Home Decor

Ditch the winter blues and think spring

Jessica Crawford
Cotton & Co.

(3/2022) As they say, it’s time to ‘think Spring’ and we are so ready. Our daffodils are starting to pop up and reappear, waking up and emerging through the earth. I think that March is one of my favorite months of the year, because it feels like a month of hope and growth and new beginnings and things to come. While there’s still a little bit of Winter left to endure or enjoy, depending on your own feelings about the chilly season, little signs of Spring are definitely beginning to manifest.

Easter is a little later than usual this year, so it’s a great time to start decorating for Spring, and really get to enjoy the length of the Spring season. We’ve been busy transforming the shop from Christmas to Winter to Spring in the New Year here. While we like to hold onto the winter, cozy vibes through the end of February at Cotton & Co, by March, we are ready to bring on all things bright, and fresh and new.

Many of our vendors bring in holiday specific Easter décor while many of them more neutral seasonal inspiration. We have a few vendors that specialize in vintage holiday, (@LoveysVintageGoods and @dragonflymemco for example) and for each holiday they have curated an inventory of true, authentic vintage, seasonal décor. I personally love the vintage seasonal postcards, as they all tell an individual, unique story and are a great pop of vintage holiday to any vignette.

Many members of our team of talented vendors incorporate a more holiday neutral, yet Spring inspired vibe and items into their spaces. We have a wide selection of faux florals available storewide. And we’re not talking about the crummy kind from the 80’s and 90’s. We’re talking the high end, ultra-realistic, who-would-even-know-they’re-everlasting kind. We even have a vendor that hand-dyes, hand-paints and hand-arranges everlasting wood flowers (@blkthumbsociety). She keeps her inventory seasonal and always has fresh styles available in one of a kind arrangements, or single-stems so you can build your own at home. I am a huge proponent for live plants in a home, there are endless benefits to that. However, there is also a time and a place for high quality faux florals too. And we’ve got you covered.

Our wood sign vendor (@DulcisHome) has a large selection of handmade, seasonal signs available at all times too. While she always carries year-round inventory, I have to say, Spring is her time to shine. She and her husband design and build nearly all of their inventory. One of her most popular lines are her Framed Floral Wall Art, available in many designs and sizes. She’s great at designing new products, so her inventory is constantly evolving and changing. We love her birth flower line too. These are great pieces of art to bring home this time of year, since they immediately brighten a space and make it feel more and more like Spring is on its way. And since they’re available in multiple sizes, they really can be incorporated into any room. In addition to her floral signs, she has a vast selection of funky, trendy and unique pots and planters available year-round.

When I revamp my spaces in the shop for Spring, I generally tend to think adding pops of green and color. I personally do not generally add Easter specific décor, but more so inventory that just feels lighter and brighter than the décor we generally choose to decorate with in the winter months. I also love adding vintage elements that reflect the season. The best part about shopping for vintage and antique items, is that you never really know what you’re going to find. I love making a tablescape for Spring and incorporating vintage pots and planters into it. I’m personally partial to the vintage ceramic blue and green McCoy and USA planters. I have a decent sized personal collection of them at my home, enough to put a few on display in every room. I also love vintage terra cotta pots. You know the ones with the crusty patina and mineral deposits on them that can only be formed from age and grit and use.

We live in an old farmhouse in Carroll County and our home is a good balance of old and new. Buying vintage and antique is the ultimate form of recycling. Not to mention, I just love surrounding myself with pieces in my home that have a history and story. Being able to add vintage elements all over the house, that reflect the seasons, makes my heart happy. I’m also a complete sucker for a vintage or vintage inspired botanical print. I have a ton of these in my personal home collection too. I love the delicate beauty and detail of these prints. We have a wall collage in the home of vintage botanical and bird prints, that we found in our attic when we purchased the farmhouse, that I framed in a collection of mismatched but coordinating frames. Several vendors around the shop have these for sale in their spaces if you’re into that kind of thing too.

Over the years, I’ve collected a lot of vintage outdoor pieces too, which are fun for decorating the garden with. I have a few vintage chick feeders, watering cans, concrete planters and garden statues water coolers, etc… and they’re fun for decorating the front garden or porch, especially when you pop a flower into them. It's a little early for flowers just yet, but soon enough!

Whatever you year-round seasonal wants and needs are, we’ve got what you need to make any and all seasons special. Need help designing a space or making a concept come to life? Our talented team of vendors and employees are always happy to assist. Stop by the shop and say hello. We’re open weekly, Friday through Sunday. And don’t forget to follow us on social media @CottonAndCoVintageBoutique (Facebook and Instagram) for regular updates and event info.