Monday, April 15, 2024

Spring Flowers are Everywhere — in the House and in the Garden

Have you noticed that spring flowers are suddenly everywhere?! Longer days, warmer temps and recurring rainfalls have together created magic in my garden. And that inspired me to add flowers throughout my house!

Come with me to see where I’ve transformed areas of my home with the magic of spring flowers.

  
I started in the living room where the morning sun streams through the Japanese maple outside the window. The maple stays a lovely shade of burgundy throughout the year. The small table is set for tea, something I've often done (as seen in Pretty Table Settings for Savoring Tea).

 
The painted glass vase holds several varieties of faux flowers, most prominently purplish red bearded irises. 
 
  
I love the charming tea pot in the shape of a birdhouse, covered in figural dogwood blossoms and sprightly birds, finches perhaps, preparing to nest.

  
The octagonal shape of the plate and cups is an interesting counterpoint to that of the tea pot. In the photo above you can really see the dogwood blossoms on the side of the cups. Their handles resemble twigs. The set was one that Greg gave his grandmother many years ago, that he was happy to inherit.


In the garden the azalea show has begun, with a variety whose name I've forgotten,


the white ones aptly named 'Snow', and 


beautiful 'Coral Bells'.


Back inside, I've relocated the faux arrangements that graced the table in Celebrate Spring's Arrival with a Pastel Tablesetting to the buffet's coffee and tea service and added wispy off-white sprigs. 

  
I especially love how the flowers pop against the blue wall and brighten the dining room. 

  
Using existing arrangements in new ways or new locations can really extend their life and continue to bring you enjoyment.


In the family room I was thrilled to display the bouquet of white and yellow roses that Greg brought home one day! The vivid yellow is a good foil for the blue walls here, which are a lighter shade than that in the dining and living rooms.

  
They were so fresh! And it was a pleasure to see yellow flowers in the house, a color that I don't frequently use!


As I've mentioned before, I like to decorate the lower shelf of the glassware hutch to reflect the season or holiday. I had styled it for the winter holidays, but the last time I shared it on the blog was Adding Last-minute Thanksgiving Decor where the hutch was filled with pumpkins. For April I started with spring flowers scattered across a napkin, then added cuddly baby animals, a sure sign of spring!

  
They are irresistibly cute! I've been slowly collecting them over the years. I used our everyday china as garden backdrops, then added a green sugar and creamer set decorated with bunnies. I had found the set in an antique mall stuck amid a variety of things with general spring themes. A bargain for $12!


I can't decide whether the lambs or the bunnies are my favorites!

  


Going through a closet where shelves had unfortunately crashed I discovered some faux dogwood branches and orchid stems I had completely forgotten. The timing couldn't have been better for styling a vignette in the foyer.

  
I love the spring freshness of the flowers against the floral tapestry that has more fall-like muted colors.


Yesterday my Siberian irises ('Caesar's Brother') began to unfurl across the front gardens. They will soon be joined by both Japanese and Bearded irises. (Can you tell I love irises?) 

  
The native azalea is also blooming, a lovely light shade of pink on its flaring petals with darker pink on its long stamens. Unlike the more commonly found mounding azaleas, native azaleas are open, loosely branched shrubs that can reach airy heights of 6’-8’. They are found in the wild from Maine to Florida. If you haven't tried native azaleas, I encourage you to seek them out in garden centers and online sources.

  
Lastly, for now at least, I wanted to share a gorgeous red/purple bouquet that Greg gave me . . .

   
to boost my spirits while I recover from foot surgery. Luckily I had managed to style our home for spring before the surgery☺️. It's been almost three weeks and I'm so over it LOL!


I hope I've given you some ideas to enjoy spring flowers everywhere!


  

Details
Tea set | Fitz and Floyd
Sugar, creamer | Bordallo Pinheiro
Plates in hutch | Villeroy & Boch 'French Garden'
   
    
Shared with
Hearth and Soul     
Vintage Charm     
Home Matters    
    
    
    
    
   


Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Celebrate Spring's Arrival with a Pastel Tablesetting

Spring officially begins tonight at 11:06 pm, but no one has told my garden which had slowly begun to awaken in mid-February with the yellows, whites, and purples of crocuses and daffodils. So I'm more than ready to celebrate Spring's arrival today!

   

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Pretty Table Settings for Savoring Tea

Rain-soaked days are perfect for taking some time for myself and relaxing with a cup — or two! — of tea. Rather than just pour some into a mug and flop on a couch, I like to set a delightful tea on a pretty table. Alone with my thoughts, perhaps some soft music . . .


Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Celtic Heritage Table Style

Early spring is arriving with clumps of daffodils blooming in my garden! March is just around the corner, bringing with it one of my favorite reasons to set a table  — St. Patrick's Day.

     

Thursday, February 1, 2024

The Year of the Dragon

In the midst of the dark days of winter comes the first new moon. This year it will occur on February 10, which begins the next lunar year. Millions of people around the world follow the lunar calendar, In many cultures, each year is also associated with an animal from the zodiac. This year it will be the dragon — believed to be an auspicious and extraordinary creature, symbolizing power, nobility, honor, luck and success. To channel a bit of all that I set a table to enjoy a celebration of our own!