Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Autumn's Dining Splendor Centerpiece. . .

During my tutoring sessions with my private instrumental instructor,
I often heard the phrase, "Practice Makes More Perfect."

The phrase held true as I progressed with my Bb clarinet performances.



I trust the same "Practice Makes More Perfect."
holds true with my floral arranging, as well!


I've been wanting to use this oblong Italian made pottery 
as a centerpiece container for the longest time, 
but just didn't trust my floral arranging skills until recently.



A few years ago, 
"Mr. Ed" and I attended a fresh flora designing class
at Wichita Botanical Gardens. What an amazing eye opener!



During that class,
I gained knowledge in container size, height and flora placement.



My greatest challenge when designing and creating 
any floral arrangement is how to hold the flowers in place.

Did I use any of the recommendations demonstrated and discussed at the class???

N o t exactly. . .

* * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * *
Join me in Studio One while I explain how I put this 
Autumn's Dining Splendor Centerpiece together.



I began with a faux piece of twig.
I placed it's spiral portion inside the pottery 
then, draped the twigs randomly around the base or spiraling into the air.



This photo shows both pieces of the faux twigs randomly placed.

The flora I chose for Autumn's Dining Splendor
all came from my Autumn floral storage bins.




Sherbet orange calla lilies,



soft taupe hydrangea,



faux gingersnap roses



and something new this Season. . .which reminds me of persimmons.




And, of course. . .
a variety of faux greenery for filler!

Those twiggy branches held the hydrangea in place 
as I slid the stem through the spiral.






I continued until I had all the hydrangea inserted within the twigs
and was pleased with their placement.



Then,
I added the heightened pieces of faux persimmons and some faux greenery.






For a more dramatic placement,
I waited to place the calla lilies and roses as the last placements.
I just kept adding more faux greenery until all the void spaces were filled.



You'll know when to stop.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
No matter which direction you view this floral arrangement,
Autumn's Dining Splendor Centerpiece 
fills On Crooked Creektt's  Dining Room with vibrant Autumnal hues.





















The vibrancy of Autumn's color palette 
featured within Autumn's Dining Splendor Centerpiece
sets the mood for Autumn gatherings with family and friends.












Until next time. . .





On Crooked Creektt will be joining



And. . .



And. . .



And. . .



And. . .





Each and every week,
seeds of inspiration bloom from these host and hostesses linky parties.
Be sure to visit and delight your family dwelling with brilliant interior design.



Monday, September 21, 2015

Autumn's Dining Splendor!

Ah~h~h. . .
the wait for Autumn's arrival is over!



I'm welcoming Autumn into On Crooked Creektt's Dining Room 
with all of  Autumn's Dining Splendor!

Autumn's Dining Splendor features all the Season's vibrant hues 
in bronze,  golds, greens, oranges, rusts and yellows.




To bring Autumn's Dining Splendor into our Dining Room,
I began with my buttery yellow Ralph Lauren paisley print damask table cloth.

Next,
I added a shiny swirled table runner in bronze.

Needing to adjust the length, at each end, 
I simply turned the end back towards the table on a diagonal.







Wanting to use this favored oblong creamy ivory Italian made bowl
as the centerpiece presented quite a challenge when filling 
with vibrant Autumnal hued flora.


My floral choices were faux orange sherbet calla lilies, soft taupe hydrangea
and gingersnap roses combined with a variety of faux greenery such as
eucalyptus, variegated ivy and magnolia leaves.
( An On Crooked Creektt Autumn's Dining Splendor Centerpiece coming soon!)









Once the table linens and the centerpiece were in place,
I began stacking our place settings 
with my everyday and vintage Homer Laughlin dinnerware.



















As seen in the rim view, 
the unexpected touch of blue
brings a sense of serenity within Autumn's Dining Splendor!






"Mr. Ed" and I enjoy the touch of simplistic elegance 
our everyday Oneida flatware brings to On Crooked Creektt's tablescapes.

Vibrant cloth floral patterned napkins are drawn together 
with a wrought iron single rustic leaf napkin ring.








Crystal candle holders featuring a single orange~mango scented votive,
accompany the centerpiece at each side.

I adore how they mimic our everyday clear glass stemware.








The vibrancy of Autumn's color palette 
featured within On Crooked Creektt's Dining Table 
sets the mood for a Season of gatherings with family and friends.









Wishing each of you a wonderful first week of Autumn,

filled with the glorious hues of  Autumn's Dining Splendor!




Until next time. . . 



On Crooked Creektt will be joining



And. . .



And. . .



And. . .



And. . .





Each and every week,
seeds of inspiration bloom from these host and hostesses linky parties.
Be sure to visit and delight your family dwelling with brilliant interior design.