Greet the sunny days of spring with a spot of cleaning and some home beautification
Spring is here, and even though we might not have the warmer temperatures yet, I still feel inclined to throw open the windows and give my home and health a much-needed refresh. Here are a handful of simple ideas for welcoming spring into your home.
Beautify your wall space
I recently found a vintage botanical book at an op-shop, and the pages inside make the loveliest prints for my kitchen wall. I’ve tacked them to the wall with a bit of double-sided tape but you could frame them, if you desire. Secondhand shops are also a treasure trove for botanical artwork and paintings, which are wonderful for adding a feminine touch to your home.
Refurbish a piece of furniture
Perhaps you have a tired-looking piece of furniture that needs a little love? Grab that chair, stool or side table, and give it a new look by painting it a bright, happy colour. The same goes for reupholstering. I love that vintage, or retro pieces are often made to last – all they need is new fabric or a lick of paint to prolong their life in your home.
Grow your own micro greens
The warm weather brings an inclination to eat in a way that’s more fresh and healthy. Why not try growing your own micro greens? These sweet little leaves are packed with nutrition and add a good punch of flavour and prettiness to almost any dish. Use to top fancy avocado toast, sprinkle over cooked eggs or pasta, or add to your sandwich instead of lettuce. Furthermore, it’s a fun and easy project
to grow them, and you hardly need any space for the container – a windowsill will do.
Freshen your linens
Do you want beautiful smelling linen? Make your own lavender sachet to tuck in between your sheets and pillowcases in your linen cupboard. Another idea is to make a linen spray scented with floral essential oil and mist your bedding as you change it over. I use rosewater as a base, add 20-30 drops of essential oils in a 30ml glass amber spray bottle, then tip upside down gently to disperse.
Spring clean your fridge
When you have a little time up your sleeve, you might like to do a deep declutter of your fridge. Start by taking everything out and placing the contents on your benchtop. Examine each ingredient and consider whether you’ll actually use it, saying goodbye to anything a bit funky or well past its use-by date. Using a nice cleaning spray and wipe the shelves until sparkling, then artfully organise your remaining ingredients. You might be surprised at how a neat and tidy fridge inspires you to cook something new.
Brighten with blooms
I try to have flowers in my home at all times. It’s such a simple yet indulgent gift to myself that brings me great joy every time I walk past them. Now, before you start imagining the expense, I rarely buy flowers. Most are a single stem or a small handful of blooms that I have foraged on my daily walk. Sometimes it’ll be a flowering branch, which is a treat, as you watch its buds unfurl over a week or two.
Try this strawberry slushie lemonade
SERVES 4
This blender lemonade has the brightest, loveliest hue of pink, thanks to the addition of fresh strawberries. What is blender lemonade, you might ask? With this clever method, you basically chuck all the ingredients into a blender, creating a wonderfully refreshing slushie drink. I like my lemonade to be reasonably tart but you could always add more sweetener, if you desire.
Ingredients
3 cups water
Juice of two large lemons
½ cup fresh strawberries, hulled
1/3 cup honey, maple or rice malt syrup
15 ice cubes
1 Add all ingredients to a blender, and blend for at least 30 seconds, until you have a smooth slushie drink. Pour over ice to serve.
Words and photography by: Eleanor Ozich
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