Spring is suddenly here, and everywhere we look, flowers are bursting into life. A walk down even the most urban of city streets is now enlivened by magnolia trees in their glory, fruit trees in blossom, and a technicolour carpet of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. While these harbingers of the new season are certainly at their loveliest in their fresh incarnations, spring seems like the perfect time to incorporate them everywhere in your interiors, from lighting to table linens.
When it comes to affordable decorative accessories, you can't beat a matchbox. Useful and beautiful, these bright little boxes are perfect for adding spring charm to your side tables.
A new season always makes us want to re-examine our lighting, and while the longer days mean we're not quite so dependent on our table lamps, they're an easy aspect of an interior to refresh. Caravane's blooming brass wall light is a perennial favourite, and Penny Morrison is a classic go-to for pretty floral fabrics.
A spring dining table (whether for indoor or outdoor entertaining) positively cries out for floral decoration. Fortunately you won't be short of options, as this season's linens and table accessories are as flower-filled as a country garden. Pentreath & Hall and LaDoubleJ are at the vanguard of the movement, with bold and bright designs that look like they could manifest warmer weather all on their own, while Cabana and Lisa Corti combine their florals with more graphic patterns. Malaika Linens bring a little more subtlety with their timeless embroidered napkins. Don't neglect the placemats either: Wicklewood's jaunty flower mats are just the thing for a festive spring meal.
As warmer weather approaches, a change in bedding arrangements is always on the to-do list. While you're hauling out the lighter duvet, seize the moment to cover it in a classic ditsy Liberty print that suggests the most charming of country bedrooms, or let exotic flowers climb over your bed with this marvellous cotton quilt from Anthropologie.
A good piece of floral art will see you through any season, and this spring we're looking to The Shop Floor Project, a brilliant destination for whimsical artist's prints, and of course to John Derian, a shop where botanical decoration is always in style.
House of Hackney is always ready with an exuberant floral pattern on fabrics and wallpapers, but we're rather struck by how they've translated those motifs into these stylish mirrors. Gaze into them and see your own familiar face framed by flowers – what better way to let the season lift your spirits?
Easter table looking a bit meh? A few floral pieces to serve up your roast lamb, asparagus and rhubarb crumbles will be just the thing. Bordallo Pinheiro offer a huge range of leafy floral delights in various colours, but these daisy plates are so sunny and friendly. And it can't hurt to bring a touch of the tropics in via another winner from La DoubleJ.
Say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you for having me’ in style this Easter with these lovely gifts for hosts. We absolutely adore a paper flower, they are the perfect small gift, and presented along with Pentreath & Hall's elegant floral card, you're sure to be invited back again. If you're feeling a little more extravagant, present your host with a scented candle or diffuser: this scent from Carriere Freres will make them feel that summer is just around the corner.
