There are so many lovely flowers in the shops at spring time, so it's tempting to buy a variety of blooms and fill the house with them — sweet peas, Nigella, lily of the valley, delphiniums, etc. I like to split bunches of flowers to make them go further. 

I buy a lot of my vases and jugs from one of my favourite shops, Phoenix on Golborne. Most of the containers in these photos are from there.

Below is the most wonderful book called Vintage Flowers by Vic Brotherson who has a fantastic florist shop in London: Scarlet and Violet.  I highly recommend you buy this book as I found it very helpful and also one of those books that is good for the soul just to look at the pictures!

In her book, Vic focuses on traditional, seasonal blooms and foliage — alchemilla, lavender, hellebore, peonies and hydrangeas — which she matches with vintage pitchers, planters, old glass and retro and charity-shop finds. 

The book shows how to get the most from your budget and is suitable for beginners and amateurs as well as for people who have an interest in interior design or decorating with flowers.  In fact, I'm going to a workshop next week run by Scarlet and Violet; I can't wait to learn some skills to be able to emulate some of those pictures in the book!

Vic also has a new book, Vintage Wedding Flowers, which was published in April 2014. It's also worth buying if for no other reason than to look at the glorious pictures!