EASTER SPARKLE

In many European countries Easter is synonymous with Spring which, hopefully, brings warmer weather, blossoms and buds, and spring cleaning.  Here in Trinidad our temperatures are relatively constant but we can still take the opportunity of the Easter break to bring spring sparkle and freshness into our homes.

Why not start in the kitchen, often the most neglected room in the house. 

·                    If your cupboard doors are dark and dingy, sand them lightly and apply a coat of bright, special effect paint that gives the fashionable impression of antiqued or distressed wood. 

·                    If your door and drawer handles are chipped or tired looking, replace them with large wooden knobs that can be painted any colour you choose. 

·                    Put up a shelf and display a selection of brightly coloured tableware or hang posters framed in vibrant colours. 

·                    Buy real or artificial flowers, bunch them tightly together to form a topiary and place in a container which can be anything from an elegant glass vase to a ceramic planter.  Finish off with a huge, dramatic bow.

In the living room

·                    Take down your heavy drapes and replace them with floaty, gossameer sheers that let in the light whilst still giving privacy.

·                    Place a colourful throw over your old sofa and scatter big, tasseled cushions on your chairs, all in contrasting hues. 

·                    Try re-arranging your furniture - this can often give the room a fresh look. 

·                    Buy some new lamps or re-cover old lampshades and trim with shimmering beads.

If space permits in your bathroom,

·                    Place a TV tray next to the tub, complete with your favourite magazines, fresh flowers and fragrant candles. 

·                    Replace old towels with crisp new ones, in zingy colours that will immediately lift your spirits.

In your bedroom:

·                    Clear away any clutter by storing items in inexpensive baskets which can be spray painted to match your décor. 

·                    Paint your dark wooden headboard in dreamy white and stencil a border round the edge. 

·                    Create instant artwork by painting squares or rectangles in contrasting colours, directly onto the wall, using inexpensive masking tape to define the edges.

These quick makeovers do not need to be expensive – look around at things you already have in your home which can be utilized for another purpose by the simple application of a coat of paint or fresh fabric.                    

Happy Easter.

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