The poppy is a flower with many different personalities. In 1903 it was named the state flower of California where hillsides and fields come alive each spring with bursts of red, orange and gold blooms. The book, “The Wizard of Oz”, certainly made poppies famous as the flower that put Dorothy and her friends to sleep. In Tuscany the surrounding landscape literally bursts with red poppies in May and June and, on the dark side, in several third world countries poppies are grown and used to create opium for illicit drug trade. However, poppies are also the subject of many decorative items for your home.
Tuscan décor
Tuscany is a region in Italy that is known for the colors of the earth, sun and sea where fields of colorful flowers that are fed by the warm sunlight grow to meet the edges of the Mediterranean Sea. If you have visited Tuscany or you simply dream of living in the Italian countryside one day, you can recapture the feel of the area by incorporating the surrounding colors and designs in your own home. This would include touches of wrought iron, earthy shades of terra cotta, red, gold and brown, simple floral designs that include poppies and sunflowers and finishes that are made to look time worn and aged.
Artwork
Poppies are a popular subject matter for artists. Their simple shape and delicate design can be drawn against a stark white background to allow their beautiful color to pop or an entire field of poppies can appear in a landscape painting.
Hang these colorful pieces of art above a fireplace in the living room, on the walls of a nursery or playroom to inspire creativity or in the laundry room to cheer up a dreary space.
Home décor
The bold and saturated colors found in most species of poppies will provide a bright “pop” to many different interiors. For example:
• In an all neutral or contemporary space, use throw pillows that feature colorful poppies as accents on chairs and sofas. The design will be highlighted against the white, black and gray colors often found in modern interiors and are guaranteed not to put you to sleep!
• A beautifully framed landscape painting of poppy fields will enhance the color and design of an Italian villa or a home that is decorated in a traditional manner.
• The simple design and bright colors of poppies make them a popular pattern for bedding that will delight many teenagers.
• Like all cut flowers, poppies will last only so long in a vase of water. To prolong your enjoyment of these colorful flowers, create an arrangement of silk flowers and place them in an urn or vase for a touch of Tuscan springtime all winter long.
Regardless of whether you are looking to simply brighten up the interior of your home or introduce a bit of the Tuscan landscape to your interior decorating, the simple design and cheerful color of poppy flowers make them versatile enough to be incorporated into many different design schemes.
