Hello Summer! Wait, Im Not Ready! 5 Quick Ways to Revamp your Space for the New Season

Hello Beautiful People!

So, if you are a home decor addict like myself, we go through various phases when new seasons approach as far as decor and design are concerned- excitement, joy, creativity, anxiety, stress, and even a little confusion sometimes. We want to make it feel and look like the new season around our homes, but because seasons and trends come and go so fast, we can't bulldoze it all and fixer upper every room, every single time. But, there are small things that can be done that can totally give your space the seasonal facelift or revamp that you need without having to do the absolute most.

Here are my top 5 seasonal revamp tips that help me season up my space every time! Here we go!

1.) Pillows, Pillows, and More Pillows!

I have mentioned this one in a blog before, and I will say it again- It's all about swapping out or spicing up the pillows. Find out the top paint colors of the season or a trend that you are really liking, pick a color or trend that you really like that also somewhat coordinates with your sofa, chairs, or bedding (or wherever you plan to put the pillows), and swap them out. Pillows can add the perfect touch of color or latest fad without you having to purchase a new piece of furniture. One of my personal favorite retailers for gorgeous pillow covers is none other than West Elm. 

This is one of my fave pillows that West Elm had recently. Check out this photo from their website that shows this little lovely pop of color in a neutral designed living area.

Another new favorite decor spot of mine is Joss and Main. Check out some of their pillows this season! Their pillows are bold and can add that extra touch of spice that your space is looking for.

You can purchase trendy covers or entire pillows for reasonable prices. My pride and joy and one of Dallas' best - Ahava Designs TX - has a great selection of pillows and pillow covers that may be just what you are looking for.

2.) Insert Pops of Color

My home is very neutral, and on purpose. I have neutral furniture and I love rustic wood. It sounds boring I know, but makes for the perfect canvas when it's time to add colors to it each season. I have the freedom to add bold colors and trends because since everything is neutral, it's free game. To each is their own, but if you love to decorate and change things up, revamp your space in neutral tones overall. Then, indulge in color via accessories and linens and such as the seasons change. 

To give you an idea of how a bright pop of color can transform a piece and thus in turn transform a space, I recently revamped a traditional buffet from a boring black finish, to a bright and bold royal blue. Royal and cerulean blues are very IN this season so I figured I would go there when redesigning this piece. I was able to purchase the piece for a little of nothing, and broke out the chalk paint, new hardware, and antiquing stain and went to town! In working on it, all I could think was that it would be the perfect standout piece for a client or shopper looking to import a savvy color of the season into their space without changing absolutely everything. 

Take a look at the BEFORE and AFTER.

3.) Swap Furniture Room to Room or Rearrange the Furniture in the Space

I am the queen of this and do it every single season- whether its one piece of furniture or a couple. You have more to work with than you think you do, friend. Don't go out and buy tons of new furniture anytime you get the itch to redecorate for the season. That will slowly become a junky, hoarderesque, mix match mess. 

 (Photo Courtesy of Apartment Therapy)

Move that accent table from the corner in the front room to a bedroom next to that accent chair that no one sits in ever to make it a reading space. Or, move that iconic dresser or armoire that is collecting dust in the entry way to the living room space to display frames or other decor on. Move things around, shake things up!



4.) Light up the Lighting

One of my favorite pastimes is finding vintage lamps and salvaging the bases and redesigning them. This is what we do at Ahava Designs TX. I recommend checking local thrift or resale shops for unique bases. Check out the variety at a resale shop here in Dallas.

You might have some lamps sitting around that you want to spice up or check out a local resale shop and find a few. Ensure that the wiring and such are legit and in tact FIRST, then begin the revamp. Use painters tape to cover your cords securely and to cover the bulb and harp area as well. 

Find a semi glossy bright color of spray paint and a can of primer, and head outside and give it a go. Prime first, let it dry, paint a coat of color, and then let it dry. Sometimes you might need a second coat, and if so proceed. Then, seal it with a shellac or varnish of your choice. Once it is completely dry, remove the painters tape, put your shade back on that little lovely, and show it off!

Here are a few Ahava Designs TX lamps that we have spiced up a bit!

5.) Add Art: Recycle, Revamp or Reframe Thrift Store Art

I see art in everything. So, when someone asks how do I know if a print is good art, my response is always- much like beauty, art is in the eye of the beholder. 

I don't like cliche prints or those that anyone can buy on ikea.com. That is not a bash at Ikea because I advertise them here often and love much of their products, but I am simply suggesting branching out and finding something rare, not just a reprint. As I said earlier, I love resale shops. And some of the best and most rare artwork ends up in places like that- often ignorantly displaced and written off as trash. While the frames may look a little icky, the print itself you can almost always salvage. 

Frames are super inexpensive and easy to replace. And in some lucky cases, the original framing may still be in good condition where you can just paint it and not have to replace it. The only place that I buy frames for any project is Ikea, period. They have a vast selection of shapes, sizes, etc., and you can repaint ANY of them with a good primer and a killer spray paint color (my favorite part)! Pick a bold color, a color of the season, and add a nice touch of artistic expression to your space with simply some upcycled art. Not only will your new artwork provide some new eye candy in your room, but the savvy color of the season radiating from that frame will look even better!

 Check out this BEFORE and AFTER thrift store art makeover from dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com via Pinterest.

You can keep things relevant without going overboard! Small changes are wise and can make all the difference. Give a few of these go-to tips of mine a shot this summer season and take your space from so last season, to summer 2015 without a lot of stress and hard work.

XO