Thursday, February 25, 2010

Tulips & Toile



Tulips were on sale yesterday.




After several days of blue bird skies and cozy sunshine, we're having some rainy days. The tulips bring some brightness to these grey days. I love the white against the robin's egg blue walls (Opal Essence by Benjamin Moore).



I haven't put fresh flowers in here (our downstairs bathroom) for awhile, although that's exactly what the table is for.



I'm still loving my toile shower curtains from Pottery Barn.



Today I also hung a piece of art I recently framed. I found the nude drawing at an antique show several weeks ago. Shortly thereafter, I found the Victorian frame for $35. I think they go quite beautifully together. I just love the combination of the formal ornate detail of the frame, paired with the lovely simplicity of the charcoal drawing. I also love the gold hue against the blue walls.



Did I mention that tulips were on sale yesterday? I bought some pink ones too. They're a french variety that look like sweet little peonies.

I was surprised when the florist told me that if I wanted the tulips to last longer, to not trim the stems when I got home. She said that when you cut them, they release an acidic substance (that gooey stuff) into the water that makes the blossoms deteriorate faster. Has anyone ever heard of that? Well, I thought I'd try it. I didn't cut any of them, just plopped them in their vases 'as is' (which felt a bit neglectful).

I'll keep you posted on how long they last.

UPDATE: Go here to read that the above information on tulips is completely false!

59 comments:

  1. Beautiful tulips..and toile..bathroom looks stunning..~lulu

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  2. Lovely bathroom and tulips!!
    Have a nice day !

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  3. I love the color of your bathroom walls...
    Thanks for the tulip info! I always, always cut their stems when I bring them home, and they do seem to wilt awfully fast.
    The painting, and frame, are both beautiful.
    xo country girl

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  4. hello trina,
    yes, those are just lovely tulips. i've been meaning to ask you the color of your bathroom; it's just the perfect shade of blue, which i always seem to have a hard time finding:). i've never heard that about trimming the tulip stems, but i'm curious to hear how they turn out. thanks for the tip!

    xoxo, blair

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  5. I love the tulips,and your bathroom is beautiful....Kathy

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  6. So gorgeous Trina - tulips and sale are two words i love together! I've heard that before too about not trimming, i think it's right.

    The framing looks fabulous, you've had a productive few days!!

    julesx

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  7. I love your tulips ... I have also heard that you should change the water every second day and add some drops of bleach and a teaspoon of sugar to the water ... I have done this and it works - the bacteria is put off by the bleach and maybe the sugar 'feeds' the flowers ... but have not done this with tulips ... just love your blog le

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  8. I did not know that about the tulips and I actually used white tulips and blue hydrangeas for a wedding I did. I put all white tulips in these wonderful polish hand blown vases in the softest blue, I think you would have really loved it. They are a tempremental flower. They will follow the light also, so getting them to stand up in the right direction meant keeping on an overhead light, oh my! I said I would never use tulips for a large affair again, but I think I would, they are too beautiful ,not too. Yours looks wonderful and sculptural in your bath. The nude is the perfect addition to your room, Kathysue

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  9. Trina,
    I love all the tulips and your bathroom...of course...it was a beautiful way to start my day!!!

    I have not heard of the the "not" cutting tip so I will have to try it. On my very first Tuesday Tip I posted purple tulips and another blogger suggested putting a penny in the bottom of the container if you like less droop, and so I did and it worked. The second time I waited 2 days and the did it, because I like a little droop and this worked well too. I have also learned tulips have been longevity in certain vessels. So, be sure to let us know!

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  10. love the art in the bathroom. I think I need to buy me some flowers. Maybe that will make winter go away faster?

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  11. I love toile, but never use it. You really present beautiful pictures with flowers in your home. Lovely!

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  12. I recently got myself a few bunches of white tulips too! Kept some here at home and took some to the office. A beautiful way to usher 'hope' or 'dreams' of spring (not even close here on the east coast). I didn't trim the stems and my tulips lasted over a week! I was surprised to say the least.

    Just happened upon your blog the other day. I read all the way back and am all caught up now. Love your blog...

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  13. Gorgeous tulips and I had not heard that about cutting them either. Great tip.

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  14. another gorgeous post trina...thanks for the tulip tip, they are one of my favorites! ann

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  15. Hi Trina,

    Sounds like we are having the same weather. Those gorgeous, sunny days are being replaced with grey skies now. The tulips against the toile is stunning and brightens my day just looking at them. As always, just beautiful.

    ~janet

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  16. Very pretty photos!

    I've heard that a dash of bleach in the water will help tulips live longer. Not sure about the stem cutting....I have a florist friend, I'll have to ask him that one.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Polly

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  17. I lived in Germany. And visited the tulips fields in Belgium. They said to put a penny in the vase. It makes them stand up? Just my "two cents". ~Heather R.

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  18. Good Morning! I love the tulips and toile. I also have a light blue bathroom and white bathroom...it's so peaceful and calm. I have not heard that about tulips but the gal at the flower shop told me to put sugar in the water. I tried it with the lillies that I bought - we'll see!
    We seriously must be kindred spirits because I bought a nude etching yesterday at the antique store - I'm posting it later once the sun comes out. I may like yours better though - mine is an old man. :)
    Sarah

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  19. Your bathroom is gorgeous! And I love white tulips. They are so casually beautiful. I had to smile, too, when I saw what the name of the color on your walls is called. I was very inspired by your bathroom color, and wanted to paint our bathrooms something similar, and last week I painted both of our bathrooms a blue color that I thought didn't look as good as yours. The color actually grew on me, and I like it now, and the name of the color is Blue Opal by Behr. Maybe it's similar to yours after all. :)

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  20. I love it when you put new flowers on your pretty table in your pretty bathroom with your very pretty toile shower curtain and your GORGEOUS new piece of artwork!
    Thanks for sharing the tip on tulips too...I'll try it out.

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  21. Beautiful! Picking up some fresh flowers is on my to do list for today.

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  22. How funny - I recently featured a bouquet of tulips in a recent post, with toile bedding in the background! Your bathroom is lovely - I've been enjoying watching the work you and your husband have been putting into your home. Beautiful.

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  23. Trina -

    I'm going to have to add french tulips to my list of favorite flowers. I love a peony and you're right, they look just like them! I need some fresh flowers in my house too. I was just thinking that the other day. Great post!

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  24. Those white tulips are stunning. I have always liked them myself. The whole bathroom is really pretty; good idea about the toile curtains, and the wall paint colour is scrumptious!

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  25. Tulips are at all the corner stores here - buckets and buckets of brilliant colour. I love the ruffled two-colour tulips, a little pink and a little yellow.
    I think your nude sketch is perfect in the ornate frame - love that kind of contrast.

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  26. Tulips are spring cheery. ... and anything goes with toile :-))

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  27. I love toille! I have a toille curtain in my kitchen and laundry room, I wonder if I'll ever tire of it? Love the tulips as well- Krista

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  28. Yay for the wonderful tulips. I thought that last picture WAS peonies, they look almost just like them! I cannot WAIT for peonies to fill our house again...I was seriously daydreaming about them all day yesterday. Thanks for the tip on not cutting the stems...

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  29. Gorgeous tulips...gorgeous bathroom...gorgeous art. Did I mention gorgeous?

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  30. It must be tulip day. I picked up some pink ones today!

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  31. The tulips are gorgeous. I miss living across from tulip fields when we lived in Europe, your post reminded me of their simple beauty! Going to buy a big bunch today. Your blog is so inspirational, thank you. Lidy

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  32. Love that color! and the nude drawing! and the tulips!

    noodleandboof.blogspot.com

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  33. I love Pottery Barn's matine toile and that robin's egg color is my favorite. I've also read that if you don't want the tulips to continue to "grow," you can stick a pin through the stem right at the very base of the flower. Sometimes when they're in an arrangement, you don't want them to grow higher than the other flowers. When they're by themselves, though, I like them when they flop out of the vase a little bit.

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  34. I love those Matine shower curtains from Pottery Barn! My husband wants the blue ones for "his" bathroom, and I want the green ones for our master bathroom.

    Love your tulips! But I have to say I like the more traditional ones than the French.

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  35. Hello~Have you ever been to the Tulip farm outside of Woodburn Oregon? If not it's a great day trip and Beautiful Tulips.Starts in the middle of March and goes to about the middle of April.Love the French Style.G'Day~Kim

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  36. That bathroom is just gorgeous--love the choice of paint, love the art, love it all! I'm looking for a "blue" for my bedroom, "Opal Essence" maybe "the one"--thanks for sharing!

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  37. Your bathroom is so pretty, I love the wall color! And your tulips are lovely, I've never seen the pink french variety before. I've also never heard that about trimming tulips, I'll have to ask my friend who is a florist. I always trim mine, but I also change out the water frequently. Hmmm, now I'm curious.

    Kat :)

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  38. Love tulips! And your bathroom - your style is so calm and beautiful...sigh..Rachaelx

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  39. Love this time of year, and the price of tulips that come along with it!! I love them when they droop over a bit.

    Best,
    Michelle

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  40. Just beautiful Trina!! I have never heard about not cutting the stems, but do remember- think it was Martha?- talking about sticking a straight pin through the stem to help it absorb water....
    I just love French tulips!
    joan

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  41. Your bathroom is lovely - shabby chic without the shabby, and the tulips look great.

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  42. I absolutely adore tulips - particularly white ones! My bridesmaids carried a simple bouquet of white tulips, and if I could do it over, I would have done the same!

    Love the sketch above the toilet too.

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  43. beautiful bath and closet -
    I too have a clawfoot tub and I love it -
    you have a lovely home and I have enjoyed seeing the pictures.

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  44. What a beautiful bathroom - very fresh looking. I love toile fabrics. I am also much taken with the half shutters on the window - an idea I might use in my own bathroom. Pan

    http://smallstuff-blogspot.blogspot.com/

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  45. Love tulips! Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing! / Jackie

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  46. Gorgeous! Very happy!

    xo
    Eddie + Jaithan

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  47. I love your home. It feels so content. I haven't tried tulips for the house, they look so fragile. I think I'll buy a bunch or two and give it a whirl. Thanks for all the inspiration!

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  48. Tulips & toile - a marriage made in Heaven Trina!
    Millie ^_^

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  49. your tulips are wonderful.... its daffodills that release the nasty stuff. thats why you don't use them with other flowers.

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  50. Love your bathroom! I have been looking for some paint color inspiration for my newly finished bathroom and have found it here! I love the color!

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  51. They are just lovely...thank you for the tip!

    : )

    Julie M.

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  52. trina, i don't know how i stumbled onto you blog but so glad i did. i heart tulips. I will have to live vicariously through you. i've always dreamed of having a farmhouse out in the country and well, doing what your doing...fixing it up to make it my own. lovely. i am now a follower. hope you get a chance to stop by my blog one of these days.

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  53. Hello Trina, I have just been enjoying your posts. Your farmhouse transformation is awesome, so inspiring. Kathy.

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  54. Beautiful pictures.Your bathroom is delightful.Hope your tulips last:)

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  55. Love the tulips, and the bathroom wall color I really like. My Bathrooms have shower doors, been thinking about taking them down and putting up some nice shower curtains like you have.
    betsy

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  56. Trina, that's a gorgeous bathroom! I am in L.O.V.E. with the juxtaposition of the simple nude with the victorian frame...BRILLIANT! ...and we had daffodils on sale so ofcourse I HAD to get them, because spring can't get here fast enough!

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  57. Hi there!
    I SO enjoyed your pics of tulips...we've had snow, snow and MORE snow this entire winter and I'm ready for any sign of spring. :)
    I just ran across your blog for the first time tonight...it's very nice. I'd be honored if you'd visit mine as well. :) I've only been blogging for about a month, but I've found it to be amazing and oh so fun! :)
    Have a grea week!

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  58. love tulips and the fact that they are in season makes me very happy!

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  59. I love the flowers and the art. The drawing looks as if it is after Matisse in some of his simpler drawings. Very chic and beautifully framed. Thank you for sharing. David.

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