Before & After - End of the Season Hydrangeas

Last weekend, when I was out in Bridgehampton with my good friend Austin and her parents Shelly and Vincent, we all decided to take one last dip in the pool before it would be closed for the season. It's always a little sad when summer ends, nights turn chill and the leaves begin to fall. While the hydrangeas on her parents' property had been lush and white all summer long, by September, their color had faded to green and their branches begun to dry. To me, like the patina of old ironstone, they had become even more beautiful, the way anything good starts to age. After returning with all of our finds from Sage Street Antiques  and the yard sale in Sag Harbor, I was so inspired that I decided to make three arrangements, all with end of the season hydrangeas from Shelly's garden, together with fresh cut flowers from local farm stands in Bridgehampton.

This glazed yellow McCoy vase Austin picked up at Sage Street the day before. I thought the green hydrangeas, together with red zinnias from the farm stand, would make for a stunning centerpiece.

The way these colors mix and play off one another—the punchy red, the muted green and the pale yellow—there's something very Hamptons 1940s beach casual about it, don't you think? I can see it on a breakfast table covered in a beautiful antique linen green and yellow plaid tablecloth.   

For the second arrangement, I used this small, pressed glass footed compote I picked up at Sage Street. 

This arrangement is more formal with rose hips, lace cap hydrangeas and yellow roses tipped a deep shade of red. I see this one in an elegant dining room, an entry hall or even a woman's dressing room. And remember, doing a flower arrangement like this is not as difficult as you might think! Check out this video to get started. (Hint: Think flower frog!)

For the last (and my personal favorite) arrangement, I used the silverplate decanter caddy I picked up at the yard sale in Sag Harbor. You may remember that it had been missing one of its crystal decanters, but on the same table just a few minutes later, I found three glass spooners that were the perfect replacement.

Check out the final result! This one I see on a sofa table flanked by a pair of alabaster lamps with beautiful silk string shades. And what's even better is how simple it was to do. Each spooner holds five hydrangeas that together form a lush, full arrangement in the caddy. I love how the bust faces on the sides of the handle peak out at the top. How great is that for reusing a piece that could have easily been thought of as useless? It's not unlike the hydrangeas themselves, fading from summer to fall, becoming another sort of life.      

Comments

[philippines flower]

Oh' that flower was so cool! This is the first time I saw like that. Anyway, thanks for sharing this post. I enjoyed reading it.

-pia-

[~Tina]

Love it ! Having worked for a wedding florist for the past 10 years we found that some of the best flower arrangements are in the most unlikely holders .

[Tamara]

Love your arrangements!

[limoncelloSTYLE]

holy dear LORD these are stunning! I have always loved when the white hydrangeas turn green.

'Saw' you while blogging at the MS show last week (I was there with Weddingbee [I'm Mrs Corn])and have loved exploring your blog.

Best of luck on Top Design :)

--mzb

[Jennifer]

I agree that they get prettier at the end of the summer -- and they last longer in a vase, too.

LOVE them with the red zinnias! I'll have to keep that in mind for my own yellow McCoy vase :)

[Pink Wallpaper]

wow, those look amazing...i wish that i had talent when it comes to flower arranging but i am terrible!!

[brilliant asylum]

Your blog is rocking my world. So much inspiration, so many beautiful things to learn about. Good luck on Top Design. We are rooting for you!

[Pam]

Wow, Eddie! Your flower arrangements are absolutely beautiful! What a simply elegant display. I loved all of them!

[Anne]

I LOVE Arrangements #1 & #2! #3? Not so much.

[Kimberly]

I'm rooting for you on Top Design. I was at the Martha Show the other day. I didn't know your blog was so awesome!

I love the first arrangement! Can you come and do that at my house?!

[Kimberly]

I love the first one with the pop of red!

I was at the Martha show the other day and I was so excited to see you because I was rooting for you on Top Design!

Is that Salvation Army always as good as it looked in your pictures? I need to go!

[Kimberly]

Ohh! I love the first one. Aren't you just the perfect flower arranger?!

I was at the Martha Show the other day with all the "bloggers". Saw ya! I thought you did fabulous and was so excited because I had seen you on Top Design. I'm rooting for you!

If I get back to NYC soon I want to visit that Salvation Army. Is it always as good as it looks in the pictures? Thanks!

[pigtown*design]

Ditto to what everyone else has said. It's like finding a fun new friend with great taste and a good sense of humour!

[katiedid]

I knew you would do something amazing with that decanter caddy. You are giving me so many great ideas for all of my "stuff". You seem to have so much fun doing all you do. And that's what is really the most important thing behind your successes, no?

[Judy]

I saw you on Martha the other day and decided to visit. I love your blog and figured you would have millions of followers after the show. I love all your flea market and Salvation Army finds. Your flowers are awesome. I wish I had half your talent. I really really want to go shopping with you.

[Catherine]

Gorgeous! You've got skills!

[pumpkin petunia]

Beautiful arrangements! The last is my definite favorite and I just die over your flea market finds.

[Kari]

Just found your blog thru Habitually Chic - LOVE it! The red zinnias with the hydrangeas are stunning! I have these green hydrangeas all over my house now too, and even as they dry out, they still look great.

[LindsB]

I agree with you, I love the last one as well! Although they are all amazing.

[Christine E]

Gorgeous arrangements...hydrangeas are a favorite of mine. Those yellow roses tipped in red are beautiful.

[Jennifer]

For some reason, I find it exceedingly difficult to believe that you do not have throngs of fans following you everywhere you go. You are totally the Pied Piper of Flea Markets.

I want to shop with you. Seriously.

[seleta]

Eddie, the last is my fav too! Hydrangeas are the most beautiful flowers ever. Of course, I think you could make something beautiful even while blind-folded.

Hurry up and start the Eddie Ross Design Show. I'd love to audition for your beach coverage!

xxx
Seleta

[Keri]

Eddie,

I don't think the Butler's Pantry is going to be enough! We need the Eddie Ross empire: found objects, food, flowers, haberdashery and whatever other talents we haven't seen yet!

[Paloma of La Dolce Vita]

Beautiful arrangements!

I agree with Sarah. :) Is there anything you can't do, Eddie?

[architectdesign]

Are you secretly a professional florist? Those are so beautiful! I'm generally proud of my simple 1 or 2 flower arrangements -nothing in comparison to these! Impressive!

[Sarah's Fab Day]

Eddie - I think I have a huge friend crush on you! Not only are your finds gorgeous, the perfect shopping pal but you seem super fun to-boot. I have really enjoyed your blog it's pretty much my new favorite spot, so thanks.

[Bryn]

Breathtaking arrangements!! 'Aged' hydrangeas would be so pretty for a fall wedding, too! I imagine them with a bride in an antique lace dress.

[liz]

These are all so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!