For me one of life’s little pleasures is a vase full of flowers. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to have a house full but more often than not it’s just a couple of bunches from the supermarket.
The thing is when it comes to blooms, one size definitely doesn’t fit all and I like to have a few different sizes, types and styles in my cupboard.
Medium Size Glass
First up, the medium sized glass jar. Mine is 26cm tall and I use it a lot, particularly if I’m luckily enough to get a florist bought bouquet with longer stems as a gift.
I bought mine on my first trip to Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Park Racecourse and so it holds good memories of trudging about in the rain. I think mine was about £12 and the ones in stores seem to be more expensive however on a cost per usage basis I must be down to a couple of pence now.
Smallish Jug
I can’t find a photo of this jug in use so you’ll have to settle for an image of it in my kitchen cabinet. (It’s on the second shelf down on the right hand side). It’s one that I probably use more in the Spring at 18 cm tall it’s the perfect height for tulips and daffodils. It has a wider lip on in so I often need two bunches of flowers in there to properly fill it but when they’re as cheap as they are at the moment it’s fine.
I bought it from San Miguel Market in Madrid where we spent all day sipping White Rioja so it’s a miracle it make it home in one piece.
An Opaque Vase
I’ve mentioned before I’m a fan of faking it. Often the tell-tale sign of a fake floral is the stem so an opaque vase is a must for hiding them. This vase I’m showing here is currently filled with real eucalyptus but I’ve used it lots of times with fake blooms. This galvanised jug measures 26cm and was bought from Swallows and Damsons in Sheffield but I have two others (one larger and one smaller) that I found in Home Sense.
Milk Bottles
I bought these milk bottles originally when we threw a surprise 80th for James’ Grandma. We hired out a restaurant and had two tables which were united by loads of bottles laden with tulips. I have them in use constantly, usually with supermarket roses and a bit of foliage from the garden. As they’re only about 12cm tall you can use short stems with them so great if you have a bit of a casualty with your bouquet and needed a shorter vessel.
Bud Vases
Even shorter than the milk bottles I also think it’s really handy to have a super short set of bud vases. I’ve got a few from H&M but I also use a few Hendricks miniature bottles as well as a really tiny set I found in Wimbledon Village last year. The smallest one I have is only about 5cm tall and it’s perfect for delicate pickings and fallen heads.
Any other vase types or styles that you have in your selection? What do you like to display your blooms in?
For floral styling tips visit our archive feature on floral arrangements at home.
I won’t even tell you how many I have. Maybe about 40? I don’t like bud vases at all, I just don’t GET it. I don’t feel like they have any impact when against the rest of our stuff so I can’t see them. Then they die and I don’t notice. My favourites are 30cm wide 10cm high low cylinders – I did half of them for our wedding – I put three along the length of our dining table. I usually use oasis for these. We collect the hedgerows and herbs on our weekend walks and put something together. It’s easier with oasis to let the kids help. And greenery lasts longer than flowers.
My spring favourite is a small 10cm wide, 15cm high round one for daffodils. I like oodles of daffodils and for 95p a bunch I usually buy 3 or 4 bunches per vase.
I’ve just had a clear out and got rid of the cheap Ikea looking square ones that scream ‘early 2000 trips to buy meatballs’. I prefer something with a smoother aesthetic. More rustic.
Do you remember those 99p vases from Ikea that looked like a big pint glass? I think that was the only vase anyone had at uni. That and the Ikea standard lamp.
I have one vase 🙈 The problem was the cat loves a good bunch of flowers so I never bought any because it was just hassle keeping them away from him. However, we now have a kitchen window sill that he can’t get to easily so I need to take advantage of this and buy all the flowers. But first, vases. Great selection and a couple have made it into my mental shopping basket already.
What is it with cats and flowers?! They love them don’t they?
Yes get your vase up high!
I have loads of vases – just love filling the house with flowers! My favourite though are 3 identical tall cylindrical glass vases. I fill them with cow parsley in May and stand them 3 in a row on my dining room table. Perfection in my book and free!
Free is always my favourite Kate!
I have sooo many and want more! I love charlottes vase on the left https://instagram.com/p/BgRg3wMniLN/
Do you know where I can get one from? love how it has a narrow neck so certain flowers will stay up better – I’m such a vase geek x
Hi Emma, I think it’s from H&M if I remember rightly x