Happy spring friends! Are you excited that spring is finally here? Yay, me too! Today I’m honored to be joining the week long Bloggers’ Best Home Tour with our hostess, Kelly from The Tattered Pew, to bring you 30 spring-filled home tours. I’m sharing how to create a lively spring looking home with neutral decor in our entry and family room. If you’ve popped in from My Wee Abode, I’m glad you’re here! Did you enjoy her happy patio? She always has fantastic ideas for apartment living.
How to create a lively spring looking home with neutral decor!
What are some of the things you like about spring? For me, it’s the fresh surroundings. Tulips and Daffodils popping out, grasses greening up, leaves sprouting out, sunshine and a newly cleaned house. I also like bright, festive colors but because our kitchen is a bright blue, I keep the main areas neutral so when I add color the home continues to give us the relaxed, comfortable vibe we crave.
The Front Porchette
Our first home was so full of color. I’m talking teal carpet, teal and burgundy floral chairs, a burgundy plaid sofa, accent walls and striped wallpaper. Sounds like a hot mess I know but back then it was pretty. But because I love change, all that color made me feel stuck. All I could do was rearrange the furniture. 30 years and 2 houses later, I finally figured out neutral color is what I longed for so adding small amounts of color is my approach to spring decorating.
Welcome Inside
My foolproof way to introduce a little color is to take cues from our kitchen. The walls are painted Sherwin Williams Raindrop so using slightly different shades of that same color throughout the house keeps our surroundings tranquil. It starts with the front porchette. Yep, it’s not a full porch and not quite a portico so I call it a porchette.
The Dining Room View From Entry
Since the front door swings right, you see the dining room first and not the actual “entry”. Since it’s right next to the kitchen, it just makes sense to use the same hints of blue. If you’d like to see more of the mantel in the dining room plus the other two mantels in the house, click here. And if you’d like to see the spring tablescape in the dining room, click here. I have to say, each space is blooming with seasonal excitement. 😉
The Front Entry
Here is what the entry looks like behind the door. The large white cubby shelf unit was in the dining room about a month ago and the console table was in the entry. But because I keep the large pieces neutral it allowed me to easily switch things around.
Imagine if the cubby shelf were full of stuff or full of color. To me it would feel chaotic and a little unsettling. Not the relaxed feeling I’m going for. So natural green plants is all I need to energize this area.
The Living Room
We don’t technically have an open floor plan but with an angled stone fireplace, windows on one wall and the kitchen on the opposite side, it’s a difficult room to decorate. During the winter the sofa is parallel to the TV so we can utilize the fireplace. The rest of the year I have to treat the fireplace as a wall so we kind of have 3 focal points.
Living Room
Weird for sure and if a friend asked if 3 focal points was a good idea, I’d say not really. Let’s just say it keeps things interesting around here and the conversation isn’t boring. Everyone has an opinion which I appreciate. If you have any floor plan advice, let me know in the comments. Anyway, if you look around the room you’ll notice a collection of blue insulators but the rest is all neutral.
Living Room
See what I mean about 3 focal points? By adding small greenery pieces in each space it keeps the eye moving around the room which helps tremendously. Wreaths, pillows and plants do the trick.
Using books with the same color palette works too. On small tables I use 3 accessories on top. That includes a lamp. If the table is larger like this one, I fill it up and keep just enough room for drinks. I’m not a maximalist but not a minimalist either. I take a Goldilocks approach so this table is just right with 7 items (I consider the grouping of books 1 item).
Can you see that blues and greens can be neutral colors as well? Oh, that linen cover on the right is our Alexa. You can see the No-Sew DIY Cover for that here.
If you walk through the living room to the back porch, here’s what you saw last year. We haven’t had the chance to clean it off, power wash it and put the chairs back out. We will soon. I enjoy sitting out there quietly eavesdropping on all the neighbor conversations. LOL!
I hope you enjoyed the short tour and seeing how to create a lively spring looking home with neutral decor. Now it’s time to see Brendt at She Gave It A Go and her fantabulous spring tour. I adore her style!
Bloggers’ Best Spring Home Tours
Monday’s Tours
The Tattered Pew / My Thrift Store Addiction / Bricks n’ Blooms
Shiplap and Shells / Cottage In The Mitten / Cottage On Bunker Hill
Tuesday’s Tours
Midwest Life and Style / Open Doors Open Hearts / Cloches and Lavender
Amy Sadler Designs / Up To Date Interiors
Wednesday’s Tours
Simply2Moms / Sand Dollar Lane / DIY Beautify
The Ponds Farmhouse / Pasha Is Home / Lantern Lane Designs
Thursday’s Tours
StoneGable / My Wee Abode / County Road 407
She Gave It A Go / Aratari At Home / Willow Bloom Home
Friday’s Tours
Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder / White Arrows Home / Follow The Yellow Brick Home
Robyn’s French Nest / Tatertots and Jello / My Family Thyme
You are a genius!! We have echos and most days I just want to throw them all in the garbage (they are acting glitchy) but even in the days I don’t want to, I have never found a good way to incorporate them into the decor. You. Are. A. Genius!!! Love this idea!!! And your home for Spring is gorgeous!! I’m so glad we got to your together again! I love it every time!! ❤
Author
Wow, a genius?! I’ll make sure and show this to my family! 😉 Your comment made my day. Thank you Aliya!
Cindy,
Your home is just stunning. I love the buffalo plaid chairs and that cubby cabinet is so great. I don’t remember seeing it before. It’s amazing how you can move things around and they look so different in. a new space.
Author
When the hubs can hear me moving furniture and banging nails in the walls – he just says well, I see you were bored today. I love a restyle! Thank you Rachel.
Cindy your home looks so pretty for spring! I love all of the beautiful touches you added. And I LOVE those chairs on your porch!!!
Author
Thank you Stacy. Those chairs have been used in so many places. Got them years ago from Pier One. Wish that store was still open. Happy Spring!
Your home is gorgeous and I love what you’ve done for spring. The front door is such a pretty colour and I agree with you about the cubbies. I like that they are artfully decorated but not cluttered looking. I can’t do clutter either! The back porch is really pretty and I’m sure you’ll be enjoying it to the fullest in no time.
Author
Oh, me too! It drives my husband crazy. He’ll leave something on the counter for a couple days and the next day it’s gone. Can’t do clutter either. Most of the items in the white cubby shelf are things I made in my pottery class. It’s fun to be able to say that! 🙂 Thanks so much Shawna.
I am in LOVE with your beautiful spring home! I am a neutral gal at heart, and so this gives me all the heart eyes.
Thanks for sharing such wonderful inspiration–pinned!
It is a joy being on this tour with you.
xoxo,
Brendt
Author
Aww, thank you so much Brendt. Totally love your name btw. Happy Spring!
Cindy,
Wonderful tour those chairs and ottoman are so pretty
Author
I appreciate that Cindy, thank you. I’m a shorty and I love that I can sit in them and my feet touch the ground. It’s the little things, right?! Hope you have a great week.
Your home is so charming!!!! I love all the spring touches!! And am completely smitten with that big cubby shelf in your entryway!!! Everything looks amazing!!
Author
I had to fight off three women for that shelf. I found it at Home Goods. When I told the guy to take to the front for me, I didn’t dare leave it for fear of someone else snatching it up. It’s been fun to move around and fill with my own handmade pottery. I know, I’m so extra. LOLOLOL! Thanks bunches Emily.
Your home is so pretty! I love all the spring touches!
Author
Thank you Lindsay. That means a lot. 🙂
It’s all lovely, Cindy!! I love those grey and white plaid chairs with the matching ottoman!
Author
I found those at Pier One years ago. Still love them too. Thanks Rachel!
Cindy, your neutral spring decor is so pretty. I love your cubby shelves–pinned! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Author
I’m amazed at how many places in our home I can stick that cubby shelf. I’m sure I’ll move it in a couple of months to somewhere new. Thanks so much Cecilia!
Cindy, your home looks so pretty! I love all of the spring touches you’ve added. My favorite is your beautiful porch. I wish we lived closer so I could sit and join you for a cup of coffee and a chat. Happy to be touring with you this week my friend. Pinned!
Author
I wish you lived closer too! We’d have a blast. That is after all of your mothering, taxi driving and game cheerleader! We could chat about how you need a vacation. LOL. Thanks for the sweet comment Jen. Happy Spring
Cindy, your home is so pretty! The dining room looks amazing and those plaid chairs and ottoman are my fav. Adding the blues and greens are the perfect touch! So nice touring with you this week! Happy Spring!
Author
I used to really dislike all blues but when I got the wild hair to paint the kitchen blue, I was stuck with it. In my defense, I was battling dog puke gold walls in the rest of the house and the hubs is under the impression that if the paint isn’t peeling off the wall we don’t need to repaint (insert rolling eyes). He has great qualities but redoing anything isn’t one of them. Even when I save him so much more money! LOL! Thanks for the sweet comment Kim. Hope you have a great weekend.
Beautiful home! It’s hard to tell, but it looks like the furniture is too spread out in your living room for conversation. Also, the sofa looks like it’s kind of sitting in front of the fireplace? Just my 2 cents, I would place the sofa facing the TV with the two buffalo check chairs against the window and the grey chair on the other side basically like it is now in relation to the couch. I would leave that area where the buffalo check chairs are now for a walking path.
Author
We use the arrangement you’re talking about in fall and winter because we use the fireplace. But during spring and summer I treat the fireplace like a wall and switch up the seating because I want and love change. I see what you’re saying about the conversation area but if you saw it in real life, you’d be able to tell it’s serves us well. No one is too far for chatting. And there’s no way to leave a walking path where the checked chairs are now. One day I’ll do a video and it will make more sense. I truly appreciate your suggestions though. Keep them coming! Thank you Jeanine.
Your neutral spring touches are lovely, Cindy! I LOVE those pillows on the chairs! Where did you get those? I totally get the arranging furniture issue! I do like the way you have your TV on the console and decor above it. Looks great! Pinned!
Author
You get me Julie, thank you! I got those pillow covers at IKEA this year so I bet you can still find them. Always love your visits. 😉
I love your neutral style, it’s so pretty and calming. I really love the cubby unit with white accessories!
Author
I do love a calm house and I think I love that cubby unit more and more each week. At first I thought wow, it’s big but it fits in so many places in our home so it’s a keeper. Plus, it’s where I display my handmade pottery. Yep, most of those pieces I made! Can you believe it?! Not Pottery Barn worthy yet but I’m getting there. Thank you Leen. Happy Spring!
I love your home all dressed for spring, just enough color to make a difference. Those checked chairs are my favorites and go so well with the rest. Thanks for sharing your lovely home.
Author
It’s my pleasure Marlene. Thank you for the visit. The checked chairs seem to be a hit. I like them too. Just enough pattern but not overwhelming.
Girl, those paint tips are so smart and I love your porch door color, it works beautifully with the neutrals and soft color palette! And that cubby piece in the entryway is brilliant! Love that you didn’t clutter it up (I probably would have stuffed every space lol). Your buffalo check seating area is so pretty, I just love your tour friend 🖤
Author
That makes my day friend, thank you. I’m going back and forth on whether to paint the front door again this year. We’ve had 3 colors in the 12 years we’ve lived here. I think it’s time for a change. 🙂
Cindy my friend I loved your tour. It was fun to read about how your style has changed and see where it is now. It’s beautiful and so well put together. I love your outdoor space just as much as your indoor spaces. Thanks for joining me this week!
Author
Girl, if my style hadn’t changed, I would be quite the blogger. LOL! I wish I would have liked back then what I like now but that’s life. Gotta keep my family on their toes around here. 😉 Thanks bunches Kelly.
So fresh and bright for Spring! You get those tulips and daffodils so much earlier than we do; I won’t see mine for a month at least:( Had snow yesterday. I always love seeing how you beautifully style your home. I’m jealous of you tall ceilings; I could have fun with that space. Happy Spring to you, friend!
Author
I wish you could tell me what to do then with the space above the front door. It’s takes a super tall ladder to get up their and gets so dusty. I just tell people it’s not dust, we just did a suede treatment on it in a grayish brown color. LOL! Thanks bunches Lora.
What a treat to see your beautiful home all decked out for spring Cindy. Your plaid chairs and ottoman are my favorites. I have the same dining room chairs as you do and can’t find the right cushions to use as you have tieing in the back of the chair. Any ideas on where I might find some? And your patio chairs are AMAZING! I want some. Thank you for all the inspiration, my friend.
Author
I got my chairs and cushions at the same time at Pier One years ago. Try Ballard Designs for cushions. You could always try making your own although, that’s certainly not my idea of fun. Got the patio chairs at Pier One too. As a matter of fact, now that I think about it, I got the checked chairs their too! LOL. Can you tell we didn’t have much of a choice for shopping around our house a few years ago? Lots of my dishes came from their as well. Goodness, I need to get out more. Thanks for the trip down memory lane Kim. 🙂
Everything looks so fresh! I really am crushing on your console table in your dining room…the style and tone are goregous!!
Author
I bought the console table to go in the entry (where the large cubby shelf is now). It looked nice there for several months but I love it in the dining room. Thank you for the sweet comment Jennifer. Happy Spring!
Cindy your spring home is so pretty. I love the outdoor space. Those chairs are amazing! Pinned.
Author
I feel the same way about your outdoor space! Thanks so much.
Pretty tour with your spring accents Cindy! Love that Alexa cover and your pottery houses too! BTW I was just thinking after reading some of the comments, what if a group of bloggers came over, held you captive and painted the kitchen your new color of choice. You could plead complete innocence with the Mister LOL! Food for thought! 😉
Author
Well considering my name is Charity, I say yaaaaaas! I would love that and the Mister wouldn’t be able to say a thing if I told him it was because people felt sorry for me. 😉 Thanks bunches Michelle.
Oh my goodness so many cute details! I especially love your patio,. I wish I could sit down and have a glass of lemonade! I pinned it to my spring board to share!
xoxo
Author
Aww, thank you Jennifer. I love hearing that. Glad you could visit today and thanks for the pin!
Cindy your home is so bright and light for spring! I love the white cubby shelf in the entry! Also the pops of green mixed in with your neutral decor. Your fireplace is always a favorite of mine, but I also love your back porch. The chairs are amazing.
Beautiful tour!
Author
We used to use the back porch all the time but now not as much even though I enjoy making it pretty. The dogs took over 🙁 Wish our backyard looked like yours but I am not a gardener nor do I enjoy it. Maybe if I lived in Kansas where things stayed green longer I would. Thanks for the sweet comment Amber.
Love that you started your tour right at your front door! Love the welcoming entry! The cubbies are AMAZING and I love how you have them styled!!
Author
Aww, thank you Kristin. I want the porchette to look nice for the Amazon Man! 😉
You are so funny, Cindy! From the porchette to the back patio each and every space is filled with your beautiful style. I love all the neutrals and the pops of seasonal color too. They look really good and are the perfect way to transition from one season to the next. Super excited about your cubbies and of course the buffalo checks as well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that angle before and I’m loving it. Sending you tons of hugs for a joy filled Easter season, CoCo
Author
I love a good redesign so I’m moving furniture ALL the time. Who knows where the chairs or sofa or cubby shelf will be next month. 😉
Your home is so pretty! Love all the details! Every little detail is so beautiful!
Happy day!
KariAnne
Author
Thank you friend. Hope you’re enjoying the Spring weather?! Big hugs
Oh my gosh, Cindy! I am sooo stealing the “porchette” idea!!! You KNOW ours is a porchette; not even a place to sit down. (whaaaaa!) But I do love ours for looking out at the squirrels, rabbits and delivery trucks coming by! Love your neutral decor and I am happy to have featured your home (and post) at last week’s Share Your Style #340 for you. <3
Enjoy your pretty home,
Barb 🙂
Author
Thank you so much Barbara. I’ve not even gotten on the computer or done much on IG lately for life getting in the way. I really appreciate the share. Glad you found something to “steal”. LOL. Have a great weekend!