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Spring decorating when you don’t plan it and a few tips

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Happy Hello Friends!  The Mister flew to California this week so I decided to drive down to the country house and stay the week with our middle child.  I never need an excuse to see her but just hanging out seemed like a good one but I can only do so much sitting and chatting when there’s work to be done.  This time of year is always fun to me.  The colors, the blooms, the gardening, the deep cleaning.  I love it all!  So let’s get to some Spring decorating when you don’t plan it and a few tips.

Spring decorating when you don’t plan it and a few tips

The first night Macy and I sat together and watched a bit of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.  Have you seen it?  It’s on Netflix.  Marie loves a mess and helps families organize their life so home is a pleasant place to be.  I gave myself a pat on the back after the first 10 minutes into the first show.  We already fold our clothes like she suggests but something that really excited me was the “sparking joy” thing.  Marie says hold each item of clothing and if it doesn’t spark joy, you shouldn’t keep it.  If you haven’t seen it, check Netflix or YouTube.  It’s worth it.

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  The Mister gave me some beautiful flowers before he left and couldn’t leave them at home.  As soon as I arrived I put them in a vintage pitcher and sat them behind the sofa.  The beautiful colors and lovely smell is what lead to the spring decorating.

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My favorite color is pink but I rarely use it.  Maybe because it’s overly feminine and I don’t think the Mister would like it.  But since we don’t live here on a regular basis, and Macy likes pink then pink it is!  Plus, it looks great with the orange flowers.  I have so enjoyed the pink.

Tip Number One: Not every color you choose has to match exactly.

The quilted floral pillows have a similar pink and brighten up the surroundings.  Whatever color you choose and are working with doesn’t need to be an exact match.  If you have blue pillows, you can add 2 or 3 other colors of blue.  Use solids, patterns or florals.  Just keep the colors similar and together it will look amazing and very designer like.

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When adding art work, I decided to remove the cow poster from the easy DIY frame and add a lively botanical printed tea towel for a little more color.  Is it too much?  Not for me!

Tip Number Two:  Keep large pieces in neutral colors.

It may be a lot to look at for some of you but do what makes you happy!  If I had a colorful sofa and chair and a different color on the walls, then I’d think it was a bit much.  But keeping the walls and larger pieces of furniture neutral, it makes it easier to add in small or large bits of color each season.  And I like to change colors – A LOT.

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Tip Number Three:  Wreaths aren’t just for doors.

The wreath below has been with us for many years.  It’s kind of seen better days but because I love the colors, I’m going to fluff that thing until most of the beads fall off.  It’s hanging on an old birdcage stand.  If you’re up for making a tabletop wreath holder, I made one!  You can see it here.  Depending on the size of the wreath, they look nice hanging on cabinet doors, on lamp shades, bookshelves, windows, etc.  No need to limit yourself to a door.

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I needed to fill up the table a little because I don’t like a bare table.  You can see more dust on a bare table.  😉

Tip Number Four:  Use books for free accessories.

If you need something else to put on a table, turn some books around so the pages show.  All I did was write the word PRAY on 4 books with a Sharpie.  One book for each letter.  You probably don’t want a word longer than a few letters.  We’re not filling up a shelf.  You could write SPRING or HELLO if that puts a smile on your face.  It doesn’t necessarily look spring-like but if you tied the books together with springy ribbon it would!  😉  And propping is always good.  Prop the books with a plant or candle or small house or birdcage.  Whatever looks fun or gives the grouping a bit of whimsy.

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Well I hope my Spring decorating when you don’t plan it and a few tips comes in handy.

Sadly, this fun week is over for me and I need to head back home.  But not all is lost – I’m heading back to see if the Mister’s side of the closet sparks joy for me.  I know that’s not exactly what Marie was saying.  She tells us that we are responsible for our own things.  But I’m sure my Mister will appreciate it if I do his side too.  LOL.  I see a large donation pile in my future!  😉

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40 Comments

  1. Barb
    February 19, 2019 / 7:13 am

    Cindy Cindy Cindy I love everything about this room!!! The tea towel was genius, seriously you are so clever. The pillows are another favorite of mine. It’s really so fresh and welcoming. I love Maries show too, it really inspires me to look at things differently
    ❤️❤️❤️

    • February 19, 2019 / 11:30 am

      Awe, thank you so very much Barbara. You are always so encouraging. That Marie Kondo show is something else. I know I’ll be purging the house this year for sure. We have a lot of things that do not spark joy. LOL. Our 3 dang dogs better watch out!

    • Cynthia
      February 19, 2019 / 1:14 pm

      Love the towel idea !!

      • February 19, 2019 / 1:23 pm

        Thank you! I have a lot of tea towels that I don’t want to use on my hands because I’ll have to wash them and I’m afraid they’ll never look the same. Hanging them in the living room instead of just on the stove handle sounded good. 😉

  2. February 19, 2019 / 7:14 am

    I love your pillows and I like to mix patterns too. Some are afraid but I always say if they have similar colors go for it just mix in some solid to calm the eye.

    Have fun going through Mister’s closet.

    Cindy

    • February 19, 2019 / 11:35 am

      Thank you Cindy! I bet the Mister doesn’t even notice the “clean up”. Not with his clothes anyway. Now his junk closet(s) might be another story. Have you started making your home look springy yet? I’m grateful that bloggers are on a different calendar. 🙂 Hope you have a great week.

  3. Melissa Merriam
    February 19, 2019 / 7:51 am

    Oh Cindy, I love this post. This dreary weather makes me long for spring!!
    Can’t wait to visit the country house in the next couple of months!

    • February 19, 2019 / 11:16 am

      Oh my golly, you made a comment! Woo hoo – That makes my day. Hope y’all can make it out soon and we have nice weather. Thanks Melisa, glad you loved it!

  4. February 19, 2019 / 8:10 am

    Your touches of Spring are truly beautiful. I love the idea of writing on the pages of the old books.

    • February 19, 2019 / 11:17 am

      Writing on book pages is one of my favorite things to do. I think I’ll do a HELLO soon. Thank you Rachel and Happy decorating!

  5. February 19, 2019 / 8:37 am

    Cindy, I love pink and it is my accent color in our living room. I love how you hung the coral dish towel. Super easy and gives a great punch of color. I’ve been placing books backwards for a couple of years to get a informal neutral look. Such an easy thing to do, but makes a big difference. Have fun in the country.

    • February 19, 2019 / 11:19 am

      Thank you Carol. It really does make a huge difference to turn the books around. It goes from color to neutral in 2 seconds. 🙂 Hopefully, one of these days, y’all can come down too?!

  6. Terri
    February 19, 2019 / 9:26 am

    Beautiful !!! Love the spring living room at the The Country House….. Ummmm….Turn some books around and get a Sharpie??? Wow…… what a great idea !!!!!:)

    • February 19, 2019 / 11:21 am

      Terri, I love turning books around. Especially when you don’t want all the color from the bindings. Glad you liked the look and post! 😉

  7. Shirley
    February 19, 2019 / 9:46 am

    How pretty & fresh everywhere looks Cindy. Love your pops of pink & your flowers are beautiful.Your Mister is a keeper!
    I loved the Marie Kondo series. She is very calming & makes you want to tackle your clutter. I’m sure she was responsible for increased donations at the Charity shops.

    • February 19, 2019 / 11:23 am

      I totally agree about Marie Kondo. Some of those shows had soooooo many bags of donations it was crazy! I too think the Mister is a keeper. Love him to bits. Thank you Shirley!

  8. erika
    February 19, 2019 / 10:17 am

    I think that floral tea towel is just so charming the way you’re hung it. The whole room is cozy and very springlike. well done. i mostly have blue and white, but i’m thinking that i need to get some pink and green thrown in for a warmer springy room.

    • February 19, 2019 / 11:26 am

      In all the years of decorating, this was my first year to concentrate on pink and let me tell you, it’s been my favorite color – ever! But I feel I love pink more than most people. LOL. I think adding pink and green with blue and white would be beautiful and a happy addition for a spring look. Have fun Erika!

  9. February 19, 2019 / 11:10 am

    This looks so refreshing and pretty. Love it!

    Susan and Bentley

    • February 19, 2019 / 11:27 am

      Thank you Susan and Bentley, it’s been putting a big ol’ grin on my face. 🙂

  10. Marlene Stephenson
    February 19, 2019 / 11:38 am

    Your spring looks so pretty, love your wreath and your pretty hanging. I am so ready and love seeing posts like this to make me smile when it’s cold outside. Hope you and your daughter had a great time.

    • February 19, 2019 / 11:45 am

      I’m so glad I did it yesterday. The weather was cool but sunny and today its down right cold and raining. Bleh. Guess I’ll just stay inside and gawk and love all the pink and spring happiness. I bet I tackle another room too! Thanks Marlene, stay warm. Spring is coming!

  11. Vicki
    February 19, 2019 / 12:44 pm

    What a beautiful room! Those flowers from your husband are especially pretty! I also adore that large frame with the jute twine that you can change the artwork in. I recently bought a large framed print on FB Marketplace, and when I picked it up I was a little disappointed in the color of the art itself, but the ornate frame was well worth what I paid and I think I may use this idea! Happy spring!

    • February 19, 2019 / 1:17 pm

      Vicki, you will love using an empty frame to change out artwork. I have several around our house and the frame makes everything seem more substantial. A lot like a cloche. 🙂 Thanks for commenting and have fun!

  12. February 19, 2019 / 1:02 pm

    I live kinda’ near you ~ just on the other side of the area! It definitely is a dreary, cold & rainy day here! I’ve been in the throes of purging closets and miscellaneous “stuff” from our home for several months now ~ going through years of clutter we (mostly me, though!) have accumulated. I think we’ve donated at least 15 large garbage bags full! It feels good to clean and help others at the same time, and this is just the kind of day to spend doing more of the same … ! Plus, I’m going to check on Marie’s storage hints for what is left!
    And ….. Love the pinks and brighter tones you’ve placed in this room!

    • February 19, 2019 / 1:19 pm

      Thank you Kathy and howdy neighbor! It really does make one feel good about donations and cleaning up. I have often said purge is my favorite word. LOL. Glad you like the pinks and bright happy colors. I can’t seem to get enough of them. It’s probably the gloomy weather – yeah, I’m going with that. :0

  13. Peggy Z
    February 19, 2019 / 1:39 pm

    Oh my goodness! That pink is gorgeous and so lovely for these old gray days of winter hanging on! That print just makes me smile. So inviting. I’m not a pink person but I may need to look for some pillows!

    • February 19, 2019 / 1:52 pm

      Peggy – Not a pink person? I love every color pink there is! But I get you. There are colors I don’t care for as much either. Like yellow. I blame that on my mother. Every house we ever lived in had a yellow kitchen (insert rolling eyes). Way to much yellow. 😉 Glad you smiled and were inspired to find some pillows though – Happy hunting!

  14. Jean
    February 19, 2019 / 1:51 pm

    My clever, clever child! The tea towel and writing on the book pages is such a simple and inexpensive way to change things up. This was a great read. I’m wondering if my son in law will have anything left in his closet! Lol. I could never have done that with your dad’s closet, because I bought everything in there! I truly don’t believe the man knew what size underwear he wore. 😳. TMI???

    • February 19, 2019 / 1:55 pm

      TMI yes but I figured as much. And the Mister probably won’t even notice the “thinning out”. LOL. Thank you Mommy Dearest for commenting – ON THE BLOG! 😉 I always appreciate it. Love you.

  15. February 19, 2019 / 2:31 pm

    You have a beautiful spring room. I love everything and love the tips you shared. The blush had me from the beginning.

    • February 19, 2019 / 2:34 pm

      Thanks sweet Terrie! I’m happy walking through it. 💕

  16. February 19, 2019 / 3:11 pm

    I am loving the pink in that room – it’s perfect for spring!! I usually bring in a bit of orange/coral/aqua but now I want all the pink! I’m off to see what PB has in pink pillow covers….
    🙂

    • February 19, 2019 / 3:35 pm

      Oh man I wish I could go with you to PB. My favorite retail store! Have fun. Show me what fab pink stuff you find. 😃. Thanks Debbie

  17. February 19, 2019 / 10:25 pm

    Everything looks so pretty! The pink is perfect for spring. I love the botanical wall hanging especially!

    • February 19, 2019 / 10:27 pm

      Thanks Amber. I got the tea towel a few years ago and have never used it. That’s ridiculous! 😂

  18. Dana
    February 20, 2019 / 10:53 pm

    Cindy,

    You have a beautiful home and I’ve searched the replies to see if I could find someone ask you the wall color? Would you mind sharing?

    • February 21, 2019 / 11:57 am

      Thank you Dana. The wall color is Sherwin Williams Bungalow Beige. But remember, lighting makes a huge difference so test all colors at different times of the day as well as on walls that don’t get much light. Hope you have a great day! 😄

  19. Jennifer
    February 28, 2019 / 11:36 pm

    When I saw this room on Instagram I fell in love! 🥰 I had no idea that was a tea towel . What a genius idea! I love the books also. This room screams spring. Over the weekend I went with the family to Coronado Island (near San Diego) and stopped at small boutique. I picked up a beautiful dragonfly tea towel. I was thinking pillow cover but, now you’ve given me another option! I’m so glad I found your blog .

    • February 28, 2019 / 11:47 pm

      Awe. That is so nice of you to say Jennifer. Thank you. Glad you found me too!

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