Creating comfort at home for fall

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • Oct. 3, 2020

Let’s face it: the last two seasons, spring and summer, took away a lot of our comfort and security. Fall weather is right around the corner and offers a chance to bring a few positive changes into our homes. A chance to create some comfort in stressful times.

We don’t really have seasons in Florida. And that’s okay with most of us who came here from someplace else, fleeing cold weather. As a matter of fact, if it were not for the Publix cinnamon brooms that appear in September, we might not even know that there is a change. But the truth is that even in our year-round tropical paradise where there is little change in the weather, fall brings a noticeable shift. And that’s a healthy thing.

This is when I think of growing up in Virginia and going to college in North Carolina. Fall was beautiful with cool breezes, football games, homecoming, friends and the excitement of the beginning of another college year. I remember walking to classes and just taking in “fall.” I felt such a sense of place those fall seasons and it has stayed with me all these years. Fall is a very nostalgic time.

Unlike the rest of the country, the slight drop in temperature has most of us heading for the beach, sprucing up our lanais for the season and getting outdoors more. As a Fort Myers interior decorator, I can tell you that I (along with most of my clients) like to make a few subtle changes in my home to honor the arrival of fall. Or as I call it, celebrating the end of a long, hot summer. Most of these changes cost very little and you can buy much of what you need from the grocery store or order online without major shopping trips. A few of my favorites:

A light decluttering

Since we have been at home so much, things have piled up! Do a little fall decluttering and organizing. Focus on finding some clear surface spaces and eliminating what you no longer need. And while you are at it, toss your old spices and refresh with new ones. The change in seasons is also a perfect time to invest in new linens, towels, throws, blankets. All just in time for the holidays.

Create the feeling

Start at the front door with a new doormat. My favorite is “hello pumpkin,” which can be found online. One of my clients paints her front door each fall and spring. To keep things interesting. Some favorite front door colors for fall: Benjamin Moore’s Hawthorne Yellow, Autumn Leaf and Fiesta Orange. Add a wreath to the door, a few pumpkins (faux in Florida), potted plants and lanterns and you are set.

Benjamin Moore’s Hawthorne Yellow. Photo: Benjamin Moore

Spicy hues or not

If the oranges, browns and yellows are just not your palette, that’s fine. Any color found in nature says fall. Rich cranberry burgundy, blueberry, sunflower yellows, bright greens…all work for fall and are a nice change when mixed with our more coastal palettes.

And as for pumpkins, they come in all colors. Blues, white, even pink. I like to mix them up.

Create a tablescape

For your dining table, coffee table or the end of a kitchen island. Mine this year is a mix of white pumpkins, striped pumpkins and a bag of gourds from the grocery store. Some yellow mums, corn and candles. Very simple.

Set the dining table

If Halloween is more your thing than fall, that could be the theme. In either case, add some seasonal placemats and napkins, add a center piece. Design special themed place cards for each member of the family. Put a few fall or Halloween treats at each plate. Make it a little special since there are going to be fewer activities this year.

Set a pretty table with faux pumpkins and fall elements from www.potterybarn.com. Photo: Pottery Barn.

Entry table

One of my favorites is to fill a dough bowl with elements of the season: potpourri, acorns, colored leaves, gourds and even a few twinkling lights. Change out the content each season or just for fun.

Change your scents to fall

Bring fall into your space before it even arrives with yummy scents: Fall in a Jar, Fresh Fall Morning, White Pumpkin, Leaves, Apple Weather and lots of others from Bath & Body.

Mix creamy neutrals with seasonal hues

Change your fireplace mantel with creamy neutrals accented with seasonal tones, gourds, pumpkins, leaves, baskets, accents.

Welcome fall!

On the first cool morning: open all of the windows and let the fresh air into your home. Take a deep breath and enjoy a new season that brings renewed hope.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

At home: what’s trending now?

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • September 5, 2020

We love checking out the latest trends.

It’s not so much that we are going to repaint our white, two-year-old kitchen cabinets the popular color of the moment, but more that, it’s fun to know what’s new and fresh.

As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I always caution clients against following trends. Instead, I suggest that we take a favorite trend and find a way to work some version of it into your current décor without an expensive renovation. And I recommend that you always ask yourself if you will still love it in five years. The goal: classic and timeless. With a little fun included in the mix.

Kitchen cabinets and island painted in Sherwin Williams Pewter Green (SW6208). Pottery Barn’s Rory pendants in burnished brass shades. Fenton leather bar and counter stools. Available at www.potterybarn.com. Photo: Pottery Barn.

Not a normal year for trends

High Point Market, the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world, with over 10 million square feet and 2000 exhibitors throughout 180 buildings, takes place in the fall and spring. It’s where designers meet with suppliers and seek out the newest and most beautiful trends in the industry. It’s where it all happens. Walt Disney World for designers.

This past spring, the show was canceled because of COVID-19 and like in the fashion industry, there was no real excitement around design. We were all at home (and still are for the most part) trying to survive a pandemic. The usually flurry of articles and photos with the latest trends did not happen.

So, when a client recently asked me for trends, I thought it was time to take a look at what has come about in the past six months or so while we have all been at home and isolated.

Comfort and function

My go-to for the pulse of the industry is Kravet, the industry leader in to-the-trade home furnishings. The fifth generation family business offers a one-stop shopping venue for designers looking for fabrics, furniture, wall coverings, trimmings, carpets and accessories.

Naples showroom manager, Amy Jimenez, says “comfort” is key to current trends.

“After spending so much time at home, homeowners are looking for comfort, function and performance. Creating a cozy space with a modern feel at home is what’s important.”

Also important, according to Jimenez, is color. Blues, greens, soft shades and dark teals.

What’s trending now?

Kitchens

We are now using them for working at home, school work, entertaining, dining. Trends: Larger islands. Open layouts. Upgraded appliances. Bronze and brass hardware and lighting are hugely popular. Color for cabinets and islands. Think: sage green and navy blue.

Nooks/office space

With everyone working at home, zoom rooms have become a necessity. Okay, you really don’t need a whole room. A wall or a nook will do. But the point is that you need a background for your zoom meetings and a quiet space with privacy. A wall with a piece of art or a countertop with flowers. Lighting is important. A little creativity makes this one easy.

Reconfigure a guest bedroom so it can be used as an office. Rework a laundry room for crafts and a small desk area.

A calm home

This means a lot of neutral colors, open spaces, elements from outdoors, soft indirect light in public spaces, plants to purify the air, chemical-free household products.

Color

Wild and eco-friendly, dried grasses look like you just came back from a walk down a country road. These beautiful arrangements are easy and maintenance-free. Available at www.potterybarn.com. Photo: Pottery Barn

This is the one change that everyone can make with a minimum of expense. And most of my clients have been repainting. It lifts the mood and refreshes the space, almost instantly.

Trends: Neutrals like white, grey, beige are still popular because anything can be used to accent a color palette. Black is now considered a neutral. Blues work everywhere and navy is so popular. All shades of green for walls and fabric. Afraid to commit to a color in a room? Go with neutral walls and paint the ceiling a beautiful color that you have always wanted to try. Worried about imperfections in the wall? Use a matte finish.

Vintage

The days of cheap, fast furniture as a temporary fix have slipped away. Thankfully. Using what’s already here not only honors the skills of craftsmen of the past but it embraces quality that lasts. And vintage pieces will not end up in a landfill. There is a renewed love for vintage and antique pieces and new ideas for using them in your home.

Trends: Incorporate a rare and unique vintage piece. New paint and modern upholstery will give a collectible new life and provide an accent for your room.

Boho chic vibe

This is a look that is fun and provides a lot of comfort.

Trend: Rattan, cane and wicker. All new, this retro style of chairs and tables mixes with your sofas for an affordable, light style.

Bedrooms

Paint a dark wall behind the bed in midnight blue or charcoal. It’s a dramatic backdrop for artwork and photos. Sacrifice a fan for a gorgeous chandelier. As one of my favorite clients says, “we have air conditioning.”

Dried grasses

Wild and eco-friendly, dried grasses look like you just came back from a walk down a country road. Beautiful arrangements are easy and maintenance-free.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Read any good (decorating) books lately?

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • August 2020

If you’re like me, some days you just want to curl up in your favorite spot with a good book (preferably with pretty pictures) and escape from the stress and nonstop news.

As a Southwest Florida interior decorator working with clients virtually and in their homes, I find a lot of solace and inspiration in design books. Here are a few of my favorites and if you would like to share some of yours, please do so on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Spectacular.Spaces

Sophisticated Simplicity by Suzanne Kasler

Serene but far from boring, this book offers what we’re seeking right now. Easy, calm suggestions and beautiful photos to inspire us. Maybe encouragement to try something a little different in our homes. Or to just enjoy the pretty vignettes and color palettes.

One of my favorite designers, award-winning Kasler, combines American and European touches with eclectic design to create comfortable living spaces. Her timeless sophistication and use of color combine to make the most of architectural details. And her books are a joy with suggestions for room arranging and finishing touches. This one is especially so.

Note: 10 years ago, Kasler partnered with Ballard Designs and developed a signature collection. In celebration, the company is highlighting her designs. Check them out at to be found at www.ballarddesigns.com/furniture/design/suzanne-kasler-collection

Key West: A Tropical Lifestyle by Leslie Linsley

This book has been around a while but it remains one of my favorite “escape” books. If you’ve ever walked the streets of Key West, you know that feeling that makes you wish you could take a quick peek in so many of the beautiful homes in this island paradise.

Although some homeowners are fairly laid back about curious tourists trying to sneak a look inside their abodes, a better way is Linsley’s beautifully photographed book that explores 22 residences along with interviews with owners, architects and designers.

And like every trip to Key West, you’ll come away with something that you want to incorporate into your own Southwest Florida tropical oasis.

Soul of the Home: Designing with Antiques by Tara Shaw

Warning: make sure you have some time because you will not want to leave these beautiful rooms. Each page is a treat. Hot off the press this spring, Shaw’s book is a feast for the eyes as the past meets the present as she mixes antiques and modern design. I could not get to my computer fast enough to order this book. And it is among my favorites.

With decades of collecting in Europe, she is a supplier of antiques to Elle Décor A-listers. And she offers her tips for selecting the perfect pieces to display in contemporary interiors. You will come away with a renewed love for vintage and antique pieces and new ideas for incorporating them. I like what she says:

“Antiques bestow an incomparable sense of history…their flaws, scrapes and bumps are hard-earned and make your interiors (and maybe even you) more forgiving.”

Shaw even shares her favorite antiquing spots throughout Europe. We can dream a little from our homes, right?

India Hicks Island Style

She’s the British-born daughter of famed interior decorator David Hicks and Lady Pamela Hicks and the granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten. Prince Charles is her godfather and he wrote the foreword to this book. She was a bridesmaid at his wedding to Lady Diana. Having said all of this, let’s add one more: she’s very cool.

Hicks takes us on a journey through Hibiscus Hill, her family’s Bahama enclave. And teaches us the importance of shoestring decorating, repurposing and leaving room for spaces that offer sanctuary.

It’s a beautiful and fun trip that in its 10 chapters, shows us the basics of capturing the look of timeless and under-decorated rooms. It’s a perfect escape for these times and there’s a lot of royal glitz thrown in.

Happy readying and stay safe.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Summertime and the living is hot!

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • July 4, 2020

Kravet’s Breezy collection says summer with names like fruit punch, tango mandarin and clover. Your designer or decorator can help you with selections of indoor/outdoor fabric from Kravet’s to-the-trade options. Photo: Kravet.

When I was growing up in Virginia summer meant a new straw purse and a pair of sandals. Staying outside late into the evening. Beach days. Family road trips. Going barefoot. Swimming off the neighborhood pier. Catching blue crabs for dinner. Evenings sitting outside on the porch.

The "porch" was where the family headed after dinner. I can hear my mother saying, "Help me finish the dishes and let's go out on the porch." It was where all important discussions and decisions took place. It was the place where we retreated at the end of the day.

As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I have had many "porches" since those days. Small apartment balconies barely large enough for two chairs, screened porches with comfortable wicker furniture, large lanais' with summer kitchens surrounding a pool and filled with friends. But to me, they are all "porches." A place to unwind, relax and think. A sanctuary.

We're in those lazy, hot, humid days of summer but if you are at home on this Fourth of July weekend, chances are that you will end up on a porch someplace relaxing or cooking out.

Spending more time at home, our outdoor space has never been more important. I always like to start my mornings with coffee and catching up on some reading and maybe some computer work on my porch before it gets too uncomfortable. And end my day there reading or just taking some time to destress. It helps to be outside even if it’s just for a short time.

So, if in these hot days of July, you find your porch in need of a little makeover, I have some tips to give your space, no matter what the size, a bit of refreshing to make it an extension of the home's living area or as a separate retreat. No matter what the size or budget.

Furniture

This is important because after all, it is going to be outside. For Southwest Florida, that means nonstop sun, rain, wind, dust. Make sure you purchase furniture made for outdoors. And if you love wicker, it just won’t hold up to moisture. Instead, buy resin wicker and it will hold up to all of the elements. Make sure your furniture is heavy enough to withstand wind.

Outdoor fans. Who doesn’t love sitting under a fan on a porch? Add a good book, a cold drink and it’s just about perfect. A restful retreat.

Fabric

This is my favorite because you can recover any outdoor pieces and make them new again. And today’s outdoor fabrics work indoors as well. Lots of choices including chenilles, linens and velvets. Beautiful. Have an outdoor umbrella or outdoor drapery done in the same or a contrasting fabric. My go-to for indoor/outdoor is Kravet to the Trade. Check out the Breezy line in the photo at www.kravet.com/breezy-indoor-outdoor

Add a porch swing

What could be better than dozing in a porch swing at the end of the day? A porch swing just cries out, "Stop what you are doing and come and relax for a while." And if you find a vintage swing that just will not hold up to much weight, hang it any way and fill it with plants.

Don’t crowd your space

Decide what is most important. Dining? Relaxing? TV area? And plan the space accordingly with the appropriate sized furnishings.

Anchor your seating area with an outdoor rug

Even on a tiny balcony this works and adds color to the space.

Lighting for atmosphere

If there is space, add an outdoor lamp, twinkly lights, a few lanterns. And a chandelier over the dining space.

Add a bar cart

Yes, it's great for a party but you can also use it for storage...liquid refreshments, cups, stirrers, coasters, books, magazines, speakers, and anything else necessary for a relaxing retreat.

Go vertical

Hang a piece of artwork or sign on a wall. This makes it feel like part of your living space.

Accessories

Fill your furniture with colorful pillows. Add plants, candles (flameless), lanterns, a bowl of shells and colorful sea glass.

Tiny space?

No problem! Bistro table and chairs may be all that you need. No room for furniture? Fill your tiny balcony with plants and let the outdoors inside.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. Associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Making home your happy place

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • June 6, 2020

We’ve spent a lot of time at home for the past three months.

Mostly waiting. Waiting for things to get back to “normal.” The only problem is that we don’t know what that will mean. So we just wait. And try to figure out what home means now. What do we want and need? What changes will give us the most comfort?

Is your home your happy place? We may want completely different things as we move forward with our new “normal.”

It’s a fact: our lives have changed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home began. We (most of us) are social distancing, wearing a mask to protect others and being kind and patient as we venture out.

But it’s a bit frightening and we all have anxiety about our reentry. My take on it is that we will be spending more time at home for a while. As we ease out a little at a time.

As a Fort Myers interior decorator, I’m passionate about making homes pretty, functional and comfortable. And I like to start with what my clients have and work from there. It’s always a privilege to come into someone’s space to help make it suit their lifestyle and provide a sense of calm. It’s what we are all seeking. In that regard, we are all in this together.

After being at home for the past three months, we are trying to decide what we want our homes to be as we go forward. What works? What doesn’t? How can we be more comfortable? One thing for sure, color plays a huge part in how we feel. From Benjamin Moore, the facade of this home is in Flawless AF 320, Aura Exterior, satin. Shutters: Shorehouse Green 2047-50, Aura Exterior, semi-gloss. Photo: Benjamin Moore

Since we have all had plenty of time to look around our homes, if you are like me, you have made a list of what you want to change. Maybe a paint color or a piece of furniture. Something that may be fine if home is where you just eat and sleep before starting a new workday. But if we are spending more time in our space, it takes on a different tone as we try to create a calmer environment. We’ve had some time to decide what we really need and what we can do without.

Rethink color

You may be surprised at how your tastes have changed. More muted tones of bold colors. Go with what you love. No rules.

A word about clutter

For some, a life without clutter just does not work. My suggestion: make it work for you. Organize it and control it. Make it part of your eclectic environment. Your signature look. If that’s what you want.

Make things convenient

Rearrange items that you use every day so you can reach them without climbing on a ladder or crawling on the floor to reach the back of a cabinet. Shift things around until they work for you on a daily basis.

Create a gallery wall.

During our time at home, a client asked me what she should do with a stack of favorite photos that she had ripped out of magazines. I told her to hang them on a wall in her office from ceiling to floor. I mean, why not? It looks great, adds visual interest and she loves the photos.

Display photos of people you love

For a couple of years, there was this thing about not having too many personal photos around the house. Now that we are missing family and friends, they have made a reappearance. My suggestion is to put them all together. On a table, a piano or a bookcase. People love to look at them and usually will move their photo to the front row when no one is looking!

Rearrange the furniture

Okay, maybe you are limited here but try it. You can always move it back. Split the two chairs apart. Move the sofa. Try a different view. It might work.

As you think about making some changes, take a breath and come up with a list and a plan. And consider a few things that we all hope to never see again:

Word art

Go for a pretty piece of art instead.

Bedroom “sets”

Matchy matchy. You can do better. Purchase a great bed and repurpose or purchase nightstands that don’t match. Flea markets, antique shops, online sales.

Barn doors

These, along with shiplap had their day and it is done. Unless you really can’t live without either or have a farmhouse theme. Barn doors have become an accent piece but on a practical level, are exhausting. If you have space for a big, bulky, heavy barn door, you have room to install a pocket door.

Chevron.

Did anyone ever really think chevron was pretty? Okay. It was “different.” But now it’s just plain tired. There is so much that is gorgeous. Don’t waste your money.

Terrazzo.

Every few years this makes a return appearance. But as we seem to be moving away from mid-century modern, it’s time to say goodbye to this and look at other options.

Huge entertainment centers

They take over the entire room and most are just plain unattractive. Instead, go for a streamlined TV stand and arrange some art around it.

Loveseats

They have no real place in a home. Only one person can sit in one so why not purchase a sofa and a chair or two? Don’t let a anyone talk you into one.

Formal living rooms

If you have been at home for a while, you know how useless and uncomfortable they are. Most of my clients have turned them into bar/entertainment rooms.

It will be a while before we figure out what our home means now. Meanwhile, take breaks from social media. Avoid non-stop news. Stay safe. And take a nap.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail .For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Refresh and renew your home for spring

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • May 2, 2020

While we were busy figuring out how to save ourselves from a pandemic, spring quietly arrived without any fanfare. It was lost between the stay-at-home directive, self-quarantining and worrying about where we were headed.

Usually a time of refreshing and renewal for ourselves and our homes, this annual ritual was a big blur this year. The good news: it’s not too late. And we need it. More than ever.

Thibaut’s Russell Square wallpaper brings a fresh, new look to a room with a pretty green tone. Trending now, green is a color of harmony and health. Photo Credit: Thibaut Design. Details: www.thibautdesign.com

We’ve spent more time at home than we ever dreamed possible. We’re tired of nonstop bad news and we’re just plan tired. We have worried about friends, family, ourselves, the economy, our jobs, our savings and the future. Zoom meetings have become a way of life and they are exhausting. We even decorate the Zoom backgrounds with pretty pictures to cheer ourselves up.

We could use a haircut. We wonder if the shelves at Publix will ever be fully stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. It’s hard to focus and tough to even make it all the way through a book. What we always wanted, more time at home, isn’t so great when you’re wondering about what our future holds.

And we’ve cleaned and cleaned. It gives us some control. We’ve decluttered every drawer and closet. Planted flowers in our yards. Repaired everything that was on our to-do list. Mostly.

And now that we’re seeing parks and beaches reopen, we have a glimmer of hope that things are ever-so-slowly and cautiously starting to ease us into something that will become our new normal. What that will be, we have no idea right now. And we still have to be careful.

But it’s still spring. And spring brings hope. Because we have been spending so much time at home, let’s rethink what our homes need to give us in terms of comfort, privacy, hygiene and safety. Something to nourish our spirit.

Find an outdoor space

More than ever, we need the outdoors. Whether you have a huge lanai or a tiny apartment patio or balcony, create a space for yourself. Before we began staying at home, a friend called me about her tiny patio in a small condo. We were able to make it look great by using: a bench, a chair, small round table, a basket of flowers, a rug and a lantern. All purchased from Home Goods in an hour. She has coffee, reads, works on her laptop and rests in this happy space.

Color changes everything

Beautiful shades of green are a huge trend right now. No surprise. It’s the color of harmony and health that has long been thought to revitalize our body and mind. It balances our emotions and leaves us feeling safe and secure. It also gives us hope, with promises of growth and prosperity, and it provides a little bit of luck to help us along the way. We could all use that.

Some of my clients tell me they only want calm, muted colors now. Others are asking for color palettes that are bold. We know that you get the most decorating value for your money by changing the paint color so think about what you are craving. You may be surprised at how your color preferences have changed.

Time to switch things out

Spring is always a great time to replace a few things. But how do you know when it’s time? Some general guidelines:

• Kitchen sponges (yikes): every 2-4 weeks.

• Bathroom towels: Every two years. Repurpose them by donating to an animal shelter.

• Bathmats: Wash weekly. Replace every year or two.

• Pillows: Replace after two years (or sooner).

• Sheets: Replace every two years. Wash frequently in cold water.

• Mattresses: 8-10 years. You know when it’s time.

• Smoke alarm batteries: twice a year. Now is a good time.

Plants: bring some fresh air into your home

These are inexpensive, easy to find (grocery store or home improvement stores) and will make you feel better. They purify the air and don’t need a lot of light: snake plant, heartleaf philodendron (I like these in a shower if there is a window), golden pothos, ferns.

Also, for healing, energy and maybe even good luck, try a bamboo plant.

Lavender in a clay pot will help you sleep at night. I found these at potterybarn.com

Welcome spring. Will life ever be the same? Not likely. Everything is still a bit upside down and will be for a while. For now, just hold on as things unfold. Stay safe. Wash your hands. And take a nap.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail . For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog