The return of birds and birdsong are one of spring’s most welcome signs. This year, retailers are acknowledging this with pretty avian motifs on all sorts of accessories.
Pottery Barn’s collection features sparrow printed bedding and table linens, embroidered and printed pillows, and even a wall canvas with an antique bird illustration. There are stoneware birdbath serving bowls, and mugs with wee “nests” tucked into the handles.
For a more modern take on the theme, the Museum of Modern Art stocks a flock of perky, colorful bird-shaped clips that could hold artwork or undies on the line.
Urban Outfitters has an interesting set of First Flight wall decals, plus a sturdy hook shaped like a bird’s silhouette.
CB2’s spring line features a striking accent pillow designed by artist Douglas Sheran, who is a member of Creativity Explored, a nonprofit visual arts center for the developmentally disabled in San Francisco. His bird illustration, in a swath of rich green over black and white, resembles Japanese brush painting.
There are some new takes on popular colors this season. Two in particular look especially fresh:
Blue: The adaptable blues are back in a big way. Bright versions give a room a bracing shot of color, while muted versions, paired with white or chalky yellows, are soothing. For inspiration, check out the Grandeur and Harmony palettes in Olympic Paint’s new Audubon collection.
Anthropologie offers a beautiful ceramic knob festooned with bright blue dots; a set of those would refresh the kitchen cabinets. There’s the charmingly named Grace towel collection too, in blues and pinks, embroidered with springy flowers.
French blue and Wedgwood blue are elegant tones: Homegoods’ blue crocodile-printed leather slipper chair looks swanky, but is priced modestly.
Pottery Barn’s soft, silky blue throw will comfort on a rainy spring day. Z Gallerie is stocking a French blue filigreed urn, and a beautiful resin plaque embossed with a realistic blue chrysanthemum.
Pier 1 and Homegoods have several unusual bowls in their spring collections that look like melted blue beach glass, as well as new versions of the multifunctional ceramic stool, this year in vibrant turquoise.
Blush: That ethereal pinky peach color often called blush is another important shade for spring fashion.
With any of the new creamier pastels and light woods, it’s romantic and cottage-y. Pier 1 has a floral-printed glass vase and a delicately ruffled toss pillow in that peachy shade.
With black or chocolate accents, blush reads modern; its versatility makes it appealing.
Burke Decor has Simrin’s rose-shaped placemats, embroidered with metallic threads; while inspired by vintage fabrics, they have a nice graphic quality. And Burke’s luscious Plum Pretty Sugar duvet set in pink tones looks just like ribbon candy — sweet, like the first taste of spring.
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