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Christmas trees aren’t the only game in town when it comes to adding natural botanical decor to a home. As holiday wreaths go up, we love the idea of replacing the faux with fresh protea and greens. A bountiful protea wreath enhances festive décor and adds a sense of luxury and organic authenticity to a home. Our wreaths are carefully created using daily harvested, fresh-cut flowers and foliage to ensure longevity. But what can you do to help ensure the longevity of your wreath once you’ve placed it in that special place? Follow these simple steps: Water your Wreath... Whether a wreath is hung in the heat of your house or the cold air outside, these winter environments are dry, and the flowers have no source of moisture. You will need to adjust the amount of water your wreath requires based on where you put it. A wreath displayed outside in a cool climate will require misting once a day. A wreath kept outside in a warm climate, or displayed indoors will need frequent watering o...

Another Society of American Florists’ (SAF) Outstanding Varieties award winner: Eucalyptus Tetragona. This fabulous foliage was dubbed Best in Class - Decorative Foliage during the 132nd Annual Convention in Maui, Hawaii. The entry was among the 184 different varieties from 20 farms. Judges scored each entry based on color and commercial appeal, stem and foliage, bloom form and size, and overall presentation. The judging panel included three retailers, three farmers and three wholesalers. Floral Management Magazine's November issue cites, “Looking to shake up Christmas? Look to ‘Tetragona.’ The variety’s stems have broad, aromatic, gray-blue green leaves with a very prominent central vein. Judges loved the silvery-white tones along the length of the stems and leaves and said the foliage would be ideal in formal bridal bouquets, especially those with a silver color theme. Flowers are grouped in threes and have masses of white stamens grouped together in the four corners of each f...

I do! My mother did. She loved 1940's and 1950's Movies, she believed that world of glamour was real. Sometimes I think real life disappointed her a little. When it came to Christmas my mum tried so hard with her very limited means to make it special for us. When it comes to Christmas I always get the urge to create a magical environment, a place where anything can happen. Little corners of mystery with candlelight and reflections and frosted snowflakes. Christmas on the beach is not for me, it has to be cold and frosty or it holds no magic. I felt the urge extremely strongly this year, even though I was busy with the shop. I managed to get my living room looking a little like a Ski Lodge or Cabin in the Woods, and repainted our draughty hall a lovely rich pinky red. We had a wonderful time with family and friends and I feel revived and ready to go again. I am sorry I did not manage to post before Christmas to wish all you lovely readers and followers the Compliments of the Sea...

A pretty pink angel, with moonbeams in a little jar. So sorry for my absence dear friends, I have been having too good a time as the 'maker of things'. The shop where I have a little booth, had a couple of Open Days and I had to get my act together and get some stuff made. I do buy in some things, but try as much as possible to make a variety of things, so that my space is ever changing and different. It is labour intensive, and frustrating at times, but I love the variety of it. Hand painted stockings. A rosy wreath. A hessian wreath complete with toadstools, and a very tired Mr. and Mrs. Claus. A little nutcracker decoration, minus the scary teeth! The hessian wreaths, I have been admiring for a while on Pinterest, so I thought I would have a go, they are really quite easy to make, and are a change from silk or fresh ones. I added my own little touch with some toadstools and dried hydrangea. Irish Blessing Cushion. You have seen this little fella before, but now it's fini...

I have been wreath making. I love wreaths, for every occasion and season. They signify the circle of life. I love circles, spots, curving lines, but I know people who love straight lines, symmetry, nothing flowery or fussy. I find it fascinating, also I find fascinating the thing about how you apply your lipstick. Mine is always rounded because I turn it round as I apply. My mum's was always pointy as she applied it the same way every time. What about you? How does your lipstick look, and do you love straight lines or curves? It must say something about us, but I am not sure what. I have been working on bringing in a little Christmas business by having wreaths in a few local shops . I have finally decided my theme for the Wedding Fair in February. I am going for the Classic Country theme, but with a period feel, think 'Tussie Mussie' bouquets and Empire line dresses, ribbons and roses. This is my inspiration collage, but I don't want to give too much away, so I will lea...

Kitchen with a traditional red colour scheme. The Danish pixie on the wall is an advent calendar. A few years ago I bought this cream tree, which I find very difficult to decorate, when colour is added it doesn't look right and when it is all white or cream it can look drab. I saw this idea to make it into a snowman on Pinterest and thought it would be fun. The mantle in the living room will be decorated with a swag of greenery and some flowers and candles when it gets nearer to Christmas. I bought this lovely little guardian angel bear from Flossie Limejuice on Etsy. I painted a chalkboard in the hall and added some childlike merchants houses and snow, and I must say I really love it. The Christmas decorating has begun in our home. I have to admit it is a bit of a palaver, getting everything out of the garage, changing my mind  about which tree to have where and how to decorate them, and I absolutely hate having to put it all away again. Once they are up I do love them so. I do lo...