April 2012
Greetings Friends and Fans,
Ah, the famous saying: "April showers bring May flowers!" Not that we've had much rain, but we could certainly use it to help those flowers along. But yes, the buds are bursting in New Jersey.
But what really did it for me was walking into our friend's house and seeing this captivating flowered rug in their otherwise neutrally decorated living room - it was a total standout, beautiful colors and just said it all: "Celebrate spring here!" So that's what this month's newsletter is about: the power of flowers in decorating, whether in accents, walls, window treatments or arrangements. While decorating with floral prints can seem intimidating, most patterns offer a range of colors and shades that can be coordinated with other decorative elements in a room.
Area Rugs and Pillows
No accessory has more of an immediate impact on a room than brilliant area rugs and accent pillows! The floral patterns being composed by designers now are fresh and exhilarating. Quality wool rugs are typically hand-made overseas by artisans who exercise the finest yarns and detail, combined with unique color dyes. Rugs should be complemented with cheery pillows that extract colors from the rug to pull it all together. It's OK to mix floral prints with other patterned fabrics; in fact mixing prints creates strong visual interest and energy, and balances patterns (like stripes and plaids) and solid surfaces. And large-scaled prints on small or solid backdrops looks crisp and contemporary.
Wall Art and Accessories
Traditional artwork composed of floral motifs is often depicted in still floral arrangements, garden scenes, and pressed dried flowers. But the new generation of art and decorative accessories reveals bold, sassy designs often of single bright flowers that ultimately have more of an impact on any room. Create dynamic contrast against colored or neutral walls and accent surfaces with playful accessories. In addition, the best part is that these ornamental elements can be changed out with the seasons - yellows and pinks, teals and citrus greens for the spring and summer and reds/oranges and deeper blues and greens when it turns fall. Vases, bowls and trays in leaf and flower shapes are some of the latest trends.
Window and Wall Coverings
That which envelopes the room creates mood and ambiance. Whether rich floral patterns or soft, delicate pastel flowers in draperies and/or wall paper, the aura is set here with the overall color scheme as its backdrop. Subtle "tone on tone" flower and leaf designs are showing up in fabric and screen shades; cascading valances and vertical drapes are most eye-catching when the flow of the fabric floats the flowers and its colors. New Englanders have tended to prefer traditional country floral patterns in wall paper, but the designs being released these days simplify and contemporize floral prints for a much more chic and compelling look. Wallpaper is indeed making a comeback, often for an accent wall, and the latest trend is hand-painted floral motifs on walls.
Fresh Flower Arrangements
What better way to bring cheery color inside than with a real touch of the outdoors! Whether freshly cut flowers right from your gardens or bought at a store (or even silk flowers), a big floral arrangement will grab instant attention and smaller groupings will add refinement to the room. The real creativity comes in your choice of "vases" in which to insert the flowers. Look around your house for unusual vessels - anything with a top opening and can hold water should be considered: uniquely shaped vases, bowls, pots and pails to candle holders, kitchen canisters, wastebaskets....and boots!
Celebrate spring, the time of new beginnings, both outdoors and indoors with the power of flowers! Happy Spring - Decor-Connection