Holi Easter

After months of cold, snow and early sunsets its finally here... SPRING! The season of new beginnings, warmer weather and longer days is celebrated with lush colors, symbols of new life, sweet tastes and floral perfumes. Holi is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus as a festival of colors. Easter, most of us already know the story of Jesus which is separate from the bunny laying eggs.

My suggestion is to make it to India for the Holi Festival, or maybe there's local celebration in a city near you. Otherwise, Design*Sponge has a great and simple DYI project using Holi pigment.

From egg hunts to beautiful table-scapes, Easter is full of great reasons to be creative and colorful. Check out Apartment Therapy for amazing ideas on unique techniques for decorating eggs.

So how ever you celebrate this new season of Spring, we hope you find inspiration through new colors, blooming flora, and spending more time enjoying the daylight. Happy Spring!

Upstairs/Downstairs

For the past few months anyone I talked to would ask me, "Are you watching Downton Abbey?" to which I would answer "no" followed by a jaw-dropping reply, "you have to!" So this past week in a marathon viewing I finished seasons 1,2 and 3. One thing I noticed over and over is the amount of running up and downstairs (mainly by the servants). This got me thinking, what a great place to create a visual impact, stair risers. Here are some fantastic ways to make the vertical climb more picturesque.

Work a pattern with mosaic tiles or decorative wallpaper

Be bold with paint choices or painting techniques such as fading

Be original with chalk paint and inspiring words

When making the stairs the focal point of the space, its nice to have the background clean and simple, thing blank canvas and white

For the full story about where and how-to visit RealSimple

Happy Emerald Day

Pantone has declared EMERALD, Color of the Year 2013!
So let's get to know this luxurious and lively color, just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Radiant, jewel-toned Emerald promotes balance and harmony (Fashion by Barbara Tfank)

Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. It’s also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity – no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.

Emerald for the Interior
Enhance your sense of well-being at home by rejuvenating the interior with Emerald paint, accents and accessories. This jewel-like hue will create a luxurious feel in an entryway, powder room, dining room or study, and bring life to a living room as an accent wall. Add a splash of color to the kitchen and dining room areas with Emerald dinnerware, stemware and appliances.