Fall is here, and it’s the perfect time to spruce up your coffee table, mantle, entryway or shelves. It’s also an ideal time to host a fall brunch, Oktoberfest or pumpkin party! I’m here today from Love The Day to share a centerpiece and highlight ideas for just such locations and events. Rather than resorting to your typical arrangement with pumpkins, gourds, hay barrels or corn stalks, why not try a rustic, non-traditional fall arrangement this year?
To recreate this particular idea, start with a watering can. Mine was a little rusty so I painted over it with a glossy cream Krylon spray paint from the local Home Depot. If your piece is especially rusty, use a corrosion remover like CLR, or a rust-stopping paint. Then fill the can with dried reeds and flowers. I purchased these at the Garden Ridge near my home, but you can likely find them at any craft or decorating store this time of year – try Home Goods, Michaels or JoAnns. Neutral-colored shrubbery coordinates well with the decor in most homes, but these items come in all sorts of fabulous colors. Be sure the combination maintains a fall color palette. In this example, I purchased a handful of red items to match the color of the falling leaves this time of year, but oranges, yellows, browns and muted navy blues can all work.
Place the flowers/sticks/reeds in the watering can and arrange. Next, tie a large bow at the neck of the vase using burlap ribbon. For a little more dimension, and to protect the table, place the arrangement on a wicker placemat like this one I found at World Market. To accent the flowers and vase, arrange colored candles, rustic orbs and burlap/raffia acorns around the vase. The centerpiece is the perfect piece of eye catching fall home decor. To repurpose the arrangement in other seasons, you can remove the acorns and candles – without them the centerpiece works great as an everyday arrangement.
The arrangement goes perfectly with a candle or two to light the room, providing ambiance and adding a fall scent. I’m a huge fan of wood-wick candles which crackle and sputter a bit as they burn giving the impression of a distant fireplace. If you can’t locate a wood-wicked candle at your local home goods store, the wicks are easy to purchase online, and you can make your own candles with minimal equipment and effort.
Enjoy fall and happy party planning!