Spring/Easter Decorating

I have a shelf in my kitchen that my husband made for me years ago.  The style really doesn't fit the room especially well anymore but, at the time he built it, it was just what I wanted on that wall.  So, I have to say... I love it.  Not only do I love it because my husband built it for me but, I love it because it is a blank canvas for all the seasons and holidays of the year.  I am continually changing its decorations and that is fun for me!

Unfortunately, however, it never photographs as well as I think it should.  The shelf always looks better in real life, but I keep trying nonetheless. 

I am in the process of decorating my home for Easter but have had many, many interruptions, as I am sure you experience also whenever trying to get something accomplished!  It will probably be a fight to the finish to get everything done in time for Easter but, I am up for the challenge!

 I'm starting with my beloved shelves.  First thing to go were my winter dishes and vases.  
I thought everything looked nice during the winter months but now I need color!



I haven't had time to go shopping for new dinnerware and display items so I went to my storage area and found some old dishes I had stored away.  Do you have old treasures stowed away that you could take out for Spring or Easter?

The pewter tri-candlestick holders ended up staying on the shelf.  They seem to go with everything.  Thank you Aunt Marilyn for your generous gift!  Next I placed the small violet plates over the glass plates to give a little depth to the middle shelf.  I also added the foxglove plates, hydrangea platter, white filigree plates and the  resin ducks.

It was coming along.

Added some white candlestick holders and some botany postcards.  Oh, I also added some mugs from the dinnerware set (I forget to mention that earlier).  It was looking good but, you know me...I thought it needed more!

So, I went to the grocery store and bought two bunches of daffodils for $4, just enough to add a contrasting color.  Up top you can see the little bunny and sheep cart; all are treasures I've kept through the years.

How is the shelf doing in the photography department?  It really does look pretty in my kitchen.  The photography part is always the hardest!  I hope you can enjoy the view anyway.

As Easter gets closer, I may try tulips instead of daffodils.  They didn't end up performing as well as I had hoped.

It's fun to be able to start to think about spring decor and Easter.  It's such a happy time of the year!  I hope I've inspired you to dig out some of your old treasures to fill up your house with spring decor.  I'm sure I'll fiddle around with my shelf again and again until I feel it is just right.  Isn't that the fun of it all, though?!

A Boston Flower & Garden Show 2015 Review

My daughter and I decided to go again to the Boston Flower & Garden Show this year, mainly because of the tough winter we have been experiencing.  (I know I have talked about this way too much but, facts are facts.  It has been terrible and we needed a burst of Spring!)

After going to the show, I had decided not to blog about it because, to be honest, I was a little disappointed this year.  There were far fewer grand exhibits than previous years and way too many vendors for my liking. I especially didn't like that many vendors sold items that had nothing to do with gardens or flowers at all. However, upon thinking about it, I supposed the organizers of the show had to make concessions.  Vendors are what keep the flower show going, I'm sure.  So, I'll be more forgiving next year.

However, after reviewing the photos I took while at the show, I changed my mind about wanting to share my experience.  When I re-examined my visit, I realized that there really were many, many nice exhibits and displays at the show.   I also decided I should blog about it because flower shows, among other things, foster floral education and can produce the joy of gardening in some people.  Of course, that is something I am very interested it!

So here goes...The Boston Flower & Garden Show, Season of Enchantment.  I hope you enjoy!!

 These are some of the large exhibits that were seen as you entered the Seaport World Trade Center.
The exhibitors create a real-sized garden with outbuildings and fountain features.  The large disk in this photo is a water fountain.

 A working water wheel was quite impressive!

At this exhibit, you were supposed to "plant something."  The materials were provided.

Sitting pretty!

 I loved this raised-bed garden.  I have always wanted one of these!
Maybe this year!

Spring Mini "Terrariums" Continued

I wanted to follow up on my last post, Spring Mini "Terrariums" and show you how the terrariums can be used as beauty and design in your home.

I played around with different areas in my home as to where my plant terrariums would look best.  At first, I tried them in my workspace area.  I love the muted colors of the walls and furniture and thought the living flowers positioned next to the cream colors would look nice.   The effect was soothing somehow and I liked it very much. 

I found these egg and nest prints through one of my favorite blogs Findingsilverpennies.  The printables website is http://vintageprintable.com.  It's a neat website, very easy to use.  Check it out!  They have many, many prints to choose from.  To find these particular prints you need to search under Animal-Egg.  

Everything looked fresh and clean...and very springlike.

The only problem I had with this space was that the lighting is not great.  So...

I decided to try using them on my old tried-and-true dining table.  I liked the vintage look with the cloche candle (Pottery Barn) and silver stand (Homegoods).  I love doing tablescapes!  They are so much fun and you really can experiment anyway you choose.

Unfortunately, the light exposure in the dining room is almost too strong.  The plants would probably get somewhat overheated and have a shorter blooming life, which was certainly something I did not want. I was kind of having a Goldielocks problem!  One space didn't have enough light and the other had too much.

I ended up putting the terrariums in my kitchen, which has just the right amount of light.  I spend most of my time in the kitchen so, I would get the greatest amount of enjoyment and viewing from there, anyway.  Win, win.

 I'm trying to decide whether to give the terrariums away as hostess gifts or presents...or just keep them for myself!  There's a good chance I simply make some more to give away and keep these for myself!

Enjoy the slow-but-sure onset of spring!  I will be sharing more designs as we head towards Easter!