6 Spring Wardrobe Essentials

Stephanie Thornton Plymale
6 min readMar 10, 2022

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Puff-sleeved Linen Romper

This pink jumpsuit is workwear chic. The elbow length puff sleeve and breathable fabric make this gem appropriate for any occasion. Throw on some tennis shoes for a walk in the park with your pup, or a pop on some heels and you are ready for dinner out.

Rib Knit Cardigan

If you crave comfort and sophistication this is the look for you. A monochromatic look creates a head-to-toe illusion of an elongated silhouette. This sweater is the perfect piece to add texture to this simple, classic style.

Day Dreamer Midi Dress

Cerulean blue — soothing and striking. This color was adopted by an artist to transform the sky. This trustworthy mid-length dress can be paired with cowboy boots or braided sandals — see our favorite pick below!

ML Monique Lhuillier Jacquard Midi Dress

Yellow is associated with happiness, freedom, optimism and this dress from Anthropologie gives me all the feels. And post pandemic, we need all of that. This Mid-length classic yellow promises a good time.

Braided Basil Sandal

We are infatuated with braided sandals — the woven texture takes classic sandals to a different level. With that in mind, we picked these delicate and sophisticated braided sandals from Target — they are seriously adorable. A trending treat for your feet!

Kira Genuine Pearl Drop Earrings

These timeless, modern gold pearl drop earrings are the perfect choice for spring. These affordable drop earrings can transform your look while adding grace and value to your wardrobe.

8 iPhone Photography Tips for Designers on Instagram

1. Practice makes perfect! Consider selecting 5 of your favorite photographs from magazines, Pinterest or Instagram. It could be a vignette, a flatlay or tablescape, whatever inspires you. Choose the elements that you like from these photographs and recreate them in your own home.

2. Create a mood. You want your photograph to evoke emotion in your viewer. Whether you want a bright, spring vibe or a moody man cave, it’s important to decide on the desired mood of the story you want to tell.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Thornton Plymale

3. Select your props to style the space. For example: For a spring look, you may want to include a spring hat, a woven bag and pair of sandals to give a natural, lived-in look. Pro Tip: Shop at flea markets, specialty, and vintage shops, to find a variety of props that you can use to create layers. You may be surprised by how many props it takes to create the look you’re going for. It’s better to have too much than not enough. Hence, my garage is full!

Photo Credit: Toni Marianna

4. Let there be light! Seek out natural light and find the best time of day to take photos. For example: The lack of light in the evening creates a gray and dull look, while too much natural light on bright a sunny day can cast harsh shadows. Therefore, an overcast day can be ideal for taking interior photos. The broader the light source the softer the light is. Make it your goal to take the best photograph you can, however your editing tools can cover a multitude of sins.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Thornton Plymale

5. Time to setup your frame! Include at least 3 layers to your design to add dimension and perspective to your photos. Layering different elements will create a more interesting composition. When curating your design you want to remember the rule-of-thirds.

Place your props in a natural way to create a more authentic, lived in look. For example: Use leaves falling from a flower arrangement, a pair of shoes tossed gently in the room or a scarf hanging out of a woven bag. Shop at your local grocery store to find fresh flowers, fruits, berries or pastries. Pro Tip: Make sure that all of your elements look beautiful, delicious and welcoming. Best case scenario; your viewer wants to live in that moment.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Thornton Plymale

6. Once you’ve created your perfect photoshoot ready vignette, take 3 photos and analyze them in order to edit your frame. Otherwise you may end up missing the tag sticking out of your pillow and then have to retake all of your photos. I like to ask myself 3 questions: Do I love it? Does it look cluttered? Does it evoke the mood I want? Then edit accordingly.

Take multiple photos at every angle, distance and height. Most of the time only 1 out of 25 photos will be instagram worthy. Use portrait mode for a different look. When creating content, make the most of your time and take short video clips that can be used to create a reel. Pro Tip: Cleanse your pallette. Step away and take a break before editing your photos so that you can come back with a fresh eye.

Photo Credit: Vintage and Grace Living

7. Invest in your work. Use photo editing software such as Light & Airy through the Lightroom app. Pick a filter that you want to stick with — consistency for an overall branded look on instagram is incredibly important. Lighter brighter pictures tend to be more popular, but I recommend selecting the look that resonates with you.

Photo credit: The Joyful Decorator

8. Share your work and grow your business! The more consistent you are at posting, the more your engagement will grow. Don’t forget to use hashtags!

Photo Credit: Vintage Porch

Notable Inspiring Designers on Instagram to Follow

The Joyful Decorator

Toni Marianna

Vintage Porch

HSID Alumni Spotlight: Jaime Bernstein

I love matching spaces to my client’s personality. Every space is an extension of who they are and how they want to feel when they walk through the door. Collaborating on projects like these — finding the details that light up [their] eyes — that’s what it’s all about.”

-Jaime Bernstein, Jaime Bernstein Interiors

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