Ready to welcome the new season? Here are our 5 favorite spring essentials to freshen your home in the blink of an eye.

1. Layer vases of fresh blooms on your dining table, countertop or bedside table.

3.  Pop some pastels into your bathroom.

4. Bring new life to your entryway or coffee table with your favorite Spring creature!

5. Go barefoot on a spunky new rug.

Love what you see? Take a look at all 16 of our best Spring Essentials here!

There’s still time to enjoy FREE SHIPPING on every order. No minimum purchase required.  But hurry! This offer ends Saturday at midnight. Shop here now to take advantage of the final few days!

We love Colin Cowie’s and Carolyne Roehm’s over-the-top gorgeous parties, which are all about layering flowers, color, and heights.  But you’d be surprised to know: they both keep their napkin folds surprisingly simple.

1) Roll the napkin and thread it through a napkin ring.

2) Fold the napkin with a point at the bottom.

3) Fold the napkin into a rectangle.

4) Fold the napkin into a rectangle, but leave a fold out so you can tuck in a gift or a menu.

5) Pull the middle of a napkin through a napkin ring.

Inspired?  We’d love to see pictures of your tables.  And if you’ve got a party coming up, click here to see our  napkins and napkin rings.

With creative designs, intricate details and saturated colors, Kim Seybert’s tabletop creations are sure to delight.  And now, for a limited time, enjoy FREE SHIPPING on all Kim Seybert orders!

 

Details: Valid for orders shipped via ground service or equivalent within the 48 contiguous states; does not include express shipping or shipping surcharges on special items. Not valid on previous orders, orders with trade discounts, or when combined with any other promotional offers.

Shop our Kim Seybert collections here!

Nothing says quaint comfort quite like the pastoral life of the American Farmer. That’s why we were thrilled when Modern Farmer Magazine asked to feature our Royal Copenhagen Contrast Mugs on their Cozy & Warm page!

In a bevy of bright colors, these mugs incorporate an innovative technology that keeps the contents warm while remaining cool to the touch. Appropriate for any home in any season, how could you resist these darling treasures?

A special thanks to Modern Farmer for the feature!

For more from our Royal Copenhagen shop, click here.

February means time for a little romance. Enchant with an amour-inspired tabletop, and keep the wine flowing!

To view our full sale section, click here!

We found a house last year whose architectural style was officially listed in the MLS as “Teardown.”  The selling agent insisted on showing us the house personally so that we “knew what we were getting into.”

We loved the neighborhood, so we bought it anyway.  Since we weren’t ready to do any major work on the house, we limited ourselves to cleaning and decorating, and we were surprised by how far that took us.

The entryway and staircase area was quite dark, so we used lamps and mirrors to brighten up the dark spots:

To the left of the entryway, we had an oversized living room.  Here, we removed all the curtains, painted the window and door trims blue, and set up different seating areas to make it warm and inviting:

In the dining room, two hutches from our previous house gave us much needed storage.  They also lent stronger architectural lines to the room.

Here’s what we learned:

– Clean everything.  Trim the trees, wash the house, and remove old carpet, wallpaper and curtains.

– Remove all unnecessary doors and shelves.  Chances are, you won’t miss them, and the spaces will feel larger and more open.

– Paint every wall, including the insides of your closets. If you’re moving into an older home with a lot of existing detailing, it’s fine to paint it all the same color.   In our case, this also helped unify a recent addition with the original structure.

– Use rugs to bring in warmth and color.  They are also great for outdoor areas.

– Create intimate spaces with comfortable seating nooks.  Finish these up with pillows and throws.

– Add table lamps and floor lamps.  Older homes usually don’t have great overhead lighting; lamps will bring in soft light and add height to every room.

– Flowers (whether in a vase or on the wall) will brighten up any space.

– Use mirrors everywhere (entryway, staircase landing, living room, dining room, hallway) to bring in more natural light.

– Bring in soft scents.  Layer in your favorite candles and diffusers.

– Add new plants to your entryway.

If you have any other tips to share, we’d love to hear them!

Libeco Home’s refined yet understated style is timeless. Shop our sale section for the best prices on these classic table and bed linens.

To view our full sale section, click here!

So you’ve been dating for a while, and you’d like to show her your place.  Great idea, but there’s more to preparing your home than just throwing everything in the dishwasher. Read on for the 10 key points that can make or break her visit.

1. Curb appeal. Initial impressions mean a lot. Still have those Christmas lights up from last year? Swap them out for a clean, new welcome mat. If the mailbox is overflowing with junk mail, go through it now.

2. Clean up! This might sound obvious, but you need to get it done. Start by removing clutter from all surfaces (kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room). Once these are clear, wipe everything down and only put back essentials like your coffee maker or remote control.  Also, don’t forget to vacuum your floors, wash all your linens (sheets and towels), and make your bed.

3. What’s in your fridge? Yup, she’s going to look. If you only have beer and hot sauce in your fridge, at least wipe down the shelves so they’re nice and clean. Toss out all leftovers and anything past its expiration date. A good rule to live by: if you have to smell it to remember what it is, it’s too old. Extra Credit: Surprise her with a bottle of bubbly for a romantic nightcap!

4. Bathroom necessities. Your bathroom should be spotless. Always (and we mean always) close your toilet, have lots of toilet paper available, refill the hand soap, and place towels next to the sink. Extra Credit: Clean up your medicine cabinet. In case she takes a peek, this is not the place to hide anything you took off the countertop in step 2.

5. The TV. If you have dusty equipment or a maze of wires surrounding your screen, tidy them up. Video games and movies are fun for certain occasions, but don’t really scream romance, so store these in a drawer or basket. Extra Credit: Go through your DVR. Are you really ready to explain to her that you secretly love watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta?

6. What’s on your bookshelf? Books can be an excellent conversation starter, so start that conversation off right. If you have a passion for poetry or an extensive library of Russian literature, this is the perfect way to show her. But be careful: don’t put lofty books there just to impress her. If she asks about the influence of neo-realism on 20th Century Italian film, you’d better have an answer!

7. The dog. Find out beforehand if she is comfortable around pets. A well-mannered dog is the sign of a devoted trainer, so be sure your best friend’s on his best behavior. If she’s afraid of animals or just a bit shy, be respectful of her boundaries and keep your pooch behind closed doors.

8. Take out the trash! Empty out all trash cans in the house and check surfaces for old receipts, empty beer bottles, ashtrays, or anything else that should say sayonara. Extra Credit: Light some candles or pick a handful fresh flowers to clear the air. These subtle details will not go unnoticed!

9. The Ex. There should be absolutely zero evidence of any other woman ever entering your home. Exceptions are your family, your housekeeper, and me, in spirit (see all other steps).

10. Show your personality. Your home is a reflection of you, so keeping it tidy will allow your favorite pieces to shine. If you play a musical instrument, love to surf or have a knack for painting, showcase your interests and talents through your home. Extra Credit: Invite her further into your world by playing her a romantic tune or cooking a sweet treat. Whether you have a passion for wine, sports or astronomy, show her how much you care through an outlet where you thrive.