Before grabbing for that same old vase, think again

Dear Sandi: With all the flowers starting to bloom, I was hoping that you might have some ideas on some interesting new ways to display them. I’m really tired of my same old vases. —Joanna D., Salem

Hi Joanna: I know just how you feel. All the spring blooms coming up everywhere really make you want to go out in the garden and pick a little bit of everything in sight.

The first thing I would do is take a look around and see what you already have that could be used.

A large bowl, the type you typically would use for holding fruit or tossing a salad in, is a great container for displaying a variety of different types of flowers. Large blooms, such as hydrangeas, are perfect candidates for this, but smaller flowers also can work well, especially if you create a grid pattern on the top of the container with a “crisscross” pattern of tape. This will give the smaller blooms a support system they can lean against.

Whether you're looking for handmade paper, furniture, fabric or accessories, you will find it at loose ends. If it is unusual, organic and fabulous, then loose ends is the place. Showroom hours are 8 am to 5 pm weekdays and the first Saturday of each month 10 am - 3pm at 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, or visit us online at www.looseends.com Questions? Give us a call at (503) 390-2348.

Smaller utilitarian items, such as cups, glasses and mugs also can double as vases, particularly for casual, “just picked in the garden” bouquets on a kitchen table or counter.

I’m a big fan of all kinds of “found” objects, so it goes without saying that being on the lookout at flea markets and garage sales always is on my agenda. An old pewter teapot, an unusual piece of old glassware or anything that can hold something else can be used.

The biggest thing to keep in mind when teaming up flowers and unusual containers is to be sure the mood of the two is compatible.

Just like you wouldn’t put your well-loved and also well-worn T-shirt on with your new silk cocktail skirt, you want your choice of container to complement and continue the story that the flowers have started. An antique, pressed-glass water pitcher would be perfect for a big bouquet of fat roses but would be overpowering for a bunch of garden daisies.

Sandi Reinke is an author, frequent television guest and lead designer for loose ends (www.loosends.com), a Salem-based interior décor, garden, and casual lifestyle company. To ask Reinke a decorating question, e-mail info@looseends.com or mail her at the showroom address, 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, OR 97302. Phone: 503-390-2348.

Smaller flowers, such as sweet peas or violets, and especially wildflowers, need containers that do not distract the eye away from the blooms.

Old bottles are one of my favorites for putting a few informal blooms into. Also consider clustering a few pieces like these together to make a larger impact.

Remember that the actual container holding the flowers doesn’t necessarily have to be visible. Consider covering the actual container with something else that carries out your idea or decorating scheme.

As long as your original container is watertight, the outside can be anything, including fabric or even paper. Try popping a plain glass cylinder down into bag of transparent silk, or wrap tissue or handmade paper (perhaps in a complementary color to the flowers) around a functional but boring pot to add spatial and textural interest.
April 22, 2005