Happy Easter from Lorraine Lea!

Easter is a special holiday that brings family and friends together to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. Decorating your home for Easter is a fun way to create a festive and warm atmosphere and make the holiday one to remember.

In between Easter egg hunts and the big Easter lunch, it’s important to create a space where your family will feel relaxed and at home.

If you’re looking for some Easter styling ideas, read on for some tips to get you started.

Incorporate pastels:

Easter is often associated with soft, pastel colours such as yellow, purple, pink and blue. Use these colours to decorate your home for Easter by including them on your dining table, living room or even in the guest bedrooms.

Opt for pastel-coloured tablecloths, placemats, and napkins to sit on the table, as well as cushions and throws in the living room – our Ashley Throws work great.

Our Aleria Quilt Cover or Aveline Quilt Cover include great pastel themes and will make your guests feel cosy while in the Easter spirit.

Flowers:

Easter is the perfect time to decorate your home with flowers. Use fresh flowers such as tulips, daffodils or hyanciths on the table setting for a bright and fun feel.

Use silk or dried flowers for the bedside tables to avoid cleaning up multiple rooms when the flowers decide to drop.

For a special Easter touch, you can even include little egg or bunny keepsakes in the arrangements.

Check out our colourful range of vases here.

Something for the kids:

Bunnies are a very popular Easter symbol and they are very easy to include in your Easter styling – and really, what is Easter without the Easter Bunny?

Our Botanical range is a great way to decorate the house and gift to the kiddies once lunch is finished!

Pop some of our Soft Toys around the house for a playful feel, or some of our Lights for something more practical once the sun starts to set.

There are plenty of Easter baking treats to try, however there’s nothing quite like a traditional hot cross bun – yum!

Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups (330ml) milk
• 40g butter, chopped
• 2 tsp (7g) dried yeast
• 4 cups (600g) plain flour
• ¼ cup (55g) caster sugar
• ¼ tsp mixed spices
• 1 ½ cups (240g) mixed dried fruit
• 1 egg, lightly whisked
• 1 tbsp caster sugar to brush over
• 1 tsp gelatine powder

Flour paste:

• 1/3 cup (50g) plain flour
• ¼ cup (60ml) cold water

Method:

1. Combine the milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook for 2 minutes or until butter melts. Set aside to cool slightly. Add the yeast and whisk to combine.

2. Combine flour, sugar, mixed spices and dried fruit in a large bowl. Stir until well combined. Turn onto a slightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Transfer to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm, draught free place for 1 hour or until dough doubles in size.

3. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line a 23cm square cake pan with baking paper. Punch down the dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Divide the dough into 16 even portions and roll each portion into a ball. Arrange side-by-side in lined pan. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draught free place for 30 mins to rise.

4. To make the flour paste, place flour in a bowl. Stir in enough water to make a smooth paste. Place in a sealable plastic bag. Cut off 1 corner. Pipe over the buns to make crosses. Bake for 10 mins. Reduce oven to 180 degrees. Bake for a further 20 mins or until golden brown and the buns sound hollow when tapped on the base. Transfer to a wire rack. Set aside for 10 mins to cool slightly.

5. Combine the extra sugar, gelatine and 2 tbs water in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook for 1-2 mins or until the sugar and gelatine dissolve. Brush over the buns. Serve warm and enjoy!

Check out our living, bedroom and kids range to spark more Easter styling ideas.