FLOWERS

Ann Spiro's Friday's flowers

I know most of the nation is experiencing very cold and gloomy weather. I also know from some of my East coast friends that they are getting a bit tired of it.  Yesterday in California we had amazing Spring-like weather.  We actually had lunch out on the patio. I started thinking about how we bring Spring into our homes. One of the quickest ways is with plants and flowers. You may be thinking, "I can't arrange flowers!" You don't have to have an elaborate arrangement.  Just something simple. I love all of one kind of flower in a simple vase. I think all of one kind makes a bigger statement, or at least all of one color. They don't have to be expensive flowers from a florist either. You can pick up a couple of grocery store bouquets. My local grocer has 3 bundles for $12. They aren't large bundles, but they can make up to two arrangements. Look at your rooms and decide where you think an arrangement would look nice. Now, go and pick out a vase and set it in that location. Now visualize what color or type of flower you might like. Next go buy them! Enjoy!

In the above picture from Martha Stewart they have taken a simple Japanese lantern and covered a cylinder shaped vase ( a jar would be perfect) and filled it with brightly colored flowers. I am so going to try this.  Can't you just see this at your next party?  A long table lined up with these in different shapes and sizes. Love this simple and inexpensive idea.

How simple but what a statement!

Martha does it again. You can't get any more simple than this.  Are you starting to think you might be able to  do this?

Here we have just branches from the yard.  I love this look. Another Chinese lantern in a bright Springy pink.

My friend Eddie Ross does amazing floral designs. Some are elaborate and others are very simple. He is a hands on kind of guy and loves to teach others to have the  "I can do it" attitude. He has a great tutorial here on how to arrange flowers.  Below are pictures of two of his arrangements that he made from flowers right out of his own garden. You can read about it here and here

This is amazing and to think it has been arranged with simple zinnia's and phlox from the garden.  Keep in mind simple flowers can be elevated to a high end look with the right container.  Eddie used an antique French basket.( I am on the hunt for one of these for myself, Love it!!)

Back to simplicity in the container and the flowers.  Notice the warm glo of the pewter pitcher with the brightness of the sunflowers and then the wonderful texture of burlap. These are all affordable and easy to find items and just look what a statement it makes.

These two images are actually an arrangement that I made for Chinese New Year's.  I did it on a budget! The containers were $5 each from Big Lots. I found the votives at the Dollar store for $.99 each. The chop sticks were purchased at an Asian grocery story for $10 for a doz. They are lacquered black and the tips are a mosaic mother of pearl, really quite lovely. The flowers were $8.99 a bunch at Costco. I also was able to make two other arrangements out of these same flowers.  If I can do this, so can you!

Designer Ann Spiro has a blog called Absolutely Beautiful Things. This is one of the first blogs that went in my favorites list.  She is from Australia and the Australians seem to do an amazing job with the colors I love.  All sunshine and Spring colors.  Ann does a Friday Flower's post where she shows just a simple arrangement of the most gorgeous and colorful flowers.  When you visit her blog you come away feeling happy and with that, "I can do it" attitude I was talking about earlier.  I love it when someone can inspire me to think like that, don't you?  Here are just a few of Ann's wonderfully simple, pretty arrangements.

One simple head of a snapdragon in your favorite tea cup or even a coffee cup (no you can not use the Starbucks cups, that would look a bit tacky,sorry!)

Now that you have seen all of these images are you ready to go to the grocery store, out in your yard, or on a walk out in nature?  I am leaving you with one last picture. If this doesn't give you the "I can do it", attitude nothing will.

Even Ann Spiro's dog Ned is arranging flowers.

"Enjoy the Process" Of: Having the "I can do it" attitude and making your home feel like Spring with flowers.

Kathysue

BTW: If you need more inspiration be sure and visit Melissa at The Inspired Room