Cafe au Lait Dahlia Arrangement
Hello again! It has been a busy time for me with many creative projects on the horizon, but I am happy to return to blogging and share some new floral photographs and styling tips with all of you...
Late Summer Flowers...
Our garden has transitioned now into a menagerie of bright pink, yellow and orange flowers as the California sun is hot in these late summer months. Although we have fewer flowers in bloom now, the ones that last through the heat catch the eye with their bright happy hues. I thought I'd share a few examples from our end-of-summer garden.
Styling: Summer Fruit Still Life
In the heat of mid-summer, delicate flowers are replaced with hearty blooms and an abundance of fresh produce. Farmer's markets and fruit stands become loaded with lush fruits and vegetables locally grown and ripened in the valley sun.
Summer Gladioli
Gladiolus is one of the most dramatic and stunning of summer's flowers. The spear-like stalks emerge from the ground near mid-summer and often make a lovely show of color through August. In fact gladiolus, which is sometimes referred to as sword lily due to its unique shape, is August's birth flower.
Lake Tahoe in July
We just returned home from a lovely vacation to Lake Tahoe, California where the spectacular beauty of the lake, mountains and pine trees creates a rich impression of nature's grandeur. Although I wouldn't consider Tahoe a flowery place, it was wonderful to discover the last blooms of these wild lupines on the shore.
Summer Decorating: Seashells and Hydrangeas
Decorating with elements of nature is one of my favorite ways to make our home feel ready for summer. Since the hydrangeas are starting to fade, I cut some and arranged them throughout the house with my seashell collection to bring in a touch of soft color and texture.