A little bit cozy for winter and a little bit fresh as we look towards spring: join me for a look around my February living and dining areas!

Winter

Winter is long here in Maine. We have the rest of February and March. And really, April here can seem an awful lot like winter too. May… well, I guess that is when we start to see some signs of spring!

So, with the holidays well behind us, and spring still around the bend, it can be easy to slip into a winter slump.

I say it is time for a little February home decor pick-me-up! Even just a few changes can really brighten the spirits!

Since it is still cold here, I kept things cozy. But, with the hope of spring in my heart, I added in some lighter colors, a few blooms, and even a couple Valentine’s Day touches.

Join me for a look around!

What Stays

Mantel Decor

I recently shared the living room winter mantel decor in my blog post A Cozy Snow Day on the Coast of Maine. As yet, I am not ready to say good bye to this wintery scene.

I will change it for something transitional in March!

Oh, and those two large brown and white decor pieces aren’t going anywhere either…

Some Bright Color

The pops of green in the living room that I loved so much for the holidays, just didn’t seem right once the tree was gone.

(I can be fickle that way…)

The orange accents in the dining area, though, are still going strong! I will probably get the itch to change them up for yellow as we get closer to spring. But for now they stay!

Last fall a friend helped me make a winter table runner. It was the same friend who helped me make the Thanksgiving placemats I share in my post Abundant Harvest Thanksgiving Table Setting. We headed back to Fiddlehead Artisan Supply in Belfast, ME for the fabrics. I must have known deep down that I would be on an orange kick this winter, because the runner looks great with the orange and blue tablecloth!

House Plants

I never considered myself to have a green thumb, but I seem to have found a sweet spot (on many levels!) here in Maine. My houseplants are thriving in the bright sun that floods the living and dining areas on winter mornings.

Good thing, because the trees don’t leaf out until late May on our peninsula. That makes for a lot of brown time for this color-loving gal. So this time of year I find myself buying new plants and really appreciating the ones that I already have. Their vibrant green is good for the heart and soul — and my eyes!

What’s New

Throw Pillows and Blankets

Changing your throw pillows and blankets is the easiest way to get a fresh look in your room.

I usually order pillow covers from Etsy. You can get so many great designer fabrics in all different sizes.

This time, though, I didn’t want to wait for them to be custom made and shipped. I was going for instant gratification! We don’t have a lot of shopping options nearby, but we do have a HomeGoods.

My experience with HomeGoods is hit or miss…. usually miss. But luck was on my side the day I went — I walked out with three pairs of pillows and a throw blanket!

I went for two different floral patterns in neutral tones that feel fresh, and two soft furry pillows that pick up on a shade of blue in the ottoman fabric. The textured beige throw blanket adds another cozy layer, without being too wintery. Texture is a great way to add warmth to a room!

Coffee Table Display

While we are on the subject of texture, let’s talk about baskets!

I was still thinking about that huge basket I had seen (and bidded on briefly) at the expensive auction I told you about in my post Beat the Winter Blues: Lunch and Some Antiquing. I knew I wanted to change the display on the living room ottoman/coffee table, and I loved the idea of a big statement basket.

The same day I got the pillows and throw at HomeGoods, I continued my lucky streak at a favorite local small antiques and vintage store, Vivien and Coco, in Camden. I think I like this antique French basket I got there even more than the one from the auction!

For the coffee table display, I filled the basket with books in shades of blues and browns. Instead of arranging the books neatly, I jumbled them up for a more casual feel.

Unless the paper book jacket is really special, I generally remove them when using for decoration. When you are out and about thrifting or antiquing, always keep your eye out for interesting books in colors or themes that work in your home!

To contrast with the texture of the basket, I used a large blue and white platter as a tray to hold a candle and a trio of artificial spring bulbs in small transferware tea cups. I still felt the arrangement needed one more thing. Back down into the basement I went…. I wanted something a little quirky — a large old rope knot fit the bill perfectly!

Corner Table

Once the Christmas tree was put away, the small pine table was moved back to its corner spot. This is where I like to work on my blog posts, since it has a beautiful view of the water!

It is also the sunny home to a couple happy houseplants. The African violet is actually a descendent of one of my grandmother’s plants!

For this “cozy and fresh” season, I topped the table with a floral blockprint tablecloth in shades of blue. I love the burst of color and pattern it adds to this corner!

Spring Flowers

I love flowers in the home! A bouquet of fresh flowers really brightens a room. And nothing says spring more than flowers.

But here is my dirty dark secret: I am not diligent about re-trimming the stems and changing the water, so they never last long for me.

And then (the dirtiest part of my dark secret), I always leave them well past their prime, until the blooms are shriveled and dry, and the stems slimy and rotted. We won’t even talk about how the water stinks at this point.

So while I do get real flowers for the home, I also enjoy faux blooms. I love the happy pop of orange these tulips from Amazon add to the hutch. And they won’t die. Or stink.

Come spring, though, give me all the daffodils! I can’t resist them!

A Little Valentines Decor

While I don’t decorate much for Valentine’s Day, I can’t resist putting out a few hearts — in my signature blue, of course! Valentines decor doesn’t have to be red or pink!

I made the heart garland a couple years ago and hang it on this corner hutch each year. It was an easy craft project using Amazon-purchased wooden hearts, blue and white paint, a small sea sponge, and jute twine. I first painted the hearts white. Then, using the sponge, I tried to imitate some of the patterns on the spongeware pitchers and bowls.

The wreath hanging over the mantel was a gift from a talented IG friend last year. I was able to purchase some of the same faux thistle blooms to fill the jugs on the mantel.

And that’s it for Valentine’s Decor! Easy and done!

A Visit to D.C.

I am publishing this post from Washington, D.C., where I am visiting my daughter Zoë and son-in-law Sam.

It is always hard to leave my home, the view, and my furry friends, but we have a full schedule of fun activities — antiquing, dinner out, the baby shower for grandbaby #2 (due in early April), and nursery set up! I will be hanging peel-and-stick wallpaper for the first time… Wish me luck!

It might not be spring here in Maine, but it will be in the 50’s and even 60’s in D.C. while I am there!

Maybe I will return home wanting to swap everything out in our house for spring…. Kidding!

Sending you all love on Valentine’s Day!

Molly

Highlighting coastal decor and lifestyle, Maddie and Cisco, and the way life should be...

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