Changing Your Decor With the Seasons

by Sherri Blum

I have to admit I’m fickle. As an Interior Designer, this can be a very dangerous personality trait. I often find myself putting together new combinations of colors and patterns for a client and immediately thinking to myself, "I would love to have a room like this!"

Now, I know that every time I see something pretty and new, I can’t change the entire color scheme and furnishings of my home. As my husband often reminds me, we have a very limited decorating budget. Therefore, I have learned to be very creative on a small budget.

In order to satisfy my fickle nature and my husband, I change a few minor details of each room as the seasons change. We change our wardrobes with the seasons, why not our décor? Think about how our wardrobes change with the seasons. In the spring and summer we trade in our dark earth tones and deep jewel tones for bright whites and pastels. Our heavy fabrics and textures are exchanged for lightweight cottons, linens and silks. These changes rejuvenate us and prepare us for the change of weather. Why not make these same changes in your home?

Occasionally changing our surroundings can have both mental and physical benefits. Color can effect mood and can even trick us into feeling cooler or warmer. Red is thought to stimulate conversation and appetite and is often used in kitchens and dining rooms. One of the most popular colors used in areas with long winters is a warm yellow. Its glow reminds us of the warm summer sun, and when surrounded by it, one might actually begin to feel a bit warmer. Deep purple or red just might lift your spirits on those overcast winter days. A pure bright white or pale sky blue will visually cool a room in the summer. I think that changing a few well-chosen accessories with the seasons can have many benefits.

One of the easiest and least expensive accessories to change is toss pillows. You could choose solid or patterned pillows in cool shades of blue, lavender, green or crisp white for your sofas, chairs and bed for spring and summer. If using white, be sure to vary your textures to avoid a sterile look. I like to trade in my heavy floral comforter and coordinating pillows used in the fall and winter, for a crisp white matelasse coverlet and lacy pillows in warmer weather. In the winter, you could bring out warmer and brighter colors such as gold, brown and red for pillows and other fabrics.

Changing an area rug can make a big impact. Coordinate rugs with your pillows and other fabrics. You could use a brightly colored and intricately patterned Persian or Aubusson style area rug in the cooler months and a sisal rug or even none at all in the summer months.

Minor accessories should not be ignored. An iron candelabra in my kitchen is readily transformed just by adding shades to the candles. I have a white set for spring and summer, and a patterned red set for fall and winter. I also change my table centerpiece with tulips and hyacinths in the spring, geraniums in the summer, sunflowers or mums in the fall, or even a basket of bright red apples. And let us not forget the front door …the winter holidays should not be the only time you change your door wreath. I have a standard grapevine wreath around which I wrap a garland of flowers for spring and summer. I change the garland to one of orange, red and yellow leaves or flowers for fall, and I use an evergreen wreath for winter.

So remember, whether you have neutral beige or bright red walls; or whatever your individual style, you can change a few key accessories with the seasons to accomplish a completely different atmosphere and mood in your home. You can do so at minimal expense, which is certain to keep our spouses happy. And when my husband does question my ever-evolving décor, I just remind him that he’s fortunate that it’s home décor in which I’m fickle, and not men!

Sherri Blum is the owner/operator of Bare Walls Design Co. and Jack and Jill Interiors for Children, which provide a wide variety of design services. She resides in Westminster with her husband Kevin and two sons. You may contact her at (410) 857-0220.