Get your Porch ready for Spring!

It's HERE! Spring! And, yes, with it comes that lovely yellow film that sticks to everything for a few days...but hey, we can't live without pollen, so embrace it and what it brings to life! Pretty soon, you can rinse it off and revive your outdoor spaces!

A good place to start is by checking all your pot & planters. Do you need to replace soil & plants? Maybe you just need a little fertilizer for your existing plantings and you're set!

Some of my favorite container plants for this area of Texas are: Asparagus Fern, Pin Cushions, Trailing Verbena, Salvias, Mint, and Leaucantha. Pick out a container that has enough room for the plants to grow and hold moisture...it gets really dry here and pots can dry out quickly every day.

Don't forget to add some colorful fun fabrics to your existing patio furniture. You can buy inexpensive fabric to make your own OR opt for pre-made ones from Garden Ridge, Walmart, Target, Marshall's, Ross or Resale shop. Hanging panels to a covered area and creating wispy-flowing curtains can really enclose a space and make it intimate while adding color. Another way to add color to your existing furnishings is spray paint. Spray paint comes in array of colors and finishes... and if you find the right "type" you can paint any surface you want to liven up!

Don't forget the critters! Add bird feeder, bird baths, squirrel feeders and anything else that may call in the wild life around you. Wind chimes can add a sweet melody to go along with the natural one you'll have if you feed your feathered friends.

Look for architectural art to hang. Everyone has something laying around...and if you don't, that neighbor or family member with the building of junk does! Go hunting for the perfect piece of vintage art to include in your newly re-designed outdoor space. Pieces of old fences, vintage gates, pieces of brass, iron or rusty mystery metals are just what the diva calls for. Be sure and think outside the box when deciding what to do with the treasures you find!

You may want to add some reading material for those lazy days outside. I like to add a blank journal or tablet outside too, so when I start to brainstorm or need to jot down my ideas, I have paper and pen to do so!

So what are you waiting for. IT'S beautiful outside!! Get out there and spray off that yucky yellow stuff and get to work!

Spring Decorating is just around the Corner!

Only 37 more days until SPRING...

Spring means a return of sunshine, fresh breezes, blooming flowers, and the fragrance of fresh cut grass. What are you gonna do in your house to celebrate the return of this wonderful season? A fresh coat of paint on the walls is a good place to start to help make your home feel alive and revitalized . And, be daring...it's only paint! Your least expensive and most effective decorating tool.

The Bath This season, monogram a set a white Egyptian cotton towels in your favorite color for a classic look. Or if you can't find towels to match your decor, sew a band of fabric or trim to the edges. For that sophisticated all white European look, purchase a waffle-weave shower curtain. Terrycloth is still a favorite for covering bath chairs and vanity stools, it's also luxurious in bathrobes and slippers.

Windows Let the sunshine in! Replace heavy drapes with shears or cotton. For a spring look remove panels and add interest by using a valance or simply reveal the architectural elements of the window. Maybe you want to add a natural element with woven blinds. They come in an array of colors and add just a hint of the outside indoors!

Table Settings Table linens should also be transitioned. Leave your tablecloths off for a lighter look. If you prefer a cover, try using a translucent sheer fabric or summer chintz. For drama, casually lay a table scarf across your table or counter. This makes for an interesting table setting when entertaining. Add two candlesticks and ..."viola," another exquisite conversation piece for your home.

The Kitchen Add fresh lemons or green apples to your favorite bowls and baskets and display on an island or counter top. Colored glass, Italian tile, and mirrored tile added to the back splash of your kitchen counter top are a few ways to update to a contemporary look. Don't forget to de-clutter. In a small kitchen, one of my favorite ways to disguise large, bulky appliances is to store them in a BIG basket on top of the fridge.

Furnishings Lighten up using slipcovers. There are many inexpensive, lightweight, ready-made covers available in lots of colors and styles. Heavy wing chairs and recliners can be replaced with wicker and rattan chairs. Roll up and store your area rugs. Replace with sisal or canvas, or just leave the floors bare. Use pillows and throws printed in French Provincial themes, spring florals, brightly colored patterns or solids. Using anything with an animal print, such as leopard, paired with pillows adorned with accents such as embroidery, beading and mirrors will give charming results.

Lighting Rethink lighting. Buy a new lamp that's fun and interesting (think of it as jewelry for you home). We all know that sometimes it's the simplest accessory that can take an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. Make a statement...change your lampshades. I think the best thing that has happened in home accessories the decorative lampshade. Adding at least one decorative lampshade in your home is a great way to spruce up for spring.