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Monday, 21 November 2011

all about flowers...


image- vicki archer

Flowers are one of my great loves.... single blooms, large bunches, posies, country style arrangements... native or tropical... I have come to appreciate them all for their individual beauty and unique characteristics. I believe that flowers can brighten the loneliest of spaces and enhance the dullest of decors not to mention the sparkle they add to a romance...

A home is not a home without flowers... They don't need to be expensive or extravagant... they just need to be there in some form or other. I feel a home without flowers is undressed... it's like going out without your shoes or doing your make-up and forgetting lipstick... it just doesn't feel right. Homemaking is a total package... and it's the individual touch with flowers that make a home your castle. 

I like a mix of flowers... something different in the sitting room to the bedroom and something more relaxed in the kitchen all together.... It might be a couple of short cut roses by the bed... a gardenia in the bathroom... a tin cache pot full of autumn leaves and twigs on a console table or bunches of fresh herbs in the kitchen... 'flowers' can be formal or informal and foliage counts...

I have added a section to SHOP FRENCH ESSENCE and needless to say it's 'all about flowers'... I have edited what is available online and put together the books that have taught and inspired me when it comes to floral decorating. I have managed to find the Japanese shears that I can't live without, the twines, papers and ribbons that I use to create bunches for gifts. These are the basic tools that I have on hand so I never get caught short for a hostess gift... there is nothing better than a bunch of fresh flowers for any occasion... and there is no reason to ever say, 'I don't know what to give... he/she has everything'... Yes, flowers are the perfect present for the men in our lives.... and I regularly give mine a bunch... I have chosen a selection of glass vases... small, tall, individual... shapes that I can't live without and that I know work... and I have found some tin and ceramic cache pots similar to those I use everyday in France... 

"When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment..." said artist Georgia O'Keefe......  and it is a world I would never want to live without... xv

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20 comments:

  1. Splenderosa21 November 2011 at 14:24

    Vicki, this is absolutely lovely. The composition and lighting is just SO you. I've used the little vases for years, just marching down the center of my table...everyone always enjoys them so much. I love your little shoppe because it's also so you.
    xx's

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  2. French Girl in Seattle21 November 2011 at 15:36

    Beautiful quote by Georgia O'Keefe. Too bad Seattle has entered the "flower-less" season... As a Mediterranean girl, I do not find the sight of evergreens that inspiring... go figure. Bonne fin de journée, Vicki. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  3. hopflower21 November 2011 at 15:37

    As a horticulturist I, too, live for flowers.

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  4. Cindy Albert21 November 2011 at 16:14

    Vicki, I went into interior design because of my favorite author Alexandra Stoddard. She was/is crazy for flowers. In every one of her books, she would talk about how important flowers were and even went so far as to recommend putting a small vase of flowers into the refrigerator for a bit of joy every time you open the door for a coke or whatever.

    Nice post. Have a great day.

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  5. red ticking21 November 2011 at 16:46

    i am with you vicki... the room could be empty and one flower could make me happy... have a wonderful holiday... do you celebrate over there? xoxo

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  6. Maria Babin21 November 2011 at 18:07

    i'm just loving your color boards on pinterest! i'm your newest pinnie follower!

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  7. Amy21 November 2011 at 18:42

    I've taken to having fresh flowers in my bedroom - the only place that's off limits to cats. I love the decadence of having those blossoms just for ME.

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  8. Unknown21 November 2011 at 20:15

    I love cut flowers and picked up a giant bouquet of white hydrangeas the other day--it changed the whole tenor of the house, making everything whiter and more elegant--so amazing the transformation that flowers can bring. Congrats on your new shop Vicki, I'm looking forward to perusing all the lovely goods.

    xo Mary Jo

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  9. Anonymous21 November 2011 at 20:39

    I too absolutely love flowers! Most of the time if I have to give a gift, I give flowers!
    I love your book!

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  10. French Heart21 November 2011 at 20:56

    So agree. I can remember after school as the smallest child rushing through the house to my room to change into 'play clothes' to run out and climb the hills, ride a bike, or play sports games with my friends....my eye would land on all my mother's beautiful touches throughout our home. Especially the just cut garden roses in old silver containers on the glowing baby grand piano.

    I'd think Dad got dressed in his Brooks Brothers suits and go out in the business world everyday to give us this beautiful life. But honestly. We could have lived in a tent and Mom in her classy, lovely, calm way would have made it beautiful with wildflowers and a tossed away dixie cup. Hers were spiritual riches you never forget.

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  11. mondocherry21 November 2011 at 21:18

    What a great idea to put together all your favourite flower related items, books etc. I agree that without flowers a house seems underdressed. I think my 4 year old agrees too... When my husband sent me a bunch of flowers recently (not something that happend very often anymore) she asked me why Daddy sent me flowers. When I explained that it was because he loves me she replied, "No it isn't. It s becasue he likes the house to look beautiful"!!!
    Clare x

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  12. Pink Princess21 November 2011 at 21:36

    So true about flowers!

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  13. Shell Sherree21 November 2011 at 22:15

    Exquisite, Vicki. I could do without many things, but not flowers. They make everything better.

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  14. Lylah Ledner22 November 2011 at 00:11

    . . . be still my heart . . .

    xoxo lylah

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  15. lisa | renovating italy22 November 2011 at 02:43

    flowers are a girl's best friend....

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  16. helen tilston22 November 2011 at 03:55

    Hello Vicki

    Flowers energize a home. When there are flowers there is life within the room.
    I love how your displayed single flowers in vases.
    Have a great week
    Helen xx

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  17. quintessence22 November 2011 at 04:33

    Lovely!! Can't wait to pop over to the store and see what you've chosen!!

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  18. Francine Gardner22 November 2011 at 05:03

    I love the simplicity of these flowers, nature at its best. I could not imagine a life without flowers, i always sleep with roses on my nightstand, always a flower will great us as we enter the house.

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  19. Slim Paley22 November 2011 at 06:16

    I so agree with everything you said. Rooms are never really alive until you've added flowers in some form.
    Your photo is beautiful!

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  20. annechovie22 November 2011 at 14:35

    I thoroughly enjoy seeing your flowers anytime, Vicki. You bring bouquets of joy to all of us! xo

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