Petaluma blogger offers affordable tips on redecorating your home

The arrival of spring triggers a primal urge in many of us, a desire to dust off our nests and perhaps add a few shiny new twigs.

“Spring is all about opening up the windows and doors, letting the fresh air in,” says Petaluma blogger Bridget Riley. “Nothing lifts the spirits like clean surfaces and fresh colors.”

Riley, who blogs as Centsational Girl using her middle name, Kate, lives in Petaluma with her husband, Matt, step-daughter Maddison and children Ethan and Isabelle. A non-practicing lawyer, she started the blog in 2009 as a hobby to chronicle and share her decorating and remodeling projects. Her blog struck a chord with readers, though, and she now has 40,000 subscribers and a Pinterest following of more than 240,000.

“I’m a serial decorator,” she confessed, “so no paint lasts more than a few years and I rotate furniture and accents with the seasons.”

Riley’s also a firm believer in budget-friendly projects, as evidenced by her Centsational Girl brand.

“Great design does not belong to the wealthy,” she explained. “The majority of people don’t live in million-dollar houses. They’re living in modest homes, raising their families and stretching their dollars as far as possible. I keep my focus on design solutions and stylish décor for those who live on a real budget.”

With that idea in mind, Riley shared five clever yet affordable ways to spruce up the home for springtime.

1. Paint your front door

“Repainting a front door is an easy weekend project,” said Riley. Traditional hues like black or gray are always a safe bet, but less neutral colors - think red, yellow or green - will add a touch of springtime to your entry.

Riley suggests purchasing a few paint samples and painting large test swatches on poster boards. Allow the samples to dry, then examine the colors suspended on the front door to see which one looks best in both morning and afternoon light.

Click here for details about supplies you’ll need and techniques for properly preparing the door surface.

2. Add fresh flowers and new throw pillows

“My favorite place to pick up affordable botanicals is Trader Joe’s,” Riley said. “They have seasonal flowers in many varieties and you can fill a vase with tulips, hyacinths, calla lilies or daffodils.”

Accent pillows are another quick way to update your home’s look. “Try Crate + Barrel or West Elm in Marin, or shop Pier One or World Market,” she said. “They always have beautiful patterns in contemporary colors at affordable prices. But don’t forget about local boutiques like Cokas Diko in Petaluma (and Santa Rosa) or Summer Vine in Sonoma. There you’ll find more unique textiles in gorgeous patterns you won’t find in the big stores.”

Her favorite colors this spring? “Mid-tone blues are very on trend right now, and coral remains very popular.”

3. Spruce up your porch, deck or patio

“We’re lucky here in Sonoma County,” said Riley. “We don’t have to wait for the snow to melt to update our outdoor spaces.”

She suggests expanding your living area by creating an outdoor room. “If you’re ambitious, add a pergola,” she said. “But you can pick up cabanas or outdoor umbrellas to provide shade as well. Create a seating area with an outdoor rug and comfortable, deep seat cushions. Last year I designed an outdoor room on a budget for a friend, and the family enjoyed that 12-foot by 12-foot space through October!”

In addition to a sectional seating set from Costco, the outdoor room also had pillows from Target and Pier One and grommet-top curtains made from painters’ tarps, which sell for under $25 each at hardware stores. If you want to get creative, you can dye the tarps or paint them with cabana stripes.

4. Paint the back of a bookcase

Give plain white or wood bookcases a pop of color with paint, Riley suggested. “Recently I modified the basic IKEA Billy bookcase with wider trim and dividers and then painted the back a rich deep blue,” she said. “Now instead of just a functional piece of furniture, the bookcase is a stylish backdrop for housing favorite books and home décor. If you’re afraid to paint the actual bookcase itself, purchase large pieces of art board at a craft store, trim them to fit the openings of your bookcase, apply paint and wedge them inside. Now your favorite things won’t disappear but instead become focal points in an attractive display.”

5. Paint abstract canvases to create a personal gallery

“In the design world, abstract art is all the rage,” said Riley, “and many design bloggers - including me - have embraced their inner artist by experimenting with brush strokes randomly applied to canvases.” She suggested visiting an art supply store to purchase a package of different size brushes, craft paints and canvases, and then check out Pinterest for ideas.

“Search for abstract art, from amateurs to professionals,” Riley said. “It’s very inspiring!”

For more ideas from Riley’s blog, visit centsationalgirl.com.