Home and Garden Inspirations at the Floriade

Howdie ladies. We made a day trip. We went in search of inspiration. Outdoor inspiration.

We found it. Oodles of it.

We went to the Floriade. A horticultural expo that is held in Holland every ten years. This time it takes place not that far from us. So off we went. When we got closes all the banks of the road were covered in special wild flowers. A great welcome!

Entering the terrain, we saw these. They made me think of Sarah.

The terrain is huge. The Floriade Park covers 66 hectares and encompasses 5 unique themed worlds separated by wooded areas. You can get from one end to the other with a gondola. We did that of course.

I liked the modern, ecological living area (not the official name) the best. I loved the inventive ways they re-used materials, came up with beautiful yet very environmentally sound designs and put nature back into gardening.

There were lots of vertical gardens all over the place. There were edible ones filled with herbs, flowering ones, green ones, all kinds.

This one reminded me of Donna:

Industrial rustiness. Love!

Speaking of Donna, these garden decorations reminded me of her too.

I guess that for a woman who hangs a barb wire wreath above her bed, a few sticky garden spheres would fit quite well too.

Aside from the outdoor displays, there were big halls too. Filled with flowers. So many beautiful colorful flowers. Quite an eclectic décor. Reminded me of the boldness with which Lindsay decorates.

But not all flower displays demanded this much attention. I liked the subtle elegance of the next one too. I think Kate would approve.

I am considering this for next weeks What I Wore Wednesday over at Lindsay’s:

Flowers and fashion really go so well together. I think they influence each other. Because were would fashion designers be without the inspiration of color combinations and forms and shapes of flowers (tulip skirt anyone?) . But the flower growers definitely take their cue from fashion too, and as they try to grow new colors, and variations.

Fashion Friday at the flower show, Beth would have liked it.

Okay time to step outside again.

There was a whole world about vegetable growing too. Here I am standing in front of Asparagus beds. Lots of those über fresh veggies could be tasted too. Yum, who needs potato chips if you can have honey cherry tomatoes.

These galvanized watering cans were part of a whole water system that ran through a garden. So cool, waterworks in your backyard.

Speaking of water. This little creek was so romantic….

And yes in case you are wondering. Those are solar panels floating in there.

Modern art designers are inspired by nature too.

This floating ‘flower field’ of suns was beautiful. Made out of some kind of special material they seemed to light up.

They looked great as single decorations among a flower bed too. I think Brenda would love them for one of her fairy gardens.

We had a lovely day. My love and I. Although he said it got a bit crowded from time to time, with all of those blog girlfriends of mine coming along Knipogende emoticon .