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

Yipes! STRIPES!!!

Stripes are another pattern that I love.  I love their uniformity, the crispness in their lines, and the bold or even subtle contrast from one stripe to another. Stripes are comforting to me.  In a funny, way they make me feel as if all is well with my world.  Do you have patterns in your homes that make you feel that way?  If I see a room that has stripes in it, I stop and study that room.  Let's look at some rooms with striped patterns and see if you love them as much as I do.

If the stripe is in black and white I am over the moon, in love with it.  Notice the zebra patterned runner up the staircase.  It is an irregular stripe of sorts, interesting.

This room only has the stripe in the two darling side chairs, but that is what caught my eye.  Look at the great black cord-welting on the settees. Make sure you don't miss the floor lamps.  The black is peeking through the semi-sheer shade.  Very clever using a chandelier in black under that shade. (note to self, think of somewhere in home to use this idea.)

Bold and blue! This room makes me smile!

Sunset Magazine

I would love to be sipping Pellegrino with lemon in this garden.  Notice the fence painted black.  I like the coziness of this spot and then you add the stripes, Heaven!!

Simple but so much punch.  This is crisp and fresh to me.

What a fun room. I love all the mix of patterns in this room. Mixing patterns does not always have to look busy, this room is very soothing.

The Lettered Cottage reading nook.  Be sure and visit Layla's blog.  She and her hubby are doing some amazing projects on her blog.  She is a very lovely warm-hearted lady and full of fun and love for life.  Her post are always a fun read.

I know there is lots of pink going on here, but you have to admit it looks happy and makes you smile.  Just look at that flirty little pleated skirt on the striped chair, love that!!

Extra large stripes going on here. These are subtle in color, but bold in scale.  I like this concept.

Ticking stripes are one of my all time favorite patterns, especially in blue.

Fun with horizontal stripes.

I cannot imagine having the patience to paint all of these stripes, but it looks so handsome. 

Notice the very subtle stripe in this sophisticated nursery.

Black and white, be still my heart.

Striped rugs are all the rage right now.  Even when they are no longer a trend I will love them.

Just pretty!

Cheerful!

"Something's Gotta Give", living room.  This room has been featrued all over blog land.  Probably the best post was done by Joni Webb at Cote de Texas. She is the blogging queen in my book.

A bit too busy for my eye, but still interesting.

Fun and full of sunshine.

You realllllly have to like red and stripes to like this room.

A wonderful country room. The ticking stripe on the red chair is a nice touch.

Very subtle.  Don't you just want to climb in right now?

I know most of you have seen my dining room before.  I could not do a post on stripes without showing my favorite room in my house.

"Enjoy the Process" Of:  Adding some stripes to your decor.

Kathysue

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

I think we have all been raised to celebrate events by certain dates or when we reach a certain number. Remember the dreaded big 30? When I started this blog I seriously had no idea what I was doing. I thought long and hard berfore starting this new journey in my life. I had read many wonderful blogs over the last year and they brought so much enjoyment to my day. I actually started thinking maybe I could do this.  Finally I did it!! That alone was a celebration of sorts.

After I started writing my first post I realized I really enjoy the writing process. The ideas came, the words were typed, and before I knew it people were actually reading it.  I am still amazed at all of you generous readers out there. I have felt so welcomed and to think someone is even reading what I write is just beyond my comprehension on some days.

Well today was one of those number days. I now have 100 Loyal Readers!! This blows my mind.  When I think of each of you sitting at your computers and reading what I have written and I realize you are all in different parts of the country or the world it is just amazing to me.

I cannot thank each of you enough for continuing to come back and read what I have to say. I will continue to write about what is on my mind for the day. Never claiming to be an expert, just a lady with a thought or two on the subject. I hope to keep it fun and interesting or at least thought provoking. I have enjoyed the process of design over the years and I want others to be able to, "Enjoy the Process" as much as I have. I want to Thank each and everyone of you for coming back for more of what I have to say.

Today I would like to say THANK YOU!!

I hope you continue to:  "Enjoy the Process"  of: Reading my blog!

Kathysue