I know many will argue that they can not arrange a lovely arrangement, and that is why they purchase the pre-made faux floral arrangements. It does not have to be complicated to be beautiful. Just think of a beautiful white rose in a bud vase, simple and elegant.
I think putting the right flower in the right vase is key. I have a group of images that I have saved that I titled simple flowers.
They are simple in design and yet they are so stunning in their own right.
I am going to share some of the images that have taught me that simple is beautiful and also very doable……….
This appears to be two branches of a bougainvillea in a simple cobalt blue jar. Look at the composition. The beautiful blue washed wall and the soft patina of the fretwork. Simple, elegant and lovely. Using the right color combination made two branches of a garden flower become a gorgeous still life!!
Three matching shapes with different textures each holding a very simple flower from the yard and yet it makes a wonderful statement. Any one could pick up three white vases and put flowers in them. Simple is beautiful!!
This is a wonderful example of looking at the wall color and adding just the right color combination in front of it. One simple tulip in a simple bright yellow vase. It made me take pause, how about you?
We all have jars!!! These are filled with water and greenery from the yard. No cost,simple and beautiful.
This image is a great example of using just the right color combination. It is so soft and lovely and the ruffled petals on the peonies are echoed in the soft ruffle on the curtain. Are you starting to see how the composition is more than the vase and the flower, it is everything that surrounds it.
For those of you that enjoy a little texture this is a wonderful combination of a lacy filler. When any arrangement is done in en masse it makes a wonderful statement.
These are kumquats, but I think it would be beautiful with any greenery from outside. Again, a no cost arrangement.
Using complimentary colors like blue and yellow make a stand-out arrangement.
Do you bring in branches and greenery from your yard? What is your favorite combination? Do you have a fun and different container that is always a favorite to use? I think I would have to say my green and white striped pitcher has become a favorite of mine.
Even empty with fresh produce surrounding it, it still makes a nice composition.
I hope this post has inspired you to think of all the possibilities you have in your own home to add a simple natural element like flowers in a simple vase for the summer.
“Enjoy The Process” Of:
Bringing a bit of nature inside!
Kathysue
28 comments:
Oh dear Kathysue I quite like both!!!! Though at the moment I have quite had my fill of real flowers...they die too! Maybe when spring and summer arrive I will look at things a bit differently xx
I just love fresh flowers, and trust me when I tell you that I am NOT a flower arranger!! In the winter I will pick up a bouquet of tulips when I go to the grocery store. Now, I have more hydrangea than a girl could know what to do with!!! My "vessel" of choice is always my grandmothers sterling water pitcher. Everything looks beautiful in it. If you look through my blog, you will see it so many times. I also use my old nantucket handbag. I found a glass vase that fits in it perfectly, and my hydrangeas look as though they were made to be there!!!
If I don't have fresh flowers, I will throw some fresh fruit in a bowl... lemons, limes, oranges, apples, what ever I have... just to add a pop of color!!
So agree however I must say that the company NDI makes some of the most realistic flowers (silk) I have ever seen and I own a few of their orchid plants. I love orchids and was spending so much on them that I invested in 3 silk orchids, everyone that walks in goes to touch them because they can't believe they are not real! That said, there is no replacement for fresh flowers. I agree in that I like simplicity and it doesnt' have to be a perfect or artfully arranged grouping either, I tend to prefer a more natural arrangment anyway. And I too love using fruit to decorate with. A big jar of lemons or limes, a huge bowl of bright green apples....lots of possibilities!
I love your flowers, Kathysue...so pretty! And that pitcher just has your name on it! I do understand that many people don't like faux flowers, but those of us with cats don't really have a choice! It's either faux or none for me! My staff is inclined to eat the real stuff, so all of my real flowers are outside. And you know the staff rules the roost around here! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie
Right on Kathy! I have company coming for the week-end and just put 3 hydrangea blooms and a few hosta leaves in a container on my kitchen table, if I don't say so myself, it looks great!
Cathy
All great examples. I use all sorts of sizes and types of vases. And like you, I frequently use my pitchers!! I've even used decorative tea tins. In fact I think I'll go outside right now and cut some hydrangea!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Lovely, simple, doable: that's a secret of the good life.
I love fresh flowers but I must admit that I also have some faux ones too...for convience sake. Thank you for these inspiring images. Now I must go out in the garden and pick something!
I love bringing in fresh flowers cut from the garden. I tend to keep my arrangements fairly simple with just one type of bloom per container. Beautiful inspiration pics! Thanks for sharing.
I couldn't agree with you more. I would rather use greenery in a right vase than use artificial flowers. Imagine looking at the same arrangement for years.
Only fresh flowers for me! I agree with Komali, imagine looking at the same floral arrangement for years!
Love your simple arrangements and especially the last images in your own kitchen. May I use them for a post I'm working on? Thanks Kathysue! ~Delores
The strawberries are cute! Who would have thought...I wrote a post on this awhile back and couldn't believe the response. I actually did buy a cluster of faux flowers for a project, they don't bother me too much, but there is truly NOTHING like fresh flowers to make a room feel (and look and smell) fabulous!! Janell
I love real flowers. But I must admit I do have a few of the artificial ones in our Guest room. I did just pick some pink Hydrangia from my bush and put some in a white pitcher on the coffee table and a small vase of two on my kitchen windowcil. I love white pitchers with flowers.
Susan
I had a glazed wall in my dining room like in the first picture. I loved it and the process was interesting. We are excited to be included in HGTV's Freebie Friday giveaway tomorrow. We are giving away a cool Asian lacquer coffee or low side table in one of 5 color options, so come on by for a chance to win!! Its worth upwards of $500.00 so its our biggest yet.
Good Luck!
Liz
Glad to see you are back posting on decorating. I so agree with you on faux flowers. While they might have their place in a dark entryway for example, fresh flowers just add color and life to a space and are so readily available today. If nothing else, pick some greenery and place it in a vase...it really works. And I love anything used as a vase i.e. buckets, pitchers, old glasses, bowls etc.
crazy for the strawberries, that pure simplicity and the ladies mantle, all by itself, lovely.
peonies were gorgeous and so right kathy sue, it pulled in it's surroundings but the flowers were so top heavy it reminded me of an outrageous southern lady with a glorious bouffant and attention seeking hat.
ok, time to call it a day.......think i will have some wine
xo
debra
Kathysue, Simple can be very pretty! Just today I was telling my friend I have a 1950's carrier and little soft blue roly poly glasses. I am going to fill the glases with water tomorrow and put one plower in each glass . Simple. pretty and free. I can find six flowers growing anywhere and put them in there.
Have a Pretty day!
Kristin
Love fresh. Even fresh leaves cut from the garden beat faux flowers. Nice examples!
Very achievable and very lovely. You're right, you don't need to spend a fortune at a florist getting fancy flowers or expensive arrangements. Just one simple bloom in a small vase or jar is enough to brighten even a tiny space. Although I have been guilty in the past of buying very good quality silk flowers, they just don't compare to the real thing because you know they are fake, no matter how good they look and having something real and living in your house is so much more inspiring. I tend to ignore fake flowers even if they look great, but real flowers I notice and admire whenever I walk past.
There is nothing more beautiful than fresh flowers, especially since so many are in bloom in my yard now, but I will have to say that in the winter, I am happy to have my beautiful Diane James orchid...so realistic!!
Dear Kathy Sue,
YOUR IMAGES are wonderful, just GLORIOUS! I prefer REAL and AUTHENTIC things in my home from antiques to nature. For years I have used faux arrangements and some can look nice. BUT THE REAL THING LOOKS EVEN BETTER because of the organic look. EVEN THE BLUEBERRIES ARE STUNNING! THANK YOU for your kind words. I am trying to input everything I am learning this summer on how to improve my writing through poetry. I so want to write well, and this summer has been MOST educational and inspirational for me. THANKS AND HAVE A FAB WEEKEND! Anita
Love the Kumquats. I'm a true believer when it comes to simplicity!
You know Emily's post "Now and Then" that runs on Thursdays? Every week all I can think about are the fake flowers I used all over my house when I was young. I counted one time in the photos and there were 37. THERE. I admitted it!
xo Stacy
I love all of these practical examples Kathysue!! I just got a dozen roses from hubby today so this post is perfect! Hugs,
Nancy xo
Love a simple arrangement and in an unexpected vessel...it just keeps getting better. Love the ones in the jars! Hugs to you. Mona
I love all your wonderful images! It just goes to prove that simple flower arrangement can be beautiful!
Jessie
www.mixandchic.com
Those berries look so delicious! And the flowers are just gorgeous! We love doing little arrangements for our house too. Enjoy your summer.
xo E + J
http://www.eddieross.com/
Great posts, Kathy Sue. I agree with everything you said.
I'm all for simple. In fact, I'm really hoping to get rid of extra junk this summer!
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