Spring Flowers

Williams Sonoma Famille Rose Vases

I was in Publix yesterday and they had so many beautiful cut flowers in the floral department. These Famille Rose pattern vases are perfect for Spring arrangements.

May Day Tomorrow

Maypole Dancing at Bryn Mawr

When I attended Bryn Mawr College, May Day was a very special day. May Day is one of the four ancient Celtic cross-quarter days, making it an astronomical holiday as it falls between the March equinox and June solstice. Originating from its Celtic name, “Belthane,” Beltane was a spring celebration that included dancing, singing, special bonfires, and house doors and animals would be decorated with yellow May flowers and ribbons. During this time, in various communities in Ireland, people would visit special wells and the Beltane dew was believed to bring beauty and youthfulness to those around it. The name Bryn Mawr is Welsh.

At Bryn Mawr, you awoke to a wicker basket filled with fresh flowers and trinkets at your door. There were no classes. Everyone wore white. Breakfast was omelets and fresh strawberries and cream. The day was spent with maypole dancing, hoop races, and the like. A prime rib dinner and a showing of The Philadelphia Story with Katharine Hepburn (Bryn Mawr Class of 1928) capped off the day.

Fluted Blue & White Chinese Porcelain Jars

Charlotte Moss

I love fluted blue and white Chinese porcelain jars, but they are somewhat rare. I found a pair a couple of years ago at HomeGoods and love them. In the lovely vignette above, note the light fixture with a candle and a pulley system to clean the glass and replace the candle. This might be a lighting alternative when we all run out of our incandescent light bulbs!

Chinoiserie Chic Flower Arranging

Caspari

 

I have a wonderful way to create easy and elegant flower arrangements with Chinoiserie Chic style. These bamboo vases are perfect - add a single stem or two to each of the five glass tubes and you are done! A very simple but beautiful approach. 

I especially love the orchid stems used here. The vases are made with real bamboo. Their slender profile makes them ideal for the mantel or bedside table.

Setting the Summer Table

Sarah Bray Bermuda for Aerin

 

Setting the table here in South Florida, more and more I am using beautiful seashells as a centerpiece - usually either coral or large conch shells, with bud vases with a single bloom -  white oriental lilies as used here are a lovely choice. Wherever you live, this is a wonderful look for setting the summer table.

Flower Arranging Made Easy

Schumacher Florida

I saw this on Instagram and I think it's fabulous - just three flower stems and you have an instant flower arrangement. Talk about easy peasy and economical! A very elegant and sophisticated look for a mantel, table, or centerpiece.

Flower Arranging Tips

House Beautiful

I love having fresh flowers in my home. I have become quite good at making them last really well and today I am sharing my own tips for success.

Arranging Roses Successfully

CCC

 

For those of us who live in Publix territory, roses are on BOGO this week, buy one dozen for $10.99, the second dozen is free. Not sure if all Publix are the same. With my abundance of tropical plants outdoors, I tend to use cut palm fronds and philodendron leaves from my garden for free, but can't resist when Publix has roses on BOGO.

Another Interior Designer Tip

Joe Nye - Flair

 

I posted an interior designer tip the other day - switching out your lamps' light bulbs with pink light bulbs and lots of you did just that - great job! You can find them here.

Today I am sharing another interior designer secret - using carnations for your flower arranging. They are very budget friendly and they are the troopers of cut flowers - they last for two to three weeks if you keep the water fresh. Carolyne Roehm and Martha Stewart both love them too.

Pink and Navy

D Magazine

A gorgeous vignette with a demilune table, a dramatic chandelier, navy walls, a pair of Chinese vases filled with pink tulips, gorgeous wood floors, and a Paule Marrot print.

Autumn, Mums, and Blue and White

Carolyne Roehm

 The colors of fall mums are the essence of autumn and not just for planting outdoors. Bring potted mums indoors in blue and white Chinese porcelain planters or cut mums in blue and white Chinese vases for gorgeous color indoors. Below are some favorites from The Pink Pagoda's online store. I have started a collection of her pieces and I can vouch firsthand that they are truly stunning - very heavy and substantial heirloom quality and look like antiques. The coloring is gorgeous. You can see the entire collection here.

Carolyne Roehm

The Chinoiserie Umbrella Stand

Darryl Carter

Filled with umbrellas, antique walking sticks, or even tennis racquets, a Chinoiserie umbrella stand is a functional and elegant touch just inside your door. Choices include blue and white Chinese porcelain, faux bamboo, or real bamboo.

Ashley Whittaker

Jamie Meares

The Pink Pagoda

Jennifer at The Pink Pagoda uses this 21 inch vase as an umbrella stand in her own foyer and sells it in her store. This is gorgeous! Large vases or ginger jars work beautifully as umbrella stands. Just make sure they stand somewhere between 20" and 24." Also, a head's up that The Pink Pagoda has restocked some of her very popular blue and white Chinese porcelain pieces that have been out of stock. See them all here.