Tastemakers

We're not talking about vinegar scrubs and dusting marathons. In the design world, Spring-cleaning often translates to three simple practices: purging, organizing, and refreshing. We turned to Gilt Home creative director Tom Delavan to discover what Spring-cleaning means to him. Keep reading for the skinny on his must-have products, favorite blooms, and decluttering tips!

POPSUGAR Home: Let's talk bedding. What are your favorite components of a Spring bed?

Tom Delavan: White linen is a classic. Invest in simple but great-quality sheets, like Frette Linens or Matteo bedding. There's something so serene and unfussy about crisp, white bedding, and you'll be surprised how it'll keep your space feeling clean and airy.

PS: What are your go-to Spring flowers? How do you arrange them?

TD: I really like to keep it simple. Cherry branches are by far my favorite, and arranging them is not that tricky once you get a large, tall, heavy vase. White tulips are my second favorite. Buy loads, and don't mix them with anything else. I also like the way hyacinths smell, but I'm not crazy about the look. They'll look nice in a silver cup in the bathroom.

PS: What are your favorite vessels for corralling clutter?

TD: I used to love shallow bowls, but ultimately they are only as nice as what ends up collecting in them. Now I go for boxes that can be closed and trays to contain objects in some sense of order.

PS: Do you have any tips for switching up decor for Spring?

TD: Spring is really just a good time to freshen up and purge. A fresh coat of paint and paring down to your favorite objects will always make you and your home feel a little lighter.

Source: Matteo, Corbis Images, Restoration Hardware, and Gilt Home

Think of it as the floral arranging class you've always wanted to take — only now, it's in the form of a jaw-dropping coffee-table tome: The Flower Recipe Book ($25). Perfect for everyone from the DIY bride (yep, just in time for wedding season!) to the avid farmers market flower forager, this new book makes artful arrangements look doable — even for amateurs.

Created by highly sought-after floral designers Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo of Studio Choo, the book includes step-by-step tutorials for creating arrangements, bouquets, wreaths, and garlands categorized by season and formality. Breathtaking visuals aside, sections like the tool box stock list, vessel guide, techniques tutorial, and helpful hints section are the meatier portions you'll want to curl up with and study.

We're tempted to gather a group of girlfriends together for a spin on the traditional book club (think seasonal floral arranging instead of literary discussions). Fun, right? For just a taste of what this book has to offer, keep reading to discover how easy it is to create this purple and yellow anemone stunner.

Get the step-by-step instructions for the arrangement here!

You don't need to live on an island to covet India Hicks's earthy yet sophisticated aesthetic. The entrepreneur and style icon lives with her family in Harbour Island — a tropical paradise in the Caribbean — that never ceases to inspire her. She recently opened her doors for a Pottery Barn catalogue shoot and interview, dishing on everything from color obsessions to office essentials. Keep reading to discover the five design ideas we can't stop thinking about!

• Adopt a subtle island aesthetic

Island decor isn't just about pineapple motifs and mosquito netting. In her home, India swapped out harsher materials like glass, tile, and cement for earthier wood, paper, and straw to create a softer foundation.



• Display your collections

India relied on a collection of straw hats to add personality and texture to her office. "We call them our lending library, and whenever we have guests come and stay, we have a shelf where these hats live in among our library. And the guests will help themselves to one and wear them while they're here," she says.



• Add color with unexpected items

To create visual interest in a room of creamy neutrals, India pays attention to smaller details. "I'm a huge scrapbook person," she says. By using red Smythson albums to contain her scrapbooking projects, she's able to display them in a way that makes a bold color statement.



• Liven up your office (literally)

With a work schedule that sometimes requires spending 12 hours in her office, India stays connected to the outdoors by making sure there are always fresh flowers or foliage in the space. Her go-tos? A vase of bright bougainvillea or a green palm frond.



• Choose a sofa that matches your lifestyle

India relies on Pottery Barn sofas that can easily be reupholstered. "You need very practical pieces of furniture that can be reupholstered very easily. They're very useful for people who have a lot of dogs and children and a thoroughfare of activity, and that's very much the way we live our lives," she says.

Check out Pottery Barn's Inside & Out blog for the interview and even more pictures of her home!

So, you've decided to gift a beautiful bouquet of something for Valentine's Day. We applaud the choice, but you have more of them to make. There's technical considerations like color, fragrance, and form that can be sneakily stumping — especially if you aren't consulting a florist.

Take it away, Michael!

• A Floral Story

"People love arrangements that create a floral story by mixing different types of flowers, like calla lilies, orchids and stock flowers. This classic American design works for many occasions, especially Valentine's Day. The arrangement also makes a great DIY project, since the flowers are readily available at farmers markets or grocery stores."

• Fragrant Flowers

"Who doesn't love the lovely aroma of flowers? Fill bouquets with a variety of fragrant blooms including roses, stargazer lilies, wax flowers, and freesia. These arrangements will fill any space with wonderful scents long after the holiday is over."

• The Classic

"You can't go wrong with a classic rose bouquet. It's the number-one most requested arrangement in America. From a single rose to a full bouquet, the flower still stands for love. Just avoid purchasing 'bullet roses,' which have tight bulbs and will never open. Instead, choose a rose slightly 'unfurling.' These roses have been harvested later and will open and last longer."

• Focal Flowers

"An arrangement that has tons of flowers is everyone's dream. Try combining mass flowers (full and round blooms) such as lilies, roses, sunflowers, hydrangeas, magnolias, and daisies into a grand arrangement to really make a statement and make the person you're giving them to feel special."

• Don't Skimp

"A person will know when you skimp out on the good stuff. On Valentine's Day, try to avoid the overdone arrangements filled with carnations, baby's breath, lots of greenery, and other mass-produced fillers and flowers."

Thanks for sharing your tips, Michael! Wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day.