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Modern Centerpiece Idea For Spring
If you follow design trends closely, you’ve probably noticed that vintage bar carts and drinking glasses are super hot right now!
{pinterest}
So, for my latest spring centerpiece I decided to play on this trend by using vintage drinking-glasses as my containers. I snatched up my drinking-glass caddy at the thrift store for less than $20 {you can also find them online at Etsy, eBay and on-line flash sale sites}.
Pink roses and yellow tulips create a classic, casual centerpiece that can work for a bridal shower, baby shower or any spring party.
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Stay tuned for more spring entertaining ideas!
Centerpiece design and photographs by Kelly Porter
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Add Silver To Your Fall Decor
Today I’m sharing a very quick and easy way to add a little glitz and glam to your fall decor.
I love decorating with warm autumn hues but I also enjoy adding a pop of unexpected color. Metallics are very hot right now, so I used this canister {from HomeGoods} as inspiration for silver centerpiece ideas:
With just a little silver spray paint, you can turn ordinary fall items into something special.
Here’s a snapshot of my work in progress:
The best spray paint for the job is Krylon’s Premium Chrome. This paint also comes in 18kt. gold and it really does look like metal when it dries.
Metallic spray paint is a very simple way to shimmer-up your fall decor. So, what will you turn to silver?
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Fall Centerpiece
When it comes to fall entertaining, using candles is an excellent way to make your guests feel welcome.
One of my go-to items for fall decorating is a silver candelabra that I purchased a few years ago at a discount store. Candelabras are great for creating a centerpiece, but they can look very formal and serious. So, sometimes it’s hard to figure out how to use them in a fun, modern way. My solution? Ribbon — a cheap but very pretty way to spruce up just about anything. I have tons of boxes filled with ribbon spools, and I’m always buying more. I think I’m addicted!
To create my fall candelabra, I tied orange and yellow ribbon to the arms and used elegant, pearly white candles {I couldn’t light the candles for these pictures because it was too windy}.
My outdoor setting was inspired by a photo that Pauline of elationsdesigns.com sent me. This is one of her designs:
{photographed by Eric Carlson}
I love how the dark wood, autumn orange and grassy green all look together. For my design, I used a small console table {taken from my dining room}, and partially covered it with orange burlap. Then I added white mini-pumpkins.
Another sweet touch — I filled the rims of the candelabra with candy corn that guests can help themselves to.
And little details make a big difference, such as dove-tailing the ends of the ribbon:
The simplest of things can make a festive fall table, and the harvest season gives us so much to work with: pumpkins, acorns, ornamental corn, leaves, apples, and of course, candy! You can use all of these things to decorate with style.
In my next post, I’ll show you how spray paint can transform a few of fall’s favorite things into shimmering home accessories.
{Part of my ribbon collection via instagram}
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Two Fall Centerpieces
September is when I start thinking about Fall decorating and entertaining…
So, I was very excited when Goose Creek Candle Co. sent me two of their incredibly delicious-smelling candles. Do you like decorating with candles?
I was surprised at how beautiful these candles are. After all, if you’ve seen one candle, you’ve seen them all, right? Well, that’s not the case with Goose Creek. Their American Heirloom candles look and smell amazing. This may sound cliche, but they really do have a mouth-watering aroma that fills my whole house! The best part is, you can use these candles to create fab fall centerpieces and tablescapes. Let me show you what I did:
Red is always fall’s hottest hue. With that in mind, I displayed the large Toasted Cinnamon candle on top of stacked cake plates. Then I mixed in apples and other red accents. I wish you could smell this candle right now! It’s has a cinnamon-y scent with an extra kick.
Next, my husband really likes the Spun Sugar candle. He says it smells “sexy.” Not sure exactly what that means, but that description inspired me to create a romantic tablescape. Once again, I put the candle atop two cake plates and surrounded it with milk glass vases. I always display my large ceramic acorns each fall, so they work really well here. You can also use mini-pumpkins or gourds.
Huge thanks to Goose Creek Candle Co. for sponsoring this post!
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‘Jewelry Stand’ Centerpiece
If you’re like me and you own a lot of jewelry, chances are you might have a tiered jewelry stand similar to mine:
If you have one, look beyond those earrings and bracelets. Your jewelry stand will make a great addition to a spring dessert table or table setting — just layer on some candy, cookies or cupcakes. I turned my stand into a colorful centerpiece using flowers and spice drops.
…And for those of you who sell handmade jewelry, this would make a great centerpiece for a jewelry party. I’m sure you can come up with even more ideas!
All photographs by Porter House Designs
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Pretty Purple Centerpiece
I was in the grocery store the other day, as I am quite often — having three teenage boys and all — when a bunch of pretty purple carnations caught my eye.
I rarely see purple carnations in different color tones bunched together like that {unless I’m at the flower wholesaler}, so I grabbed them up and created a simple centerpiece using a $5.00 vase that I found at Marshall’s.
Pale lavender, lilac, aubergine and magenta make a very pretty palette for parties, weddings and showers. Or, if you love purple, you may just want to buy a bunch of these carnations for yourself. Note: Flowers are not just for special occasions.
If you can’t find purple carnations, you should be able to special order them at your local grocery store or florist. You can also purchase them on-line from fiftyflowers.com.
photos by Porter House Designs
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Red Winter Centerpiece
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! My holiday guests were greeted with this winter centerpiece that I designed using roses, carnations and sprigs of holly from my yard. The ceramic vase was made in Italy, and it belonged to my husband’s grandmother.
By using such hardy flowers and greenery, this arrangement will last through New Year’s Day.
Red is a wonderful {and very romantic} color choice for winter floral displays. This type of centerpiece is perfect for winter parties, weddings and Valentine’s Day.
You can usually find red roses and carnations in the grocery store, and if you don’t have access to a holly shrub, any type of evergreen will do. Have a Safe and Happy New Year!
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Centerpiece: Inspired By The Colors Of India
Today, I’m sharing a ‘global chic’ centerpiece that you can use for weddings or any other special occasion.
As you may already know, I love perusing antique and thrift stores for tabletop items and accessories. On a recent excursion, I spotted these:
Vintage Indian elephant candlesticks made by porcelain manufacturer Fitz and Floyd {$5.00 each!}.
I’ve always been intrigued with elephant stands and figurines although I haven’t owned any until now. However, when I was younger I remember my mother had been pining for a rather large elephant stand. When she finally purchased it, she crowned it with a round piece of glass. It’s been an end table in her living room ever since.
I’ve found a special place for my elephants in my dining room, but first I couldn’t resist using one of them for a centerpiece.
The milk glass vases were $1.00 each {also from the thrift store}. For the rose ‘bouquet,’ I used two dozen roses; the greenery is from shrubs in my yard. My pink and gold table runner makes a nice ‘global’ finishing touch.
One of the things I love best about floral designs for home entertaining — when the party’s over, I can enjoy them in my office — at least for a little while.
You can find elephant candlesticks on eBay.
Design and photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
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Spring Centerpieces {Part 1}
I’m so excited to share my new {and easy} Spring Centerpiece designs with you!
Between now and Easter — April 4 — I’ll showcase a variety of colorful creations that I hope will give you ideas for those upcoming Spring celebrations, whether you’re having a big event or small gathering. I decided to do this because my ‘Colorful Spring Centerpieces’ story from 2009 is one of the most visited posts on my blog, so I wanted to give you a first-hand look at what I’ve been working on for this year’s spring events.
This first arrangement of tulips and hyacinth was inspired by ribbon-tied wedding bouquets. I wrapped two types of ribbon around a glass vase, and where the ends came together I applied acrylic flower decals. Easy and elegant!
For a super-contemporary look {and a little more bling}, this next centerpiece is minimal but is still packed with style.
This crystal-encrusted ‘vase’ is actually a votive holder that I bought last Christmas. They were widely available during the holidays, so perhaps you have something similar.
Adding pompom mums and candles in the same shade of green makes a nice contrast to the lilac. This is a very simple centerpiece that you can multiply and display on mini-platters.
I’m just getting started, so be sure to check back and see what’s new and fresh for your Spring table!
All designs and photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
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Centerpiece Idea: Pink Peonies
With just a few more weeks left of spring, I was delighted to find beautiful bunches of pink peonies at my local grocery store.
Pink and white always make a great color combo for spring centerpieces. Place your peonies in a white ceramic vase or milk glass container for a vintage look — perfect for a baby shower or ladies luncheon. A huge plus — peonies have an amazing fragrance!
If you’re sold on peonies for your upcoming event, keep in mind that their growing season ends around the first part of the summer.
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