Some of the best things in the Pottery Barn catalog are not what they are selling, but what they are not. You may remember last year that my love (and I mean LOVE) of Peonies drew me to this PB photo.
Do you see that arrangement far back in the right corner? Let me zoom in.
If you look closely, you can see that the Pottery Barn stagers have added these gorgeous flowers to a big vase of seashells. I was so in love with this arrangement, that I made my own mini-version last summer.
Here we are almost a year later, and I am still obsessed with that arrangement. I’ve been patiently waiting for fresh cut peonies to come available in local stores this Spring. Sadly, they do not grow well in my area, so I am unable to grow my own.
Imagine my surprise when I walked into Whole Foods last weekend and found tons of gorgeous Peonies waiting on me to take them home! They were about $10 for a bunch of 5 (gasp!), but I’ve been waiting so long that it was worth the cost to me.
When I got home, I set out to put together a new and improved version of my Pottery Barn inspired Peony and seashell arrangement. This most recent bunch of flowers had beautiful leaves and long stems, so I wanted to do something a little different. After playing around for a few minutes, this is what I came up with:
To create this arrangement, I filled the bottom of a tall, round vase with some shells. I then added water and my Peony stems. Next, I poured more shells into the vase so that they filled about 2/3 of the vase, making sure they covered the bottom of the stems. Last, I tied a little piece of jute ribbon around the vase for a finishing touch.
I love this arrangement even more than I loved last year’s arrangement. You can do this at home, right now. Even if you don’t have a ton of shells laying around like I do or access to Peonies, you can use rocks and any sort of long-stem flower that’s cheap. If you do use rocks that you collect yourself, just make sure you wash them really well so bits of dirt won’t be floating around in your flower water!
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Congrats to Kimberly W! I’ll be sending you an email later today so that you and Mandy can be in touch about your custom roman shade!
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Ashley says
I love peonies. They were in my wedding bouquet and they’re gorgeous. Definitely not cheap though.
Jeannine @ Small & Chic says
Whole Foods just rocks when it comes to flowers, don’t they? I had a photo shoot at my place for a local shelter magazine and I was able to walk out of there with an armful of flowers for $45. They made me so happy.
The peonies look great! I have to get myself to our WF to pick up some for my place.
Laurie-Jean says
I’ll take peonies over roses any day!! $10.00 worth every penny! Your lovely arrangement brightened my day, thanks!
Marty@A Stroll thru Life says
Your flower arrangement is absolutely gorgeous. Love the idea of the shells. Very pretty. Hugs, Marty
Stephanie @ Geezees says
what lovely flowers!
Heather - Dollar Store Crafts says
Awww, I live a half mile from a Peony farm. I guess I should go buy some just in honor of you! Come visit me in Oregon! 🙂
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
I adore peonies too!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Lovely!!! I have been looking for some peonies to plant. The one I planted last year didn’t fare well, but I’m hoping to get some going elsewhere in the yard. 🙂
Laurie says
This looks beautiful! What a great idea!
Kate at Centsational Girl says
Oh I just love the addition of shells, it gives the whole arrangement such a magazine look ! Beautiful my dear, and you’re right, peonies are WORTH it ! The most gorgeous flowers ever !
Nadir@hodgepodge says
Beautiful! I have a huge pink peonie bush in my backyard that flowers at least 20 to 30 blooms each year. I love it!
Sharon Chapman says
I grow peonies in my garden. These were haned down from my grandfather brought all the way from MN to WA. I treasure them. I love the seashells in the vases. Very clever.
Sarah @ Dream in Domestic says
I love how inspiration comes in unexpected places and in unexpected ways. I LOVE this arrangement – I think I actually like this one better than the PB one – it must be the narrow vase you used (and the cute bow).
Alison says
I LOVE peonies. I saw some at the local Farmer’s Market this weekend and had to tear myself away from the giant bunch. Your arrangement is perfect!
Stephanie says
I ADORE your latest arrangement! Super cute and understated so it doesn’t take away from the real beauty.. the peonies!
Tami @ A Girls Gotta Nest says
I LOVE Peonies!! My grandma had a row of them alog the side of her house, oh how wonderful they would smell. I just told my husband the other day that when we find the house we want I would like to have a row of peonies plants in my yard.
Have a wonderful week!
heather says
I do the same thing Lindsey…when I look through a magazine or catalog…I look beyond the advertised items. I checkout the window treatments, flooring, accessories…you name it! Peonies are the best!
asnipofgoodness says
I just adore Peonies, and with seashells, OMGOSH, soooo very pretty and hip, all at the same time. I planted a Peonie root this year, but no action yet. I’ve heard they take a long time to cultivate. No whole foods here either, but I am filing that idea away for safe keeping, for when I can get my paws on some of those voluptuous flowers!
Thanks for sharing!
Decorchick! says
Wow, that looks beautiful!! Now I’ll be on the hunt for some Peonies!
Jennifer Juniper says
I was just thinking of buying some peony bushes today! I really love that arrangement, and I do the same thing with those catalogs – I scour the background!
Shelley in SC says
I think I am going to have to use this adorable idea on my summer tables!! So simple and so beautiful!
This American Wife says
Pottery Barn is one of my favorite design places to find design inspiration, too! And those peonies… gorgeous!
Susan says
Peonies do very well in Washington. I have a friend whose yard is filled with them, and they are like ‘antique peonies’, her great great grandmother, and then her great grandmother tranplanted some in her yard, and then her mother did the same and then Liz did to. There is just something that speaks ‘heritage’ with Peonies. I like antique roses that way also…
Denise says
What a gorgeous arrangement, Lindsay! Thanks for the great idea and inspiration!
Bobbinoggin says
those peonies are gorgeous. makes me want some pretty floral arrangement of my own!
Holly Kennedy says
I love peonies! If you live in the Midwest, as I do, the end of May means peonies are blooming! Mine just started blooming today!
Kathryn says
Beautiful! I feel the need to buy fresh cut flowers now ….
peonylady says
I LOVE PEONIES! and I especially enjoy how you’ve seen an idea of how to present it and made it even better. Great job. When I used to live in San Diego, CA – I make an annual trip to my florist. He saves 2 bundles that I pick up 1/week. And when we moved to Washington State, I immediately planted 25 peonies in my garden. Now, I have a Peony Farm where I have more than 90 varieties. Shall we say I am passionate about peonies?
Pbchitchat says
I never really paid that much attention peonies until I saw your post. I love your recreation of the pottery barn version. Been looking through you site Im excited to be a new follower.