Seasonal Decorating for 2012
8:59 AM
indigo
Bring the beauty of nature indoors to create simple but stunning living spaces – no matter what the season.
Winter
While many of us spend the warmer months trying to escape the home to enjoy fine weather, cooler days lure us indoors and the house becomes a sanctuary away from the cold and the dark. When the landscape outside is uniformly grey, banish the winter blahs with colour. Enliven the furniture with a few vibrant pillows in persimmon, orange or olive. Conjure warmth with a few matching wool throws or hang a coat tree with brightly patterned cardigans. Stack the rack beside the fire with scented pinecones or use fragrant candles to fill the rooms with warmth and cheer.
Spring
Spring is the sweetest season. As nature returns to life, bring the outside in by removing heavy drapes and replacing them with sheer curtains or scarves. Choose bright tints like chartreuse, fuchsia, periwinkle or lemon to accentuate light on lengthening days. Hang glass or mirrored sun catchers in the windows to distribute prisms of colour. Fill a clear vase with early bloomers like daffodils or bluebells. When entertaining, a bowl of new strawberries or cherries makes a charming and delicious centrepiece that summons the beauty and promise of the season.
Summer
During the sultry days of summer roll up the rugs and replace them with inexpensive and sturdy grass or bamboo mats. Use Roman shades to let in morning light and easily darken rooms during long, lazy afternoons. Dusky versions of primary colours like navy and ochre echo the sea and the sand of the shore and are restful on the eyes after long hours spent outdoors. Bring colour indoors with sprays of cut flowers from the garden or create a tropical feel with a few potted palms. Hang twinkle lights or paper lanterns on balconies or in windows. Replace heavy bed linens with sheer cotton sheets and quilts with lightweight knit throws.
Autumn
The fall of the year brings a transition as the long days of summer slowly merge into winter. Mark this turning point by incorporating elements from both seasons. Combine a vase of late-blooming sunflowers with a basket filled with bright pumpkins, gourds or crisp and fragrant apples. Use gold or russet ribbons to tie back drapes and allow the last rays of summer to shine through. Gather a bouquet of seed pods, berries and autumn leaves for a stunning seasonal centrepiece.
Winter
While many of us spend the warmer months trying to escape the home to enjoy fine weather, cooler days lure us indoors and the house becomes a sanctuary away from the cold and the dark. When the landscape outside is uniformly grey, banish the winter blahs with colour. Enliven the furniture with a few vibrant pillows in persimmon, orange or olive. Conjure warmth with a few matching wool throws or hang a coat tree with brightly patterned cardigans. Stack the rack beside the fire with scented pinecones or use fragrant candles to fill the rooms with warmth and cheer.
Spring
Spring is the sweetest season. As nature returns to life, bring the outside in by removing heavy drapes and replacing them with sheer curtains or scarves. Choose bright tints like chartreuse, fuchsia, periwinkle or lemon to accentuate light on lengthening days. Hang glass or mirrored sun catchers in the windows to distribute prisms of colour. Fill a clear vase with early bloomers like daffodils or bluebells. When entertaining, a bowl of new strawberries or cherries makes a charming and delicious centrepiece that summons the beauty and promise of the season.
Summer
During the sultry days of summer roll up the rugs and replace them with inexpensive and sturdy grass or bamboo mats. Use Roman shades to let in morning light and easily darken rooms during long, lazy afternoons. Dusky versions of primary colours like navy and ochre echo the sea and the sand of the shore and are restful on the eyes after long hours spent outdoors. Bring colour indoors with sprays of cut flowers from the garden or create a tropical feel with a few potted palms. Hang twinkle lights or paper lanterns on balconies or in windows. Replace heavy bed linens with sheer cotton sheets and quilts with lightweight knit throws.
Autumn
The fall of the year brings a transition as the long days of summer slowly merge into winter. Mark this turning point by incorporating elements from both seasons. Combine a vase of late-blooming sunflowers with a basket filled with bright pumpkins, gourds or crisp and fragrant apples. Use gold or russet ribbons to tie back drapes and allow the last rays of summer to shine through. Gather a bouquet of seed pods, berries and autumn leaves for a stunning seasonal centrepiece.
Get Your Home Interior Ready for the Spring
8:35 AM
indigo
Now that 2012 has arrived and the Christmas season has passed, home owners and interior decorators can change the warm and cosy colours of December for bright and cheerful spring hues. The trending colours for spring this year are taken right from nature's spring colour palette. Especially the violet end of the colour spectrum is popular. Dressing the home for springtime is a pleasure during dark winter days of these first months of the new calendar year.
Home Interior Colours for Spring 2012
Home owners and interior designers can give homes a lift using the trending colours for spring 2012. Some of the top vivid colours are as follows:
Lime - Lime is a living green. Used far and wide in home decor for 2012, lime will not soon go out of style. In recent years, the tint has been painted on entire walls or carried as a trim hue. Mainly for this year, the shade will showcase and offset the violet colours.
Mint - Mint is extremely in for the new year. From the cooler colour palette, mint is used to highlight the brighter violet tints that are the stars of the bright theme.
Pinks - Especially are vivid pinks in vogue. Ranging from dark to light, the shades of pink brighten any room.
Purple - Purple hues are used in abundance as fits the colours of spring crocus and hyacinths. Deep purple to black like some tulip varieties are frequently seen.
Rose - All bright and sweet rosy shades from the violet side of the colour spectrum are ready for spring 2012. The bright rose of pink-red tulips is seen in trim and accessories as well as entire, painted walls.
Tangerine - One of the most loved and used colour for 2012 in fashion and interior design, tangerine is the hue of the year. The colour is the star of the show in many trendy rooms, walls, upholstery and accessories are popping in tangerine for 2012.
Using Patterns, Dots and Stripes
Bright and cheerful colours in pattern variations can work wonders on bedrooms, sitting rooms and more. Patterns are definitely in style from florals to checkers. Most often, stripes and polka dots are high fashion in dress and home interiors. Designers and home decorators can have fun with bright and cheerful shades and colour variations for 2012.
