Imagine a beautiful garden perfectly manicured with vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers. The soil is rich in nutrients and minerals, promoting the best outcome for each flower to bloom. Trees are pruned and watered daily - healthy buds sprouting, strong stems, and textural green leaves. Fruits requiring extra care are given special attention, while others flourish effortlessly. Flowers provide an explosion of color, and a wonderful sweet fragrance of jasmine fills the air, all under the watchful eye of a meticulous gardener.
A home is like a garden in need of constant upkeep and refresh. Otherwise, it becomes stale, like a loaf of bread that isn't stored away correctly. Over time, painted white walls collect smudges, dings, and black marks invisible to the dweller. Pillows are flat, and sofa cushions are permanently indented with a human body silhouette. Area rugs reveal a trail like a path on a hike, hardwood floors lose their luster, and kitchen cabinets are covered in fingerprints from constant contact, creating a discoloration around each handle. This doesn't mean you have to go out and buy all new things; if you have the funds to do so, then, by all means, treat yourself - but you don't have to.
Here are five simple things you can do to make a dramatic difference. 1. Start with a deep clean of the window sills, all reflective surfaces, baseboards, and flooring, and let's face it, those white walls - "ain't" so white anymore. 2. A fresh coat of paint will make the interior walls "shine bright like a diamond." Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms, as these rooms are used the most. 3. Replace the pillows on the sofa; you'd be surprised how this subtle change will breathe new life into a room. 4. Create a new coffee tablescape with books, a vase, and fresh flowers. Less is more, so don't overdo it. 5. Give your bed a luxurious makeover with new sheets, pillowcases, duvets, and throw pillows. Simple adjustments like rearranging furniture, adding plants, or updating decor create a refreshing atmosphere.
Begin with a budget and a list, then decide what needs to be upgraded or replaced. There's no better time to start now so you don't get overwhelmed with what to do and can enjoy your new space just in time for spring. Be bold, try new things, and allow your personality to shine. Then, sit back, relax, and enjoy your new environment with a scented candle from one of my favorite candle stores: Diptyque, Byredo, or Trudon. Remember, keep it simple!
