SRQ Magazine | March 2026, SRQ Home & Design Spring 2026

SRQ HOME AND DESIGN

DESIGN INSPIRATION

Compiled and written by Kate Wight

H & D SENSORY SPRING

This spring, embrace patina and texture in interior design.

This spring, interior design is less about embarking on a dramatic style overhaul and more about embracing a softer kind of luxury, one rooted in texture, patina and a sense of lived-in ease. As much as we all might aspire to have a home that looks like it leapt off the pages of a magazine, that kind of picture-perfect design can come across cold and impersonal. Incorporating layered natural materials and unique pieces with character can bring your home to life and imbue it with warmth and personality. Christiana Engert, owner of Frond & Fern Design and Tracee Murphy, owner of Trade Mark Interiors, are two local interior design experts who shared insights on how to lean into the subtle yet chic sensory experience trending in interior design this spring.

SPRING TRENDS

Cozy Colors

If you’re looking to update your interior design with the change of the seasons, freshening up your color palette is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make a notable visual change. “This spring, interiors feel lighter and more emotionally grounding. There’s a sense of quiet optimism and softness without tipping into anything overly sweet,” says Murphy. “That mindset is showing up through palettes that are warm, fresh and rooted in nature, which psychologically tend to signal safety and ease. Soft greens, butter yellows, clay and terracotta tones, muted blues and gentle blushes are being layered with warm neutrals to create environments that feel supportive rather than demanding.”

Compiled and written by Kate Wight.

H & D HABITAT HUES

Go Au Naturale

Spring’s color palettes are rooted in nature, and so are the materials. Design experts are seeing a strong emphasis on natural, touchable materials in design, ranging from limewash and clay plaster walls to unlacquered woods, cork, rattan and woven grasses. “These finishes bring softness and variation which psychologically read as calming and authentic,” Murphy says. “Stone is still big, but in more honed, brushed or leathered finishes rather than high polish, so it feels grounding instead of formal.

Compiled and written by Kate

Wight.

H & D HISTORIC TEXTURE

Put On Some Patina

If you want to make a room feel lived-in instead of styled, look for pieces with some patina or natural wear and incorporate some patina finishes. “When you can see that a piece has been used and handled over time, it immediately feels more human,” Engert explains. “There’s a grace to the evolution of a patina that can’t truly be replicated. Spaces that appear too perfect can feel untouchable, like a formal sitting room no one is allowed to enter. Patina removes that barrier, softening the environment and giving people permission to actually enjoy the space.” Patina finishes can actually be a great day-to-day choice for homes with kids and pets. “They’re incredibly forgiving. Scratches, fingerprints or paw prints, water spots and everyday wear blend into the surface instead of standing out. In a busy household, that means less maintenance stress and less pressure to keep everything immaculate,” says Engert. “With patina, daily use enhances the finish rather than detracts from it. The home actually becomes more beautiful as it’s lived in.”