Thanksgiving centerpiece tutorial

Yesterday afternoon I put together this floral arrangement for our Thanksgiving table.

I knew I wanted to try using artichokes (first time!) and had picked up the red alstrameria while at the market.  From there I headed over to my local florist to see what she had available.  Here's what I came home with...

Alstroemeria

Lotus pods and Kangaroo Paw

Silver Brunia

Eucalyptus and feathers

I brought in some bittersweet from our yard.

I chose my antique ironstone piece for the container.

Please ignore the kitchen mess in the background...it was project central here yesterday!

The only tools & supplies I used were florist foam, shears and florist picks with wire. Oh- and a knife to cut the artichoke stems.

After soaking the foam in water, I started placing the eucalyptus branches around the perimeter of the bowl, allowing them to drape over the sides.

Since the artichokes were the largest item, I added them next.  I trimmed the stems, then inserted the florist picks into the base of the stem.

Two of the artichokes went in front, and the third I placed in the back.  I inserted them in on an angle so that the top of the artichoke was facing towards me, instead of standing straight up.

Next I put in the alstroemeria, placing them (mostly) upright and in the center of the arrangement.

The stems on the pods were very short, so I extended them by using the florist picks & wire. I used four lotus pods.

I love these silvery blue brunia...they have a wonderful texture and are a nice contrast to the other elements and colors.  And they are almost the same shade as my dining room curtains! 

I added little clippings of the kangaroo paw in front, and then a longer piece off-centered to give a little height. 

After placing both feathers off to the left side, the bittersweet went in last, tucked in around the bottom. After a little tweeking here and there...voila!  I wished I had a few more stems of the red alstroemeria to fill in some minor gaps.  But otherwise I was happy with the way it turned out.  It got put together fairly quickly...I had a 30 minute break in between piano lessons.  But with my daughter Michaela taking the photos, I was able to get it done!

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!  I'll be back next week with Christmas decorating ideas.

As always, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comments section below.

Need help creating a home you love? Contact me about our design services.

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

With two weeks until Thanksgiving, here is some inspiration for setting a beautiful Thanksgiving table.  Many of these ideas are simple, but will add a special touch to your day.



I love the idea of "mix and match" dinnerware.  Layering your dishes adds interest and brings varying shapes and colors to each place setting. If you're looking to add some dishes this year, I've seen great choices at Crate & Barrel, Home Goods and Target, where they are reasonably priced.



Placecards add a personal touch.  A simple sprig of rosemary (or piece of wheat) is all that's needed on these simple cards.





Pumpkins, fruit, vegetables and nuts can all be used to create place cards.



Give your guests a place to jot down what they are thankful for.

A small votive provides a take home gift for your guests.
Here are some fun ideas to keep the kiddos entertained.



Dress up the center of your table.  Blooms and pumpkins create a lovely centerpiece.  These hurricane vases are filled with dried peas.  You can also use dried beans, pinecones or cranberries.


Fill a wooden box with pumpkins, pinecones, succulents and sprigs of evergreens for a natural centerpiece.  Glass bottles and candlesticks give this arrangement some height.



How gorgeous is this arrangement?!?  Hollow out a cabbage and fill it with florist's foam or a glass dish.  Arrange with flowers, berries, artichokes and  kale leaves.

This wooden box standing on a log charger provides rustic warmth, and adding the leaves and berries to the flowers gives a unstructured, "woodland" feel.

A simple vase of nuts and moss is given the royal treatment with these plumes.

I love the soft colors of the arrangement above.  Pinks and ivories work well with darker fall colors to create a muted palette.  And this table below is one of my favorites!  It reminds me of a still life painting.  The dark blue tablecloth allows the baskets of kale and vegetables to take center stage, and the gold silverware and glasses of wine add sparkle. The light blue napkins keep it from feeling too dark and heavy. It looks like they hollowed out turnips and added candles for an organic votive.


I hope I've inspired you to add some creative touches to your Thanksgiving table this year.
All photos were taken from my "Autumn" board on Pinterest. You can see the sources here.

As always, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comments section below.

Need help creating a home you love? Contact me about our design services.