Dear Natalie

Natalie Weinstein is President of Natalie Weinstein Design Associates, The Natalie Weinstein Home Decorating Club and Uniquely Natalie, a quality consignment boutique. Enjoy Natalie’s Long Island 
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Dear Natalie,
    Now that spring is a little over a month away, I would like to spruce up my bedroom.  I’m not planning on making any major changes, just some re-decorating. I would like to purchase some new bedding and window treatments for the two windows that I have in my master bedroom. Although it has cathedral ceiling, the room is very small (11’6” x 11’), so I don’t want anything too dark and heavy.  Any suggestions would be great!
Cynthia A.

Dear Cynthia,
    Bedroom makeovers are fun and not too taxing on your wallet. There are so many ensemble sales in the stores for spring that you can easily find “ready-mades” in bedding and window treatments with matching or coordinating designs. Spring colors in pastels or bold patterns might be just the thing that suits your fancy and because of price, they don’t have to live in your room forever.
    Lots of homeowners like to change their comforters or quilts at least twice a year. I know I do. My spring/summer look is lighter in weight and feeling so I use a quilted throw and shams in a toile pattern. When the weather gets chilly in the fall, I switch to a slightly heavier blanket in deeper, darker colors that are more tone on tone.  
    The trick is to keep the walls neutral. Neutral, by the way does not have to be beige or tan. New neutrals are greys, soft greens and yellow-gold’s, or “you’re neutral,” anything that is an interesting color combination that appeals to you. By adding throw pillows in accent colors or a throw at the foot of the bed, you can affect a different look, as well.
    If you are handy, shop the fabric stores and get out the sewing machine. A new window treatment, dust ruffle and some accent pillows are relatively easy endeavors and can bring a happy and colorful change to existing bedding and furniture or just take off the heavier side panels of your draperies and leave the sheers for a lighter, softer look. If you like to paint, the wall behind the bed is a great accent wall to create a pop of color and a big change.  Should you grow tired of it in the fall, you can always do it again!
    Don’t forget your spring cleaning as well, Cynthia. You don’t have to take the rugs out and beat them (which would be really hard if you have wall to wall carpeting), but purging closets and freeing your room of clutter is the best way to get ready for spring while creating good Feng Shui. And is it time to turn your mattress or purchase a new one for a more comfortable night’s sleep? What about your pillows? Are your sheets and pillow cases ready for a change? Here, I would invest in a higher end thread count and the best quality you can buy.  You will find it’s truly worth it.
    So, go ahead and enjoy the change of seasons.  Bring in some spring flowers to place in a pretty vase on your dresser or night table and put this seemingly endless winter behind you.