centerpieces

If you've extinguished the fantasy of living in a fresh-flower-filled home this Spring, allow us to rekindle the flame. Turns out, creating eye-catching centerpieces doesn't require financial sacrifice, skill, or even petals (in some cases). We're banking on these three easy centerpieces for maintaining a stylish coffee table — all Spring long!

Bottles as Bud Vases
Tulips continue to grow after they are cut, which makes blending them in arrangements a bit tricky. Show off their playful silhouettes (while saving cash) by sticking just a handful in individual bottles. All sorts of bottles from apothecary to soda pop will work — just be sure to peel off unsightly soda labels.

Veggie Arrangements
You also don't have to stick strictly to flowers. Artichokes and stones look downright architectural when placed in a cylinder glass vase and are in season this time of year.

Keep reading for our final centerpiece that's a cinch to pull off — we've saved the best for last!

Do you have your menu planned and guest list checked for your Fourth of July party? Now all that's left is to find a simple, pretty, and low-cost way to finish your table. Centerpieces for the Fourth of July can embrace the spirit of the season — so definitely favor Summer fun over fussy elegance. Here are seven cheap and easy ways to make the most of your Fourth of July centerpiece.

• Sparklers: Arrange sparklers in narrow-necked vases, clustered on the table. Tie them with a wide grosgrain ribbon in red, white, or blue.
• Carnations: Cut carnations so they are on a short stem, and then arrange them in giant clusters in a low vase. Once the sun sets, break out the sparklers!
• Pinwheels:  Buy premade pinwheels and add them to a metal bucket or vase. They also work great as a party favor that guests can take home when the evening is through.
• Potted garden plant: Have a potted cherry tomato or miniature pepper plant you're proud of? Add it to your table and show it off! You can wrap the pot in fabric or paper to help it stand out.
• Skewers of fruit or berries: Make your centerpiece double as an appetizer by arranging strawberries, watermelon, or blueberries on half of a wooden skewer, and then adding the skewers to a tall, wide-mouthed vase.
• Paper straws:  Buy red-and-white and blue-and-white straws (like these from Kikkerland) and arrange them in glasses or vases in the middle of the table.
• Colored pencils:  Dress your table in white butcher paper, and then ask guests to draw images and write messages on the "tablecloth" that reflect their vision of the Fourth of July holiday.

I'm excited to present a post from one of my favorite sites, ShelterPop!

Forget the florist -- here are some simple DIY centerpiece ideas to wow any special guest.

Help me! I have special guests arriving within the hour, and I don't have the time or money to head to an expensive florist. What are some cheap and easy centerpiece options?

Home Rescue: You're actually in luck. Regardless of budget or time constraints, overdone, grandiose centerpieces are so out. Showing off a minimal, but creative piece is oh-so-chic."It's important that your dining table looks attractive for a sit-down dinner -- either formal or casual," says entertaining expert Baroness Monica von Neumann. "You want your table to have a sense of simple elegance, and a centerpiece is the perfect finishing touch."

Here's what to do:

If you have an existing flower arrangement or a pre-arranged grocery store bouquet, you can put it to re-use. Toss out any wilted flowers or greenery. Find three small glasses or containers for an oblong table, and cut the remaining stems down to fit, separating the arrangement equally among all three containers. Then place the trio along a table runner. If you need to fill any holes to make up for the tossed-aside stems, trim some simple branches or stems from your backyard. Even a simple leaf branch can add color.

For a round table, take the existing arrangement, place in a clear round vase filled with a layer of fruit at the bottom -- lemons, limes, oranges or tangerines are best. This adds a pop of color and life; add a little extra ambiance with tealights scattered around the table.

If you're in a flower drought -- nothing to be found in the yard and no time to run to the store -- all hope isn't lost. Simply create a fruit vignette in a stylish pedestal bowl or another decorative piece. Or loosely arrange several tealights onto a pedestal plate (or cake stand) with seasonal decorative items: fallen leaves, beach rocks or shells, etc. This will quickly add life and beauty to any table. Just don't overdo it; keep it simple and elegant.

Want more centerpiece ideas?
8 DIY Wedding Centerpieces
Video: How to create a floral centerpiece
Video: How to make centerpiece luminaries

Source

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member StephaniePoli from the Lovely Little Vignettes group:

Handcrafted Fall decor. Updates from my home.

Continue reading to see another Fall vignette from StephaniePoli!

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Bunnyhorse from the Lovely Little Vignettes group:

I'm from Texas and my husband is from South Carolina. For our wedding, I created the centerpieces with eclectic succulents from Texas and moss from his yard in South Carolina. I love the way they turned out!  Here they are all together before we set up the tables at the reception. Around the centerpieces on each table we scattered a few white candles in clear glass votives. The bridesmaids wore different shades of green, and the bouquets had white roses, green orchids and succulents, so the centerpieces complemented them.

Start sharing your big day with our community. Just head to the Lovely Little Vignettes group, click "new post," and check the wedding content box.

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Saittica from the Lovely Little Vignettes group. I'm loving her milk glass centerpieces!

We had a cocktail reception so we had couches and benches for seating and coffee tables with succulent center pieces.  The succulents are planted in milkglass pieces that we collected at flea markets.

For more lovely photos, keep reading.