The Ultimate Fleur-de-Lis

One of the most popular and elegantly classic decorating accents is the fleur-de-lis design.

You see it literally everywhere these days. On clothing ...

And on shoes and purses ...

Even umbrellas!

There's fleur-de-lis dinnerware, fine Italian stemware, and silverware ...

Fleur-de-lis designs are found in just about every home decorating magazine and catalog, and you can find countless accessories and decorating accents online, like this elegant wallpaper.

I love that wallpaper, and can just picture it in a powder room or guest bathroom, can't you!

And I love these gorgeous gold note cards with their embossed fleur-de-lis design.

Here are a few more of my favorite fleur-de-lis accessories I found on the Internet ...

And for the discriminating pet owner, what pampered puppy or kitty cat wouldn't love napping on this elegant little bed!

I'm sure you're probably wondering where this is leading, and I do have a reason for sharing the pictures of the above accessories.

The literal meaning of the word fleur-de-lis is lily flower, and although there are some beautiful man-made fleur-de-lis designs, there is no way any of them can hold a candle to God's creation of the ultimate fleur-de-lis -- the Louisiana Iris blossom.

I would like to share some pictures I captured of my little patch of Louisiana Irises growing in my backyard, and I think you will agree that they epitomize the perfect fleur-de-lis.

You can click on the images to enlarge them, if you'd like to see the exquisite details of these beautiful little flowers.

In the following picture, the center reminds me of a candle and flame ...

I hope the next time you see something with a fleur-de-lis on it, you will remember these beautiful little flowers. I think they are truly one of God's most glorious works of art.