As winter melts away and April hovers just around the corner, there’s a collective shift in the air—one that urges us to refresh not just our wardrobes and routines, but our homes and habits, too. This week, we’re embracing what we like to call a “design cleanse”—a gentle detox of the spaces we live in, with a focus on clarity, intention, and connection to the natural world.
From a windswept cottage in Canada to pop-up embroidery in New York and free tulips at Union Square, this season’s most inspiring ideas offer both visual delight and soul-soothing simplicity. Here’s what’s currently capturing our attention as we prepare to step into a more grounded, lighter, and more thoughtfully designed spring.
Back to Nature, Not Away from It
Take a moment to step into the Pine Island Cottage, perched on Georgian Bay. This retreat isn’t just a design marvel—it’s a philosophy in architecture. Designed to feel “refined but rough,” the cottage speaks to a larger design movement that embraces imperfection and a strong, tactile connection to the natural world. It’s not about shielding ourselves from nature’s elements but rather folding them into everyday life—rough-hewn wood, organic stone, and spaces that breathe.
The designer, Thom Fougere, has also turned his hand to smaller-scale creations—like a birdhouse that marries form and function with the same grounded grace. Proof that even the smallest gestures, when designed with care, can feel like a reset.
Small Spaces, Big Stories
Meanwhile in Paris, a former horse stable has been lovingly transformed into a micro-haven—proof that beauty often thrives in constraint. Clever use of light, bold material choices, and creative spatial solutions turn this once-cramped space into a functional and inspiring dwelling. It’s a reminder that sometimes, limits spark the best kind of creativity.
Spring Rituals and Urban Blooms
If you happen to be in New York this weekend, make your way to Union Square for Tulip Day. On Sunday, March 30th, between 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the square will burst into color—and everyone is invited to pick a free bouquet of tulips. Yes, free flowers in Manhattan. It’s a rare and welcome delight that reminds us how powerful a small gesture can be when offered freely and with joy.
Embroidered Moments
Spring also calls for tactile, creative moments. Enter: free embroidery at Toast’s NYC locations. On select Saturdays—April 12 in Brooklyn, April 19 in Nolita, and May 3 in the West Village—visitors spending over $200 can have their purchases personalized by menders from Eva Joan. It’s not just about fashion; it’s about investing in what you wear, slowing down, and turning garments into lasting, living objects.
Designer Deals and Thoughtful Interiors
On the subject of slowing down: French designer Sarah Espuete of Oeuvres Sensibles has shared a rare and refreshing sentiment. “I’ve decided to rethink our table runners for 2025,” she writes, “which is why all the ones here are currently 20 percent off.” It’s not the usual clearance tactic—it’s a thoughtful pause, a reset in the design process that encourages reflection and reinvention.
A Nod to Judd
Looking ahead, architecture enthusiasts should mark their calendars for September, when Donald Judd’s former Architecture Office in Marfa—one of eleven buildings tied to his legacy—will open its doors to the public. A pioneer of minimalist design, Judd’s influence on architecture, art, and furniture continues to ripple across creative disciplines. This opening will offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a mind that valued space as much as the objects within it.
Gardening Zen: Hortlandia and Beyond
Out west, PNW gardeners can look forward to Hortlandia 2025, a beloved garden and art plant sale happening April 4–5. Organized by the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon, this annual event is more than a plant market—it’s a gathering of like-minded plant lovers, artisans, and green-thumbed dreamers.
Before heading out, why not give your gardening tools a little TLC? A simple rust-removal session (there’s a deeply satisfying how-to video out there) can turn this into the perfect weekend project. Afterward, put those sharpened tools to work by giving your shrubs a proper spring trim—just be sure to brush up on proper pruning techniques first.
The Glow of Good Design: Solar Camping Lights
And for those eyeing warmer nights and outdoor adventures, consider the beauty and utility of solar camping lights. Laura’s currently obsessed with a few new releases that marry sleek aesthetics with eco-friendly practicality. Whether you’re pitching a tent or lighting a late-night patio dinner, these little lights bring the glow of good design to any setting.
The Prettiest Beet Hummus for Spring
Finally, no design cleanse would be complete without something bright on the table. Marie’s beet hummus—vibrant, earthy, and an absolute visual delight—is the kind of seasonal dish that lifts the spirit. With its vivid pink hue and creamy texture, it’s the embodiment of spring in a bowl.
Final Thoughts: A Gentle Reset
This week’s finds aren’t just about objects or events—they’re about perspective. They invite us to reconsider how we design our days, our homes, and even our habits. Whether it’s picking a flower in the city, personalizing a shirt, restoring a rusty tool, or simply enjoying a humble bowl of hummus, the design cleanse is about finding clarity through simplicity, connection through creativity, and joy in the details.
So take a breath, clear a surface, or step into the sun—spring is here, and it’s time to make space for what matters.
