Remember I shared my first of the year flowers a little while back (a sweet monthly gift from the hubs)? You may recall that they had a bit of New Year’s sparkle thanks to a cake stand full of gleaming silver ornaments…
… but I mentioned that in a week or so I’d retire those and fill the pedestal with something a bit less holiday-focused. In all honestly I figured it would be something naughty (cupcakes, cookies, brownies?) but somehow we resisted that tooth-rotting stuff (maybe it’s the whole we-regret-our-holiday-gluttony syndrome that hits each January) and filled our clam shell fruit bowl nearby to the brim with apples, oranges, pears, avocados and other healthy fare. Which freed up the cake stand for something else. So I’m back to share my remixed little $4 blooms (all of which are still going strong) with their new is-it-spring-yet? spin.
Actually the blooms are in the very same mercury glass votive holders but the pedestal is sporting a quirky little collection of faux fruit. From white ceramic pears (which were also there amid the ornaments) to a big glossy green one… and even a gleaming bunch of grapes and one non edible item just for a shot of pale purple (an urchin I got for 25 cents at the beach a while back)- we seemed to have a surprising abundance of non-edible fruit laying around. So I grouped it together on the pedestal and called it a day.
It certainly adds a shot of bright and cheerful color to our usually soft and subdued kitchen. And it’s the best kind of color- the no commitment kind. Instead of painting the walls a bright yellow tone, try plopping some punchy flowers/accessories on the counter and see how much of a room-brightener they can be! Now if only sunnier skies would blow in. Soon…
What are you guys whipping out to replace all of that holiday decor? Anyone reaching for cheerful spring stuff even though it’s still January? 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.
Hi,
hmm, looks like spring… great rearrangement. It just started snowing again here in germany last night and it seems it won’t stop till next monday… the perfect time for some color at home.
In fact, I just removed all the holiday decor yesterday. I used to be sad when I had to do this because everything seemed to be so empty, but this time I realized that all the space freed by removing the christmas stuff can be nice too – no clutter, free windowsills… so I think I will wait a bit until I introduce new colorful spring decor.
As an FYI, I found your white ceramic pears at marshalls a few months ago (of course I had to buy them) and I was also able to find a white ceramic strawberry and an apple!! I am looking forward to using them in my spring and fall decor! I am hooked on white ceramic decorations!
No way! That’s where we got our ceramic pears too (or possibly TJ Maxx, but they often have the same stock). Bummer we missed out on the strawberry and the apple- we’ll have to keep our eyes open!
xo,
s
We haven’t whipped out the spring stuff yet, but I’m certainly itching to get to it! Currently I have lots of texture, creamy colors and wintery whites mixed with punches of red berries. It feels inside like it looks outside- pretty, white and a bit sparse. :-)
Beautiful display, by the way! My husband and I collect pears. Our entire wedding incorporated pears, including the bouqets and I promise it wasn’t tacky!
I just finished taking down our Christmas decor this weekend. My hubby had been out of town for work and I got him some flowers for when I picked him up at the airport (with a little selfish reasoning that I wanted to colorful spring-ness in the apt!) However, I know although it’s warmish and rainy right now, we’ll get more snow and cold before spring is really here. I want to put out some different just winter decor that’s not Christmas, but I’m not sure what yet. But it really brightens up the place to have some fresh flowers around!
I’m still loving the neutral, understated winter decor. Spring is at least two months ago, so I am embracing what I love about winter: calm, serene, snowflakes, and lots of indoor crafts. Maybe I’ll even get a headstart on homemade gifts for next Christmas! ;-)
I am loving the colors you guys are using – so simple and beautiful!
i have to say i’m very impressed at how well the flowers have lasted…they look beautiful.
I was just at Michael’s yesterday, checking out their new spring decor, and I would swear they’ve been reading your blog! :) Beautiful white ceramic vases and pitchers, and the cutest little white ceramic birds. I could have moved into that aisle! You should check it out if you have a Michael’s near you.
Hey Carolyn,
Thanks so much for the Michael’s tip! We were actually there yesterday night but ran straight to the aisle with the iron on hem tape and forgot to check out the decorative stuff. Boo! We’ll have to swing by again soon!
xo,
s
Question for you guys. I like your bamboo blinds and I know you said you got them at Walmart but they currently do not have anything the length I need (windows are 94″ wide) and I don’t particularly care for Lowe’s/Home Depot’s selection. Any thoughts?
Hey Carrie,
Here’s a post full of decor items and our favorite sources for them: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/01/our-go-to-list-of-go-to-sources/
Hopefully it’ll give you more ideas on where to track down bamboo blinds (although Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Walmart are pretty much our go-to places). You might want to try Target too!
xo,
s
just noticed your “tweet nothings”…we do that with our puppy, Elvis, all the time..well, whenver are papertowels run out – we have the paper tube leftover and we say commands thru it to Elvis who stares at funny and they gets in hyper doggy mood and runs around us barking! lol – good times :-)
You should definitely try it with a long fabric bolt tube. Great acoustics! And speaking of that long fabric bolt, it means we’re making progress on the nursery. Wahoo! Stay tuned…
xo,
s
I was recently struggling with what sort of seasonal decor was appropriate for post holiday/not yet spring. Finally decided to embrace winter with some cool blues, snowflake embroidered dishtowels, fluffy throws, and some creamy porcelain bud vases and French candy jars on the cake stand. I am also a sucker for tea lights and votives in any season.
I like the rearrangement, especially love the white ceramic pears.
Flowers really make a difference – and its something I need to learn as my mom did not believe in “wasting” money on them growing up! Can I ask the model number of your microwave? I’ve been looking for one that doesn’t sit on a counter for our renovation. Thanks!
Hey Cindy,
Our microwave is a Frigidaire from “The Professional Series” that we purchased at the end of 2007 when we redid our kitch. Don’t know the model number though. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
i love your idea! its encouraging to see you enjoying pretty things like flowers and still be realistic about prices…..i love flowers, and being a newlywed and on a tight budget reading about these things inspires me :)
Looks great! I keep a few of the less “Christmasy” items, like wreaths, up for awhile longer (evergreen and berries are winter, regardless, I think), but now that the ornaments and ribbons are gone, I’ve decided to decorate with books. I figure that it’ll inspire us to grab a book and snuggle up in the dead of winter rather than rely on the TV, plus it gets our favorites out from dusty bookcases for friends and family to see. You can learn a lot about a couple by their selection in books! :-)
Ok, what is your secret for such long lasting blooms?!?!
Tip #1: We usually try to select blooms like these that we know will last (after a year of monthly flowers we figured out which ones will go the distance). You can check out the links on the bottom of the post to see other flowers we tried on for size.
Tip #2: Change the water frequently and recut the stems a bit (at an angle) when you do.
That’s it! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
My idea of winter decor so far has been pink poinsettias, but I’ve moved on to hyacinths and am pretending spring is around the corner (http://marcelnme.blogspot.com/). Already loving that the days are getting longer and keeping warm watching the first 3 seasons of Friday Night Lights with it’s Texas landscapes.
yippy! here’s hoping the nursery posts start this week??!!!
Yup! Stay tuned for the beginning details tomorrow!
xo,
s
i’m so excited! can’t wait.
I love the lotus flower candle.
Your new arrangement looks really cute! Who knew white ceramic pears could be used in so many ways?! Have you guys done any other winter-type decorating around your house?
Well, we took down all our Christmas stuff a few weeks ago but we’ve been so busy with finishing up the bathroom and starting on the nursery that there hasn’t been much winter-type decorating going on. Just our lovely spring-y flower arrangement in the kitchen to keep us going after long days of tiling or crib-hunting…
xo,
s
Hey Sherry, this isn’t in relation to the post, but the cute white containers you have atop your desk are charming and I was wondering where you purchased them?
Taking a cue from your budget blooms, I purchased a mixed bouquet at Super Target for $9.99. So far it’s lasted a week and I’m hoping to get some more time out of it.
One thing that I thought might be helpful to you is something a saw in Real Simple – packing a bunch of baby’s breath together looks really elegant. I always thought of it as filler but an ABBB (all baby’s breath bouquet) looks awesome, and, I know how you love white.
We do love an all-one-bloom-bouquet! And white does happen to be one of our favorite colors. Thanks for passing that tip along!
xo,
s
Sherry, please ignore my question, I ended up finding the link I was looking for ! Yay ! https://www.younghouselove.com/photo-gallery-2/room-by-room-source-list/
I felt the dreary winter blues after taking all the holiday decor down, and wanted some new flowers too, but when I went to the farmers’ market, I saw the orchid vendor and I bought two! One medium-sized one in a light green / white color, and a 2nd one in a light yellow color. The pastel colors are not too bright and springy, but it was a nice soft pick-me-up. I hope these orchids last… I killed my first orchid last year, and vowed to never try again. But maybe this year will be different! Can’t wait for your nursery posts and more spring-y floral arrangement inspiration.
Just had to say that urchin had me at Hello.
It seems I’ve busted out the green accessories too in a failed attempt to bring spring to the midwest.
I am loving the colors you guys are using – so simple and beautiful!
Sherry, we are redoing our kitchen and one of my great wishes is to get my “mungo” microwave off the counter. I want to replace it with something that would fit like yours in a niche. What kind do you all have, how big is it and how did you arrange your cabinets to accommodate it? (FYI I tried to leave a comment on your FB page, but it gave me an error)
Our microwave is a Frigidaire and it’s meant to be mounted above a stove (so it’s a standard 30″ wide) but instead we mounted it above the cabinets in our little nook since we have a stainless steel exposed range hood that we love over the stove but still wanted our microwave to hang). Then with our free kitchen designer’s help (thanks Home Depot!) she ordered some trim that matches our cabinets to create that built in look on the sides and the bottom. We would just recommend picking up any microwave that’s meant to be mounted above a range and hanging it above a cabinet that’s the same width and using wood trim to try to achieve that built in look. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Thanks, Sherry, That is a great idea. We had limited our search to stand alone micros and at least on kitchen design lady was pushing us to get a $$ in the drawer or built in version. No thank you. It is NITB (not in the budget). I