Tip: Fruit & Flowers

Fruit and flowers. No one does color quite like them.

Let's say we're in a museum, gazing upon the artwork. I'm willing to bet that at some point as we stroll through those large rooms, we'll find at least one painting that contains a bowl of fruit. Perhaps it's not the centerpiece, perhaps it is. I'm also willing to bet that another piece will contain flowers. Perhaps they are growing wild outside, perhaps they are in a vase.

Apples in a Dish, Pierre Auguste Renoir.

Fruit and flowers are gorgeous. I mean, they serve as muses to the world's greatest artists. So yes. We could buy the art work to decorate our homes. But why not go straight to the source? Chances are - call me crazy - most of us already buy fruit on a regular basis, for starters. And as for the flowers - they may be right outside your door in your gorgeous garden. Previously paid for. OR, consider adding $5-10 to your weekly grocery budget, and you'll have a fresh bunch four times a month.

Vase of Flowers, Claude Monet.

Fruit and flowers brighten up any room. They add life and a breath of fresh air to any nook. They not only nourish you, they are pleasing to the eye. 

So again a reminder that we're not attempting brain surgery over here at A Serene Space. But I love finding beauty in the most practical and useful objects. Flowers and fruit are my every day centerpiece at the kitchen table. (The flowers venture beyond the kitchen table to other areas of the house. More on that next week!) As the week dwindles away, my fruit bowl empties. The flowers start to wilt. But time flies. And it's time to grocery shop again.

Side note: Decorating with fruit also allows you to display a lovely bowl that might otherwise sit tucked away in the corner cupboard. She's a pretty bowl. So display her, guys. Just like Johnny taught us in DIRTY DANCING: "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

Need a pop of yellow to brighten your living room? Sure, you could buy a throw pillow. But why not load up a bowl with citrus? Boom. There's nothing more yellow than lemons. Dreaming about accenting with iris against your beautiful royal blue couch? Go out and buy a bunch of lavender, stick it in a mason jar and place it on the side table. Browsing in your favorite store, see some nick-nacks and are drawn to them because of their color? PAUSE. WALK AWAY FROM THE NICK-NACKS. Stop at your grocery store or farmers' market on the way home and buy the color combo in fruits. (Then congratulate yourself for saying no to nick-nacks.)

By decorating with fruit and flowers, we are avoiding clutter but adding color. This is a win win situation. 

What is your favorite fruit? Flower? How do you use them to decorate? 
Share in the comments below!