As we stand on the cusp of Spring, we can feel ourselves coming back to life along with the nature around us. You can’t beat these early days of this season. Taking a minute to enjoy the warmth of the sun on our faces. Seeing the early buds of magnolia trees and bursts of yellow daffodils. We’re so ready for this new season to begin.

Our daily rituals and pockets of joy may start to look a little different. Taking in the lighter days and warmer temperatures, our attention is once again turning outwards from ourselves and from our homes. We start to connect with the outdoors again, extending our homes into our gardens. Opening the windows and breathing in the sunshine and breeze. With Spring comes an undeniable feeling of opportunity and hope, a real ‘new year’ vibe without the odd pressure of a clock striking midnight.

Our Spring Guest

To celebrate the transition into this glorious season, we welcome to the blog our latest guest, mixed media artist Andrea Curtis. As long-standing fans of Andrea’s work, we’ve always found her art evokes similar feelings to that of Spring. There’s a certain energy and vibrancy to Andrea’s floral art, captured through stunning colour palettes, detail and layers of skill and creativity.

We chatted with Andrea about how the seasons impact her work, her home and her wellbeing and she shared with us some beautiful imagery of her home and work.

Andrea, thank you for joining us on the blog! As this is our Spring special, can you tell us what Spring means to you? Do you have a favourite season?

Spring is definitely my favourite season. I love the newness and optimism of spring after the gloom of winter. I love my garden so it’s so good to see all the trees starting to bud. Bulbs starting to grow and the occasional flower opening. I find it a positive metaphor for life in general. New growth and life coming from plants that seemingly look dead!

What is your favourite thing about your home during Springtime?

My home had a lot of natural light so I love seeing how the light starts to change and also that the days are getting longer. There’s nothing like Spring sunshine to lighten the mood and all the colours in my home feel like they are coming to life. 

Flowers feature heavily in your work, are they one of your biggest influences and if so, why?

Like I said before, I love my garden and flowers in particular are an endless source of inspiration and joy. I also love seeing flowers in a market or a shop. They just bring colour and a beautiful energy to a space. I particularly like blossom, lilac and forsythia. 

Where else do you find inspiration for your work?

In all sorts of places. I always notice colour combinations – fabrics, fashion, textiles. I’m also inspired by travels abroad, always seeking out artisan crafts. I particularly like textiles and ceramics which both feature in my work. 

Does your creative process or your sources of inspiration change at all through the seasons?

Yes. I’m influenced by nature and what’s growing in the garden, so you’ll see the flowers I draw change with the season. I find winter the most difficult time of the year to create. 

Why do you think art is so important to interior design? What impact do you believe art can have on a home?

Art instantly elevates a space and also connects the owner to their home. They’ll have chosen a painting because they love it so every time they look at it it should give them some joy and reassurance. It’s that connection to our homes that is so important making it feel like our sanctuary. 

On a practical level – art can pull a whole room together or can be used to influence the decoration. 

Do you practice any rituals, either at home or in your studio, that keep you grounded and bring you balance? 

Go for a walk everyday and I’ve religiously practised Pilates for 20 years. It keeps me out of my head when I’m stressed. 

Do you have areas or rooms in your home that you use more, or that serve you best, during different seasons through the year?

I think I use all rooms throughout the year. Probably sitting in the lounge more in the winter as we light the fire. And I do love our ‘middle’ room during spring/summer as it has doors to the garden. It’s also south facing so has lots of light. 

We feel strongly about creating homes that have been intentionally designed to support the homeowner’s lifestyle, preferences and wellbeing. Is there anything in your home that you bought with the intention of supporting your own wellbeing? 

My whole house has been designed around our family lifestyle. Though on a personal level I have a garden studio for my work and also a room for my reformer where I can practice Pilates. 

It’s important to me that our house has lots of light and connection to the outside, so every room downstairs has doors to the outside. Also, we have no curtains (except in bedrooms) as I want as much light to come in as possible. I absolutely could not live in a dark house! 

And finally, what can we expect next from Andrea Curtis? Are you working on any new collections or do you have any trips or plans coming up that might inspire new work?

I’m currently working on new work to send to Gregg Irby Gallery in America. I also have an exhibition in May with a gallery in the UK.

I’m also planning a trip to India for the beginning of next year, hopefully taking part in a paper workshop while I’m there. 

Thank you to Andrea for sharing your thoughts on Spring and the place of art in interior design. If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up to our monthly newsletter for more interior inspiration and behind the scenes of our Cardiff interior design studio.