The way I see it, sometimes you have to dig a little deeper to find inspiration. Move things around: silver, china, linens. Peel back pages: books, magazines, (ahem) blogs. And, if you're the gardening type, clear the brush. Deweed the beds. Trim old blooms. That's what I've been doing this week, having returned from travels high and low, to a garden in need of care. The zinnias spoke to me first.
Lovely, aren't I? Fuchsia's my color. Pick me, and I'll light up the room.
What about me? I'm pretty too. And part of the family.
Next came the phlox. I'll add depth, they said, and softness too. Won't you please pick me?
And I did, all of them.
Dressed up in Paris porcelain. Destined for another life. Or two.
To be continued...
Hi Eddie! Your garden is lovely the zinnias and phloxs remind me so much of yesteryear gardens in my area. What is "old" is new again. Beautiful! Your floral arrangements from the garden are awesome. Thanks for sharing!! Ciao Eddie be well and be happy!
Posted by: ralphie | May 03, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Your garden is a paradise. Your flowers bloom very beautiful.
Posted by: Accounting Software | April 19, 2010 at 09:18 AM
You create beauty so easily.... Only you could make zinnias and phlox sing in such gorgeous high harmony!
Posted by: Suzuki Middle East | January 27, 2010 at 05:13 AM
Just stunning flowers!!!!Beautiful flowers!!!
Posted by: Subaru Middle East | December 01, 2009 at 02:11 AM
Oh Eddie...so beautiful, as always!
Posted by: Diva Style | August 31, 2009 at 10:11 PM
they are so gorgeous!I really like the simple appearance of that flower and they become more magnificent in your flower arrangement!..love it!
chris
Posted by: Philippine Florists | August 28, 2009 at 01:41 AM
Hi Eddie,
Zinnias are inspiration enough for me! I love zinnias - such bright and cheerful colors and soft and lovely ones too. Even in my grandmother's elder years she insisted on having a flower bed of zinnias in her garden, as did my mother. All of your floral arrangements are very nice. Thanks for sharing! Ciao.
Posted by: ralphie | August 24, 2009 at 07:24 PM
goodness...how do you do that?? Thanks for sharing!
Fi
Posted by: fina | August 24, 2009 at 03:54 AM
You have the touch Eddie. Do these grow by your home?
Are zinnias are perinnial? (spelled wrong) At what times of the year do they bloom. We need to landscape and I'm trying to get ideas for a cut flower garden.
Thanks,
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | August 23, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Gorgeous colors, just right for this time of year. Hope you and Jaithan are enjoying the last of summer time. Fall...can't wait!
xo Lidy
Posted by: frenchgardenhouse | August 23, 2009 at 12:31 PM
You can make the most ordinary flowers extraordinary. What a gift. The arrangements are simply divine!
Posted by: Sarah | August 23, 2009 at 09:00 AM
The arrangement is lovely. Great colors. Fabulous container. A winning combination.
Posted by: ABCOroville | August 23, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Truly beautiful flowers, so vivid and cheerful.I hope that you have a fabulous weekend!
Posted by: The Consummate Hostess | August 22, 2009 at 01:35 PM
It's confirmed: you even GROW beauty.
Lovely and just perfect.
xoxo
Posted by: seleta | August 22, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Love the arrangement and really love the look of the freshly picked flowers waiting in the basket! You create beauty so easily....
xoxo
Evy
Posted by: Evelyn Weiss | August 21, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Amazing arrangement! We have most of those flowers in our yard and I feel like I could never make anything even to close to looking like that!!
Posted by: Angie | August 21, 2009 at 01:57 PM
GrandTABULOUS! Yes, stunningly vibrant colors that only SUMMER can bring. Wonderful.
Posted by: Kimberly | August 21, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Charming, HUNS! xx
Posted by: Jacks | August 21, 2009 at 10:13 AM
you make my inbox beautiful:)...thanks..nina
Posted by: nina v | August 21, 2009 at 08:01 AM
Isn't it wonderful to come home to a wonderful slice of heaven. I just don't know what I would without a garden to putter around in. I just got back from abroad and its nice to see the my roses and all the others looking wonderful again.
Posted by: Loren | August 21, 2009 at 07:51 AM
I love your flower arrangement, it's gorgeous! Your blog is always so charming to read!
Posted by: Monica | August 21, 2009 at 12:34 AM
lovely palette!
Posted by: Naomi | August 21, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Perfect inspiration, dig deep. I'm shoveling it out over here this week. Sweatin' big time. Thanks for your inspiration as always! xo, suzy
Posted by: georgiapeachez | August 20, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Absolutely beautiful! Does my soul good now that I am in California where they try to tell one that succulents are pretty!!!!!! However, maybe you could make even cacti look lovely ;-)
Posted by: Marty Azevedo | August 20, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I LOVE that arrangement!
Posted by: botanical brouhaha | August 20, 2009 at 09:05 PM
What are the orange/yellow bell-shaped flowers in the basket Eddie? Nasturtiums in August?
Posted by: Shawn | August 20, 2009 at 08:10 PM
Love garden flowers the most! These are just lovely and I think look better than any fancy store bought flower arrangement. Great summer stuff Eddie...been crazy busy on Nantucket but it's always wonderful to see what you've been creating. How has the first summer in your home been? No city noise and traffic...must be a little bit'o heaven for you two :)
Cheers,
Christie
Posted by: Christie Lefebvre | August 20, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Eddie, I am with you , I have been missing from my garden for awhile now and it is in desperate need of some TLC. How gratifying to pick flowers from your own garden and make such an inspiring arrangement in my favorite container(you know how much I am coveting this, don't you?) So glad you are home and can share with us again, I miss seeing your home. Hugs to you and Jaithan, Kathysue
Posted by: Kathysue | August 20, 2009 at 07:31 PM
*S-w-o-o-n*....sooooo pretty!!! Gosh, your blog is just so fun to read....more please! xox sent up from Manitoba
Posted by: Valerie | August 20, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Beautiful. This was my first year planting zinnias, and they didn't fare well. There's always next year. =)
Posted by: Kim | August 20, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Perfection...as always.
And WELCOME HOME...I missed you.
Kary and Buddy
Posted by: Kary Gonyer | August 20, 2009 at 07:14 PM
awesome flowers and I see you used one of your fav type of urns. There is soooo much dept to zinnias, amazing. My MIL has a huge bed and I always have to pick an arrangement or 2 or 3 for her before we come home from the farm. blessings!
Posted by: Denise West | August 20, 2009 at 04:23 PM
The flowers from your garden are gorgeous, and I love the arrangement that you made!
Posted by: Tammy518 | August 20, 2009 at 04:17 PM
Eddie, You make everything rock! Even the simplest of flowers look elegant in that urn! Thanks for the pick-me-up. I need it today.
Posted by: Maureen aka Mao | August 20, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Those are so gorgeous! And your arrangement is very stunning...I want your garden!
Posted by: Padgett Hoke | August 20, 2009 at 02:16 PM
How beautiful! Such simple flowers turned into the perfect late summer bouquet. I'm definitely going to rethink zinnias for next year's garden.
Posted by: Tracy@comfortandluxury | August 20, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Truly gorgeous! Honestly you can make flower arrangement like a composer with his music! Flowing, perfect color with a dash of charm in that pretty container!
Jan at Rosemary Cottage
Posted by: Jan | August 20, 2009 at 12:22 PM
WOW! Amazing, I love your blog, but never comment...I couldn't resist today :) You Rock!
Posted by: meghan simmons | August 20, 2009 at 12:13 PM
I absolutely adore zinnias; they are so not subtle. And your arrangement is a knockout!
Wow!
Posted by: Anne | August 20, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Gorgeous as always!
Posted by: Tiffany | August 20, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Something as simple as a single flower turns beautiful in your hands! Love those colors too! Glad to see you can still enjoy your summer after working on fall for a bit. I cant wait to see what you guys were up too. Any hints?..any peeks?...Im here if you care to share...hehe~
Posted by: Susie Harris | August 20, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Just beautiful Eddie. There is nothing more wonderful than spending time in the garden and then bringing it into the house! Have a lovely Thursday!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 20, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Eddie, I live in Georgia - so we bake all summer long. I would love some colorful flowers that will thrive in our heat/direct sun. Do flowers like that even exist? Might you have some suggestions for me? Our house faces the northeast so we get a lot of sun most of the day where I want to have the flowers. Right now I only have succulents and I crave COLOR! I appreciate any advice you can offer!
Posted by: Melissa Irvin | August 20, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Such a beautiful set of images Eddie. You and Jaithan are doing amazing things with your new home and garden! If you send Steve McK to my art site I have a show currently with four works of art in Larson Juhl frames!
Scroll down to second post....
Posted by: Karena | August 20, 2009 at 10:24 AM
I love zinnias and they are so beautiful in your arrangement!
Posted by: LindsB | August 20, 2009 at 10:16 AM
GORG! one of the nicest spring and summer pleasures is picking flowers around your house and bringing them inside - it's natural, beautiful and free! i posted about these earlier in the summer, i'd love for you and your readers to check it out:
http://honeyliving.blogspot.com/2009/01/ll-year-round-i-buy-fresh-flowers-for.html
Posted by: honey living | August 20, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Your writing makes me smile as much as your beautiful arrangement:)
Posted by: Lenore Welby | August 20, 2009 at 09:41 AM
So beautiful...I would LOVE to have that arrangement in my house right now!
Posted by: carlee | August 20, 2009 at 09:41 AM
That arrangement is absolutely gorgeous!!!
Posted by: LeilaMac | August 20, 2009 at 09:36 AM
absolutely lovely! i've been growing zinnias since middle school, but have yet to make such a beautiful arrangement :)
Posted by: Belle on Heels | August 20, 2009 at 09:30 AM
It always make me a little grouchy when you do this as I am how many years now and still hopeless with flowers. And I wrecked blueberry muffins yesterday. Tutorial in Sag?
Posted by: Mrs. Blandings | August 20, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Wow, those flowers and the arrangement are just beautiful!
Posted by: Design Esquire | August 20, 2009 at 08:32 AM
Love the colors of your Zinnia's. Welcome home you have been missed.
XOXOXO
Posted by: Shandell's | August 20, 2009 at 08:31 AM
So pretty, Eddie. Only you could make zinnias and phlox sing in such gorgeous high harmony!
Posted by: Mary Kay Andrews | August 20, 2009 at 07:45 AM
Beautiful flowers! Boy, i sure wish my thumb was green and not pink!
Posted by: Rebecca | August 20, 2009 at 07:10 AM
You have such a way with everything! What a stunning bouquet!
Posted by: pve | August 20, 2009 at 06:32 AM
They are stunning decked out in their Paris Porceline!
Posted by: Linda@Lime in the coconut | August 20, 2009 at 05:00 AM
Wow, that is absolutely stunning!
Posted by: Dagny @ Beautiful Living | August 20, 2009 at 03:06 AM