Welcoming March | Cozy Ways I’m Refreshing My Home Before Spring

Mantel and hutch updates, brighter bedding, soft spring sweaters, and the small habits helping me step into March with fresh energy.

Well, hello. It’s some kind of technical miracle that I have this blog post ready for you this week.

On Thursday morning, just as I was getting started, I spilled an entire mug of tea all over my laptop. Yes — some of you may remember a similar incident involving a glass of wine several years ago… and that did not end well. You would think I’d have learned my lesson by now, right?

Luckily, this time the tech gods were smiling on me. After several tense hours of drying, waiting, and hoping for the best, my computer appears to be fine. (Knock on wood.)

So here I am — against all odds — sharing how I make it through the last weeks (months? sometimes-feels-like-years?) of winter here on the Maine coast.

I truly love winter — the snowier the better — but as we head into March, even I’m ready for a shift. And when spring does arrive, it’s often more of a gray, chilly in-between season that can feel even bleaker than winter itself.

Over the years, I’ve figured out a few ways to brighten my home and lift my spirits this time of year — without abandoning the cozy layers I still very much need.

Today I’m sharing fresh decor updates for both mantels and the hutch, bedding swaps that feel brighter but still keep me warm, sweaters in soft spring hues, and a few of the books and shows keeping me entertained. Plus, how I keep moving — pushing my body a little harder again after a winter of giving myself grace.

Let’s move into March with positive energy (and maybe a pastel sweater or two).

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Refreshing the Mantels for March

The mantels are always my starting point when the seasons begin to shift.

Recently, I pared both of them back — removing some of the cozy winter layers for a cleaner, simpler look and adding the smallest nod to the season ahead.

The Living room

I’ve been especially happy with how the living room mantel has — with just a few thoughtful tweaks — moved seamlessly from the holidays to winter and now into early spring.

For Christmas, I leaned into a richly layered Ralph Lauren look: an antique sailing ship diorama, lush greenery, symmetrical brass lanterns with anchor andirons, a tumble of nautical rope, and stacks of vintage books.

You can read more about that mantel in my post, A Ralph Lauren Christmas, with My Own Coastal New England Twist.

In January, I removed most of the greenery and replaced it with a simple spray of evergreen and lichen-covered branches on one side. The diorama gave way to an antique portrait — Captain Ward, as you all know him — and I added a few wintry touches: small snowshoes and fur-trimmed ice skates. For color and a bit of whimsy, I draped a plaid flannel flag bunting across the top of the portrait. The lanterns, books, and nautical rope remained.

More recently, as we move toward early spring, I pared the mantel decor back even more. I put away the greenery, snowshoes, skates, and bunting. A graphic vintage ship etching, leaning against the portrait, replaced one of the lanterns. The portrait, rope, a single lantern, and the books remained. The overall effect felt quieter and more restrained — fitting for this in-between season.

After living with it for a few days, though, I realized it needed the smallest nod to what’s ahead. So I added a blue-and-tan striped lusterware mug holding a sprig of faux snowdrops — the first flowers to bloom after winter. That simple addition brought the mantel gently to life, a quiet reminder of the abundance to come.

Now the mantel feels complete.

The Dining Area

I took a similar editorial approach with the fireplace in the dining area — removing the large lichen-covered branch from the beam above and emptying the blue-and-white jugs of their dried flowers, twigs, and greenery. I brought the display back to its basics and gave it room to breathe.

After a few days, I decided it needed something to break up the expanse of blue and white. I often add “one thing that is not like the others” — a small visual shift that creates interest and draws the eye in.

So I raised a pair of the jugs on a small stack of brown books and echoed that warmth on the opposite side with a rope monkey’s fist knot. A few faux snowdrops, as in the living room, offer a nod to the season ahead.

These additions brought just enough warmth, texture, and life to my mother’s beautiful collection of blue and white.

A Cleaner Look for the Hutch

The large pine hutch in the dining area is another space I like to shift with the seasons.

As with the mantels, I removed the distinctly winter pieces — skates, snowshoes, a blanket and mittens, the snowman figure, and plates with wintry scenes. I filled the open spaces with additional blue-and-white dishes, returning the display to its classic foundation.

On top, I brought back several of the elements that usually live there: a large wooden breadboard and dough bowl, and a small still-life painting, and added a generous blue-and-white pitcher.

At the center of the hutch — set on a stack of blue books and anchored by a solid white platter with a feathered blue border — sits the guest of honor: the wonderful blue willow Toby jug I shared on the blog last week.

Once again, I assumed I was finished.

But Toby felt otherwise. He wanted a little something extra — a small flourish to truly set him apart. A simple spray of snowdrops did the trick. He is now the true centerpiece of the display… similar, but not quite like the others.

Note: I purchased these faux snowdrops from Amazon several years ago, and they’re no longer available. I’ve linked two similar options below, though I haven’t seen them in person and can’t vouch for their quality. They appear to have a bit less greenery than mine.

Bedding That Feels Like Spring (Even on Still-Cold Nights)

Believe it or not, until just last week I was still using the bedding I put on in late November — a green-and-red quilt, a tartan throw, and floral flannel sheets layered for the holidays. The deep colors felt cozy, like a winter getaway at a New England inn.

And then, almost overnight, they began to feel dark and heavy just as I was craving something lighter and brighter.

It was time for a change — keeping in mind that I won’t be giving up my warm flannel sheets until well into April. This isn’t my first “spring” on the Maine coast. Over the years, I’ve learned how to layer bedding for this time of year.

I started with flannel sheets in a pink-and-green floral. On top, a duvet cover in coordinating soft hues and pale pink block-print pillows. At the foot of the bed, I folded a green-and-yellow plaid wool throw — still firmly in the winter camp, but lighter in tone.

I’ve had all this bedding for several years. When pulling together your own cozy late-winter/early-spring mix, think pastel colors, pretty florals, and a contrasting graphic print such as a plaid or check. A plaid leans more wintry; a check feels fresher. Either way, layered in classic winter textures such as flannel, down, and wool, the bed remains warm while looking ready for the season ahead.

It’s the perfect balance for sweet dreams of warmer days to come.

What I’m Wearing as I Move Toward Spring

Getting dressed this time of year can be tricky. The stores are full of spring fashion, but I’m still very much in sweaters, jeans, and boots — and will be for a while.

So I dress myself much the way I dress the bed: warm layers in lighter, brighter hues. Fresh blues. Pretty pinks. Cream. All in soft cashmere and wool or thick cotton.

I’ve recently ordered a few sweaters from Poshmark that I can’t wait to wear — a gray-blue sweater jacket in a substantial cotton/cashmere blend, a cream structured cardigan edged in two shades of blue, and a cheerful striped crewneck on a cream background.

While I can’t link these exact pieces, I’ve gathered a few winter-into-spring sweaters from favorite brands that have a similar look and feel.

If you haven’t tried Poshmark, it’s worth a look. Searching by brand — or even by specific item — can turn up beautiful pieces at excellent prices. And as an added bonus, shopping pre-owned is a more sustainable choice.

Adding something new — or new-to-me — in softer shades to my wardrobe always gives me that small lift I’m craving when winter seems to drag on.

Shopping links:

Pushing My Body Again After a Winter of Grace

I’ve written before about how important exercise is to me. I truly love to work out. It sustains me physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Winter, though, is different. Not because I lose motivation — but because my body naturally slows down. Over the years, I’ve learned to give myself grace during this quieter season, shifting my focus to strength training, stretching, and moderate endurance rides on my Peloton.

But as we move toward spring, it’s time to begin waking my body up again. That means longer workouts, high-intensity intervals, and gradually working toward heavier weights.

It isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t always feel great in the moment. But over time I begin to register changes — a higher output, a heavier lift, more energy as I move. And then there’s that sense of strength at the end of a workout. The recognition that a part of me that had disappeared over the winter is returning.

I share this simply because it’s another part of how I move through the seasons. If your body has felt slower lately — whether from winter or from starting something new — steady effort does add up. It just takes perseverance.

This Week Into Next

Well, this sure was a week! Winter seems to be hanging on for dear life.

If you are hanging on for dear life too, let me remind you that tomorrow is March 1. That means we move the clocks ahead in one week (one of my favorite days of the year), and the official start of spring is less than three weeks away. You can make it.

In the meantime, here are a few recommendations to keep you entertained.

This week I binge-watched Season 4 of The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix. Mickey Haller triumphs again. (No spoilers. 😉)

I’m just finishing Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark — a love story to female friendship and the coast of Maine. I’m obviously loving it.

I recently received a new design book, The Happy Home: Layered Interiors for Joyful Living. Need I say more?

And, if dreams of summer on the coast are keeping you going, check out Ralph Lauren’s new home collection, Meadow Lane. Use his rooms as inspiration for your own finds.

That’s it for this week, friends.

Be well!