Table Crazy!

Don't lie to me, that is exactly what you are thinking...isn't it? I must be table crazy right now! Well, starting on my own home's casual table setting has put me in the mood to see what other directions I can go this holiday season. So, I took advantage of a dinner party for over 30 guests that my mother was having, and I got to work on her table too! Considering that her dining room is a bit more "grand" than what I would consider mine to be, I thought the use of real flowers was definitely necessary. I am not quite sure what she would say if I brought over ribbon leaves...

Here is what we came up with together.
Despite what you might think, this centerpiece is actually extremely affordable. Here is how we did it...
First, we 'borrowed' some magnolia leaves from a gorgeous tree at the end of her street. These leaves are green year round, and extremely sturdy. Any of us living in the south is sure to have a tree someone around that we can 'borrow' some leaves from. Therefore, the bulk of our centerpiece was free! Yay!
I cut about 6 or 7 stems off the tree, and left the leaves on the branch. This makes it easier to weave and manipulate, giving the leaves plenty of volume.

Next, my mom picked our her favorite blooms from a local florist. To keep the piece more budget savvy, your could easily look in your grocers floral section for reduced blooms, especially if you only need it for one night.
We started with a neutral to add a little interest to the base of the centerpiece. Just placing the blooms around as we thought necessary.
Next, we picked an autumn berry to give the piece a pop of color. Makes you feel "thanksgiving-y" right?
Finally, we added a few mustard gerber daisies to brighten up the mix just a bit more. And voila, an all natural centerpiece for even the biggest holiday table. The magnolia leaves make it a bit dramatic, and the gerber daisies bring it back to that warm autumn feel.


How about you send me a link to your holiday table setting? I would love to get a little more inspiration and see what is out there! Also, I am already finding myself in the mood for a change. Remember, I have a bit of a hard time committing to just about anything I do around my own house anyway.

I'll be linking to these parties this week. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Thursday,