Sunday, April 11, 2010

Blooms, Blooms and more Blooms

I'm posting late today.  It's Sunday evening and the first time all weekend I've found some free time to get my weekly post done.  (and I still have to catch up on all my favorite blogs...)  Why?  Well, I went shopping out of town all day yesterday with one of my clients.  We were looking for some bedroom lamps for her new home.  We did find some really beautiful ones. Two with turquoise shades and two with orange bases.  They are stunning!!!  I know they are going to look so wonderful in her new home, which I can't wait to share her home with you.  It's almost done just a bit more tiling and decorating to be completed.


I'm inspired today with ... Blooms.  I also found the most beautiful books...perfect for my coffee table.  Actually, Kate spied them first and we both had to have them.  She's a very good shopper!!!  And has a terrific eye.  Thank you Kate ;)  This book is simply titled Blooms... by photographer Ron Van Dongen.  The images inside are absolutely strikingly gorgeous with such equisite detail and colour.  And did I mention oh so wonderfully beautiful?

"I love flowers anyday of the week is fine"  SS

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Todi’
 
Tulipa ' Bonsoir' 

I took this image off his website since me photographing or scanning a page out of my new book does not do anywhere near the justice his images deserve.   Each opened page has the official name of the flower and then the beautiful flower beside.  http://www.ronvandongen.com/  His website and works are as stunning as his books.  I urge you to go have a look and then go get any of his collection of printed books.  He is amazingly talented.


I found not one but two of his books.  This is the second one I bought A Bloom a Day.  And there are several more but they weren't available.



Aptly titled, it has a birthday fortune and a flower for every day of the year.  The one on the right is my date. 

Tulipa 'Pink Parrot' (Tulip)

The slightly ruffled edges of the 'Pink Parrot' tulip represent your ability to bring calm to heated situations.  With your nuturing nature and your unselfish love you make a perfect partner.  You have a fascination with the finer things in life, which may need watching in case of overindulgence.

I think I have some work to do on myself... However I remain absolutely facinated with flowers.  Every good stylist/decorator knows flowers make the rooms we photograph and decorate come to life.

 
An excerpt from the latest edition, May 2010 of Style at Home magazine.  (also sitting on my coffee table)Such a beautiful image.  That table looks so pretty with those lovely green blooms.  And I quote " Colour palettes borrowed from nature are a breath of fresh air for any room".  So very, very true.


Green carnations from my diningroom table.  Normally it's tulips this time of year but the grocery store was out of them last weekend, mine are nowhere near being able to cut so I snagged these pretty spring green blooms instead.  And the thing about carnations is they last... like forever!  I'm very picky about my arrangements too.  I like my flowers to be 1. All the same colour if using a variety of species or 2. All the same flowers all the same colour.  No mixed bouquets for me.  I'm just that way.


Have I ever mentioned that I live right beside a greenhouse operation?  Yes, it's true.  My driveway borders not one but a series of nine greenhouses.  It is a long driveway...  and my view in the spring and summer is lovely, amazing, and fresh!!! 


Spring and Summer is when the greenhouses come alive.  And the back doors facing my driveway are always open to let out the heat.  This is the Geranium greenhouse today.  It is the closest one to my house.


The next one has the Lilies, Hostas and other perennial favorites.


On closer inspection, at this stage, they look like little palm trees... missing my yearly trip south right about now...


The Hostas look nice and healthy.  I wonder if there is a sale, tonight at midnight?  lol.



I don't know what these little seeding are but it should become obvious in another couple of weeks.  This is the nursery with all the baby annuals.


And lastly here is a little peek of my spring garden.  My tulips are popping up ever so slowly... it is PEI afterall and though we're enjoying an early spring we haven't quite caught up with the rest of Canada.   

Thanks for reading.  Have a great week!
Susan 

7 comments:

DesignTies said...

You're so lucky to live right next to a greenhouse!! It must be so beautiful when all their plants are in bloom :-)

Speaking of blooms... LOVE the Blooms books. The photos are stunning. Blue hydrangeas are my favourite :-)

My tulips are about the same size as yours. I just noticed buds on some of them today.

Be sure to pop by our blog and enter our giveaway to win one of Matt's paintings and help support his Art for Life Campaign :-)

Kelly

Unknown said...

Great Spring time inspiration here, makes me want to run outside and pick some flowers!

A Room For Everyone said...

The green carnations are amazing. I must find out if they're available here. Rxx

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

That book has some gorgeous photos - I'll have to have a look out for it. I'm with you on how inspiring blooms are. I'm happy to see the return of flowers on fabric, cushions, drapes etc.

Maria Killam said...

Those are so beautiful! Can't wait to see the lamps in the setting!

Unknown said...

I love flowers. This time of year is so awesome. Everyone is posting gorgoeus pics of spring. i just love it!

Donna @ Paisley and Perspective said...

Oh - a girl after my own heart! I love blooms and especially love taking pictures of them - 90% of what is on my digital camera is blooms - the other 10% are my dogs. Pretty sad huh - no children or family!

Those books look great, I'll have to check out Chapters the next time I'm there! Although my coffee table may sag with the weight of yet more books :)!

And my flowers are the same - one colour and when possibl one flower!