LifestyleCarl ThompsonMarch 28, 2023Spring, Spring Clean, Spring Interiors, Interior design, Interiors, Home, Home InteriorsComment

Spring interiors: here's some ideas

LifestyleCarl ThompsonMarch 28, 2023Spring, Spring Clean, Spring Interiors, Interior design, Interiors, Home, Home InteriorsComment

Whilst it may still be cold as balls outside, I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of Spring. Not only is it my favourite season, but also one of my favourite words. If you love Spring the season you may have a spring in your step, or you may love the kwaaaaannng sound of a spring as it fires a pinball into a pinball machine, or you may derive some sordid relish in stealing all but one of your housemate's precious Jaffa Cakes knowing it would send him spiralling into a meltdown of biblical proportions, like the coiled spring he is.

Today I'm looking to reinvigorate my home with some Spring interiors to usher in the new season. It's not merely the flip of a page on my French Bulldog calendar from March to April that will suffice. Whilst that is a sufficient start, the transition does not end there. So I pulled together some short ideas and wanted to share my Spring Interiors research with you.

Wallpaper and paint

Starting with the wallpaper. In previous years I've ousted the greys and the various shades of, and implemented some earthy tones with flecks of yellow to represent the green shoots of daffodils. But this year I'm leaning on the advice from colour paint expert Annie Sloane, who was quoted in Country Living as saying,

"Comfort means warm, earth-toned shades such as Carnaby Yellow, Riad Terracotta and Piranesi Pink."

The Goal

Effectively the goal is to recreate the vibe of the coastal port harbours of the Mediterranean. Not so much the mottled historic yet graffiti-ridden city of Genoa, but more the plush parts such as Cinque Terra, where the houses are painted regularly and with pride, and the English don't invade in their droves each time there is a Champions League game on the tele.

Away from paint and over-finked colour wheels, Lucy Ackroyd, the head of design at Christy, wrote in an article for House Beautiful,

'Checked patterns are an easy way to add some personality into a room without it feeling too over the top.' She is referring to gingham quilts and throw pillows, I assume. Although she could also be talking about David Evans AKA Grey Fox Style after a photo shoot campaign with Dashing Tweeds.

Wicker Maaaan

One rabbit hole I fell down, quite willingly I might add, was the blog Jane at Home, by a lady called Jane. (Don't know her surname, although if it was Athome then that being that she is an interior specialist, would be the best case of nominative determinism I'd ever heard of/seen).

Jane and I are on the same page when it comes to bringing the outside inside for the Spring season. And I'm not talking about inviting the Big Issue seller in for a cup of tea and podcast interview, I'm talking about or moreover, Jane is talking about

'.. natural materials like rattan, cane, leather, jute, wicker, ceramics, and woven lighting, furniture, and decor.'

Whilst I only recognise a few of those words, the woven lighting I am fully onboard with. It screams press trips to the Maldives, something as you may remember, I am well versed in. Specifically I'm thinking something along the lines of this Natural Round Bamboo Hanging Chandelier available on Amazon for £139.99.

Let there be light

Thanks to article on NordicNest, I am now familiar with the idea of a flowerpot lamp, and have been beguiled by the name, look and aura of the colour Apricot. Much like the word Spring, it has a sensory meaning which appeals to the taste and eyes. Especially when an Apricot-hued Front Ruffle Dress by Shein comes up unexpectedly on the ol' Google search.

Ahead of the curve

Lastly, I perused this article on HomeCrux about curved furniture making a comeback. Who knew that the interior designs of Bond's nemesis Blofeld was onto something all those years ago?

Joyner (unsure if that's a first name or a surname) tells us, “Curved upholstery, such as curved back sofas and barrel chairs, as well as round pillows and accessories, seem to be making a comeback for 2023."

I've eyed some nested rounded triangle coffee tables that have a Spring glint and a retro touch.