Gloria Gale Michael Robinson

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Photo courtesy of Madden-McFarland Interiors Photo courtesy of One Stop Decorating

Spring is the power behind summer. As the gloriously fresh palette of spring edges into its more vibrant sister season, there are a number of decorating updates you can take on to heighten the mood.

Guiding you down the path from spring’s sprightly hues into summer’s full, rich bounty are Mary McFadden of Madden-McFarland Interiors, Victoria Palmer of Urbane Interiors, Gail Morse, Cheri Roellchen of One Stop Decorating Center, Becky Mosby of Edgevale Interiors, Leslie Holt of Design Partners, Vickie Stewart of Rosemann & Associates, Brenda Freebern of Picture Perfect Interiors and Paula Leigh of Delaware Interiors.

1. Toss out worn, weathered outdoor cushions. Revive them with new canvas or cloth covering. Likewise, touch up patio furnishings with a summery tint.

2. Make your pillows talk. Change from velvets and brocades to needlepoint and taffeta.

3. Replace pinecones and nuts in cachepots with fresh fruit and blooming bouquets.

4. Set a cool palette with white and pastel paint. Don’t be shy — embellish those walls and furniture.

5. Let your floors breathe — kilims and Orientals can take a bow until fall.

6. Paint the interior of your firebox with high-heat black paint then layer in papery white birch logs.

7. Slipcover the furnishings and bed skirts in heavy white cotton duck or hemp — it’s totally fresh and environmentally correct!

8. Open the armoire, empty and refill with oceans of seashells. The breezy mix is a  powerful reminder of summer fun.

9. Replace heavy draping at your windows with soft sheers or go without, if you dare.

10. Put away candles. They illuminate winter’s gray, but the sun will do the trick in summer.

11. Change your room diffuser scent to a fresh, light floral.

12. Bring novelty to your rooms by completely rearranging furniture.

13. Spring clean. Enough said.

14. Unfurl the outdoor rug and tidy up the deck/patio with baskets of unbreakable summer dinnerware. Load up on colorful linens and citronella votives.

15. Hang paper lanterns and colorful satin ribbons from indoor or outdoor trees for a fanciful, colorful twist.

16. Arrange a fragrant orchid, a dozen yellow or pink roses and an armful of pussy willow on the console.

17. Buoy the mood with linen placemats in vibrant tropical shades, dot the window sill with ripe tomatoes and pile bowls with fresh fruit.

18. Cull your family photos for vacation shots and tuck away those winter holiday pictures.

19. Shift indoor plants outdoors for a wash with the hose. Dot the patio and deck or bring them back inside.

20. Introduce Feng Shui to the entry (or any room) with a gentle bubbler, gurgling fountain or simple birdbath. It’s a most auspicious act of the highest order!