spring gardens

When we visited Winterthur, Henry Francis du Pont’s Museum and Country Estate in Wilmington, DE, last spring, we noticed how beautifully the decor of some rooms coordinated with the flowers blooming in the gardens.  The azaleas and rhododendrons were peaking while the Spanish bluebells were fading and all the pinks, whites and blues were reflected in the gorgeous floral patterns of the 18th-century painted Indian palampore covering the bed and the 16th-century Ottoman rug.

Winterthur in Bloom

The Cecil Room - 18th c. Indian Palampore

We were told that, from the start, Henry truly understood the delicate balance between the natural world outside his home and the decorative accents inside and would have his staff change the rugs, curtains, upholstery and bedcovers in certain rooms to fit the season.  And while impractical that would be for us to do in our lives today (given our lack of staff!), we think accent pillows are a great way to celebrate the beginning of spring and to bring the garden into your home.

John Robshaw - Earth Pillow

Pottery Barn - Mill Valley Pillow

Yves Delorme - Mary Rose Pillow

Dransfield & Ross - Helsinki Collection

So tell us, dear readers, how do you celebrate spring?

Photos from Garden Visit, The Peak of Chic, John Robshaw, Pottery Barn, Yves Delorme and Dransfield & Ross