June 30, 2023

Summer Decor with Flowers

Welcome! Today I thought I'd share some photos of our public spaces bedecked with flowers! I love growing flowers in my garden and I love having flowers inside the house, particularly those which don't grow well in my hot, humid mostly shaded summer garden. There's also puppy challenges to consider when I'm planting any kind of flowers or shrubs.

  
I was thrilled to receive these flowers from my daughter in vivid shades of orange, pink and chartreuse! A piece of thin striped vinyl material is wrapped inside the vase. Not only does it hide the stems, it creates interest all its own.


Can you believe these were the same flowers ten days later? Without the roses, the hydrangeas and carnations take center stage. The arrangement now has a distinctly pastel feel. (And they lasted another week after these photos were taken!)

   


The corner window in the kitchen faces west and receives very little shade. I tend to keep the styling simple with faux greenery and/or flowers. Although in the spring I did go all out decorating this sunny corner in A Bit of Spring Decor!


One of our best decisions when we renovated our kitchen was to add two hutch-style cabinets with glass doors that are lit in their interiors. One holds our everyday dinnerware and this one displays (some of) my collection of vintage stemware. Instead of more stemware, I use the bottom shelf for seasonal vignettes.

    
This vignette is currently on display and features cute rabbits and lilacs — faux because they won't grow in Georgia. How I miss their scents!

   
On the day I found the vintage creamer and sugar covered in cute bunnies I also quickly bought the cast iron bud vase with a glass insert. I love the rabbit's verdigris finish! Both are backed by shallow soup bowls in our everyday pattern. Their trellis design seemed made for a bunny garden vignette.

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In the other corner sits a pensive rabbit that's been caught munching on a cabbage. More flowers spill out of the pot. I've used this piece on several tables including A Quick and Easy Blooming Tablescape.


I recently shared my first table of the summer — A Summer of Colors — and couldn't resist including additional photos of the gorgeous flowers I used as a centerpiece. I adored the variety of petal shapes and colors! Those flowers also lasted about two weeks in the dining room.

  

  


I have shown you the fireplace mantel styled with different seasonal decor, mostly pumpkins or winter holiday greenery. But in the spring and summer only simple flowers flank the numbered print of an egret done in 1988.  Unfortunately I can't decipher the artist's signature.

  
Because the mantel is taller than me and its hand-cut stone is uneven, I only use faux flowers or sturdy decorative items on it. For the summer I placed peonies in white and two shades of pink in the antique cache pots.
   
       
Lastly I couldn't wait to share these carved wooden tulips that Greg brought me from Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The leaves are delicate, the flower heads sturdy.


I hope you've enjoyed my use of flowers for summer decor and are inspired to bring flowers into your home!


  
  
Shared with
Karins Kottage             
    
    
      
    

16 comments:

  1. Sandra, oh my goodness, your flowers are all gorgeous and I can't believe that the ones that your daughter sent you lasted so long. You must have an extremely green thumb!! I've long admired your beautiful vintage collection of stemware and the bunnies are adorable. I remember your summer of colors but oh my, those carved wooden tulips are so pretty. You will have lots of fun styling them in the future. I hope you are having a wonderful summer and happy July 4th to you!

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    1. Thanks so much, Kim! I find that changing the water often, adding flower preservative each time, and keeping them out of the direct sun helps cut flowers last a while longer. Of course some types respond better than others! Hope you had a great Independence Day!

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  2. You have a way with flowers! So many beautiful arrangements and a great way to decorate for Summer!

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    1. Thanks, Donna! Summer definitely calls for flowers indoors and out!

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  3. Sandra, the flowers are gorgeous. Each vignette is so pretty. Your vintage collection is fabulous! Thank you for sharing at Love Your Creativity. Happy summer.

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    1. Thank you, Linda! If I could, I'd fill every room with flowers!

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  4. Beautiful flowers, Sandra! They make the best decor!! Thanks so much for sharing at Home Imagined this week!

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    1. Thanks, Rachel! I love sharing flower photos!

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    1. Thank you! I hope you visit again soon!

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  6. Sandra,
    Your flowers are so beautiful and your glasses are so lovely. That rabbit is adorable. Congratulations, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you stop by. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2023/07/yum-yum-on-thursday-favorite-things.html
    Hugs,
    Bev

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    1. Thanks, Bev, for the feature! I really appreciate it! I smile every time I walk past that rabbit.

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  7. Sandra... What incredible flowers!!! I love the wooden tulips and isn't it amazing how mums last so long?!! I actually tossed some after we got back from South Dakota because I was too lazy (and tired) from driving to recut them and wash out the glass for a third time. They went to the compost heap but I could have had maybe even a third week with a few of them! Gorgeous bouquets!!!

    Love the glassware in your cupboard, too! Your mantel looks really nice with the egret and vases of flowers. If you ever think of changing the mantel, it might look really good with the wood painted or stained a darker almost black stain. It'd be a nice contrast to all the rock, which all has a similar hue. Just a thought. :)

    Happy summer and I hope you guys are cooler in Georgia than we are here in North Texas!
    Hugs,
    Barb :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Barb! My daughter sends me the best flowers, in combos I wouldn't have thought of. Don't know about cooler -- mid 90's with humidity high enough to "feel like" upper 90's. Combination steam room and sauna effect. I for one am tired of it!

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  8. So many beautiful blooms! I love having fresh flowers around but rarely think to actually buy them (I can not seem to grow my own; at least not in an abundance enough to cut any down).

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    1. Thanks, Joanne! I don't have a cutting garden, so I don't have fresh flowers available out my door on a regular basis. So I frequently treat myself to a selection when I'm buying groceries -- seems to make the chore so much better!

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