Ahhh, Spring. Time to renew your spirit, stop and listen to the birds, notice the grass a little greener, enjoy the lengthening amounts of daylight.

Freshening up your home decor doesn't need to cost and arm and leg, just think lightness. If you have cinnamon scented candles, perhaps its time to put them away for a few months and place lemongrass sage or citrus scented candles in their place. I know washing windows isn't on most peoples favorite "to do" lists, but it goes a long way to brightening up the interior and allows for sunlight to stream in - a sure mood lifter. At area shops you can often find small pots of forced bulbs, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus. They can charm a table and add a bit of well needed nature, and afterwards transplanted into a garden. The price you initially pay for these little pots of springtime beauty will be paid back year after year as they bloom in the garden. Speaking of gardens, do you have any flowering shrubs or fruit trees? If so, you can prune a few branches, place in water and force them into breaking dormancy. These are just a few ways to add lightness to your home without breaking the bank or needing a bailout. Have fun!

Autumn

As summer winds down, and the sound of geese fills the air, its time to bring in the cozy colors of autumn to accent your home. Small touches can mean so much to bring the spiciness and warmth we seek, pumpkins and gourds on your porch and harvest table, bowls of acorns and chestnuts, candles in shades of bittersweet and topaz, copper containers filled with apples bursting with color and flavor. Look to nature for cues, and shop farm markets for unusual squash that can start as a display and then feed your family afterwards.

Imagine the charm of seasonal outside decor greeting your family and guests. If you have urns on the front porch, nestling a tall pumpkin on top of a grapevine wreath on the urn will elevate it to star status. By placing a few smaller pumpkins and gourds at the base, you can create a vignette that is seasonal, charming, and inexpensive.

Another idea is to make a pumpkin topiary. To do this, you would need three pumpkins, small, medium and large. By hot gluing the pumpkins together, stacking them similar to a snowman, and also gluing autumn leaves to fill in, an unusual display can be made in a matter of minutes.

For the harvest table, think texture and color. For napkins, tying a sprig of wheat or millet, or a cluster of rosehips will be the perfect touch. Tablecloths can be textural as well, nubby cotton or rich brocade. Make a statement with chubby pillar candles in shade sof eggplant or bittersweet on a tray, nestled amidst dry pinto beans.