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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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Party Idea: Sweet and Citrus
I haven’t posted a party idea in a while…
…so today I’m featuring this gorgeous ice cream soda station created by floridianweddings.com. This is such a fun ‘warm weather’ idea for outdoor celebrations. I love the citrus colors, pops of hot pink, and the casual feel of the design.
{Aren’t these straws adorable?}
I was also amused by the colorful paper chain:
I don’t think I’ve made paper chains since I was in elementary school! But I love the simplicity of them. Making a paper chain is a little labor intensive, but it’s a cheap and wonderful way to bring color, texture and a little retro vibe to your party. In this featured design, similar (analogous) colors were used to create a warm color scheme:
And, of course the best party set-ups are all about the details…such as coordinating napkins and colorful candy.
For more juicy details about this party idea, visit floridianweddings.com.
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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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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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Children’s Easter Table
When planning your Easter gathering, don’t forget the little guests.
I designed this colorful table setting especially for the kids because they love having a place of their own. With splashes of primary colors, orange and a tiny touch of pink, this Easter Table is fun, bright and simple to create. A pedestal-bowl {a thrift store find} filled with dyed eggs makes a great focal point for this setting.
For the place cards, I took a photograph of one of the melamine plates {from Target}, minimized it and typed each child’s name over top. Then, I inserted each card into a small tray filled with gumballs.
The plastic ‘candy carrots’ are filled with jellybeans {Wal-Mart}.
And, of course, extra jellybean jars are always appreciated.
Great colors and sweet treats are always the perfect recipe for a children’s table.
Design and photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
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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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Spring Centerpiece: Jellybean Tower
If you’re looking for a candy centerpiece idea, this Jellybean Tower will add a little vintage sparkle and warm colors to your table.
The photo below shows you all of the parts to this centerpiece: three vintage, glass candy dishes {one of my new favorite accessories} and three glass votive holders.
You can find vintage candy dishes at just about any thrift store or antique store. I bought these at a thrift store for only $2.00 each. The glass votive holders are available just about anywhere — the grocery store, craft store or Wal-Mart. As you can see, I filled two of them with jellybeans and used one as a vase for the ranunculus. These flowers are brilliantly colored and have tons of petals that actually look like paper. Very pretty!
The final step is to stack each part on top of the other beginning with a candy dish and ending with the flowers. Add extra jellybeans in the top dish {optional}, and you’re done! Needless to say you can use any color of jellybeans you wish. I wanted warm hues, hence the yellow and orange.
The great thing about using clear glass items is that they become whatever color you want them to be just by what you put in them. So don’t ignore a pretty glass container even if you want something colorful.
One other point — this tower is best suited for adult gatherings. Unless you glue all of the parts together, the display can topple over so use your discretion when children are around. I’m pleased with how this centerpiece turned out and I’m sure it will make for a fun dinner conversation.
Design and photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
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Pink Flowers
I had planned on posting photos of my pink flower arrangements before Easter, but I ran out of time! However, I do think pink flowers are perfect for spring occasions such as a baby shower or Mother’s Day {which is coming up on May 9, 2010}. In fact, I’m sure there are many Moms and Grandmas who would really appreciate a Teacup Tablescape.
Once again I raided the thrift store — where teacups are abundant — and found these lovely cups from Laurel China….but you know me…I had to glam them up a bit so a little bling was in order.
Thanks to adhesive jewels {from Michaels} these vintage teacups now have a contemporary touch. I then arranged three roses in each teacup, and Viola!
The second design {below} is just a fun, casual mix of seasonal pinks: snapdragons, tulips and more roses.
My vase is another thrift store find. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice more jewels.
If you’ve ever perused the ‘jewelry making’ aisle at the craft store I’m sure you’ve seen an array of beautiful beads and gems. These items really can turn a centerpiece from ordinary to extraordinary. Even subtle jewels can add interest and catch your guests’ attention.
Well, I hope you enjoyed my centerpieces this spring. If you use any of these ideas or come up with your own, I’d love to hear from you and share your creations with Color Sizzle readers!
{One last photo of my office which was overtaken by flowers for several days. My oldest son, who has allergies, was sneezing like crazy — poor thing. Oh, how my family puts up with me!}
CLICK HERE to view Spring Centerpiece Central
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Romantic Dessert Table
I created this fun and funky dessert table for Valentine’s Day, but I’ve been told this would be a great idea for romantic spring events, too. This colorful table is romantic, whimsical, and totally bohemian. My inspiration pieces? Two sarongs that I purchased while vacationing in Jamaica a few years ago. With their bright colors and tribal print motifs, they made the perfect tablecloth to build upon.
To pull this look together, I headed over to Antique Depot, one of my favorite antique stores in the DC – Baltimore area. Then it was off to the Salvation Army Thrift Store. Definitely not the most glamorous shopping trip, but it resulted in a fun and surprising mix of candy jars and other dessert table essentials.
One of my favorite finds was this terrific ruby red cake plate. I placed it on top of one that I already owned to create a delicious cupcake and cookie tower.
This trio of retro candy jars turned out to be a cute addition to the dessert table. As you can see, they provided plenty of love and happiness.
Other elegant finds included pairs of vintage candy dishes to display grapes, atlas vases for the Tootsie Pops and Asian mini-vases for the flowers.
I added personal touches {and additional color} with scrapbooking paper and ribbon — my two entertaining must-haves! The baked goods, candy and flowers all came from the grocery store. I really saved time and money by mixing in items that I already owned with my new purchases from the antique and thrift store.
This dessert table is clearly a reflection of what I like, which is a mix of modern, vintage, color and cultures.
These days, entertaining is all about injecting our own individual style. So make sure your table and displays include your unique, personal touches.
All images by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
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