I hope you are having a lovely Labor Day, and that your are laboring very little.
We started our celebration of the end of summer a little early, with a week on Orcas Island on our way down from Desolation Sound. We had a few guests up to start off the stay and as I was setting up their rooms I realized they needed a bit of greenery, something living and fresh that would complement this rustic setting. I thought about driving to my closest farm stand to pick up some colorful dahlias, but as I walked in the fields and down the rocky road by our cabin I saw so much beautiful greenery, I decided to take advantage of what I had in walking distance, so I kept it very green and very local.
Wherever you are, you don’t need a florist to make your rooms a little more lively, just grab a basket and take a stroll in the woods, on the beach, or down the country road and snip the things that catch your eye.
Along my road I found ferns, pine boughs, Snowberries, lichen covered branches, with a few pinecones still holding on and shiny blackberries at various stages of ripeness, I think my favorites were those that were peridot green.
From garden beds I harvested Euphorbia, Oregano that had gone to seed, a couple of white snapdragons, puffy allium flowers, and a few stems of fragrant Stock, just enough white to accent the verdant collection.
You can pack the greens into any vessel you have handy, for larger bouquets I like using pretty buckets, for smaller bouquets most any glass will do. Whatever vessel you use there is a basic formula for creating an attractive arrangement. After loosely packing in the greens, considering balance, symmetry and shape fill any “holes” with flowers or sprigs of berries. Then distribute the tall branches throughout the arrangement.
I love the challenge of creating arrangements out of things found in nature,
and the chance to bring surrounding nature indoors to enjoy.
I just saw a flock of geese flying overhead, I guess fall is here.
these are the days, I hope you enjoy them.
xo,
Emily, I even like it all tossed in the basket. Great inspiration when the garden has it's end of season blah look – maybe just gathering the best bits and those with texture for contrast and bring it inside to enjoy.
White Glass Babies are good too!
So beautiful, organic and thoughtful. Thanks for sharing these lovely arrangements from nature, Emily.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
~Loi
You conjure up the most wonderful arrangements, they evoke beautiful memories of summers as a child! Thank you xx
Thanks for the tips! I would never have thought to combine all of that together.
Dear Emily you have taught us to enjoy and to open our eyes to our often lovely surroundings! Beautiful arrangements for your guests!
xoxo
Karena
Feature: Entrepreneur Sigal Sasson
Beautiful island. You are right, just grab a basket and take a walk. We are fortunate to have easy access to the San Juan Islands. Just a weekend away is so refreshing. Your selection of greens is lovely.
Love your beautiful arrangement! Starting to feel the treadmill gearing up now that we are back to school!!