrant blooms that anticipate the bounty of flowers on the outdoor shrubbery when the weather warms.
Fresh fruit is an additional element you can add to revive your kitchen or dining room. Remember, the brighter the color the brighter the effect it has in the space and on your mood.
Multiples of the same type of fruit will make a bigger impact versus an assorted fruit basket. Granny Smith green apples are not only delicious but have a longer shelf life of approximately three to four weeks. Oranges, lemons and limes will also add that natural spring color to your table or kitchen counter.
Choose your container carefully to make your presentation more effective. Set aside the conventional woven basket and use items such as oversized glass bowls, copper or silver platters with attention-grabbing handles, colanders in colorful patterns, or ceramic flower pots for an earthy effect. If your table top area is expansive, select three containers of varying heights and sizes for a display of equal proportions.
So take a few minutes out of your hectic schedule to bring the spring into your home by using flowers and fresh fruit to brighten your décor and lift your spirits!
Penny Law is owner of PCL Interiors, a personalized studio specializing in residential design. Visit her Web site at www.pclinteriors.com.
