In a vase on Monday: The vase stands alone

Our weather has been so cold that I haven't even wanted to try to get a few flowes from the grocery store to the car to the house, let alone wander around the garden clipping evergreens. So I ended up with nothing to put in a vase this Monday.

But as I noted in December, sometimes the container is so charming it doesn't need any flowers. Here are two of my vases that I think can stand on their own. "Around a vase on Monday" more correctly describes my contribution this week.

This one is from Anthropologie. Vases and textiles are the two categories I look at in their Madison store. The clothes are too young and too tiny to even bother with. But this vase is a winner. I've never put a flower in it and really can't imagine doing so; what bloom could complement or even compete when in such an assertive vase? That big ceramic Chrystanthemum-like bloom is all the flower this container needs. I shot these photos in my red room. The wall above this vase is filled with garden-themed artworks.

This vase is such a playful color and concept that I had to spend a few minutes playing with it. First I added this splotched bowl (above) with similar colors by famed Seagrove, NC potter Ben Owen III (above). My Mark got this bowl when local potter Mark Skudlarek of Cambridge Woodfired Pottery held a weekend workshop a number of years ago featuring multi-generational pottery-making families (Would that be potter familias? Sorry.) It's a beautiful bowl and about the only thing we'll ever own by Ben. On the other hand, our home and garden are filled with fabulous pieces by Mark Skudlarek.

More red accessories: necklaces of African heshi (vulcanized rubber) draped around a small Chinese pedestal (below). The necklaces are dramatic but a bit heavy to wear for too long!

Another one from Anthropologie that I could not resist. I have put arrangements in this one but really!! What's the point if the leaves and flowers hide the sentiment? This is too snarky to cover up! 

The odd size and shape of this container also means that it takes a fair amount of work — and flowers — to create a successful arrangement. But leaving it empty on my computer table with a blue and white lamp and similarly-colored photo frame works just fine for me. 

To see who has put what in their vase this Monday visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts everyone's favorite meme.

Comments

[Cathy]

I love the notion of basing the post on the vase rather than any contents - as always, thanks for setting an example and thinking out of the box. I am rather taken with your 'cake' vase - something I would snap up if I saw one for sale!

[Donna@Gardens Eye View]

You have some unique vases that do stand alone beautifully....so very cold here too!

[Linda from Each Little World]

Cathy In these difficult economic times for so many people, it is a bit of a radical sentiment to use on a vase. Especially since we all know where the phrase came from and what happened to the woman who said it. Though, of course, she did not actually say this. But the meaning was the same.

[Linda from Each Little World]

Donna — It's supposed to start warming up today and they say hitting 50 by the end of the week. I will believe it when it happens. But, of course, I still want snow cover on the garden!

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Your vase is fun! I too have bought vases that are just fun to look at.

[Loree / danger garden]

I loved that red chrysanthemum vase when I saw it at Anthropologie - how fabulous that you've got one.

[Annette]

Such a cute display, a vase worth having! Also love the red wall - I've painted one red as well in our living room and think it looks great.

[Amelia]

I like the unfilled vases! The red room is lovely. My kitchen is a similar color.

[Sarah]

I loved this! I think the vases are almost as interesting as the flowers - especially on a freezing February day.

[Kris P]

Two wonderful vignettes, Linda! That chrysanthemum vase has spunk! I love the way you combined the blues too.

[Linda from Each Little World]

​Sarah — Thanks. Somehow I feel like it's more of an appropriate challenge to find a way to make a floral statement without buying flowers. Only another month (I hope) before snowdrops appear.

[Linda from Each Little World]

Kris — Spunk is the perfect description!

[Noelle]

The empty vases and the lovely warm glowing light...very appropriate for lent perhaps..

[Peter/Outlaw]

Your vases are wonderful all by themselves! Who needs flowers?

[Christina]

Beautiful interesting vases don't need flowers although a little bit of life is always nice too.