Color: Bring IT!

Longing for Spring? Me, too! Probably not as much as those of you knee-deep in snow…but still. One of the most sure-fire ways I know of bringing SPRING to your world is by adding color, lots of color, to your home. {I’m working hard behind the scenes at FrenchGardenHouse to bring you stunning colorful antique and vintage pieces such as the French Opaline treats above, at the end of next week!} Here are a few tips for bringing spring early, and adding color and florals to your life right now to chase the winter blues away.

1. Set your table with antique floral dishes. These? Not for violet lovers only, the French Haviland Dessert Set brings the joys of the garden to your table. Bright lavender and purple fleurs guaranteed to make you happy. Mix and match with contemporary glasses, linen napkins and flatware for a modern look.

Nymphenburg Hand Painted Teacups

2. Toss in a few new pillows. Nothing can change a room’s look faster than one, or more, new pillows.  Mix this glorious Aubusson Silk Floral Pillow with your pillows on your couch….and tada! Spring. In your living room.

3. Capture the season with decorative accessories.  Isn’t she beautiful? This 19th century Paris Porcelain figure of a young girl, so exceptionally made by the Gille Studio, is exquisitely dressed, carrying her butterfly net, hoping to catch one of the beauties fluttering overhead in the garden. Each time you glance her way, she will remind you of childhood days spent in the garden, enjoying sun, flowers and listening to the birds sing.

4. Use your trays as art.  Display your toleware trays on the wall as a lovely piece of art. Lean one in your bookshelf behind some books, a little vase of flowers in front will emphasize that look of spring. This is a rare to find soft green, 19th century Toleware Tray with beautifully hand painted flowers, I love the trailing vines in gilt on the edge.

5. Display your most colorful plates. Plates, especially ones as decorative as the ones shown below, add a jolt of welcome color to your interior in these wintry months. Showcase {or begin!} your collection of Antique Majolica Plates…these 19th century French Majolica Asparagus Plates have a lovely purple coloration along with all the greens, aqua and bright Provence yellow.

6. Pay attention to small details.  Even the smallest details can make a big difference. Display our little Bird’s Nest with Blue Speckled Soaps in your guest bathroom. No birdsong, or sunshine guaranteed, but this will chase away the chill on a cold day and make you smile!

7. Bring the garden Indoors. Just because your garden isn’t producing grand bouquets for your dining room or entry hall arrangements, and the florist is quite a trek through the snow, doesn’t mean you can’t have a stunning tribute to spring.  Our Spring Collection of one-of-a-kind floral arrangements has just the color you are yearning for! Our exclusive Luxury Hotel Vernet Arrangement is made of the finest silk botanicals, arranged in a one of a kind container with antique gilt ormolu details. Look for more of our Spring Floral Collection soon.

8. Take Spring wherever you go! Our hand painted Provence Market Tote is sure to bring to mind shopping at a French market under the Provence sun. Shopping is a chore that needs to be done {unless your personal chef takes care of that for you!} so why not make it just as lovely as the rest of your surroundings?  Buy a few of these as gifts, fill with lavender, a French bread, a wheel of Brie and a stellar French wine. Host or hostess gift? = DONE. {and you will be sure to be asked for a return visit!}

Next Week: I will highlight some of the gorgeous COLORFUL antiques I acquired for you to brighten your home.  xo Lidy

Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and uniquely yours.Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com.