DECORATING YOUR HOME WITH FLOWERS!

Yesterday’s Valentine’s Day gave me my inspiration for today’s blog post…decorating your home with flowers! Flowers are a great way to brighten up your home. They can give your home an instant facelift and they don’t have to cost a whole lot either. If I had it my way I would have fresh flowers in my home all the time like my friend Jackie but it can get expensive so I try to save it for special occasions and/or if I am having company over. Since flowers and plants are living things they promote health and well-being. It’s nice to have outdoor elements inside the home to keep us connected to them and to realize how interdependent everything is. That’s probably a little too deep-thinking for a Thursday I know but I am an Aquarius after all, I overthink everything!!


I received a Barefoot Contessa book at my bridal shower back in 2009 which included a ton of amazing recipes and to my surprise, floral arranging tips! I learned that the vase should be filled up about ¾ of the way with warm water except for more voluptuous blooms like hydrangea, which should be filled with hot water. You want to cut the stems at a slant and then also slice the center of the stem in half to allow the flower to absorb the water more easily. Did you know that bleach could be used if you don’t have any flower food? I sure didn’t until I read this book; you know how many times I’ve used it since? The water should be changed out every couple of days, and if you take of them your arrangements should last for about a week or more.

These large blooms above were cut in inch from the top and were simply dropped in this beautiful bowl to float around the top. I am planning on doing this arrangement next, I just have to find a cool bowl like this!


Here are a few of my favorite lush blooms that I like to incorporate into my floral arrangements:

My all-time favorite flowers are luscious hydrangea. I am not quite sure how I first fell in love with them but when I was planning my wedding a couple of years back I KNEW my bouquets would have hydrangea in them, and they did.  Here is a picture of my bridal bouquet from my wedding day; it is a combination of white hydrangea, calla lillies, and creamy roses:

 

In order to get you in the mood for your next floral arrangement project, here are a few of my favorite arrangements from Martha Stewart, Country Living, and Better Homes & Gardens:

Single peonies on a tray in individual small vases like this with candles make a huge impact!

 I love the table this hydrangea arrangement is sitting on. Very natural and simple.

I have always dreamed of having a garden dinner party with a few of my closest friends. As soon as I am finished with my back yard project in the Spring (I will post on that soon) I intend on hosting something like this, maybe over the summer. I will be sure to take pictures to post.

 I always love the simplicity of a mint julep cup for a case with just a few flowers.

 The colors of the ranunculas in this one are beautiful, they remind me of Spring.

Floral arrangements are not just for the dining room as you can see above they can be used to brighten up your work space, kitchen, or even in the bathroom!

 I just love the colors and textures in this arrangement above, stunning!

I think what I like most about this arrangement is the contrast between the feminine, pink, soft peony's and the rough, natural, wood bench they are sitting on. Gorgeous!

 Red for Valentine's Day <3

Here single roses in individual vases greet you in the bathroom after you first wake up in the morning, love this idea!

The bright orange vase that holds this bold purple and orange arrangement is so sunny and bright, it instantly makes me cheery.

In dreaming about Spring and wanting Winter to be over these yellow calla lilly's remind me that it is not too far away.

These are actually tulips that someone pushes inside out with their fingers. I can't believe what a difference this makes, they look like a different flower completely! I am going to try this in the Spring!


I know you are all dying to run out and get some flowers. I have just a few tips for you before you do...you don't have to spend a ton. You can grow your own flowers and use those in your home, or you can shop wholesalers like Costco they have extremely great prices on flowers! I also really like Trader Joe's. They always have a really nice selection of different flowers. Sometimes they don't look so exciting in the store but it's what you do with them when you bring them home that makes all the difference just like the inside-out tulip example above. Even the vase can make all the difference. Sometimes you don't have to use a vase at all. I like the excitement of using a watering can, a large bowl, a 99 cent mason jar from WalMart, or whatever I can find that is different and unique! Happy floral decorating!!