Craving green? You’re not alone. After a frigid winter, even temperatures climbing into the 40s has us opening windows wide to welcome a cleansing breeze inside. Similar to January, when we might trade dense stews for fresh salads, think of April as the home edition of “new year, new you,” and suddenly green is the new black. We’ve rounded up ways to bring this feeling to your surroundings, with local experts sharing how to do everything from furnishing your home with prints and plants to selecting paint colors and finishes. You’ll find a spotlight on a local furniture maker, expert advice for lawn prep, and so much more. And while the threat of snow may linger for a bit longer, this issue is sure to have you trading that mug of hot cocoa for a green smoothie. Spring forward!
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful” is a famous quote by Victorian designer and founder of the Arts and Crafts movement, William Morris. Celebrated for drawing from nature in wallpaper and textile designs, his patterns continue to be in production nearly 160 years since he started his original company, and are as popular as ever. Morris & Co. Pimpernel wallcovering recently served as the jumping-off point for a refresh rooted in botanical style given to a 1928 Colonial on Providence’s East Side by Kira David Design.
“Knowing my client’s deep love of the color green, I wanted to utilize the color in a space they’d enter every day,” begins Kira Obermeier, owner and principal designer at Kira David Design. She explains that the mudroom was chosen for the wallpaper because like so many Rhode Island homes, the back door serves as the family’s main entrance. “This gorgeous green color and cheerful wallcovering would be the last thing they saw as they left for the day, and the first thing they’d see upon returning home. I wanted it to signal, ‘Hey! You’re home now, you can relax!’” says Obermeier, who relocated to Providence with her young family from the Midwest during the pandemic. Once that selection was made, the next steps were all about balancing the rest of the spaces against that vivid statement by way of soft creams with accents of gentle sages and blues, and incorporating warmth with rich wood tones of walnut and white oak.
Obermeier shares that while the house didn’t require tearing down walls, a long list of issues – both cosmetic and code-related – necessitated a complete gut. With a color story in place, Obermeier and team worked on introducing furnishings and lighting. Adhering to a neutral palette, various textures were brought in to keep things from feeling one dimensional, and brass pendants and chandeliers helped balance the mix between new and old. “Referencing historic precedent as you outfit your home with modern-day amenities will ensure your updates feel appropriate to the style of the home. Find period-style images to better understand why things were built the way they were so that the decisions you make about your home in 2025 feel timeless,” she says.
When it comes to making switches for spring, Obermeier says that the simplest tip of all is right outside. “Grab a pair of pruning shears and start snipping!” Clip fallen branches to fit vessels like jars and vases, and place in cold water. “It’s an easy and free update and the best vase-filler for the season.”
Ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.
“Rhode Island is home to so many wonderful artisans. I feel fortunate to have access to such gifted craftspeople,” says Obermeier. Some of her favorites around the state include Hwang Bishop for lighting, Giossi & Kuhn and O&G Studio for bespoke furniture, and Loominous for rugs.
For the primary artwork visible from the foyer, Obermeier shares that she chose work by Carol Benson Cobb because, “it feels reminiscent of the sunrise at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge.”
The following businesses were part of this project: Calyx Builds for the second-floor hall bath renovation; DiStefano Brothers Construction, first-floor renovation; Factory Carpet Outlet, stair runner; and Kitchen & Countertop Center of New England, fireplace surround and radiator top stone. Kira David Design specializes in preserving and restoring the unique character of historic New England homes, while also bringing charm and personality to new construction projects throughout the region. Learn more at KiraDavidDesign.com.
Surrounded by curled wood shavings and commissioned designs sketched out on paper, the two-man duo of Matt Giossi and Ron Kuhn, Jr. behind Giossi & Kuhn Design can be found hard at work in their Pawtucket studio where leaned up against the wall, beams of wood in all hues await their transformation into dining tables, cabinets, and all variety of furniture meant to stand the test of time. Their business came together after meeting during an apprenticeship with local master Hank Gilpin and a shared passion for the process – an assemblage of tricks, techniques, and materials that goes into furniture making. For both, the satisfaction is in cracking the code that each new design challenge presents. “Even a simple piece requires a long list of decisions to make, problems to solve, and creative solutions to ponder,” says Kuhn of their process. Giossi and Kuhn build with a method called mortise and tenon joinery, known for its durability and elegance. Strong joints are fit into place and glued grain-to-grain to create a lasting bond even as the wood naturally expands and retracts. Part of the finished product’s visual interest comes from smooth details that can’t be replicated by a machine. Custom commissions are welcomed, whether it’s a table that will be a fixture in someone’s home or a larger scale kitchen build. Pawtucket,
GiossiAndKuhn.com – Abbie Lahmers
When deciding what color to paint a room, the vast array of choices can be overwhelming. Categorized sets like Color Trends 2025 Palette by Benjamin Moore can be a great place to start. Available at The Color House, it features 10 colors in natural shades like Sea Salt, Rosepine, and Ashwood Moss. Jean Hauser, president and owner of The Color House, carries a host of brands, including Benjamin Moore, and says their peel-and-stick color samples are highly useful. “We stock 140 of the most popular Benjamin Moore finishes at each location, but if we do not have the color you are looking for in the store, you can order any of the 3,800 colors on our website, and they will ship directly to your home,” says Hauser, adding, “unlike other peel-and-stick options, ours are made with Benjamin Moore paint.” For indoor finishes, Hauser recommends Aura Matte or Eggshell. “They’re beautiful washable finishes that also have great coverage.” Cranston, Middletown, North Kingstown, Smithfield & Wakefield, TheColorHouse.com
“Plants are meant to be outside, but when we bring them indoors or out of their usual environment, we’ve got to make sure they get everything they need to thrive,” says Bridget Tierney, owner and florist of The Greenery. When it comes to easy care, she recommends Dracaena trifasciata, commonly known as the snake plant. “They’re easy to care for because they don’t mind if you forget to water them or place them in inefficient lighting. They can handle a little bit of tough love and still thrive, making them perfect for anyone with an ‘I’ll water you when I remember’ schedule!” The snake plant is also on NASA’s short-list of detoxifying plants as published in their Clean Air Study. Her personal favorite is the ZZ plant, AKA Zamioculcas zamiifolia. “I love their dark glossy arching branches. It’s easy to grow, tolerant of neglect, and an air purifier!” Warren, TheGreeneryRI.com
While the calendar may say spring, Alex DaPonte of DaPonte’s Landscaping Services urges patience. “While it’s great to prune shrubs and plants, it’s very important that you are aware of the weather forecast in the future. If you do it too soon, and we have another freeze, you could jeopardize your blooms for that coming season,” says the third-generation East Bay landscaper. DaPonte is a certified Rhode Island Horticulturist and project manager for landscaping installations at the family business. “Examine the beds and remove debris from winter like sticks and trash,” he adds. “Determine the soil of the beds. You might want to amend with some compost, which helps the soil structure with water drainage to the roots and past the roots so that water doesn’t pool in your garden,” DaPonte offers. “Compost helps provide nitrogen and phosphorus for plants. It degrades over time, so it’s like a slow release of natural fertilizer for your plant material.” He also advises aerating the lawn. “Aeration allows for an easier transportation of fertilizers, water, and any sort of pesticide to travel through the lawn and not just sit on top and get closer to the roots to fully absorb all the good nutrients.” Bristol, DaPontesLandscaping.com – Nina Murphy
“We’re so lucky to be in the best place to find amazing art, furniture, and decor,” says Britt Machado, owner of JohnnyCakes Design & Vintage, a retail shop in Providence that offers interior styling and staging. Machado shares what went into creating an alluring office space in a circa-1810 house. Learn more on Instagram @johnnycakesdesign.
GO GREEN:
Plants bring personality and living color. If you’re intimidated by plant care, look for faux options.
BRIGHT IDEA:
Task lighting, a mirror reflection, and a window all draw in light.
COLORFUL ATTITUDE:
Set a limited palette and then play freely within it. Shown is a palette of blue, brown, and cream, with various hues creating harmonious layers.
MIX MASTER:
Furnishings from three centuries work together by adhering to a similar palette.
THINK IN THREES:
Groups of three are pleasing to the eye. Spot examples around this room in the plants, light sources, art, and wood objects.
OPPOSITES ATTRACT:
Pair hard materials like metals with soft counterpoints like rugs and textiles. The vase has feathers on it for extra texture.
Aardvark Antiques, Newport
Balè, Providence
Beaucoup Maison, Newport
Cory Farms Past & Presents, Portsmouth
Crestar.art, East Greenwich
Daisy Dig’ins, Barrington
Estate Services, West Warwick
Fenwick & Oliver, Bristol
Groundswell Garden + Home, Tiverton
Homestyle, Providence
OMO Jewels & Gifts, Westerly
Peter Pots Pottery, West Kingston
Picture This, Narragansett
Seefari, North Kingstown
Store Four, Wakefield
Simple Pleasures, Charlestown
Young Designs Floral Studio, Newport
Bob Frances Interiors, North Providence
Dzyna Signature Kitchen & Bath, Portsmouth
East Coast Designs, East Greenwich
Inside Style, Wakefield
Lou Lou’s Decor, Tiverton
Maloney Interiors, Newport
Michelle Lee Designs, Johnston
Perfect Touch Interiors, Cranston
RJL Furniture Gallery, Providence
Sayles Livingston Design, Tiverton
Clark Farms, Wakefield
Confreda Farms, Hope/Scituate
DeCastro Farms, Portsmouth
The Farmer’s Daughter, South Kingstown
Grandscapes & Grandin Farms, Wakefield
Hilltop Nursery, Smithfield
Rhode Island Mulch, Narragansett
Wildwood Nursery, East Greenwich
Adler’s Design Center & Hardware, Providence
Bannon Tile, North Kingstown
Budget Blinds, Westerly
Cole Cabinets, Cranston
Closet Tec, North Smithfield
Custom Contracting, Wakefield
Douglas Lumber, Smithfield
Fabric Gallery, North Kingstown
Fine Home Details, Providence
Frezza Painting, North Providence
Hawkins Hardwood Flooring, Greenville
Heritage Kitchen Design Center, North Kingstown
Inspired Closets Rhode Island, East Greenwich
KMR Blinds Drapes Carpet, Westerly
McCormick Home Improvement, Warwick
Ocean State Air Solutions, Portsmouth
RIKB Design Build, Warwick
RoofMasters, Smithfield
Salk’s Ace Hardware, Warwick
Tile Craft Design Center, Wakefield
Weaver Hill Woodworks, West Greenwich
Wickford Kitchen & Bath, North Kingstown
Hidden Gardens, Barrington
Hilltop Garden Center, Smithfield
Jordan’s Jungle, Pawtucket
Let It Grow, Johnston
Pothos Plant Shop, Providence
Thea Plant Co., Providence
Allens Seed, Exeter
All Outdoor Power Equipment, South Kingstown
AllScapes, Exeter
Howard Johnson, South Kingstown
Ideal Concrete Block Co., Westford, MA
Pat’s Power Equipment, Charlestown
Rhode Island Harvesting Company, Ashaway
Rhode Island Mulch, Narragansett
Riverhead Building Supply, Middletown
Surv RI, Newport
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