Get your feathers ruffled.

On the hunt for some new spring pieces to incorporate into my wardrobe, I noticed the larger presence of ruffles this year. Ruffled tops, ruffled shorts, ruffled dresses. They're everywhere. I love them because, depending on how adorned, they can add a touch of girly flair or layer of romance to any outfit (or room) without too much effort.

While I happen to be a big fan of ruffles, I have to be cautious of how I wear them. For example, having broad shoulders already, I have to avoid most tops with ruffled cap sleeves because I can't afford adding any additional bulk in that area for fear of looking like a linebacker. Instead, I opt for ruffles across the chest and hips to give the illusion of more curves. Here's are some of the pieces at the top of my list:

  

top to bottom: topshop, banana republic, j.crew, 80s purple, bluefly

Similar to clothing, you need to be cautious of how to incorporate ruffles into your space. When done right, they can added texture, depth, detailing and subtle drama to a room. When done wrong, it can look too feminine or like you possess the styling sense of a 6 year old girl. So if you're interested in adding some ruffled accessories to your space, use the same rules as you would when choosing an outfit:

1. Balance is crucial. Like an ensemble, too much of something in one concentrated area could make the look seem disjointed. So, if you're adding a bit of ruffle in one area of the room, make sure to incorporate ruffles or at least similar lines (i.e. piece of artwork, table legs) to the other areas as well.

2. Don't overdo it. Too much of a good thing always ends up going bad. Instead of making your space a ruffled paradise, opt for a few pieces or one large one to carry the weight of the trend. Mix with other objects and accessories that complement your overall style (i.e. traditional, contemporary) to round out the look. If you choose a larger piece like the ruffled bedspread below, pair with more simple and streamlined decor to maintain a balance.

Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate a little ruffly goodness:

top to bottom: crooked house, home workshop, julia's apartment, design heaven, melissa esplin

Home is where your bed is.

Rainy, cold, gross weather = perfect day to curl up in bed and watch bad TV. Since this isn't an option for me today, I'm choosing the next best thing: daydreaming about a bed upgrade. The easiest way to increase your bed's status is to purchase some triple-digit count cotton sheets in a crisp white. Not only will the purchase make your bed that much more comfortable, it will also look more polished and grown-up.

Another way to upgrade your bed is through the headboard. Lately, I am loving the look of the obviously fake. Meaning, a traditional-shaped headboard painted on a large canvas (or even just the wall) in a solid color. The look adds a nice level of quirk and illustration to a room suggesting a playful tone that clearly doesn't take itself too seriously. Also, it's an inexpensive way to break up the boxiness of a room that can come from the dresser, armoire, etc. Here are some really great options.

 from left to right: the frisky, design*sponge, crooked house

Another idea I am thinking about is creating a headboard out of cork tiles. To add some personality, artistic flair and depth to the arrangement, I would tack on polaroids of loved ones or recent trips, postcard-sized replicas of your favorite artwork, small canvases of simple illustrations and maybe even a few ornate, empty frames (glass removed) in bright colors. I did a quick sketch of what it could look like - I think the picture style, artwork and color choices would be crucial in making the headboard look more like a composition rather than a collaged-mess.