How a Floral Display Impacts The Decor....

What do Flowers bring to the home decor?

A painterly elegance...
Sometimes a floral perfume... 
Instant mood lifting appeal...

And most definitely - visual joy.

What is in this arrangement of flowers?

 Bright yellow roses...
(The perfect colour choice for cheering up a winters day).

Yellow and burgundy pinky mauve toned tulips...

And an unusual variegated chrysanthemum.

How was this display created?

A simple hand tied posy 

Strip all the lower leaves...

Arrange in one hand crossing the stems...
Put an elastic band on to hold in place.
Then trim stems to place in the vase.

How was it displayed?

On the Table, a cloth with a french themed pattern was placed.
(This is actually a piece of curtain remnant that was the perfect table size, that I hemmed the edges. Cost $4 from the curtain shop remnant bin).

The flowers are in a glass vase that sits in a white French inspired pot.

The pot was then put into a wire basket. 

In the front of the basket is a long sausage dog ornament.

Just look at that face - isn't it the cutest?


After a few days:

The rose buds and tulips opened up to let their beauty shine!

#posies #flowers #floralarrangement 

Four Joys - Inspirational Quote...

Enjoy the things that make you happy?

#inspirationalquotes #quote #quotes

Let's Copper it!

At the moment I'm prepping for an Art Studio makeover.
It's long overdue...
I have my leather couch and french coffee table in storage,
and  I'm gathering bits and pieces to pretty up the space.
I picked up this pottery vase at the 2nd hand shop for $3.

Love the texture of it, but not the colour.
Because I am having a little crush on copper at the moment, 
there was no question what to do with it.
Let's copper it!
Oh my gosh let me loose with the spray paint!
At the same time I painted a plastic light shade too.

For as much as I would love a chandelier in my studio,
practicality and light requirement means that is not such a good idea.

The copper spray paint is fabulously easy to use
with instant coverage.
The brand I used is 'Plastikote'.

And the vase looks gorgeous in the studio... 

I cannot wait for Spring when I can complete the Art Studio makeover!

Carpe Diem Quote.

Carpe Diem

The meaning of this is thought to be:
'Seize the day'.
After all today will be yesterday before you know it.

This Latin saying is originated from the Odes Book 1 by lyric poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus,
 (65 BC - 8 BC)

(Did you know 'Carpe Diem' are the most Googled words)

So I am going to:
Carpe Diem today and every other day.
Will you join me?

#quotes #quote #carpediem

Growing Rhododendrons In Pots...

I have always enjoyed rhododendrons.

I love the garden varieties that grow into beautiful large shrubs and trees.

Fabulous if you have a large garden!

But then I discovered they are incredibly easy to grow in pots.

There are many varieties available now with dwarf or small shrub status which are the best for using in pots.

Vireya rhododendrons can become waterlogged planted  in the garden,

and I have found these do particularly well in pots too.

I give my plants a spray using a general insecticide once in the spring,

and two or three times over summer to treat and prevent bug infestations like spider mite and mealy bug.

The beauty of growing Rhododendrons in pots is you can easily move them.

If you think it's not liking a certain position, 

move somewhere new, until the plants happy condition and growth let's you know you've got right!



Rhododendron and Azalea Care List:
* Use a good quality potting mix
*Use a long life fertiliser pellet
*Water regularly
*Spray with an insecticide in Spring and summer.
*Repot every two years.

And to thank you,

you will have a profuse blooming season.

Azaleas also grow exceptionally well in pots too.

I treat them the same as the rhododendrons,
with a spring and summer insecticide spray.

They need a lot more watering in the summer months,
but once they bloom you will be so happy.