Bringing Spring into your Home

Grandma Core spring

For me spring is the perfect time to freshen up the house. Open up the windows, let the fresh air in. Change the winter cozy blankets for lighter ones, Curtains can be changed in some spaces too.

Grandmacore for me is natural, I like the lifestyle, but if you are trying to embrace this style then remember grandmacore home décor is about creating a place where every item tells a story. It is about the comfort found in the familiar.

I am drawn to pretty things, flowers are pretty therefore I am drawn to many floral patterns. Vintage floral patterns are definitely something grandma would have had. Floral patterns, no matter where they are, whether on wallpaper, upholstery, draperies, a pillow, linens all give a feminine touch adding a softness that is classic to grandmacore. Can one have too many flowers? Decorating with florals is a way to bring the outdoors inside and add a cheerful tone to your day.

Here is how you can sprinkle some floral fun into your home:

Throw Pillows: Swap out your regular pillows for some with bright floral prints to instantly liven up your living room or bedroom. I like the idea of having pillow forms that have covers to change out for each holiday or season. Storing actual pillows takes up a lot of space.

Wallpaper: Consider a floral wallpaper for a feature wall in your home. It can transform the space into a vibrant, inviting area. I learnt this summer how costly it would be to add some floral wallpaper to a room. If you find some wall paper deals please do share.

Bedding: A floral duvet cover or bedspread is a sweet way to bring spring into your bedroom. As I am someone who sews I have made many a comforter cover. Most of mine in the hose now are matching to the curtains and many are floral patterns.

Curtains: Light, airy curtains with a subtle floral print can add a soft, romantic touch to any room. When this snow decides to stay away I will definitely look a putting lighter curtains up. My big old house is very drafty lately so I need to look at some heavier tapestry curtains for winter and I look forward to freshening up the space with some new lighter floral curatins for the warmer weather that is to come.

Art Prints: Hang some floral art prints or canvases to brighten up your walls without the commitment of wallpaper. This is something that I will be working on shortly. I spent last summer painting most every room in my house. Now I must decide what goes back up on the walls, and where. You see I am not very good a plugging up holes, mudding, sanding and painting. So when I make new holes they must be right.

Tablecloths and Napkins: For a spring refresh of your dining area, floral tablecloths and napkins are a lovely touch.

 Here is how you can sprinkle some floral fun into your personal style

Dresses: A floral dress is a spring wardrobe staple. Perfect for any occasion, it’s an easy way to feel put-together. I am not one to go shopping often. Years ago when my life was taking a drastic turn I lost a significant amount of weight over the course of a year. The inches were constantly disappearing. I needed new clothing, but I liked what I had. I remember my girls, “but mom you have been wearing this since as forever” and yes some of the pieces of clothing were 10-15 years old. Well, with the prospect of opening the tea room this summer I have taken a leap of faith purchasing myself a new summer wardrobe. Light, florals, pretty, romantic, old fashioned, grandma would be some words to describe the pieces. Rightly so as that is who I am. Shopping  April Cornell online has been fun.

Scarves: If you’re not ready for a full floral outfit, a floral scarf can add just the right pop of pattern to a simple look. Scarves can be so much fun. I enjoy learning different ways to wear them and knot them. So if you have an interesting way to wear them please do share. I found some pastel ones last year at DayDreams Esthetics that are matching the April Cornell pieces perfectly.

Phone Cases: A floral phone case is a small, fun way to carry a bit of spring with you everywhere.

Tote Bags: A floral tote is not just practical for carrying your essentials; it’s also a stylish accessory.

 If you are a do it yourself kind of person you might be adding some flowers while enjoying your own craft.

When you create something by yourself, for yourself, for your own home it is an enormous feeling of accomplishment and for me at least, it creates a different sort of peace filled contentment, satisfaction. Each time I look at it, I say to myself with a smile, “I made that”.

Sew vintage-style aprons: Get some retro fabric and sew an apron. It’s both practical and stylish for your kitchen adventures. As you may know, I had a mending and alterations business, so I absolutely love to sew. And if you know me really well, you know that I adore aprons.

Make a reading nook and enjoy a good classic: Setting up a spot just for reading while enjoying a cup of tea is a dream for anyone who loves getting lost in stories. It doesn’t take much, just a comfy place to sit, good light, a vase of pretty flowers and a place to rest your cup of tea. You might want to leave space to collect your favourite magazines, books and journal. Just like that you have the perfect space to find a quiet moment. Having a cozy corner or nook, a place dedicated to reading, relaxing or slowing down creates an opportunity for us Grandma core souls to bring a bit of the simple past into our busy modern lives, reminding us to appreciate the beauty and goodness that exists in our lives today.

 Refurbish an old piece of furniture: Take an old piece of furniture and give it new life either with some paint, new stain or new hardware. It’s a great way to add character to your room. I personally prefer stain but appreciate a job well done on painted pieces.

Make your own herbal sachets: after you sew those vintage floral aprons the bits of fabric left over can become herbal sachets. Simply fill small fabric pouches, that you have created, with dried lavender or herbs. Tie with a silk ribbon to enjoy in you drawers or closets.

Craft a quilt from old clothes: Cutting up old clothes with sentimental value and piecing them together into a quilt is a time-consuming process but oh so very rewarding as it creates a cozy, personal keepsake. I have made a few while the mending and sewing business was operational. If you take your time, be patient you will definitely be enjoying an heirloom in later years.

Plant an indoor herb garden: Use pretty things, unusual items to plant herbs in, thus creating cute, eclectic decorations for a kitchen window. Ask yourself, what would Grandma have recycled to use as a flowerpot? The herbs that I most enjoy are mint, basil and a favourite, known as my happy plant, pineapple sage.

Assemble a photo wall with antique frames: Collecting some antique frames or purchasing ones that look like antiques is a great way to display you photos with that grandma feel. Then fill them with family photos or vintage prints. Even bits of that fabric you have left over from making your self an apron. This will definitely creates a very unique to you, personalized photo gallery wall. I mayself am being very careful with frames on the wall, as I said earlier, these plaster walls are very difficult for me to patch.

Do it yourself can be intimidating but by tackling DIY projects you are adding touches to your home that not only make it feel more personal, it is also the perfect way to add your own personality to your home and the most important stories that matter to you.

 Creating a spring feel in your Grandma core home

When it comes to sprucing up your place for spring with that cozy grandma vibe, think about adding some cute touches that make everyone feel right at home.

Baby animals. A spring classic for a reason. You can find some pretty neat pictures or even small statues of ducklings, lambs, or bunnies. Hanging a couple of those pictures on your walls or putting a statue on a shelf can really make your place feel like spring has sprung.

Lace. It’s got that old-school charm that can lighten up any room. Swapping out those heavy curtains for some light lace ones can really change the feel of a room, letting in more light and adding a soft touch. And it’s not just for windows—lace tablecloths or doilies can give your tables and shelves a mini makeover too.

Greenery. Don’t forget about the power of plants and flowers. Nothing says spring like fresh flowers in a vase or some new green buddies in pots around your place. Mixing real flowers with some high-quality fake ones is completely fine.

 Just think about slowly adding, year after year, a few new things that make you feel happy and at ease. It’s all about creating a home where you can sit back, relax, and maybe feel a bit nostalgic.

 Hopefully, this has inspired you to make this spring a little more special and a lot more grandmacore. Most important to remember is that, it is not about making everything perfect. It’s about creating a space, your home and a lifestyle that feels like you—full of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. Have a beautiful season!