It’s that time of year for spring cleaning. But, as you are going through things in your closets, storage rooms and drawers, you may want to think twice before throwing some items out. Here are six simple decorating ideas to update your decor this spring, that you can use year-round with things you may already have stashed away or want to repurpose.
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1. Books
I love to read and I much prefer to read the old fashioned way–with an actual book. Thus, I have a small collection of books that slowly continues to grow.
While it costs a bit more, I have made a point of buying hard-cover books so I can use them in my displays around the house when I am finished reading them. In addition, I have started scoping garage sales, consignment stores and antique shops for hardback books.
If there is a paper jacket, take it off to reveal the pretty cover underneath. Tatters or stains only add to the character. If you are shopping bargain bins or garages sales, look for books in various sizes and thicknesses and be mindful of the color of the cover to ensure it will coordinate with your current decor.
They work great stacked to elevate objects in a vignette or just propped up. A good design tip is to display things in odd numbers, and for books, three seems to be the best number for me.
And as a bonus, books make a wonderful conversation piece for guests. Seeing them often prompts someone to ask about the book, and whether you’ve read it or not–telling them how/why you acquired it is at least a good story. Especially if you only paid 10 cents for it.
2. Unusual Objects
I often decorate with random things that don’t necessarily go together. The design term would be “juxtaposition”. I love mixing hard and soft objects and textures like old glass insulators, deer antlers, and frilly florals.
The combination creates visual interest because of the different textures and finishes. Throw in something metallic and you’ve really got my decorator engines turned on.
The key to a successful juxtaposition is to keep a few elements cohesive.
Below, you’ll see the very traditional curves of the pillar candle holders, a sleek, clear rectangle vase paired with a frilly bud vase and flowers, in addition to the rustic accents like the antler, feathers and glass insulators.
While the items are a mix of styles, each element plays on another to connect the look. The feathers in the glass bottle speak to the rustic feel of the antler, the soft grey-white of the antler picks up on the general color palette, while the silver candlesticks and the glass share reflective details. Finally, everything is tied together with the use of the white florals throughout the display.
Love my mercury glass candle holders?
They were a wedding gift, a wonderful one at that. They no longer sell this exact set, but here are some other options:
Taper Candle Holders set of 3
Pillar Candle Holders set of 2
Tall Pillar Candle Holders set of 3
3. Containers
I have an obscene number of Mason jars thanks to my wedding. We used them on the tables for centerpieces because that was THE THING to do. However, in gathering them for that event, we lucked out and have many antique and interesting jars that my mom and I have held on to and use around our homes.
Sometimes I fill them with stuff, and sometimes I don’t. The really old ones have great impressions on the front and that simplicity is often all you need. Buttons, marbles, pretty rocks, wine corks or bottle caps make easy, inexpensive and interesting fillers.
I also like to hold on to interesting buckets, bowls, and baskets. Not only can they be used for display but also for decorative storage and organization. And as a mother of two children under age 4, lord knows a girl needs a pretty place to toss a toy or twenty.
4. Framed Mementos
I love to frame things that are meaningful. It helps to remind me of a special time or place or event. This also serves as a way for your guests to get to know you better–they see it, ask you about it and you get to tell the story behind it. And obviously, I am always up for telling a story.
Here are some examples of framed mementos in my home:
Framed Leaf
We received this ornament from our in-laws as a nod to our wedding day–it is a gold cottonwood leaf and we were married under a giant cottonwood tree. Cottonwoods are found all over this area and we had one in our backyard growing up. They will always hold a special place in my heart.
Framing the ornament was a simple way to show it off year-round and allows me to easily move it around the house as I change up my decor.
Paper Crane
In the midst of heavy wedding-planning, I made an off-hand comment to my brother, Travis (talented artist with skills in origami), that “it would be so cool to have 1000 paper cranes at my wedding.” A fleeting thought, forgotten as soon as I mentioned it . . . until he arrived the day we started decorating with 1001 white paper cranes (because what’s one more?) in a black garbage bag.
Not a man to show much emotion, he simply handed me the bag and said “here”. Which was followed by my surprise, shock and, of course, tears, at the sweet gesture.
We put the cranes on all of the tables for the guests to take and saved quite a few that were left behind. I used them in our daughter’s room (a blog post for another day). But, because my brother obviously has his sentimental moments, he then gifted us a crane framed on the piece of board he used to fold all 1001 of the other cranes. Complete with blood stains from the paper cuts he endured while folding.
Quite poetic, I’d say.
It hangs on the gallery wall I did in our living room, along with our family pictures, as a reminder of the day when our family truly began.
House plans
As you know from our love story, we remodeled our current home 10 years ago. A year or so ago, someone found the original plans to our house from back in the early 1950s and gave them to my husband. While Clint saw no need to keep them, he was smart enough to know that his bat-shit crazy, hoarder of a wife, might.
And, as per usual, he was right. I simply purchased the frames from Walmart and hung them on a wall that does not get direct sun (so the plans wouldn’t fade under the inexpensive glass).
I love looking at where our house began, thinking about all the memories it has within its walls . . . . and all the memories yet to be made.
5. Old Shit
When we purchased our home, it came with many “vintage, antique and rustic” items. Or as my husband would say, “old shit”. However, I hate to throw away anything with character–especially if I can say I found it in our shed, field, basement . . . you get the picture. Anyway, he puts up with my lunacy with an eye roll and usually, ends up keeping whatever treasure I find until I am able to locate the perfect spot to display it.
Or, he waits until I’ve had too much wine and throws it away. Meh, I consider it a small victory for him in the war I will always win.
Because, let’s be honest, I hide the really good old shit.
While you may not have access to a treasure trove of old shit in your backyard, I hope this helps to encourage you to keep an eagle-eye out for things as you visit old barns, pastures or your grandmother’s attic.
Wooden Ladder
I found this old ladder in our barn and knew it needed to come into the house immediately. I was surprised my husband hadn’t already thrown it out, but I guess the junk gods were in my favor. Now I use it to display quilts or hang blankets.
This was actually a quilt I received as a baby. I like to bring it out in the spring because the colors are perfect and it’s a charming keepsake.
Old Green Door
When we first moved out here to our little ranchette, Clint’s first major undertaking was to update the corrals. Our very dear friends came to help us tear things down that weekend, and during the process, they came across this door–which was being used as a gate . . . or . . . something . . .
. . .I am not exactly sure, I was inside making lunch for our crew and drinking wine.
Manual labor is not my thing. But, if you need a big vat o’ chili and some cheese and crackers put out, I’m your gal.
Anyway, my girlfriend was helping outside when they found the door. My husband (knowing he needed to get rid of this old shit before I saw it) quickly told her it was all hers and to not say a word about the discovery.
However, my sweet and knowing friend decided she better ask me if I wanted it, before she made off with the gem. Of course, I loved it and we agreed it should stay close to where it was found, right here at the East 80.
This door has to have a history, we just don’t know what it is . . . it appears to be from an old hotel because it has a room number on it . . . no. 45 to be exact. Man, the stories it could tell. It sits in my entryway and is really a beautiful piece all on its own. However, it does make a cool backdrop to showcase a wreath or sign.
And to think, I got the chipped paint and rusty old doorknob for free. What a find.
6. Florals
I change out the florals in my home with every season, but obviously spring is by far the most “flowery” time around here–if you haven’t already noticed from all the photos in this post.
I have a serious problem with collecting silk florals–especially if I pass by good ones on clearance at Walmart. And while I love a fresh floral arrangement, it’s not exactly cost-effective to keep up with year-round. So, I stick to silk for the seasonal accents and save the fresh arrangements for special occasions.
You don’t need to be a crazy, flower-lady like me. A few stems in a bud vase is just as sweet as a large arrangement. Or, arrange one single stem each in a group of vases.
As spring is a time of transition, so are my florals. I start with mostly whites at the start of the spring (early March). In April, I will add in more pastel-colored florals and other accents–including some cute Easter decor.
Check back for a post on more spring home decor inspo just-in-time for April Showers and May Flowers.
Cheers!
Great stuff here, love the article and your writing
Thank you for the sweet note 🙂