Hi ladies, it's pouring with rain here and grey so I spent my day foofing around with flowers…not a bad way to spend the day, eh?
I hesitate to tell you that I very rarely come across art that I like enough to put on my walls, which is why dear bloggers, my walls are often startlingly white. I make no apology for that and though I am most definitely of the school of chuck-it-together-and-hope-for-the-best in most areas, when it comes to walls and more importantly, drilled by Frank Spencer Mr Beach Cottage holes in walls I don't like to make mistakes. Which is why I like mirrors and old doors leaning about here and there, an alternative to having to make a decision about art.
However recently on my adventures scouring the beach side for interesting finds I came across a couple of old prints that I actually quite liked the look of and for $2 each I'm hardly thinking that if I don't continue to like them it really matters.
I found these at Vinnies, the day I was crawling around in the plate undergrowth I believe and I rather loved the one with the Chinese writing, it has an incandescent quality to it up close and when I first came across it I had the intention of ripping off the quite plain, almost-horrible frame and just sticking the prints directly to the wall. But when I got it home and examined it a bit more closely I couldn't bring myself to rip apart the framers meticulous handiwork and so for now, this one stays in the frame.
Failing to find anywhere more suitable until I gather a few more of these for a grouped wall-vignette type affair I put them on the floating shelves by the dining table, which people, are floating too much for my liking and beginning to irritate me (let me know if you have had the bright idea to put up two floating shelves and what you put on them – I've tried all sorts with blah results).
And on to flowers, I probably do not need to tell you that I don't go rushing out to the florist's to buy bouquets, not quite the errrm, cash bucket available for that at the moment, but I do buy flowers from the local market often. And with the neutral backdrop it's great to use flowers for pops of colour and I don't know if you've noticed but lately I'm loving the odd drop of pale pink and zap of green to give it all a little lift.
So I decided then that I would try a spot of floristry-DIY and googled all sorts of interesting floral sites and I've been experimenting ever since. Of course, yes, I am enjoying it a lot and yes of course, I should be doing much more important things than learning how to stick flowers in a vase but then there are a lot of things in my life that I should be doing. But don't.
What do you think at my attempts on this one? I was trying to get a kinda casual country feel so I bought some 'Cheer' (gotta love a flower with a name like that) and Wax and picked the rest from the garden and then started to sort of layer and fill…reckon I could get me a job in a florist? I think I could quite get used to that…
Love the casual flower arrangement. Looks like you went for a walk down a lane in the country and gathered them and stuck them in a jug – in a good way!
What a great find. I actually like pictures propped up on a shelf or on the floor, better than nailed to the wall ( don’t we all have that awful problem of drilling holes, only to find that we have drilled them in the wrong place ! )Your flower arranging skills are very good. They look beautiful. XXXX
How fabulous Sarah. I really like the idea of the shelving also. As I tend to rearrange [quite a bit]. Your vinnies finds are lovely. I found a vinnies next to my dentist on my last visit and picked up some great silverware. Will have to check out the prints next time. Once again love your photography. Favourites today are #1 & #2. x Julie
The flowers look great and love the prints. Is it my imagination or are you slowly adding a bit more colour to the cottage? All looks great!
Hello from (not so sunny today) Norway. I simply LOVE your blogg, and the way you write is brilliant and sometimes hillarious
keep it up! Love the flowers. You most def could get a job as a florist – no probs there.
I’ll be watching you…he he he…
Wenche (http://lobeliahjem.blogspot.com/)
Oh, I think you did a wonderful job with the flowers!! I love arranging flowers…and it adds so much to a room! Take care, Caroline
You are so talented…
What a lovely home you have made.
Your flower arrangement is divine!!! Beautiful work!
I see the white painted driftwood thingy made it into the house…. it softens the corner nicely. That would really tempt a kitty cat tho
Your arrangement is perfect. A sweet vintage feel, just like the artwork.
Have a peaceful day.
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment! Your blog is very nice…very crisp and clean feeling. Love your decorating style!
~Patti
Very pretty! I love flowers – wish I could afford them more often too. The local Tesco Metro is as far as my budget stretches LOL. Good idea to top up with greenery from the garden though. I had to laugh at the Frank Spencer reference… I don’t have much on walls either, because I daren’t let OH lose with a drill. I just have some picture hangers that I bashed in with a nail. Anything heavier is leaning against walls. So alike in our decorating efforts
Lovely…every bit of it!! All the best,Chrissy
Just love your style – I look forward to reading all your new posts. I have just started a new personal blog (I have had a work blog for a while which you have very kindly left a comment on) – would love it if you visited the new one. Please let me know what you think.
I love the bouquet on that darling table!
m ^..^
I think you did a great job with that floral arrangement and I love the floral prints you found too!
I really enjoyed your floral display! Its fresh and very charming.
Tell me what that interesting “TALLL” thing is next to the table??
TTFN~~Claudia
The flowers are so beautiful! I love those casual litte arrangements like that. Great job arranging it all. And I love the framed pictures. Very pretty. They’re gonna look so great in your home.
Love the look. Love the pictures propped. The arrangement is great. Thanks for sharing your work.
Have a Great Week.
Sherry
I’m more of a prop it up somewhere kinda gal, I love the fact that you can change things so easily when they are placed like this & I do like to change things around alot!
love
Alison
x
I absolutely love these photos! My dream is to one day own a cottage by the ocean! It’s nice to meet you via SITS!
I think you did a great job! I used to be scared of flower arranging (some people heights, others spiders, me: flower arranging), but lately I’ve found it to be rather relaxing and satisfying. I can’t wait to see more!
I adore those flowers!
Lovely job with the flowers!
I’m so in love with the white little tray table! 
Hugs,
Rachel
Firstly those prints are an absolute steal and I love them. Secondly, I love the floral arrangment. Well done.
Oh lucky you – you have a Frank Spencer – ooh Betty!!
I have a draftsman that has to measure everything and mark it with a fine pencil spot. LOL
Great pictures from Vinnies. The floating shelf is the perfect spot.
Flowers look perfect on the tray.
Don’t forget to enter my Giveaway.
Alison
Alison
I agree with you about the ‘floating shelf’. I think it’s time I take mine down. Can never seem to make it work. Thanks!
Roberta
Your home is so refreshing and peaceful–makes me long for the sea! Love your dark wood floors too. Spending a day arranging flowers sounds like a great use of time to me
Thanks for stopping by my blog to say hello!
Amy
Sarah, I like it alot! I think you succeeded in getting that exact feel with the arrangment. Good job!
XO,
Sheila
Oh how I want the one with the Chinese writing!
beautiful job on the arrangement, sarah!
i love the beveled-edge mirror: on my wish list.
xo
I am delighted that you came over today!!
I giggled when I read this post- I’m not sure what foofing is, but it sounds fun!!!
I do like your flowers. You did a lovely job.
Rhonda
Hi Sweet Sarah! Oh, I like your pictures and the frame holding the Chinese writing print, actually looks rather olden! Love it! I think they look nice on your floating shelves. Now, Dear One, you’re good at arranging flowers! These look so country and cozy! Can flowers look cozy? Why, they sure can!
I’ve entered your name in my giveaway!
be a sweetie,
shelia
Hi Sarah! I’m back. I just need to tell you, I’m a tad nosey and in my short time coming to visit, I’ve just read your Beach Cottage story! How amazing! I’m so glad you actually got to follow your dream! Lots of folks want to do something different in their lives but they don’t have the courage! Congratulations, Dear One, for going for it! I’m so glad I’m getting to know you!
You are a sweetie,
Shelia
Thanks for the comment. Your blog is sooo inspiring and sweet! It’s nice to meet you
They are beautiful! You’re very talented
Sarah thanks for much for your visit. I love love the tray table, the lovely design on the edges is awesome. The pink flower and the oriental writing on the picture is so pretty.
Your blog so peaceful and serene.
Have a fantastic rest of the day!!
Hugs, Nerina
learning how to stick flowers in a vase – well It makes other people happy, like me looking at then if you learn it very well you can start selling flowers…..
/MB – with the neckless in hail.
Oh I love the reference to Frank Spencer – funny, he lives at my house too…. [giggle].
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
The Chinese art work need to be turned 90 degres left, in case you want to place it correctly.
This is ment to be a friendly hint
Good op-shop finds. It sounds so lovely and Victorian doesn’t it? Fiddling with flowers whilst the rain pours down outside. I couldn’t think of a nicer way to spend a rainy day unless it was curled up in bed with a good book and box of chocolates. Actually it’s raining here today and I get to watch my daughter trash the house. What joy and jollies. xx