Life with Flowers
The other day, while taking a walk in my neighborhood, I happened to notice hydrangeas blooming by the roadside.
Their soft colors, heralding the arrival of the rainy season, made me stop and gaze at them.
At that moment, I suddenly thought, "I want to welcome the seasons into my home through flowers."
3RD CERAMICS Flower Vase
Actually, I recently encountered a special vase.
That favorite vase is a flower vase from "3RD CERAMICS", carefully shaped one by one on a potter's wheel at a workshop in Tajimi, Gifu.
The natural colors and smooth, unglazed-like texture give it a sophisticated impression.
No matter what flowers I put in it, it has a generous and elegant quality that warmly embraces them, and I fell in love at first sight.
While it has a simple and stylish form, it exudes a gentle atmosphere, perhaps due to the "fluctuations" unique to handmade items.
The subtle marble pattern changes softly with the light.
Even without flowers, it has a beauty that blends into the space like an object, doesn't it?
Another appeal is that the mouth of the vase is slightly narrow, so even a few flowers don't spread out, and styling is easily achieved.
I often felt that "flower arranging seems difficult," but with this vase, there's a strange sense of ease that allows me to face the flowers without feeling daunted.
It comes in three sizes: S, M, and L.
I chose the S size, which can be casually displayed on the dining table, because I wanted to be close to flowers every day.
Kagurazaka Flower Shop "jardinnostalgique"
Wanting to find flowers that would suit that vase, I decided to visit my favorite flower shop in Kagurazaka, "jardinnostalgique."
The store, with its beautifully arranged flowers, is a place where my mind instantly calms down the moment I open the door.
The shop is filled with seasonal flowers and branches I've never seen before, so much so that it's hard to decide where to look.
But still, the image of the hydrangeas I saw by the roadside lingered in my mind, so I unhesitatingly chose pale blue-gray hydrangeas.
Softness that Melds into the Space
I went home and immediately tried arranging the flowers.
The pale, gentle colors of the hydrangeas blended smoothly with the matte texture of the vase, creating a natural unity as if this combination was meant to be from the start.
Also, because the mouth of the vase tapers, even arranging just a few flowers creates a soft, upward-spreading, gentle unity.
The shop staff told me that "the balance is beautiful when the vase and the flowers are roughly 1:1 in height," and I tried arranging them with that in mind.
It's also lovely to put a single small flower in a single-flower vase, or quickly decorate with pruned foliage from a houseplant.
Just having a small flower on the table during meals or reading brings a subtle touch of richness to everyday life, doesn't it?
Enjoying Time with Flowers in Each Living Space
When I place this vase at the entrance, it feels as if I'm welcoming the entrance to the season at the entrance to my home.
As the seasons change, the flowers I want to display naturally change as well.
Perhaps changing the vase size to match the floral material can further enhance the charm of the flowers.
As I encounter various flowers at the flower shop, I find myself wanting to try using other sizes of vases.
M Size, Easy to Use as a Staple
For long-stemmed cut flowers, such as scabiosa, nigella, and peonies, the M-sized vase seems just right.
It lightly holds flowers with movement in their stems, gently enhancing their expression.
Its slim form is also a great point, as it can be displayed anywhere without taking up much space.
If placed in the kitchen, the flowers that casually catch your eye while cooking or washing dishes will likely soothe your mind.
Just having a single flower in a clean space makes the overall atmosphere feel more put-together.
Especially in a busy kitchen, such small touches of color are a welcome addition.
The presence of the reliable L size
The L-sized vase is a reassuring presence, combining beauty in its stance with reliability.
Its weighty construction is said to firmly support large branches like ryobu and asebi.
If displayed at home, it would look great on a large shelf or even placed directly on the floor.
It creates a quiet presence, as if a part of nature has slipped into the space, doesn't it?
Arranging Flowers, Welcoming the Seasons
This time I chose hydrangeas, perfect for early summer, but sunflowers and cool-looking branches will surely suit the height of summer as well.
Next, I might try combining light green foliage like Andromeda polifolia with the tall L-sized vase... in this way, the joy of choosing flowers to match the vase is expanding.
I feel that a life with flowers is not just beautiful, but also a kind of milestone that quietly announces the arrival of the seasons.
At such times, the appeal of the 3RD CERAMICS vase lies in its simple appearance, yet with "negative space" that is completed by arranging flowers.
It has the capacity to embrace various plants and flowers throughout the year, easily helping us to incorporate the changing seasons.
Why not try incorporating a breath of new season into your daily space by pairing your favorite flowers or branches with a 3RD CERAMICS vase?
