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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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Put A Bow On It: Simple Spring Centerpieces
It’s that time of year when I share ideas for Spring Centerpieces! This time around I decided to use a ‘gift’ theme.
Some things just naturally go together. I happen to think flowers and bows make a pretty pair.
Making bows from ribbon is inexpensive and easy yet they add so much flair to the simplest of flower arrangements. Wrap it all up using an unexpected ‘gift box’ for a container and you’re in business.
For this ‘gift’ centerpiece, I used a box covered with ivory capiz shells that I purchased from HomeGoods. I placed the hydrangeas in a drinking glass filled with water before putting the whole arrangement into the box.
Blue hydrangeas are some of my favorite flowers. Just a few of these big, fluffy blossoms are needed for a robust display. Just beware — beauty aside — cut hydrangeas are fussy and may not last more than a day. So, if you use them, prepare your arrangement the day of your event.
Yellow daffodils are also some of my faves, and in my quest to find a unique way to arrange them in a gift box I came across this:
Perfect! A ceramic gift box complete with a yellow ribbon and bow on top. Did I mention that I found this at the thrift store? Time to snip a small bunch of daffies from the yard:
Although the ceramic box was a fortunate find, there are many other ways to create a gift-theme centerpiece. I’ll share a couple more ideas later in the season.
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Two Dozen Red And Pink Roses
If you received flowers on Valentine’s Day, here is an easy, artful way to arrange them:
My wonderful husband gave me these beautiful roses and I arranged them in milk-glass bud vases — three roses in each vase. You can use any type of vases, and drinking glasses will work too. They don’t even have to match.
The idea is to spread your flowers around. Arrange your containers in a group or put them in separate rooms. Flowers don’t last long, so this is one way you can enjoy them even more!
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Sunflower Tablescape
It’s the first day of Summer, so what better time than to share a bright and cheery tablescape featuring Sunflowers as the focal point.
I created this ‘welcome table’ for an outdoor party. Although I enjoy designing with sunflowers, they are sometimes tricky to work with. Sunflowers have thick stems and can be awkwardly shaped, but their stately stature, dramatic yellow hue, and affordability really make them a great choice for summer gatherings…and yes, they can look elegant!
Packs of retro chewing gum usually get a positive reaction from guests. In this case, yellow packs of Juicy Fruit perfectly complement my color scheme.
Fabric and ribbon are my “go to” weapons for tablescapes. Notice how the buttons on the vase are made from the same fabric as the table runner.
Be sure to follow Color Sizzle for more fun and colorful entertaining ideas this summer!
photos and design by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
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Quick Centerpiece Idea {from the yard}
Need a quick centerpiece? If you have flowering shrubs in your yard, grab a pair of scissors! Right now, my Hypercium {St. John’s Wort} shrubs are in full bloom. With just a handful of branches and a few added strands of vinca vine, I made this centerpiece in no time.
Other great shrubs and plants that will work: lilac shrubs, hydrangeas, viburnum, Japanese rose shrubs and peonies….and don’t forget to use a colorful vase!
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