• Pinterest
• Facebook

• Pinterest
• Facebook

So, here we are… heading into the middle of March, and I don’t know about you, but every year, immediately following the changing of the clocks, I get Spring Fever! Seeing more daylight instantly invigorates me and makes me want to do things both inside and outside my house. Besides the obvious mundane tasks of having to power wash the deck, uncover the patio furniture and spring clean the chandeliers, I’m actually talking about doing simple, quick and affordable, yet really exciting design refreshes: breathing new color and life into an uninspired room by simply giving it a coat of paint, rearranging existing furniture into a new and vibrant look, or maybe just changing some of the artwork and towels in a guest bathroom. But… the dilemma… What color paint? Where to put that accent chair? Which artwork and towels?

While this may sound superficial and unimportant in light of the concerns we are all facing this year given the Coronavirus outbreak, it is actually something that can help us feel better and keep us busy as we spend more time in our homes and plan more staycations. You’re probably more likely now to notice the fading orange color of the pillows on the living room sofa; only then to think further, “What the heck was I thinking back then when I even chose that color!” Or maybe, “I’d like a more comfortable couch in the den now that I’m sitting there more?” Occupying your mind with these reasonable questions and taking pleasure in fulfilling these achievable desires will quickly provide you with a more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable living environment. This, in turn, can make you feel more relaxed and happier as you get more out of your existing home or apartment! You can read more about the all-important mind, body and living-environment connection in my previous blogpost here.

So, what am I doing?

I’ve decided to give a facelift to both my master bath and guest bathrooms. Beginning with the master bathroom, I’m starting by painting over the now outdated tea-stained walls with a fresh coat of Sherwin-Williams “Armadillo” (SW9160) in an eggshell finish. The distressed marble-topped French country vanity, in a brown stain, will be stripped and spray-painted with Sherwin-Williams “Bitter Chocolate” (SW6013) in a satin finish. Finally, I also plan on replacing the existing light over the vanity with a more stylish and energy efficient (LED, 2600K) transitional fixture. Total cost? Less than $500!

The guest bath, on the other hand, I plan on making more cozy and inviting by first changing the wall color from the builder’s special of Benjamin Moore Bone White to Sherwin-Williams “Mink” (SW6004); a richer, much warmer, taupe-y color. The vanity, with granite and faucet which were replaced four years ago, will remain as they are the jumping-off point for the room’s new decor. The current pedestrian artwork will be replaced by more contemporary and visually-inspired pieces that were curated from a local estate sale and that complement the existing accessories. Total cost? Less than $400!

Though, in the greater scheme of things, these changes may seem minimal (after all, we didn’t gut and renovate two entire bathrooms) the results will be visually stunning and extremely cost effective! In neither case did we “break the bank” to bring a smile to my face and make me happy every time I look at them! Tweaking the appearance of a room can be easy, fun and affordable. No longer should you have to live with an old, outdated or stagnant space.

One additional note… As both these projects are currently works-in-progress, stay tuned as future updates will feature before and after pictures along with many other interesting tips and facts.

In these times where we are being encouraged to stay home, cancel our vacation plans and be safe, shouldn’t it also be the time for us to take a better look at our homes and surroundings in order to make where we live that much more comfortable and enjoyable? Begin by taking stock of what you have and what you would like to change or update. Make a list and prioritize it by the order of what you want to accomplish and allow a budget. Then just make the decision to do as much or as little as you want, following your prioritized list. It doesn’t matter whether you are a self-proclaimed decorator and do-it-yourselfer, someone who prefers to leave it ALL to the professionals, or a hybrid somewhere in-between where you enjoy some hands-on but still need guidance… just make the decision to do it! NOW is the time to get started. Spring is the season of rebirth. So what better time to focus on you, your home and your well-being. Start now and you’ll be all ready to better enjoy the seasons ahead in your new surroundings.