Season’s harvest can create a rustic centerpiece
The holidays offer so many opportunities to showcase the bounties of the season. Take advantage of fall’s colorful gourds and hearty plants to create a centerpiece that celebrates the holiday’s humble beginnings.
Three small cabbage plants can be rooted in a white pumpkin and accented by beaded pins and delicate white blossoms. Smaller gourds surround the arrangement; some have been hollowed out and used as candle votives. Suit your centerpiece to your personal style by playing with different shapes and colors, or swapping seasonal plants for autumnal blooms. Step-by-step, Cyndie Turtoro of Design in Decor (www.designindecor.com) shows you how.
Carve a large opening around the stem of your pumpkin, leaving plenty of room for your arrangement. Remove the stem cap, and use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp. If using seasonal plants, remove them from their containers and pour any loose soil into the gourd. Extra potting soil may be needed to keep plants in place. If using fresh flowers, line the gourd with plastic wrap, insert floral foam, and add ice water for extra longevity.
Insert plants or flowers and arrange as desired. Tip: Ornamental cabbage, as pictured in this article, is part of the Brassica family, which also includes mustard greens and kale. Brassica plants come in a variety of colors, from deep purple to white, and will keep for long periods of time.
Accent your centerpiece with ornamental pins or beads, rhinestones—anything you wish.
To create candle votives, cut off the bottom of the gourd first, so it will lay flat. Carve out the top, and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp.
Tip: Artichokes also make fun, festive votives. Remember to trim the sharp points off of the leaves!
A centerpiece using seasonal plants can be made several days before your event. Turtoro recommends putting arrangements outside at night for longer lasting freshness. Fresh flower arrangements can be made one day before, taking care not to bruise lighter colored blooms.
Lori Archibald is executive editor of LetsPartyMagazine.com. Visit the website for party-planning ideas, how-to articles, recipes, theme parties, DIY décor and more.
Written by Lori Archibald
Photography by Xaris Studio
Season’s harvest can create a rustic centerpiece
The holidays offer so many opportunities to showcase the bounties of the season. Take advantage of fall’s colorful gourds and hearty plants to create a centerpiece that celebrates the holiday’s humble beginnings.
Three small cabbage plants can be rooted in a white pumpkin and accented by beaded pins and delicate white blossoms. Smaller gourds surround the arrangement; some have been hollowed out and used as candle votives. Suit your centerpiece to your personal style by playing with different shapes and colors, or swapping seasonal plants for autumnal blooms. Step-by-step, Cyndie Turtoro of Design in Decor (www.designindecor.com) shows you how.
Carve a large opening around the stem of your pumpkin, leaving plenty of room for your arrangement. Remove the stem cap, and use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp. If using seasonal plants, remove them from their containers and pour any loose soil into the gourd. Extra potting soil may be needed to keep plants in place. If using fresh flowers, line the gourd with plastic wrap, insert floral foam, and add ice water for extra longevity.
Insert plants or flowers and arrange as desired. Tip: Ornamental cabbage, as pictured in this article, is part of the Brassica family, which also includes mustard greens and kale. Brassica plants come in a variety of colors, from deep purple to white, and will keep for long periods of time.
Accent your centerpiece with ornamental pins or beads, rhinestones—anything you wish.
To create candle votives, cut off the bottom of the gourd first, so it will lay flat. Carve out the top, and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp.
Tip: Artichokes also make fun, festive votives. Remember to trim the sharp points off of the leaves!
A centerpiece using seasonal plants can be made several days before your event. Turtoro recommends putting arrangements outside at night for longer lasting freshness. Fresh flower arrangements can be made one day before, taking care not to bruise lighter colored blooms.
Lori Archibald is executive editor of LetsPartyMagazine.com. Visit the website for party-planning ideas, how-to articles, recipes, theme parties, DIY décor and more.
Written by Lori Archibald
Photography by Xaris Studio
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August 15th, 2010 at 11:32 am
i love freshly picked flowers coz they look very healthy and smells great too;’:
October 1st, 2010 at 2:43 am
i really like Fresh Flowers because they are very beautiful .;’
October 20th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Yet another timely post. So glad I subscribed to your website only 2 weeks ago, and I would recommend that other readers right now do the same. I know, you will love it.
November 8th, 2010 at 2:47 am
i kind of like the smell of fresh flowers specially those fragrang ones ..
February 15th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Hello, it’s a very nice article, and great information.