Growing up in Holland, MI, every May the town was absorbed in preparation and celebration of Tulip Time. This annual festival celebrates the Dutch culture of the founding settlers and every year massive fields of tulips bloom and wooden shoes are retrieved from storage. Being neither Dutch nor prone to enjoy historical festivals as a child, I grew up annoyed at the very site of a tulip. But now as an adult, geographically removed from the claustrophobic tourist crowds of Tulip Time, these bulbs now have a soft spot for me as a harbinger of springtime. One of the more interesting anecdotes about tulips and the Dutch was Tulip Mania, a period where tulips, imported from Persia, were so wildly popular that they had economic impact. From wikipedia: Tulip mania (Dutch: tulpenmanie) was a period during the Dutch Golden Age when contract prices for some bulbs of the recently introduced and fashionable tulip reached extraordinarily high levels, with the major acceleration starting in 1634 and then dramatically collapsing in February 1637. It is generally considered to have been the first recorded speculative bubble or asset bubble in history. In many ways, the tulip mania was more of a then-unknown socio-economic phenomenon than a significant economic crisis. It had no critical influence on the prosperity of the Dutch Republic, which was one of the world's leading economic and financial powers in the 17th century, with the highest per capita income in the world from about 1600 to about 1720.[4][5][6] The term "tulip mania" is now often used metaphorically to refer to any large economic bubble when asset prices deviate from intrinsic values." That does sound somewhat familiar to something(bitcoin). Born from this mania was a unique vessel to display these valuable blooms, the Dutch Tulip Vase, also called a Pyramid Vase. Tulip vases can be round, square or oval and they are made in different sizes; the big ones have multiple floors and consist of loose stackable sections. At every level of the vase, one can insert flowers into each of the spouts. The big tulip vases were used to decorate the hearth during the summer and the smaller vases would be placed on the table on a festive occasion. Here are a few of my favorites: If you have any interest in acquiring one of your own, Etsy has quite a few options, or you can get one modeled after those in the Rijksmuseum at their gift shop.
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As we head into the deeper days of winter, I think it is so important to surround yourself with reminders that spring will return. For me, plants and florals are the best reminders, and we are approaching prime bulb season. Although forcing bulbs indoors may make the plant go dormant after it blooms, and therefore unlikely to thrive in your garden, for an apartment dweller with a somewhat black thumb I feel no guilt. I get to enjoy watching it grow and blossom, and when my poor plant maintenance starts to wither the blossoms it's almost already spent anyways. While red amaryllis are definitely very Christmas-y, they do come in other shades. I am partial to a big shallow bowl filled with white blooms, it looks like spring has been served on your coffee table. I like this little tableau where they used both amaryllis and paperwhites, in winter white. Amaryllis give the height and drama, while the paperwhites and a delicate touch and an incredible fragrance. The rough terracotta pot and the earthenware dish are also classic containers if you are going for a more "English cottage" look, which who am I kidding, is all I am ever after.
This Floral Friday is a little different. Instead of featuring a florist or type of flower, I wanted to share how to use florals (and loads of greenery!) in Christmas decor without it looking like a mall display. Neidpath Castle in the Scottish Borders is a perfect example of how to make your home look festive without filling it with poinsettias. And, of course, we have to have a peek into all the castle rooms! Now occupied by Lulu Benson and her family, the Scottish castle is currently in use as a venue and vacation rental. Lulu has an artistic background as a framer and boutique retail owner, and uses that creative energy in her home. Pictured above is Lulu and her daughter on their way to collect winter greenery from the arboretum. I would like to have an arboretum filled with foliage for picking. Her two little spaniels are called Truffle and Twiglet. Read on to see how she uses her foraged goods to create a magical Christmas scene.
This Dutch Masters inspired wedding is the perfect transitional color palette into fall. Rusts, yellows, and luscious fruits combine for a decedent spread. While this may be inspiration for a wedding, I would love to see this as inspiration for an autumnal dinner party. I'd use pears in the arrangements and serve it alongside a pear and walnut salad.
Photography: Holly Carlisle Photography | Florals: Sarah Ryhanen + Nicolette Owen of Little Flower School Brooklyn Even though we are at the peak of fresh garden florals, there is still appeal in their dried versions. Maintenance free and a way to add texture, dried floral arrangements can be a simple way to bring in natural elements long term. These aren't your grandma's fussy faux arrangements. Focus on only natural dried elements in loose organic bunches. Paired with a bougie candle on a mantle will achieve peak french girl vibes.
Forsythia is one of the first plants to bloom after winter. Hardy and vibrant, the golden blossoms are fleeting so grab the stems while you can! I remember sneaking around the neighborhood late at night with scissors in my hand to snip a branch or two off a neighbor’s bush. They are lovely for adding structure in an arrangement with other spring flowers, or alone in a vase, especially a blue and white Chinese style pottery.
As it feels like the end of the world, how about we go to the Farm at the World’s End? This escape is the home to artist Sarah Ryhanen. Sarah is the founder of Saipua, studio that focuses on farming, soap making, and wool crafts. Her farm in upstate New York and it looks absolutely idyllic.
Just a quick hit of inspiration today: the lovely bedroom of CollardManson, with a Swallows and Damsons bouquet, photographed by India Hobson. Gorgeous textures, a subtle but rich color palette, and a mixture of ornate and streamline. Beautiful.
When I first moved to Chicago I lived in Wicker Park, it was very different a decade ago, grittier and cheaper. And nestled in between the bars and thrift stores was a shop called Asrai Garden. It was like a magical oasis, filled with flowers, beautiful soaps, and taxidermy. In winter, when everything was bleak and grey, I would stop in just to envelope myself in the flowers and plants. Years later Asrai Garden continues to inspire and has even opened a second location in the West Loop. What I appreciate most about their floral design in their use of texture and less common florals. A simple color palette is taken to the next level when every stem is varied and interesting in itself.
If you are ever in Chicago I highly recommend stopping in one of their locations and taking it all in. You will absolutely feel transported to some gothic fairytale. Anna Potter is the founder of Swallows & Damsons, a floral studio in Sheffield. I love her use of color, the palettes tend to be more muted than vibrant, and it gives her arrangements a more naturalistic feel. She does a ton of editorial work, and if you’ve even seen a beautiful tablescape in a magazine it’s very likely she was involved. Her Instagram is full of charming shots of her shop and lots of lush florals. Absolutely worth the follow for some floral inspiration.
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