There are many ways to freshen up a home.
You can always paint walls a fresh lichen green or spray hyacinth-scented room freshener, but the easiest way to capture the spirit of spring is to buy and arrange flowers. With cut flowers and a little imagination, the possibilities can be beautiful.
-Place a small bouquet in a glistening crystal pitcher or go for contrast with a brightly colored coffee can to make a great first impression in an entrance hall or foyer.
-Fill an umbrella stand with a few long dramatic stems.
-Attach a basket of fresh flowers to your door or hang just a few stems with a beautiful bow.
-In the family room, fill an empty fireplace with a big bucket of flowers.
-In the bathroom, a simple plastic tumbler filled with fragrant cut flowers can make a great air freshener.
-In the laundry room, rinse out an old bleach or detergent bottle, fill it with cut flowers and place it on the washer or a shelf for a laundry brightener.
-Use a kitchen windowsill to line up individual jars, coffee mugs or juice glasses and put one or two colorful stems in each. It’s a one-of-a-kind window treatment.
Flowers are not just for special occasions anymore. They decorate a lot more than just the center of the dining room table.
Think “outside the vase” when looking for containers to arrange flowers in. Old watering cans, enamelware pitchers, cast-iron kettles, antique coal hods, champagne glasses, mason jars and teapots add interest to floral arrangements.