Although for many on the East Coast and the Midwest, spring seems a long way off, here in California we are already experiencing warmer days, more sunshine and “spring fever”. I know I’m ready to pull up the blinds and open the windows and let the light and fresh air in.

Your home may also feel that it’s tired of winter and wants to breath. Now is the time to look at ways to add freshness and vigor to your rooms and embrace the change of seasons.  Here are 3 great ideas that will chase away winter and get your home ready:

1) Put away that old heavy comforter and invest in a brightly colored throw or coverlet for the bed. This season I’m seeing a whole new approach to prints and patterns. Stripes are always easy to mix and match with solid sheets and fun flower patterns reminiscent of the 1970’s are crazy fun and will add a smile to your face.

2) Pull out glass containers, vases and bowls. Here again, color is what’s happening. Don’t be afraid to experiment. In a garden window mix canary yellow, apple green and melon orange glass objects in different sizes.  Don’t worry yet about adding flowers or fruit to the bowls and vases, let their color and shape alone be the interest factor.

3) One of my new passions are picture frames. So many of us put a photo from a holiday or vacation in a frame and there it sits, growing stale, for years and years.  Take a good look at your frames, whether they are on a shelf or the piano.  Discard dark colors and heavy woods and replace them with shell borders, glass on glass and brightly hued plastics. Not only will you see those photos in a new light, but the patterns and colors will brighten up the whole room.

It’s almost February….  Can you see and feel the smell in the air?  Spring is right around the corner, and you’ll be ready!