The long winter months can feel endless, but one of the simplest and most effective ways to lift both our mood and our interiors is to take a leaf out of Ina Garten’s book and display a vase of early spring-flowering plants. Not only do they add a bright, cheerful splash of color, but fresh flowers also bring a touch of the outdoors inside, offering a hopeful hint that warmer days are on the way.
Ina Garten recently shared a photo of a bouquet of soft, lilac-hued tulips, noting, 'It’s amazing how a simple vase of flowers can change my mood.' We couldn’t agree more – on a cold, grey day, it’s hard to imagine these cheerful blooms not putting a smile on your face.
Shop Vases For Mood-Lifting Floral Displays Like Ina Garten's
The best vases should show off your beautiful blooms in all their glory, rather than detract from them, so we've rounded up a selection of minimal designs that do just that. Plus, we've picked out some gorgeously realistic faux flowers to display if you're still waiting for your own to bloom in the garden.
The ribbed texture on this fluted vase adds a subtle detail that gives it a luxe look, while the price tag is under $20. It's the ideal vessel for displaying a whimsical bunch of tulips in a bold hue.
The narrow neck on this pretty vase is perfect for supporting tulip stems, while the heads can flop gently into the curves created by the delicate scalloped rim, which is such an on-trend look.
The soft yellow of this vase is a beautiful choice for spring, and the shape will create a wonderful balance when filled with a voluptuous bouquet of tulips, which will be held in place neatly by the narrow neck.
Waiting patiently for that early bulb planting to pay off? In the meantime, a realistic faux bunch like this will do the trick if you're looking for an instant splash of color to lift the mood.
Inject a little early sunshine into your scheme with this realistic display, which comes in its own glass vase with a faux water effect. It's the perfect low-maintenance way to try Ina's idea.
This striking vase is designed to highlight single tulip stems rather than a full, blousy bunch, and is available in a natural green or an organic cream. The tulips enhance their sculptural quality as they gracefully droop, creating a simple yet elegant display.
It's not the first time we've seen Ina Garten display tulips on her kitchen countertop, but with spring on its way, the Barefoot Contessa has once again inspired us to look to nature and our gardens to bring a little joy to our interior spaces.
Head of Gardens, Rachel Bull, says, 'Tulips are a wonderful choice for this time of year as they come in a variety of bold, beautiful varieties, which can pick out the colors in your interior scheme or create a beautiful contrast that will stand out and make a statement. If you see tulips at a flower market or in a local store, now is the perfect time to really enjoy them, while the days are still short and the weather gloomy – they're a perfect and inexpensive way to inject a little spring cheer.'
If you're wondering how to arrange flowers, there's no better time to learn, and it really couldn't be simpler. Rachel also shared some really useful advice about how to care for tulips in a vase to ensure they stay fresh and looking their best for as long as possible.
Fresh flowers are an instant way to bring a sense of renewal, brightness, and unexpected color into your interior scheme, and Ina Garten's beautiful tulips are just the inspiration we need.
