Hello Friends! This is one of those, “Stop and smell the roses” posts. Even though the blooms have all faded and summer has come to a close, we can still draw inspiration from flowers because stores still stock plenty that you can bring indoors to add color long after your garden has faded.

It is during these busy autumn days that we need some time outs, wouldn’t you agree? Time to notice the subtle seasonal changes and time to enjoy what is left of summer’s bounty. I feel like I am writing this post primarily for myself as I only have a few moments to sit in between getting my son down for his nap, doing the fifth load of laundry, figuring out what is for dinner and then picking my daughter up from school. We all have our various forms of daily madness and hence the need for a moment or two of quiet solitude (if we are lucky).

Creativity needs these moments.

We need these spaces in our day to take a deep breath and notice some leaves or the color of some petals or whatever else nature is offering us. Since work is important and many of you cannot go outside right now and find some flowers to smell, I thought I would gather up some of my floral photographs from the past for you to enjoy. Hopefully this brief pause will help give you some creative ideas or at least a little break from your daily routine. It is pleasure to be back here on decor8 after taking a mini break this summer to travel, and I will see you here soon with my usual Color Me Pretty column later this month.

Until then, take good care. – Leslie Shewring.

(text, styling + photos: leslie shewring from a creative mint)

Tags: Color Me Pretty

47 Responses to “Color Me Pretty: Flower Inspiration”

1 Hannah commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 12:24 pm

Hi Leslie, thank you this timely reminder to stop for a moment and take notice of the small things – I really need to do that just now!
Hannah´s last [type] ..Ruby Rhino in the press
2 TH for Red Bridge Studio commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 12:36 pm

Thanks for sponsoring my moment of silence this morning. Love the flowers, esp, the ranunculas. The soft color palette is interesting to me, as someone who tends to work with bold colors.
3 tinajo commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 12:41 pm

Wonderful pics and just the color I feel the need for today – thanks! :-)
tinajo´s last [type] ..Tuesdays around the world!
4 Mr. Goodwill Hunting commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 1:00 pm

These flowers are so pretty. You had so many great opportunities during London week what amazing finds you came home with.

That’s GOOD stuff!

Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting
Mr. Goodwill Hunting´s last [type] ..[my small closet and THE SHOP opens]
5 Nat @ Dear Little House commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 1:03 pm

Beautiful flowers! I love gorgeous flowers, I always try to have them in the house :)
Nat @ Dear Little House´s last [type] ..Fantastic Fresh Flowers: Blushing Bride.
6 Only Beautiful Things commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 1:16 pm

I do like flowers in my home :) Beautiful photos! Greetings!
Only Beautiful Things´s last [type] ..Ściany z betonu
7 Laura commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 1:46 pm

I am reading this post whilst eating my lunch at my desk at work, and your beautiful photos of flowers have cheered me up! They are gorgeous xxx
8 Ege Denne commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 2:38 pm

I’m glad we can buy flowers in winter.. It would really have been boring without some flowers in my vases.
Ege Denne´s last [type] ..Enkel forandring
9 Deborah Velásquez commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 2:46 pm

What lovely flowers, the photos so full of inspiration and color. Nice way to start my morning as I head into the daily madness of my day. I will make a stop while out and treat my self to an armful of color and beauty.

Creativity does need these moments. Much like a deep breath or a pause to regroup. Thank you.
Deborah Velásquez´s last [type] ..Word Paths
10 bicocacolors commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 2:56 pm

thanks for the touch of color, you have enlightened my day!
bicocacolors´s last [type] ..óxido
11 Katie*Belle commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 3:12 pm

These photographs are gorgeous and I truly appreciate the opportunity to take a moment and enjoy them. You’re absolutely right — we all need to do this more!
12 Holly Graham commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Oh my! I love these flower inspirations. Do you have any idea what kind of flowers are in the “Warm and Cool” arrangement? I’d love to get my hands on some of those :)
Holly Graham´s last [type] ..City Prints
13 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 4:05 pm

Ah, just the break and uplifting moment I needed….thank you lovely ladies! Hope you get a few more precious moments to yourself today Leslie! :)
xoxo
Melis
Melissa de la Fuente´s last [type] ..Cheap & Chic
14 Verena commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 4:11 pm

Oh these flowers are lovely! I love all the colours! Thanks for sharing!
Hug´s,
Verena
Verena´s last [type] ..Wangenrot, Rouge, Blush, El colorete…
15 Will commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 4:42 pm

These posts are beyond divine. Thank you for giving me a serious creative burst on this Tuesday afternoon, Leslie! The apricot and mint hues go SO well. Hope you are all settled back at home now!
Will´s last [type] ..Little Greene’s Retrospectives Paint Collection
16 Claire Jefford commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 4:43 pm

Hi there

Tina posted your link on her facebook page and I really like it. I hear you about the part where you say finding a quiet time between doing the laundry, getting dinner prepped, kids organised etc. Nice blog!
17 Rike commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 4:53 pm

JUST LOVELY!
Rike´s last [type] ..Sonntagssüß: Heute mit Zimtschnecken
18 Minna_Blomsterverkstad commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 4:58 pm

Oooooooh, so fantastic! This one I need definetely share with my readers. If it’s ok? Minna :)
Minna_Blomsterverkstad´s last [type] ..Hängande ljung * Hanging heather
19 Nicole | blue bicicletta commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 5:17 pm

these blooms are really breathtaking. Thank you for the moment of beautiful pause!
Nicole | blue bicicletta´s last [type] ..October
20 Kristine {In Love, Engaged} commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 5:35 pm

Beautiful flowers! Such a bright, lovely start to my morning!
21 Ellen commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 5:39 pm

Stunning bouquets, wonderful photos. In my neck of the woods, Autumn is making it’s arrival. I’m using left over herbs to gather for my window sill bud vases. It was fresh and cool on my deck this morning; I enjoyed my first cup of coffee watching the bees dance lazily around the basil, lavender and mums. Thanks for sharing the end of summer inspiration! Beeutiful~ ;D
Ellen´s last [type] ..Poets United and Imaginary Garden
22 Rebecca commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 6:10 pm

Such a lovely post and so true. We have had an extra week of summer sun here in the uk and everyone has really been making the most of it before winter hits!x
Rebecca´s last [type] ..littletree (re)discovers…Darling Clementine
23 laura evans commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 6:16 pm

gorgeous flowers … the sun is hiding behind the clouds today & i need this to make me smile again :)
24 Paula Jo @ Home and Garden Decor commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 6:19 pm

I love the photo’s of the flowers, and what you said in the post is soo true. Even though it is still warm here and we have flowers year round in our yards, it’s still beautiful to me to see flowers in the soft and pastel colors.
25 ana {bluebirdkisses} commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 6:23 pm

Its so nice to look at these photos during such a rainy fall day. Although I am very excited for Autum to be here, these photos are bringing back sweet memories of summer.

Lovely post!
26 Britt commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 6:23 pm

Gorgeous flowers! Very creative flower vases! I especially love those poppies!
27 Bobbi commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 6:30 pm

I love that pink, yellow, and lavender combination:) I’ve been enjoying all the roses blooming around town right now, and wishing I had planted some this year. Maybe next:)
Bobbi´s last [type] ..An Autumn Trip to the Farmers Market
28 A Plum By Any Other Name commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 7:05 pm

Ahhh, I neede that. :)
29 dawn commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 7:22 pm

hi leslie,

so true, your images are such a lovely pause from all the daily tasks we always have to keep up with. it was such a treat to meet you face to face at anthropologie in st. louis park…it seems we all have too much going on and have to be so mindful of taking that time to ‘smell the roses’

thanks again!
dawn´s last [type] ..meeting holly becker at anthropologie
30 Trina commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 7:22 pm

Something I must do for myself more often – buy flowers!!!! I miss how such a simple thing can make a space so HAPPY!
31 Erica Cooper commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 7:47 pm

It was so lovely meeting you and taking your inspiration board class at The CCE Leslie. You are so sweet and delightful.
I think making inspiration boards is a perfect way to rejuvenate the creative flow… and can be done for any theme or color. It is my new way to look at color/design elements.
Thank you! Wishing you a lovely day!
Erica Cooper´s last [type] ..Creative Connection Event 2011!
32 Nicole L. Tate commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 8:36 pm

Hi Holly:

Pretty in Pink indeed! Thanks so much for this post. I think flowers can be overlooked in autumn season decor. Do you take the images yourself?

Nicole L. Tate
Nicole L. Tate´s last [type] ..Why More Wall Beds Are Showing Up in Secondary or Resort Homes
33 Hilary commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 8:57 pm

Love flowers!
34 Katie I KCandCoBlog commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 10:46 pm

Oh! So pretty! I especially love the warm and cool poppie combo! Thanks!
35 Aliza commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 10:49 pm

Usually don’t have those to seconds so It’s nice to see the nature here:)
36 vicki commented:
October 4th, 2011 at 11:16 pm

These are so beautiful, Leslie…love the white frames! Thank you for the sweet reminder. xo
vicki´s last [type] ..I Have a Confession to Make …..
37 Tracey Fisher commented:
October 5th, 2011 at 12:32 am

Leslie – Your first photograph reminds me of what I love about your style. These incredible, unexpected combinations of color. I can’t wait to hear about all your insights during Blogging Your Way!
38 Lemon commented:
October 5th, 2011 at 12:35 am

Your pictures are so incredibly beautiful! Would you mind sharing the experience of your camera? Anyway, this blog is awesome.
39 Marie commented:
October 5th, 2011 at 3:23 am

So pretty! Will definitely look look at more of your work for inspiration for my wedding!
40 Joelle Rebmann commented:
October 5th, 2011 at 3:28 am

I just love the first salmon colored flowers. They look like peonies which are my absolute favorite! I also love the ranunculus which look like mini peonies. Ranunculus are popular where I live. We have flowers fields with gorgeaous colors of them all over the place. Spectacular!!
41 Kyrsten Webb commented:
October 5th, 2011 at 4:50 am

I love these photos of flowers. I believe that flowers at any time of the year are so pretty and can be inspiration to all. I actually have used flowers to inspire my own room. I love it!
Kyrsten Webb´s last [type] ..organizing your life…
42 fenny setiawan commented:
October 5th, 2011 at 5:29 am

I really miss color me pretty column, Glad that Leslie shared her beautiful flower inspiration. Love them all.
fenny setiawan´s last [type] ..Pillow loves
43 Marie commented:
October 5th, 2011 at 9:05 am

So beautiful ! Fresh, delicate & strong in the same time…i like all of it ! thank you for the every day sweety walk to you…
Marie´s last [type] ..Commande !
44 decor8 commented:
October 5th, 2011 at 11:08 am

@Nicole – This post was written and photographed by Leslie Shewring.
45 Shayla commented:
October 6th, 2011 at 4:09 am

You have inspired me to have flowers in my home more often. I think they are so refreshing and uplifting! Gorgeous :)
46 Jane commented:
October 6th, 2011 at 11:08 am

Oh, Leslie! Another feast for our eyes – thankyou. I had forgotten how pretty delphiniums are – now I *need* to plant some in our garden. Just luscious photos. As always. J x
Jane´s last [type] ..Psst! Want to read about mummy blogging in Tasmania?
47 petra commented:
October 9th, 2011 at 1:00 pm

beautiful pics. perfect for a grey day like today!

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