dreaming of spring

About this time of year, I begin looking for any sign that spring is on its way.  The tiniest hint of a warm breeze or the masses of snow melting enough to offer a glimpse of the water-logged grass beneath is enough to get me dreaming of the spring blossoms soon to come.  In my mind, I'm seeing a vase of these on my dining room table

housemartin

The simplest display of spring blooms is always the best, in my opinion.  This year how about displaying tulips in a fresh, straightforward arrangement?  These blooms lined up in a clear glass vase are lovely indeed.

If you're working with tiny flowers, then tiny arrangements work the best!  As demonstrated by these miniscule little beauties arranged in eggshells and egg cups.

martha stewart

And proving that there's strength in numbers, how about this stunning collection of daffodils?

Of course I can't find the photo, so you'll have to take my word for it, but when my daughter was married in April, we placed masses of dainty little johnny jump-ups (also known as violas) in creamy white planters on every table.  The effect was simple and beautiful.

I'll just keep reminding myself that it won't be long until I see these gorgeous blooms in person instead of on my computer screen.  But for now, a little spring dreamin' never hurt anyone....

the power of the pillow

Why is it that something as soft and squishy as a pillow has the power to transform a room or a piece of furniture from blah to beautiful?  I think it's because pillows allow us to express our personalities in pretty little punches.  None of us wants to be stuck with a flower-print sofa for ten years, so we tend to choose safe, neutral upholstery on our big ticket items.   Here's where the power of the pillow comes in - with a minimal investment of moolah, we can transform our neutral furnishings into show-stoppers with the addition of an awesome pillow or two!

Allow me to prove my point:

Great chair - sexy shape, nice neutral leather, but a bit boring on its own...

Ahh, much better with a little splash of color (and a bit of glitz!).

Again, great basic chair....

Endowed with a dash of personality via a plucky little pillow!

Okay, I'll be the first to admit that this sectional is anything but boring on its own.  In fact, I dream about taking this beauty home just about every night....

 

But apparently, even perfection can be improved upon!

Now that I've convinced you all that you need to run out and stock up on a plethora of pillows (hehe - "plethora" - my favorite word from the silly, but perenially-family-favorite-movie "The Three Amigos"), allow me to share some of my current favorites:

Absolutely anything from Hen House Linens - their pillows are the epitome of comfortable, fresh, and friendly.

Trina Turk's embroidered pillows - exotic and eye-catching!

Company C's textural, colorful pillows are always eye-pleasers

Or, do some browsing on etsy and find a one-of-a-kind winner like this handmade beauty.

Now go!  Banish boring from your bedroom, and living room, and family room, and office, and guest room, and.....well, you get the picture!

in love with lights

Lately I've been looking for lights for a design project I'm working on. Small-sized chandeliers with some bling to them, to be exact.  I admit that I'm usually more of a drum-shade chandelier sort of gal,  but I'm loving these little dazzlers!

Wouldn't these look sweet over nightstands in a pre-teen's room?

cbk

Here's an elegant little beauty.

cbk

And how about three of these clustered at different lengths over a dining room table?

creative co-op

This one uses capiz shells rather than glass, but it definitely would add a certain pizazz in your bedroom.

And I know a little four-year old who would think she'd died and gone to heaven if she came home and found  a couple of these hanging on both sides of her bed - they're pretty in pink!

yummy yellow

Don't you just love yellow?! It's such a happy color. And when that happy yellow is in your home - lovely!

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