Spring Renewal: How Boston’s Design Experts Use Colors and Textures to Transform Interiors

When spring finally arrives in New England, it feels like we’ve been waiting all year for it. Out go the heavy throws and stale candles, the coats piled on chairs, and the sense of hibernation that has seeped into every corner of the house. The urge to reset, however small, feels slightly instinctual. Then comes the question: How can I make my space feel new again?

“Spring is a great time to refresh your space, whatever that may mean to you,” says Shelby Littlefield, ASID, senior project manager and interior designer at SV Design, a full-service architecture and interior design firm with offices in Beverly, Winchester, and Chatham, MA. “It can mean swapping out décor or artwork, introducing subtle updates to shift the feel of a room, or even doing a full home refresh.

“Spring is energizing and makes everyone want to declutter and rejuvenate what they have,” says senior project manager and interior designer, Shannon Haley, ASID. “We like to work with our clients to accentuate statement pieces by adding natural elements to elevate their space.”

Small Design Moves Go a Long Way

Their advice? Start small and use what you already have. “Swapping out small items can make a big difference,” says Haley. “Maybe you replace your white lamp shades with patterned ones, or vice versa, or change up your candlestick colors.”

Layering in new textures is another simple way to transition a space for a new season. Lightweight throws, fresh bedding, or a few custom pillows can instantly revive the feeling of a room. Senior project manager and interior designer, Kristin Landreth, also recommends starting with greenery. “Plants!” she says. “ZZ plants are really low-maintenance and can grow in most any environment.”

Design That Lasts Beyond the Season

While the instinct to refresh is the strongest in the spring, SV Design’s goal is to help clients create spaces that feel grounded no matter the time of year. “Good design transcends seasons,” says Kathleen O’Connor, associate principal. “We don’t design for one season. Our goal is to create a base palette that can work in any season.”

That’s especially true in New England, where homes need to adapt from icy winters to humid summers. “The key word is ‘timeless,’” says associate and interior designer, Lindsay Goode. “We like to pull nature into our interior designs … blending the outdoors to the indoors, and really opening up spaces.”

In one recent project, Landreth recalls designing a family’s media room. The walls were “drenched [in] deep blue, but then [we] brought in naturals like cognac leather chairs, reclaimed wood, and two beautiful pieces of artwork,” she says. “The client wanted it to feel like a cozy movie-watching, game-playing room to spend time in with their kids. We were able to create a very elevated and timeless look, while still being really unique.”

In another home, Goode used wallpaper to bring a different kind of depth. She fully wallpapered two guest bedrooms, including one featuring a delicate pattern of birds and branches that perfectly echoed the view outside the windows. “We really emphasized that idea of bringing nature inside,” she says.

How SV Design Gets it Right

Creating a timeless space isn’t just about palettes and finishes—it’s about understanding the people who live there.

“It’s all about talking to your client and saying, “How do you want to feel in this space?” states Landreth. “The whole design process is rooted in conversation… pulling out how they want to feel in their home.”

Some clients are more willing to take risks—but knowing where to take them is just as important as knowing when. “I find that I really like to be bold in smaller spaces. Like a wild powder bath,” says Goode.

Landreth agrees: “It’s easier to go bolder in spaces they’re not in 24/7: Entryways, mudrooms, pantries.” These areas, while often utilitarian, become opportunities to introduce saturated color, dramatic wallpaper, or playful textures.

A Fresh Start, Built to Last

For a space to feel right in March, it has to feel right in July and January, too. Ultimately, a spring refresh is about creating room for change without compromising on what works. The goal, as Landreth puts it, is to “have that kind of baseline design that allows people the freedom to express the seasons.” Whether that’s tulips on the table or a new piece of art, the designers at SV Design believe that the most satisfying updates aren’t about trend-chasing, but tuning into how a space makes you feel.

When a home is designed to evolve with you—through seasons, routines, and shifting light—it doesn’t demand constant reinvention. And often, it starts with the smallest change, like opening a window, moving a chair, or bringing in something green. The rest tends to follow.

Learn more about SV Design, here.

This is a paid partnership between SV Design and Boston Magazine