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!

Easter Table Decor

Whether you’re having a festive Easter brunch or intimate Easter dinner, you’ll want to have a table that expresses the importance of this holiday and praises the arrival of Spring. The table is where people gather, just like Jesus and his disciples did the night before his crucifixion, so having it celebration-ready sets the mood and encourages guests to slow down and enjoy their time together.

What are some Easter table decor ideas?

Flowers

Easter occurs at the start of Spring when everything is in full bloom, having flowers on your table is a must! I love fresh flowers; they give so much life to the room and you can go simple or elaborate with the vases. My favorite Easter flowers are tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth. For a more natural look to your tablescape, you can have little potted herbs. Some of the most fragrant herbs include rosemary, mint, and lavender. If you have to go with fake Easter flowers, don’t sweat it because they are more versatile in the ways you can display them. Whichever you choose can be included in your centerpiece and throughout the entire tablescape.

Place Setting

Pastels, pastels, pastels! There are options abound when it comes to your Easter place settings. You can go with a floral placemat and a solid napkin of complementary color with elegant white dinnerware. If you have special Easter china, pair it with a solid pastel placemat and a white dinner napkin. Furthermore, a beautiful Easter table cloth or Easter table runner begs for an all-white place setting. Easter napkin rings can add a special touch to a place setting, as well.

Centerpiece

The Easter centerpiece gives you the opportunity to get creative. Some ideas include:

candlesticks to hold dyed eggs
Easter egg tree (branches in a vase with blown-out eggs hanging on them)
tiered dessert stand with dyed eggs or an assortment of Easter candy or a combination of both
vases or bowls filled with colorful eggs or jelly beans
bunnies of various shapes, sizes, and colors

Easter Food

You’ve spent so much time decorating for Easter that you haven’t even thought about planning out your meal. Don’t fret! Here is a list of the top 10 foods to serve at your Easter gathering.

Top 10 Easter Foods

Deviled Eggs
Ham or Lamb
Spring Mix Salad with fresh fruits, goat cheese, and nuts
Roasted Carrots (that’s what the Easter bunny eats, right?)
Asparagus, Sweet Peas, or Green Beans
Potatoes, whether they are scalloped, mashed, or baked
Melt-in-your-mouth Rolls
Potato or Macaroni Salad
Key Lime or Lemon Meringue Pie
Carrot Cake

I would love to see your Easter dinner spread, comment to me on social media!

I wish you and your loved ones a happy, hoppy, and blessed Easter.

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!

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