Windowsill Designs

 

 

Remember the old adage that good things come in small packages?  Recently I discovered creative inspiration in a little project that is ridiculously simple, yet tremendously rewarding.  The inspiration for my newly discovered delight is a new book by author Nancy Hugo Ross. 

 

 

Well-known for Remarkable Trees of Virginia, her latest book is called Windowsill Art: Create One-of-a-Kind Natural Arrangements to Celebrate the Season. Using her windowsill as a focal point, she adorns it with seasonal items of interest such as small gourds, leaves, seedpods and small vases of flowers from the garden.  This art form is so personal, anyone can successfully create beautiful images.  Less complicated than creating floral designs for your table, these vignettes highlight the beauty and simplicity of nature’s design – the shape, color or texture of a leaf or even a stem.  Natural sunlight is ideal for making small details in nature stand out.   Ross uses rose hips, okra, banana peppers, bark or combinations of these items, with or without flowers.  She seems to find gathering and collecting her materials as enjoyable as creating her simple arrangements. 

If you have a few minutes of time, several small vases, and a windowsill, you can instantly transform a bathroom or breakfast nook into a beautiful setting.  Landscape architects have known for years that great designs often blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. “Windowscapes” create a similar effect  by bringing specimens from your garden indoors. 

Nancy Hugo Ross is a talented writer, floral designer, gardener and educator.  For information and inspiration, check out her new book or visit her blog at windowsillarranging.blogspot.com.