FEATHER AND OAK

Spring refresh

KATY HUSBAND of Feather & Oak Interiors

WITH THE ONSET OF SPRING COMES THE DEEP URGE TO REFRESH AND REJUVENATE OUR HOMES AND CREATE NEW MOMENTS WITHIN THEM. KATY HUSBAND FROM FEATHER AND OAK INTERIORS SHARES HER INSIGHTS ON HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR THE SEASON.

There is something completely satisfying about coming out of the dark evening hours of winter and experiencing warmer days and the extra minutes of sunshine in the morning and evening. As we look to the warmer months ahead, there are a few things we can do to relish the season inside and out.

Cleaning and readying our interiors can start with simple tasks such as our soft furnishings. It is not advisable to dry-clean or wash curtains and linings – the best way to treat your curtains is to spot clean and vacuum, taking care to check the fabric first to ensure it doesn’t mark.

The same approach will work for carpets and rugs as well as upholstered furniture that needs a refresh.

Oiling or waxing wooden tables, polishing glass and ceramics, and deep-diving to clean dusty corners and well-used drawers all help to freshen as well as edit the superfluous.

Once all is clean and fresh, we can embody the spring season by packing away our heavy winter throws and introduce lighter-weight textiles like linen and cotton. It is incredible what a difference a few cushions and a throw can make, but you don’t need to overhaul everything – try switching combinations between rooms and perhaps adding in a few lighter-toned textiles to lift your scheme.

Bringing in fresh greenery gives life to your space and can’t be undervalued when you can often walk into your backyard with clippers and find something suitable for your nearest vase. Branches provide interesting sculptural shapes with new greenery or blossom and, when used in combination with interesting vases, add dimension and height to your tablescape.

Taking time to nurture your indoor plants in spring makes for the reward of lush growth in the coming months. Prune, re-pot, fertilise, support, water and position your indoor plants for sun and shade.

Bring in pots of spring bulbs, and don’t forget vases of beautiful, fresh, seasonal flowers to brighten rooms and provide soft fragrance.

Enjoy bringing the spring season into your home!