We at MDG love color. But we know that sometimes absence of color can feel just as rich and comfortable in a home. We are talking about white. Not stark white, not the white of a fresh piece of printer paper, not the white of a crisp dress shirt just back from the dry cleaners. We mean bone white, raw white, almost lived-in white.

While some may flinch at even the mention of white before Memorial Day, we are convinced this bone white doesn't count when it comes to the rules. And even if we are wrong, who doesn't enjoy breaking a rule every one in a while?

Try a room decked out from top to bottom in layers of white. Raw white offers an unexpected depth and adds plenty of texture to a space. If a whole room in white is too bold, add white accessories or linens to a neutral palette.

For more of Marlena's favorites in bone white, click here.

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Spring has arrived and—if our allergies are any indication—is in full force. What does this mean for us at MDG? Why, spring is the start of porch season! That means we are sipping our coffee on our front steps in the still-chilly morning air. We are having our weekly phone conversations with mom while curled up on a porch swing. Hyacinths are blooming, baseball is on 24/7, and the remnants of last year's brown leaves are swept from our stoops.

As the days get longer, we're soaking up as much time outside as we can. We are remembering that our front porches are more than places to kick off our snowy boots and that it's time to give this part of our home a little love. We've gathered a list of our front porch essentials and invite you to take a look below. We'll see you outside.

Check out our favorite picks for a front porch and then click here for Marlena's help in creating your own look.

1) Depending on the size of your space, you could add anything from a garden stool to a bench to a bistro table to accommodate a party of any flavor.

2) During the tricky weeks of spring, it can be eighty degrees one day and fifty the next. Temperatures can also drop drastically once the sun goes down. Keep a blanket handy to prolong your porch-sitting.

3) How do you want to illuminate your porch? A ceiling-mount pendant, side lanterns, or sconces will welcome guests into your home or invite them to linger on the porch with you for a glass of after-dinner wine.

4) As you move from the outdoors to inside, why not include a flower pot on your porch? Fill it with seasonal flowers, herbs, succulents, or, if you don't have a green thumb, umbrellas.

5) Are you a wreath person? Do you have candles in every room of your house? Are you a fan of little ceramic creatures? Do you crave a pretty place for your mail to get delivered? Accessories are the easiest to change and most fun to buy (or DIY!)

6) Take in the newly warm weather and your people-watching with a yummy cocktail. Try two parts whiskey and two parts ginger beer in a copper mug. Add ice and a lemon slice!

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Check out our favorite picks for a front porch and then click here for Marlena's help in creating your own look.

marlena design group llc - 100 S. Madison St. Denver, CO. 80209