Flowers & Botanicals - organic color in any decor

I have not actively posted in a while. I am fortunate to have been extremely busy with some wonderful client projects while supporting my eldest daughter through a challenging high school schedule, college applications and into college. She is now a freshman.

At this time of year more than any other, particularly from the month of March, I look forward to the abundance of gorgeous flowers and plants available locally. This is an easy way to incorporate color as well as add an essential organic element to one's home decor. It also contributes to textural interest and certainly a sense of balance in any room.

I am particularly drawn to the roses, as is apparent in this post. These are the mini African roses which sell for less than the regular roses and these are ideal for coffee table, end table, or dining table arrangements. 

What excites me most is the vibrant hues they come in. I love combining colors. 

Although it can still be relatively cold and wintry in parts of the country during the month of March and into early April, the flowers bring the promise of spring.

Some arrangements are simpler than others. 

And they bloom so beautifully.

I absolutely love the pop of color against a neutral background.
I had this arrangement on the mantel one year in early March. We were in the midst of a severe winter. I still had silver berries from my Christmas decorations on display.

I will admit I do not always think to grab a bouquet from the grocery store when I am running errands but consciously do so more when I am entertaining.

This plant - Clivia Miniata - was purchased many years ago for this Chinoiserie planter bought in a store in Chinatown in Montreal 20 years ago. A rugged house plant, it requires little attention although I have not seen it flower in a while.

Last year, while working on a client project, I came across this freeze-dried boxwood tree at west elm. I liked its fullness. At 8" total height I thought it would be the perfect size for the end tables or coffee table in my living room.  

Lately, I have been trying to keep succulents in the house as they require next to no maintenance. This one has grown quite a bit since I bought it months ago.

Do you incorporate this element in your decor on a regular basis? I would love to hear about it. 

*Please Note - I did not receive any compensation for this post.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

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Spring is in the air....

...even though it might be snowing. There is a hint of spring in the air in my house, at least. While I took down the holiday decorations in January I contemplated the post-Christmas/still-winter decor, particularly on the mantle.

I used a couple of branches of these silver berries and just placed them on across the mantel in no specific manner. And then I interspersed 2 votives randomly.

 

Honestly, I had no flowers on here for a while but taller votives. Last weekend I was entertaining and I went in search of some color to herald the coming of spring - soon, I hope. I needed some florals for my dining table, too.

I found gorgeous African roses at the local Trader Joe's in shades of orange and fuchsia which I decided to use together.

I cut them down to fit in my spray-painted Salvation Army glasses now used as vases. This is what the 7" glasses looked like when I first bought them.

 

After some gold spray paint.
 

 

This works in my love for the silver-gold color combination.

 

The day after my party I moved the flowers from the dining room to the coffee table. They were perfect in my recycled salsa and preserves jars with some clear gems for sparkle.

 

A simple arrangement, beautiful pop of color.
I removed all leaves below the rims of the containers and left a few above for some green.
 

 

 

 

This is what I am enjoying in my home today even we have yet another snow day and schools are closed yet again.

 

Tomorrow promises to be in the 50s!

 

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

 

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Colorful Spring/Easter Door Decorating Ideas

I want to create something pretty for my front door to capture the season, particularly as spring seems to have come early  - although it currently feels more like summer here in NY - and a lot of flowers are already in bloom. And of course, Easter is just two weeks away.

I came across a few ideas which I thought are fun and colorful and wanted to share them with you, if you have not seen them already. Are any of you still looking for that perfect decoration or inspiration to make your own? Take a look at these.

This one incorprates a watering can with pretty tulips, greens and pastel colored eggs for Easter. Besides the mix of bright and pastel colors and textures, I like that the eggs have little florals growing out of them.  Details here.

BHG

I also love the mix of the old rusted or painted metal with the fresh and colorful and "new" florals.

Or how about this one which is all about Easter. Plastic foam egg shapes are wrapped in colorful crepe paper and ribbon and hung at various heights. Very pretty! For full details go here .

BHG

Here is an Easter egg wreath which has pretty patterned paper to create a colorful palette to offset the front door. Kids could help create this one!

BHG

This imaginative idea uses an umbrella with a great handle and a ribbon tied about halfway up to create a vase. More details here.

BHG

Have you seen this stunning Carrot Mesh Design by Paul Michael Company? They have a video tutorial available on their website. Love it!

Which one is your favorite? I would love to try the watering can or the umbrella idea and the carrot design would look stunning against my blue dront door. Decisions!

Do you have anything special on your front door for spring and/or Easter?

I do want something different and eye-catching on my door. Decorating should start on the outside of the home.

 

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

4 WaysTo Rejuvenate Your House This Spring

Thank you to everyone who visited and left a comment on my dining room progress post. I had an overwhelming response and all opinions were truly appreciated.

Yesterday was officially the first day of spring. If your home still reflects some aspects of winter, unless it is still cold and/or snowing where you live, it is definitely time to freshen up your rooms and revitalize your home environment.

To share some ideas to do just that today, I have a guest post by Ryan who works in real estate in Texas.

4 Ways to Rejuvenate Your House This Spring.

Spring is often thought of as a time of birth, change, and growth, and winter is often thought of as a time of hibernation and stagnancy. It’s often difficult to feel inspired enough to focus on the design aspects of your home during the wintertime. However, spring is usually the perfect time for you to breathe fresh air into your home in terms of design. If your house hasn’t fully recovered from the Winter Blues, it may be time to start thinking of ways you can rejuvenate it. Here are four things you can try out to increase the vibrancy of your living space this spring:

1. Ditch the clutter.

Doing a little spring cleaning can work wonders. Try to fill up three or four boxes of stuff you are no longer using, and consider which pieces of furniture you’d be willing to part with. Clearing out clutter will help improve the energy of your home, and it will likely help you feel more mentally invigorated.

 

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2. Add accents of color.

Dashes of red, green, yellow, and white will add some vibrancy to your home. Things like pillows, paintings, and decorative items that are brightly and tastefully colored will cause their surroundings to “pop” and improve the overall appearance of your living space. 

 

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3. Get natural.

In the springtime, the flowers outside are blooming and the plants outdoors are flourishing. Why not bring some of this natural beauty into your home? Get some succulents and potted ferns and spread them throughout your house. They’ll give your home the lively kick it needs this spring.

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4. Let the light shine through.

Take down those thick curtains that block out all the natural light from outside, and replace them with some sheer curtains. Sunlight can add a subtle brilliance to the overall appearance of your home. Natural light also helps improve your mood. Not to mention, relying less on indoor lighting will help reduce your energy consumption and electricity bills. 

 

So, live life to the fullest this spring, and do what you can to cultivate vibrancy in your home!

Author’s Bio: Ryan is a guest writer who primarily writes about interior design trends and real estate. She is an avid participant in professional projects involving real estate in Austin, Berry Creek homes for sale, and Marvin window prices. 

Thank you, Ryan, for highlighting some quick and easy ways to freshen up the home and welcome spring! These tips will certainly help energize us all!

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

Being Creative With Floral Arrangements

I recently came across some creative ideas in floral arrangements. These are fun and can make any bouquet, bunch of flowers or a single stem look that much more special.

This will make you look at any metallic or plastic packaging, serving dish, dessert bowl, soda bottle, tea cup and even wine glass a little differently. I am sending these flowers to you.

Beautiful silverware, some with an aged patina, adds elegance to any arrangement.

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Measuring containers like beakers and vials.

Many containers of the same color displayed as one collection.

Wine and champagne glasses inverted over flowers in full bloom with a coaster underneath for added height.

Colorful soda bottles.

Mercury glass.

Anything from the kitchen like mason jars and used cans lend a rustic feel.

An unusually shaped baking dish filled with water. The flowers have just been laid in it.

A cordial.

A pitcher.

One flower in a rainbow of colors in reused bottles.

all images above via Better Homes & Gardens

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Glass bottles painted white.

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Something modern with florals submerged in water.

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Metallic tea and biscuit containers with color and lettering. A charming, old-fashioned arrangement.

Martha Stewart

Cafe au lait bowls of different sizes with floral foam to hold the flowers.

Martha Stewart

Teacups.

Design Sponge

Who says one has to wait for a party or a special occasion to enjoy flowers and be creative with the arrangement? It is time to be imaginative with those pretty spring blooms a lot of us are beginning to see around us and repurpose those bottles, jars and cups sitting in your cabinets.

I could see myself doing most if not all of these. Which one would be your favorite?

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa