From the Archives - January 2016 - Pink Spring Flowers

This post is part of a new blog series called 'From the Archives'. It will be previously posted blog posts that I feel are still relevant for some reason or another. 

It will always be a post from the same calendar month as we are in or it could be some of my favourite flowers from the same season - that still lifts my spirit. 

Flowers are so ephemeral - but their beauty caught on camera never fades.........!!

It's a very pink bunch for the weekend this week - a bunch of pale pink tulips, some small pink gerbera, a bunch of bright pink ranunculus and some beautiful and very pink hyacinths.

As a vase I used a small vintage pickling jar - this one has a funny little strawberry and some lettering in the glass. It has tall straight sides and I also needed something that had a wide opening but that would hold the flowers in a compact shape.

I was also looking for something that would raise the arrangement off the table and I thought a pail of books would do the trick. On my bookshelves I found six books that all had pink spines to match the pink flowers.  

I also added a piece of chevron pink and white fabric, a small pink vase and a large vintage pink and green floral patterned bowl in the background.

  

 I have chosen flowers within a very tight colour palette - but the flowers are very different in size, shape and texture to still give a varied and interesting arrangement. 

It's such a pleasure and privilege to be able to have access to beautiful flowers at this time of year. A time of year when the weather is still dark, grey, cold and rainy even snow outside our windows - so what a treat to have flowers to arrange, style and photograph!

I hope this might have inspired you to find some flowers in a monochrome colour scheme and make an arrangement for the weekend.

Have a lovely floral weekend! 

xoxo Ingrid

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 113 - Pink Peonies

It's Friday and it's time for 'A Bunch for the Weekend' - we all look forward to the weekend and want to make it feel special. A bunch of colourful as well as beautiful flowers will bring life to a space and create a warm and welcoming feeling.

Here is a little "statement" that I add - to briefly explain my thinking behind these particular posts:

"It's always a pleasure and lots of fun to buy a bunch of flowers for the weekend and in this series of blog posts, called 'A Bunch for the Weekend', I will show you how you can make quick and easy flower arrangements for your home. 

Buy the flowers wherever it's convenient, easy and most affordable for you whether that is from a flower stall, farmers' market, the supermarket or a florist. 

Always try to buy seasonal flowers - they will last longer and they will be a lot cheaper.

Make sure you condition the flowers as soon as you get home. Remove any foliage that will end up below the waterline in the vase. Trim the ends of the stems at an angle and put in fresh water as soon as possible."

The peony is probably one of the most loved flowers and that is often based on that when you ask people what their favourite flower is - the answer is often - "Peony".

Peony season is here and it will last well into early summer. 

Blowsy, big double peonies are just lovely on their own as they have so much instant impact. Leave as much of the foliage as possible - it has a lovely lush, dark green colour but is often overlooked. 

You can also mix them with Alchemilla mollis or why not try them mixed with stock flowers, sweet peas or sweet williams.

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral weekend!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be here on Sunday morning - with another floral quote by someone passionate about flowers.

I'm looking forward to seeing you back here then.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Flowers: A bunch of bright pink peonies -  from my favourite street flower stall in north west London.]

[Vase/Container: A large clear glass pickling jar - bought at one of the many antique markets in London.]

[Other props: Vintage large bowl bought in Sweden at one of the many 'loppis' - the equivalent to flea market in the USA or car boot sale in the UK - from stylist's own prop collection.]

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

*****

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 400 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and boards showing how to arrange flowers. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Creative with Flowers - # 34 - Pink Ranunculus

The Ranunculus is one of the loveliest and is also an extremely popular spring flowers. It has layers and layers of delicate petals and comes in many different colours and varieties.

This is a little "statement" that I add to the post - briefly explaining my thinking behind the posts:

"This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!"

Ranunculus are available from about October to April or May. When you buy them avoid buying flowers in tight bud - they usually never open up. Instead select flowers where the buds show colour.

Make sure to give them enough time to fully open up. They take a few days - so plan ahead if you are going to use them for a special occasion. 

The container I have used as a vase is a French vintage enamelled milk churn. It's decorated with hand painted lines and dots in two different blue colours.

I picked out three little vintage bottles in the same matching blue colour as on the milk churn. These bottles has such a lovely colour when the light shines through them. Worth keeping an eye out for similar at car boot sales or flea markets.

For this arrangement I have removed all the foliage - it tends to not be very nice anyway. The hollow and delicate stems tend to be prone to rot - so handle with care and put in shallow water.

The black ikat fabric is from Mexico - an interesting contrast to the vintage props and the deep pink flowers.

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Wednesday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Friday with another 'A Bunch for the Weekend' all about how to make a lovely bunch of flowers to enjoy over the weekend. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you back here then.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]
[Flowers: From my local flower stall in North London.]
[Vase/Container: French vintage enamelled milk churn.]

*****

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 000 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Creative with Flowers - # 33 - Romantic Tulips

In this weeks 'Creative with Flowers I'm featuring some pretty pink and white tulips mixed with Genista or broom as it's also called. 

Yes, I know it's tulips once again. They are so hard to resist!

This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!

This romantic combination of tulips and broom presented itself at the flower stall and I was very keen to try it out. 

Genista or broom is a sweet scented shrub with long slender leafless branches covered with tiny pea-shaped flowers. 

The Genista adds a delicate outline to the chunkier shape of the tulips.

It works very well to mix tulips with cut branches from a wide variety of shrubs. 

Here are a few suggestions: pussy willow, mimosa, cherry blossoms, Kerria japonica, birch tree branches, Ilex berries or use as I've done here some lovely broom. 

The props are like usual a mix of vintage and new - vintage apothecary jar, old worn silver plated little oval tray. 

The linen runner is new and so is the pair of scissors.

These tulips has an unusual colouring on the petals - feathered pink edges and a soft yellow on the outside of the petals but more of a cream colour inside.

Again it's a quick and easy arrangement that is also soft and romantic!!

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous floral Wednesday!

Thanks you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer'. I will be back on Friday with 'A Bunch for the Weekend'. I'll see you then.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right and an email will come right into your inbox.

*****

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I have just over 12 000 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, floral styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Creative with Flowers - # 29 - Pink Christmas

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' - I'm featuring pretty pink Hyacinths. It's such a great long lasting flower for this time of year whether it's as cut flowers or as planted bulbs. 

This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!

Here are some alternative colour combinations than the usual colours we associate with Christmas. 

Nothing wrong with red, green and white but some years I feel like trying something new and different.

So here is a pink, white, grey and green colour scheme. 

Four different containers - all within the colour scheme but of various shape, size and age. 

A little bowl of vintage Christmas tree baubles very simply displayed. I love the one with the smiling face!

The two grey and white fabrics reminds me of snowflakes and grey skies - a typical December day in Sweden. 

I like old vintage bottles with writing on them, fabrics or old sacks with printed logos or like here metal and porcelain plates with numbers.

I have left the little bulb bit at the bottom of the stems and most of the leaves - only removed any that was damaged. I used a large florist bucket with very wide opening so no issues with not being able to fit in all the stems including the bulb bit. 

Really the perfect quick and easy flower for this time of year when everybody is busy organising for the festive season.  

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous floral Wednesday!

Thanks you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer'. I will be back later in the week with more floral delights. I'll see you then.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right and an email will come right into your inbox.

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I have just over 200 boards all relating to flowers, floral styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Creative with Flowers - # 27 - Pink Tulips

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' - I'm featuring a bunch of bright pink double tulips. A great flower for this time of year especially if you don't keep them too warm.

This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!

The two main colours in the colour scheme are pink and blue with a bit of grey mixed in. There are also a mixture of vintage and new. Contemporary with just a small selection of old antiques. 

Tulips will last longer if you are able to put them somewhere cool at night and during the day in the house keep them away from radiators, fires, electronics that generate heat and out of the sun.

The small cups that I'm using as candle holders for some tea-lights are by the Swedish potter Lotta Zerrander. Whenever I'm in Sweden I always visit her workshop in the south of Sweden in an area called Österlen. In conjunction to her home and workshop she also has a shop and a beautiful gallery. It's all converted from an old Swedish farm that is lovely and very charming.

Not only can you use her little cups as candle holders but also as cups for tea or coffee or at this time of year for hot glögg. I also often use them as vases for small bunches of flowers.

Tulips continue to grow after they are cut, so to allow for the change in height you can cut the stems a bit shorter than you would normally do. Then just enjoy the growth and seeing the flowers opening up is a pleasure to watch.

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Thursday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer'. I will be back later in the week with more floral delights. I'll see you then.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right and an email will come right into your inbox.

For more floral inspiration you can follow me on:

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 90 - Pink Hydrangea II

In this week's A Bunch for the Weekend I'm using the same Hydrangea flowers as in last Wednesday's blog post.

Only this time using a different vase and I'm also using a lot of dark and moody colours.

 It's always a pleasure and lots of fun to buy a bunch of flowers for the weekend and this series of blog posts, called 'A Bunch for the Weekend, will show you how you can make quick and easy flower arrangements for your home. 

Buy the flowers where it's convenient and easy for you whether that is from a flower stall, farmers' market, the supermarket or a florist. 

Always try to buy seasonal flowers - they will be a lot cheaper.

Make sure you condition the flowers as soon as you get home. Remove any foliage that will end up below the waterline in the vase. Trim the ends of the stems at an angle and put in fresh water as soon as possible.

I'm using the same stunningly beautiful pink and light blue Hydrangea blossoms as in my last blog post. I wanted to do something different but using the same flowers so instead of using matching colours, clear glass and keeping the feeling light and fresh. 

This time I have gone dark, very dark by using a lot of black. I wanted to create a dark and moody feel to the whole arrangement.

The only things that are not black are the flowers, the foliage and the big vase. 

As a background I have used a large cushion with a textured black fabric and leaning against is is a vintage small black picture frame. 

The fabric I have used as a tablecloth is black ikat fabric from Mexico.

The big white vase is from a local charity store - a frequent source for many of my vases and containers. When I need a change I often donate them back to the charity stores in my neighbourhood.  

The black metal plate with the funny curved knife is a present from my mother-in-law. Scattered on the plate and to the side is a selection of vintage buttons, beads and belt buckles.

The black little cup/vase with white lines is by a wonderful Swedish potter called Lotta Zerrander who lives and works in an area called Österlen, a beautiful part of Sweden. 

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral weekend!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Sunday with another Florets a floral quote by someone passionate about flowers. 

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

For more floral inspiration you can follow me on:

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Florets - Floral Quote - # 125 - by Jane Eastoe

"Older than we are but younger than dinosaurs, the rose has been linked with human beings across many millennia. It has inspired artists, sculptors, writers and poets, and is the subject of myth and legend. The rose can hint at political affiliation, sporting loyalty, national pride, beauty, virtue, romantic yearning, love, sex and secrecy, and it is also heavy with religious symbolism.Famous as a fragrance, used as a culinary flavouring and a source of vitamin C, and believed to have medicinal and therapeutic properties, the rose is one of our oldest cultivated flowers."

~ Jane Eastoe ~ 

[Jane Eastoe: British, journalist, gardener and author of many books covering books on the subject of the outdoors - such as National Trust Book of the Countryside and the bestseller Hen Keeping.]

[Quote from: Vintage Roses by Jane Eastoe (2016).]

[Photography: All the stunning photographs throughout the book are by Georgianna Lane.]

[Flowers: Unknown vintage pink rose.]

[Photography © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer.]

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Sunday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer - I will be back tomorrow with another Floral Media.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Styling and photography © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right and an email will come right into your inbox.

For more floral inspiration you can follow me on:

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson