June 12, 2005 -- Having trouble getting a room in your home to have that certain charm you’re looking for? Searching for that perfect painting, sculpture, or table lamp can often be time-consuming, pricey, and/or lead to fights with your spouse. But, one simple and often overlooked way to add harmony to any room is to buy flowers.
According to Josh Grossman, co-founder of leading online floral retailer BeyondBlossoms.com, “Flowers immediately draw attention and come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and prices. Best of all, they offer a way to change the look of a room every week. People love to send flowers, but they sometimes forget they can send flowers to themselves, too.” For example, if you want to liven things up, buy flowers in bright tones, such as bright orange and yellow Asiatic lilies. If you want to create a romantic mood, go with traditional red roses. For a more serene setting, purple trachelium or blue hydrangea work well. Soft pastels can help create a caring, nurturing atmosphere.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with more unusual flowers like lisianthus, protea, or hydrangea and see what works for you. A “garden” bouquet consisting of many types of flowers can add a country-like feel to a room while a “European-style” bouquet of 2-3 types of flowers can add elegance and sophistication. Items from around the house such as water pitchers, teapots, urns, and oil and vinegar containers can serve as eclectic vases.
Americans have traditionally bought flowers only on special occasions, while Europeans have long known that beauty like flowers should be enjoyed regularly, not just when we have guests. Not only do flowers add color and aroma to a living room, kitchen, or dining room, they also lift our spirits and stimulate an emotional response. New schools of thought such as “flower therapy” suggest various color combinations help stimulate memories and generally improve our moods. A study by Rutgers University confirms that flowers do in fact make people happier, even men!
If you don’t have the time to buy fresh flowers from florists, pick some up on your trip to the supermarket. Or get flowers from the grower on websites like http://www.beyondblossoms.com, which ships FedEx so you don’t need to be home for delivery. You can even sign up for 6 or 12 months delivery of fresh flowers. You’ll be surprised how just a few stems can go a long way towards completing a room.
