How to make spring come early

The weekly micro-decorating newsletter * Issue 4 of 13, W25 *
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Winter and waiting go hand in hand. Beneath the frozen crust we walk on, there are hidden signs of life that seem to take forever to burst forth. What if it were possible to speed things up?

If you're feeling as impatient as I am, you can take charge at home. Cut flowers are one option, but there are tons of floral possibilities that last longer and bring just as much cheer.

Something sculptural works. In my living room, for example, I have a little brutalist bouquet from Morceau that adds a spiky charm to the coffee table:

If you're looking for something more realistic, I recommend the glass stems available at Bonne Choice. While the blossoms are appealing, it's the transparent green filaments supporting them that really speak of spring:

Why not add some comedy to lift the mood? At Ballooms, you can order arrangements that exude the giddiness of a kid's birthday party:

Flowers can be functional as well. West Elm offers this new table lamp that brings a glow to any corner.

It's part of a family of lamps that share the same five-petalled motif.

Floral designs are just as effective in two dimensions. Marimekko's iconic Unikko print, which turned sixty last year, is splashed across a range of household products:

In Toronto, you'll find a good selection at EQ3.

Don't forget the printed page. Flip through a book about flower arranging and lay it open on a spread that excites you. Design Within Reach offers "Flower Color Theory" by New York flower designers Putnam & Putnam:

The beauty of this title is that each arrangement embodies a colour theory principle – meaning you could easily apply what you learn to other parts of your home:

For something truly versatile, there's always clothing. On a recent visit to the Men's Store at Holt Renfrew, I spotted this gorgeous Paul Smith shirt:

Once you pick up on it, you'll notice blossoms everywhere in spring collections. Try something on, or dig through your closet for existing options. You have my permission to become a mobile garden, making spring come early inside or out.

Elsewhere

Check out this time capsule from Ikea showing what furniture looked like in the mid-sixties:

Back to 1965 – IKEA Global

From armchairs to cocktail cabinets, let’s take a look back at the 1965 IKEA catalogue to see what home furnishings looked like in the mid-sixties.

IKEA

Thank you for reading.