Thinking Outside The Vase

Needed a garbage pail for the main bathroom in our condo. Unlike past decades, there is no shortage of high style garbage pails in this day and age but these well attired receptacles of waste can cost a pretty penny. So off I went to Homesense hoping to find an inexpensive stainless steel garbage can. No such luck... however while scouting the shelves a shimmer of silver caught my eye.

"Too tall to be a garbage can. Must be a vase, " I thought. The wheels started turning. "Think outside the box.... no, vase... no, box. NOOO..... vase!"

And that's what I did . I thought outside the vase and brought it home. Here it is, vase turned garbage pail. Stylish with its off centre opening, the wide lip hides any unsightly waste collecting within. An unexpected bonus! It fits the decor of our bathroom to a T and has earned many a Rave Re:view.

Design Tip: Consider vases and plant containers when searching for a garbage can. Remember taller is better than shorter. Think outside the vase. You'll garner Rave Re:views!

Design Tip : Besides their great prices, another reason I am a Homesense/Winners(Homegoods/T.J.Max) gal is the fact that they tend not to stock multiples of items. I have purchased many an interesting find (vase turned garbage pail included) that I know is not adorning every house in the neighbourhood and may in fact be the only one in Halifax. So head to Homesense or let me head there for you.

Vase Theme Continued

Here is a sampling of vases that I found at Homesense (Homegoods in the States) last week in Halifax. There were vases of varying sizes, shapes, colours and textures. Some smooth, some sleek, some rough, some straight lined, some curvaceous, some with embellishments carved or painted, some heavy, some light, some opaque, some transparent. Some spoke of yesteryear, some of today. Some spoke of faraway lands. A schmorgusborg ( Spelling?) of vases, a feast for all tastes with one thing in common-their price point. Most cost between $15.00 and $20.00 including some over sized , solid, high end looking vases. Wish I needed a vase or two or three or...... Remember to think big when it comes to vases and to think outside the 'vase'.

You'll garner Rave Re:views. I'd love to help you place a vase. Next blog entry -another example of thinking outside the vase.

When Is A Vase Not A Vase ?

When it is reinvented to house a fish......

I have always been mezmorised by the rich vibrant colours of tropical fish but have never had the inclination to own an aquarium. So I bought an electric blue Beta fish, named her Indigo and housed her in a clear glass, willow branch filled vase. The vase serves two purposes. It is home to Indigo and with its curly branches it softens the straight lines of both the black lacquered buffet and the oversized flat screen TV. The maze of immersed branches, magnified by the water and accented with feathery pops of indigo blue, are nature's art. Thinking outside the box or shall I say vase, need not be expensive and can earn you Rave Re:views.