Bring the Outside In

Rhodendrons in Margarita Glasses

Mandevilla in Wine Glass

Hi Guys,

As part of spring decorating, I like to bring some of the spring flowers blooming in my yard into the house. I don't worry about using traditional vases. Although traditional vases are  perfectly appropriate and beautiful, I like to use other glass objects and containers to hold my spring blooms.

Flower Sndaes

I used handblown Margarita glasses to hold purple and white Rhododendrons. They look like raspberry and vanilla sundaes.

A wine glass served as the vase for two Mandevilla blossoms.

I used an actual sundae glass to hold one Zinnia. The color looks like peach sorbet.

Zinnia in a Sundae Glass

Finally, I used a juice glass to hold a Peony and some little white flowers.

I put them all down the center of my kitchen table. It makes a lovely centerpiece and is so simple to do.

These are just a few examples of bringing the outside in.

Peony in Juice Glass

Go out into your yard and see what you can find that is in bloom. Use your imagination and find something interesting to use as your "vase."

If you can't find anything in your own yard, perhaps a neighbor will give you permission to cut one of their flowers. It only takes one to make a big impact.

That's my tip for today.

b

Simple Centerpiece

Decorating for Spring

Mantle in Family Room

Hi Guys,

It's been a long, cold winter here in New England. The weather is supposed to be getting better next week, so I finally got into the mood to start decorating for spring.

Empty Bowl on Coffee Table

The first thing I did was put away all my pine cone arrangements until next winter. I emptied the bowls and trays and will soon remove the pine cones from my flower arrangements. I left the bowls and trays empty. I like the minimalist look in the spring and summer. It makes the rooms seem cooler and more airy.

If you have heavy draperies, you may want to switch them out for sheers during the spring and summer seasons. The same goes for your bedding. If you have a dark, heavy comforter, you will want to change it to a lighter one.

Dark rugs can be rolled up and stored. Replace them with something light like a Sisal, or just leave your floors bare.

I removed the hurricane candles from the mantle in the family room. I plan to make some springy pillows for the sofa in the family room and the living room.

Pictures of Ocean

I changed the pictures in the hallway. I framed and arranged four pictures of the ocean that were taken the last time we were in Maine.

I changed the flower arrangement in the front entry from Orchids to Irises. I put away the glass pine trees and deer and replaced them with crystal birds, a bud vase, and some clay apples and pear that my son made when he was a child.

I brought out my brass bunnies and put two on one of the end tables in the living room.

Irises in the Entry

I bought some Mandevilla plants for the deck and pansies for the front porch and birdbath.
I hung a basket of Impatiens by the front door.

Pansies in Birdbath

Mandevilla and Pansies on Deck

Impatiens on Front Porch

These are easy changes that can really lighten up your home for the coming months. Try to do at least one or two of the things I suggested. Embrace the spring season. It is so beautiful.

That's my tip for today.

Pansies on the Front Porch

b