Spring Refresh
As spring arrives, I find myself doing what I always do this time of year: walking slowly through my own house, coffee, (or cocktail!) in hand, noticing what feels good and what’s asking for a little zhuzhing - you know, something to make it POP!
Ideally, our homes tell our stories. Not the perfectly curated version we see on screens, but the real one—the shell your child brought home from the beach, the chair you found on a whim that somehow makes every morning better. That’s the philosophy I’ve carried for thirty years now, and it feels more important than ever in 2026 - things that keep us rooted and feeling like we have a place that never fails to ground us.
This spring, the design world is leaning into exactly that kind of soulful, grounded beauty. We’re moving away from anything that feels cold or disposable and toward rooms that wrap around us and make us want to stay. Organic materials, warmer palettes, and pieces that show the beautiful imperfections of being handmade or well-loved. It’s less about chasing trends and more about honoring what already matters to you.
Let the Light (and the Layers) In
One of the simplest ways to fix most ANY room is to think about light the way nature does. Spring is the perfect time for a refresh—nothing drastic, just those thoughtful shifts that let the light back in. It’s less about redecorating and more about reawakening—letting your home feel as fresh and open as the season itself.
Try this: swap out heavier winter drapes for something lighter and more effortless—think linen panels that gently move with the breeze and soften the room instantly. Trade cozy, weighty textiles for breathable layers like cotton throws. Consider editing your surfaces—fewer, more intentional pieces with a nod to nature, like a ceramic vase with fresh branches or a bowl of citrus.
Even small changes, like rotating in lighter artwork or introducing a botanical print, can lift the entire feel of a room. And for the love of GOD, don’t overlook lighting—it’s the quiet mood-maker that can either elevate everything or completely flatten it. Harsh, overly bright bulbs kill the buzz instantly, while warm, layered lighting—lamps, dimmers, and soft-glow bulbs—creates that effortless, inviting ambiance every space needs. My sisters and I have a joke that if a bulb is over 40 watts, it’s forbidden to be turned on while entertaining. No joke!
Mix Your Woods, Mix Your Stories
I’m loving the return to honest wood in all its variations. I recently got turned on to a place in San Diego called Old Fashioned Lumber, and it is heaven on earth if you like wood and wood with a story! The owner is Don Woodward (I’m not kidding!) and he’s got beautiful pieces of wood that will blow your mind. I recently bought a piece for a client that is a raw edge eucalyptus, imperfections and all, we put it on an iron stand and are using it as a sideboard in their dining room.
Forget matching everything perfectly. Pair a light oak dining table with darker walnut chairs and a pine sideboard that’s been in your family for years. The contrast adds depth and character without trying too hard. Things like this remind us that a home isn’t a showroom; it’s a place where real life happens.
The Secret Is in the Details
My favorite rooms have curated collections, not to be mistaken with clutter - but items that are carefully selected and arranged. A tray on the coffee table holding a few favorite books, a display dish holding old matchbooks you’ve collected, that one quirky object you can’t live without that might not mean a thing to anyone but you.
One quick win I like to recommend: Consider your entryway. It’s the first hello your home gives you, and everyone else that steps into your home. A beautiful bench, a mirror that reflects the light, a bowl for keys that feels special. Small moves like this change how the entire house feels.
And please, hang the art you actually love. Big, small, framed thickly or simply. Let it climb the walls. Let it be imperfect. Those pieces are the chapters of your life.
Your Homework
This weekend, do one thing: Walk through your home and pull out three objects that truly matter to you. A photo, a textile, a piece of pottery. Place them where you’ll see them every day. Then step back and ask—what else does this room need to feel like you?
That’s where the magic starts. Not in perfection, but in presence.
Wishing you a spring filled with light, texture, and the deep comfort of a home that knows you by heart.
Happy decorating!
~Erin
