Easter Decorating Before and After! Decorating Ideas

It will soon be Easter Time again, and now is the time to get busy planning on what you will be viewing for the holiday.
This year, like those in the past will be different, and hopefully interesting, and inspirational to you, and yours!

Springtime in the Kitchen, it's time!

Let's Add a Little Color to the Place We See the Most.

Admit it, we're all tired of winter, and it's time for a bright and sunny change. How about we begin in the kitchen, at the table. It's a place we see a lot, and it's also a place which can alter our mood. We might as well alter that mood in the right direction.

No matter the color of your kitchen you can bring in the bright, and sunny colors of spring just by adding a little dash of yellow here and there. Yellow can quickly grab attention. Yellow is a bright that is often described as cheery and warm. Yellow can also increase the metabolism. Since yellow is the most visible color, it is also the most attention-getting color. Yellow can be used in small amounts to draw notice to an area you wish to feature.

I took this side table in the kitchen, which until recently had been decorated with an Easter theme, and changed it to spring. First I took away the Easter trimmings, and placed a large bowl with dried gourds, and a cardinal inside, and added a couple of other pieces that reminded me of spring. I also placed 2 glass vases with white sticks (leftover from Christmas) and put in just a few little yellow flowers, immediately drawing attention to that table, and it's happy setting.
Yellow Is Cheerful
For many people, yellow is seen as a bright and cheerful color. Advertisers may use it to not only draw attention, but also to evoke a sense of happiness.
Now on to the next setting... The main Table.

For the Kitchen table I have used blues, and whites. I gathered various old pieces, trays, a coffee pot, a floral pitcher, and white ceramic cherub candle holder among other things. I also put blue and white hydrangeas in the pitcher, and set out matching blue and white tea cups.
There is a blue runner on top of a cream tablecloth, and a white lace runner on the top of that, with cream lace doilies on either side.
Blue is described as a favorite color by many people and is the color most preferred by men. Blue calls to mind feelings of calmness or serenity. It is often described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly.
White is considered a powerful color in feng shui, a system of arranging your environment to create harmony. Colors are linked to certain feng shui elements and in the case of white, the element it expresses is metal. Wood and glass accents go extraordinarily well with white.

What ever colors you choose for your springtime table settings, be sure that it is those colors that make you truly happy, and relaxed. Home is suppose to be a haven, and a cluttered haven is not so good. There is a reason for "Spring Cleaning". Have fun with it, and make it a happy place!

Decorating for Easter, it's fun and easy!

It's spring time, and after the long dreary winter you want to get out and celebrate. You may find that you also wish to bring that celebration into the home to breath life back into your abode. Easter is the perfect time to show off those lively decorations with their bright happy colors.

It's not as hard as you might think. First you pick out a few baskets. They can be old, or new (I prefer old), then get some colorful Easter grass, and eggs, of course. Add to that your favorite bunnies, chicks, or various religious items, silk flowers, and you are well on your was to a lively Easter display!
On the left you can see my fireplace. On top are 2 square baskets with blue grass, and 2 tall silk flowers. Sitting atop the grass are silver and gold eggs. In the center of the fireplace is an Easter Egg wreath, and at the bottom of the fireplace sits another Easter basket decorated with silk flowers, colorful ribbon, and Easter eggs, and this took no time at all.

On the right you can a antique Chifferobe decorated with expensive store bought bunnies. I added to the display, a birch basket filled with green Easter grass, a primitive cloth bunny, and a few Easter eggs. I can tell you that it really adds life to that corner of the library.
Now, don't you feel like bringing a little bit of happiness, and fun to your own home? To see what else was done on the inside of the house just follow the link to the photos. Click Here

Get a French Country look in no time!

How to transform a room into French Country the easy way!
Have you always wanted to change a dull, drab room, but you didn't know where to start? Let's change all of that now, and get to the room that you want to come home to!
1. Empty the room, and choose a neutral palette, you will be adding accents of color, so don't fret. A neutral palette gives an air of calm to the room. Pillows, paintings, throws, and Persian rugs can give color accents.

2. Paint your furniture, or pick up pieces that you can paint at a thrift shop. The French are known for their love of painted furniture. Choice colors would be white, grey or taupe. You can also use deep red or navy or duck egg blue (a greenish soft blue), if you prefer. Another way to add interest to your painted furniture is by adding moldings, painting the detail in a different color or light distressing for a more rustic look (shabby chic). For a more palatial French look you can use gilt on the trims. Remember that not every piece of furniture needs to be painted, just a few chosen pieces here and there.

3. Look for a couple of great vintage pieces of furniture such as an Armoire, Chifforobe ( or French sideboard to enhance your French Country look. These can completely transform a room, as well as add much needed storage, and who couldn't use a little extra storage?

4. Don't forget the lighting. Chandeliers look wonderful over a dining room table or in the living, and bedrooms. You can pick up chandeliers second hand at thrift shops. Clean them with soapy water to make them sparkly again. In living spaces turn off your overhead lights and use lamps with hanging crystals for mood lighting.

5. Use blue and beige French Toile design on pillows on a sofa, or bed. The soft toile pattern on a accent pillow brings a romantic and stylish twist to your interior. Other decorative designs or patterns for a French look include a crown, fleur de lis, and stripes. You can also use neutral linens with red or blue stripes or accents for bedding. Another idea is to replace your usual pair of armchairs or sofa with a daybed, they are great for an afternoon nap!

6. Wire or wicker baskets offer great French Country style storage, and you can use them unpainted or give them a light wash with white or grey paint. Vintage, or vintage style Farmhouse Wire Baskets to hold hand towels. Basket offers convenient storage for a variety home essentials, and everything just looks better in a basket.

7. Other accessories in the kitchen can easily add to a French look. Items such as a old breadboards, tea towels, enamel jugs and cake domes. Create vignettes. Group a few items on your sideboard or the corner of a counter for an interesting composition.

As I said at the beginning, the most important thing is to just get started. All of the ideas listed are very easy, and quite achievable in a small amount of time. You need only to motivate yourself to achieve your goals, and those goals are very pleasing, and happy ones to come home to. While there are many elements that contribute to the French Country style of decorating, the resulting look is always rustic, old-world, and welcoming. After all, the French Country look is one of old earthy, and chic style. I think that why I like it so much. Don't forget to let me know if you have tried any of these ideas in your home.