Hopping into spring decorating

KATIE LAUGHRIDGE

Tribune News Service

Withthearrivalofspringcomes a renewed sense of energy and joy, and what better way to celebrate the season than by incorporating playful and charming seasonal touchesintoyourhomedecor?For me,spring decor brings the arrival offreshfloralsandofcourse,bushels of bunnies 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit after all, according to the Chinese zodiac, making it an especially auspicious time to add the adorable creatures to your interior design

Sprucing up your space with bunnies and florals is a whimsical way to create a fun and fresh springtime atmosphere in any room Endless possibilities exist for incorporating them into your decor from figurines and wall art totextilesanddinnerware Hereare some creative and stylish ways to bring a touch of springtime charm to your home

There’s a bunny for every style

Although the origins of the Easter bunny are somewhat shrouded in mystery, one theory is the symbol of the rabbit stems from the festival of Eostre, a pagan tradition celebrating a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny(pleaseforgivethisreligious studies minor as she geeks out just a “hare”)

Wherevertheycomefromoriginally,bunniesasdecorareavailable in all forms

In varying sizes, they range from elegant white ceramic, to detailed and delicate bronze to whimsicalandwooden Nomatter your personal style, I truly believe there is a bunny to match which leads me to my next point

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking anything will do for spring decor Take your time and find pieces that truly resonate with you and that you will love to use year after year Those bunnies and eggsthatyoudisplaywilllookalot morenaturaland“athome”inyour space if they stick with the style to which you ordinarily gravitate

Once you find a bunny (or two) you love, it’s time to display it! If you are looking to create a sweet Easterorspringvignettewithyour bunny as the shining star, start by placing a large bunny in the center and add smaller items around it, suchascandles,vasesofflowersor even decorative eggs You can also usebunny-shapedobjects,suchas ceramicbowlsorcandleholders,to addaplayfultouchtoyourdisplay

Make bunnies the center of your table

Spring can bring a dizzying array of get-togethers and the table is a fun place to set the scene for all the festivities during the upcoming months For an effortless springtime table, I like to keep a main centerpiece and rotate decor and each place setting around it The centerpiece can be as simple orelaborateasyoulike,andyoucan add different elements to it as the season progresses

At this table, ginger jars, statement bunnies and greenery fill the center of the table, with bunny dishes nestled among them For now little brass bunnies rest in nests of greenery at each place setting atop a stack of sweet dishes After Easter, they might be replaced with little birds or other natural elements to round out the season This next tabletop proves springtime doesn’t have to be all about pastels This tablescape takes a less expected approach with pops of citrus tones that pair perfectly with our beloved blue and white White ceramic rabbits are the perfect addition; they look absolutely at home among the fine floral dishes and blooms,and their monochromaticcolorkeepsthearrangement from looking too busy

On decorating for Easter and spring

One thing to keep in mind when decorating for Easter and spring in general is you don’t have to go overboard with decor a few new stems and a bunny or two can go a long way

But I know some that take this time of year as an opportunity to startfreshwiththeirdecor literally Ifyou’relookingtoincorporate more springtime touches around the house, consider swapping out darker, heavier textiles like throws and throw pillows for lighter and brighter options or exchanging a few pieces of art on the wall with somethingbotanicalandfulloflife

Don’t leave out the outdoors when it comes to refreshing for spring Addingseasonaltouchesto your patio or outdoor living space is a great way to encourage use of thespaceasthedaysgetlongerand warmer New outdoor furniture might be in order, or maybe a few new outdoor pillows will do Make an impact with tropical florals

Tulips are one of the most beloved flowers of spring, with their vibrant colors and delicate petals Theseversatileflowerscanbeused in a variety of ways, from centerpiecesandbouquetstowreathsand garlands Withtheirsimplebeauty and versatility tulips are a musthave for any spring decor

HANDOUT PHOTOS/TNS

Incorporating bold tropical stemswithdelicatetraditionalfloralsisagreatwaytoadddimension andinteresttoyourarrangements

In this display, tulips, hydrangeas and drooping floral stems are the monochromatic base from which tropical greenery bursts Monstera leaves and spiky palm fronds are mixed throughout, providing visual interest on all sides of the piece The end result? Stunning bouquets that retain their refined New Traditional feel while still feeling fresh

(Adapted from nellhills com Katie Laughridge is the owner of Kansas City interior design destination Nell Hill’s For more information, contact Katie at info@nellhills com )

©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Need new kitchen tile?

HUNTER BOYCE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Choosing the right tile for that bigkitchenrenovationprojectcan be a tough job on its own. From ceramic and porcelain to stone, there are a number of options to choose from each with its own advantages and drawbacks

Here’s a quick breakdown of some kitchen tile basics to help make the decision a little easier

Stone

If you are interested in giving your kitchen a more natural look and texture, stone tile may be perfect for your space. There are downsides, however

“It is a more expensive material, but the beauty and the individualism of natural stone speak volumes that justify the expense,” Westside Tile and Stone reported “They do require special care, but when you follow the recommended regiment,they will always look beautiful. Some choices in natural stone are: marble, limestone, travertine, slate, granite (and) quartz.”

For a lower maintenance stone kitchen floor, consider granite. For better textures and more color options, consider marble. But, there is a stone out there for almost every style and need.

Ceramic Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are great for two reasons: versatility and cost effectiveness If practicality best fits your kitchen’s purpose, ceramic is almost never a bad choice.

“The tiles are made by shaping and firing a selection of clays and minerals to form a biscuit,” Fitzgerald Kitchens reported “These are then glazed and can then be printed with a pattern or texture before firing them again.

“They are extremely practical, economical and durable Because of the tile’s glazed surface, they are also hygienic and allow for a multitude of designs and finishes”

Porcelain

Fired at higher temperatures and forged from finer, denser clay, porcelain is ceramic’s high-performance counterpart. It’s tougher, more resistant and doesn’t stain as easily For kitchens with heavy foot traffic, it doesn’t get much better than porcelain tiles

“In the world of floor and wall coverings, porcelain tiles are the undisputed king in terms of durability,”Express Flooring reported “The tiles are heated at extreme temperatures resulting in an extremely rigid, durable, and stain-resistant tile that is impenetrable to moisture. They can be installed in the harshest of places and can withstand cold, rain and extreme weather conditions for an extended period of time.”

©2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Visit at ajc com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

HUNTER BOYCE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

From scuffs to scrapes to gaping holes, drywall damage happens

It’s an unfortunately unavoidable part of homeownership But drywall repair doesn’t have to be daunting Here’s how to easily fix your damaged drywall, according to the experts Assess the situation

The first step of drywall repair, according to HGTV, is to assess the damage If the drywall damage is limited to a few small nail holes, the damage can likely be remedied with some spackle (also called mud), a putty knife and a sanding block If the damage is more sizable, then the repair process is going to be a little more complex

For larger holes, the repair will require mesh tape to strengthen the spackle’s bond to the wall This strategy can be applied for long cracks and coin-sized holes

Patching drywall

If the damage is larger than a coin-sized hole, the repair may require a patch of drywall as well For these more complex repairs, the first step is to assess what kind of drywall your home has Drywall comes in different levels of thickness, generally 3/8, 1/2 or 5/8-inch Cut out a healthy piece of drywall from the damaged spot to assess what size drywall you will need to purchase for your repairs

Once you have identified the size of your drywall, the next step is to find your studs Use a stud finder to locate the nearest studs to the drywall damage and mark their locations with a pencil When you are done, your pencil markings should frame the drywall damage

“Use a drywall saw to cut along the lines you just drew until you reach the wall studs,” Home Depot advised “When you reach a stud, measure and mark 3/4 of an inch farther in, which will be the center of the stud Score these lines with a utility knife

The edge of the patch should be directly over the stud so both the existing drywall and patch have support Continue cutting along the lines carefully with the utility knife, making several passes with each cut slightly deeper than the previous cut Remove the damaged piece of drywall ”

Once the damaged drywall has been removed, it’s time to install the support Cut a 1-by-3-inch piece of lumber and screw it with drywall screws vertically behind the wall opening you created Make sure the screw heads sink a little below the surface of the drywall

Use your damaged piece of drywall to trace and ultimately cut out a great fitting replacement piece from the healthy drywall you purchased previously Once the newly cut piece of drywall has been placed inside the open patch area of the wall secure it to the wall with drywall screws but ensure the screws are at least an inch from the edges of the new piece of drywall to avoid cracking

Sealing the patch

Once the new piece of drywall has been secured in place, run strips of fiberglass drywall mesh tape around the edges of the patch Spread spackle across the patch and tape until you have created a smooth flat surface Let the compound dry for as long as required by the manufacturer This process must then be repeated with a second coat of spackle

Once dried, wipe the patched area with a tack cloth and sanding cloth before painting over the repair

©2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Visit at ajc.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC