Freshening Up Revitalizing Inside Of Home A Key Part Of Ushering In Spring

It’s March and you’re still skeptical of the teasing temperatures that bring promise of warm weather.

Some of the easiest and least expensive ways to update, change or renew your interior spaces for spring are to rearrange furniture or to buy new towels for the kitchen, a new lamp shade or two, a comforter or bedspread, a new throw pillow, a set of coffee mugs, a well-priced set of casual dinnerware or new window dressings.

Painting and a thorough cleaning are also good ways to rejuvenate an interior suffering from winter cobwebs. But that’s a lot of work, and the catchword here is easy.

The design specialists at Laura Ashley note that when it comes to window treatments, less is often more. Using a terrific fabric you love, innovative hardware or clever details, such as a contrasting border, can spruce up a window in a snap.

If privacy is not a factor and you want to maximize light and views, consider using just a valance or cornice that can be easily combined with drapes, shades or blinds.

Maggie Phillips, home fashion coordinator for J.C. Penney, said, “This season’s lighter look bypasses winter-weary darks for more subtle sunwashed shades and pale pastels to complement last year’s neutral tones. She further states, “Naturals are still important, but now they are being used as a backdrop rather than an emphasis. Transparent pale shades and midtones, such as green, gold, yellow and blue, are a welcomed shot of color.

Penney’s offers these suggestions to rid your home of the winter blahs:

Cut the clutter. Instead of clusters of collections, showcase one or two new pieces. Rotate pieces throughout the year to add newness and to personalize a room.

Plaids and gingham checks stand out in table and bed linens. To soften the look, mix in a color-coordinated floral.

What’s new on the decorating front?

Watch for heavy hues to give way to sunwashed shades and transparent pastels. Look for lots of yellow, clear blue and bright green. Pure white is important as an accent and as a companion to last year’s neutrals.

Burnished metals, such as gold, silver and bronze, move from the holidays to spring. Choose lighter, washed versions of metal.

Look for wicker racks and tables trimmed with wire, lanterns, galvanized tin, baskets, birdhouses and planters.

Echoing the “less is more and softer is better” philosophy is David Kahn, president of Croscill Home Fashions. “We believe that consumers are looking for a softness at the windows again but in a newer, lighter genre than the past heavier more ornate draperies.”

To bring a fresh and springlike look to your windows consider:

For an atrium door use two shirred valances, one above the door frame and the other on the door frame. They can be the same fabric or complementary fabrics. Tip: Make sure any door treatments do not interfere with the opening of the door.

Swags are popular window treatments. Find a great sheet on sale or use drapery fabric. Swing the swag over a rod. Beneath the swag you may want to use a coordinating fabric or sheer.

Don’t always think of window coverings as such. One of the most effective looks can be an above-window valance and then, at sill level, hang a curtain to the floor. Cover the window opening with a terrific blind or shade that coordinates with the top and below-window treatments.

Revamp your vertical blinds by adding a fabric valance. This might be shirred, draped, tailored, balloon or whatever you choose. Don’t forget to leave enough room for the blinds to open and close.

Support swags with something unexpected, such as grapevine wreaths or ring-style towel holders.

To update shear curtains tie them back using seasonal ribbon or raffia purchased at a craft store.

Wonderful hardware can make or break a window treatment. Whether it’s inexpensive unfinished wood rods, medallions or decorator designs, how the window treatment hangs is most important.

Take accurate measurements and decide what your style is. Remember, it’s what you like that counts.