Decorating with Fresh Flowers

A living room table with fresh tulips. Shown with Hunter Douglas shades from Read Design

BRIGHTEN UP THE COLDER MONTHS WITH FLOWERS

It may not be spring, but that doesn’t mean you should stop decorating with flowers. After all, they have a magical way of brightening up the colder months. And with the right varieties and a touch of creativity, you can enjoy gorgeous arrangements all year round.

So what types of flowers work best this time of year?

RED ROSES

If you have a lot of white or cream in your room, red roses are a great way to give your space a splash of color. To create some visual interest, try combining them with eucalyptus pods or pine needles.

A centerpiece with red roses will brighten up your dining room.

LIMES AND KUMQUATS

Incorporating limes or kumquats into a flower arrangement adds a colorful accent, beautiful aroma and tropical feel to your home. Make sure to insert the sturdy branches first to protect more delicate flower stems.

TULIPS

The great thing about tulips is that they can survive colder temperatures — even those that drop to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. For a warm, seasonal look, frame your tulip arrangement with berries.

AMARYLLISES AND PRIMROSES

Colorful houseplants like amaryllises and primroses will brighten up your space well into the winter months. Arrange them along a side table, and add a few evergreen branches for the finishing touch.

POINSETTIAS

While you may typically buy poinsettias for the holidays, they can actually last a whole lot longer. And even when the flowers fall off, you can still enjoy plenty of greenery. Just be careful — poinsettias are poisonous to pets.

Think outside the vase. If you want a really extraordinary arrangement, old watering pots, tin cans and glass bottles offer a truly unique look.