The Opening Note
This week on The Very British Edit, I’m turning my attention to something that quietly happens in my home every spring, almost before I even notice it: color starts to return.
Spring has always been my favorite season. After months of gray skies, heavier fabrics, and those deep, cozy winter tones, there’s a moment when everything begins to shift. The days stretch a little longer, the air feels softer, and suddenly the garden is stirring. Tiny buds appear where there was nothing the week before, and the whole landscape seems to come alive almost overnight. That gentle awakening outside always nudges me to make a few changes inside too, letting the house reflect the beauty of the season with plenty of fresh spring color ideas.
I’ve never believed in completely redecorating for the seasons. Homes should feel layered and lived in, not constantly reset. But I do love making small, thoughtful adjustments that reflect what’s happening outside. Decorating for spring is the perfect excuse to bring in lighter room color ideas and fresher tones.
Article continues belowSometimes it’s as simple as switching out a few cushions, adding a lighter throw, or placing a vase of early seasonal flowers on the table where the morning light hits it. Even a small change of color can alter the entire feeling of a room. Spaces that felt cozy and cocooned in winter suddenly feel brighter, more open, and a little more relaxed.
I usually find myself drawn to colors that feel like the season – soft greens, pale blues, warm creams, gentle yellows. Nothing too bright or over-the-top, just tones that reflect what’s happening outside the window as everything starts to bloom again.
What I love most about introducing spring color is that it doesn’t require a big overhaul. It’s more of a quiet refresh. A few thoughtful updates can shift the mood of a room in a way that feels natural and effortless.
Spring is all about renewal and abundance. When those lighter colors start to appear around the house, the atmosphere changes with them. Rooms feel calmer, brighter, and more alive.
In this week’s edit, I’ll be sharing how I approach bringing spring color into my own home – simple ways to refresh your palette and welcome the new season in a way that feels easy, beautiful, and full of life.
The Edit: Introducing Spring Color
In the Spotlight: Little Greene
I’ve admired Little Greene ever since my days studying color at KLC Design School in London. It’s one of those brands you quietly keep coming back to once you discover it. Truly British, with a remarkable heritage going all the way back to 1773, when pigments and dyes were first made at the Little Greene Dye Works near Manchester. Today, it’s still family-run, and every paint is made in the UK using carefully chosen pigments and traditional methods – giving the colors that incredible depth and character that makes them feel timeless.
What I love about Little Greene is how considered their palette feels. Many of the shades are inspired by historic interiors and painstaking research into period colors, yet they never feel stuffy or outdated. They translate beautifully into modern homes, giving rooms a sense of quiet sophistication and subtle elegance. I have a particular fondness for their period paint colors – there’s something so unmistakably British about them. They feel layered and nuanced, the kind of shades that shift beautifully in different light, and always manage to feel warm and approachable rather than flat or formal.
For years, Little Greene was a bit of a British insider secret. Designers knew it well, but outside the UK, it wasn’t easy to find. That’s why the recent launch in the United States – including their first showroom in Greenwich, Connecticut – felt like a long-awaited moment for anyone who loves colors with real depth and personality.
Some shades I keep coming back to include French Grey, which is soft, balanced, and effortlessly versatile; Slaked Lime, a warm mineral white that works everywhere without ever feeling sterile; and Light Peachblossom, which adds a gentle lift and warmth to a room without ever being overpowering. They’re the kind of colors you can live with, day after day, and they quietly change the mood of a space as the light moves through it.
This time of year, when spring light starts filtering in and rooms feel brighter, these tones really come into their own. They echo the subtle changes happening outdoors – the garden waking up, longer days, softer shadows – and help bring that same sense of freshness indoors.
That, I think, is what makes Little Greene so special. The brand honors centuries of craftsmanship and British color heritage, yet the paints feel completely suited to modern life. Nothing is trendy or overdone; everything is just beautifully considered. The colors give a room warmth and character, quietly making a home feel lived-in, welcoming, and timeless.
In the Queue
Next week on The Very British Edit, I’ll be turning my attention to Easter – a holiday I’ve always been especially fond of, and one I love hosting at home.
Easter marks one of the most welcome moments of the year. By the time it arrives, winter has finally faded, and spring is beginning to take hold – the light lasts longer, gardens start to wake up, and there’s a freshness in the air that feels incredibly uplifting. It’s the sort of season that naturally brings people together.
Hosting Easter has become one of my favorite traditions. I love gathering family around the table and creating an atmosphere that truly reflects the arrival of spring. The table is always where I start. Soft linens, fresh flowers, and a few thoughtful seasonal touches instantly set the tone. Nothing overly fussy – just a table that feels bright, welcoming, and celebratory in a way that mirrors the season outside.
Food, of course, is a big part of the day as well. Over the years, I’ve developed a handful of Easter recipes that I return to again and again – dishes that feel comforting, seasonal, and perfect for a relaxed spring gathering. There’s something special about preparing a meal you know everyone looks forward to, and then sitting down together to enjoy it without rushing.
What I’ve always loved most about Easter is that sense of ease. It isn’t about elaborate entertaining or perfectly orchestrated details. It’s about opening the house, setting a beautiful table, cooking favorite recipes, and spending an unhurried afternoon with the people you love.
Next week I’ll be sharing a little more about how I host Easter at home – from setting a table that really welcomes the season to a few of the recipes I make each year to celebrate the arrival of spring.
The Very British Edit is a shoppable guide to beautiful living with a distinctly British twist. From heritage patterns to timeless decor inspirations, each edition blends personal insight, design expertise, and a love of craftsmanship. It is stylish, trustworthy, and endlessly inspiring.
