Vase adventures

The weekly micro-decorating newsletter * Issue 4 of 13, SS25 *
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If you resist buying yourself flowers because you don't have a nice vase, I have good news for you. There are all sorts of things you can use as a vase – and an off-brand vase can be more interesting than an official one. It's fun to experiment with unusual ways of holding your blooms. Flowers have a way of adapting to circumstance, and juxtaposing humble containers with extravagant fillings is sure to turn heads.

I've been playing around with combinations at home and have learned a few things. A single flower can work in a bottle, as I discovered with this remnant from a Dark Horse cold brew:

An interesting drinking glass easily doubles as a vase. This handmade Mexican number is perfect for just a few stems:

Once you get started, anything slim and cylindrical is tempting. This vintage desk organizer looked like a playful option:

Sure enough, Some Gerbera daisies made a nice contrast to the minimalist forms...

... but only for a while. I discovered that the device wasn't watertight, and a puddle quickly grew on the tabletop. If you're experimenting with some outlandish vase equivalent, it's best to test its seaworthiness over the sink first.

I knew that a Lucite ice bucket would do the job, and its swivelling lid made for a lighthearted nudge against sprigs of eucalyptus:

As for the Gerbera daisies, they made their way into a more traditional vessel. Sometimes the tried and true is what you'll turn to when your experiments fall flat:

So the next time you're eyeing the bouquets at your grocery store checkout, don't hesitate: buy one for yourself. Bold ventures await you. The worst that can happen is you'll have some cheery blossoms in drinking glasses... and a desire to buy at least one conventional vase.

Over to you

Have you ever repurposed a household object as experimental decor? Share your secret! The best ideas might spark an upcoming newsletter feature.

Elsewhere

Summer flea markets are great venues for finding vases, both traditional and offbeat. If you're not well-practiced in how to sift through the teeming array of objects, this article from Real Simple magazine offers some expert guidance:

7 Items Interior Designers Always Search for at Flea Markets—and 3 They Leave Behind

Interior designers reveal their top flea market finds—from vintage glassware to unique benches—and the items they always skip. Shop smarter with these expert tips.

Real SimpleSarah Lyon

Don't worry, I've vetted the roundup, and the recommendations are all Guy-approved. Happy searching!

Thank you for reading.