Sunday, May 25, 2014

Bringing the Outdoors In



Do you find, as I do, that flowers or greenery adds life to a room? A pot of ivy on the mantel, a fern in the hallway, and a ficus tree behind the sofa add the energy of growing things in my home. But I want more. These days my garden is bursting with life. The first blooms of spring have passed and I'm awaiting the hydrangeas and roses. 


I found these metal containers at Ikea in December. I put small glass candle holders with tea lights in them and admired the light flickering through the open pattern. The other day I looked at them and thought they'd make pretty vases as well. A small jar holds water and into the water I plunked variegated sage, lemon balm, and oregano, all clipped from my garden. The herbs are at their best just now and it's time to begin harvesting for the winter. There are more than enough herbs to enjoy as greenery as well as to dry for later.

What's in your herb garden? Do you dry herbs for the winter? What do you clip from your garden when flowers are scarce?

24 comments:

  1. I have the same containers, and that's a really good way to use them. We put some cutlery in them, which also looks nice. We have a herb garden and it contains: basil, oregano, thyme, sage and rosemary.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  2. Looking lovely x

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  3. Great use for those "containers." The herbs look great in them. I don't have a lot of herbs this season, just cilantro, oregano, mint, thyme and basil. I like to clip herbs and bring them inside even when I have lots of flowers outside, especially in the summer because they feel very fresh and cool to me visually.

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  4. I love greenery in the house, but I have very little. I needed to remedy this, so the other day I took some clipped boxwood and put it in a white pitcher and set it on my cabinet in the hallway. It looks great!

    Yours look wonderful in those neat metal vases!

    Deanna

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  5. I've looked at those little white 'lace' containers several times - I love how you've used them. Yes, greenery in the house is every bit as lovely as showy petals!

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  6. the little lace containers seem quite versatile. I may need another Ikea visit. I enjoyed your Friday Five as well~

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  7. Very nice. Love bringing the greenery indoors.

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  8. I would not have thought to use herbs as you have done so creatively. We plan a trip to IKEA soon so I will keep those pretty containers in mind. They would look good on the window ledge in the kitchen and so handy for snipping sprigs to add to the food.

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  9. I would not have thought to use herbs as you have done so creatively. We plan a trip to IKEA soon so I will keep those pretty containers in mind. They would look good on the window ledge in the kitchen and so handy for snipping sprigs to add to the food.

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  10. This is a sweet and creative idea. I've always admired those pots from IKEA. Love that store!

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  11. I like clipping herbs to fill a vase too. They're green and they smell nice.

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  12. Love your little lacy containers (I love Ikea too)! We grow herbs here too--chives, sage, rosemary, cilantro, basil, lots of lavender and usually more -- but I've been lazy this year :( No freshly cut herbs or flowers right now, but some dried lavender and hydrangea.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  13. Wow...I'm envious of your herb garden's produce! I had to go out & BUY basil & parsley...also, my rosemary didn't winter over this year. bummer.

    The perforated white containers are darling with either candle light of fresh greens. Love them both ways & you've inspired me to dig out a similar one that I own. I've never put a glass down inside with water for flowers but I will now...THANKS!

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  14. I often bring little bunches of herbs in to "green" up the house in the summertime. Yours look lovely in the containers from Ikea! It really pays to look at something in a new light, doesn't it?

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  15. I'm not a herb grower (yet) but I love your idea! I have very similar containers from Target.
    They are so pretty!

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  16. Those are wonderful containers for your plants. I don't grow herbs and can't have plants inside due to all our cats as so many can be poisonous to them it's best to just not have plants inside.

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  17. I like that look on your table. Did you use a plank of wood or is it a breadboard?

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  18. That is so pretty, I"m a big fan of green, always have a sprig of something in a little vase somewhere.

    Flowering or not.

    Jen

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  19. Is it that time already? I'd best start drying my herbs and putting them in icecubes!! I love the idea of putting them in vases and into containers. Have a wonderful week xx

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  20. A great idea. I expect the scent of the herbs isn’t bad indoors either.

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  21. I pick catnip from the garden to tuck in a bouquet, as we have way too much of it.
    My favorite herbs from the garden are thyme, lemon verbena, and oregano, oh yes parsley too.
    I have one "vase" like yours from Ikea and think they are so pretty.

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  22. Loved these lacy containers when I saw them at IKEA last year but as we're de cluttering ready for downsizing on our return to UK didn't purchase any. Now that I've seen your pretty display i wish that I had! Love the simple elegance of your table runner.

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  23. Anonymous10:48 PM

    I love that idea - I know what you mean about liking to have as much of the garden as possible indoors. I need to put on my shopping list to look for more containers. I appreciate your good example!

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  24. Lovely display! We have a limited amount of space, so I only grow three herbs that are used in everyday dishes: Rosemary, basil, and parsley. And I only dry rosemary.

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