Refresh your space for spring

Recently we were featured in an article for "In Prince William", a local publication affiliated with the Fauquier Times newspaper.  We are thankful and humbled by these opportunities.



Here is the article about refreshing your decor for spring:

A good part of the late winter months is spent yearning for spring, since I am less fond of crippling cold weather than I use to be.  I still can't wait for the greening of the grass and turning my thoughts to sprucing up the yard after the grey, less colorful winter months.

My front yard

What can we do to improve our homes inside and out this spring?  If you haven't been seriously 'nesting' during the winter and working on the inside of your home, now is a great time to freshen up your decor.  Whether it's a makeover or just a re-fresh, here are some tips for the inside of your home this season.

 Interior Tips:

Add Greenery.  A feeling of bringing the outdoors 'in' adds life to your decor, not to mention letting plants act as an air freshener and mood lifter.  Plants actually remove toxins from the air and add a 'pop' of the color green that goes with any decor.

Hume Dining Room by PBI,  photo by Jen Dowell

Paint!  I don't know about you, but the smell of a freshly painted room makes me feel happy and clean. If you are content with your wall color, try a fresh coat of semi gloss trim paint. (We love white trim.)  All paint brands have a 2017 Color of the Year that can serve as inspiration for you, such as

Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year "Shadow" 

 or a warm grey by Sherwin Williams called "Poised Taupe".

Re-arrange your art groupings and create new vignettes.  Oftentimes your rooms will take on a whole new look when you move your artwork from one room to another.  

 Powell Brower Interiors, photo by Jen Dowell

Spring Cleaning:  Throw open your windows and let the fresh air in. Clean your draperies and bed toppings and have your carpets steam cleaned.  Go the extra mile and do extraordinary chores, like washing your windows to brighten up your views inside and out.  

Rearrange your furniture:   As an interior designer one of our most valuable services is lending another set of eyes to interpret your space.  Recreate your space by changing things around. "Float" your furniture towards the center of the room giving your space some breathing room.  Add a few new pillows and accessories; it will give new 'light' to your room and you will either appreciate the things you have or feel a need to make a few more updates.

Outdoor Tips:

Curb appeal and showing some 'love' to the outside of your home makes a huge difference to both your guests and to your family.   Perhaps you need to freshen your paint on the trim and shutters.  Try a new fun color on your front door!  

Pay attention to your entry.  Get a fresh new door mat and a get the cobwebs out of your lights and around your windows and doors.

Fresh mulch in your plant beds and even "edging" them makes the beds look well defined.  

Create a grouping of chairs or seating to make your yard more inviting.  Try an outdoor rug under a dining table and chairs or seating area, for a fresh new look.  There are so many varieties of outdoor, washable rugs these days that won't break the bank.

Small touches like potted plants on your walkways and porches give your home a fresh new look. 

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Spring means refresh and rejuvenate!

Enjoy!

Spring at the Powell house

 Spring is such an inspiring time for us.  Our 6 acres means a ton of yard work but it's an absolute joy with the magnificent color in the yard right now.  I love to work out in the yard and it's tough to keep my mind on indoor projects at the moment!

Here is a turn around my yard today.  While some of the azaleas are waning, the rhododendron are perfect right now.

 This tree-like azalea is so gorgeous with it's orange and coral hues. I never remember the scientific names- forgive me!

I am starting to plant my pots this week, beginning with this New Guinea Impatiens.

This is one of the last pictures this spring with the pool cover on.  It comes off the 26th!

Gibbs is my unfaltering companion, going to the garden center with me and staying by my side the entire day.

 I unloaded two truck loads of mulch today.  It takes at least 7 loads to do most of our yard.  Of course, we can always use more!  

Besides a few work clients,  I have several projects started in my own home, and Bethany is working on her new place.  She has painted several rooms, scored a great Craigslist cabinet, redone her fireplace wall and has a new Stark sisal carpet on order.  With all her dreams of getting new furniture, etc., there are matters that trump her list like a new fence and getting all her utilities working properly.  The joys of home ownership!

Last weekend I had a great birthday and Mother's Day celebration with wine tours and a picnic Saturday and a cookout Sunday.  The best gift I could ever receive is when my kids are all home.

Narmada Winery in Amissville, Va was particularly special.  It was founded by an Indian couple for their retirement and they keep their yield to 5,000 cases a year, which is within the realm of a small, boutique style winery.  They serve phenomenal native Indian dishes and pair their wine accordingly.  We had a lovely lunch and loved their wine selection.

 The next winery on our stop was Pearmund Cellars, in a serene idyllic setting.  They have an brick pizza oven on site to compliment their tastings.  It is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. Dogs are welcome on a leash; I wish we had brought a few of ours.

 We finished the evening with Twilight Polo at Great Meadows, Va, a fabulous family activity, sitting ring-side with a picnic dinner, and lots of great horse and people watching!

This is really the perfect time of year in Virginia, before the stifling heat and humidity hit.

I hope you're enjoying it as well!

Happy Spring and Last day to enter the giveaway

Happy Spring! {finally}

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Have a wonderful weekend.