With a Twist
It’s usually right around mid-February that winter fatigue starts to set in for me. The novelty of winter’s peacefulness and quiet calm has long since worn off, and we are left facing the harsh reality that there are weeks to go before the grass turns green again and we are able to feel genuinely warm sun on our faces. There is also the whole being cooped up indoors when temperatures dip into the single digits thing that starts to grate on one’s nerves by this time of year. The romanticism of curling up with a good book and a cup of tea while hail pounds on your roof and the wind howls outside is gone, and you’re left to count how many weeks, days, hours, and minutes there are to go until the official first day of spring.
So, if we’re stuck inside staring at the four walls of our home for a few more weeks (I’m disappointed in you, Punxsutawney Phil), what can we do to inject some cheerfulness into our space before we start to look and feel like Jack Nicholson in The Shining?
While I understand the allure of the all-white and grey design trend that is everywhere at the moment (peace, tranquility, clean lines, and all that), I’m a big proponent of using color to inject warmth and character into a space. In the depths of winter, I particularly love juicy citrus tones like lemon yellow, zesty tangerine, and key lime, to create an atmosphere that exudes warm-weather vibes. There are, of course, a multitude of different ways that you can punch up your space with a squeeze of lemon, so to speak! one particularly fun (and okay, kitschy) way to add a twist is by incorporating literal fruit into your decor in the form of wallpaper, textiles, table accents, throw pillows, art, and the list goes on… A literal take on citrus adds a whimsical touch more than a pamplemousse throw blanket or a layer of citrine paint ever will!
Apprehensive about committing to an orchard-esque wallpaper? These days there are tons of peel and stick options, which allow for short or long term application, and are perfect for rental properties! Just make sure you’re just as careful with the application of peel and stick as you would be with traditional wallpaper. Designer pro tip- if you’re not 100% clear on how much wallpaper you will need, over order just to be safe. Different print runs of the same wallpaper can sometimes have slight variations in seaming, color, and even pattern, so it’s preferable to have some left over than to risk reordering.
“From the Orange Tree” Original Art by Kate Comen via Charleston Artist Collective
Whether you’re going for a subtle nod to citrus, or a maximalist lemon lime “wow” moment, these bright and cheerful tones are sure to bring a bit of sunshine even during the dreariest winter months. Now pour yourself a glass of (pink) lemonade, and get back to counting down the days until spring!