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

Looking for Signs of Spring Part 2

Pansies on our Picnic Table

Hi Guys,

Rhododendron Bush

Blue Violets

Well, it's been a while since I went out looking for signs of spring. Last night my husband, dogs, and I walked around our neighborhood, and we found an abundance of beauty.

Magnolia Tree

Tulips

We saw trees, bushes, tulips, daffodils, violets, and many other spring flowers in full bloom. I am thankful that we did not have the damaging weather in the Northeast that they had in the South. My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by the floods and tornadoes, and I hope their recovery will be swift.

Pink Rose Bush

Apple Trees

Perhaps those of you who have not yet experienced spring will derive a moment of joy from my photos. It's hard to believe that just four months ago we had 79 inches of snow covering the landscape. Just look at it now!

Today's tip isn't about decorating, but about experiencing the beauty of Mother Nature. Take some time to walk around your neighborhood and look for the beauty that surrounds your little piece of the planet.

Forsythia Bushes

Daffodils

b

Magnolia Flowers

Azalea Bushes

Andromeda Bush

Looking for Signs of Spring

Bushes and Peonies Still Buried Under Snow

Hi Guys,

The dogs and I just got back from a long walk around our neighborhood. It is almost 60 degrees, and we were out looking for signs of spring.

We found a lot of snow left on the corners where it had been piled high.

We walked past the house with the most beautiful little perennial and annual garden, but nothing was coming up.

Barn House

We walked over to the new house that looks like a barn. We watched its progress last fall. It is now finished, and a family is living in it.

Then we walked down Kendall Rd. but didn't find any signs of spring...nothing.

We turned the corner and saw another big pile of snow.

Vine Brook

We walked by Vine Brook which has turned into a beautiful little brook.

Succulent Plant

We walked by the house on the corner whose whole front yard is a perennial garden. There were Irises and Day Lilies coming up. There was one Succulent plant in a beautiful orange.

We walked up to our house and saw our Day Lilies coming up along the fence and in the back yard.

Day Lilies

Our Poppies are also coming up and the neighbor's Witch Hazel is in full bloom.

It felt good to get out in the sun, and the dogs thoroughly enjoyed it.

Poppies

Witch Hazel

I will keep you up-to-date on how a neighborhood recovers from 79 inches of snow.

That's my tip for today.

b

Barb's Decorating Tips

Basement Workout Room

Hydrangeas and Peonies

Hi Guys,

It's been a while since I last talked to you. I hope you are all well and excited for spring to begin next week.

We had a whopping 79 inches of snow in Boston this winter. At times it was hard to get out and about.

My husband and I took this opportunity to create a workout room in the basement. We have muscle building weight equipment as well as two stationary bikes.

Workout Equipement

My husband mounted a flat screen TV above the fireplace mantle so we can workout with the Wii or just watch our favorite shows while riding one of the bikes.

TV and Wii Center

You will notice the flowers in the fireplace. Well, it is not a real fireplace. It is just a big empty black hole in the wall. I made a flower arrangements of peonies and hydrangeas to put in the fireplace's empty space.

In the winter I will put candles in there.

I love my workout area and use it everyday. Think about a spot in your home, maybe an unused bedroom, or your own basement, where you can put at least one piece of workout equipment. I found out just how important it is to get into a regular exercise routine. It not only keeps your body in shape, but also helps with depression, arthritis, osteoporosis, and many other physical and mental ailments. Regular exercise just makes you feel better about yourself.

That's my tip for today.

b

Flower Arrangements

Cymbidium Orchids

Ficus Tree in Family Room

Green Cymbidium Orchids

Hi Guys,

We just got another foot of snow last night. That makes 60 inches since the first of the year. It seems to be melting fast, however, and I have a four foot icicle hanging right in front of me.

Paper Whites in the Bedroom

I found a way to fight the winter doldrums. I fill my house with plants and flowers. Some are real and some are faux.

Mantle with Cymbidium Orchids

Palm Plant and Rose Arrangement

Red Tulips in Guest Room

Hydrangeas and Cymbidium Orchids

Grasses and Magnolias

Irises

Since Orchids bloom all year round and Tulips can be found in your local grocery store, it's easy to create spring any time of the year. If you're not good at arranging flowers, just buy a bouquet at the grocery store. It is already arranged for you. Beautiful Rose arrangements are also plentiful with Valentine's Day just around the corner.

Peonies and Greens

Tulips in the Bedroom

White Cymbidium Orchid

I've taken some pictures of my flower arrangements. Can you tell the real ones from the fake ones?

That's my tip for today.

b

Orange Cymbidium Orchids