Young House Love

Home Decorating, DIY Tutorials, & Shenanigans

  • Shop Our House
  • Our Previous Homes
    • Our Richmond House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
  • Before & Afters
    • Our Current House
    • Our Previous House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
    • Our First House
    • Our Second House
    • Our Showhouse
  • DIY & Decorating Tips
    • Most Popular
    • Home Improvement
    • Painting
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Crafting & Art
    • More . . .
  • Podcast
    • Getting Started
    • Show Notes
  • Shop
    • Our Fav Home Finds
    • Our Lighting Line
    • Our Books
    • Book Club Picks
    • Black-Owned Businesses

Young House Love » Budget Blooms » Budget Blooms: Starting The Year Off Right

| By Sherry Petersik | January 8, 2010 | 62 Comments

Budget Blooms: Starting The Year Off Right

Thump. That’s the sound of us falling off the fresh flower bandwagon last October. From the first of 2009 through September we were enjoying one inexpensive (and even free) bouquet for each month of the year (a super sweet Christmas present from the hubs). But somehow the end-of-the-year madness (toss in a few holidays, a growing family, a bathroom gut-job, and an impending nursery makeover) sadly derailed our year of budget blooms.

Well, John was determined to kick this year off right with a happy and cheerful January bouquet for me (actually purchased on 1/1/10- what a nice “fresh start” to the year). This month’s arrangement hails from the grocery store and only ran us $4. Nice. And to stretch our flower budget even further, I separated the blooms into two mercury glass candleholders-turned-vases and proudly displayed our mixed batch of daisies, mums, and alstroemerias in this rarely seen nook of our kitchen:

JanFlowers1

We love how they look sort of New Years-y and cheerfully festive with the cake stand full of ornaments and ceramic fruit… but of course since these flowers are all long-lasters we’ll soon be replacing the ornaments with some edible treats (cupcakes if we’re bad, fresh fruit if we’re good) as the month goes on.

JanFlowers2

We really like how the happy pops of yellow in the alstroemerias (they’re almost springy- which is encouraging on some of the coldest days) pair with the fresh green of the mums and the big white daisy (along with all the other white accents like the cake stand, ornaments, and lotus candle holder). It’s sort of a winter-white-meets-New-Year’s-sparkle effect… with an optimistic splash of spring tossed in for good measure.

JanFlowers3

And of course for $2 per arrangement we’re pretty happy with our re-commitment to at least one affordable bouquet per month. But what about you guys? Do you have any favorite seasonal blooms that you whip out each January? Is there any other greenery that you love having around to start the year off right (a gorgeously scented potted rosemary? a luxe bouquet of red roses?). Do tell.

Wanna see our first grocery store bouquet from last January? Itching to check out February, March, April, May, June July, August, and September too? Just follow the links for some pretty sweet cheap-o (and even free) bouquets.

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Budget Blooms

How To Grout White Subway Tile & Marble Floor Tile
You Know You’re Obsessed With DIY When…

Comments

  1. Avatar for candacecandace says

    January 8, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    I took your advice from an old post and picked up some Paper Whites…they are almost ready to bloom! I got some for my Mother-in-Law as well as a Xmas gift. *claps*

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 8, 2010 at 12:27 pm

      Hey Candace,

      We’re so glad to hear that our paperwhite post helped you with Christmas gifts and brightened up your home as well. You’ll really love them once they start to bloom!

      xo,
      s

  2. Avatar for Lisa BeckerLisa Becker says

    January 8, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    Hi! Love your site… I’ve told everyone I know about it! You guys are my inspiration.

    I always kick off the year with a tall, wide clear vase full of Narcissus bulbs, or white Amaryllis (super cheap at the grocery store after the holidays). It’s fun to watch them grow (especially fun with a toddler!), and they are a wonderful promise of impending spring.

    Happy 2010!!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Beth@321home[email protected] says

    January 8, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    OMGosh! I know this post is about the flowers, but I LOVE the nook! Can’t believe we’ve not seen that before! I’m a huge nook fan, no matter where they’re found. :-)

    BTW, Sherry, how are you feelin’ about Nate getting his own show? We don’t get cable, so I’ll be left watching the few shows they post online, but I’m chomping at the bit anyway. :-)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 8, 2010 at 12:46 pm

      We love Nate! And we actually knew about his impending show back when we talked with Oprah’s people. It was hard to keep our traps shut but we’re so glad he finally spilled the beans!

      xo,
      s

  4. Avatar for JacciJacci says

    January 8, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    I love the paperwhites, too :) Didn’t get my act together enough this year to do it, but we usually have them in January. I plant crocus outside (planning to plant them at *this house* in the fall this year), so we start getting outside blooms by late February. There are actually a number of super early blooming bulbs that would look great cut for inside if you had enough planted. Winter aconite can be a great, sunny yellow for early March.

    ~Jacci

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Cassity @ RemodelaholicCassity @ Remodelaholic says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    Oh, that looks so great… It makes me miss warmer weather.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Jessica @ How SweetJessica @ How Sweet says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    I love the cake stand of ornaments. Great idea!!!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for ameliaamelia says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    very pretty mini flower arrangements – and for $4! how could you go wrong! gotta love the nook too!
    Must say this combination of white, spring green and yellow are great nursery colours (perhaps with a dash of pink for the beanette)!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 8, 2010 at 1:09 pm

      Hey Amelia,

      We definitely plan to have an abundance of white and green in the nursery with splashes of yellow (along with soft turquoise). Maybe we subconsciously picked flowers that reflect that theme?! Too funny.

      xo,
      s

  8. Avatar for lizliz says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    I <3 that nook! The green ones make it look like a little countertop fireworks display. Very cute.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Jackie D.Jackie D. says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:15 pm

    I think this nook is my favorite part about your kitchen!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for TheClassyWomanTheClassyWoman says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    I love the yellow, so warm for such a cold season!

    My hubby likes surprising me with flowers from the grocery store every once in a while and I like to do the same thing. The 5 different types of flowers in the bunch become 5 small little arrangements throughout the house for $3-$4. It really adds a little more ‘life’ to each room without breaking the bank.

    In the summer and fall I used our hibiscus flowers and bougainvillea clippings for various rooms, they have so much gorgeous color!

    I haven’t brought any fresh flowers in for the new year yet. Thanks for the reminder! :)

    BTW-Sherry, has anyone ever told you that you look like the actress Rachel McAdams?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 8, 2010 at 1:18 pm

      That’s so funny, I actually get that all the time. I stare at her picture and never see it, but it comes up so often that I guess I’m in denial or something. She’s super cute so I completely take it as a compliment, I just wish I could see it!

      xo,
      s

  11. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    I was wondering what happened to this :) I’m so glad you brought them back!!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for LizzieBethLizzieBeth says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    Yay for Budget Blooms! I was wondering what happened to this! Here’s to starting to New Year off right!!

    LB

    Reply
  13. Avatar for SandraSandra says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    Did you get the mercury glass candle holders and the tea light holder from Keep Good Company in Lakeside, by any chance?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 8, 2010 at 1:47 pm

      We actually got them from ZGallerie, but we’ve seen similar versions at Target and TJ Maxx. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  14. Avatar for Emily A. ClarkEmily A. Clark says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    What a happy idea! I think I might make this one of my resolutions for the new year. Is it just me, or do fresh flowers make your house feel cleaner? :)

    Reply
  15. Avatar for DD says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    So pretty and cheap! I always buy flowers from my local grocery store and split them b/w vases and wine bottles. There’s also a local wedding florist on the corner of my block that throws extra blooms into a barrel and sells them for cheap (spruces up a grocery store bouquet nicely!).

    Reply
  16. Avatar for ErynEryn says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:57 pm

    Your granite makes me swoon! I bought some paperwhites too. I love them and they are so fragrant!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for ErynEryn says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    Btw, I also bought the nest decorating book you recommended for Christmas and I LOVE it! Thanks! :)

    Reply
  18. Avatar for JazminJazmin says

    January 8, 2010 at 2:08 pm

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve been looking for the name of one of these flowers for months. I feel so foolish now realizing that they’re mums and were available right in my backyard (home depot)! I know that wasn’t the intent of this post, but thanks for helping me figure this out. haha

    Reply
  19. Avatar for MeredithMeredith says

    January 8, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    Oh, I love fresh flowers!!! I need to get my hubby to committ to bringing home some flowers for me once a month!!! HEHE!!!!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for LynnLynn says

    January 8, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    Too funny, I was just wondering what happened to your monthly bouquet post! Beautiful flowers : )

    Reply
  21. Avatar for katiekatie says

    January 8, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    i love alstromeria–aka peruvian lilies–and like to get giant bouquets with all different colors. word of warning, they do not dry well, if you’re ever into that, they’re super-fragile. =/ oh well.

    we are currently enjoying a spider cactus that somehow i haven’t killed in the past three years (it almost bloomed this year! so close!) and since our newlywed apartment is small, our christmas tree was actually a rosemary bush pruned in a christmas tree shape. my husband declared it his favorite kind–a christmas tree you can eat. =) it smells delicious, too.

    Reply
  22. Avatar for DonitaDonita says

    January 8, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    Your flowers are so pretty, love the green, yellow and white combo. That nooks is so inviting looking.
    One of my favorite flowers is tulips, but they are not always in season, and if they are, they are expensive. SOOO through the high dollar months, on most flowers, we guy Carnations, they do not have an offensive perfume smell and they last a long time. We get them in soft orange, red or yellow, to brighten our living room. :-)
    Where did you get the white glass pears? I LOVE/COVET them. :-) lol

    Reply
  23. Avatar for DonitaDonita says

    January 8, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    That would be BUY Carnations, not guy!!! Should have proof read before hitting the button. *SIGH* NOOK not nooks. LOL GEESH teaching me a lesson.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 8, 2010 at 3:58 pm

      Hey Donita,

      The white ceramic pears are actually from TJ Maxx (for two bucks a pop). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  24. Avatar for foobellafoobella says

    January 8, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    I’m going to get myself some flowers. I told myself this every month you posted about them. geeez.

    And that white flower? I’d call that a Chrysanthemum, wouldn’t you? I know they are in the same family, so maybe I’m being a bit picky. And really I don’t know diddly about plants, but when I saw it I said to myself, Chrysanthemum.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 8, 2010 at 4:31 pm

      You’re probably right! I’m terrible with flower names. As in, I prefer to just call them all “blooms” since I never get the names right! Slowly but surely our readers are teaching me though. I’ll get it someday…

      xo,
      s

  25. Avatar for JayaJaya says

    January 8, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    Sherry- I started paperwhites too and they have grown really really tall but the tips are now starting to turn yellow? I googled that but couldn’t find any info. Are they dying or about to bloom? Do you know?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 8, 2010 at 4:32 pm

      Hey Jaya,

      Hmm, we’re stumped. Maybe they’re about to bloom? We would just wait it out and see what happens. Anyone else have any ideas?

      xo,
      s

  26. Avatar for KatherineKatherine says

    January 8, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    I hate to admit this, but I tend to feel really guilty about splurging on fresh flowers – even the $4 variety at the supermarket. How sad is that? I think I should work on getting over that.

    Reply
  27. Avatar for ToniToni says

    January 8, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    I’m looking forward to pruning my forsythia and forcing blooms indoors while it’s still wintery ouside!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for Jennifer H.Jennifer H. says

    January 8, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    They’re SO lovely — great color combo. I also want to thank you for the inspiration; when I read about John’s gift to you, I told my husband what a great idea I thought it was and like the amazing guy he is, he took the bait and ran with it. He’s been diligent every month since March. (In fact, I was gifted with two dozen white roses from Costco just today. So much fun distributing them in different vessels throughout the house.) Thanks again!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for andrea melberg thompsonandrea melberg thompson says

    January 8, 2010 at 5:08 pm

    Okay, this was December… but I bought a big bunch of all red small carnations at Costco for $9. I split them up all over the house before I entertained. They were perfect with my red theme all over the upstairs (our woodwork, accents are white). They were in those white vases you can get anywhere in various sizes and styles, which I of course had purchsed for less then 50 cents each. It looked GREAT… but I finally did throw them away after many weeks. Honostly, those babies wouldn’t die!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for Caitlin @ That House On The CornerCaitlin @ That House On The Corner says

    January 8, 2010 at 5:16 pm

    Yay! Budget blooms are back! I was just talking about what a great gift idea that is with my coworkers last night. I love any and all flowers (soon I’ll be trying to propagate rose cuttings), but in the meantime I wish I could get my boyriend of six years to get the hint to surprise me with some budget blooms himself… Any tips on that lol?!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 8, 2010 at 5:27 pm

      Haha. Send him this link! And then be extra sweet to him (make him cheesy nachos- that always works for me). Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  31. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    January 8, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    Very pretty! I think I might pick up a bouquet while Im at the store this weekend…

    Reply
  32. Avatar for BarbaraBarbara says

    January 8, 2010 at 6:03 pm

    The green spider mums have always been my favorite! They go with everything and last forever!! Looks beautiful with yellow too.
    ___
    Barbara
    http://ifididnthaveasenseofhumor.blogspot.com

    Reply
  33. Avatar for Emily DykstraEmily Dykstra says

    January 8, 2010 at 6:44 pm

    Hi, Young House Love,

    I’ve been following your blog for about a month now and love your ideas. I’m particularly excited about when le bebe comes for you. Life with littles is fun. Challenging at times, but totally fun.

    Funny you should ask about flowers… I came up with my child-friendly version of flowers (read: thrives on neglect) in my most recent post. Thought you’d like a looksie:

    http://cookiecutterhouse.blogspot.com/2010/01/sanctuary.html

    Emily Dykstra

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 8, 2010 at 7:26 pm

      Love it! Thanks for the link. Child-friendly flowers will sound pretty good to us come May…

      xo,
      s

  34. Avatar for Molly RosedaleMolly Rosedale says

    January 8, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    I could look at your kitchen all day! Love it.

    Reply
  35. Avatar for eldubeldub says

    January 8, 2010 at 7:56 pm

    I daren’t declare my house holiday ready until I’ve whipped up what I think is the world’s prettiest fresh flower decor: I fill three stemless martini glasses with fresh cranberries and water and then poke in as many white roses or white carnations to fill – two dozen of each is more than enough. Simple, easy, cheap (especially with the carnations) and super-classy!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for NatalieNatalie says

    January 9, 2010 at 8:39 am

    My husband and I have been married for 5 years and my favorite flowers are “just because” flowers. At any given points during the year, he’ll show up with a bouquet for me just because. They’re typically a cheap bouquet from the grocery store, but the fact that they’re unexpected makes them my favorite of all.

    Reply
  37. Avatar for East EndEast End says

    January 9, 2010 at 8:49 am

    I’m so lucky to have a huge camilla bush over here in the east end. It blooms all winter long so I always have beautiful pink camillas in the house.

    Reply
  38. Avatar for JeanetteJeanette says

    January 9, 2010 at 10:51 am

    Alstroemerias are one of our favorites, too. Even here in Arizona, they last up to 10-14 days if they were purchased very fresh, which is easy with a nearby Trader Joe’s. Daffodils when they are in season are lovely. Our very favorite, by far, are orchids. They last for months, and we’ve even gotten a few to rebloom.

    Reply
  39. Avatar for KellyKelly says

    January 9, 2010 at 11:25 am

    Hi! I saw Beth’s post above about Nate’s show. I don’t have cable either and love to watch it online! I can’t find it though. Is he on HGTV?

    Thanks,
    Kelly

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 9, 2010 at 11:28 am

      Hey Kelly,

      We’re not sure what channel/network will host Nate’s show but here’s a press release about it: http://www.popeater.com/2009/12/16/nate-berkus-becomes-latest-oprah-spawn/

      More info is probably right around the corner so we’ll keep an ear out!

      xo,
      s

  40. Avatar for HattieHattie says

    January 9, 2010 at 12:06 pm

    I love these colors together! After Christmas, I’m always so ready for spring to hurry up and get here, so like you, I also have some perky yellow blooms in my kitchen http://littleredroost.blogspot.com/2010/01/sprinkle-of-spring.html Some are real and some are pretty fabric blossoms I stuck on cool twiggy branches. Thanks so much for showing something pretty and springy rather than cold and snowflakey. Here’s to Richmond warming up a little next week!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for LorenaLorena says

    January 9, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    Oh, I love fresh flowers. I try to always have them in my home. I especially love the alstromenias ~ they will usually last 2 weeks=)

    Reply
  42. Avatar for VivViv says

    January 10, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    I like the bouquets and how you’ve broken them up, but I really love how you put them in an unexpected spot for a double surprise.

    Reply
  43. Avatar for VivViv says

    January 10, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    I forgot to mention something that might come in handy as forced bulbs are blooming indoors right now. I often find that daffodils, especially, start to fall over once they bloom. I walked by a green grocer yesterday that had lots of pots of bulbs (Vancouver has fabulous green grocers with flowers out front) and had placed twigs with little branches horizonally across the arrangement to help hold it up. It looked so fresh and springlike.

    Reply
  44. Avatar for CherylCheryl says

    January 10, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    I <3 grocery store flowers – so inexpensive, and I always separate them into different vases b/c they give you so many in a bunch. They also last quite awhile I've found, except sunflowers. Love the site:)

    Reply
  45. Avatar for Wendy @ A Southern AccentWendy @ A Southern Accent says

    January 10, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    I was flipping throgh a magazine at Lowe’s today and saw a pictre of your living room in it! I recognized it immediately! It was a special issue on small spaces or something…wasn’t sure if you’d seen it or not, but they listed your site in it too!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 10, 2010 at 11:48 pm

      Thanks, Wendy! We got the tip on that special edition called Big Style for Small Space a few days ago and picked up a copy for ourselves recently. Guess they picked up the photo from our Do It Yourself spread from last year. Here’s a link to the page if anyone else is interested in checking it out: https://www.younghouselove.com/wp-content/uploads/press/BHG-Big-Style-Inside.jpg

      We highly recommend the issue too – lots of great tips in there!

      -John

  46. Avatar for adhocmomadhocmom says

    January 11, 2010 at 6:14 am

    Pretty, pretty . . .
    http://www.adhocmom.com

    Reply
  47. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    January 11, 2010 at 9:13 am

    Either Stargazer lilies (we can get a bunch for $10 at our local Wegman’s), Gerber daisies or some colorful Carnations. I’ve had carnations that lasted 3+ weeks before and at $5 a bunch it works nicely.

    Reply
  48. Avatar for Lyndsy@ L Kae Interiors[email protected] L Kae Interiors says

    January 11, 2010 at 10:59 am

    I think it is so important to add some fresh flowers to your life, especially in these cold, dreary winter months!! The bright colors look great with the mercury. I love using Spider Mums and Star Gazer Lilies! You can split up a bunch of lilies, and with one bloom in each room, your whole house can smell wonderful for days! I am lucky to have a farmers market by my house that you can buy a bunch for $5.99! Thanks for the post!

    Reply
  49. Avatar for amyamy says

    January 15, 2010 at 10:29 am

    Hey Sherry & John-

    My local news this morning had a segment in the weekly “Greenthumb” about growing Paperwhites! Immediately thought of everyone here! Here’s the link!

    http://www.wzzm13.com/news/specials/greenthumb_story.aspx?storyid=117499&catid=64

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 15, 2010 at 10:35 am

      Thanks Amy! Off to check it out…

      xo,
      s

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
*This site contains ads and affiliate links*
See our disclaimer & privacy policy to learn more

Latest Finds

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

SHOP OUR LIGHTING

Young House Love Shades Of Light Capiz Chandelier

GET POSTS BY EMAIL

We’re Digging

Traditional Rug
The “Magic” Rug
Smokeless Solo Stove Firepit
Smokeless Firepit
Woven Storage Ottoman
Storage Ottoman
Subtle Pink Rug
Our Bedroom Rug
Blue Air 211 Air Purifier
Our Air Purifiers
Faux Potted Olive Tree
Faux Olive Tree
Kohler Memoirs Toilet
Our Favorite Toilet
Soft Striped Rug
Soft Striped Rug
SEE MORE OF OUR FAVORITE FINDS > >

  • About
  • FAQs
  • Press
  • Contact
  • :)

© 2023 Young House Love ® · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · A Fun Wordpress theme on Genesis Framework · Hosted by Liquid Web