Close-up of two tan zinnia flowers with dark green leaves in a dark, moody outdoor setting.

Flowers from the Garden

A continuing collection of seasonal flower arrangements

In every flower arrangement, there is a quiet story of the season.

A vintage-style portrait painting of a man with a mustache hangs on a wall above a table holding a tall dark vase filled with orange flowers, next to a row of books.

A polished silver-toned metal flared vase or goblet with a circular base, shown on a tabletop with a blurred floral arrangement and fruit in the background.

The Vessel

Vintage Silver Plated Trumpet Vase

A stately silver vase never goes out of style.

Discover the Vessel

Gathered No. 9

Stately

As a child, I was convinced the gentleman in this portrait was watching me. He hung above my grandparents’ dining room buffet, and no matter where I went in the room, those eyes seemed to follow. He scared me half to death every time I passed him. He was Benjamin Taylor, my great-great-grandfather, a Methodist minister in Rugby, Tennessee, and his portrait has traveled from TN→NJ→FL→NJ→TN where these days he keeps watch in my own home back in his home state. Somewhere along the way, I’ve apparently made peace with him. The stately silver trumpet vase itself seemed right at home beneath his portrait, softened just enough by a loose gathering of autumn strawflowers from the garden. Formal, but a little unruly—which feels about right for a farm in the Tennessee countryside.

Gathered With