Ever since my 'growing flowers for cutting' fascination began, I have harboured a parallel obsession with vessels. See, in the flower workshop at Green and Gorgeous, there is a cupboard (and a dresser or two) and they are full of the most amazing array of bottles and jars, vases and jugs and the odd tea cup and gravy boat too. And it gave me such a case of the screaming wanties, that I considered for a moment, a secondary career as a crockery kleptomaniac.
Photo from Green and Gorgeous
But because I am a law abiding citizen, I decided I'd better start my own little collection. And it's been going well. In the past, I have veered towards very plain, glass containers. My interior style tends towards the simple and utilitarian, over anything more flamboyant and they seemed safer somehow.
But then I came across a new book Vintage Flowers by Vic Brotherson (there are some page shots on that link). And I've been blown away by her use of vessels. Such unfettered joy. A true floral 'in your face'. And her words on choosing the right vase? Try to keep as many water holding vessels in your home as possible.
And armed with those words, perhaps my comfort zone is expanding. Into the realms of this little blue pot, which spoke to me and begged to be filled with allotment nasturtiums.
And somehow manages to make even the uncleared breakfast table into a brighter place.
In Vic's book I had also read about window vases - a narrow vessel which was originally used as a way of showing off to the neighbours, bu putting your finest booms on display on the windowsill. Look at hers. Feeling wanty yet?
Photo from Vic Brotherson
Well lookie what turned up in my junk shop - and not just one, but a pair! Must've been my lucky hunting day.
And then there are some which I have aquired, and not yet had the chance to use. But can't you imagine this one filled with autumn hips and ivy berries?
Can you tell I'm excited about this? Funny, but when you have a new interest, somehow there seems to be so much inspiration around. I've been pinning like crazy. And some of the inspiration has even lead to action.
Source: kinfolkmag.com via Ali on Pinterest
Do you have loads of vases and flower receptacles? Or am I in danger of going a little over the top and turning into the single white female of the floral world. And if I am, Concha had better beware, because I've always had a bit of a thing for her way with flowers. And Belinda too, while we're at it.
I can confess to cupboard fulls. Mainly glass, admittedly. And I don't seem to be able to throw away jars any more. Or bottles.
Posted by: Dragonfly | 13 October 2011 at 15:33
Those nasturtiums in that blue pot -fabulous! Complimentary colours of course.
I love that jam jar too, is is from Orkney?
Posted by: Sue | 13 October 2011 at 15:35
I have way too many vases that don't get used often enough. I often just use an empty jam jar and If I'm feeling the need to spruce it up I'll use a nice piece of lace or some washi tape. I took some flowers around to my grandma the other day in a jam jar with a nice piece of ribbon on it, and she asked me to put the flowers into a vase for her. She didn't get it at all. bless her.
Posted by: Monda | 13 October 2011 at 15:37
You can never have too many! Look forward to seeing how you put the apple and bramble jam jar to use.
Posted by: Anita at Bishty | 13 October 2011 at 16:05
I like your vase collection- I agree with Anita- you can never have too many vases! Over the summer, I put some nasturtiums in a plain tin can (no label) & they looked great. I tend to use a range of things- china jugs, mugs, measuring cylinders, storage jars & tins too.
Posted by: Thrifty Household | 13 October 2011 at 16:34
Oooh now you're giving me the wanties again! And must remind my mum to be on the lookout for my Kinfolk magazine soon...
K x
Posted by: kristina | 13 October 2011 at 16:58
amazing how fresh flowers brighten a room - i don't do that nearly enough. and i have no good vessels...
Posted by: kirsten | 13 October 2011 at 17:16
ha, I wrote yesterday that I needed more flower vases, and now I have loads more inspiration. love love love that orange/blue combination xxx
Posted by: driftwood | 13 October 2011 at 18:59
I always wondered what those long narrow vases were for.
That vintage jam jar has given me not just the wanties but the burning must-haves. Kirkwall though? That's in Orkney. It has come some way.
Posted by: Emma (silverpebble) | 13 October 2011 at 19:03
I don't think I actually own a vase at all these days - though I did customise a large old coffee jar with a knitted cuff to us as a flower receptacle a few months ago. Love, love, love that vintage Apple & Bramble Jam pot.
Posted by: Elizabeth | 13 October 2011 at 20:09
Lucky thrifting! I own lots of thrifted milk glass bud vases and just two regular vases. I find flowers ludicrously expensive here and rarely buy them. I'm also crap at arranging them into anything decent looking!
Posted by: lina | 13 October 2011 at 20:14
Ooooh lovely! I recently decluttered, and the very next bunch of flowers that came into the house didn't have a place to stay. Once we've moved, I'll have to start collecting again!
Posted by: Amanda | 13 October 2011 at 20:21
Gorgeous! That first photo has me all envious and drooling, too. I have an obsession with milk glass, so I probably have more milk glass vases than I need. Plus a few other types thrown in for good measure. :)
Posted by: Katherine of Kitten's Lost Her Mittens | 14 October 2011 at 05:13
Oooo! I have the fan shaped glass one on the bottom shelf.
Posted by: trash | 14 October 2011 at 11:01
Oh, I love all of these intimate peeks at your life - your house entryway, your morning routine...keep 'em coming.
My vase collection is lopsided: I seem to be a magnet for vessels with tiny openings and for short, squat things (think old sugar bowls), but have a shortage of holders for tall, extravagant arrangements. Need to rectify.
Posted by: Lynn | 14 October 2011 at 15:07
Beautiful beginning to your collection, the old jam pot will look lovely full of berries. I'm too clumsy for lovely china and glassware unfortunately (the reason we didn't have a dinner service on our wedding list) but can admire other people's collections!
Posted by: Two Owls | 14 October 2011 at 19:43
Wow, the combination of that blue pot and orangey red blooms is unbelievably gorgeous! I don't go crazy collecting vessels, not because I don't love them, but because I have not enough money, nor space to store them, nor access to many blooms to fill them. I've got a beautiful little amethyst and milk swirled venetian tumbler on display with a posy of dried hydrangea... A few years back I came across a sweet little sugar bowl at Anthropologie that was missing its lid and ever since it has been the perfect setting for my favorite ranunculi blooms when they're in season (you can see photos of it in use here: http://gemmifer-jennifer.blogspot.com/2009/05/lovely-blooms.html).
Posted by: {gemmifer} | 15 October 2011 at 05:33
That is one gorgeous little bunch of nasturtiums! And yes, I share your passion for collecting anything that might hold water and therefore flowers, although my collection isn't huge and I come back to my favourite white china and clear glass time and time again, and probably like the humble jam jar best.
Posted by: Annie | 16 October 2011 at 10:43
ha!
and you thought I was mad collecting little white jugs....
I thoroughly agreed with your latest passion! It's brilliant. Love it.
(next time you come I'll take you on a charity shops hunt, how about that?)
Posted by: Monica | 16 October 2011 at 18:04
I love trawling through charity shops for vases and other containers. But we cut the top off a black Tresseme shampoo bottle recently and it's really rather chic. Unless we get a frost this week I'll copy you and pick the last of my allotment nasturtiums for it.
Sue
Posted by: sue | 18 October 2011 at 17:44
Heyyy, thanks so much for the link! I am loooving all your finds, can never have too many! I think mason jars, old lemonade powder bottles and the trusty enamel jugs have worked the hardest for me this year. and i agree, Vic is a genius!
Posted by: Belinda | 30 October 2011 at 17:31
Hahaha!
I LOVE that book! I found it in one of those discount bookshops — can you believe that? I'd have totally paid full price for it. The pictures literally take my breath away.
I am SO envious of your junk shop finds!!
Posted by: Concha | 05 November 2011 at 21:55
It's a beautiful book but I'm so irritated by all the spelling mistakes.
Posted by: m | 06 November 2011 at 00:06