Opt for sheer curtains to lighten the look of a room and complement interiors.
Each season has its individual charm, and this can be reflected in your home and garden. Bring the rhythms of nature into the house by choosing seasonal fabrics, table decorations, flower arrangements and embellishments.
Tune in to spring by using colors such as bright and pastel yellows, pale and vivid greens and eggshell blue.
• Decorate a shelf or windowsill with early flowering plants, such as hyacinths, tulips and daffodils, in small terra-cotta pots.
• Opt for sheer curtains and tablecloths and choose bed linen that will lighten the look of a room. Look for plain, embroidered or printed designs that complement interiors.
• Rework your accessories. Bring out floral china or clear glass, and switch dark-colored sofa cushions for more cheerful tones.
• Rearrange furniture that focuses on the fireplace in winter and in spring, place it to take advantage of a garden view.
A varied mix of bright colors can express the fullness of the season. Here are a few ways to add summertime touches.
• Laying a white linen slipcover over the sofa helps to create a summery mood, especially if you use colorful cushions as accents.
• Counteract summer’s heat with cool hues: Outdoor tables draped with blue and white are like a cool breeze in the garden.
• Create a maritime flair by filling glass tubes with sand of different colors and grain sizes, and setting them out on the balcony or patio.
• Swap a heavy, oriental carpet for a light and natural sisal rug.
• Replace fireplace logs with white candles of different heights and sizes.
• Arrange sunflowers in glass vases and light them up with lanterns at dusk to add a warm, decorative element to backyard barbecues.
This season is characterized by nature’s rich harvests. With just a little effort, you can decorate a house or apartment with foliage and fruit from field and forest—think pumpkins, gourds, red and golden leaves, rosehips and pine cones.
• Echo the changing colors of the leaves with accents in warm shades of orange and red. Dark green and harvest gold are also the perfect match for warm autumn hues.
• Let autumn usher in soft, textured fabrics such as suede, velvet and felt. Satin in autumnal tones adds glamor to table decorations.
• Place decorative elements such as fresh or dried leaves, unshelled nuts or seedpods in plain bowls to add interest to tables, shelves or windowsills.
• Create autumn room and table decorations from small pumpkins, dried wheat stalks, corn cobs and gourds: Simply spread them out on the table.
• Bright red apples and juicy pears in a large glass bowl make an attractive—and edible—centerpiece.
Even though it may be cold outside, you can easily create a cozy atmosphere indoors by making a few changes. Turn up the heat and spruce up your home for winter with these tips.
• Bring cooler temperatures to mind with touches of white, turquoise and bluish-green.
• Alternatively, chase the winter chill out of your home by introducing rich shades of purple, gold and red.
• Choose winter decor fabrics such as soft wool, luxurious satin, chenille and lambswool for cushion covers, throws and drapes.
• Add warmth to a room (literally and figuratively) by swapping sheer or lace curtains for heavier drapes.
• Use brightly colored woolen rugs to warm up the floor in the famiy room or bedroom—it’s quick and inexpensive.
• Make a colorful, cozy winter bolster by sewing two scarves together lengthwise, stuffing them with padding and securing the ends with ribbons.
• Use decorative glassware such as vases or lanterns to contrast pleasantly with rustic-looking decorations made of wood.
• Opt for a vase of evergreen foliage with berries, such as holly, or a bowl of green apples, lemons or other citrus fruits for an attractive winter touch.
