Monday, September 24, 2012

the little black vase


My usual method of flower arranging is: put a bunch of the same type of flower in a complementary vase/jar/pitcher, or when the garden is flush, gather a bunch and call it a posy. Today, inspired by Jane, I tried to pay attention to foliage, texture, and shape. 

I  rounded up my black vases. (The one above is actually charcoal grey, but isn't grey the new black?)

Flowers are scarce, 
but I found plenty of interest in my garden.


I don't care for the color or look of sedum, but
 mixed with hydrangea it becomes interesting.

I use so much hydrangea that I don't really see it any more,
 but adding pine needles freshens it up.


You can't go wrong with black and pink.



Be sure to visit Jane's Flowers in the House

33 comments:

  1. Hello Jen:
    We rather like arrangements without flowers which is good when one comes to autumn and winter when they are scarce in the garden and expensive in the shops.

    It is astonishing how different each of these arrangements is in mood and tempo when the elements are changed. The liveliness of the bright pink Rose gives quite a different feel from the sombre tones of dusky Sedum. Our favourite is the Hydrangea which we love as the heads turn such wonderful shades as they age and dry.

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    Replies
    1. I do love that little pink rose in the black vase! Calling Sedum dusky and sombre makes me like it more!

      I am fortunate to have beautiful hydrangeas--the blue has inspired me when painting more than one room.

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  2. Hello Jen, I love your collection of small pitchers and vases. I think they would look good as a grouping by themselves, as as to feature their forms and details. Your arrangements are charming, with their unostentatious air and unexpected elements.
    --Road to Parnassus

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    Replies
    1. I have quite a few pitchers and vases, but this is the first time I've used all one color, and I agree they would love great grouped together. Thank you for your kind comments about the arrangements!

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  3. A girl can never have too many black vases?
    These are beautiful arrangements Jen, particularly the first photo in the vase with a handle. Pitcher? Obviously, I'm not so good with identifying flowers. Ha.

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  4. How witty and charming are these flowers and vases?

    I love the touches of pine, totally unexpected and beautifully sculptural.

    I'm always amazed how well sedum gets along with other flowers and what a perfect blossom it is to nestle lower in the container.

    Lovely each and every one.

    You and webb have come a long way with the designing.

    xo Jane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh boy, all these compliments are going to my head.

      I love the pine too--its prickly self has attitude.

      You have really inspired me to even think about design, when it comes to flowers!

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  5. The black containers all contrast so well with the flowers. I love the Sedum mix. M x

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  6. It's nice to see such colourful flowers with various types of black vases. How attractive nuance these hydrangeas have!
    I love all, especially the third one.

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  7. Sometimes just a single flower (or just a few) makes a bigger statement than a huge bouquet. You did really well with your scarce flowers.

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  8. You have met the challenge of using just local flowers, which is terrific and done wonderfully. Just a few stems of flowers and branches make a lovely statement. As our flowers give way to fall and winter, I hope I can continue with a few vases of flowers as well as you have done today.

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  9. Lovely to see your flowers.I think its the foliage you put with flowers that makes a display look beautiful.

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  10. wonderful. i love the black and pink. i never remember to cut flowers. but my mother always has lovely little arrangements everywhere and she often brings me some. thank you for the inspiration. i must remember how lovely it is to bring a few flowers inside.

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  11. LOVE your first charcoal vase Jen - definitely the new black, and you're so lucky to have that beautiful lacey hydrangea to pick. xx

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  12. I too tend to go the one typw of flower route. I love what you've done so I hope you don't mind if I copy you a bit. Love that single pink rose stem in that little vase though!

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  13. Very lovely Jen - the black and grey vases give the arrangements a simple Japanese elegance.

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  14. beautiful. reminds me that I haven't left the desk in too long and should get out to steal in someone else's garden. happy monday :)

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  15. Jen, I was antique shopping in New Hampshire... not great, but I found a little black Roseville vase and loved it so much I began looking for others. I found one more Redware vase and then, nothing!!`Flowers look so beautiful in black vases. You have a wonderful collection!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Black Roseville? That must be stunning.
      Three of mine are pitchers and one is Native American. There are great vintage black vases on Etsy if you are looking for more.

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  16. beautiful black vases and arrangements!I love hydrangeas and sedums too.

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  17. I love the sedum with the hydrangea....very pretty.

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  18. I think my favorite arrangement is the 3rd photo. I'd never thought of a black vase - it's really striking. I'll have to hunt one up on eBay.

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    Replies
    1. That is just Sedum and Hydrangea. There are great black vintage vases on Etsy and I'm sure Ebay will have plenty too. I think you could put anything in one and it would look good.

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  19. Hi Jen, so sorry I haven't visited in a while. Your arrangements are very interesting and tactile. I really love Hydrangea in it's myriad of hues. Love Linda x

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  20. Yes the pink and black are a great combination! x

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  21. Love the hydrangea with the pine needles. The hydrangea looks like butterflies.

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  22. They are all such beautiful arrangements
    - never thought about it before. The ontrast between the storng, bright colours of the flowers against the black (or dark gray) vases...

    I love it : )

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