<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Spring’s Top Home Decor Trends Draw Inspiration from Nature</font></h2><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">(ARA) – It is time to pay tribute to the joy and jubilance of nature as the welcoming signs of spring arrive. The familiar will appear refreshingly new as we take in its splendor. This spring, the hottest trends in home decor reflect this breathtaking beauty as Mother Nature awakes from her slumber.</span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">"Spring is such an exciting time of year," says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. "Nature inspires decorating trends that are simple, yet grand. What you might see on a stroll through your local park has become the backdrop for interior designers and do-it-yourself home decorators across the country."</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Here are the top home decor trends for spring 2009:</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>1. Emulate outdoor serenity.</strong></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">"Lush leaves and exquisite florals convey outdoor serenity," says Atchison. She notes that creating a peaceful element within your home might be as simple as adding a flower or greenery arrangement. "It’s amazing what plant life can do to liven a room. A vase of flowers in the bathroom can make your morning routine more cheery, or a green centerpiece on the kitchen table might make dinner a mini-retreat from the long day at work."</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/1c.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/1c.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Whether fresh or silk, use leaves and flowers to bring a touch of classic nature into your home. Bright colors have pick-me-up appeal, while earthy tones convey calmness. Match complementary options with the current color scheme of your home, or combine to celebrate the harmony of the season.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>2. Make practical pretty.</strong></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">The things you use on a regular basis in your home are often the things that don’t have a lot of flair. But this spring, practical items are getting a stylistic boost with new designs and fresh ideas that make them stand out.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Take a flowerpot for example. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a unique, beautiful pot. "Flowerpots made of fabric are undoubtedly one of the freshest ideas for spring," says Atchison. She suggests creating your own by using durable yet breathable Sun N Shade outdoor fabrics to create fun yet functional pots. From bright, eye-catching colors, to earthy, subtle tones, choose fabrics that mimic your favorite theme, whether you plan to use these planters indoors or out. Plus, at the end of the season, you can fold for easy storage and use next year.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>3. Refresh what you already have.</strong></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">With the tight economy, many people have limited budgets for updating their home decor. Taking note from springtime renewal, an affordable, smart idea is to update what you already have in your home.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Atchison suggests using polymer clay to add spring-inspired designs to different glass items you have around your house. For example, take a set of wine glasses and use different shades of green clay to create leaves on the outside of the glass. Bake the glass with the new clay design for 30 minutes at 230 F and you’ll have an entirely new glass set to toast the spring sunset. Consider updating other items in your home such as old vases, candy dishes and hand and lotion dispensers. According to Atchison, pretty much anything made of plain glass is a potential subject. </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/17a.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/17a.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">"As you walk though the woods or sit on a park bench in the city, note the sights and sounds of springtime," says Atchison. "This will inspire fresh home decor that is sure to make your home beautiful and leave a lasting impression on guests."</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">For more ideas on spring home decorating trends, visit <a href="http://www.Joann.com" target="_blank">www.Joann.com</a> . </p>  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p></span>