Spring is the time for home renovation — especially if you live in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Whether it’s extensive, or as simple as rearranging furniture or touching up paint, now is the time to start preparing.

And, if you wait to contact an interior designer until the snow begins thawing, you’ll be too late.

“A lot of the time, furniture can take eight to 10 weeks, especially for things that are more custom,” said Talie Jane Interiors founder Natalie Schiestel. “Larger renovations could take a few months, and to be ready for summer, you need time to start talking with contractors. Bring in an interior designer first and work with them in terms of selecting contractors, architects and vendors so they can all work together.

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“Best results always happen in collaboration.”

“People are becoming a lot more conscious of green things in their homes — whether they’re sustainably harvested, renewed and recycled materials, and even energy-efficient materials, if they’re building or remodeling.”Jessie Marchesseau Revive Interior Design

Schiestel’s South Lake Tahoe-based company focuses on creating welcoming and comforting environments in regions including Reno, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe and beyond.

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Schiestel also recommends deciding what type of renovation you’re ready for this year, and choosing now.

“Is it going to be a kitchen, bathroom, patio? Set a goal for 2017 and what you want to accomplish in terms of updating and renovating your home. Or bring in a designer and ask what they think,” she said. “Figure out the scope of your work and set aside a budget so you know what kind of finances you need, or what you’re putting towards renovation and remodel for the year.

“It’s also a good idea to go on social media like Pinterest and look through images online and in home magazines and get inspired by what’s around you. It helps me as a designer to know people have come prepared with images and things they like, and more importantly, stuff they don’t like. It helps me get in their head and know their style and vision.”

Tahoe’s renovation regulations are optimal for spring construction to get your home ready for summer and continuing to rep the trends for the rest of the year.

So, if you’re on top of your game and like your home representing the latest in fashion, here’s what you need to know about this year’s spring trends.

Colors

Expect to see a lot of neutral and earthy colors this year.

“Grey is still certainly hot and continues to reign. So do other neutrals like white, beige, caramel and pale greys, too. Greenery is the Pantone color of 2017, so despite having a lot of neutrals, green, which is also technically a neutral color, is going to be popular — anything from lime to emerald green,” Schiestel explained.

Jessie Marchesseau of Revive Interior Design agrees, and expands on the colors mountain homes can expect to see.

“Things are getting a lot brighter now. We’re seeing bright greens, emerald, we’re seeing lush pink and navy is looking like it’s becoming the new black. That rich color adds a lot of drama to things and has more dimension than just plain black does,” she said.

At South Lake Tahoe-based Revive Interior Design, Marchesseau looks to work with clients to establish a space that represents the personality of the individual.

Material

2017 is the year of texture.

“Lots of layering and different materials — wood to fabric and metals — just playing with different textures and natural materials. Cork is a hot one that can be used in lots of different places, flooring in particular. It’s eco-friendly, but provides a cushion for standing up for long periods of time,” Schiestel noted. “Also, lots of hand-crafted pieces. Leaning towards those instead of manufactured pieces and being more conscious of what people are putting into their house. Marble paired with brass and wood is going to be particularly popular.

Specifically for Tahoe, something a little more rustic is going to be the use of nail heads.”

As people get concerned with the state of the environment, their choices in home décor reflect it.

“People are becoming a lot more conscious of green things in their homes — whether they’re sustainably harvested, renewed and recycled materials, and even energy-efficient materials, if they’re building or remodeling,” Marchesseau said.

Patterns

According to Schiestel, two patterns will take control this year: those that fit with the tropics, and those that are checkered.

“One is much more Tahoe than the other. Tropical, obviously, we won’t use much of that in Tahoe,” she stated.

Room Design

As we head into spring, you’ll want to optimize the layout of each room to create a mix and match of various styles and decades.

“There are no rules when it comes to that,” Schiestel explained. “Antiques, modern — do what you like and have an eclectic feel. Also tech-savvy stuff: smart home features and implement more greenery and plant life. Whether it’s faux or real, add something that brings life to a room.”

While Tahoe homes will always remain true to their mountain roots, 2017 will also see a dip into modern tastes.

“People want things to look more contemporary than we’ve been seeing in the past,” Marchesseau said.

Final Tips

Leading into spring, don’t be afraid to mix and match materials.

“One thing that’s kind of easy relates to the fixtures you choose for your home. For a long time people have been choosing either black or oil-rubbed bronze, some sort of iron-type look in a mountain home,” Marchesseau added. “A great trend we can bring in while still keeping the warmth of the mountain home, but making it a little more contemporary, is the use of gold tones and brass, which is very trendy right now.”

She recommends people going with things they are passionate about.

“Go with what you like in your home. Too often people say, ‘Oh I love this, but I can’t have it because I live in Tahoe.’ There’s no rule on what you can and can’t have. If you love it, don’t shy away from it,” Marchesseau noted.

It’s time to get decorating!