Season spotlight: Spring!
When we hear the word Spring, the word ‘cleaning’ is never far behind. Whether this fills us with dread or excitement, the idea of a fresh start, or rebirth, is implicit in our understanding of the season of rebirth. One of the earliest known examples of Spring cleaning is in Judaism, where houses are cleaned of wheat products in preparation for the festival of Passover. Hosting family for the Easter weekend is also a traditional moment to make sure the house is cleared and rejuvenated.
Who doesn’t get a spring in their step when, finally, we feel the cold months drifting away and the air lightens with sunlight and pollen? Now is the perfect moment to let the furniture air out after months of central heating, of extra blankets collecting dust over the previous season spent cosying up indoors.
One of my favourite things about spring is the way the light changes the colours of the objects we surround ourselves with – including even ourselves, our hair and our skin! The sunlight changes the hues and brightness, and gives everything a natural polish. A deep red in winter may emerge as a brighter red with orange undertones once it is lit up by the sun’s rays.
I’m often asked how to make a house more light-filled and airy, and this goal comes into its own in the Springtime, as we fill our kitchen tables with simple bouquets of daffodils and tulips. It’s also a great time to think about having work done in a house as the milder weather makes for more convenient conditions for structural work.
In terms of lightening up a home to welcome in the longer days and bluer skies, here are some ideas to make the most of the return of spring!
Here a large vase of tulips is in the innermost layer of this wooden table with concentric holes – a perfect place to hide Easter eggs!
These two skylights allow the sun to shine into this kitchen – rectangles of sunlight pattern the kitchen walls while yellow tulips and a bowl of lemons add a burst of brightness to the minimalist kitchen island.
I’ve always loved stain-glass windows and although they’re typically an original feature, it’s also easy and affordable to have them installed. This tulip-shaped stained glass window is perfectly spring-like and allows coloured light to stream into this staircase, brightening up both floors.
As soon as it’s not too cold, I’m always excited to start entertaining outdoors – here, this Japanese style tea set is arranged on wrought iron outdoor furniture, making for a serene afternoon tea amongst the green plants and surrounding ferns.
We hope these examples of making the most of the longer and sunnier days have inspired you and that you’re looking forward to the spring as much as we are!
