Fresh Starts for Spring

We're blooming with fresh ideas and practical tips to elevate your living spaces. From transforming faux florals into stunning arrangements to mastering the art of paint color selection, we've got you covered with expert advice to make your home truly shine.

Ever feel like your floral arrangements are missing something? You’re not alone. The classic tight, symmetrical bouquets just aren’t cutting it anymore—what’s trending now is oversized, organic, and full of unexpected elements. In my latest blog, “Floral Arrangements That Last Forever (and Actually Look Stylish!),” I’m sharing how to create lush, statement-making arrangements using high-quality faux flowers that look anything but fake. From mixing in greenery and sculptural branches to adding surprising elements like citrus stems, this guide is packed with easy, stylish tricks to elevate your space. If you’ve ever thought, “Can faux flowers actually look good?”—the answer is yes, and I’m showing you how. Let’s get creative!

Color on color, also known as color drenching, is the trend taking over interiors right now. Instead of the usual contrast between walls, trim, and ceilings, this approach leans into a single color, fully immersing a space in one rich, layered hue. Think walls, ceilings, doors, and even furniture all painted in different finishes of the same shade. The result? A bold, dramatic, and incredibly cohesive look.

So why is everyone embracing it? For one, it removes visual interruptions, making a space feel seamless and intentional. It’s a great trick for smaller rooms, creating depth without clutter. In larger spaces, it adds a cocoon-like coziness that neutral palettes sometimes lack. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to showcase personality—whether you’re drawn to deep moody blues, earthy greens, or warm terracottas, color drenching makes a statement.

Want to try it? Start with a shade you love, then experiment with different finishes—matte for walls, satin for trim, or high gloss for accents—to add subtle contrast while keeping the monochrome magic alive.

Lately, I’ve been working on a lot of colorful projects, and I keep running into the same situation with clients. First, we sit down, look at color swatches, and they excitedly pick their favorite. Then, once the paint goes up on the walls, they panic. Why? Because color never looks the same on a tiny sample as it does in an actual room. If you’ve ever felt that uh-oh moment after painting, here’s how to avoid it:

• Test it in real life. Lighting completely changes how a color looks. The bright commercial lighting in a store is nothing like the natural and artificial light in your home. A soft beige might turn peachy in the afternoon sun, and that perfect blue could read almost gray in the evening. Always test colors directly on your walls and check them at different times of the day before committing.

• Swatches lie (sometimes). Paint swatches and actual paint don’t always match perfectly. Factors like texture, sheen, and surrounding colors can shift the way a shade appears. If you want to be sure, paint a small section of the wall or use a peel-and-stick sample. Compare it against different walls to see how it reacts in shadows and direct light.

• Don’t judge an empty room. A bold color might feel overwhelming at first, but remember—you’re not leaving the room bare. Furniture, rugs, art, and lighting all influence the final look. The same green-painted room could feel fresh and airy with light woods and linen or moody and dramatic with dark velvet and brass.

Moral of the story? Picking a color is a process. Take your time, test it thoroughly, and trust that once your space comes together, it will look just right.