Monday, July 17, 2006

The Well-Dressed Table: Centerpieces

The most humble homes can still have table centerpieces. There is something about having one that makes a meal special, and keeps the table looking good long after the meal is over.

Most popular over the years for centerpieces have been candles and flowers, but there are a number of innovative things you can do to create a centerpiece without spending money.

Large sea shells can be filled with water, in which small wildflowers can be floated.

One woman who invited me to her home recently had made a centerpiece with a gift bag. So many of the new gift bags are absolutely lovely, even with classical paintings printed on the. Inside the bag, she had placed a vase of flowers. The container was hidden and the effect was very dramatic.

Look around your house and yard, and you'll see a great number of things that can be used as centerpieces, from colorful rocks put in a bowl of water, to children's toys.

A "Commonwealth" party that I attended, had a set of flags in a centerpiece on each table, representing countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others in the British Commonwealth. These flags were placed inside short vases.

Lacking a centerpiece, the food itself can be used: a round platter of vegetables, or fruit, nicely arranged.

Like an orderly house or soft music, a beautiful centerpiece can be restful to the eyes and the emotions.

(to be continued)

Picture from:
http://www.dreamdesignsflorist.com/centerpieces.html Please click on the picture for a larger view.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful.The flowers in the picture are exactly like the arrangements used in the National Trust properties in the UK. There is something very nice about round bowls, like round tables they are very easy on the eye. I purchased a round bowl because of the beautiful arrangements I had seen. One problem are the tide marks the glass gets from the hard water in our area.

Anonymous said...

Oh how beautiful! I love decorating tables it adds such a special glow and really helps set the mood :)

Anonymous said...

I really like the look of the table cloth slightly rumpled around the vase. I've tried this myself with a small square cloth on top the table cloth and the effect is stunning.

Isabella in the 21st Century said...

I love centrepieces and having flowers in my home but I am on a tight budget. So if there are no flowers in my garden that I can "spare" for the home I fill a pretty bowl with only one kind of fruit. A big bowl full of shiny apples on a kitchen table is really beautiful and at Christmas time I make pomanders and put them on a big wooden platter.

Isabella in the 21st Century said...

I love centrepieces and having flowers in my home but I am on a tight budget. So if there are no flowers in my garden that I can "spare" for the home I fill a pretty bowl with only one kind of fruit. A big bowl full of shiny apples on a kitchen table is really beautiful and at Christmas time I make pomanders and put them on a big wooden platter.

Jenny said...

What beautiful flowers. I'm sure that is a photo of my mother's table. I always have a centrepiece on the table through the day but as our table is small and we are a family of five it gets in the way during the meal. My serving dishes serve as a centrepiece instead once the meal is underway.

Anonymous said...

I am so enjoying all your recent articles on home and fashion. Thank you!

Susanne said...

Found you thru the blogs of beauty awards and have been enjoying being a new reader on your site!

DaisyChain said...

What a lovely centerpiece! Centerpieces are always such a nice touch to a dining table- or coffee table. I love making different centerpieces for holidays and events. They are just such a cheery little addition to the home :-)