Using a variety of containers that you already have on hand or find at local stores helps you plan ahead and keeps costs down when setting a table for guests. Once the dishes for a dinner are chosen, you have a natural color palate from which to work. Using many smaller containers is more flexible than one large centerpiece because you can place them around to make room for the food, and they can also be repurposed somewhere else in the home after your party — or given to guests to take home as unique favors.
Most of the containers for this table were found at local dollar stores, but you could also use different sizes of drinking glasses, cups, or pitchers to create the same effect. It is not desirable that they all match — the eclectic look is what makes this table design work.
Foliage from your yard can be used. Examples are variegated Privet and Pittisporum, Chinese Fringe Flower, Azalea foliage, Nandina foliage and clips of Juniper. Cuttings from holly, English ivy, Eleagnus and any evergreens are good choices as they are hardy and can be done up in advance.
Greenery used from houseplants include Chinese Evergreen, Scheffelera and Dusty Miller.
Flowers purchased for these arrangements include White Lisianthus, dark blue Delphinium and gray Brunia Berries.
The design is not as important here as the use of repetitive materials and the use of one or two colors only. Since there are so many different varieties and textures of greenery, keep the flower colors simple to keep these arrangements from looking too “weedy.”
Larger leaves can be cut to size or even folded over and stapled to form interesting loops. A light spray with Pam gives these a lovely shine.
Twigs can be added for height, and pieces of leftover blooms or greenery can be placed at the base of your serving containers so that nothing goes to waste.
