Spring Fever: Fireplace Floral Basket

A fireplace was one of the things that was on our "wish list" when we purchased our home almost twenty years ago.  We love our fireplace, but when it is not in use, it is the black box in the room.  No problem--just add a floral arrangement to accessorize it.  


This year, I decided to change the basket up a bit and add some artificial pussy willow stems and yellow forsythia.  I purchased  these on sale at JoAnn Fabric and Crafts.

Several years ago, I found this basket at a shop selling vintage ware, before vintage ware was trending.  The shop owner had it filled with several, very realistic, lavender stems.  At the time, the lavender stems were a little more than I wanted to pay, so I purchased a few.  Then, on another shopping trip, I purchased some more.  I am so glad that I splurged on the lavender, as I have used them for years and have gotten many compliments on them.  (Many people have asked if they are from our garden.)

I change out the basket seasonally or whenever the spirit moves me.  I add evergreens, pinecones, and fruit for winter and lavender for summer.  The artificial pussy willow stems and yellow forsythia are a new addition to the lavender for this spring arrangement. I purchased  these on sale at JoAnn Fabric and Crafts.

There is one secret to the success of all of the arrangements.
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The secret is: two bricks.  These bricks have holes in them, which allow you to anchor the stems in the arrangement.  It really makes designing the arrangement simple.  When I purchased the basket and lavender stems, the owner of the shop offered to "throw in" the bricks, if I wanted them.  I am so glad I said yes.  They really help in the arranging of the floral stems.

I used wire cutters to cut the forsythia and the pussy willows to size.  They were quite a bit taller than the lavender.  I cut the pussy willows to be taller than the lavender.  Then I worked left to right.  I placed some lavender stems in the holes of the brick and interspersed the pussy willows.  Lastly, I placed the forsythia branches at random to fill out the arrangement.  The forsythia adds a lovely pop of color.

The only think left, is to place the basket in front of the fireplace.  

​Studying it now, I realize that I have the perfect spring floral sprays with miniature colored eggs.  When we get closer to Easter, I can pop of few of those in the arrangement and it is updated for Easter.  It is so easy to add and subtract items from an arrangement like this.

The addition of the Easter egg floral picks is subtle.  I may need a few more picks, or maybe I'll find a little bird that should be in this arrangement.  I know I have some beautiful butterflies that I could add to it. Or, I could leave it as it is.  I like arrangements that have fun surprises.

This is a close=up view of the Easter egg floral picks addition.

This photo shows the fall fireplace basket.  I used the same basket, same bricks, and autumn leaf and berry picks.  I had fun adding 3 LED lighted branches to this arrangement.

​I hope this gives you some ideas of using spring florals in your home decor.
​Enjoy!