Monday, May 23, 2016

In a Vase on Monday, cabinet de curiosite

Out on a dog-walk last week I paused to snap this photo of fallen Liriodendron tulipifera flowers for Instagram. Once back home I regretted not picking them up for a vase...

A few days later I returned to see what I could forage. Here are my riches...

Not enough really, for an arrangement. Then I remembered years back I'd picked up a few seed pods. What are the chances I still have them?

Time to look in the cabinet de curiosite...

Okay not really, but it's got a small collection of things I find interesting.

Like dried Banksia/Protea flowers...

And long since bleached out Eryngium blooms, in a small vase I picked up at a Cactus and Succulent Society sale last summer.

Being a proper barrister bookcase (which I inherited from my Grandma) there are glass doors, but I've opened them to reduce the glare in these photos.

The top shelf showcases some of Andrew's work. They're on books because when the glass doors are closed the wooden frame hides the bottom inch and a half or so.

After my paper flower spree ended I gave away most of them, only keeping a few. This one is resting on several seed pods collected from my in-laws Mesquite tree in New Mexico.

You'd probably never know it by looking but I recently went through and culled a lot of things. Seriously!

Monkey puzzle branch and another paper flower...

A long dead cactus is remembered via it's spikes...

I try to remember to resurrect this fern ever so often.

Aha! Here's what I was looking for, I'm so glad I kept them.

Now that's a proper arrangement, befitting an "In a Vase on Monday" post.

It's on the stainless work table in a corner of the kitchen.

Under more of Andrew's artwork.

"weed devil blooming"

Aren't those flowers just magical?

This "stripped" seedpod is a new addition, but will stick around with the others, once the wilted flowers are tossed.

I'm thrilled their papery goodness has held up so well.

The orange gift vase was the perfect container for this arrangement.

As always visit Rambling in the Garden where Cathy hosts a weekly round-up of  gardeny vases, created by other bloggers.

I'll be sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee and admiring those fantastical blooms...

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

27 comments:

  1. How fun! I guess you never know what you might need in the future. I like your cabinet, and all of Andrew's work as well. You're both so creative!

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  2. Love the color scheme, and you've just ID'd the tree that was dropping petals on me from a neighboring yard of my current client. Yes! :)

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  3. A tulip tree! Of course, I immediately looked it up and was surprised to see that it can manage in zone 10b. The "regular water" requirement was disappointing but I briefly enjoyed the thought of planting a tree that grows 50-90 feet in my garden. You created a lovely arrangement with your collected remnants. And I'm not at all surprised to find that you have a carefully curated curio cabinet.

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    1. Was this an "enjoy the thought" in spite of your neighbor? Or because of your neighbor? ;)

      Also I must confess...I bristle at the word curio, it's right up there with knick-knack and trinket. However I never really stopped to think about that fact that curio is a shortened form of curiosity. (duh!)

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  4. I think everybody should have a cabinet of curiosities. I, too, have a rag tag collection of things, nowhere near as nicely organized and presented as yours.

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    1. Well I did just clean it out a couple of months ago...

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  5. Those flowers are so cool and your vase is perfect for the arrangement. Your cabinet is full of great stuff!

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  6. I love that cabinet of so many lovely vases, seed pods and paper flowers....the vase this week is another beauty! Gorgeous plant material.

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  7. I once watched one of those trees in bloom be cut down. Memorable in a shocking way. The flowers are totally your colors and style. Loved the shots of the house, paint colors, artwork and vases. I would sit and enjoy that creation as well.

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    1. Oh my! I think I would have had to beg those doing the cutting to let me scavenge some branches.

      Re: enjoying the creation - it's to my side right now as I type!

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  8. OMG that cabinet/collection with that wall color! Looks amazing. LOVE.

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  9. AnonymousMay 23, 2016

    I am in awe, Loree, of your collection of bits and peices, your talent of assembling such perfect contents for your vases, and of your husband's talent...so much to 'ooh and ah' at. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Thank you Cathy for the inspiration, as always.

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  10. AnonymousMay 24, 2016

    The flowers and seedheads together make a pretty and intriguing arrangement. Love the bits and pieces you have collected over the years too!

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    1. I guess I am, by nature, a collector.

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  11. Very stylish as always! Like a display in a fabulous interior shop!

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    1. Thanks guys! Now I'm off to read your Chelsea coverage, I was too tired last night to do it.

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  12. I say this with all the love in my heart: you and Andrew are irritatingly talented.

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  13. AnonymousMay 24, 2016

    https://www.instagram.com/p/lhOMQ-QgR1/

    I am hoping this link will work for you. It is a picture of a cabinet de curiositees I took at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. All sorts of seed pods some completely improbable in their size.

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    1. THAT is fabulous! Thank you for sharing it. Going back to stare at it some more...!

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  14. I think R would be more tolerant of my collecting gene if I were to arrange my finds so artistically. Thanks for the glimpse behind the scenes (like looking into the magician's hat). The glass doors must keep your treasures from gathering dust (?) and at the ready for your next brainstorm. This one worked out nicely.

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