Happy Friday, y’all! What is it about sunroom ceiling demo that gets me all hyper and clammy? Yes, that’s continuing today (we’re still opening things up and waiting on some expert advice) but I promise we’ll have an official update for you guys on Monday! And now, just for good measure, more exclamation points!!!!
In the meantime, I figured after a big week of sunroom demo, whitewashing, sunroom rebuilding, and more sunroom demo, it was high time for a budget blooms post. We used to do these every month, and then I fell off last year. And then I got back on the wagon and fell off again later last year. But I’m baaaaaaack! Not with one, but four different arrangements. #livedangerously
We had a shoot at our house a little while ago (more details on that as soon as we’re allowed to spill them) and that meant there were some fresh grocery store flowers floating around. There was one bouquet of white roses, one bouquet of tulips, and one mixed bouquet – all bought at Kroger (although Trader Joe’s also has great, cheap flowers). For the roses, I cut them all the same length, and stuck them in a glass cup, which I slipped into an old woven basket from Ikea. It’s cute and pretty darn error proof (with flowers if it’s not easy, I can’t do it).
For the tulips I went with a red pitcher from World Market a while back. I have a thing for flowers in pitchers (both the clear glass kind or colorful ceramic ones like this). I did remove some of the extra leaves, just so they weren’t as crowded, and I dropped a penny in the water since that’s rumored to keep them from getting too droopy.
The mixed bouquet got trimmed a little and paired with a traditional glass vase. I get nervous about dealing with lots of different flowers (all of the same type seems more idiot-proof, which is my flower love language) but one thing that’s fun about mixed blooms is that you can just spin the container around until you like the view.
You know, because it keeps changing as you rotate that vase like that round bed in Austin Powers.
Here’s the last arrangement (let’s call this one Flower Lite). I just stole a lily stem from the mixed bouquet above and stuck it into an antique milk jug that I found at a secondhand shop in Cape Charles (we were there for a day trip a little while back).
That’s also where we bought that old turquoise oyster tin and the cool blue bottle (it’s an old NYC medicine bottle). We also got the mug that says “Shanty” on it while we were there (we ate at Shanty for lunch and I couldn’t leave without buying a crabby little mug), which I filled with a few more flowers stolen from the mixed bouquet.
Happy Friday, guys! Hope it’s full of flowers and flying demo dust!
Laura @ Rather Square says
I like the idea of putting flowers in unusual containers (like the basket and the Shanty mug). It keeps them from looking too stuffy and makes them seem more like a natural part of the decor.
Crystal says
The best solution to droopy tulips that I have found is poking a small hole in the stem (but not through) right below the flower. Perks em right up!! Apparently they get droopy because of lack of air flow (or something).
Beautiful pictures and loving that teal can!
YoungHouseLove says
Never heard that one! Someone else has said vodka in the water, which is funny because I picture droopy drunk tulips, but apparently it perks them up.
xo
s
Paula says
I used to work as a florist – and yes this is the trick
the reason for it is water flow – the stems can get trapped with air bubbles and this seals it from drinking – the little pin hole (yes not through) does the trick and I’ve had mine last weeks (which is amazing for tulips!)
Rene @thedomesticlady says
Idiot proof is my flower love language as well. Happy Friday and get some rest this weekend:) I am finishing up a basement overhaul….hopefully Saturday. CAN’T WAIT TO BE DONE WITH IT.
LauraElle says
Can’t wait to see Monday’s update. When I saw the daybed covered in debris, I thought to myself, “Poor, abused daybed!” LOL
Ana says
Not at all related to flowers, but I’m finally installing my Nest thermostat, which I ordered the week before you guys put in yours. Fingers crossed that it all works out (since the dual flush toilet kit didn’t). :)
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Hope it’s quick and painless!
xo
s
betty (the sweaty betty) says
I was on the fence about getting one, and as soon as I saw how easy it was to install on your post, I scooped one up!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
You have just inspired me to go out and get some flowers and I just got my Fearless Flyer from Trader Joe’s and they have 9 roses for $3.99. Score! Thanks for the penny tip too!
BarbOutsideBoston says
VERY curious about what was shot in your not-quite-finished house! And are those pics taken in your foyer (guessing from wall/trim color)?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, that was the foyer in the background of those flower shots. It’s one of the only rooms we’ve painted, so I love using that as a backdrop – it gets good light in there too! And believe me, we were NERVOUS for anyone to shoot our blue-trim-and-wallpapered house! Let’s say there were very strategic shots (it wasn’t actually a piece about our house at all, so that helped).
xo,
s
Jason says
So Cool! Always like to see you enjoying a vacation here in Delaware with the family and so excited to see you’ve been to Cape Charles – my Mom and her new husband bought a beach house there in the historic district that they are renovating! Can’t wait to see the porch progress!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s so pretty there! We can’t wait to go back. There was like nobody on the beach and it was awesome for Clara (not too many waves, a big sandbar, etc).
xo
s
Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says
I love what you are doing with the back deck, Monday’s info should be fun. And this flower bloom totally just reminded me that after I hit send I need to run out front and pick my purple pop ups (my unofficial name for them) to plop into a vase and gussy up the kitchen. Thanks for the pretty flower pics to send me into my weekend!
My best, Lynn
Manda Wolf says
Love having fresh flowers around the house. It has been about a month since I brought some home. I brought home some pretty orange glads for the center piece on the table for my hubby’s birthday. They lasted a really long time even though the cat kept knocking them (vase and all off the table).
Lindsay says
Love those tulips! I made the mistake of telling my hub I didn’t like flowers when we were dating (cold heart) and now I would KILL for some. #yesitoldhim #hesnotconvincedmyhearthaswarmed #carefulwhatyoudontwishfor. LOVE all those beauties!
Kara @ Mates 2 Renovate says
Now I am wanting fresh cut flowers. Maybe this weeks farmers market will give me some beautiful spider mums like yours! Love how you experiment with vase options :)
Heather says
My weekend won’t be full of flowers and flying demo dust, but it will be filled with sweat and flying color bombs. Holla for the Color Me Rad in Maine! We may be running as the Pawnee Parks Department. Maybe. ;)
(and then painting when I get home, but let’s ignore that part for now).
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Have the best time Heather!
xo
s
Dizee says
I envy your flowers – the hubby is allergic so I never get to enjoy flowers inside.
Or it could all be a clever ploy by him to avoid mowing the grass and weeding the yard…
Alison says
Happy Friday back atcha.
Henna // HENNA BLOSSOM blog says
HAPPY FRIDAY guys! Aww, the flowers are lovely. So funny because they are virtual flowers on my end, but they’re exactly what I needed! :)
I’ve been feeling crazily sentimental because my baby sister just went off to college. She’s lived with us since she was 16 and our little toddler is going to miss her something terrible! Of course I blogged (http://hennablossom.com/?p=4428).
I think I may just follow your lead and go pick up some flowers. These little things can have big impact, can’t they?!
Have a great weekend!
Jennifer says
Hi, J & S!
I can’t wait to see the progress on the veranda and especially how the ceiling demo is going, but I’m just curious why you wouldn’t move the furniture out of the way of the debris? Or at least cover it all with some sheets, so that clean-up is easier? It seems these pieces of furniture are special to you since you’ve kept these through the years, but have bought and sold many other pieces along the way. I would be worried about something happening to the furniture that would be difficult to fix. I hope it all works out, though!
YoungHouseLove says
We just got so excited to bust things out! Both the daybed and the table need a new paint-job as well, so I think that made us less protective of them.
xo
s
pamcook says
ha! I thought, “I wonder who first realized they forgot to cover the furniture?” Can’t tell you how many times I’ve started a project and forgot to cover furniture…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, why does that happen every time? I blame “too-much-excitement-itis”
xo
s
Teeno says
I also wonder why the ceiling fan wasn’t taken down before the ceiling demo began. Did the fan still have electric going to it when the demo began?
I have been a long time reader since the very first house and I read for ideas on how to do things not step by step instructions. Just curious.
YoungHouseLove says
Electric is always killed to the entire house when we demo. Safety first! We won’t be using that fan again – we’ll be getting a drop fan, maybe two, after we hopefully loft things.
xo
s
Mimi says
These are all wonderful ways to incorporate fresh flowers throughout your home. Cost-effective and lovely.
Peggy says
Arrrgh! I can’t believe y’all are making us wait ALL WEEKEND to see pics of the ceiling!
I guess I’ll have to get busy on my own projects now, instead of looking at yours.
Meredith says
Thanks for the link to the first-time homebuyer forum! I don’t usually check those out, but am in the middle of buying a home (inspection today!) and it was great to read everyone’s tips!
YoungHouseLove says
Good luck Meredith!
xo
s
Stephanie S. says
Yay budget blooms are back! I love these posts! I love the roses in the basket. So chic. Maybe you could update us on your plants too, at some point down the road. I’m always looking for inspiration :) Thanks guys, have a great weekend!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Stephanie! We still have some plants that survived the move/me in general, so I’ll have to take inventory! Haha!
xo
s
betty (the sweaty betty) says
you all HAVE to check fresh market!!! they always have the best flowers, and they always last a good amount of time as long as I keep the water fresh!!
YoungHouseLove says
Never knew that! Will have to check!
xo
s
Amanda says
Nothing better than fresh flowers at home. Beautiful selection!
Reenie says
I absolutely love fresh flowers in my home. Although I have to put them up out of reach because Lucy (my cat) will get eat them. HA!!
Liz says
Fun! I love having fresh flowers around the house. Unfortunately, we’ve got two curious cats and many flowers are poisonous so our options are limited. I usually pick up a bunch of colourful gerbera daisies every now and then since they’re cat-friendly.
And I can’t believe you’re leaving us on that ceiling cliffhanger! Can’t wait until next week to see the progress. :)
Robyn says
Have a great weekend! The flowers look beautiful =)
JennP says
I’m obsessed with your sunroom transformation – seriously such a genius idea to open it up! We live in Florida (not many sunrooms around here), but many of my northern friends and relatives have them, and they always seem so underutilized.
Sarah says
I love arrangements of all the same flowers! I agree, they definitely seem a little more foolproof. I’m terrible at arranging a mixed bunch of flowers in a glass vase, but I’m actually pretty good at arranging into floral foam. It’s easier when the flowers don’t move I guess…
Can’t wait to see what happens with that ceiling. Your veranda is really coming together!
Sarah
Sarah says
Random question (that I couldn’t find in past posts)–who is your security/alarm system provider? I’m looking for a new one and looking for recs. Happy Friday!!
YoungHouseLove says
We were actually told by our company not to share their name/info, just because some burglars think they have an advantage if they know your system (ours has a bunch of add-ons and back-up systems anyway, but we follow their don’t-share-that-info-on-the-internet advice just in case). Anyone have a recommendation for Sarah?
xo,
s
Kara @ Mates 2 Renovate says
My in-laws have ADT and love it…. We were looking around for one for awhile and thought about the xfinity one but they are newer so we didn’t want to really chance it… but there are so many choices that it can really feel like a daunting task!
Anna @ Frugal For You says
We love fresh flowers around here. My neighbor lets me clip some from her garden all the time. I’ve also used herbs like mint and oregano, especially when they have bolted. Adds nice fragrance.
BTW, it was great meeting your family last night. Thanks for letting us interrupt your dinner for a lil’ chat. You guys are a great inspiration. And Clara is a precious doll. RVA is lucky to have you guys!
YoungHouseLove says
Of course Anna! It was so nice to meet you!
xo
s
Karen Powell says
Love the flowers and the simplicity. Question – what color paint is on the walls behind the flowers? I love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Karen! It’s Edgecomb Gray by BM (it’s not really gray at all, more like a soft creamy sand color).
xo
s
Sherri J. says
Beautiful flowers, you definitely sometimes have to just take a step back and smell the flowers.
Diana Buchanan says
Like you, I LOVE having fresh flowers at home! You just reminded me that I have yet to have any in our new house and I should stop for some tonight! Also, I love the single lily stem. It looks like art!
Question – I might be crazy but I have never noticed any potted plants around your house. I don’t have any, other than a succulent, but wondered if they were something you dabbled in. Thoughts?
YoungHouseLove says
We have a large potted plant in the office (forget the name but it’s from Home Depot and is pretty hard to kill) and we have a bunch of potted guys in the bedroom/bathrooms (pothos I think is their name). I have had one asparagus fern but killed him tragically a few months later. May he rest in peace.
xo
s
Laura C says
I can’t believe you killed an asparagus fern! I have a sadly brown thumb, but I have an asparagus fern that survives all the neglect I throw at it – it’s been with me for at least 15 years, now. I call her Cousin IT because of her big droopy shaggy “hairdo”.
YoungHouseLove says
I know, right?! (Hangs head in plant killing shame)
xo
s
Mary | Lemon Grove Blog says
What a perfect juxtaposition to the demoing/dust/dirt :) I know when we were in the middle of lots of dust recently, the one thing that made me feel better was fresh flowers from the garden!
Theresa says
Love a good exclamation point!!!! Flowers are a beautiful addition to a home. Do you think you’d ever grow your own cutting garden?
YoungHouseLove says
We had one in our first house and really loved it (we grew berries, tomatoes, lots of herbs, etc) but here with the deer in our current yard we’re not sure we could do it without them having a nice little buffet everyday. Haha!
xo
s
Hilary says
So pretty! I love having fresh flowers around the house.
bridget b. says
the roses are my favorite. i’ve gotten in the habit of buying flowers for the house as well. as a nice little visual pick me up.
Brittney Everett says
All the “same kind of flowers” is my flower love language too! I don’t care what kind of flowers they are, I just like them to be all the same kind and colour!
Blair says
…and now we know from the save it post earlier this week that it took you three whole years to get those wine corks! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! There’s actually a story about those from the shoot!
xo
s
Margaret Mitacek says
Love the Oyster can! My dog “Oyster” suffered a back injury last year that left her partially paralyzed. My fiancé and I are having an oyster bar at our upcoming wedding and hope to raise tip $$ for a local charity run by Oyster’s physical therapist, that provides medical care for homeless dogs and underprivelaged dogs. This can would be the perfect recepticle for donations at our wedding. I will be on the look out for something similar! Thanks for the idea!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s SO SWEET! I love that idea. Burger sends a huge sniff/lick-fest to Oyster. And happy wedding to ya!
xo
s
Sarah D says
I did a flower share with my CSA this year (http://www.dayspringfarm.org/flowers.html) and it has been wonderful getting a new arrangement of flowers every week. I keep them in the bedroom so that they’re one of the first things I see when I wake up and the last before I go to sleep.
YoungHouseLove says
LOVE that idea!
xo
s
Christine @ www.idratherbesweating.com says
Those white roses are gorgeous! I love clumpng roses together like that! I used to get flowers at the store every few weeks but we planted 5 rose bushes in our backyard so now I can have fresh buds whenever I needs them.
haverwench says
My goal is to eventually have a garden that can provide fresh flowers for our table year round. I used to dislike cut flowers because they were no longer growing–but when I cut them from our own yard, I know the main plant is still growing, and that makes me feel more comfortable with it. I don’t tend to get as fancy as you with the arrangements, though–I just keep a little vase on the kitchen table (it’s actually an old, slightly chipped water goblet that we curb-picked) and plop the blooms of the week into that. So it might be forsythia branches in April (we have *way* too many forsythia bushes in our yard), roses in June, and sage blossoms in July. In autumn and winter I tend to shake things up by switching to clusters of colorful fall leaves and evergreens.
Joan Klein says
Here is a strange yet very useful tulip tip..if you make a small slit in the stem right under the flower the tulips don’t droop nearly as quickly. They actually stay in the tight bud stage for several days. It sounds strange but it works! Your sun room looks amazing. Great idea to open it up!
laurie says
Roses are actually really easy to grow. I don’t know how they do in Virginia but if they have a sunny spot, they’ll give you free roses for your house!
I know people fuss over them and treat them with kid gloves but I’ve always just thrown them in the ground and had great roses! Pruning seems to be the most effective way of taking care of them. Otherwise I forget to feed them all the time.
I’ve had a bumper crop this year with the sustained warmth we’ve had in Oregon and I feel bad I haven’t been able to take advantage of them amongst the reno mess. Wish I could send you some!
Steph Piontkowski says
The flowers are gorgeous! I usually get fresh flowers once a week, whatever I can get for around $10 or less that is pretty. Do you mind sharing about how much you spent on these flowers?
YoungHouseLove says
Mixed bouquet was $5, roses were $6, and tulips were $6. I always go to the discounted bouquet section (sometimes they die a little faster but most times I don’t notice a difference).
xo
s
Allison says
Ahhhh I love me some fresh flowers :)
Carleton Alum says
Reminds me of a fun tradition at my alma mater, Carleton College: Friday Flowers were a cheap way to show a friend you appreciate them. (website link leads to a video about it for those who are curious)
Laura says
Another tulip trick . . . put a little splash of Sprite into the water. The sugar from the soad perks up the blooms!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a fun one!
xo
s
Maria says
Regarding your hungry deer vs. edible garden problem, the HGTV magazine from last month had a whole section on how to keep different animals from eating your plants. I remember something about surrounding them with lavender or rosemary since the animals don’t like the strong scent.
I also loved the oyster can/milk jug/wood box arrangement. That is some seriously pro vignette-ing. Lots of hights and layers, must have taken like 20 minutes to get perfect!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Maria!
xo
s