Blog Description

A French-Inspired Garden and Home by Judith Stringham

7 Beautiful Spring Centerpieces

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Are you looking for a beautiful centerpiece for Spring decorations? One that is unusual and eye-catching for the dining table, buffet, coffee table, or entry table with a delightful appeal? See 7 Spring centerpieces with tips to help you create a similar one for your home this year. 



①  Pink & Yellow Spring Centerpiece 


Beautiful Spring Centerpiece with roses, tulips, oak leaves, mint sprigs
Shake up a traditional roses and tulips arrangement by adding non-traditional greenery from your yard. Oak leaves and sprigs of mint add interesting shapes, textures, and fragrance. 

Variegated lantana in shades of pink and yellow on the same flower head coordinates with both the pink tulips and pale creamy roses. 

Set an iron bunny tied with peach, lavender, and yellow ribbons at the base of the flowers to hide the flower stems in the vase and to repeat the flower colors. 

Backyard Bluebonnets | Time in Nature Reduces Stress

Thursday, March 26, 2020



Relaxing in backyard bluebonnets is one way nature can bring calm to our bodies and minds during stressful times. Research shows spending as little as five minutes outside can reduce stress levels. Plus, even viewing scenes of nature reduces fear and anger, and makes you feel better emotionally. 


Backyard Bluebonnets are a way Time in Nature Reduces Stress
If your stress levels are low right now, spend time with my backyard bluebonnets to feel even better. If your stress levels are high, or you are depressed, afraid, or angry, sit back and enjoy a little relaxation in my backyard bluebonnets to feel better emotionally. Take your mind off your worries.  

And get a few ideas for how to create time in nature in your own backyard. 

French-Inspired White Bird Cage for Spring

Friday, March 20, 2020

A French-inspired white wire bird cage has landed on the white shelves in the kitchen sunspace for a fresh look this spring. Previously, the white bird cage sat on a table at the end of the sofa in the living room. 


French inspired white bird cage for spring decorating in a country house sunspace
Why this bird cage and the two myrtle topiaries? 
  
As always, I look for ways to bring more French design into my country house. If you also love adding French Country style or garden style to your house, read on to see how a bird cage and topiaries could bring a fresh look to your house this spring. 

Well House to Tool Shed | Exterior Before

Monday, March 16, 2020

Photos of my old rustic well house in the country may look romantic to those who love chippy paint, but the truth is the building needs repairs. And, I need a tool shed for garden tools, garden supplies, and garden equipment. 


Well house to tool shed before photos in the countryside during spring
This spring the well house has finally risen to the top of my list of repair projects. 'Before' photos from last spring, during bluebonnet season, show the old well house at its best. Spring green trees and wild flowers soften the views of badly damaged siding and a damaged flower trellis. 

Breath of Spring | French Country Wire Basket

Sunday, March 8, 2020

Artificial narcissus in a French wire basket adds a breath of Spring to my post and beam country house. One of the joys of living in the countryside is seeing the earth awaken from Winter. And, one of the first signs of the earth awakening outside around my house is daffodils. 


Breath of Spring French Country Wire Basket of Narcissus
Once the narcissus/daffodils begin blooming outside, I bring some inside to awaken the house from Winter. 

But, I also want to look out the windows and kitchen sunspace to see daffodils swaying in the breeze in the tall rye grasses. If I cut them all to bring inside, there are none to see outside. To enjoy daffodils inside and out, I create some bouquets inside using artificial narcissus.