Spring Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Kelley Astore Interiors

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning your home from top to bottom is time-consuming and exhausting. Tackling it room by room or category by category can make it much more manageable. Spring cleaning is all about getting to those areas that are forgotten during the rest of the year. Below are some of the most forgotten areas in the home with a few spring cleaning tips.

Ceiling Fixtures

Fans, light fixtures, recessed lighting, and moldings are hard to reach so they collect a lot of dust throughout the year. An extendable duster works well in cleaning these and is safer to use than a ladder.

Windows

Streaks and smudges accumulate on window panes throughout the year. It’s best to clean windows on a cloudy day because the direct sun can cause streaking; wipe them down using glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Blinds and shutters gather dust, therefore don’t forget to dust them. Then, the windows can be completed by vacuuming the curtains and wiping down the window sills and window frames.

Walls

Walls are surprisingly touched quite often and can become greasy. Oh… and let’s not forget those dusty baseboards and door frames! Both are simple to clean with a damp microfiber cloth. Also, for spots or smudges, a Magic Eraser is exactly that… magic.

Kitchen Appliances

Kitchens are used every day of the year so the appliances can take on quite the build-up of food splatter and grease. The bottom of the oven collects baked-on food so the best way to attack the grime is by first using the oven’s self-clean feature. Then a bit of elbow grease with baking soda and a heavy-duty pad may be needed to bring it back to sparkling. It is important to keep our refrigerators clean so that they do not harbor bacteria. Starting from the top, go shelf by shelf removing the contents, and washing with warm soapy water, this includes removing drawers and shelves on the doors. The inside of a microwave can be intimidating to clean but it can be steam cleaned. It’s quite easy, just add water with lemon juice or vinegar to a microwave-safe bowl, place it in the microwave, and turn it on for several minutes until the water is beginning to boil and you see steam on the door. Turn off the microwave and allow it to sit for five minutes before wiping it all down with a sponge.

Hopefully, these areas and tips will help get your spring cleaning off to a good start.

Happy cleaning!

Spring Escape: The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier Resort, known as “America’s Resort” since 1778, has well deserved this title. It is the perfect place for a spring escape, you’ll fall in love with the well-manicured lawns and all the bright colored flowers. The stunning architecture takes you back in time and the lavish decor will make you feel like royalty. It is my duty as a fellow interior designer to give a shout-out to the famous Dorothy Draper for decorating this spectacular estate. The resort describes itself as “a timeless classic that maintains a high standard of elegance while catering to the expectations and creature comforts of twenty-first-century travelers.”

Top Things to Do at The Greenbrier

Relax

The Greenbrier is located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia so it is most well known for its mineral waters that have bubbled up from the surrounding Allegheny Mountain range. People have visited for the past 240 years to “take the waters” and bask in their healing powers. Therefore, a trip to the Greenbrier Mineral Spa is a must for a relaxing and therapeutic treatment that uses natural minerals found on the property. Their services include massages, facials, wraps, manicures, and of course, sulfur soaks and mineral baths. In addition to the spa, there are many places throughout the estate where you can simply sit and take in the beauty around you or read a book. With the spacious estate rooms, you won’t mind just chilling in your room.

Dine

Boasting 20 different bars and restaurants, there is something for every palate. Being a Dorothy Draper fan, Draper’s is one of my favorite places to eat at The Greenbrier. It is a super cheerful and lively ambiance and the menu features some of Dorothy’s very own recipes. Plus, there is an ice cream and dessert bar… I hear my sweet tooth calling! To really receive The Greenbrier experience, dining in the Main Dining Room is a must. It is the epitome of elegant southern dining. Everyone is dressed to impress and there is live music playing to set the tone for the night. It has been serving guests for over 100 years and the ravishing chandeliers were custom-made. If you fancy something unique, then In-Fusion is the place for you. They serve a variety of wonderful Asian dishes and have an elaborate sushi bar in the middle of the restaurant.

Get Active

The Greenbrier has more activities than you will ever have time to do in one visit alone. You can get off the beaten path and explore the surrounding area off-road in a Jeep Wrangler. An activity uncommon to most places is falconry but The Greenbrier gives you the opportunity to take falconry lessons; having the fortuity to get up close and personal with this majestic hunter has to be one of the coolest experiences. The sport has been around for 4,000 years! If you enjoy a court sport, they have top-notch tennis and pickleball facilities. It wouldn’t have the label of America’s Resort without world-class golf. One of the courses, The Greenbrier, is the only course in the world to have hosted both The Ryder Cup and The Solheim Cup. These are just a few of the over 55 amazing activities they offer at The Greenbrier. Furthermore, they offer children and teen programs so there is fun for the whole family!

4 Fun Ideas to Celebrate Spring this Easter

Easter is coming this Sunday, and we’re getting ready and excited to celebrate here at Kelley Astore Interiors! Whether or not you’re religious, Easter marks a time to celebrate spring and all the budding life around us. Especially after such a difficult year, this spring feels especially symbolic and full of hope for a new and better life. All over the country, flowers are blooming, the days are getting longer, and the trees are sprouting with new life. Keep reading to find out 4 fun ideas to celebrate spring or Easter this year!

Traditional Celebrations: Family Time & Easter Egg hunts

Whether or not you’re religious and will be attending a service, there are many traditional ways to celebrate this time of year that will always be fun. Get the kids involved with dying and decorating Easter eggs, and then use the eggs you’ve decorated together to set up an Easter Egg hunt. Establish a prize for the winner and watch the whole family have a fun time.

Set up your backyard for an Easter Dinner with the family. Decorate with fresh flowers and soft colors. Be sure to check out our article for tips on hosting an outdoor celebration! If you’re unable to have family over this year, schedule a time for everyone to hop on a Zoom call for a virtual Easter Dinner. Have everyone go around and name a few things they’re excited for this spring and their hopes for their lives post-pandemic.

The most important part is being with the people you love, in person or virtually. Spring is such a beautiful time of year and should be celebrated in harmony with your loved ones.

Go on a Long Nature Walk

As blossoms fill the trees, this is one of the best times of year to get out in nature and take in the sights and smells of spring. On a sunny day, invite your loved one to join you and choose a trail you haven’t taken before. Turn it into a family fun activity by challenging the children to see how many different plants and flower species they can identify or find. If they’re able to find a certain amount, reward them with chocolate eggs or with choosing a movie to watch that night.

Alternatively, book a day off work and head into nature with your journal. Find a peaceful and quiet spot to lay down a picnic blanket and write down all of your intentions for the spring. Pay attention to the songs of the birds and the wind gently blowing through the trees – let it fill you up with hope for a better future.

Get in the Garden

The spring planting season has arrived and the warmer weather invites us to get into the garden. There is something in soil called Mycobacterium Vaccae which actually activates neurons in the brain that stimulate serotonin production. Serotonin is the brain chemical responsible for making us feel happy and content. That’s right – gardening is a natural antidepressant, which is perfect for anyone who gets the winter blues. Whether you’re planting in pots, a raised bed, or straight in the ground, it’s the perfect time of year to begin gardening on a regular basis. If you’re not sure where to start, visit your local garden center and employ the help of the staff to get you started. If you’re short on time or eager to fill your garden quickly, garden centers will have plenty of potted plants that are ready to be transplanted straight into your soil.

Get Creative With Flowers

One of the loveliest things about nature is that it is meant to be interacted with – not just looked at. It’s the perfect time of year to begin experimenting and getting creative with flowers. Why not try learning how to arrange your own bouquet? There are online classes and free resources to help get you started.

You can also try learning how to press flowers to keep their color and life around much longer than their natural life span. Alternatively, learning how to dry flowers and bouquets is a fun and simple task that will leave you something beautiful to decorate your home with.

Bring the spring inside!

In addition to these fun easy ways to celebrate Easter, be sure to check out our article on four ways to brighten your home in preparation for spring!

One of my favorite Easters was when I was able to celebrate in NYC. There were so many beautiful flowers around, and I can’t wait to go back when I’m able to. There is no doubt that this past year has been particularly hard on many of our hearts. Let us strive to learn from the Earth: no matter how cold or devastating the winter seems, Earth always comes to life in the spring. We too can grow again and look to the sun for our nourishment. Let us be gentle with our hearts and with each other. Happy Easter and happy spring!

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