When a friend arrives for dinner with a bouquet of blooms from their own garden, I dance a happy dance. Much as I love a big bouquet from a florist, with divine roses and other extravagant flowers, I don’t think anything quite matches the charm of the home-grown, hand tied posy.
These flowers arrived with a dinner guest a couple of weeks ago. Lilac in bloom at the same time as daffodils is quite a feat! The posy was tied around the stems, so for the evening I simply popped them into a Cire Trudon candle holder that I love to use around the house.
But the next day, I felt they needed to breathe a little and thought that with the simple addition of a couple of branches of blossom, I could transform the bouquet into a different kind of animal.
So here is version one and version two. Honestly I think they both work, but I’d love to know which you prefer. The hand tied round posy, or the looser arrangement on a cake stand, with the extra height of the blossom branches?
Do tell me, I’d love to know!
So sorry for going AWOL here on the blog. Finalising the May edition of the magazine, preparing the May box and also hosting guests on our private tour in Provence put a little strain on our organisation! We are now back to normal and look forward to bringing you some great posts in the days to come!
39 comments
Both are lovely but the hand-tied nosegay makes my heart sing!
I like the looser arrangement withe flowering branches. Both are beautiful though.
I like them equally.
Always love a hand-tied bouquet!
Hi Sharon, Both arrangements look terrific. Love reading your blog and both of your wonderful books. I would LOVE to visit France someday!!!!
Love the hand tied posey! And the candle holder is perfect touch.
Hi Sharon,
I’m a former florist from Beverly Hills, it was my dream job because I have a passion for flowers.
I love both but I would use the hand tied bouquet for a coffee table and the bigger one as a table centerpiece.
I so agree with Blanca; hand tied bouquet for small table/tea table and bigger one for dinner centerpiece.
To me, the arrangements are equally lovely. My choice would probably depend on where I placed it. Thanks for your blog! It adds joie de vivre to take mini-vacations to France! C’est si bon!
The flowers are absolutely amazing either way……. but I lean toward the cake plate arrangement… did you just soak a floral sponge and place it on the stand?? they are just beautiful in every way !!!!
Ahhh! Lilacs and daffodils – how beautiful! Both arrangements are lovely but I prefer the simple hand-tied posey version. The black container looks great.
Hand tied bouquet, for sure.
I preferred the hand tied bouquet. I do have a concern though. I was given to understand years ago that Daffodils should not be arranged with other flowers as they cause them to die.
I like them both but the second arrangement with the branches in blossom really caught my eye.
Both fab, but cake stand arrangement just wins!
Wow – I simply adore them both! Have you considered doing a book just of your floral photos? Not only are your arrangements gorgeous, but your photos are over-the-top gorgeous! I can’t get enough of them!!!
My vote is for the larger arrangement in a living room or dining area, but I would just love to have the small one on my bedside table!
Oooh they are both lovely , I love the loose , all comments are wonderful and love to read them , beautiful picture of them to
I like the hand tied bouquet in the Citron candle holder. Inspired me to use my citron candle holders as vases.
Dear Sharon,
Flowers are always a divine gift, even just watched but you can touch and feel the fragrance !!!
I do not mean I do not love the sophisticated flowers arranged by the professionals, but those that look in a natural and spontaneous way leave me … without words! I love wild flowers, right.
Regards, Mia
Loved the looseness of the blossom arrangement.
Absolutely lovely. I love them both but the hand tied one stole my heart.
I like the one on the cake stand. The blossoms give it height.
The Flowers are beautiful……and can be appreciated individually in the cakestand arrangement. It is looser and allows you
to see each flower.
I do the same. I love the hand tied bouquets and a day tor two later when refreshing the water I will add in and take away spent flowers to keep the bouquet fresh and beautiful. As well, I put hand tied bouquets on packages I am giving to a friend, also ready for their enjoyment. Love Love Love your posts!
I like the one with the added blooms. The added branches give it a bit of wild abandon that captures my feelings right now.
Hi Sharon! I just adore your pictures of both sets of flowers. The hand-tied arrangement seems so much more personal and perfect for a visit from a friend. But you really created something special when you “let it breathe.” The second arrangement is much more airy and suitable as a centerpiece (as Blanca said) or a table top for a foyer. Both flowers inspire a different tone. If pressed, I think I enjoy the romance of the first bouquet the most. But Kudos on making your flowers last as long as they can!
Hi Sharon, I love the hand tied posy and the reuse of the candle holder. I think k it’s the simplicity that makes it special.
I prefer the hand tied posy too. I think it looks like the ‘animal’ has sprouted little antlers when you ‘let it breathe’ but have enjoyed both.
The hand-tied posy was my favorite. I also like the candle holder vase. It feels very warm and personal; what a lovely hostess gift.
Love them both, but if I had to choose, I would pick the one on the cake plate. Love it’s looser feel
I, too, like them both, the small one acquiring sophistication with its black container, the larger one gaining airiness with the addition of the branches. It’s amazing how adding height gives the bouquet a different attitude! I often add branches, blooming or not, to expand the group of blooms. Lovely as always, Sharon!
Hi Sharon, I love both styles and the colours….perfection. Thank you for sharing beauty. Till next time, regards Esther from Sydney
Hello Sharon, what stunning photos (as ever). I love both arrangements and much would depend on where I wanted to use them in the house – so impossible to pick just one!
Hand tied posies in a container with personality… I’ll take any day!
How lovely !
My favourite is the little hand tied posy .
The perfume from the lilac and the narcissi would be delicious !
Anneli
Flowers are always such a wonderful gift but that hand-tied Posey talks to me
Looser arrangement on the cake stand b/c it’s not the usual fair.
Love your blog. Your ‘apology’ was a testament to your commitments, friends and new endeavors.
Wishing you the very best in all you do.
I love them both! Each would make a lovely setting, one for a centrepiece, the other for a little alcove or an intimate bistro table under the shade of a beautiful tree. In our garden, the majestic Garry Oak with surrounding arbours of grapes, wisteria, clematis and honeysuckles often form the backdrop for creations such as these. Such a beautifully gifted woman you are. Thank you for sharing your gifts of talent with the world.
Blessings to you.
Love love love your books, blog, and just ordered magazine. I am enjoying your wonderful photos and am inspired to cook, garden, arrange flowers and decorate in all my spare time. Also I love my dog too, and wine…..sending love from Tennessee