I like the tan coloured background on this... but I do wish the lighting was even on the wall so there weren't blown out areas. I also like the darkness at the bottom of the frame and the harsh shadows. It gives some melancholy and atmosphere, and plays on the title. An interesting still life.
great idea...and you ALMOST got the execution of the idea down...
the problems in this photograph are, strangely, linked with the most powerful elements. the lighting here is the key, and you have a great eye for it. it's just that the background is so overexposed. highlights on the flowers are there, but the shadows are black and mids are almost not there as well. do you have a darker background you could use, so glare won't be such a set-back? maybe a deep red/orange background... just so it won't reflect so much light back and cause the highlights to overexpose. good luck, and good idea.