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In search of the perfect Vase

by | Feb 7, 2016 | Home & Garden | 27 comments


A few weeks ago my beloved blue Staffordshire pottery vase (a charity shop find) fell victim to the shudders of an overactive spin cycle on my washing machine, crashing to the floor (despite there being a worktop between the machine and it) and smashing into many pieces. It has featured in many of my flower posts, and I miss it.

 

broken-staffordshire-blue-vase-mollyandtheprincess

 

(you can see how upset I was when it broke in that I couldn’t even focus the camera!)

Since then, I’ve thought a lot about vases, bought a few, and coveted many more, so I thought I’d share my findings with you.

 

What makes the perfect vase?

Well, that’s a tricky question, and the answer is there isn’t one perfect vase for all bouquets of types of flowers. But I have a few recommendations:

  • Glass vases are best for flowers of a single type, that have a straight single stem, such as daffodils or tulips, otherwise stick to ceramic or opaque vases, so you don’t detract the focus away from the flowers. I’m using this green glass vase from Wayfair for an almighty bunch of narcissi (only £3 from Aldi – bargain):

 

narcissi-wayfair-vase-mollyandtheprincess

 

  • You will need at least two size vases – I’ve found that a vase with a height of 24cm is the best for bouquets from the florists – such as this gorgeous Goddess bouquet from Appleyard London from their Valentine’s Day Flowers (if you need to drop some hints, you might like to add that you can get 33% off using the code BLOG33). I’ve had some truly wonderful luxury bouquets from Appleyard and this size vase always fits them just right.

 

appleyard-goddess-mollyandtheprincess

goddess bouquet appleyard london-mollyandtheprincess

 

  • a smaller vase around 22cm height good for more informal bouquets, such as bunches of anemones or carnations – or, more narcissi (that bunch was so big I just had to split it). But don’t just stick to vases, a jug of this height also works well:

 

daffs-in-jug-mollyandtheprincess

 

What’s hot in the shops?

Here are my top picks of what vases are currently available in the shops:

 

formlig-vases-ikea-mollyandtheprincess

 

I’m seriously coveting these vases from IKEA, which are perfect for single stem arrangements, and wouldn’t the pink ‘Formlig‘ one be perfect in Pantone Colour of the Year 2016 interiors?

Not one but two vases from the Living by Christiane Lemieux range at House of Fraser are currently on my vase wish list. I wasn’t surprised to learn that designer Christiane Lemieux studied art history before turning to fashion and design, as I can definitely see modernist influences in her designs, and maybe that’s why I love them so much:

 

living-christine-lemieux-vases-hof-mollyandtheprincess

 

The Geo vase (above left) costs £25, and the Abacus Ceramic Grey Geometric vase (above right) is £30, but there is currently a BYGOF offer, so you could snaffle both for £30.

have an amazing selection of vases at the moment, and if you are a fan of mid-century modern or retro style then you’ll definitely find something you fancy here. I’m particularly liking the ‘Pippin’ (below, far right) which also comes in a blue colourway.

 

habitat-vases-mollyandtheprincess

 

Finally, don’t forget the charity shops – great places to find vases. I’m still looking for a pottery one just like my lost blue vase, but in the meantime I picked up this heavy pressed glass one for £2.99. A soak in some bleach and it came up crystal clear. I think old fashioned vases such as these are perfect for old fashioned flowers, such as, *ahem, daffs:

 

daffs-in-antique-vase-mollyandtheprincess

 

Thanks to Appleyard London for sending me a Goddess Bouquet from their Valentine’s Day Flowers range. Don’t forget entering code BLOG33 at checkout will get you 33% off luxury bouquets (excluding their Flowers by Post range).

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