Tom Delavan

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

Allow us to set the scene — you just moved into a killer apartment (hooray!), but are in dire need of decorating direction. Luckily, Gilt Home Creative Director Tom Delavan can help. Aside from having interior design cred (you may remember him as Domino's former editor at large), Tom's new Gilt Home collection proves that his product design prowess is just as sharp. We caught up with him to get his top five tips — from furniture selection to layout — for getting settled in. Take it away, Tom!

• Start With a Furniture Plan — Seriously

Get out the graph paper or use one of the many apps or software programs out there (like Icovia) to draw out your rooms to scale, and place the furniture you need.

• Look For Pieces That Are Versatile

Your first apartment won't be your last, so try to go for standard sizes and styles that could make sense in other spaces. I really kept this in mind when designing the Gilt Home Collection — I wanted to create pieces that were versatile and accessible, easy to mix and match, and look great in any space.



Keep reading for more of Tom's tips!

You may remember him as the former editor at large at Domino, but these days, Tom Delavan is putting his keen eye and distinct style voice to use as Gilt Home's creative director. Aside from curating the brands and products sold on the site and overseeing its overall look, Tom also leverages his editorial prowess to create a deeper sort of customer experience, sharing tips for styling the pieces, demonstrating handy how-tos, and dishing on the latest trend reports. We prodded Tom for his top three tips for adding personality and style to any dreary office space.

CasaSugar: What is a common office eyesore that you think can easily be avoided?
Tom Delavan: Piles of paper! Get a scanner – it's an easy way to organize and eliminate all the papers on your desk. I like NeatReceipts: it scans quickly and is very user-friendly.

CS: Do you have any tips on which office items to splurge and save on?
TD: I think you can definitely splurge on a nice chair; comfort and ergonomics are well worth the extra money, especially if you're going to be sitting at a desk in front of a computer for most of the day. Skimp on filing cabinets, which can get pricey, take up space, and are never really that attractive."

CS: Aside from filling an office with beautiful decor, what are some of your favorite ways to create ambiance?
TD: An inspiration board is great-looking and useful and brings some of your personality into your workspace. Another thing you can do is add a lamp with a shade to your office. Giving the space ambient light is a simple way to make it feel less office-y.